How long have you been selling your own work? I've been selling my stationery and notebooks now for almost eight years.
When do you start thinking about Christmas? I usually start thinking about Christmas in September. I make sure my online shops are all filled up and I contact my stockists to see if they need more stock, so I've plenty time to make it all.
Does your heart sink or is it an exciting time? It is an exciting time, being busy is always better than having nothing to do.
How long does it take you to make each item? Each individual book doesn't take very long, but I tend to make them in batches as it's more efficient. There are quite a few processes involved; first I have to take the photographs which will become the images used in the designs, I then alter my original photos in imaging software until I get a design I'm happy with. Once the image is ready it needs to be printed onto the watercolour card and the paper for inside the notebooks needs to be cut to size, folded then trimmed before the inner and the cover can be sewn together. Folding the paper probably takes the longest – I don't have any machinery for folding it so it's all done by hand with my trusty bone folder. If I was to sit down and just make one book from start to finish (assuming I already had the design) it would take 10-15 minutes.
Where do you get your inspiration from? My inspiration for the designs comes from the landscape which surrounds me here in Scotland. I'm always looking for an interesting shape or pattern in the trees or plants to photograph.
How do you make each Christmas collection different from last years - or do you not even try? I don't tend to make specific Christmas themed designs as my work is generally bought as gifts. But when I sit down to design a new range I do try to make it a bit different from the one before. This year there is a bit of a colour theme running through the new designs which I'd love to say was intentional but in reality was just a happy coincidence – or perhaps my subconscious at work!
How much of your business comes from Christmas gifts? Much of my yearly online sales come from Christmas gift buying which is hugely important for my business. Christmas sales allow me to carry on into the New Year and produce new designs and more stock.
Do you enjoy it by the time you get to December 25th? By the time we get to December the last posting date is the day I most look forward to! That's not to say I'm not enjoying myself but if it's busy you've got to look for the end point, and pulling the shutters up on the 23rd (last posting date for Special Delivery folks!) does feel really satisfying after a busy season!
And do you get January off ...? Yes! Not all of January though, maybe the first week and a half...
To see more of Emma's work and buy pieces visit seekandadore.com/pumpkinsputnik/products
