Over the last year or so I've been gradually building a range of designs inspired by fun and whimsical Shakespeare quotes.
It all started when I found a lovely quote from The Merchant of Venice for my Shakespeare-loving friend’s birthday card:
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come
…and I liked it so much that I decided to look for other Shakespeare quotes that would be suitable for cards. I wanted the designs to reflect all the fun of the quotes, so I painted colourful backgrounds and hand-drew bouncy modern calligraphy and capitals for the text.
As the weeks passed by, I found more and more brilliant quotes – and before I knew it I had a whole range: birthday, Valentine’s, thank you cards, cheery cards about wine, beer, all sorts. It was like a dream come true when the Royal Shakespeare Company started stocking them!
This year I’ve turned the designs into a range of prints, with new quotes that felt more suited to prints than cards. And I even found some cool quotes to use for Shakespearean Christmas cards.
And now, say hello to my favourite Shakespeare product I’ve made so far, brand new this week… Shakespeare tea towels! I’ve made four so far: bright, vibrant designs that will add pop of colour and personality to a kitchen. They’re made of cotton and printed and manufactured in the UK too, which I was very keen to do.
I love giving tea towels as gifts. We all use them so they’re a practical present - and if you get the right one for the right person then it’ll make them smile every time they dry the dishes. I’ve tried to use Shakespeare quotes that are a bit quirky and fun – and I know exactly which of my friends will be getting which for Christmas. I hope they’ll spark the same thoughts of “oh that’ll be perfect for so-and-so” for you too!
If you’d like one of these tea towels for the literary or Shakespeare fan in your life, then they’re available in my shop here >>>
