save your date in style!

Never have I been so excited to launch an addition to my wedding collections.... I give to you my newest creation, Papercut Save the Date Bunting - the most unique and stylish way to announce your wedding and you can send it in the post!

Save the Date Bunting by Studio Seed

Save the Date Bunting by Studio Seed

Save the Date Papercut bunting by Studio Seed

Save the Date Papercut bunting by Studio Seed

Stun and wow your wedding guests with this beautiful and totally unique papercut personalised Save the Date bunting! A fabulous alternative to a standard (and a bit dull) Save the Date postcard. Cleverly designed to fit inside an envelope so you can send through the post, imagine your guests faces as they open the envelope and take out this gorgeous string of bunting! Perfect to then display in their homes so that they don't forget your special date... 

The bunting is available to be personalised with either your names or initials, and the date of your big day. It is available in a variety of colours, ribbon and envelope options. Prices start at £9.50 but discounts may be applied at our discretion on large orders. Please contact us for further information or visit the shop to order!

Capturing the beautiful people - a masterclass with David Downton & Jade Parfitt

“The very best of runway Haute Couture and backstage glamour has been beautifully captured by David Downton for over a decade. As one of the world’s most famous fashion illustrators, he has drawn a host of beautiful women including Erin O’Connor, Carmen Dell’Orefice, Iman and Dita Von Teese and his work has graced the covers of publications across the globe. Now, especially for Bath in Fashion, David will host a one-off life drawing masterclass in which he will mentor ambitious artists.”
— Bath in Fashion, April 2013
© David Downton

© David Downton

Wow. Just, wow! I was so lucky to have the opportunity this weekend to attend a Masterclass held by David Downton and Jade Parfitt as part of the Bath in Fashion events held in the city. There were about 25 of us in attendence at the masterclass (which began with a glass of fizz - how agreeable!) and the atmosphere was very relaxed and casual. After a brief introduction to David and his work, we began drawing Jade who posed for us in a variety of outfits and poses. Throughout the session, David shared his thoughts, experience and some techniques with us which were so interesting and throught provoking! To be in the presence of such illustration-greatness was such a priveledge. To watch him at work drawing Jade was also such a pleasure.

David Downton at work drawing Jade Parfitt

David Downton at work drawing Jade Parfitt

Having not done much drawing for along time (SO reliant upon my Mac!) I was at first a bit hesitant, but soon got into the swing of things and left feeling so very inspired with the urge to get some life drawing classes booked! I have recently been pushing myself to pick up new skills, learn new things and generally make a conscious effort to remain inspired (hence attending this workshop!) - this has certainly given me a big boost and I feel excited to start some new artworks of my own.

One of my 'attempts'

One of my 'attempts'

One of my 'attempts'

One of my 'attempts'

© David Downton

© David Downton

big news - big move!

Big news at Studio Seed HQ.... we're moving! After a year and a half at our wonderful Pink Palace in the Worcestershire countryside, Studio buddies Studio Seed and Jess Williams are moving to sunnier climbs!

Our wonderful pink palace

Our wonderful pink palace

We are moving into a bigger (and better!) studio in lovely Warwickshire which is very exciting but also a little sad as we've had to wave goodbye to our beloved pink wall.... which is now a (beautifully painted - Jess!) stark white. We'll miss you Pink Palace!

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Painterly Love

Having recently (well not recently so much as in August...) moved into our very own lovely house, I've been on the hunt for some gorgeous artwork to adorn our walls. Sometimes as a designer I get so bogged down with actually 'designing' so it's nice to occasionally take a little time out to search for some inspiring art, just for art's sake rather than research/inspiration/work!

I have surprised myself a bit with what I'm drawn to... I seem to be attracted to quite painterly, often abstract pieces. (Often with a hint of pink, naturally!) Some of my favourites along the way of my search up to now include Lola Donoghue (above) who as well as creating abstract works, also has some pretty lovely fashion illustration in her Etsy shop. I'm also loving this fine art design (below) from none other than Black Olive Studio - which is a greeting card design!

Black Olive Studio

Black Olive Studio

Also on my new discovery I've found Sally King Benedict (below).

Sally King Benedict

Sally King Benedict

Elaine Pamphilon

Elaine Pamphilon

Above is a piece by Elaine Pamphilon which I'd love to get my hands on... but my total favourites on my quest so far (and they have been on my wish list for quite some time!) are these florals by the wonderfully talented Charlotte Hardy. I'm such a big fan of her work and it is one of my lifelong aims to oneday own one of her masterpieces!

Charlotte Hardy

Charlotte Hardy

Charlotte Hardy

Charlotte Hardy

Do you have any suggestions to help me on my new trail to find artwork? Any artists, illustrators or Etsy shops you think I might like would all be gratefully received! Hoping for walls packed to the brim like this one courtesy of the Glitter Guide!

Old Hollywood Glamour - Bespoke 30th Invitations

To celebrate (commiserate!) my 30th Birthday I decided that I would just have to have some fabulous invitations, so naturally, I commissioned a fabulous stationery studio to design them... Studio Seed!

The theme of the party was 'Old Hollywood Glamour' and I decided to loosely channel that theme in the invitations with the typefaces and some of the styling. However, a back and white invitation just wasn't 'me' so I made it slightly more modern by using a hot coral shade. I created a concertina-style folded invitation with a contrast wrapband - all printed on super luxurious Perigrina pearlised cardstock from those beauties at GF Smith. Everything tied together with pearlised envelopes with printed address labels.

And if you're interested, below are a few snapshops from the evening!

Believe in Yourself...

