Run by husband and wife team Chris and Laini Byrne, Sketchy has added some new collections to its portfolio of whimsical cards.
Byrne, a graphic designer, says the card business began by accident after she had spent four years selling a range of paper and fabric products online and at artisan markets. “It was a great way to experiment with ideas and see how people react to your art,” she explains.
“It was kind of accidental the way we discovered that greeting cards had the potential to become a fully-fledged business of its own. Sketchy officially started in September 2014 and it has been the best decision.”
Named after Byrne’s line-drawing approach and the freedom in her designs, Sketchy features a range of greeting cards designed and made in Australia on high quality stock. The most recent collections are Sentiments—fun cards with sweet words—and Designer, a modern, Scandi-inspired range.
Inspiration for the cards came from current trends as well as past memories. “I take a lot of my design cues from clothing, fabrics and colour trends,” says Byrne. “Things from my life that make me happy or hold a great memory also inspire me.
“For example, the sprinkles cards [from the Sentiments range] were inspired by the old Dollar Sweets that you put on fairy bread. In the Designer range I’ve embraced my love for both the country and the coast and unified it with a Nordic influence.”
Along with the new card ranges, Sketchy is also expanding into soft furnishings, which Byrne is enthusiastic about. “We have just had some of our designs printed onto fabric, which is exciting. We’ll be launching decorator pillows within the week. And of course the Christmas cards and gift tags range is due straight after that so it’s all systems go.”
Byrne loves what she does, and says the hardest part is keeping up as Sketchy expands. “The biggest challenge would have to be adjusting to the logistical needs of the business as it grows to ensure it is running smoothly, it’s all quite a detailed process.”
