Hi Creators! We loved chatting with our newest Creators so much last month we decided to catch up with three more this month. We speak to Liz, Claire and Katie on inspiration, challenges and their best piece of advice.
Hi, I’m Liz. My story is a little bittersweet really, I was recovering from a long hospital stay following surgery to remove a spinal cord tumour when I returned to illustration. Before my cancer diagnosis, I had been working in an especially boring job in recruitment but with my new circumstance needed to find a new job that would work around a rigorous rehabilitation programme (I was learning to walk again after nerve damage from the surgery) and something I could do from home. I started by drawing family portraits for a few of my sister’s friends and once I advertised them on Instagram I suddenly had a full order book. I thought I would continue for a few months until I could get a “proper job” but here I am, 7 years later, still going strong!
The name “Soggy Day Studio” comes from a phrase my cheeky niece and nephew coined during a very competitive water fight – they would spray their victims with their water pistols and speed off yelling “Have a soggy day!”. This became the go-to phrase for writing in their birthday cards – so it felt perfect for the greeting card branch of my illustration business.
Hi, I’m Claire the designer behind Atwood & Atwood. I live in Shropshire with my husband Peter and my two dogs Winnie the Cockapoo and Hattie the Labradoodle. I work full time as a Graphic Designer and Embroidery Digitiser. My background is Graphic Design having initially studied at Bourneville School of Art & Design in Birmingham. From there I worked for an Adverting Agency also in Birmingham before joining my (now) Husband – Peter Atwood – who owned 3 design & print companies in the London area. Hence my creator name now being Atwood & Atwood. Alongside my design for print activities I also operate a machine embroidery design business called Stitchontime Ltd. Which was created in 2008.
Hi, I’m Katie! Katie Abey is not really my name (shhh don’t tell anyone) I love using my maiden name in my artwork, it feels like I now have an arty alter ego! I’ve been running this business for 10 years now (madness!) I design products, such as cards, and then also illustrate children’s books. As well as the artwork and my husband also created a magical fantasy themed shop in Derbyshire called Punnydukes which we run with the help of a friend, and with another friend I put on mindfulness events. There is certainly never a dull moment!
What inspired you to start creating greeting cards and then start selling on thortful?
Soggy Day Studio
I’ve been creating greeting cards for family and friends since I can remember – I’ve always loved creating bespoke pieces for friends and family to let them know how special they are. After I gave birth to my gorgeous daughter 2 years ago, I needed to shift the focus of my illustration business – investing time in designs that I could draw once and sell several times instead of bespoke, one-off illustrations. Thortful seemed like the perfect platform because it took care of the time-consuming process of fulfilling orders.
Atwood & Atwood
Creating greeting cards was a natural progression for me. It gave me the perfect outlet to unleash my creative and copywriting ideas. It’s like combining all my passions into one fun and colorful package.
Katie Abey
My work has punchy messages and so lends itself so well to cards! And thortful is a platform which really values the creators!
What challenges have you overcome as a new face in the greeting card market, and how have you overcome them?
Soggy Day Studio
I find it tricky to find a balance between offering unique designs that stay true to my style as an artist whilst also tapping into current trends that will perform well.
Atwood & Atwood
I absolutely love designing—it’s when I’m at my happiest. But like any creative field, it comes with its own set of challenges. Keeping up with current trends is definitely a big one; the market is always evolving, and staying relevant requires constant research and adaptation. Another challenge is standing out in a crowded market—there are so many talented designers out there! And, of course, there are those days when the creative juices just aren’t flowing. I tackle these challenges by staying curious, continuously learning, and not being too hard on myself on the off days. It’s all about rolling with it and keeping the creativity alive.
Katie Abey
The main challenge I face is not having the time to realise all of the designs I want to do! We have a busy 5 year old too. The ideas keep coming to me but this chapter of my life is a busy one. I wouldn’t change it though!
Can you describe your design process from concept to finished product?
Soggy Day Studio
Sometimes an idea comes out of nowhere whilst I’m walking the dog, sometimes I’ll be sitting at my studio desk with an empty notepad racking my brains for something to draw. Then I’ll start sketching up the idea using Procreate on my iPad, working and reworking until I’m happy with the design. I’ll check to make sure there isn’t any existing designs that are too close to mine too. I usually check in with my husband to see if he has any notes – which I usually ignore!
