Everyone is still reeling from the devastating news that Heather Marten, the super talented founder of card and stationery company English Graphics has sadly passed away. The company however is to continue to trade, being run by her husband Peter England.
Heather, aged 58, died of pancreatic cancer which claimed her life in just five weeks after the diagnosis was made.
Although English Graphics has only been trading as a greeting card and stationery company for five years (which evolved from a high end wedding stationery business) it was widely acclaimed not only for the delightful designs, all of which based on Heather’s artwork, but also the company’s commitment to the environment. English Graphics led the way in its adoption of biodegradable glitter, for example, with Heather initially using cosmetic grade biodegradable glitter (despite its high cost) until the super sparkly version suitable for cards was developed.
Heather’s husband Peter, who has been involved in the business right from the start, is fully committed to continuing English Graphics.
“I would want to carry it on anyway, as Heather’s legacy, but I made a promise to her that I would,” Peter told PG Buzz at Top Drawer, manning the stand with Heather’s sister and cousin. “I have been involved with the business right from the start, she even trusted me to stick some of the crystals on in the early days. Thankfully now we have a wonderful team of ‘Glitter Girls’ who do this much better than I ever did!”
The Lymington-based company produces all its products in-house, having invested in printing and hot foiling machinery with the team of five ‘Glitter Girls’ on hand to finish them.
Peter also explains that there is a whole batch of at least 100 unpublished designs, which Heather has created.
“We only release six new designs a year so have plenty of new artwork in the bank. English Graphics is Heather’s legacy, I feel honored to be able to carry on the business in her memory,” said Peter. “With Heather’s death being so recent I am still going through the business side of things, but our customers and agents are being very understanding for which I am very thankful.”
Among English Graphics’ recent claims to fame was that the company’s Dog Lovers 2020 diary won the Best Desk Calendar award in The Calies, calendar and diary awards in November. It also won the Best Generic Diary in The Calies 2018 for its Inkwell + Feather design.
Top: Heather Marten at last year’s January Top Drawer show.
