Ginger Betty artist to set up shop at Stationery Supplies as 2,000 retailers celebrate event
A decade of Thinking Of You Week is being celebrated this year with in-store artist events, promotions and giveaways galore planned as over 2,000 retailers have already confirmed they’re taking part in the event, which runs 16-22 September.
One of the first to announce plans is Sarah Laker at Stationery Supplies in Marple and Wilmslow, where Lancashire artist Tracey Colliston will be bringing the skills that define her Ginger Betty publishing brand to delight the indie retailer’s customers.
For a four-hour stint at the Marple store on Saturday, 21 September, Tracey – whose Hello Mellow range is a Henries 2024 finalist – will be offering personalised sketches in return for donations to East Cheshire Hospital as the greeting card industry rallies round to remind people of the joy sending and receiving cards creates, particularly when it’s not a special occasion.
“I’ve been stocking Ginger Betty cards and stationery in my shops for over three years,” Sarah explained, “as the cute woodland animals appeal to all ages and are really popular. People often buy multiple cards so they can frame them.
“Having Tracey come to our shop and to be able to see her create her wonderful drawings, while supporting such an amazing charity as part of TOYW is just brilliant, and I’m sure our customers will be thrilled.”
Also up for grabs is one of Tracey’s signed framed watercolours as part of the raffle, and there’s a stationery lucky dip, ginger biscuits on tap and musical accompaniment on the cello from Sarah’s younger daughter Frances.
Tracey, who started publishing her own work five years ago expanding on her freelance greeting card designs and has produced a series of uplifting children’s books with the latest released last week, added: “I’m so looking forward to sketching at Stationery Supplies in September! It will be great to raise money for charity and meet people. Each sketch will be personalised by myself, with lots of love!”
Over in Chapel Allerton, Chirpy owner Jo Mcbeath is getting customers of her store involved: “Every day we’ll be sending a free card on behalf of one of our customers or social media followers. Each day during TOYW we’ll be asking our followers to comment on a post to be in with a chance of us sending a card on their behalf. The daily winners can choose the type of card and let us know the message to include and we’ll send it for free.
“On Sunday, 22 September, to celebrate the end of the week we’ll choose a random person from everyone who’s commented during the week and they’ll win a free bundle of five cards.
“We hope this sends a bit of Chirpy love and helps promote the importance of sending cards and the joy of receiving them.”
TOYW was launched by the GCA in September 2014, inspired by publisher member Len Smith who had sent 40 of his Leonard Smith Publishing cards just to say hello, or share a joke or memory with friends and family during Lent and mentioned to PG editor Jakki Brown and Sharon Little, ceo of the GCA at the time, the fantastic response he’d received from the recipients.
This was then discussed at GCA council as to how they could encourage others to reach out and spread joy by sending cards to people they care about without a special occasion.
Now fixed as the third week in September, the annual “send a card, deliver a smile” outpouring has spread across the world, also being celebrated in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Italy and the Netherlands.
The TOYW website shares information on the event, ideas for people to get involved, and has free downloadable toolkits for retailers, schools and anyone else wanting to run card-sending initiatives and encourage connections within their communities.
GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson said: “We already have over 2,000 card retailers across the country who have planned their displays and will be displaying the Thinking Of You Week signage this year, so don’t miss out!
“TOYW is a brilliant way to get your brand in front of potential customers – the consumer-facing website is designed to inspire individuals to experience the joys and benefits of sending cards, and the event gets lots of media attention nationwide!”
At the GCA AGM and annual conference on 19 September, cards specially designed by Bex Hassett of Bexy Boo, and kindly printed by Loxleys on G.F Smith board with Cummins & Papyrus envelopes, will be given to all attendees to be written at the event in Bristol and posted in a special postbox created by N Smith.
To find out more about the conference at the Bristol Harbour Hotel and book tickets click here.
