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The challenge to be green

Hand cut Wren Card – Available in our folksy shop

Have you ever received an email asking you to think before you print? Perhaps a cheery email at Christmas from Uncle Joe saying that in consideration for the environment etc he won’t be sending any actual Christmas cards this year but replacing them with a cheery E-card instead.

How do those emails make you feel? Guilty – because you’ve just printed 10 pages? Disappointed because you like displaying cards from family and friends at Christmas?

Going green can be tricky.  Rosie and the Boys wouldn’t exist without paper and ink but how does that fit with saving the rainforest?  This year I’m trying to make sure that my work is as kind to the environment as possible. It’s an important issue to a lot of people and I’m sure it’s important to many of you. But rather than present a big publicity spiel about how green we are I’d like to share with you some of the reasons behind choices Amy and I have made as well as the action we have already taken.

Today I’d like to tell you a story to help explain why I do what I do and why we think paper gifts still have a place in an environmentally friendly society:

My Auntie Hilda was an amazing lady who taught me a valuable lesson that is at the heart of Rosie and the Boys.  Great Auntie Hilda had a terrific sense of fun and made no secret of the fact that she was clearly besotted with us.  A few years ago when she passed away, we discovered just how much she loved us.

Personalised flower papercut available in our notonthehightsteet.com store

Whilst clearing her house we discovered boxes full of letters, pictures and cards. She had kept everything we had ever sent her. From clumsily written thank you notes to carefully coloured in pictures we had proudly presented as gifts when we visited.   She treasured them all.

Auntie Hilda recognised that people are special.  She made sure we knew she loved us and I hope the many cards I made for my aunt showed her that the feeling was mutual.

Personalised new baby papercut available in our Etsy store

Personalised new baby papercut available in our Etsy store

I’m not sure an E card would have conveyed the message quite as effectively. Whenever I create something, whether it’s a printed card or an intricate papercut I hope that it will be treasured for a long time.  It’s why I choose to use quality materials and work with skilled printers and crafts people. Yes I’m using paper that came from a tree but I hope the way in which it is used shows respect for the resource it came from as well as the person who will receive the gift.

 

 

Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing more about our journey towards being green. If you’ve got comments or questions about our choices, we’d love to hear them!

Contemporary Craft Not Digital Doping

As the world focuses it’s attention on France for the 100th edition of the Tour de France for the next three weeks, some people are bound to question whether a cyclist’s performance is due to his hard work and skill or to more dubious means.

Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill

Cycling Art Print – Tour de France Cyclist – Coppi: Cycling Quotes
Image: The Handmade Cyclist

In the world of art and design people sometimes pose similar questions claiming that drawing on a computer is cheating and isn’t REAL art.

This year I started using Adobe Illustrator to create and edit designs on my computer. I can honestly say it has transformed the way I work.  As I started climbing a very steep learning curve (no pun intended) getting to grips with the strange new world of path tools and clipping masks; Neil Wyatt (otherwise known as The Handmade Cyclist) offered me a helping hand.

Neil has created a range of stunning work celebrating the stories and scenery of the cycling world, which you can see scattered throughout this post.

He’s very kindly agreed to answer some questions about how he uses uses Illustrator in his work.

So if you’ve ever wondered what you can achieve with Photoshop (other than making models look perfect) or still think that using a computer to create art is cheating read on to find out more…

Does Illustrator really feature significantly in your creative process?

It’s really central to it. It’s just a really fast way of working through ideas. I’ll often use pen and paper to quickly sketch out compositions and then use basic shapes in Illustrator to get a feel for how they will work. You can change shapes, reposition, work through colour schemes, and generally play around until you are happy the image will work. My Flanders poster is a good example – I must have come up with 15 different layouts of the shapes making the landscape before I was happy. Then it’s down to adding the details.

Tour of Flanders Print

Cycling Art Print – Tour of Flanders Image: The Handmade Cyclist

Once the design is complete in Illustrator I will then paste it in layers into Photoshop to add textures and depth – this is vital to give the image that something extra. Vector shapes created in Illustrator can sometimes feel a little flat, so the final steps are important.

 Some people feel that using a computer is cheating – do you agree?

