Words: Bekah Anstey Images: Vicky Bell
West Studios is home to many talented artists, entrepreneurs and designers, so I didn’t have far to walk to catch up with the gifted Vicky Bell of Tilly Fudge, in fact she’s in the studio next door!
I studied Art & Design at college and have always had a passion for all things creative. I regularly made cards and bespoke prints for friends and family. Crafts are my hobby, so I never dreamed that my passion would ever be my income!
The studio wall is filled with Vicky’s beautiful bespoke pieces of art, from occasions past and present. Vicky is the owner and launched the business after a light bulb moment when she was working as a Family Support worker in Derbyshire. As a mum of two boys Archie and Harry, Vicky is determined to be a role model to her boys, not only as a mother but as a business woman.
“My husband and partner in crime Tom (not literally, I’m sure they are law abiding citizens), has been my inspiration. He has supported me through the whole process of setting up my business, even helping out at wedding fayres and taking orders, not just from me, but customers as well!” Says Vicky.
Tom has his own very successful business (Defeye Creative, see our Christmas edition) and shares the studio with Vicky. Between them they are a tour de force of creativity and design.
“It all started in 2014 when I ordered Archie’s Christening invitations online. When they arrived, even though they were lovely I thought it was something I could do! I suppose it was at this moment Tilly Fudge was born.
I studied Art & Design at college and have always had a passion for all things creative. I regularly made cards and bespoke prints for friends and family. Crafts are my hobby, so I never dreamed that my passion would ever be my income! Until I went to work one day (Family Support Worker) and was told my job was at risk of redundancy. This gave me all the motivation I needed. I secured a space at West Studios and began designing and marketing”.
Five year’s later and Vicky is at the top of her craft. She creates bespoke stationary and printed products, by digitally illustrating lovely things!
Her best-selling piece just so happens to be her first ever commercially available design. She is super proud of it and rightly so…
Vicky said “it was nerve-racking creating something on paper that someone had simply thought of in their head. What If I get it wrong and they don’t like it? Thankfully, when I showed them the finished piece, they loved it”.
It’s clear Vicky loves what she does from the passion in her voice, smile on her face and the designs she creates.
If you have a wedding, christening or special occasion to plan get in touch with Vicky at: tillyfudgedesign@gmail.com www.tillyfudge.co.uk