I’ll take a guess that you’ve found this blog post because you’ve whacked “what do I buy my wife for our one year anniversary gift?” into Google, hoping for inspiration. You may not of considered a wedding bouquet illustration – it’s not an obvious choice, after all. And while I am clearly deeply biased, I’d love to share 5 reasons why it’s a great gift idea for your beautiful, creative, modern bride. 

1. It’s unique

My illustrations are hand drawn and totally bespoke made. I don’t copy and paste elements like a digital artist may, and the result is an artwork that is truly unique. The image will never be sold to anybody else. You’ll find lots of gifting services that are customisable – where you can input your own initials or add your wedding date – but by commissioning your own artwork you are creating something completely new and original. 

2. It’s romantic

My clients have told me that just looking at their wedding bouquet illustration makes them feel relaxed and more beautiful, and many chose to hang them in their bedrooms. For the bride who loved her flowers, and spent hours browsing, scrolling, designing and planning her wedding florals, an illustration preserves and enhances all those memories. It’s part of the storytelling of the wedding fairytale, remembered in full bloom – not as a dusty relic of a dried and faded bouquet. 

3. It will accompany you on your life’s journey

If you’re living in a small or rented home, big or lifelong wedding gifts can be troublesome. But my wedding bouquet illustrations are compact, impactful but unimposing, and can be re-framed as interior decor trends change. If you are in a rented home, Command Strips are magical, and mean you can have meaningful artwork on display before you settle into your forever home. Simply by changing the frame as you redecorate over the years, your illustration will keep up with all the plot twists of your life story. It’s a modern heirloom. 

4. The one year anniversary gift is traditionally paper

Champagne, chocolates, perfume, lingerie and flowers….all lovely, no-one’s debating that. These things will usually be well-received. But they are hardly ground-breaking and not likely to wow her with how thoughtful and amazing you are. Tradition states that the first anniversary is celebrated with paper, making a hand drawn illustration a modern interpretation of this custom. What you need, and this brings me neatly onto my final point is…

5. A gift to love. Forever. Like marriage. 

If you want to really, really show her what your first year of marriage means to you, you need a gift that is unique, romantic, life-long, inspired and desirable. If you think that could be one of my illustrations, please drop me a line via my contact page, read my testimonials, or go directly to book the Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service. I’d love to help you make your celebration something very special. 

love, charlotte

“How Does the Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service work?” is a question I am asked regularly. I’m asked if I attend the wedding and draw live in situ. I’m asked if I am sent the bouquet by courier straight after the wedding. I have even been asked if I work from a preserved bouquet – to which I probably couldn’t disguise my bafflement. 

I WORK FROM PHOTOGRAPHY YOU PROVIDE

Maybe the answer is devastatingly simple, but I just work from photography. Usually, a couple buying for themselves or a groom buying for a special present for his missus will wait a few weeks and send me their professional photography. A handful of images is ideal, so I can clearly see all the different floral species and work out the best composition. But if there’s only one decent image of the bouquet, that’s absolutely fine. 

Often, I will ask for your florist’s details, so that I can quickly check the list of species featured. It’s a small detail, but one that means both you and I know your illustration is a true representation of all your wonderful wedding day memories.

Sometimes a relative buying the Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service as a surprise gift will send me snapshots taken on their smart phone on the wedding day. That’s ok too. The final illustration may be more a creative interpretation of the bouquet if the images are blurry or taken from an awkward angle. But the gift-giver will have the opportunity to approve the drawing at every stage. And I can always do some detective work via the bride’s florist, if required.  

Let’s go through the whole process of the Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service

1. PURCHASE THE SERVICE VIA MY WEBSITE

There are two options:

a. Full Bouquet (£290)

b. Mini Bouquet (£145)  

Both variations include the option to add a complementary gift voucher. This is a small card printed on luxurious paper stock, presented with an additional envelope, ribbon and a sticker – meaning the gift-giver can sign the card themselves before gifting. The voucher is valid for one year from the date it is posted out to the gift giver. It will be posted first class to the gift giver within five days of purchase. 

2. EMAIL PHOTOGRAPHY to me at charlotte@charlotteargyrou.com

3. CONSULTATION

I will offer the happy couple an email/phone/FaceTime consultation about the illustration. Most just chose to chat with me over email, as it means I can attach pencil sketches for approval, perhaps a colour palette if we are changing some details from the original bouquet. For the Full Bouquet servcie, we will agree the dimensions of the illustration – either a 30 x 30cm square or 40cm x 30cm (landscape/portrait) – according to the composition of the bouquet. Don’t worry if you are unsure, as I will make my recommendation for what I believe will work best. 

Some people are happy to say “do your thing” (literally, I’ve been told this…) and let me make all the decisions. 

It really is up to you. I believe a commissioned piece of art is truly intimate and personal, so I’m happy to send updates throughout the process, or just surprise you at the end if you prefer. 

4. DELIVERY

The illustration will be delivered directly to the couple, signed and mounted, via Royal Mail UK Special Delivery (signed for and with insurance), within one month of receipt of photography. No digital version will be supplied. I’ll check with you before I send the illustration, ensuring I have the best address to receive a signature with the least amount of bother. International shipping is available, subject to quotation and you will cover any additional cost. 

5. SHARING

My business grows when my customers send a few words for me to use as a testimonial, or feature my work on their social media. I love this. Truly. It makes my heart sing to know my customers love their artwork so much they want to shout about it. However, I retain copyright of the illustration, so the recipient would need to ask my permission before reproducing an image beyond this. Ie. it is fine to take a photo of the illustration and put it on Facebook or Instagram, crediting Charlotte Argyrou Illustration. It is not fine to reproduce the image on t-shirts and sell them for your commercial gain. If in doubt, just ping me a message and I’ll respond very quickly. 

