About And Hope Designs
My Story
It all started with a small batch of hand lettered cards, designed to scratch a creative itch.
I’ve been creative my whole life. As a child, I made friendship bracelets and beaded jewellery. As a teenager, I spent my spare time journaling and upcycling clothes. Before And Hope Designs, I was a wedding and portrait photographer.
In 2019, we moved from the North-East of England to Northern Ireland and discovered we were expecting our fourth child. I put my photography business on hold, but as 2020 rolled around, I found myself feeling antsy.
I needed to be creative, so I picked up my paintbrushes and began practicing watercolour. I invested in an iPad and an Apple Pencil and started lettering. Bit by bit, I came up with some card and wall art print designs. Eventually, I decided to print some and pop them on Etsy. One design featuring a quote by Corrie Ten Boom was so popular I had to have more printed almost immediately.
The fact my designs resonated with others spurred me on. Not only had I found a creative outlet, but I’d also discovered a way to help people nurture their most important relationships.
Then came lockdowns and restrictions. It turns out pausing wedding photography was for the best and making cards for people to send while they couldn’t see each other was a great idea. Thank you, Jesus, for your impeccable timing in my life!
Since then, running this small creative business has been one of my greatest joys. Helping people share hope, comfort and love with others is such a delight.
About And Hope Designs
And Hope Designs is now home to a large and ever-growing selection of joyful cards, gifts and homeware. Designed with care and attention to detail, everything is manufactured in the U.K. in small batches to reduce waste.
The brand is based in Belfast where I live with my husband and our four children who are always keen to help. Your order may have been posted by a small human, and possibly even stamped by one. Please excuse any wonky postage - they are learning to run a business and have a good work ethic!
And Hope Designs Means…
Showing You Care
Big milestones are important, but expressing our love and care for others shouldn’t be reserved for high days and holidays. I believe in sending notes of encouragement and congratulations, meaningful gifts ‘just because’, and uplifting words whenever they’re needed.
Quality and Excellence
From the paper I print on to the way your order is packaged, and in every interaction you have with the brand, I want And Hope Designs to be synonymous with beauty, quality and excellence.
Light-hearted Fun
I love puns and light-hearted touches, so they feature heavily in my work. Designed to make you smile without being crude or tasteless, everything I create is elegant and intentional.
Integrity, Always
I’m committed to running a small business with integrity, so I only collaborate with U.K. manufacturers who pay their workers fairly. It’s vital our happy mail, enjoyment and care for others do not come at the expense of those further down the chain.
Making God Greater
My mission is to use the gifts God has given me to make God greater. All we are, and everything we do is about Him. We are mere stewards. Jars of Clay. My business is an expression of this and a way to bless and encourage others. Through my work and the service I provide, I want to point to the hope we have been given.
[…] We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
Thanks for stopping by
If you can’t find what you’re looking for or would like to discuss a bespoke commission, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I can’t wait to hear from you!
