If you didn’t see the programme Heno on S4C last Friday, I – along with my little shop – had a feature! On TV! Check it out below:
If I was told a year ago that I would be invited by S4C to film an section on the programme Heno, I never would have believed it – I definitely would not have believed that I would overcome my fears! But I did get an invitation, and I did accept the opportunity.
Without a doubt this is the scariest thing I have ever done, but I am so glad I did it. A lovely team from S4C came over to my house to see behind the scenes of my little Cardiau Cymraeg, and to ask some questions about the shop – where it started, my inspirations etc. I was shaking like a leaf before they arrived, but once we got the questions out of the way, I had loads of fun showing some of the process behind designing the cards and preparing orders.
As the whole interview didn’t make the program, here are the questions I was asked along with the answers:
1. Give us a little of the company’s history. Where did the shop start and why?
The idea of starting Welsh cards shop originally came from my dad and brother. After graduating from University in design, I wanted to do something creative, fun and something where I could design and illustrate. Although I do illustrate and design the cards and prints myself, I’ve had loads of support from my family through creating the website, and giving feedback on new designs and ideas. I opened an Instagram page and launched the shop about a year ago now, and the morning after launching on Instagram I got a message from the first shop enquiring about stocking the cards in her shop – I couldn’t believe it. Before reading the message I hadn’t even consider selling the cards in shops! I still get loads of support from my family and definitely from my partner who takes the lovely pictures of the cards and prints (as can be seen on the Instagram page) and through helping fold the cards and preparing larger orders.
2. Why did you choose to not use plastic? What do you use instead?
It was very important for me to start something as environmentally friendly as possible, by making sure everything was biodegradable or recyclable. I definitely didn’t want to add to the huge problem of plastic pollution, therefore instead of using single-use plastic packaging on my cards, I use craft paper bands – which are biodegradable and can be recycled. As for the prints, I use packaging similar to plastic cello bags, however they are made from potato starch – making them completely biodegradable too!
3. What is your inspiration when designing the cards?
I’m inspired by everyone and everything – in terms of the card design ideas, I’ll randomly wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, I’m constantly make notes, and every now and then I receive messages from customers asking: “Do you sell a card like this?” to which I answer “No, but I will!” My family, friends and my partner are always suggesting new ideas and types of cards I need to add to the collection. Loads of ideas come from everywhere. Sometimes I see a photo of an animal and instantly think ‘I want to draw one of those!’ not knowing what that particular card will end up being until after I’ve finished the drawing.
4. With Valentine in the pipeline are there any new romantic cards? If yes, can we get a preview of one?
I have a huge selection of love cards available on the shop’s website, but this time of year I do become inspired to create more ready for next Valentines. There is one card that can give you a sneak peak of – it’s not been sent to print yet. This card is a design of two Puffins. I came up with the idea after walking through a small town in Pembrokeshire, where an artist has painted loads of little puffins all over town. I saw some of these puffins, and was inspired to illustrate my own – so I did, with no idea what kind of card it could be. After I finished the illustration, my little puffin looked lonely so I added another one, and it became a love card.
5. What are your hopes for the future of Welsh Cards?
To be completely honest, I am over the moon with my little Cardiau Cymraeg, I can’t believe so many people buy the cards let alone that they’re being sold in shops across Wales! In the future I would love for the shop to exist, and also to have a much wider variety of designs, cards and prints available!
_
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the shop in every way, and thank you to S4C and the Heno team for inviting me on the program! x