This videa had me mesmerised so I just had to share it.... by the very talented Seb Lester. His talent and this skill has inspired me to book myself onto a Calligraphy course in April (also inspired by Johanna Basford's recent skill-seking sabbatical) - I'm really going to make a conscious effort to learn new skills this year to keep inspired and full of new techniques!

new boxed notelet sets!

I am pleased to launch a new collection of boxed notelet sets, perfect for your inner stationery goddess! There are six designs available now from the online shop.

children's noelet set

children's noelet set

Each boxed set contains 10 double-sided notelets and brown ribbed envelopes, and packaged with thick grosgrain ribbon and a little tag.

butterfly design

butterfly design

vintage floral design

vintage floral design

'hello cupcake' design

'hello cupcake' design

Perfect as a gift, or for yourself to say hello, thank you or simply something witty and fabulous! Available now for only £12.50 from the shop.

'with love' shoes design

'with love' shoes design

warwickshire wedding suppliers networking

I was very pleased to have been invited to the Warwickshire Wedding Suppliers Networking Evening back in January - organised by the lovely Lisa from Pure White Wedding Company. Along with Ailsa from Ailsa's Floral Design, I met lots of lovely suppliers providing services from cakes to balloons to entertainment to venues! It was a great night and I made sure to sample a cupcake. Or two. {OR THREE! They were small.} Here we are featured in the prestigious Warwickshire Life.

Article from Warwickshire Life

Article from Warwickshire Life

top drawer spring 2013

Six days after the end of Top Drawer Spring 2013 and I’m still exhausted. But in a really, really good way! Considering I almost decided against signing up for the show, I am super glad that I did and I think that it will be the beginning of a big turning point for Studio Seed. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time and it seems surreal that I have finally exhibited alongside some of my absolute (stationery) idols!

The entire Trade Show experience from preparation, the actual show and all the follow ups has been an enormous learning curve but something which I’ve embraced and really enjoyed. I have now increased my stockists dramatically and I’m so looking forward to working with all these lovely new shops and building relationships with them in the future. There are some super exciting possibilities in the pipeline too which I hope to share with you soon…

Some of the new ranges I launched at the show include Bijou Blossom, a dainty, everyday notecard collection and a fresh Spring range aptly named Spring Blush featuring hand illustrated icons, watercolour-style florals and beautiful handwritten captions – you can see them in the greetings section of the site.

{Naff awards ceremony thank-you speech:}

I really want to thank some wonderful industry experts including Rachael Taylor and The Papergirls for their fabulous advice regarding the trade show. My fantastic show assistant Faye was an absolute GEM and kept me sane! I also want to thank my wonderful friends & family especially Jess Williams and Ailsa’s Floral Design whose support, nice words and Starbucks keeps me working hard. The biggest thank you goes to my long-suffering, totally wonderful, supportive, DIY-tastic, problem solving, head of logistics, loving boy. X

all you need is love.....

Love it or hate it, there's certainly no escaping it... Valentine's Day is just around the corner!

To help you celebrate your love here at Studio Seed we have created a vintage-style Valentine's card which can be personalised with the name (or names!) of your loved one. There are two designs to choose from, vintage arrows or vintage hearts and each card is hand finished with a little red diamante heart. They come complete with crisp white envelopes and a cute little envelope seal for that extra special touch.

These cards are available EXCLUSIVELY at Not on the High Street and you can order your very own here and you can also purchase our other Valentine's designs here too.

**IMPORTANT** If you are feeling a little lonely or unloved at this rather sickly time of year, then don't fear. Contact the studio here and we will try our best to send you some love and a virtual hug :)

studio seed is two! happy birthday to us

Well I can't believe this has crept up on me so quickly.... Monday 10th December 2012 sees the SECOND BIRTHDAY of Studio Seed!

It feels like yesterday that I quit my day job and set up shop as Studio Seed in the spare room, it was at the same time the most scary and the most exciting thing I've ever, EVER done. I can quite honestly say now, two years down the line, that it was the best decision I ever made. Don't get me wrong, it's bloody tough! Constant worry about finances and responsibilities; not being able to switch off from work, like, ever; nightmare clients; the dreaded 't' word ("tax doesn't have to be taxing"??!); mad dashes up the motorway to meet the printer in a service station to deliver stationery on time and more hours worked than is probably advisable on health and safety grounds. But I wouldn't change it for the world. It is by far the most rewarding thing I have done. I love being able to choose the direction my business takes, I love the fact that I spend {most} days doing something I absolutely adore and that I've only ever dreamed of doing, and the fact that I am slowly building an aspirational brand that I'm really, really proud of.

My personal highlights from the past two years include....

-moving into a proper real-life studio a year ago with my lovely, supportive and wonderful {JLS obsessed} designer friend Jess Williams

-a celebrity endorsement from none other than Amanda Holden! (Whose tree and house are currently adorned with my baubles and artwork respectively)

-selling designs to prestigious companies including Gap Kids

-launching my 'Off the Peg' wedding stationery collections which have been really successful

-signing up for the premier stationery trade show, Top Drawer, for January 2013

-serious interest from stationery gods Paperchase on stocking my ranges (watch this space!)

-being part of the wonderful, supportive and fabulous Papergirls group

-despite them nearly causing me to have a breakdown, bringing a unique product {personalised baubles} to market which were more successful than I ever imagined

-making it through two years without a breakdown! {well, excluding bauble-mania}

blog archive

Due to the site redesign, you can view the Studio Seed blog archive by clicking on the below link - there you can peruse ramblings and inspiration from the past few years to your heart's content!

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