So that’s the Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service in a nutshell. You get married, send me your photos, we have a chat and I send you a unique piece of artwork that will hopefully become a treasured heirloom for for a lifetime and beyond. I’ll happily answer any questions, and you can find me in the following ways:

Tapping away on email at charlotte@charlotteargyrou.com

Over-sharing on Instagram @craftist_in_residence

Creating polls on Facebook @craftistinresidence

Six years ago, in a small meeting room in Kensington, I said to my line manager, “I don’t have a creative bone in my body.” 

I was working in a fast-paced brand strategy agency, where my role as a Fashion PR Director had me working at London, Paris and Milan fashion shows. Every week, I’d be at glamorous parties, award shows and store launches, dressing celebrities and working closely with a diverse mix of journalists and stylists from Vogue to the Financial Times.

“I don’t have a creative bone in my body” – botanical illustrator Charlotte Argyrou

 

That’s me in my home studio, updating my inspiration board

At the time, it was the role I felt I was born to do. I found myself a niche managing guestlists for fashion shows across all four fashion capitals, including my dream destination – Paris Haute Couture. But finding this deskside niche coincided with my silent struggle to conceive a baby. Obeying doctors and a nutritionist, I dramatically cut down my alcohol and caffeine intake. I exercised more, though sometimes in place of dinner, and I started to shy away from the party scene or even from meeting new journalists that could help to expand my network and grow my career. I had a secret, and intended to keep it that way.

So I squashed my creativity. I willingly took on admin duties that others rejected, happily favouring invisibility. I kept my head down, enjoyed working hard and didn’t give much thought to creative pursuits that had once been my dream. Eventually, and maybe dramatically, I quit the job I enjoyed so much and was intrinsic to my identity. My husband and I bought a one way ticket to Greece to live by the sea. It was what my body needed, and eight weeks later I was pregnant. 

CREATIVE BUSINESS OWNER

As this is a blog post, not an autobiography, we will fast-forward to today where I now run my illustration business around being an almost full-time stay-at-home mum. I found my creativity laying dormant beneath years of neglect, insecurity and doubt. And in 2018, I underwent a personal renaissance, smashing through that fear and confronting doubt head-on with courage. 

At home, my sanctuary of greenery

Looking back to that meeting with my manager six years ago, I can clearly see that I have spent much of time since then feeling totally overwhelmed. I’ve let people and situations around me lead my decision-making and I’ve given very little regard for my own mindset or urges to create. 

Taking time to read and self-study more in 2018 than in the previous 15 years has been essential to this renaissance. Excitingly, I’m starting to formulate my own conclusions about feelings of overwhelm, and particularly those feelings of women in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are relentlessly stressed-out. 

Creativity is integral, and in my case, I can say with certainty is my antidote to fear and stress. And “Creative Living” is a term that can be broadly used to explore freedom beyond all the “should”s and self-imposed deadlines we cruelly cultivate. It doesn’t mean swapping television for oil-painting, or getting more piercings, or dressing in long, swishy skirts (though of course it can, as you wish). It’s about being intentional in your actions, rather than going through the motions of your life, and creating more joyful moments – all curated by you. It does not require money or possessions. Rather, it’s about making choices that serve you well. 

“Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart” so brilliantly articulated by Elizabeth Gilbert in her book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Find more of my bird illustrations for sale here

JOIN MY FACEBOOK GROUP

I’ve started a Facebook group called “Creative Living for the Stressed-Out Soul“, where together we explore ideas to gain back more time in our days and use it wisely and mindfully. There are mini challenges, that each require no cash or grand commitment of time. You are welcome to join in with challenges that appeal to you and ignore those that don’t. There is space to air creative ideas in a small, friendly community of women who understand the limiting entities of time, energy and self-belief. 

If this appeals to you, please come and find us on Facebook by searching “Creative Living for the Stressed-Out Soul”, or simply click here. 

“I love to create,” says Victoria Vaught, founder of Ivy Amelia Florals. But in business, our creations are usually subject to a client brief. It’s a complex creative process and one that fascinates me with its subtle twists and turns. We are hired for our skill, our talent, our vision. But we mould that vision to sync with our clients’ own expectations, budget and constraints, and amaze and delight them with our ability to do so. The aim, of course, is always to create something better than they could have imagined, but also exactly what they wanted.

Floral Designer Victoria Vaught at work, photographed by Lisa Payne

STYLED SHOOTS IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY

Behind the Scenes: Lisa Payne Photography and the styled shoot team

“The Lady of the Manor: An English Love Story” photoshoot, led by Lisa Payne Photography

LADY OF THE MANOR: AN ENGLISH LOVE STORY

I saw behind-the-scenes snaps of Lisa Payne Photography’s “Lady of the Manor: A English Love Story” shoot in progress on my Insta and Facebook feeds. I was surprised how strongly Victoria’s florals impacted me, in their unusual rich palette and a striking balance of artisan wildness and glamourous abundance. Lisa offered me the opportunity to join in the portfolio with an illustration inspired by Vic’s floral design in the shoot. The drawing process was a joy, because I felt so free to draw with a wealth of inspiring images in front of me, but no real restrictions on the outcome. I switched out the golden urn for flower stems without an approval process, on a whim, because I was more attracted to the natural green tones.

 

Illustration of Ivy Amelia Florals bouquet, by botanical illustrator Charlotte Argyrou

DREAM BRIEF

“Just the thought of it takes my breath away” – Victoria Vaught, Ivy Amelia Florals

Floral Arch designed by Victoria Vaught of Ivy Amelia Florals

THE VISION

“Flowers have their own movement and flow. You have to work with them rather than them working for you.” – Victoria Vaught, Ivy Amelia Florals

Tablescape in The Lady of the Manor: An English Love Story styled shoot

THE FUTURE

Bouquet designed by Victoria Vaught, of Ivy Amelia Florals

“I believe that you have to keep learning and evolving to be at the forefront of what you do.” – Victoria Vaught, Ivy Amelia Florals

After a few weeks of wardrobe despair, eagerly dressing in cashmere in the early morning and stripped down to a vest by lunchtime, it happened. It got cold. Things can officially get cosy. Here are five of my favourite Instagram accounts that I reference for autumn inspiration. 

