Shop Talk :: Dee Beale

written by Folksy Support

Every Wednesday The Folksy Blog will be finding out a little bit more about one of our sellers in our ‘Shop Talk’ series. This week we’re talking to Dee from Folksy shop Dee Beale

“Dee Beale – Printmaker”

Dee Beale prints are instantly recognisable. Dee’s prints, designed with a Scandinavian folk art influence and printed using a distinctive bright palette of colours, have been a great success on Folksy. Capturing two dimensional items on camera can be difficult but Dee has succesfully used dynamic angles, frames and props in the foreground to show off her prints to their best.

Could you describe your shop?

My Folksy shop is a collection of my own screen prints, which are all hand, printed by myself from my small printmaking studio at home many are inspired by nature and plant forms many of the colours I use are fresh and bright and are definitely influenced by my love of Scandinavian design and folk art.

Who does your Folksy shop appeal to?

It seems to appeal to allsorts from those looking for a new print for their own home, something to celebrate an anniversary, or a present for family or friends. Most of my customers are female although my ‘Scandinavian Red Hare’ proves a favourite with the gentlemen.

Is this your day job?

Yes this is definitely my day job along with juggling the domesticities of family life and 2 small children.

Have you been into craft and the handmade lifestyle for long?

I knew from school age that I wanted to work in design and went on to study Graphic design and Illustration at Art school, I have been working in design and Illustration ever since.

Where do you promote and sell your stock?

I use the usual online promotional tools blogging Twitter and Flickr I’m lucky enough to have acquired some fantastic stockists including the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Boxbird Gallery Brighton and Soma gallery Bristol other than that I take part in the odd exhibition including the Affordable Art Fair London and the most recent a summer show at the Royal Exchange Craft Shop Manchester. I’d quite like to do some craft fairs but haven’t been brave enough yet.

Do you have plans to expand your business in the future?

I’d like to venture into the world of surface pattern I’d love to print onto fabric and have already started experimenting which is very exciting.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about opening up a shop here on Folksy?

As others have said before me quality products and good photography is the key.

We’d love to hear your comments!

Get in touch and let us know who you would like to see interviewed in our Shop Talk series, or if you have an idea for an article you’d like to see on the Folksy Blog – hilary@folksy.co.uk