How to choose a personalised print

If you are a wildlife lover, a keen walker or just simply love the places you’ve visited or where you live, our curated collection of personalised wildlife map art is just the thing for you.

All of the prints can be tailored to make them unique to you, choose from one of our British wildlife designs, choose the colour from our special palette and finally the specific map you would like.

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We currently have 24 different designs to choose from

We select specific vintage maps for their age and rich, varied colouring. Hilly areas have warmer brown colours, and the flatter areas in the UK have a greener colouration. These old maps are over 70 years old, the beauty is in their colour and visible signs of age.

The process for ordering a bespoke print is very simple. Just decide on these three options.

It takes approximately 10-14 working days - your design will be giclee printed professionally by our fantastic local printer in Holmfirth.

What is a giclee print?

An archival quality art print which will not fade over time meaning it can be treasured for many years.

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These bespoke prints make the perfect gift for nature lovers, walkers, adventurers and everyone in between and I love making them for you.

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The making process - papercut collages

Over the summer of 2024 I set about to make a collection of small collages. The aim was to use only what I had within my studio and a set of six beautiful handmade papers from my local art shop Calder Art Supplies. This is not an ad, I love this shop, it’s been part of my life from a young age so it was a nice process to create a collection where materials from the shop played such an integral part.

I often struggle with overwhelm when embarking on something new and time-sensitive. This collection was for Holmfirth Artweek so a very definite deadline was set. I overcame the overwhelm by setting the parameters of the materials and a conscious decision to enjoy the process and work on a small scale.

I have banks of materials just sitting in boxes tantalisingly around the studio waiting for me to cut and arrange into collages. I create surface textures and patterns by painting and printing onto card and use these to cut out silhouettes and shapes. I loved the layering of the more translucent handmade paper and how various effects are acheived by overlaying it onto some of the surface textures creating depth in the pieces. Colour and composition are vital in such simple papercut collages, this is what I tend to focus on and assemble lots of variations before finally using adhesive to finalise the piece.

I found the enjoyment far exceeded my expectations and it shows in the work, they feel cohesive and not overworked to me. What do you think?

Many of these mini collages with the circular mount are for sale right here on the website, I would love to know which ones speak to you and if you buy one, I’d love to see where it finally ends up. I might keep one or two myself as a reminder to just trust the process and enjoy it.

Living North Magazine Interview

Tell me a bit about yourself and your background

Well I’m in my early 40’s and live with my husband and daughter in a village near Huddersfield. We have a little house, a big garden where we grow flowers and veg and a lovely view out to trees and fields. I grew up around here and moved back over 12 years ago after living away. I studied fine art at university, which is where I met my husband. It took a while to come back around to making art, I started my business in 2009 and haven’t looked back. I’ve always been someone who enjoys the outdoors, I was dragged up mountains as a kid and feel most at home surrounded by big hills and damp weather. When I’m not designing or working on my business I like to get out for walks and do a bit of birdwatching, I’ve also been teaching myself to sew which I love as it’s so absorbing. And most recently I’ve returned to climbing after 20 years which I’m very excited about.

How did you get into art?

I didn’t really ‘get into art’ because it was always there in our house. My mum and dad were both interested in art and design, my mum went to art school and my dad was an architect so there was never a shortage of pictures, books and magazines, but more importantly, plentiful supplies of pencils and large sheets of paper. I’ve carried this on with my own daughter - making sure she has easy access to lots of materials, it seems to be working as she loves drawing. I’m very grateful to have been encouraged to pursue a creative career, I never would have envisaged that I’d have my own business one day. 

How would you describe your artwork?

Sometimes I try to make messy art but it never turns out that way. I think I have quite a strong aesthetic which leans towards a clean graphic style, composition and colour are very important. I do however pull in surfaces, textures and patterns with the materials I collage together. Collage and paper cutting are the roots of my designs and the use of vintage maps has created the distinctive style people know me for.

Where does your inspiration come from?

