There are considerably more ‘shiny happy people’ out there in the greeting card publishing world as a result of not discovering they have won a Henries award (or in some instances, more than one) (https://www.pgbuzz.net/the-henries-2020-award-winners-revealed/) but now having their shiny trophies in their hands!
Click play below to see how excited Jo Wilson, creative head honcho of Dandelion Stationery was to receive her trophy:
“The Henries awards event, which took place virtually last Thursday (December 10) was different to all the other years, but the warmth, camaraderie, mutual respect and shared joy was there for all to see, whether in the Session Rooms or on the Chat feed,” said Warren Lomax, joint managing director of Max Publishing, (which owns and organises The Henries).
PG Buzz shares a selection of some the winners’ pics and comments about their wins (more tasty morsels to follow as trophies arrive)…
Louise Mulgrew, founder and creative director of Louise Mulgrew won two awards – The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer or Artist Award and the Best Art Range for Safari Party.
Click below to see Louise’s surprise when sponsor Jehane Boden-Spiers announced her as the winner of the Most Promising Young Designer:
“I’m completely surprised and overwhelmed and chuffed to pieces! It is a privilege just to have reached the finals alongside such amazing designers, but to have your name called as the winner is a feeling like no other. After such a challenging year, and at a time when I wasn’t feeling like a particularly promising designer, I’m totally over the moon and it’s the most special way to end 2020. I was still reeling over the Young Designer announcement and had my Mum crying on the phone at the time when the Best Art Range was announced – the whole thing was a happy blur. Huge congratulations to all the other nominees and winners and thank you for such a special night that I’ll remember forever!” – Louise Mulgrew, founder of Louise Mulgrew.
It was a double win for Rosie Made A Thing, with its Gin & Frolics clinching the Best Lockdown Range as well as Best Humorous Range
“I’m over the moon to win this special one-off Lockdown Henries award and to be able to celebrate virtually with some of my card buddies. I was so excited to also win the award for Best Humour against such tough competition! And brilliant to be able to share the actual moment with the team and the family. I told them I was funny! The PG team did such a good job of getting us all together in spirit. And no need to search for my shoes and trophy at the end of the night!” – Rosie Harrison, founder of Rosie Made a Thing
Best Children’s Range went to Hoopla from Paper Salad
“We are absolutely delighted to win Best Children’s Range for the third time, amongst very tough competition too! The night was a great success even though we didn’t know what to expect, nevertheless we can’t wait to get back to celebrating with everyone next year!! Congratulations to all the other winners and thank you to all the judges for what must have been a difficult judging process under the circumstances.” – Claire Williams and Karen Wilson, co-founders of Paper Salad
Diamond Blush from Five Dollar Shake clinched the Best Handmade or Hand-Finished Range
“21 years on from our first one and yet the nerves are just the same. This award really felt like a reward; a reward for the incredible work our staff has put in this crazy year. The bar bill was certainly much smaller than usual, but we all have more love and pride for this Henries trophy than perhaps any other we have won” – Matt and Beth Genower, co-owners of Five Dollar Shake
Best Traditional Words and Sentiments Range was won by Cherished from Cherry Orchard Publishing
“We were over the moon with excitement to have won our first ever Henries Award for Best Words & Sentiment Range. We are known for our words and sentiment so it has felt even more apt that we should win in this category. In a year that marked our 25th Anniversary it means so much to us.
Team Cherry Orchard is also so proud to have moved on up to 6th place in Best Service to the Independent Retailer – it feels like a true reflection of how hard we work to achieve excellent customer care.” – Jackie Collins, managing director and owner of Cherry Orchard Publishing
Best Giftwrappings Range award went to Paper Salad from Glick
“We were delighted to win The Henries Award for Best Giftwrappings Collection. It was a complete surprise with some stiff competition in the category. Special thanks to Claire and Karen at Paper Salad for their constant innovation which makes working with them so much fun.” – Becky Dobson, director of Glick
Best Contemporary Words and Sentiments Range went to Words of Wisdom from Dandelion Stationery
“2020 has been such an unusual year, and as a small business it’s been pretty tough at times. Getting through to The Henries finals was such wonderful news, and ‘walking away’ with a trophy was the icing on the cake. We are just so appreciative of the people who voted for us – thank you all so much. We are absolutely over the moon!” – Jo Wilson, founder and creative maestro of Dandelion Stationery
Opal from Woodmansterne Publications won Best Cute Range
‘We’re absolutely delighted that Opal has won our very first ‘Cute’ Henries awards!
Charlotte Mason really loved working on this range of quirky animals, so I’m over the moon that she has been recognised in the industry. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for a great night in! What a fantastic end to 2020!” – Ian Blake, creative director of Woodmansterne Publications
The Henry Cole Classic Award went to Virtual Safari from Emotional Rescue
“We were really pleased to have won an award, but even more pleased that the event took place! Thank you to everyone who participated at The Henries 2020 event and here’s to wishing the industry a great 2021! Have fun!” – David Greaves, joint managing director of Emotional Rescue
The Best Service to Independent Retailer Award saw a Bronze award being sent to UKG, a Silver to Woodmansterne and a Gold to IC&G
Golden moment…
“Both my brother Ian, myself and all the team feel humbled to receive this award. It’s been a very challenging year for everyone and we are so grateful to win gold. All of our staff and agents have worked tirelessly to make sure our customers get the best service possible! So thank you to our amazing customers and staff and let’s hope things will be brighter for everyone in 2021!” – Simon Wagstaff, managing director of IC&G
Silver moment…
“I was absolutely delighted and very proud. This award has always been a big deal in our industry. Every day we’re wanting to properly look after our customers, so to be recognised in such a way is fantastic, particularly when you consider how challenging this year has been. Our team here will keep our focus on providing the best possible levels of service at all times and look to go one better next year. A big thanks and a virtual hug to all those that gave us their vote” – Andy Paterson, sales director of Woodmansterne Publications
“I was so delighted that our lovely independent retailers decided to vote our service into this position again this year – last year wasn’t a fluke! It’s been a hard year for everyone, and I look back with pride at the lengths we went to as a business in such a short amount of time to ensure that all our staff were safe, and that we could support all our retailers with orders still shipping. The team has taken everything in their stride – a fantastic team effort.” – Adam Osborne, operations director of Woodmansterne Publications
The Henries 2021 will take place, in real life, on Thursday 7 October at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Top: The Five Dollar Shake gang out in force!
