A Little Introduction…. Pickled Prints
“A little introduction” is our way to put members of the little makers market family in the spotlight. To give them the opportunity to shine and talk about their products and processes, likes, dislikes and to capture a glimpse of their personality, which unless you’ve met them at a market you would be unaware of.
With another fresh face to the market, we are excited to kick this week’s little introduction off with Norfolk based artist James from ‘Pickled Prints’. James’s collection of uniquely hilarious greetings cards you will need to stockpile to prints that resinate a bit too much! Pickled Prints will be joining our events from Saturday 1st April, and we personally cannot wait to have them on board!
Read James’s Q&A below
Tell us about yourself
Hello! I’m James and I’m the chap behind Pickled Prints. As a small business owner, this means I’m chief tea maker, accountant, admin, marketing, dishwasher loader, event booker and distributor. I’m usually found procrastinating in my little Norfolk office, occasionally thinking up funny things to put on prints and cards.
How do you do it?
I always say it’s a simple process – once the idea is there, I design the print, card or notebook on a design app called Procreate. If it’s for another outlet (Moonpig or Thortful), I make sure it’s unique to them. I’m self-taught on the old digital artwork side of design and get frustrated with my limitations! But the real hard work comes from forming ideas – has it been done before – is it a range or a one-off – is it funny?
Describe your business in 3 words?
Original, quirky, funny.
Where did it all begin? Why did you start your business?
Pickled Prints began in 2019 when we lived in London. I worked at a very famous card shop in St. Paul’s and after a few years, I thought ‘hang on a second, I could design funnier cards than this!’ So I did. A lot of things went wrong in those early days, but I built up my confidence and ranges and sold products in Covent Garden, Kings Cross and various makers markets across the country.
What’s your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement comes in the form of customer feedback. Laughter at the Pickled Prints market table is lovely. A lady at a Holt market said she purchased some of my ‘thoughtful’ cards to cheer her friends up and they are now framed and hanging in their house. It’s incredible to think that something I have created at my little desk, makes it into the big world and has a positive impact on others.
What’s your goal/dream?
The goal is to have a tiny Pickled Prints shop somewhere. Wall-to-wall cards and prints and a few seats for people to sit and read the cards – I might even supply a glass or two of prosecco. And obviously there will be an air-fryer section.
What’s next for you & your business?
This is going to be another busy year for Pickled Prints. I’ve booked in some incredible new craft markets (like The Little Makers Market) and I’ve planned it up to Christmas now. There’s a new website on its way, a newsletter and of course, loads more products!
If you could time travel, where would you go & why?
Probably back to the 1990s, to see if it was as hyper and magical as I remember it was growing up.
Favourite place?
Easy; Holkham Hall, North Norfolk. I had my first Norfolk craft market there back in December 2020 and it was incredible. I also stock a bespoke range of cards in their gift shop and make a point of delivering them myself, just so I can have a walk around and say hello to the deer and breathe in some fresh air. Heaven.
If you could be an animal what would you be, and why?
A cat. We have three and they are well fed, lazy and get to lounge in the sun all day. What could be better?
What’s your most listened to song, podcast or audiobook?
Before going full-time creative, I studied History at University. So I usually listen to a history podcast. And obviously Christmas songs in July to get those creative juices flowing.
What’s your workspace/studio like?
We moved to Norfolk in 2021 and found a flint covered, converted pig barn at the end of a little village. Pickled Prints HQ is located at the far end of the house. I walk through the kitchen on my way in, so I’ve often got a big mug of tea and a big plate of toast. My space is organized chaos – especially during seasonal events when craft markets and trade orders are in full swing!
What’s your life philosophy? A piece of advice you would pass on?
Be kind to yourself.
It’s taken me a long time (and still struggle) to accept this strange job as a creative. There are no 9-5 hours and it can be incredibly lonely and it’s quite hard not to judge yourself, especially with social media showing you the competition on a minute-by-minute basis. So I’d advise anyone in the creative world to put the phone away, step away from the desk for a while and take stock.
Any new projects coming up that you are excited about?
Loads. I’m designing my catalogue to harass small, unique shops with – in the hope of getting into some of them.
What does shopping small mean to you?
It means happiness. I know the effort that goes into running a small business. I know how cool and calm the owner is when selling the product – but what the customer doesn’t see is the dance and smile afterwards.
What’s your favourite small business? Why?
I have so many favourites – the small business community is so strong and, especially in Norfolk, you end up seeing the same beautiful faces.
I’ll pick Hannah, at Triple Kiss Designs. I absolutely love her product range of seeded cards, which I hadn’t seen before – now they’re everywhere and I want to do some! They’re funny designs and great quality. Hannah is all about the environment and this shows in her plastic-free approach and curating a sustainable craft market. She’s also rather fun to have a prosecco with.
If you enjoyed reading about James and his products, why not check out their website here or via Instagram at @pickled.printsshop