Curiosity, desperation and a light bulb were the seeds of Gecko Designs, then Pecage and also Adventure Sports Gifts. I was struggling to rejuvenate my engineering career but I was too old apparently. Then I saw something that sparked an interest.

I wondered whether my engineering, design and development background could be refocused in an artistically creative way to produce something completely new and original. Simplicity was my guiding mantra. Take a simple clean design and turn it on its head by adding vibrant background character and personalisation.

Amazingly the result now provides customers with the scope to develop their own inspiration, ideas and creative flair to come up with a gift or piece of wall art that really ticks all the boxes for the person, the location or the occasion. Of course I am always creating vibrant mixes of design, fabric and maps to add character, inspiration and personalisation but I am doing this to try and inspire creativity in my customers.

Imagine we were having a chat on my market stall. You might well find something that meets your needs there and then but I will help you take it to the next level. Your choice of frame, your selection of fabric or maps, the addition of your own words handwritten on the picture. Adding custom cut outs and plaques, titles and words to recognise achievements and events etc.

I can always tell a potential regular customer because they ‘get it!’ They get excited at the prospect of working with something new and can see the opportunities it opens up to them. I know I’ll see them again and I’m hoping they will embrace the new wave of Pecage which opens up even more opportunity by bringing likeminded customers and ideas together using the power of social media.

The name Pecage came about as the result of so many customers saying ‘this is new, I’ve never seen anything like this before, what do you call it?’ I did not really have an answer so I tried to create a name or concept that summed up all the benefits of what I do. Pecage – Personalised Elemental Creation – the ‘age bit is arty I think!

I’ve been running my market stall for almost 8 years now in the South of England and have thousands of happy customers that have visited my market stall or purchased online. Regular market locations include Winchester, Salisbury, Romsey, Ringwood, Newbury, Farnham & Guildford (note: my attendance at these markets is currently on hold due to a recent cancer diagnosis but "I'll be back"!) plus special events and festivals. I regularly have customers coming back to buy again and also to tell me how well their choice of gift for family or friends was received. I’m proud to say that it has always been good feedback.

So that’s me. A 63 year old guy living in Dorset making a modest living by helping curious people find that perfect gift or piece of wall art to match their ideal interior design requirements. I hope I can help you too.