An interview with Rachel Goodchild- and it isn’t me!

I interviewed Rachel Goodchild- AND have a giveaway for you! (it’s at the bottom of this post)

Ok so I google my name sometimes. And I found another me!

Rachel Goodchild and I started emailing each other about four years ago. She said there was another one of us in the UK who was also a writer- until we found out that was still me- she’d seen some of my books over there

I am fascinated in people who share the same name- especially when you find other parts of your life that are similar. (though of course you probably work to find those similarities!

I’m starting a new section of my website that has all the things, people and places I love. It’s going to be where I can write about the books, the films, the places and the amazing people I come into contact with because they have inspired me or make me feel amazing.

So who better to start with than someone with the same name!

Rachel Goodchild is a paper designer. She makes cards, gift wrap and other associated things…. and this is a little bit about her

I found you because you have the same name as me and I was intrigued that you were working in a creative industry. Your paper is beautiful- how did you get started in this business?
Making artwork out of papers has always been one of my hobbies. I come from a very artistic family (my parents met at Art College), but I actually trained as a Montessori teacher. When I took maternity leave with my second child in 2000 I was asked to make a piece of artwork as a wedding present and after that I just couldn’t stop creating! I loved working from home around the kids and by the time my second child was 8 months old I held my first exhibition and decided not to return to teaching. I had to think of ways of creating a monthly salary like I had when I was teaching, so I set about planning how to do this. Cards seemed a good way of getting into many galleries, so I started making hand-made cards! Each evening after the kids had gone to bed I would sit for hours making cards by hand. I did enjoy this, but could see that in order to make a profit I would need more outlets and that is when I decided to get cards printed, therefore being able to increase my outlets, but not my working hours. It worked! and from those days of having just four gallery outlets I now have around 500 outlets – sell within the U.K, Ireland, Jersey, Spain, Australia, America and Canada. I have also expanded my range and now make gift wrap sheets, Gift Boxes and Gift Bags.

2. It seems to have grown markedly in size since we first met. Do you have other’s working for you?
I am lucky enough to live in a large house, so have been able to create a whole work floor with a large workroom. I have two people who both work part time. They are both mothers so our work hours are 9.20 until 3pm ( to fit around school hours). I find using mothers fantastic as they are amazing at multi-tasking and so reliable!
* Below: the studio with my two workers and an intern student

3. What have been some of the biggest struggles in becoming a well known paper designer?
I don’t actually feel anything has been a struggle really. I do work really hard though – very long hours. I put a lot of time into the business, as I feel you get back what you put in. I really love what I do. I enjoy being creative and have also discovered that I actually also enjoy the business side of things too.

4. Do you think it helps to be visible as a “real person” alongside your brand? Why?
Yes I do. It seems that people are turning away from big multi-national brands and are looking for something quite different. More and more customers are wanting products that are printed locally on FSC papers with non chemical inks, etc. They like the designer feature and like to know that it is designed by a person who is a
normal person (a mother).

5. Have you got any stories about people who have used your paper in an interesting way?
5a. Chabonnel et Walker (chocolate company) used one of my designs as the cover for a range of Valentine boxes last year (came in five sizes).

5.b. For the past two years I have designed Christmas gift wrap for a London based company called The Art Fund

5.c. 2009 saw the publication of The Pattern Sourcebook in which, amongst others, featured five of my designs. That project in particular has brought many new customers to the retail side of our website.
6. Can you work through your creative process a little?

My main art medium is that of ‘Papers.’ I will create a design by either hand-cutting (scissors or knife) or hand-tearing a varied selection of papers. This is put then together to create a design. The design will then be scanned and used for printing. I also use photography as another medium so some of my products are photographic images. I am a big softy so I do love hearts (which is fortunate as hearts always sell!), I also love vintage textiles so take a lot of inspiration from that source.

* Below is an image showing how I would create a gift wrap design out of papers. With end result below again.

7. I can imagine that when you’re in full creative swing you might be a little more distracted at home? Or can you switch off once you walk through the doors?
I think that I am very disciplined as I work really well at home. during my work time I am in my workroom and everybody knows my work hours and respect this.
Sometimes when I am in complete creative swing I work again after the whole family have gone to bed, often staying up until 4am.
I have set up an area on the landing outside the workroom that is a creative space for my 10 year old. She often sits there creating her own artwork.
My 15 year old is studying art GCSE so is always in looking for art materials to borrow. My children pop in and out, but have learnt not to interupt.

8. Why do you think the card and gift wrapping is important when giving something to someone?
The thing about a card is that by sending it you are letting someone know that you are thinking about them. It is not about what you buy or how much you spend, it is that you have remembered and the package looks beautiful. That old saying “it is the thought that counts” springs to mind. You don’t have to spent a fortune but
the packaging and card (at not a great expense) says you have made an effort.

THE GIVEAWAY

Ok. Rachel has kindly sent me some of her greeting cards to give away to one lucky reader- All you need to do is enter below!
I’ll draw a winner on Thursday the 11th of Feb.

GOOD LUCK

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