FRIENDS REUNITED…
A brand new collaboration is set to introduce the Ribble Valley to a collection of unique quirky prints and homeware
After leaving Clitheroe Grammar together in 2001, two local businesswomen, Charlotte Eccles and Jessica Robinson, never expected their individual companies, Raffia gift shop and Squiffy Print design and print service, to reunite them over 15 years later.
Looking to benefit from the new housing developments in and around the Ribble Valley, Charlotte wanted to start selling more homeware and art prints, so contacted Jessica to suggest a collaboration: “I celebrated eight years of trading last November but I knew I needed to diversify my range to keep regular customers interested and hopefully attract new business,” Charlotte explained.
“I was aware Jess had a company printing t-shirts and I remembered her from school – she wasn’t a wallflower – so hoped she might be interested in teaming up.”
Having established a reputation for selling unconventional greetings cards, Charlotte knew she wanted to maintain that theme with the prints and, since one of Squiffy Print’s bestselling products is a vest that reads, ‘I run because I really like wine’, the two girls are a perfect fit!
“I know what my customers like but I have no competent computer skills to make my ideas a reality,” Charlotte remarks. Fortunately Jessica does, which has resulted in a great working relationship.
Jessica originally started printing t-shirts in her spare room, a move so successful that three years ago she decided to pursue her brand full time.
She has subsequently expanded her range to include make-up bags, yoga bags and baby changing mats and, since joining forces with Charlotte, has developed a sister company called Squiffy on Paper to concentrate on her art prints – the results of which can be viewed in Charlotte’s store and on the Squiffy on Paper website.
Raffia
38 King Street, Clitheroe BB7 2EU
01200 538086
Squiffy Print
www.squiffyonpaper.co.uk
www.squiffyprint.co.uk
