Fab reactions as 61 publishers reach finals of the greeting card awards
“Well, burgle my bananas and call me a gibbon – we’re finalists for The Henries!” that’s one of the first reactions to the news released yesterday, 3 August.
The typically-daft Iain Hamilton, Bewilderbeest’s owner and creative maestro, added: “Some of our nonsense found its way into the humour category. Who knows if we’ll come away with anything heavy and metal this year – other than whatever cutlery I can fit in my pockets.”
“Judging by some of the absolute end of legs – or possibly legends – also in this category, that could be a tall order. Either way, at least I’ll get a chance to put on a posh frock for the awards ceremony, and hopefully some clean underwear too.”
The Henries 2023 finalists were revealed following an inspiring live judging event on Tuesday, 1 August, where 61 different publishers, from tiny specialist companies up to major brands, have ranges feted in what Iain described as “sort of like the Oscars for greeting cards, but the red carpet is made from envelopes”!
Each and every one made it through a two-stage judging process to reach the finals, having been scrutinised by over 100 retail buyers, first online and then at this week’s in-person judging.
The response from Rosie Tate, director at Cath Tate Cards, was: “We’re absolutely delighted to be finalists in not one but two categories, Best Humorous Range and The Henry Cole Classic, suggesting we’re simultaneously funny and have survived in the industry for so long, that we’re entering classic territory – what a way to brighten up a very grey week!”
And Tipperleyhill’s owners Abi Tippetts and Roz Berkeley-Hill added: “OMG, we’re The Henries finalists! Cue wild dancing, excessive cake consumption from Roz and wine drinking from Abi! Thanks for believing in our quirky cards – more eccentricity coming your way!”
Buyers from Tesco, Card Factory, John Lewis & Partners, Waterstones, Scribbler, Fortnum & Mason and WHSmith were joined by leading small chains and indies, such as House of Cards, Postmark, Bailey’s, Red Card, Cardies, The Card Collection, In Heaven At Home, No.14 Ampthill, Highworth Emporium, Medici Gallery, First Class Greetings, LoveOne, MiMi, Jane Armour Trading, and Milford Cards & Gifts, to form the 35-strong judging panel at the live judging event which saw them scrutinise all the shortlisted ranges arrived at from the first round of online voting, and their collective votes from the day decided the finalists in the industry’s Oscars.
In addition to the product categories, the judging panel also had the treat of considering all entries in The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer Or Artist award.
“The Henries finalist ranges and Young Designer entries are testament to the UK greeting card industry’s creative prowess, finding new ways in design treatment, format and editorial to woo the consumer. It proved no mean feat for the judging panel to decide how to place their votes, but they all took their collective responsibility very seriously,” commented Warren Lomax, joint owner of Progressive Greetings, which owns and organises The Henries.
Here’s the full list of finalists for The Henries Awards 2023:
Best Diversity & Inclusion Range
Fantabulous from Raspberry Blossom
Gin & Frolics from Rosie Made A Thing
She from Cinnamon Aitch
Studio Blom from Pigment
Tipperleyhill Ink from Tipperleyhill
Two Finger Salute from Heyyy
Best Humorous Range
Brushed Issues from Emotional Rescue
Gin & Frolics from Rosie Made A Thing
Heard They’re Absurd from Bewilderbeest
Holy Flaps from Redback Cards
Pina Colada from Cath Tate Cards
Stroke Me from Rosie Made A Thing
They Can Talk from Woodmansterne Publications
Best Licensed Card Range
Bluey from Danilo Promotions
Cath Kidston from Ohh Deer
Emma Bridgewater from Woodmansterne Publications
Heinz from Tache
Lucia Heffernan from Pigment
Snoopy from Hype Associates
Van Gogh Museum Collection from Origamo
Best Christmas Counter Range
Advent Calendar Greeting Card Collection from Roger La Borde
Christmas Collection from Louise Mulgrew
Paintworks from James Ellis
Paper Shakies Christmas from James Ellis
Pop-Up! Bauble Cards from Poet And Painter
Reflections from Paperlink
Best Christmas Box Or Pack
Candy Cane Christmas Boxes from Five Dollar Shake
Christmas Boxed Cards from Laura Darrington Design
Christmas Luxury Collection from Ling Design
Christmas Packs from Stop The Clock Design
Luxury Christmas Boxes from The Art File
Vista Christmas Box Sets from Paper Salad
Best Cute Range
A Daily Cloud from Brainbox Candy
Baby Betty from Ginger Betty
Bear from The Art File
Holly Maguire from Stormy Knight
Little Adventure from Alljoy Design
Safari Party from Louise Mulgrew
Best Contemporary Words & Sentiments Range
Biodegradable Glitter from Oh Squirrel
Emosh from Emotional Rescue (in collaboration with Paper Salad)
Gin & Frolics from Rosie Made A Thing
Inky Scripts from Bexy Boo
Quotes ’N’ Quips from Scentiment Gifts
