Discover The Cutest Cards from This New Business in Yorkshire
Self-taught Aldborough artist Sophie Greenwood has taken the leap to launch her own greetings card business
Sophie is mum to two girls and a self-confessed, lifelong stationery obsessive. She’s spent nearly two decades working as a brand designer and copywriter, helping businesses shape their strategy and bring their ideas to life. ‘I’ve always loved beautiful design and anything to do with paper, so starting something of my own felt like the most natural next step,’ she explains. ‘Dear You Paperie brings together all the things I love – painting, cards, thoughtful details and adding a bit of magic to the everyday through words and design.’
Sophie has always wanted to be creative, whether that was with a paintbrush or a pen. ‘Over the years, that’s taken different forms,’ she says, ‘from designing logos and writing for brands, to picking up my watercolours and creating just for myself at home. I’ve always loved the looseness of watercolour – the way it moves and the little surprises it creates. I actually enrolled at the New York School of Art when we lived out there, but never made it through the doors because of Covid – it’s still very much on the wish list! I’ve never trained formally, so imposter syndrome definitely creeps in sometimes, but there’s rarely a day that goes by where I’m not picking up my paintbrushes.’
She describes her artwork as ‘fun, vibrant and full of movement’. ‘I paint wet-on-wet in watercolour, keeping the shapes loose,’ she adds. ‘Cakes with thick frosting, bows, balloons, florals and other little motifs that celebrate everything.’
She can find inspiration all around her, and is always on the lookout – menus, interiors, books, magazines. ‘I can’t resist anything printed,’ she laughs. ‘Travel’s a big one too – I’m forever drawn to colours, textures and beautiful packaging. I’ve got a box full of all sorts I’ve collected over the years that inspire me, and then there’s everyday family life – birthday parties, wrapping paper, cakes… it all finds its way in.’
Sophie could never quite find the kind of cards she wanted to send, with simple but vibrant watercolours and a sense of being something to keep. ‘After years of building brands for others, I had this itch I couldn’t ignore any longer to pour that creativity into something of my own,’ she explains. That’s where Dear You Paperie began, with what Sophie describes as ‘a love of great cards and a belief that putting pen to paper still matters’. ‘I’ve always felt the words in a card are remembered far longer than most gifts,’ she adds. ‘There’s something so special about knowing someone has sat down, just for a moment, to write to you.’
Dear You Paperie produces sustainable hand-painted greetings cards and notelets, with prints, wrapping paper and gift tags launching very soon. ‘Every design starts as a watercolour painting, then gets printed on beautifully thick, lightly textured Italian paper by Fedrigoni,’ says Sophie. ‘I work with a brilliant family-run printer I’ve known for years, and we use traditional gold foiling techniques to add a little extra magic. The press is a thing of beauty. It’s also been exciting to explore sustainable packaging – the options out there now are endless.’
‘People have said the cards feel too nice to send, which is the kindest, truly loveliest thing to hear’
Sophie says the reaction to her work has been great. ‘I still get a bit emotional when an order comes through,’ she admits. ‘People have said the cards feel too nice to send, which is the kindest, truly loveliest thing to hear. It’s a real pinch-me moment when I spot one. I’m so grateful for every kind word and review – they absolutely make my day.’
Sophie’s plan is to grow Dear You Paperie thoughtfully, introducing new prints and maybe collaborations. ‘I’ve got sketchbooks full of ideas and collections I’m itching to bring to life but I still do my day job and of course have my girls keeping me busy,’ she says. ‘But to keep painting and creating cards that people love and want to send, that’s the dream.’