No, not at all, its really a case of horses for courses. I love hand-drawn art, collage, paper cut – but I know I wouldn’t be able to get the precision I want using those techniques. When I was learning to draw I really loved technical drawing – in the days of using pencil, protractor etc – and I really loved creating precise exploded diagrams and the like. So I’ve always been drawn to creating sharp, graphic images. Using the computer helps me achieve the finish I want – that’s why I use them. Maybe in the future I’ll experiment a little with other media, but for me it’s about getting the right end result.

Graphic print of Italian landscape

Cycling Art print – Milan-San Remo

 What are the advantages and disadvantages of creating designs digitally?

The advantages are the speed and flexibility. You can change composition, colour really quickly. You can experiment. Sometimes things happen by accident and you really like the result. You have complete control when you need it.

The disadvantages are just like any art – sometimes it’s still hard to get the vision in your head onto the screen or paper in the right way. Sometimes I can still sketch an idea on paper better than I can get it to look on screen. It’s frustrating when that’s the case. You learn how to do things better every day – I’ve not even scratched the surface of what’s possible yet.

 

 A lot of people would say that craft implies handmade. In my own experience as a designer I would claim that craft refers to an understanding of processes and materials and how to use them skillfully, and so using a program like Illustrator to create designs is also using craft. Would you agree?

Yes, for me Illustrator or Photoshop are just another tool to make things look better. I could do all my posters in pen and ink but would people like them as much? I’m not so sure. I do take great effort to make sure the whole process is done with love – I took time to find a great printer, who cares as much about my work as I do and produces beautiful prints. I might not hack the finished products out of a lump of tree with my bare hands, but the process is done with love, attention and craft.

Cycling Art Print – Tour de France Cyclist – Kuiper: Cycling Quotes 4 Image: The Handmade Cyclist
Galibier, Aubisque, Marie-Blanc, Puy-de-Dome, L'Alpe D'Huez, Croix de Fer, Tourmalet

Bike Art Print – Tour De France Climbs
Image: The Handmade Cyclist

 

Just as the shape of a piece of wood might dictate the design a woodcarver can create, does creating art digitally dictate the outcome of your work?

If anything I would say that using digital techniques makes the outcome more open. The possibilities are endless. And developments like 3D printing will really open things up – imagine the possibilities!

Sometimes the open possibilities can be a bit daunting – having some restrictions and discipline can really help the creative process. With digital art it’s tempting sometimes to chase perfection, and that can be quite a negative thing to do – you’ll never achieve it and rough edges give character.

I want to do more screen printed posters, there’s a purity there in the restrictiveness of the process, and some of my favourite artists like Army of Cats use screen-printing exclusively. But a lot of my prints are better suited to Giclee printing due to the textures and number of colours used – so again its horses for courses. Digital doesn’t mean bad – it’s just a means to an end.

If you missed our in depth interview with Neil you can read it here  and if you want to find out more or purchase a beautiful print here’s how:

etsy.com/shop/TheHandmadeCyclist
Blog: thehandmadecyclist.tumblr.com
Twitter: @handmadecyclist

The story of a papercut – from inspiration to creation

Picture of sweetpea papercut

Once upon a time there was a wedding and my sister and her new husband chose “Hanging on the wire” by Paul Weller as the song to play when they had their first dance together.  From that day whenever I hear the beautiful, rich voice of Paul Weller memories of that day come flooding back. I will always associate the sound of his voice with love, and it was another of his songs and the simple lyric “Sweetpea, my sweetpea” that inspired this papercut.

Last summer I grew sweetpeas in my front garden and they bloomed continuously for months.  There were so many flowers and such a heady scent that people often stopped as they walked past and I was able to give bunch after bunch away to friends and neighbours. Some of those sweetpeas even went into a neighbours wedding bouquet!

This year as the flowers begin to bloom again I was reminded of the Paul Weller song and the lovely memories of my sister’s wedding.  It led me onto thinking about anniversaries and how the first anniversary gift is traditionally paper. After returning from a walk I found myself sitting down at my desk and starting to draw…

Image: Rosie and the Boys

Image: Rosie and the Boys

So let me tell you the story of how the drawings above became a papercut.

