Meet the Maker – Jackie Sullivan from Forever Foxed

Jackie from Forever Foxed is a self-taught designer and illustrator who spotted a gap in the market for colourful prints and products for dog lovers… especially those who share her obsession with fox terriers. As niche audiences go, it turns out the world of terrier lovers is a pretty big one. As she puts it: “Who doesn’t love a dog with a beard?” Fellow designer and Folksy seller Caroline Field from Betsy Badge caught up with Jackie to learn more about her doggy designs…

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Who doesn’t love a dog with a beard?

Forever Foxed – great name! How did the name come about and can you tell us a bit more about your brand?
Hello, I’m Jackie from Forever Foxed and I’m obsessed with dogs! Well, terriers mainly. I design terrier-inspired cards and gifts. My range includes badges, bags, bandanas and more. I called my brand Forever Foxed because of my love of Wire Fox Terriers – a breed that will always feature heavily in my work. Since I started selling online, I’ve been delighted to find that, as niche audiences go, the world of terrier lovers is a pretty big one, with customers from the UK, Europe, America and Asia.

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Noodles, wearing a Forever Foxed bandana and sitting on Jackie’s red sofa (naughty, not really allowed!)

We’re on our third rescue dog now – a Welsh Terrier called Noodles. I can’t imagine my life without one.

Why Terriers?
I’ve always loved terriers and when my partner and I moved to the south coast we decided to offer a home to a rescue dog. Our first Fox Terrier was called Watson and he was the original inspiration for many of my designs. We’re on our third rescue dog now and I can’t imagine my life without one. I like their characterful faces and who doesn’t love a dog with a beard?

Noodles, likes to sleep at my feet when I’m working. Last year he lost an eye due to glaucoma and now he’s virtually blind, so he’s pretty much always by my side. My Cute Dog Lapel Pin is based on an illustration of him.

Where is your studio based?
I’m based in a small studio on the south coast of England. I’m very untidy and a bit of a hoarder so I’m surrounded by my work, things in progress and other terrier-related bits and bobs that have caught my eye. There are usually piles of stuff all over my desk and all over the floor. I’m always on the look-out for vintage dog items and they often serve as inspirations for my work.

All my designs start out as rough sketches. I like to take photos of dogs in different poses to see how they sit, stand and lie down… but mostly I like to draw dogs’ faces.

What is your design process?
All my designs start out as rough sketches, which I either scan and manipulate using graphic software or are hand printed. I like to take photos of dogs in different poses to see how they sit, stand, lie down etc, but mostly I like to draw dogs’ faces.

My original work was based on illustrations of my own dogs or those belonging to friends, but now I’m also inspired by the dogs we meet on our daily walks. Although most of my current prints are digital, I’m hoping to move back into screen printing again soon.

I’ve been delighted to find that, as niche audiences go, the world of terrier lovers is a pretty big one!

Do your terriers keep you company in your studio?
Our current dog is a Welsh Terrier called Noodles. We adopted him in 2008 and he likes to sleep at my feet when I’m working or attempt to squeeze under the desk, if there’s room. Last year he lost an eye due to glaucoma and now he’s virtually blind, so he’s pretty much always by my side. My Cute Dog Lapel Pin is based on an illustration of him. I’m also surrounded by photos and mementos of his Wire Fox Terrier predecessors Watson and Jackson.

I think everyone has a creative side, you just need to find the right way of expressing it along with receiving a bit of encouragement.

What is your design history?
I’m completely self-taught – my background is in information and research. I was inspired to begin illustrating as I felt there was a gap in the market for the kind of colourful designs I like to make. My drawings are never very realistic, and that’s sort of the point. There are other far more talented artists than me who can do that. I just like drawing dogs and prefer colouring them in blue!

I felt that I was missing something, not doing anything artistic.

It’s been a steep learning curve at times but I’ve been helped along the way by many generous designers and artists who have shared their knowledge and been enthusiastic about my work. I’m still nervous every time I launch a new product, though.

I’m very untidy and a bit of a hoarder so I’m surrounded by my work, things in progress and other terrier-related bits and bobs that have caught my eye.

Were you always creative?
I’ve never considered myself a particularly creative person, but I felt that I was missing something, not doing anything artistic. I like learning new things so I bought an Adana 8×5 table-top press a few years ago, as I’m a huge fan of letterpress printing, and I really enjoyed learning how to use it to produce greeting cards. I also enjoy screenprinting and generally making a bit of a mess with ink. I think everyone has a creative side, you just need to find the right way of expressing it along with receiving a bit of encouragement.

I can’t imagine not having some kind of creative outlet.

If you won the lottery would you still create and grow your business? And what piece of equipment would you rush out and buy first?
Oooh, yes! If I won the lottery, I would probably buy a large vintage printing press to enable me to do more letterpress work. And then find a bigger studio to fit it in! I can’t imagine not having some kind of creative outlet, even if it was just for friends and family.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself, as 10 years ago I never dreamed I would be able to work for myself and that people would actually buy my products.

Out of all the lovely products in your shop, which are you most proud of?
I’m proud of everything! Sometimes I have to pinch myself, as 10 years ago I never dreamed I would be able to work for myself and that people would actually buy my products. My favourite design, and probably the most popular, is the “I Like Dogs With Beards” print. It still makes me smile.

My drawings are never very realistic and that’s sort of the point. I just like drawing dogs and prefer colouring them in blue!

What brings you the most joy in your business?
I’ve met some wonderful people since I began Forever Foxed – other creative people who have inspired me and also many of my lovely customers and their dogs, who I have been fortunate enough to meet. I love seeing photos of my products being shared on social media, particularly when there’s a dog in the shot as well.