UK-based hand-lettering artist Alison Carmichael has just (this afternoon) launched a new range of Made by Alision Carmichael printed products including boxes of gift tags such as the one shown above...

One of the first products Carmichael has developed is a set of Alice Tags, a belly banded box containing 10 letterpress printed gift tags, inspired by Lewis Carrol's Alice In Wonderland story. There are five hand lettered designs, so each box contains two of each in assorted colours.

Carmichael has also developed a boxed pack of Emergency Cards, which consists of 10 cards, two each of five different designs ranging from the one above which could be sent as a belated birthday card to the more celebratory Rah Rah Rah card, below:

"The Emergency Cards are designed as a box of versatile messages which suit almost any occasion," says Carmichael, "including a really useful one for forgotten occasions (birthday, anniversary etc), something that everyone needs in their kitchen drawer!"

There is also another set of letter press printed gift tags that all say "it's the thought that counts" but in a variety of colours.

"Whilst I still love working in advertising and design, I decided it was about time I started producing some of my own stuff,  to remember why I got into hand lettering in the first place and to get really into the craft side of it," Carmichael tells us of the launch of Made by Alison Carmichael online shop.

"I have started with these three paper based products because they were ideas I have had for a long time and so I wanted to get them out there first. But I have loads more ideas of lovely stuff that I am going to produce. I should stress that Made by Alison Carmichael is not a stationery company. Next I plan on doing some wall art and then I am hoping to move into soft furnishings, cushions and more homewares.  I also intend on creating some bigger, one-off pieces. Everything I produce will have a strong element of craft, different styles of hand lettering and will be produced in limited runs."

Find these products (and keep an eye out for new ones) at madebyalisoncarmichael.bigcartel.com.

Visit alisoncarmichael.com to see her portfolio

CR subscribers can read our profile feature on Alison Carmichael from April 2009 online here.

CR in Print

If you enjoy reading the Creative Review website, we think you'll enjoy reading the magazine even more. The December issue of CR includes a profile piece on the independent creative scene in Liverpool, a major interview with Dutch book designer Irma Boom and a great piece on 'Poster King' Edward McKnight Kauffer. You'll also find articles on Dentsu London, a review of the Walker Art Center's Graphic Design: Now in Production show and a fascinating debate on the clash between design and advertising betwen Wally Olins and CHI's Dan Beckett.

And if that wasn't enough, the issue also includes a FREE paper toy for readers to cut out and customise.

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