The Future Kept

British Made Herringbone Throw in Ochre, The Future Kept

The Future Kept is a collection of consciously crafted, responsibly sourced, sustainable and ethical products for the home, and living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. But founders  Jeska & Dean Hearne are also photographers and stylists, with experience in interior, graphic and product design, writing, and brand development. Meaning The Future Kept brand, and especially the Insta account, offers a wealth of creative inspiration alongside the beautiful products. I love their simple mission statement: 

“Our primary goal with The Future Kept is to inspire more people to think carefully about the items they have in their lives, by putting together a collection of beautifully designed handmade products from honest origins all with a story to tell.” – Jeska & Dean Hearne, Founders, The Future Kept

The Future Kept’s gorgeous photography is a bountiful resource for autumn inspiration

Soho Home

Soho Home, the homewares brand under the Soho House umbrella, offers up an Insta account full of interiors inspiration and products to lust after. I kind of love that it’s seasonality is subtle, not all pumpkins and orange tones. Plus it lets us have a sneak peek inside the gorgeous global private members’ clubs and the homes their aesthetic inspires. 

Soho House Amsterdam members Dax Roll and Joyce Urbanus’, a beautiful 18th century apartment in the Jordaan area of the city

Canopy & Stars

The Woodsman’s Treehouse in Dorset, via Canopy & Stars

Guardians of gatehouses, glamping, treehouses and trucks, Canopy & Stars presents a edit of the most most weird and wonderful places to stay in the UK and beyond. Ahhh minibreaks. You have eluded us for five years, thanks to our babies who struggled to settle and love to party through the night. But gradually, we are getting into a place where we feel we can book the odd night away. Canopy & Stars, you are on my hitlist for 2019. The Insta account will have you daydreaming about autumnal escapes, hot chocolates and crunchy leafy walks galore. 

The Woodman’s Treehouse in Dorset, via Canopy & Stars

Sarah Ann Macklin

Nutritionist and model Sarah Ann Macklin shares informed nutritional guidance with a hearty dose of foodie and fashion gorgeousness. I love how she weaves issues surrounding wellness and dietary support into her highly creative seasonal content. Her quick IGTV recipe idea updates are filmed in Emily Murray’s The Pink House (also home to the original version of my Prickly Pear illustration), and focus on delivering delicious dinners in 20 minutes. 

Nurture and Bloom 

Nurture and Bloom is a collective of soulful creatives, with “racing minds and wild hearts, drawn to create.” I’m a contributing writer and illustrator for the quarterly magazine NURTURE (£6.50, currently digital with plans to grow into a print edition next year). The Insta feed showcases the best of the community’s makes, bakes and words alongside editor Kate Cullen’s creative adventures. Expect plenty of greenery alongside a fuzzy glow of golden hues, and an urge to get your wellies on and get outdoors.

NURTURE Magazine editor Kate Cullen’s foraged wreath and home- and hand-dyed silk ribbon

Who am I missing? I’d love to hear about your favourite accounts that inspire your autumn.

You can also find my Autumn style inspiration edit here on Pinterest 

Weblinks

Wrap up with British-made blankets from The Future Kept

Ogle at dreamy interiors by Soho Home

Fantasise about treetop getaways beneath the Canopy & Stars

Find rainbow platefuls with a fashiony flourish by Sarah Ann Macklin

Join me and a creative community of high end crafters at Nurture and Bloom

One of my favourite hygge rituals at this time of year is to spruce my home – especially the walls – with little updates. Hanging new frames, switching around pictures, tweaking colour palettes – all help to refresh and bring cosiness to the home. For this reason, I think the autumn season and hygge sensations go hand-in-hand. It’s something you feel, that ebbs and flows and brings with it moments of great joy and belonging. I spoke to four stylish brands about the little traditions at this time of year that best evoke these feelings. 

LOWER THE LIGHTS

Donna Ford is an interior designer, photographer and blogger, currently shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the Amara Interior Blog Awards. 

Kitchen by Neptune

Low level lighting by The White Company

Copper Dimmer Switch by Dowsing & Reynolds

PRECIOUS ALONE TIME

Valentina Ring of The Stars Inside is a wedding and events stylist with a totally dreamy aesthetic. She finds comfort in time spent alone with her thoughts and her pencils. 

Valentina Ring of The Stars Inside

“For me, the most soothing form of contentment comes from sketching: I find myself a cozy corner of sofa, where I can curl up under a blanket, paper pad gently rested on my knees, and pencils all around me. The sense of calm that it gives me comes from three things:

(1) it’s one of the only moments I take for myself which has no agenda or ulterior motive – which I find difficult these days, when even social media has become a business tool

(2) it’s one of the only skills I have from which I’ve never expected more than a hobby or a space for personal development

(3) it’s one of the only times when I allow myself not to multi-task. When drawing, time quietens down, my limbs relax in the warmth, and my mind focuses in a very grounding kind of way. I feel present, and immersed in the joy of an uncomplicated, carefree activity – alone but not lonely – purposeful, but not rushing towards a goal. To me, it represents the ritual of pressing pause on everything else, unapologetically, and intentionally single-tasking.” 

Handmade paper by @katecullenstyle. Calligraphy by @lauraelizabethpatrick. Photography by @georgina_photo

GET OUTDOORS

Kate Cullen is a Creative Director for many artisan brands, as well as maker of her own collection of exquisite luxurious ribbons and papers. She edits new lifestyle magazine NURTURE: For Soulful Creatives, for which I am a Contributing Writer and Illustrator.