After sketching various sweetpea forms – a stem, a leaf, a bud and open flowers I scanned the finished drawings into the computer.  I then played around with the various elements to create a design in Adobe Illustrator.  By creating a digital image I can easily change or add elements. Once I was happy I reversed the image and printed out a design template. The image is reversed so when the cut is finished and you turn the paper over all the little scratches and any lines where the knife overruns slightly are hidden from view.

I wanted to reflect that the inspiration for this cut came from a song sung in a deep, male voice, so I chose a high quality, slate coloured Murano paper to give a soft, textured look to the finished cut.

The cut starts by stapling the design template to the paper to ensure it won’t slip.

Image: Rosie and the Boys

Image: Rosie and the Boys

Closeup of rotating Xacto KnifeIt’s also important to have the right tools – in this case an A3 cutting mat and an Xacto knife with a rotating blade.  The blades for this knife are comparatively expensive and it can be tempting to keep using a blade even if it starts to blunt. As a result the cut suffers so I change blades as soon as they start to snag the paper otherwise it always ends in tears and frustration.

 

I always start with the small details; ignore these areas at the start and it’s too late to add them in later when the paper is weaker.

Clsoeup pictures of small details cut out

As I keep cutting, it becomes instinctive deciding which piece to cut next.  I find that I get to know the piece of paper and how it will react to being cut. At this stage in the cut, the process becomes almost like a meditation. I find that as I focus on the twists and turns of the knife my mind is strangely free to wander and I find myself either reflecting on the memories that inspired the piece or thinking about who might be going to receive it.

Detail pictures of papercut

Image: Rosie and the Boys

There will always be fragile and difficult areas in a design. I find it best to work on these gradually from early on in the paper cut so that the paper isn’t too weak to withstand the force of the cut causing fragile areas to tear.

Detail of cutting out fragile text

 

 

Here the text is gradually cut away but left in a protective “bubble” until later.

This means that I can apply the necessary pressure with the knife blade to get a crisp, clean cut without worrying that I will rip a fragile strand of paper.

 

 

It’s important to protect the design as it progresses.  Resting a piece of paper over where I have already cut stops me from unintentionally catching  the papercut with myknife, hand or arm causing it to tear or crease.

Closeup detail of papercutting process

Image: Rosie and the Boys

 

Closeup of trace cuts

When working with a textured paper like this Murano paper I find it is sometimes better to make an initial trace cut which I then go over again once the design has been completely traced with the knife.  After I have removed the stapled design I can then cut fiddly turns with confidence rather than making mistakes.

 

 

When the goal is in sight it is easy for me to get impatient and rush.  I have to remind myself that good things come to those who wait!

Nearly finished papercut

 

Once I’ve finished the cut I always get some satisfaction from looking at the pile of paper at my side. It is evidence of the hard work and time I have put into the papercut.

Finished papercut on cutting mat with discarded paper

And then the hours of drawing and cutting come to an end.  It’s time to enjoy the result.

Papercut of sweetpeas

The Craft of Lasercutting

This year at Rosie and the Boys we have branched out into using the skills of others to help create some of our products. We are passionate about creating things by hand but want our products to be available to a wide range of people and budgets. With this in mind, we set about searching for some of the UK’s finest to help.

Our Cuckoo Clock celebrating the birth of a new baby seems to lend itself particularly well to the laser cutting process. Photo: Yeshen Venema (http://yeshenvenema.com/)

Our Cuckoo Clock celebrating the birth of a new baby seems to lend itself particularly well to the laser cutting process.
Photo: Yeshen Venema (http://yeshenvenema.com/)

I was thrilled to be stall neighbours with Jacques and Karli of Designosaur at December’s Crafty Fox market and even more delighted when Jacques agreed to help out with laser cutting some of my designs.

Designosaur logo

It has been fascinating learning more about the process behind creating a lasercut design and Jacques has been a very patient teacher.  Early on it became clear that many of the skills associated with “traditional” crafts are still required when using new technologies.

Jacques and Karli have very kindly agreed to answer a few questions about the craft of laser cutting. So here goes:

Laser cutting is used more and more in products. Why do you think it is so popular?

