As a child I was always happiest when making Halloween decorations, designing my own magazine or making popcorn boxes from old cereal packets. Creating has always made me happy, and filled me with excitement!

When I was around 15, I went to a graphic design degree show at our local college with my mum (who was studying for a degree in art at the time). I’ll always remember the feeling of awe as I walked around the exhibition looking at logo designs, packaging and business stationery. Until then I hadn’t known what career path I wanted to follow, but this exhibition was a real turning point. After finishing my A Levels, I completed a foundation art course at college, and then a degree in graphic design.

I went on to work as a graphic designer at a newspaper, and then at two different printing companies. I am first and foremost a print designer, and I love to see tangible results.

I started Nellie & Ted when my first daughter was one, as another outlet for my creativity. As a graphic designer I was creating all the time, but I wanted a space to be able to create whatever I wanted, to be my own boss and to always be able to make things I loved. I started with greeting cards and birthday invites as these were things I had been making for myself anyway. I then added stickers as I had been making them for my daughter. It was when a friend with a small business asked me to make her some logo stickers that I entered the world of small indie businesses, and I’m so glad I did!

Through Instagram I have found a community of amazing like minded people. I love the feeling of connection I get from playing a part in their business by printing their stickers. I love it when my customers give me great feedback and purchase from me again - that’s a really amazing feeling. I also like watching their businesses grow. I love that I can create things that I love for people who also love them. That’s what makes me happy!

It’s really important to me that my products and packaging are eco friendly. My stickers are all fully recyclable and biodegradable, and my packaging is plastic free.

All of my products are made to order: designed, printed and packaged in my small studio at my home in Suffolk (which also doubles as a playroom!) Nellie and Ted became my sole income when I gave up my graphic design job at the end of 2020. I work on my little business in between caring for my two beautiful girls, and I’m looking forward to having the time to develop all the ideas I have for Nellie and Ted!