Styling by @_thegatherer. Photo by @georgina_photo

Kate’s autumnal hygge ritual involves getting outdoors and sourcing the goodies that she will use as dyes for her products. “I adore Autumn, it’s my favourite season, the transition between Summer and Winter means you get the best of both in my opinion – sunny days still perfect for long walks through Autumn colour, but lower temperatures perfect for cozying up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate and a film. This season is a time of gathering for me and my natural dyes – from elderberries and blackberries for the dye pot, to sloes and conkers for fun!”

              Nurture, edited by Kate Cullen. Photo by @georgina_photo

SCENE-SETTING WITH SCENT

I’ve always be drawn to scent as an instant moodchanger, scene-setter and cosy-creator. My ultimate personal scent is Diptyque Philosykos. I drab a drop of the roll-on oil on each pulse point and let the heady richness do its thing. Naomi and Sarah, founders of luxury candle brand SevenSeventeen, agree. Their motto, “Mood-boosting Candles for the Burnt Out”, perfectly sums up how scent becomes part of a hygge ritual. “As the nights draw in and there’s a nip in the air, lighting a luxurious scented candle at the end of a long day becomes a nightly ritual. Unlike the more delicate florals or zestier fragrances synonymous with summer, autumn presents the opportunity to light some of the heavier, more decadent scents from our collection. We’ll go for smoky black oud, spicy black pomegranate or for glowing embers, our earthy fireside smell evocative of hot crackling fires.’ All Seven Seventeen candles are hand-poured, made in England, in recycled jars AND support incredible charities. Each purchase of my favourite – Be Still – offers £1 to CALM. 

Be Still candle, from £22, by SevenSeventeen

So lower the lights, light a candle, make a crumble from foraged berries and get out your pencils. Autumn is here. I’d love to here about your personal hygge rituals and how you embrance the season. 

FURTHER LINKS

Find home inspiration and book Donna’s Room Service makeover package on Skirting Boards & Chandeliers

Dreamy floral-inspired event inspiration and Val’s styling service at The Stars Inside 

Find ribbon and paper heaven at Kate Cullen or more info about Nurture Magazine at Nurture & Bloom

Hand-poured, ethically produced and luxurious candles at SevenSeventeen 

There’s plenty of vintage light bulbs, lighting and hardware to savour at Dowsing & Reynolds

Modern rustic kitchens, furniture and accessories at Neptune 

Fantacise about spill-free living with The White Company 

Fine art photography by Georgina Harrison Photography 

Stepping into The Pink House is a curious combination of being on the set of a magazine shoot and visiting any of my mum-friends at home. And it’s oddly familiar for somewhere I’ve never visited before, because for the past year I’ve been an avid observer of owner Emily Murray’s domestic life through the little squares on my phone – along with 53K+ other fans. 

WELCOME TO THE PINK HOUSE

When an influential Instagrammer produces video content – as Emily does often – a bizarre one-sided relationship results, because you feel like you know them so well, yet to them you are a stranger. Popping those slightly awkward feelings aside, I knocked on the infamous F&B “Nancy’s Blushes” front door with my artwork in hand.

Emily Murray, editor of The Pink House / @pinkhouseliving, photographed at home by Susie Lowe Photo

Humbly excusing the boxes in the hallway (she should see mine!…), Emily guided me through to her Insta-famous kitchen, about 75{fc4ffa2697ca570e43b5816fe716a05c0e7f059c4d464a857cd73bdc5a1ff7f7} the way through its transformation. Her children and husband (know anonymously as PHH: Pink House Husband), scurry around and play Marble Run, as Emily and I chat. The space is gorgeous. It really, really is. Individually, there are some beautiful items and quality furnishings, fixtures and fittings. But it is Emily’s surprising and innovative juxtapositions that really make this room quite unlike any other. There are no Insta-cliches here, because she is the trendsetter. 

Prickly Pear illustration by Charlotte Argyrou, in the home of interiors stylist and blogger Emily Murray, The Pink House

MY ILLUSTRATION

The illustration I presented to Emily is an off-set prickly pear in vivid greens, pinks and purples. I wanted to draw this species because I was so captivated by its varied tones and complex structure, but knew I also wanted to create a modern composition. For me, a drawing like this is perfectly paired with a vintage frame because the result balances old and new in perfect harmony. It is ideal for a period home like Emily’s, which celebrates such a dynamic and playful interior. 

Prickly Pear illustration by botanical illustrator Charlotte Argyrou, available here

Now the prickly pear illustration hangs on a candy pink wall in her open-plan family lounge / dining space, alongside both contemporary and vintage botanical illustration prints. I love her interpretation of colour and mixed proportions, especially that oversized hanging plant!

Limited Edition prints of this illustration are available for £75, here

Emily Murray is the author of The Pink House blog, winner of the Interior Blog Awards “Best Written Blog” 2017 and stylist with work featured in Grazia, Glamour and CN Traveller magazines.  The Pink House won the “Best Wow Factor Interior” award at Pinterest’s inaugural Interior Awards this year.

Follow her Instagram for a gorgeous and entertaining view of her colourful life, and Pinterest for inspirational family living ideas 

Are you hoping to create a unique botanical wedding, but struggling to find new ideas? I speak to three wedding industry experts who aim to innovate, not imitate.

USE PLANTS IN SURPRISING WAYS

Natalie Drage, founder of Flamboyant Invites, champions the use of tropical foliage and bold botanicals.  “This love comes from my Caribbean heritage, having grown up surrounded by stunning tropical flowers and plants. However, I do like to mix things up a bit too, with other style-led themes such as metallic accents or vivid patterns; creating a unique juxtaposition of classic and modern styles.”

“Our Coco Palm invitation suite is a cool contemporary botanical invitation suite, which takes the tropical theme in an entirely different direction. The style could be described as ‘plantation chic’, harping back to a different era and yet combined with contemporary touches of gold geometrics; perfect for a modern and unique botanical wedding style.” 

I love how the cool simplicity of Flamboyant Invites’ designs have been styled here with an abundance of monstera foliage for a vibrant, glamorous feel that isn’t too overworked. I think the look needs the tapered candle and cut glass to elevate the concept and be wedding-worthy, but as Natalie points out – “the beauty of the botanical theme is that it is timeless and suits both classical venues and those with a modern urban vibe.”