Words Of Wisdom from Dandelion Stationery
Best Traditional Words & Sentiments Range
Bonbi Forest from Earlybird Designs
Botanique from Hallmark Cards
Female Relations from UK Greetings
Flutter By from Wishing Well Studios (CBG)
Moments In Time from Words ’n’ Wishes
Words & More from Ginger Betty
Best Art Range
Art Range from Ohh Deer
Globetrotter from Stormy Knight
London Calling from Rocket68
Matisse from Paper Salad
Paintworks from James Ellis
Safari Party from Louise Mulgrew
Best Photographic Range
A Daily Cloud from Brainbox Candy
BBC Countryfile from Abacus Cards
Christian Vieler from GBCC
Loose Leashes from Woodmansterne Publications
Pretty As A Picture from Wendy Jones-Blackett
Rhian ApGruffydd from Gruffpawtraits
Best Children’s Range
Cheeky Chops from Rosie Made A Thing
Fantabulous from Raspberry Blossom
Jamboree from Paper Salad
Moji From Redback Cards
Monster Mash from Stripey Cats
Super Duper from Stop The Clock Design
Best Contemporary Trend Range
Big Love from Raspberry Blossom
Fleurescent from Paper Salad
Hunky Dory from Paper Salad
I’mPressed from Heyyy
Paper Raven from Ricicle Cards
Pink Lemon from Stop The Clock Design
Rock On from The Art File
Best 3D, Handmade Or Hand-finished Range
Heinz from Tache
Is It Time To Celebrate? from Paper Salad
Message In A Bottle from Alljoy Designs
Mini Flora Collection from Origamo
Miniature World from Alljoy Designs
Peter Rabbit Baby Milestones Pop Ups from Cardology
Stargazing from Five Dollar Shake
Best Male Range (non-humour)
I’mPressed from Heyyy
Instant Classics from Heyyy
Life In Pencil from Pigment
Mambo from Woodmansterne Publications
Max Machen from Ohh Deer
Words Of Wisdom from Dandelion Stationery
Best Relations And/Or Occasions Range
Happy Days from Stop The Clock Design
Jamboree from Paper Salad
Occasions & Relations Collection from The Art File
Stargazing from Five Dollar Shake
Stephanie Dyment from Woodmansterne Publications
Studio Blom from Pigment
Best Spring Seasons Range
Bloom Seedstick Mother’s Day from Stormy Knight
Little Quirks Valentine’s Day from Lucilla Lavender
Mine’s A Pint Father’s Day from Emotional Rescue (in collaboration with Paper Salad)
Mother’s Day Classic Collection from UK Greetings
Quicksilver Easter from Wendy Jones-Blackett
You & Me Valentine’s Day from Stop The Clock Design
Best Wholesale Range
Embrace from Kingfisher Cards
Isabel’s Garden from Simon Elvin
Nature’s Art from Simon Elvin
Pixels from Kingfisher Cards
Studio from Out Of The Blue Studios
Whoopie! from Simon Elvin
Best Giftwrappings Range
Blooming Blush from Deva Designs
Flat Wrap from Kali Stileman Publishing
Gift Packaging 2023 Collection from The Art File
Handcrafted Artisan Collection from Paper Mirchi
Louise Mulgrew from Glick Gift Packaging
Paper Salad from Glick Gift Packaging
The Henry Cole Classic Award
This award is for ranges that have stood the test of time. All winners of this award enter The Henry Cole Hall of Fame. The 2023 winner will join previous winners, which are Bestie from Paperlink, The Bright Side from Really Good, Camilla & Rose from Peartree Heybridge, The Country Set from Wrendale Design, Eric the Penguin from GBCC, Forever Friends from Hallmark, Giggles from UKG, Ink Press from The Art File, Me to You from CBG, Medici Cards Blue Label from GBCC, On the Ceiling from Emotional Rescue, Pizazz from Nigel Quiney, Pop-Ups from Second Nature, Quentin Blake from Woodmansterne, Rainbow from Ling Design and Virtual Safari from Emotional Rescue.
Boofle from UK Greetings (launched 2008)
Norbert & Val from Emotional Rescue (launched 1997)
One Lump Or Two from Holy Mackerel (launched 2011)
Paper Shakies from James Ellis (launched 2007)
Photocaptions from Cath Tate Cards (launched 1990s)
Quicksilver from Wendy Jones-Blackett (launched 2006)
The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer Or Artist
Rosie Bennett, in-house designer for Paper Salad
Stephanie Davies, founder and designer for Stephanie Davies
Georgi Doig, founder and designer for Lil Wabbit
Nicole Elders, founder and designer of Nicole Elders
Esme Lintin, in-house designer for Woodmansterne Publications
Hannah Marchant, founder and designer for Hannah Marchant
Lottie Murphy, founder and designer for Lottie Murphy
Sophie Thorne, in-house designer for GBCC
Best Service to the Independent Retailer
The finalists for this category will be announced early next week.
Honorary Achievement Award
No finalists are announced for this award. The recipient will be revealed at The Henries awards event.
All winners will be announced at a lavish awards ceremony, the industry’s big night at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday, 5 October, 2023, where The Henries 2023 awards event will be a vibrant affair as it will take on a colourful Mardi Gras theme this year!
To book tickets click here. It will be a fabulous opportunity for the greeting card community to get together and celebrate its creative excellence as well as its strong sense of camaraderie.