All sorts of things filter into my mind both consciously and subconsciously, anything from the light and shadows in a landscape, the colour of a leaf, the shape of a tree or plant but also the outlines of buildings and the layers within a particular vista. I’m most drawn to the strong silhouettes of our native species and these are often the starting point for an idea. Birds are my first love, what I love about birds is their visibility and accessibility but also conversely, their allusiveness. Anyone can start birdwatching, it’s a great way to connect with outdoor spaces and they are an important indicator of the health of these environments.

How do you create your art?

A combination of papercutting, printmaking and digital processes -  I also love to create repeating patterns and banks of handmade materials that I can incorporate into my work. 

What’s a typical day like for you?

I bet every creative says this, but there isn’t a typical day. I have a young child so the day usually starts early and a bit rushed. I do the school run and then go straight to the studio in Huddersfield. I design a lot for independent shops and galleries so on a dispatch week I’m packing orders. Exciting days are spent working on new collections or pattern designs. I also do a lot of bespoke prints for people through my website and I enjoy making these special prints for my customers. It's been great to have that direct connection with people since I opened my online shop in 2020. Earlier this year I moved things around, I now have my computer on a high desk so I stand instead of sit and I feel so much better for it. I do make sure I take a break to sit down and eat my lunch though and listen to a well-known R4 soap, I won’t say the name because I’ll lose my street cred. It’s the only routine I have in the day and distracts me from everything for half an hour so I’ll stick with it.

What do you love most about what you do?

Working for yourself and by yourself certainly has its challenges but sometimes I pinch myself at how lucky I am to have a creative space in which I’m free to make whatever I want and share it with other people. I get to visually communicate what I love, what I care about and hopefully in turn, encourage others to care more about too. Oh, and I can dance badly around the studio to loud music and listen to strange podcasts.

What are you currently working on?

I have just received some Riso prints which have taken a long time to design and figure out. It’s a completely new process for me so it was refreshing to discover what I can do with this method of printing which uses layers of colours and different opacities. I’m very pleased with how they have come out, they are called ‘An Ever Changing View’ and are inspired by the view from Anglesey over to the mountains of Snowdonia. They are available to buy through my website.

sale

Riso Print - An Ever Changing View

Sale Price:£17.00 Original Price:£20.00

Where can we find you and your work?

I’m so pleased to still be working with some retailers who have been with me from the very start, places like Nora’s in Ilkley, Hawksbys in Haworth, Mostyn in Llandudno and the Millennium Galleries in Sheffield. I also sell through a number of the National Park shops and many other shops and galleries around the country. There is a full list on my website and of course, you can also shop directly with me through the website too.

Bempton Gannets Circular Print - Sea Blue

£48.00

What are your thoughts on the Yorkshire Art Scene?

My village is only 20 minutes away from the Hepworth Wakefield and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, a place I have been going to for as long as I can remember and it’s where we got married so it’s very special, my daughter loves going there now so it’s a regular outing. These places have gained such a great reputation nationally that they have made this area a destination for people wanting to see art, especially sculpture. On a more local level, the area in which I live is FULL of artists and makers, it blows me away sometimes how many there are of us and it is a really supportive community. There’s always something to go and see and we’re also brilliantly positioned to visit the galleries of Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, something I want to do more of in 2023.

Tell us about a hidden gem in Huddersfield?

I think the best thing for me about living in this area is the number of footpaths we have and beautiful walks in different types of landscapes. I could probably do a different walk every day of my life and still not have exhausted all the possibilities. One of my favourite walks is around Holme Styes reservoir, particularly the hidden Beech forest and especially in autumn after rain, the contrast of the damp black trunks against the orange leaves is pretty magical.

Advice you’d give your younger self

Compare yourself less, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and I’d remind myself that something good and unexpected can usually come out of a seemingly bad situation. Look around you, ask questions, and extend your thinking. Speak up! Advice I am telling myself as an adult.

Hopes and plans for 2024

I’m doing my first trade show in the spring so I have lots of prep to do for that, including new photography and brochures. I’m hoping to start work on a portfolio of pattern designs and I’d love to work on some more Riso prints. I’m also going to create some card-making kits for adults. As I said earlier I plan to get out of the studio to see more exhibitions for inspiration. On a personal level, I want to do lots more climbing and hopefully a bit more birdwatching too.

