1st December in the UK this year marked Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to raising awareness about supporting small businesses & shopping locally. But, it’s not just about shopping locally that one day it’s about supporting those small businesses all year round.
Which is why on Country Bumpkin Chic I’m passionate about supporting local businesses in Dorset & on the blog today is local designer Caroline Tucker based in West Dorset.
Hi Caroline, welcome to Country Bumpkin Chic, tell us a bit about yourself & how you got into designing?
I set up my company after a few years working for a design studio in London where I created designs for high street fashion. (CBC – I remember the time when I bought a new dress from New Look & Caroline had designed the print, she’s very clever & modest!) I moved back to Dorset to continue designing as a freelancer & over time started creating images for my own products including cards, coasters, cushions, tube lights etc.
How did you start your business in Dorset?
I started selling my designs & products at local craft fairs & to friends. My designs were selling really well & naturally over time developed into a bigger business selling directly to shops & galleries.
After a while, I took the plunge to take my designs & products to a number of trade shows including PULSE & Top Drawer in London, The Giving & Living Fair in Exeter and British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate where I got orders from some exciting high street shops including the National Trust.
Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
Most of my designs include vibrant colour & fun quirky images inspired by animals, the Dorset coast & countryside. I use a variety of different mediums including digital design, watercolour & acrylic painting which are created from my studio at my home. I love creating work that makes people happy & brightens up their homes.
What selling method do you find works the best?
Since having my baby in June 2017, I’ve had to slightly alter the way I work & have been creating a lot of more original paintings which I can do in the mornings or late at night when Toby has a nap. I still sell my products to several shops but have been using the internet a lot more to sell my work directly to customers & have been taking commissions & orders from Facebook and Instagram as well as from my website. They’ve actually been selling before I get to list them in the shop section of my website.
What would make a great Christmas present from the Caroline Tucker range?
My most recent watercolour designs of animals are available on a range of coasters, placemats, cushions & tube lights and would make perfect gifts for Christmas.
I also sell a wide range of art cards in local shops in Dorset & across Devon & Cornwall. Stockists can be found on my website www.carolinetucker.com
And what’s the plan for 2019?My plan for 2019 is to develop the website & create lots more great original artwork.
To find out more about Caroline’s designs, head to:
Facebook – Caroline Tucker Designs
Instagram – @CarolineTuckerDesigns
Twitter – @CTuckerDesigns
Website – www.carolinetucker.com
