Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, I’m Charlotte, mum of two daughters aged 6 and 3 years. I’m originally from Barnsley, but growing up I lived in many places across the UK and even Cyprus for a few years, as my step-dad was in the forces. After moving around a lot, I eventually ended up back in Barnsley where I met my husband Michael.
I used to work full-time as an office/accounts admin assistant until I stopped working to have my first child and decided not to go back to work.
What made you start designing greetings cards?
My husband Michael was the one who came up with the idea of us starting our own business. I’ve always loved drawing, being creative, crafting etc, I’ve tried lots of different mediums such as needle felting, and even pyrography over the years, but I always come back to drawing which is a real passion of mine.
We started Cupsie’s Creations in Jan 2021 just as I was about to give birth to our second daughter and as covid rules were starting to relax.
At the time I was drawing a lot just as a way to keep calm and pass the time. Michael was looking for extra ways to make money online as we had lost my income because I didn’t want to go back to a full-time job, after having children. I agreed to it as long as Michael would help out with the technical/admin side of things. Having a newborn wouldn’t leave me much time to draw let alone do all the other things that come with running a business! Originally we started out designing apparel on Red Bubble, but soon we came across the greetings card industry and fell in love with it.
How is your personality reflected in your work?
We have always had a very sarcastic sense of humour towards one another. So we can easily turn things we say to each other into card ideas.
Does your work have a theme or an aim?
I tend to draw a lot of different things because that’s just the way my mind works. I can never really stick to one style of art because I always love trying to draw new things.
Some of the humorous cards tend to be aimed at life as a mum and marriage. I love to draw in an anime/manga style or kawaii style drawings too.
Which occasion or season is your favourite to design for?
I love designing for general birthdays as you can do so many different styles and puns with it.
What are your design influences?
Food and everyday life experiences.
What inspires you?
Playing video games, being a mum and going to Comicon and cosplaying. All of which I don’t do as much as I used to bef
ore I had kids.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
I take a break sometimes when I can’t think of anything. Taking a step back from it and having a break takes the pressure off and then ideas just come to me. I write them down and then I think about how to draw them rather than just doing them straight away.
Which is your favourite design from your collection and why?
Our Cute Bee Birthday Card. It’s a wasabi and sushi joke.
It’s just so silly, but it sells and our customers love it.
Why did you decide to sell your designs with You Said It?
After having a friendly chat on social media we decided to sign up, as we wanted to be part of the You Said It journey, and hoped we could be part of helping you to grow your customer base. It’s also great that you offer cards as wholesale and on Amazon etc.
View the whole Cupsie’s Creations collection
Cupsie’s Creations You Said It Designer Page