“the beauty of the botanical theme is that it is timeless and suits both classical venues and those with a modern urban vibe.” – Natalie Drage, Flamboyant Invites

Natalie continues, “rather than going for a classic centre piece on the table, a series of glass curiosities and vases containing tropical leaves and foliage can provide an elegant and unique table setting.  Complete the look with plain white plates simple linens and contemporary place cards mounted in an air plant holder, or placed on a simple leaf.”

Photos from a styled shoot with the following creative team:
@amandakarenphotography   / amandakarenphotography.co.uk
@alwaysandriweddings   / alwaysandri.co.uk
@cassandrakingflowersandstyling  / cassandraking.co.uk
@flamboyantinvites / flamboyantinvites.com

INCORPORATE ANIMALS LOADED WITH BEAUTIFUL SYMBOLISM 

Vaishali Shah is a high-end stationer with an appreciation of high style and heartfelt symbolism. In 2017, she was a Finalist in the London Asian Business Awards for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’. She is relentless in her pursuit of excellence and providing her customers with unique details that represent their culture and heritage. Vaishali tells me, “If it’s a multicultural wedding, I spend time exploring and understanding what elements are important to both families, so we can be sensitive to, and mindful of, the values of both sides – and in so doing, being culturally aware. I ask a lot of questions during my consultations to turn the brief into something even more personal and meaningful. Ananya means “without equal”, and I deliberately chose that because that is, in essence, my mission – stationery that is unique and distinctly individual.”

I really admire the way Vaishali infuses her stationery with intricate and meaningful detail, whether it’s in the design, the textures, or the wording. It’s a skill I aim to echo in my Wedding Bouquet Illustration Service. Through its bespoke nature, I am able to accentuate tones and species that are the most loaded with symbolism or sentiment for the recipient. 

Ananya’s “Trio of Life” Collection

“I love using nature and animals as a source of inspiration,” continues Vaishali. “In our ‘Trio of Life’ Collection, the elephant, parrot and fish each represent one of the three essential elements for all life forms: air, earth and water. Each has a special significance in Indian and Buddhist scriptures.” Hand-drawn and then printed in gold foil, these animals make the perfect motif to represent traditional richness and elegance, but with a contemporary and multicultural twist. “And,” concludes Vaishali, “we love finding ways to hand finish each design, to really wow your guests with that experience of artisanal craftmanship.”

Ananya’s “Trio of Life” favours 

USE JUST ONE OR TWO TYPES OF FLOWER, FOLIAGE OR EVEN FRUIT

Peony bouquet: Sweet Pea Rosa. Photo: We Heart Pictures

Walthamstow-based floristry Sweet Pea Rosa loves the idea of using just one or two species for an entire wedding scheme. There are financial advantages to bulk buying less variety. But creatively, advises founder Sally, there is an opportunity to make a real visual impact. “I recently did a wedding that was just peonies with a touch of pink blossom,” explains Sally. “I used big beautiful coral charm peonies and we placed them in lots of carafe style vase that lined the tables. It looked stunning. The bridal and bridesmaids bouquets were solely peonies.”

“Laying seasonal fruit along tables is a great way to add colour and shape” – Sally Bastard, Sweet Pea Rosa

Sally also has another beautifully unique idea and is just seeking out a bold bride wanting a truly unique botanical wedding concept. “Laying seasonal fruit along tables is a great way to add colour and shape, they can look amazing on their own or incorporated with flowers. I would love to do this for a client and really go to town on it. Using lots of different foliage can look great, especially when it is high up so that everyone can see it. Draped around columns or even hiring in small trees and plants in pots to creates effective focal areas.”

I also love this image of apricot branches and think it could be incredible striking and surprising for a wedding. I’d love to know your ideas for a unique botanical wedding, so please do share in the comments below or join the discussion on Instagram. 

Image via Soil and Stem. Photo: Jacquelyn Hayward

 

Come and join the fun on my Instagram: @Craftist_in_Residence 

Find exquisite maximalist stationery suites at: Ananya

Chose contemporary stationery suites from: Flamboyant Invites

Stylish East London wedding floristry and workshops: Sweet Pea Rosa

Alternative Wedding photography: We Heart Pictures

Ultimate floral inspiration (US based): Soil and Stem

 

A creative business may be born for many reasons. Redundancy, frustration, impulse, illness, lifelong ambition, the need for flexibility, or change in circumstances such as the arrival of babies – all reasons I’ve hear over and over again. In this blog post, I host a virtual discussion with three female entrepreneurs about their experiences starting up their creative businesses.

ELLA HULBERT

Ella Hulbert is founder of Ella Rose Cakes, and a true believer that cake makes people happy.  Her clients are engaged couples in the throes of wedding planning. They are looking for a stunning wedding cake that fits with their elegant style and great taste. In Ella’s own words, her clients “have an appreciation for a girl who hustles and are happy to support and trust someone who owns her own business and works hard.”

NICOLE HOWE

Nicole Howe is a wedding photographer, with a modern romantic style.  “My brides are typically fashion forward, trend setters. There is always a name on the gown, the shoes, the jewellery – the venue is always a show stopper but most of all they are overwhelmingly in love. Regardless of all the beautiful detail they put into their wedding day, the idea of family and closest friends filling the same room for one day and night only is something they’ll always be thankful for. It’s the most important part to them. We are compatible. I think the same way, visually and logically. Everything behind the day has meaning and I love capturing it all. I will never tire of shooting weddings. Ever.” This impulse is all part of Nicole’s journey to starting her creative business.