Exploring Copper Mines in the Lake District

Trying to coax a very tired six-year-old up Coniston Old Man didn’t get off to the best start. However, by the time we reached this plateau and river bed full of discarded rubble from copper mining, my daughter was fully engaged with the landscape and elements surrounding her.

And so was I….our landscapes are often so altered yet we see them as ‘natural’. The copper mines above Coniston in the Lake District are a stark reminder of how industry can scar a landscape. It was fascinating. The large rock I’m holding below was almost completely composed of metal. Dangerously sharp around the edges and heavy.

Is a rock still a rock if it’s mostly composed of metal? Geologists please advise..

There’s so much beneath our feet.. which reminds me of a great book by Robert Macfarlane called ‘Underland’ which is all about the subterranean. I highly recommend it.

“As we have amplified our ability to shape the world, so we become more responsible for the long afterlives of that shaping. The Anthropocene asks of us the question memorably posed by the immunologist Jonas Salk: ‘Are we being good ancestors?” Robert Macfarlane, excerpt from Underland

What is the Anthropocene?

adjective: Anthropocene

1. relating to or denoting the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

   "We've become a major force of nature in this new Anthropocene epoch"

noun: Anthropocene

1. the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

   "some geologists argue that the Anthropocene began with the Industrial Revolution"

Sundews - Drosera rotundifolia

As my child and husband decided they were going to build a dam, I resigned myself to not continuing upward, instead turning my attention to the land beneath my feet. Scouring the rocks to find shapes and colours of interest, I noticed these perfectly tiny plants. I had an inkling they were carniverous and possibly sundews. A little googling has confirmed that is probably what they were. Aren’t they amazing? The flower heads are about the size of a garden pea, so small and perfectly nestled amongst the rocks.

Looking up towards the fells, Coniston Old Man (in cloud) to the left, the YHA and rubble heap just in the centre

The first part of this walk up from the centre of Coniston is great with kids and this area near the youth hostel is great for exploring. We made another push for it up Coniston Old Man but sadly didn’t reach the top. Too far for little legs that day and it was in cloud too.

However, the pull I felt to get up there was strong. So strong I’m considering going back, maybe on my own or with a companion to climb up to the summit.

Fells and mountains are powerful places and I hope to encounter them more and more over the years to come. Hopefully encouraging my daughter to foster a love for them in the process, just like my Dad did for me.

Coniston Old Man viewed across Lake Coniston from John Ruskin’s house

Festive Gift Guide

This year I thought it would be nice to compile and share some ideas for gifting this festive season.

I LOVE a list, be it on scraps of paper, in my diary or daily planner or…. on my phone where I have a whole array of lists. But one in particular is TOP SECRET, my present list. Whenever I have an idea for a gift, I write it down. Come Christmas or birthdays the list is always there to help me choose something.

Now I know most of us have a lot of stuff, so I’ve tried to compile a list of ethical, useful, informative or charitable gifts.

I hope there is something here to inspire you and for different budgets.

I’d also like to say that I have found some brilliant gifts in my local charity shops, and buying second-hand is a triple win in my opinion. We re-use, put money in the hands of charities and we may find something we won’t find anywhere else.

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C A N D L E S

There is something intrinsically calming and relaxing about the light from a candle. Is it something deeply wired in us connected to our distant ancestors staring into their life-sustaining fires?

Whatever it is, my home wouldn’t feel quite the same without candles…. with the addition of carefully selected essential oils, not only will they make you feel great but they’ll save you some electricity too.

Miss Bees Balms is a highly experienced medical herbalist with a passion to empower you on your path to health. Fiona produces 100% natural, pure plant skincare, candles and herbal tonics.

From her candle collection I have selected the Bergamot Cedar Wood & Vetiver Candle, mmm…. if any family members are reading this….take note.

Available to buy directly through Miss Bees Balms website, the burn time is around 30 hours and the french amber glass beakers can be reused once your candle has burned down. Order here for £26

Also many thanks to Cecily for recommending The Recycled Candle Company which makes beautiful candles from recycled wax. Cecily sends the remaining bits of candles from their fine dining restaurant and they go in to making things like these Christmas Trees candles, £15 for a set of three. What a brilliant idea!

