Showing posts with label Behind The Scenes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Behind The Scenes. Show all posts

Friday, 14 March 2025

March Meet The Maker - Tools & Materials

Happy FriYAY! 

Today on March Meet The Maker it's all about tools and materials. Here at Uniko HQ the tools and materials vary depending on what I am doing business wise.

Let's start with a little behind the scenes at the tools I use to design Uniko products. 



Sometimes I dust off my sketchbook and gather my pens and pencils, going back to my design degree roots and draw my designs first.

I then take all my designs onto the computer and digitise them ready to send to my manufacturers to either turn into stamps, stencils and occasionally designer dies.





Most times these days now that I am a little more proficient in Adobe Illustrator I go straight to designing digitally. I use my iPad and Apple Pencil to do this and I use a cool app which shows what I am doing on my large screen at the same time. 

I often have a stack of design books I am using for reference on my windowsill, I do love a browse in a book to find that spark of creative inspiration.

Next comes the tools and materials I use when I am crafting and showing how the products I design can be used. Here are a few of my 'go to' supplies. 





Of course there will be Uniko Clear Stamps and Uniko Stencils on my usually chaotic desk. Yes, I gave it a tidy to take photos 😂

Then there will be inks, my current favourite are Concord & 9th, white card stock from Stampin' Up! then there are ink blending brushes, my trusty MISTI stamping platform and my Tim Holtz Tonic Studios paper trimmer. 

Of course there are LOTS of other things I use, my VERY old Sizzix Big Shot die cutting machine, makers, pencils, tapes, glues and embellishments. The list goes on, and on, and on! 

Today I have selected a rainbow of colours to ink up the Uniko Stencil - Layering Organic Blooms, here's how it turned out.




I used just two of the stencil layers from the set, the leaves and the flowers, inking each layer with the rainbow of colours. 

I used Poppy, Marmalade, Buttercup, Parsley, Oceanside, Blueberry, Fig and a little smidge of Honeysuckle. 




Once I'd inked up the layers I decided it needed a little more detail, so I opted to stamp the coordinating flowers from the Organic Blooms clear stamp set in black ink. The sentiment I used is also from the stamp set, which I adhered using foam tape, with a few enamel dots finishing my card.

As you know I can't choose a favourite colour, why choose one when you can have them all, right?! But the other reason is that this month the challenge over in the Uniko VIP Facebook group is all about rainbows.




The group is private over on Facebook, a nice friendly space to share all of your Uniko makes. Follow the link HERE to request to join and also join in on the rainbow fun this month. There is a £10 eGift code up for grabs. 

Crafty Hugs







Friday, 7 March 2025

March Meet The Maker - Behind The Scenes

Happy FriYAY! 

Today with March Meet The Maker, it is all about Behind The Scenes. This reminded me of a feature I did for Simply Cards & Papercrafts Magazine, which I didn't think was that long ago until I actually found it! 

It might have been almost 7 years ago, as The Beans were still at nursery and they are now almost at the end of primary school. And the studio has changed a little to accommodate my husband again after The Beans decided they wanted separate bedrooms. 

But I thought it would be fun to share. If you click on the picture it should be big enough for you to read! 






My now, a day in the life at Uniko...

9am - 10:30 ish

At the start of my day is a little bit of admin. Emails, responding to enquiries and sending any such as product restock requests. On Monday's I update the website with a new Card Of The Week. I then look at the website to see what orders have come in overnight and I get to packing those. 

10:30 -12:30 ish 

I get to creating something new to share on the Uniko blog and, or social media for the day. Sometimes I am really organised and I am creating in advance!

When I am organised with new makes to share, I am able to use this time to get designing new clear stamp sets and stencil designs.

12:30 - 13:30 ish

I take a break, have lunch and do a couple of jobs around the house. It's usually gathering washing, pots and tidying up after The Beans! 
 
13:30 -15:30 ish

This is when I finish up anything I was doing pre lunch and then I check to see if anymore orders have come in before I walk out to the Post Office (rain or shine) to drop them off. 

I enjoy my walk out to the Post Office, its nice to get some fresh air and it's also the time I use to clear my head and I often come up with new card ideas and sometimes new product ideas! 

15:30 - 16:30 ish

This last hour often is catching up on social media, posting and commenting. The Beans are back from school at this time, so depending on how much I am demand, depends on what I can get done before I am fully present with family and home life.


And of course, my day never runs as smoothly or as organised as this! 


It wouldn't be a normal day if I didn't share a card, this is what I made for today.




Sorry, not sorry! 

It's more Stencil - Layering Bright Butterflies. I just can't resist inking them up at the moment and they've added cheer to a dull day here in the NE of the UK. 




I used Concord & 9th inks today in Pink Lemonade & Carnation, Buttercup & Sunflower, Grapefruit & Sorbet, Sprout & Parsley and Oceanside & Peacock. My sentiment choice today is one from Spring Botanicals Primrose.

That's all I have today. I'd love to know what you would like to see more of from Uniko behind the scenes and or creativity from me.

I'll be back tomorrow with more to share and winners from last months celebrations.

Crafty Hugs