Atwood & Atwood
I take on board all ‘modern trends’, news items, new films, trending music, funny conversations with friends and family etc. If I wake up through the night with thoughts on any elements captured from these outlets (as I often do) I write them down and first thing in the morning apply those ideas into a rough design sketch before creating the finished card in one of my many design programs.
Katie Abey
I write down my ideas in the notes app on my phone as they come and then draw them up when I am feeling creative. I post daily illustrations on my social media and then turn the favourites into THINGS.
Where do you see your greeting card business in 5 years time?
Soggy Day Studio
I’d love to see some of my designs on the High Street!
Atwood & Atwood
In five years, I see my greeting card business growing steadily and becoming a beloved brand that brings smiles to people’s faces. I hope to expand my collection, reach more customers, and collaborate with other creatives. While I want it to be a successful and sustainable venture, my main goal is to keep enjoying the process and connecting with people through my designs. If I can continue to make others happy with my cards, I’ll consider it a huge success.
Katie Abey
I am not much of a planner when it comes to things like this but I am excited to see how things turn out.
What has been the most rewarding experience since you started your greeting card business?
Soggy Day Studio
Having my designs accepted into the thortful catalogue is extremely satisfying – a little bit of validation from the Pros!
Atwood & Atwood
Easily the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect of my card creation is seeing the public buying them and by doing so showing that they too enjoy them.
Katie Abey
Listening to people chuckle at my designs at markets or in our shop, for SURE. So rewarding!
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own greeting card business?
Soggy Day Studio
Draw every day. Ask your friends and family what cards they wish they could buy but can’t find in the shops – design them!
Atwood & Atwood
Research industry trends and gather insights from social media, blogs, and forums. Every experienced designer knows that from a creative design aspect you have good days and days that are not so fruitful. I would remind anybody newly entering the business to try and be original, persevere and accept the good days with the not so good days. It’s all part of being a creative.
Katie Abey
Start with birthday cards! People ALWAYS need those.
What is your favourite card you’ve designed?
Soggy Day Studio
I love my Ghostbuster’s inspired birthday card – so fun.
Atwood & Atwood
My favourite card has to be the one inspired by that hilarious viral video of a woman who locked herself out and had to climb through a window and exposed herself! I turned that moment into a cheeky birthday card called “Hope your birthday doesn’t go Tits up.” It’s hands down my most popular card to date. People love it because it’s funny, a bit rude, and definitely memorable. It captures my sense of humour perfectly and shows how sometimes the best ideas come from the most unexpected (and hilarious) places.
Katie Abey
The Well Done crocodile! He must have helped celebrate thousands of birthdays by this point!
What’s your favourite type of card to design, and why?
Soggy Day Studio
I love drawing cards for kids, all the whimsy and frivolity.
Atwood & Atwood
My favourite type of card to create would be punny, possibly rude and definitely cheeky. Indicative of my own personality.
Katie Abey
I love a good rainbow, so anything that involves that!
Are there any particular artists or designers who have influenced your work?
Soggy Day Studio
I worked in a well known card and stationery shop after graduating from University, I was always obsessed with Anna Bond’s work at Rifle Paper Co. Whilst her style isn’t anything like mine – her designs really concreted my desire to create cards and stationery.
Atwood & Atwood
I wouldn’t say I draw direct influence from other artists for my work; my ideas tend to come from my own quirky sense of humor and everyday life. Saying that all Thortful Creators are amazing.
Katie Abey
There are lots of creators I admire but my work tends to get most influenced by my family and friends and the daft stuff they come out with.
If you were a greeting card, what would you be?
Soggy Day Studio
One of those annoying ones that plays “Happy Birthday” when you open it until the batteries run out… with confetti in the envelope that you find in the carpet for months after!
Atwood & Atwood
If I were a greetings card according to my husband I would most certainly be a colourful, cheeky and a little bit sweary Birthday card full of glitter.
Katie Abey
The birthday llama!
Want to become a thortful Creator? Sign up here. Join us next time when we shine the spotlight on our wonderful community of Creators.
