SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY// Ellie from Brew Norfolk
This week we caught up with Ellie, the creative mind behind the gorgeous stationery brand, Brew Norfolk!
We adore the exquisite and colourful aesthetic of their products. Brew Norfolk focuses on practicality as well as aesthetics, their stationery is the perfect way to get organised for the future, whilst looking pretty in your home.
Brew Norfolk has featured in several fairs and markets since starting their business and has evening hosted their own Makers Market at St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich and will be hosting their second one going ahead this year. Brew has also collaborated with some amazing people including Carly Rowena @carlyrowena and Sophie Petruccio-Hall @superscrimpingsoph
We all love Brew Norfolk products here and have all upgraded from our usual post-it notes to our very own Weekly Planner on each of our desks to help us stay organised throughout the weeks.
So, without further ado, we shall shine our spotlight onto Ellie and Brew Norfolk;
Ellie, thank you so much for speaking to us, Tell us a little bit about yourself…
Hi! I’m Ellie, founder of Brew Norfolk, I’m originally from up north, but I now live in Norwich after falling in love with the city whilst here at university! I started Brew in the summer of 2020 in the height of the pandemic after graduating with a degree in graphic design from Norwich University of the Arts, I was at a loss of what to do with myself, so I started to design prints and cards for my personal use, before starting to turn them into products that I thought I could sell! At the time, it was just to pass the time in lockdown one- but I’m so happy I’ve managed to turn it into a career.
In your opinion, what is the best thing about living in Norfolk?
The best thing about living in Norfolk for me is how you get the best of both worlds, I live in Norwich City centre; where I love the hustle and bustle of city life, busy independent stores and everything you can need- but I love the fact that in half an hour you can be out in the sticks, with no one around, exploring beautiful villages, walks and coastal towns! I can’t ever imagine living anywhere else but Norfolk.
What are your top tips for helping someone organise their 2022 effectively?
My top tips to help someone organise their 2022, is to first take an afternoon to sit down and plan your goals for the year, in sections for the year overall, and then month by month and week by week! There’s nothing worse than getting overwhelmed by all of the things that you want to do- so breaking it down into manageable sections makes it much easier. I sit down with one of my weekly planners every Sunday night, and plan out a structure to each of my days for the week ahead, it clears my mind and makes me feel prepared for what’s to come.
What's the best piece of advice you were ever given?
The best piece of advice I was ever given, is to just do it. Life is way too short to wait around for good things to happen to you or for opportunities to show themselves to you, you need to find them yourself, and take the plunge! Some of the best things that have happened to my business have happened because I have just done it.
What inspired you to start your business?
My love of stationery and the lack of pretty and affordable options when shopping in town. I’ve always loved stationery, being organised, and beautiful things! I decided to combine them all and start making my own stationery, based on my own designs that I had been making just for fun.
What is your process of creating a new design/product?
When designing a new product, I usually start with a design theme/print - and then create products from there! Dependant on the time of year, colour scheme and customer requests. After I’ve created initial designs I am happy with, I take them onto my laptop, and start formatting them in different pieces, such as planners and notebooks.
Do you have any specific goals you want to achieve this year?
This year, I would love to become fully self-employed! It’s the top of my goals and I’m working hard every day to make it a reality.
Tell us more about your upcoming market?
I’m running a makers market at St Andrew’s Hall on the 20th March, I have curated a selection of over 60 of Norfolk’s best makers and it’s going to be an amazing event! I’m running 4 markets this year, and they are fast becoming one of my favourite parts of my business, it’s an amazing way to support lots of wonderful small businesses in one room! It’s £2.50 a ticket, and you get a free glass of springtime gin on entry. Book your ticket here:
Favourite beach
Brancaster
Favourite tipple
Aperol Spritz
Favourite date night venue
Number 29, Burnham Market
Favourite place to meet friends
The Wallow, Norwich
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