VICKY SHILLING

Vicky Shilling is founder of The Flourishing Pantry, a blog and wellness service for busy entrepreneurs who want to find a healthy way to eat and live. “My clients are ambitious women who, like me, are creating businesses or believe they have more to offer than the 9-5 and may have a side-hustle they dream of making income from.” Vicky saw a business opportunity in the need to support the physical and mental side-effects of all-consuming entrepreneurship. Long hours, late nights, hours at a computer screen, leaps and shifts in mindset and going through change are exhausting and draining. “What I want to do is empower women to put their health first while they build their businesses. My blog, e-course, retreats and shortly my coaching packages offer accessible ways to feel healthier that you can apply right now.”   

Why did you set up your own creative business? 

Photographer Nicole defines her WHY according to the life she wants to live: “Setting up your own business is obviously going to come with many difficulties and worries but I feel the benefits far out way those. Aside from being passionate about capturing love stories, I wanted flexibility in my life. I want the freedom to roam. I have two little humans to take care of, sometimes alone. I want to be there for every moment whilst pursuing something I’m obsessed with. One big reason is the income. Do I want to stroll into my local Mulberry boutique and buy the handbag I want? Absolutely. Do I want to book that last minute trip to Sorrento with my girlfriends without having to ask my husband? Of course! I wanted to meet like-minded women, including mothers, who are working towards creating a more interactive, interesting home and work life. I love to travel, I love to capture people in love and love to be surrounded by strong, creative females. That’s why I feel this route was the only option going forward with my career.” 

Cakemaker Ella’s WHY is a daily visualisation. “There are 4 reasons that make up “my why” – I have them printed off and on my pin board and I read them every day:

“To be profitable enough to give up the day job.

To have flexibility conducive to starting a family.

To fulfil my creative needs.

And, because I love baking.”

I love this idea of pinning the WHY up on a board – I do the same. There are lonely moments to entrepreneurial life, and sometime those WHY prompts are a very positive call to action in moments of isolation or uncertainty.

Food blogger and wellness coach Vicky’s business came about due to her desire to explore and conquer her own illness.  “I set up The Flourishing Pantry as a passion project that has turned into a business. Having struggled with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) for many years, I started to chronicle what I was learning about my lifestyle changes and the recipes I was making via my blog, The Flourishing Pantry, and it’s grown from there.”

“Simultaneously, I was falling out of love with my full-time work and thought there was more to a career than just promotions and pay-rises and better job titles. I wanted to do something where I actually felt I had an impact. The world of blogging opened up my eyes to so many other possibilities and ways of earning money and finding meaning and value in the world. It’s taken a very long time to transition from the traditional attitude of earning money by being employed by others, to believing I have value and worth I can add to people’s lives through my own skills and expertise. But it’s a worthwhile journey.”

How long did you spend thinking about your business before you took the plunge? 

We have three very different answers coming up. First, Nicole and I share a similar story. I didn’t think about creating a business. I wanted to get rid of some drawings that were in the way at home and so contacted a local boutique. To my absolute surprise, they offered me a window exhibition. I felt I need to pull together a logo to make it all look a bit more official. There was no strategy, no website, no marketing strategy. Just a handful of drawings and a logo. Nicole concurs: “Between picking up my first DSLR and starting my business was about 4 months. I just knew. I loved the feeling the camera game me. I loved going home after a shoot (which was always free of charge) and editing beautiful images I had managed to get that day. I knew that if I could be this happy doing something for free, I had to turn it into a business opportunity.”

Photo by Nicole Howe Photography

“Following that,” Nicole continues, “I started to discover people who were in the same situation in the wedding industry. I joined a group of female bosses under the wonderful and highly experienced Faye Cornhill and I’ve never looked back. I just know I’m heading in the right direction. We are a group of entrepreneurs all with different creative talents supporting and pushing one another to be our very best.”

Ella went down a long and winding road: “It was a day dream for a very long time. Years! Every time I baked a cake for family or friends, and every time I posted a photo of my passion I’d get questions asking me when I was going to start doing it as a business. I was scared turning a passion into a job would take the fun and love out of it. There are certainly bits I prefer more than others, but I am loving the ability to earn doing something I love.” 

“Do it because you can’t not!” – Vicky Shilling, The Flourishing Pantry

Vicky explains that “taking the plunge” really meant committing wholeheartedly to her own vision and values: “It was a two-part process for me – I took about 6 months to take the plunge and start the blog. The idea built and built until I couldn’t not do it, which is something I tell others when they ask me about getting into blogging. Do it because you can’t not! It’s like a compulsion and it’s become a huge creative outlet and source of pride for me, regardless of whether it makes money.

Vicky Shilling, at work

“The second time I ‘took the plunge’ with this business was 8 months after I’d quit my full-time job. I suddenly realised I was still working for other people, just in a freelance capacity. I’d kidded myself into thinking I was in charge when really I was at the beck and call of others and still not really earning for myself. It was leaving me exhausted and unfulfilled and so I stepped away from two contracts, freed up some time and focused purely on where I was going to take The Flourishing Pantry instead of serving other people’s businesses. It wasn’t an easy decision, particularly financially, but I think will be the right one in the long-run.”

Was there anything that almost stopped you launching your creative business?

“It’s probably the thing that could stop me from pushing forward with my thoughts and ideas: fear” – Nicole Howe, Nicole Howe Photography

It’s a daily battle for Nicole: “I feel you could ask me this question every day of the week and there would be a new answer each time. I have doubts, everyday. It’s probably the thing that could stop me from pushing forward with my thoughts and ideas: fear. Sometimes it’s all consuming and I wonder how I’ll ever push past it, but I do. My creative side is far superior to my fearful side. That’s the only thing I feel that could get in my way. I know where I want to take my photography and the drive is there. Time is a factor for me also. I can end up being a single mum for a lot of the year with no family around me to help. It does worry me but I won’t let it stop me. Even if I can’t conquer everything in the time-frame I want, I will do it eventually.”

