Get set to make someone happy as Thinking Of You Week starts on Monday
Pens at the ready – Thinking Of You Week starts on Monday so it’s time to get sending all those lovely cards just because you want to make someone happy.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the annual week, instigated by the GCA to create a wave of love, caring and happiness, and it runs through until next Sunday, 16- 22 September, with thousands of retail rooftops pledging participation to spread the love, from leading grocers through to indies.
On the publisher front, Hallmark has announced a new Inspired collection with winning artists taking inspiration from the TOWY sentiment, retailers are getting behind the campaign, and there are special cards for people to send from the GCA AGM & Conference.
At Earlybird, co-owner Heidi Early is taking the indie store back to school in a collaboration with a local primary in London’s Stoke Newington where pupils will be designing cards to make someone happy.
“We’ve delivered spare blank cards to the school for Project Happy Cards,” Heidi explained, “then we’ll collect the designs and display them in our shop window. Customers will vote for their favourite and we’ll print the winning design and sell it in our shop with all the profits going to a charity of the child’s choice.”
Meanwhile Hallmark’s collection is billed as a celebration of creativity and connection, bringing 14 creatives into the industry following the publisher’s Inspired competition which attracted 181 entries.
Centred around the theme of caring connections, the creatives from across the UK submitted designs and messages that evoke empathy, support, joy and kindness, and head of creative Laura Brunton said it was an “impressive response” with the entrants submitting “hundreds of unique and heartfelt pieces of work”.
She added: “The Inspired collection is a testament to the boundless creativity and empathy that exists within our communities. Each card is a unique expression of care, crafted to help people connect on a deeper level and share their feelings in a meaningful way. We are honoured to have collaborated with such talented individuals and to bring their visions and ideas to life.”
A diverse panel of judges from across Hallmark carefully evaluated each submission, considering originality, relevance to the theme, artistry, composition and overall appeal to pick a collection of 16 cards that capture the power of human connection, and Monday’s launch on Hallmark’s Personalisation website is designed to tie in with TOYW.
The winners are James Kaye, Becky Johnston, Sarah Christou, Darcie Couch, Jasmine Baker, Chloe O’Donnell, Samantha Williams, Lauran Perkins, Aya Labib, Lauren Elizabeth, Natalie Rodrigues, Maisy Dainty, Emma Hudson, and Jen Sutton.
James said: “Connecting people through art has always been very important to me. A chance to design something as thoughtful as a card was amazing and making one suitable for any occasion makes me feel like my art could be used in a special way.”
Indie retailer Cardies in Stevenage has already launched its TOYW promotion, having shop dog Orberry painted on the window to draw customers’ attention, and Stationery Supplies has a special four-hour visit planned for its Marple store from Ginger Betty artist and publisher Tracey Colliston on Saturday, 21 September, offering personalised sketches in return for donations to East Cheshire Hospice.
With the GCA conference next Thursday, 19 September, falling within TOYW, there will even be a special card waiting for every attendee at the event, that everyone will be encouraged to write and post on the day.
Bex Hassett, of Bexy Boo, has created the special card, which is being kindly printed by Loxleys on G.F Smith board with Cummins & Papyrus envelopes, ready for the conference Bristol Harbour Hotel and the cards can be posted in a special post box created by N Smith, with keynote conference speaker David Gold, Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, taking them all away to post.
“We want to highlight the 10th anniversary, and where better than at a gathering of the greeting card community,” GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson said. “Of course we’ll have plenty of pens for people to borrow, but it’s so nice to write these special messages with a favourite pen – do remember to bring yours!”
