Meet the Artist - The Skinny Card Company

The Skinny Card Company is a brand that creates charming farmhouse crockery and home accessories inspired by the animals of the British countryside. Artist Sarah Boddy started the company in 1994, when she took inspiration from her ever-increasing flock of chickens and animals and turned her illustrations into greeting cards. Today, The Skinny Card Company has grown and now boasts an endearing collection of art prints, cushions, cotton tea towels, mugs, jugs, aprons, chopping boards, worktop savers, tea cosies and coasters.

Sarah Boddy, artist and owner

We speak to Sarah Boddy, owner of and artist behind The Skinny Card Company

How did The Skinny Card Company come about?
I trained as a knitwear designer and enjoyed an international career in fashion after graduating from university. I moved to Leicestershire when I married, and after the birth of our first daughter in 1994 I set up The Skinny Card Company, which over the years has slowly evolved. With my own children now starting to fly the nest, I have more time to get the creative juices flowing!

Tell us about your collections?
We have two main collections; Fowl & Wacky and Fur and Feather.
Fowl & Wacky is, as you might guess from its name, really fun and quite mad! Gaggles of dancing chickens, zany hens and funny ducks appear on cards, mugs, tea towels, etc. alongside witty slogans, making great gifts for any chicken fan with a great sense of humour!

Fur & Feather features six main characters; Ollie Owl, Goosey Goosey, Hadley Hare, Hugo Hare, Robin and Pheasant. Intricate watercolour illustrations of these creatures appear across our card and homeware range, and are the perfect way to bring rural charm into your house.

"Marinated chicken"- a Fowl & Wacky design

The Scruffy Goose - a Fur & Feather design

What inspires you?
Our characters are all based on the real birds and animals who live in, or visit, my garden. We often hear Ollie Owl bidding us good evening at dusk.

I love starting each day walking the dogs through the countryside – it’s often on these walks that I find inspiration for my designs.

Another of my favourite things is being able to keep chickens! I find my own small flock a huge inspiration. I think of them as moving sculpture, and I could sit and watch them about their busy day (digging up my garden!) for hours!

Do you have a favourite design?
It’s a tough call between Robin and Ollie Owl. Everyone loves a Robin – they are so cheery on dull winter days, but Ollie Owl (see right) with his enchanting eyes is probably my overall favourite. He started off as one of our least popular designs, but as owls have grown in popularity, I am delighted to see that our customers love him as much as I do.

Are your products made in the UK?
Yes we only use UK factories to manufacture our products. We print the cards ourselves at our base here in Leicestershire, whilst the other items are made in Lincolnshire, Manchester and Stamford.

Do you work in inspiring surroundings?
Yes, I work in a colourful work space, full of natural light and with great views over open countryside. We’re kept company by an ever increasing menagerie of animals including my dogs Digby and Bilbo, my faithful companions and business partners.

What do you love about your job?
I feel so lucky to be able to combine my love for drawing with working from home around family commitments.

Meet the Artist - The Skinny Card Company

By Marie Carter-Robb • Posted in Cool Products

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