“My lack of self-belief and courage stopped me launching my business for a long time,” Ella reflects. “In fact, I launched my business (almost) out of force! I’d made my best friend’s wedding cake and her wedding was being featured in a magazine and on a blog. She wanted to include a list of suppliers, including me. Instead of just giving her my mobile number to submit, I very quickly bought the domain name and had another friend make up a website with the bare essentials, et voila, Ella Rose Cakes was born.”

“Tackling my mindset and identifying what drives me and scares me has been an important part of the process.” – Vicky Shilling, The Flourishing Pantry

Vicky  agrees that the fear factor is at times crippling:  “There was a voice in my head saying what I was offering wasn’t of value. The comparison trap and imposter complex. Now I listen more to my own mind. I am aware that the only thing that stops me doing any of this faster, is me. Tackling my mindset and identifying what drives me and scares me has been an important part of the process.”

What are advantages of owning your own creative business?

“I’m empowered to say yes to the jobs I want to take on and no to the others.” – Ella Hulbert, Ella Rose Cakes

Freedom is the overwhelming response: Vicky explains, “I have the freedom to work wherever and whenever I want. When I wrote down my own version of success, one of the things I put was the freedom to take time off when I wanted and to travel to see my family back in the UK when I needed (I moved to Dublin shortly before quitting my full-time job to be with my fiancé). I love that I can work to a schedule that suits me and be flexible to ensure I never miss the important things that happen in life and the people I want to spend time with.”

Cakemaker Ella Hulbert on a styled shoot. Photo by Lisa Payne Photography. 

Ella concurs, “I have the freedom to run my business exactly how I want to. I’m empowered to say yes to the jobs I want to take on and no to the others. I’m free to pop to the cake supply shop and stop for a cup of tea whenever I need to. Being a business owner is truly liberating. “

“I have to work hard and consistently to keep the business growing and profitable but, in having a day job in the corporate world as well, I’ve seen Nth rounds of redundancies and it dawns on me daily that my career is somewhat in the hands of someone else. Having my own business means I’m in control of my career and business wise I’m able to make necessary changes to meet market changes and demands. “

What have been the stumbling blocks? Any unforeseen challenges?

The answers are both psychological and logistical.

“Money and knowing how much and where to spend it,” suggests Ella. “There is a lot of investment that goes into starting a business and growing it successfully. And there a lots of people who will tell you that different aspects are the ‘most important’. Pacing myself and my spend has been critical, I’ve done it little by little over a few years and always been aware that there will be some things that are more costly and some things that are risky, but will get rewards.”

“Pacing myself and my spend has been critical” – Ella Hulbert, Ella Rose Cakes

Vicky described how her stumbling blocks have mostly been in her head: “Believing in myself and having clarity in my vision for what I want to achieve are the biggest blockages. And actually I think those things take time to work through. It’s very easy to be lulled into the impression particularly online that you can quit your 9-5 and start a multi-million pound business overnight. But building an audience, a product offering, a clear ideal customer profile and believing in yourself 100{fc4ffa2697ca570e43b5816fe716a05c0e7f059c4d464a857cd73bdc5a1ff7f7} takes time and work. And also these things change. I fully expect that what I offer will look very different in 12 months’ time and I am open to that.”

Nicole Howe Photography

Any regrets or lessons learned? 

There is a united response to this question. We all simply wish we’d done it sooner.

“My only regret is that I didn’t pick up a camera sooner,” explains Nicole. “The lessons are coming thick and fast, luckily I have experienced women to look to and guide me through my business journey. I seriously recommend that to anyone going into business, in any industry. Find a business coach or a group of people who are experiencing the same highs and lows in business that you are. Help guide, shape and encourage each other and I have no doubt you will thrive.”

Ella adds, “I believe everything happens for a reason and things happen at the time they are meant to so I don’t regret anything. I wish I’d pursued a business in cake making sooner, but I wouldn’t have the experience in marketing and PR that I have from my day job. I’d have loved to have had a business coach earlier, but actually I learned so much organically in the preceding time I was baking and running the business, so I can make more informed decisions now.”

Vicky agrees, “Not doing it all sooner. I don’t necessarily regret the journey I’ve been on, I just perhaps wish I had given it more attention and addressed things sooner to get the change I wanted. But it’s all part of the process.”

I strongly believe in the #communityovercompetition philosophy of business. Why do you think it such a talking point amongst female entrepreneurs?

Vicky beautifully articulates the changing tide: “I think historically women who have been seen to succeed have often been portrayed as adopting masculine qualities. They had to operate in a ‘man’s world’, climbing ruthlessly over others, including other women, to get where they want to go. The talk of surviving on 3 hours sleep a night, the glorification of ‘busy’, the holidays interrupted by our BlackBerries and the race for the top were where the conversation sat. It was pretty depressing and you were always left feeling there was more you should be doing.”

“Watching what other women have done in their own creative lives has affected me and opened my eyes” – Vicky Shilling, The Flourishing Pantry

“The Community Over Competition philosophy is a talking point because it is so uplifting!” Vicky continues. “ It’s about sharing our own knowledge and expertise and celebrating the wins and supporting through the challenges. We’ve never really had that before. But it feels amazing to help others through my work and to show people who might want to follow in my footsteps how they can start. I think ‘you cannot be what you cannot see’ is a big part of this. Watching what other women have done in their own creative lives has affected me and opened my eyes and mind to the ways women can work now and create a life that suits them.

“There is room for us all.” – Nicole Howe, Nicole Howe Photography

“I really am SO passionate about this,” add Nicole. “There is enough room for everyone. Every special, talented, creative, wonderful mind. There is room for us all. I think everyone is talking about it because they have come to the realisation (finally) that we can all help and support each other. There is nothing more beautiful than a group of like-minded women coming together to support one another. Why should your biggest fan be your competition all the time? No one can ever replace or re-create what you do but people can learn and be inspired by you. It shouldn’t be scary or intimidating, embrace it. Take the compliment. It’s a fabulous thing to inspire one another and pushes us all to be our very best.”