Cecily and Peter’s restaurant, the Homestead in Goathland, North Yorkshire has a menu that ‘follows the ebb and flow of the seasons, using home grown organic vegetables, local suppliers and even produce kindly donated by local folk who kindly bring anything they have an abundance of.’

Recommended in the Michelin Guide for 2022, The Homestead also do Gift Vouchers for the restaurant. And, you don’t need to worry about driving if you opt to book their self-catering cottage which is right next door.

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C A N D L E H O L D E R S &

S T E M V A S E S -

S K Ó G R S T U D I O

At the weekend I had the pleasure of taking part in the Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market after a three year break from events. There was such a great atmosphere and I loved speaking with people about my work. Another great thing about doing these events is meeting fellow stallholders and seeing the wonderful things people make.

I was lucky enough to be neighbours with Tom from Skógr Studio and his Cubism inspired candle holders and vases, all lovingly shaped and sanded from reclaimed wood. I’m happy to say one made it into the hands of my husband.

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Tom created Skógr studio in late 2020 with the vision of creating sustainable, functional sculptural objects for the home that are heavily influenced by the forms and shapes of the cubism art movement.

Each piece is carved from his home studio and all wood is sustainably sourced, locally from Yorkshire. From dried bloom vessels and bud vases, to book-ends and photo holders, Skógr studio aims to create both functional and decorative pieces with an aesthetic to suite any living space.

You can find Tom’s work online here

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B O O K S

The Seafarers by Stephen Rutt £9.99

Wintering by Stepen Rutt £9.99

So like it or loath it, social media can be a great way to connect with people you wouldn’t normally get to meet. Over the last few years, I’ve been able to have the occasional bird-related chat with the writer Stephen Rutt.

After reading his book Seafarers and thoroughly enjoying it, I found Stephen on Instagram and we occasionally swap recent bird sightings or I’ll pick his very knowledgable (bird) brain, if there’s something I need to know about a species.

Stephen ‘won the Saltire Society’s first book award, as well as a Roger Deakin award for his debut book, The Seafarers. His second book, Wintering was one of The Times’s best nature books of the year for 2019. His writing has been published in The Guardian and The Scotsman.’

I can thoroughly recommend Seafarers. Wintering - A Season With Geese will be on my own ‘request’ list this year. Click here to buy.

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The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 by Lia Leendertz is published by Gaia (£12.99)

I have been buying these Almanacs for the last few years and now I wouldn’t be without them. They are… ‘A perfect toolkit for connecting with the world around us and the year ahead as it unfolds – all in a compact and pocket size guide that just begs you to pick it up and browse.

You may be familiar with Lia’s work as she also writes about gardening, growing food and cooking, for the Telegraph, the Guardian and Gardens Illustrated.

The Almanac: A seasonal guide… reinvents the tradition of the rural almanac for a new audience. It gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way’

Each year brings a new theme or thread for the books and each month has a wonderful illustration, a perfect companion for gardeners, cooks, foragers, sea lovers, amateur astronomers and wildlife watchers. Available to buy here for £12.99

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P L A N E T F R I E N D L Y B A G S

Most of us have now cottoned on (excuse the pun) that plastic bags from shops are bad news and the more organised among us carry one or two tote bags with us when we shop.

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But sometimes those bags just aren’t big enough are they? Well let me tell you about Lucy at LDM Design, she makes eco-conscious lino-cut prints and homewares with a strong environmental message.

Made in Sheffield, her brilliant Luxury Shopper bags have a wider gusset and are made from recycled plastic which has been diverted from ending up in the ocean or landfill. I would go for this Marine Life design, just lovely. Available to buy through Etsy at £13 plus p&p.

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C H R I S T M A S C A R D S

Ok, so I couldn’t resist putting something in of my own. I have a limited list of people I send Christmas cards to and if you are like me then a pack or two of my Christmas cards will do the trick.

All produced in the UK on FSC paper and packaged in a completely plastic-free box made from recycled card. Inspired by my original lino cut designs with pops of colour, there should be a design there to suit everyone.