Laser cutting is amazing! You can take digital images and use them to create accurate Models, Cars, Jewellery, Electrical Components, Clothes and Art you can even use it to cook sausages. I think that it is it’s versatility in a wide range of industries that has made it so popular. It allows people to create unique products at the touch of a button and you don’t have to be a millionaire to do it.

Lasercut acrylic necklace inspired by Lictenstein

Lichtenstein Inspired Green Heart by designosaur Photo:Bob Prosser (www.hellomynameisbob.co.uk)

Can you laser cut anything?

No not anything, but nearly anything. It depends on the laser cutter. The laser cutter that we use is able to cut a long list of materials including acrylic, wood, cork and neoprene. It can also engrave anodised aluminium but not cut it. Jacques engraved a dinosaur onto the back of his phone to try it out, we are pretty sure this voids his insurance…

What is the best thing about laser cutting? And the worst?

The best thing about laser cutting is that it is inexpensive, the worst thing is that everybody thinks that it is easy to do it well.

Lasercut wood and acrylic dodo necklace

Darwin Dodo Necklace by designosaur Photo: Bob Prosser (www.hellomynameisbob.co.uk)

Tell us a bit more about the process – do you walk around with an Austin Powers style laser gun?

Unfortunately not! The laser cutter is a big machine, that uses a laser to cut out designs from your CAD drawing. It takes a matter of seconds to cut out a small shape but the more detail you have in a design, the more expensive it will be! Jacques does all of the laser cutting for designosaur, so for us, he creates the designs, makes sure all of the cut lines, engrave lines are in place, sets the plastic (or other material) up on the laser cutter, the laser cutter cuts the design, and the process is self finishing… HOWEVER if you use wood like us, all the pieces need cleaning afterwards. The laser cutter runs at different speeds and intensities and it is experience which means that you can get the best cut for each material, thickness and finish.

What creative opportunities does laser cutting provide designers?

The ability to use a range of mediums with only one tool. It also means that you can experiment without spending too much money!

How does someone get into lasercutting?

Lots of people are laser cutting at School or University these days, if those days are behind you then having good CAD drawings means that you can get your designs cut at any laser cutters. When you go to the laser cutter it is helpful to have an idea of the process so that you and the laser cutter are on the same page!

Detail photographs of Rosie and the Boys lasercut cuckoo clock

Here are some beautiful detail shots of our lasercut cuckoo clock
Photos: Yeshen Venema (http://yeshenvenema.com/)

Do you think 3D printing will take over from laser cutting? 

Definitely. The price for 3D printing needs to come down quite a lot to make it more accessible but eventually a lot more people will be using 3D printing for jewellery and everything else really! Laser cutting is a completely different technique which only works in a 2D form. 3D printing obviously means that you need to be able to model items in 3D. We think that converting 2D drawings into 3D drawings and keeping that designers style like you can with laser cutting will be a lot harder, so there are a lot of laser cutters out there that would need to 3D model!

Who are your laser cutting heroes?

 I get a new hero almost every day its great just seeing how people constantly use the laser to create amazing new designs.

Wooden lasercut Brighton Pavilion Necklace

Brighton Royal Pavilion Neckalce by designosaur Photo: Bob Prosser (www.hellomynameisbob.co.uk)

Some people may think that using a laser cutting machine is not “craft” in the same way as something like woodcarving for example. Can you describe the craft element of lasercutting?

The craft in Laser cutting is in the design not the making. However, the craft element is also in knowing your material and your process inside out. All woodcarvers will know that doing something a certain way could ruin a design – with laser cutting it is the same thing, to get the best results you have to know the process inside out. However we are quite happy to be known as designers not crafters!

To see more of Jacques and Karli’s work head over to: http://www.designosauryeah.co.uk/

To get your hands on one of our lasercut cuckoo clocks head over to: http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/rosieandtheboys/product/personalised-new-baby-cuckoo-clock-papercut

 

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About Us

Rosie and the Boys is a creative family team with a love of colour and soft spot for parties. Our products are handcrafted with attention to detail, quality materials and a smile on our face! Inspired by Nature and designed with the latest trends in mind, we provide a range of party decorations and greetings cards with a contemporary twist.

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