Cute pooch range set for relaunch thanks to Bexy Boo collaboration
A Knutsford collaboration is about to lead to the relaunch of a gorgeously cute range of dog cards thanks to publisher Bexy Boo.
Run by Bex Hassett, she’s been pals with Nicholas Child since helping him launch as The Grumble & Co back in 2016 with his Mugshots range of delightful doggy designs and, now he’s moved on to a new career as The Children’s Illustrator, she’s taking on the collection.
Nicholas’ drawings were inspired by the pugs he and his now-husband Ross owned – Minnie, Tilly and Ruby – with a grumble being the collective noun for pugs, and miniature schnauzer Lottie making up the & Co.
Having realised Bexy Boo, known for its hand-finished designs, was also based in Knutsford, Nicholas got in touch for advice on getting into the greeting card industry and he said: “We met up and, of course, Bex is a fellow pug fan and fell for the adorable furry faces. She knew they were strong illustrations and encouraged me to exhibit at PG Live, so we launched The Grumble & Co.”
Paperchase was one of the first to get their paws on the range and Mugshots became a success before Nicholas moved on to illustrating children’s books with his style capturing the attention of the crown princess of Greece, Marie-Chantal, and his drawings for the second edition of her kids’ book Manners Begin At Breakfast have seen it published worldwide.
Bex added: “When we met for our usual coffee in Costa this autumn I came up with the idea of getting Mugshots back in the shops, with me licensing the designs – sadly the pugs and Lottie have all now passed over the rainbow bridge so this collection means a lot to Nicholas and Ross.”
A delighted Nicholas got to work refreshing the original doggy drawings, and they’ve worked together on cute captions and a revamped colour palette to get the range ready for launch in January, and on show on the Bexy Boo stand at Spring Fair in February.
“The Mugshots are cuter than ever and ready to get back on the shelves,” Bex added, “we’re sure these pretty pooches will be successful again in winning over everyone’s hearts.”