Ella adds, “I think it’s all too common that women compare themselves to others. We put ourselves in competition and it’s so unnecessary! I have to remind myself daily that it doesn’t matter what others are doing – my pace is perfect for me. There really is nothing better than community. I’ve found an amazing sisterhood in a coaching group recently and more than anything I’ve felt so much relief that I’m not the only one feeling certain ways about growing a business. Support is essential, and having people who ‘get you’ are the ones who bring all the good vibes you need.”

How has becoming a business owner impacted your own personal development?

Ella’s learned to work to her own pace and listen to her gut instinct: “I’ve always been a very organised person, but having my own business has developed my skills to a new level – I like my lists and having a printed calendar of the month ahead to plan baking days vs decorating or delivering makes me feel more in control. Juggling a full time day job as well as running my home, being a wife/sister/daughter/friend and trying to get to the gym are all things I have to schedule too. I’ve realised I’m even more of a hustler than I thought I was. On weekdays, I get up at 5:30am so I can fit in a workout 6-7am. I know that if I leave it to later in the day I don’t make time – and trust me, with the number of cakes in my life, the gym is a must. My confidence is growing daily, in my own ability and my own needs. I’m learning when to say “no”, and when to listen to my body and just lay on the sofa (and not feel guilty). I work hard and I work a lot, even the fun parts are still work, so I’ve realised it’s imperative to listen to my body too.”

“I feel like I’m just about maxed out on personal development right now and need instead to focus on giving back!,” says Vicky. “Being a business owner has helped me focus a lot on personal development – I’ve taken courses, watched videos, gone to talks and read countless books. They have all been amazing and have shaped who I am and where my business is right now. But I think there must come some sort of end point with it, where you believe you are enough and that you have something to give back right now. You don’t always need a seal of approval from someone else.”

In conclusion

In my experience, that sense of needing or craving permission has been critical. Sometimes I feel as though I am waiting for someone else to say “you are good enough” or “you can do this”. But even if they do, it’s not enough. A creative business is a creative process. And while we all strive daily to amaze our customers and impress our families, the only voice that really defines the journey is our own. 

Ella Hulbert / Ella Rose Cakes: WEBSITE INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK PINTEREST

Nicole Howe /Nicole Howe Photography: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM PINTEREST

Vicky Shilling / The Flourishing Pantry: WEBSITE  INSTAGRAM  FACEBOOK  PINTEREST

Faye Cornhill Coaching

Come and join me for a quick look around the home studio. My HQ space is a former guest bedroom, south-facing, blessed with a floor-to-ceiling window. A few months ago, we decided my little empire had grown too large to exist on the dining table any longer. We donated the double bed to a charity and set about installing more storage for minimum cost.

As we live in a three-year-old new build property, the walls were white and unadorned. With the bed dismantled and propped against one wall, I started to use the room for illustration work. This gave me the opportunity to see what changes were required, before making unnecessary and costly additions. We found a large, white, modern dining table on Gumtree for £30, which has become my primary drawing desk. There’s also a secondary desk, which my husband uses if he ever works from home. 

The second-hand desk. Photo by Donna Ford. 

Below are the other additions I have made over the past six months that have proved to be the best buys. 

FIRST, A NOTE ABOUT VERTICAL SPACE

In a compact – nay, skinny – modern townhouse, we have learned the vertical space (ie up the wall) is the best way to add storage. We have to be careful not to overload, but there are huge advantages to keeping floor space clear. I find it especially stressful when the floor is cluttered and I need to climb over boxes. 

GALLERY WALL

The IKEA Mosslanda shelves cost £8.95 each plus delivery, and have given me the gift of versatility. I can quickly whip around frames and mounts to show clients my work to scale. I can easily style up a photograph for Instagram that looks bright and modern, and revert within seconds. We found these shelves very simple and quick to put up. 

IKEA Mosslanda shelves

PINBOARD

Next is my large pinboard which I had custom made, to precisely match the width of two pieces of Lombok furniture we already owned. Formerly, it was in my bedroom above a chest of drawers and showcased photographs and inspirational images. Was this just preparation for my business launch? Now it rests above our secondary desk in the home studio. It’s just a chair spin away from me while I work. It represents both my ideal client, and my “ideal me”. And of course, it’s ever-changing. Not shown in this picture are my 90-day objectives, pinned up on an A3 sheet, outlining objectives and processes across eight areas of my life. If there’s a moment – alone – where I’m lost for what to do, my pinboard normally provides clarity. 

My Pinboard

MAGAZINE AND PAPER RACK

I spray-painted this magazine rack using Rustoleum in Bright Gold. Big papers can be annoying to store. They are expensive and a single crease renders them unusable. It only took a couple of quick coats and was pretty easy. Worthwhile for the result achieved and I was hugely relieved to have the paper pads off my desk space. 

Wire magazine rack, spray-painted gold

SHELVING

This is Take Two of Project Shelving. Our first attempt was a droopy failure, and couldn’t cope with the weight of items I really needed to store. Spray-painting these was a bit of a pain. I needed to cover the inside edges as well as the outside, with two coats. It took a while and would probably be easier for someone with the luxury of more space. But, the final result is strong and effective. And I lovely the wrapping paper storage opportunity! The cushions were bought from The Shop Next Door, adjacent to the gorgeous George in Rye hotel. They were the first thing I bought for the house, while still waiting to get the keys. 

IKEA Ekby Lerberg shelf brackets, sprayed with Rustoleum in Bright Gold. Cushions from The Shop Next Door in Rye. 

A detailed view of the shelves

Overall, it is a calm, versatile space that works hard considering its dimensions. I know my business may take various pathways, and the room will need to morph accordingly. But the impact of having “a room of one’s own” is extraordinary. If you like this home studio tour, click through to the Pinterest board, which features all the inspiration shots I used to create the design.  

USEFUL LINKS

The George in Rye / The Shop Next Door

Rustoleum

IKEA

Lombok