Available ON SALE here on my website for £12.95 per pack with free shipping. Each pack contains 8 cards and recycled envelopes.

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Winter Trees Bauble Christmas Cards x 8

£14.40

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T E A

You can’t beat a good brew. Here is my tea routine:

• Two cups of Clipper Everyday Tea before 8am sees me through the school run…

• This may be followed by an Earl Grey or a cheeky coffee mid-morning

• In the afternoon I love a Vanilla Redbush and then I am slightly addicted to…

• Yorkshire Bedtime Tea at around 9pm in a large mug.

Haha. What’s your routine?

If you know an adventurous tea lover then these tea advent calendars are such a lovely idea. I get mine from my local health food shop Your Nuts in Holmfirth where they are £10.50 each.

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M E M B E R S H I P

Our top three favourite nature reserves within two hours of where we live in West Yorkshire are RSPB Old Moor near Barnsley, Leighton Moss in Lancashire and Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire.

All brilliant places to watch birds, explore restored natural habitats, maybe mooch around their shops or take part in fun kids activities, and some would say most importantly, eat CAKE! My daughter loves visiting these places and that is a credit to the hardworking staff and volunteers who have nurtured these environments for people as well as wildlife.

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Those are just three of many fantastic reserves across the UK and a yearly membership with the RSPB will give you free entry to all of them. You also get a great quarterly magazine and they also do family memberships with a kid’s magazine which has lots of fun activities.

I think this would make a great gift for wildlife lovers or families with young kids who are keen to get them engaged with nature. Memberships are between £5 and £6 per month, you can find out more here.

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D E C O R A T I O N S

I have to tell you about these wonderful garlands from ethical company East End Press based in Scotland. They work with Fair Trade producers in Jaipur to produce a colourful array of decorations and cards featuring their screen-printed illustrations.

My current favourites are the Winter Bird and the Hedgerow garlands. Available to buy directly through their website for £12 each

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B I R D F E E D E R

If you feed the birds in your garden you will know that the feeders can be either impossible or very difficult to clean. I recently came across these fantastic looking feeders called Finches Friend which are designed with cleanliness and the health of our garden birds in mind!

Their ‘range of cleaner feeders have been designed to provide the ultimate care for birds and created to limit the spread of disease and reduce transmission. Each of our perch feeders are simple and easy to clean in minutes, without the need to remove the food.

They all feature unique, removable feed stations which minimises wastage and enables the easier cleaning, making them both efficient and convenient. The innovative designs also ensure that the feed always stays clean, dry and safe thanks to a water drainage system.’

‘Made in Britain, Finches Friend Feeders are a sustainable choice that are built to last’

Available to buy from Finches Friend, the feeders retail between £23.95 for the window feeder and up to £74.99 for their largest four-chamber feeder.

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F L O W E R S

Sweet Peas from Easton Walled Garden

‘Flowers?!’ I hear you say - for Christmas? Well not flowers exactly, but the promise of flowers come late Spring.

During the lockdown I found online communities of fellow gardeners and wonderfully relaxing tours around gardens all via my phone, such as those from Easton Walled Garden. From those little films I learnt about growing Sweet Peas up pig or chicken wire. I tried it for myself and it really does work very well. Once the restrictions had lifted we were able to meet my cousins at this beautiful garden half way between us, not far from the A1 near Grantham.

I also discovered that you can sow sweet peas in Winter and the followers of Anne-Marie Powell’s My Real Garden all joined together virtually and sowed their sweet peas on Boxing Day! Sadly I couldn’t join in but I am going to try and sow some early in the new year.

Easton produce their own varieties of Sweet Peas and having grown them myself I can vouch for their perfect blooms and sweet scents. And…. they come in these cleverly designed little tins. All available from their online shop for £3.50.

Mine flowered right through to October. Sweet Peas are brilliant value, just keep picking and they’ll keep flowering.

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So, that’s it - phew! I hope you’ve found at least one thing here which has sparked an idea or shown you something you haven’t seen before.

Thanks for reading, Kate

(This guide has been solely compiled by me and no payment or gifts have been given in exchange for my recommendations)