I've got the next little chat with an etsy shop owner for you today..and this time its the turn of Steph Baxter aka Steph Says Hello, who owns the shop 'The Happy Pencil Shoppe'.
Beautiful, colourful and happy prints, cards and accessories.
So, as I usually say, grab yourself a cuppa and get to know Steph...
1. Can you tell us a bit about you and your background...
I've always loved being creative, but never really
knew quite what I wanted to do.
I went to art school but my degree is in
graphic design rather than illustration.
If I'm honest graphic design never
felt quite right for me, illustration did.
So that's how I got here!
What I
love about creative careers is your don't have to specialise in one area.
It's
a path that you move along if that makes sense.
My work is moving more towards
hand lettering now - it's so interesting to see where your own work goes as
time passes (and how it's changed)
2. What books/ magazines are currently on your coffee
table?
This is really bad but really not very many!
I
regularly buy Mollie Makes Magazine which is pretty much the perfect crafty
magazine. I tend to read blogs more than magazines now.
3. Who is your design hero and what inspires you?
I am in awe of everything Tad Carpenter does, his
style is spot on and works across so many platforms. I love the work of Alyssa
Nassner too, her work is a lovely mix of hand lettering and design.
4. Tell us about a typical day for you…
I get up around 7, spend an age eating breakfast,
getting dressed and reading blogs and start work around 9.
The morning is
usually spent packing any orders from my shop, answering emails and drinking a
lot of tea. My afternoons are usually spent working on briefs and personal
projects.
I always try to get out for a walk and get some fresh air even if
it's just to the post office!
5. Can you give us an insight into your creative
process?
I can't work in a sketchbook (I get panicked that I'll
ruin the sketchbook, its so ridiculous I know!) so all my work and ideas start
on loose pieces of paper.
Everything I do starts with a pen and paper, I think
that's really important.
Then I'll scan the work in and digitally colour it
up.
6. What album is currently in your Stereo/iPod, and what
do you listen to while you work?
Literally everything by The Shins & Rilo Kiley.
I'm either listening to them at the moment or watching something fun on Netflix
while I work.
I can't stand silence when I'm working!
7. What makes you laugh?
I've fallen in love with Portlandia on Netflix
recently, it's my go to programme if I need cheering up, that and Modern
Family.
Failing that, funny cats and kittens. All the kittens ever!
8. What are your top three blogs?
Oh wow, that's a tough one! Apart from Love Print of
course I'm currently loving:
The Tea Drinking English Rose (theteadrinkingenglishrose.com)
Design Love Fest (www.designlovefest.com)
What Katie Does (www.whatkatiedoes.net)
9. Why do you like being an illustrator/designer? (in 10
words or less)
The fact my favourite hobby is now my job!
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Thank you to Steph for taking the time to share a bit of her world with us and if you want to know more, you can follow Steph on twitter, pinterest, and click here for her blog.
(all above images are copyright of Steph Baxter)
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