For our latest Face Behind the Cards we chat to Maddie, the mastermind behind Pickled Post which tailors to both ends of the spectrum - from heart warming messages and illustrations, to funny and relatable captions.
Full time, she's a freelance graphic designer, and has worked for ten years in the retail gifting industry creating product and packaging designs for wholesalers and high street stores. She started Pickled Post as a side hustle at the start of the pandemic, whilst living in Bristol, but has recently moved back to the Wiltshire countryside.
How did you get into making cards? Was it always something you wanted to do?
I’ve always been a little stationery and paper obsessed. So I think I have always gravitated towards doing this. Designing cards used to be my hobby, but it’s now my side business. I had less freelance work at the start of the pandemic, so I focused on designing more cards and it’s been one of the best things I’ve done.
What inspires your work?
Memes and trends inspired me initially. I like copywriting and coming up with relevant, relatable captions. But more so now I’m dipping my toes back into illustration. All my most witty ideas come to me as I’m falling asleep, (it’s inconvenient but it’s a good excuse to nap!) If you opened my phone notes, there’s some random stuff in there that I’ve typed out at 1am…
Did lockdown change the way you worked at all?
No, not really for me. I already worked from home and for myself, so I was already very experienced in the ‘working-in-pyjamas’ world!
What is your favourite card you've made and why?
Hard to choose just one, but probably any of my cards with a ginger cat on, as they are based off my own cat, Thumbs, who passed away in March. They’re not my best sellers, but I loved to draw him sat in his weird positions.
Did you pick up any lockdown hobbies/do you have a recent lockdown binge watch to recommend?
I’d love to say something impressive like I learned the guitar or got fit. But no, I watched Tiger King like everybody else! I also listened to Taylor Swift’s Folklore and Evermore albums a few million times…
What are you most looking forward to as soon as the world goes back to normal or gets a little more normal over the next few months?
Getting on the dance floor! I’d also love to visit some more European cities and definitely go back to Lisbon, I would recommend creatives to visit there. The buildings are colour palette heaven.
If you weren't designing cards what would you like to be doing instead?
I’d like to be working with animals in some way, perhaps improving welfare standards or working with charities. I’m really passionate about animals and wish the world was a better place for them.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself
I’ve jumped the world’s highest bridge bungee in South Africa, and skydived in the same week. I’m much more boring these days and I’m definitely okay with that!
Click here to see her designs available at Scribbler now.