Hey, I’m Ben and the Papercut artist behind PorkChops. I specialise in unique hand made Papercut commissions for Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays or any occasion you have to celebrate!
I make everything by hand ranging from personalised greetings cards to larger scale Papercut commissions or even light box Papercut installations or album covers. I also have a range of products and prints to suit all budgets.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN...
I discovered Papercutting by chance in 2013 whilst flicking through some art and craft books from the library. A friend was getting married and my partner suggested that I make something and look in the books for inspiration. I hadn’t done anything artistic since school and my expectations were low but as soon as I picked up ‘A Beginners Guide to Paper Craft’ I had a feeling I could do it.
I copied a design, framed it, and was pleased to have made a hand made gift which looked great. I started to design my own Papercuts and began picking up commissions from friends and then from friends of friends and then from complete strangers and PorkChops continued to grow from there.
WHY PAPERCUTTING?
Ever since I started PaperCutting and being creative again after over 10 years of not doing anything artistic at all, I discovered how important it is to have a creative outlet. Papercutting gives me mindful moments of peace and calm while I’m sketching out and cutting commissions. It also gives me the chance to express myself artistically through new pieces and products. Turning ideas I have in the shower into tangible pieces and products that people buy and hang on their walls or give to their loved ones as presents is a real buzz for me.
I love the challenge of creating a new commission with a skeleton of an idea, an image, location or line of a song. The collaboration with customers and making something new together is really inspiring. To come up with an original, one of a kind, hand crafted intentional present that someone will keep and will remind them of a special time or place is amazing.
I find the parameters set by my customers much more inspiring than a blank page and enjoy being sent off in random directions I would never think of myself. I’ve been set some tough challenges over the years with suggestions for Papercuts like ‘Goats - in Outer Space - with McFly song Lyrics’ and managed to create something that is hand made, personalised and truly unique that you would never find on the high street!
If you have an idea for a Papercut commission then send me a message and we can work it out. Follow PorkChops on Instagram @porkchopspapercuts or on Facebook and discover what’s new!
KEY VALUES
Sustainability - I’ve never been at ease with using plastic in my work and I strive to keep my process as environmentally sound as possible. I use recycled paper from a sustainable source and choose eco friendly inks. I stopped using plastic cellophane bags to keep prints safe and dry and found plant based biodegradable alternatives which work just as well. I re-use envelopes, use stamps now rather than stickers, and I won’t fill your order with unnecessary trinkets, tissue paper or gimmicks to create the illusion of getting something ‘extra’ as its all just unnecessary waste. I always add a free recycled kraft postcard with all my orders which I think is much better and you will have peace of mind that your package is put together with the environment in mind. Sustainability is a journey. if you have any ideas to improve then please share.
Affordability - Since I started PorkChops I’ve always wanted to create and get my work out there on walls and in the world. I hate the idea of it being stored away in a folder, never to be seen. Linked to this idea is affordability and I strive to keep my prices as reasonable as possible to make my work accessible for every budget. Whilst I value my time and the skill that I’ve developed over the years I would rather you send me a message if you can’t afford something than feel it is out of reach.
Positivity - I like to create things to spread a positive message or to give reminders to ‘be kind’ or, on a more practical level, to keep the plants alive! Yes, there are an abundance of these messages out there but there is always room for more kindness and I for one need a visual reminder from time to time. Love and Sunbeams, as my Auntie used to say.
FUN FACTS
I’m an Occupational Therapist by day. I live in Brighton (United Kingdom). I’m Welsh. I love Halloween. I adore Pizza and PorkChops comes from an old school nickname that didn’t stick. My Uncle was an X-Wing pilot for the Rebellion in the original Star Wars movie (A New Hope) and was shot down by Darth Vader and his mates. All true.