Branding Up

Rhona Hartley’s Heart Chunks. All photos: Copyright © Rhona Hartley, 2018. All rights reserved. When I’m not looking for exciting promotional gifts to brand for my clients, I adore getting all creative. And with Valentine’s Day almost upon us, that creativity is currently being channelled into my Heart Chunks. These are a little gift idea that I developed a few years ago, when I took a sabbatical to work with an up-cycling business and kickstart my artistic interests again. I start by finding an appropriate piece of wood – it can be any size or type – which I then lovingly sand down. Next I paint a heart or two directly on the wood, before applying wax as a protective layer. Recently I’ve modified the design by adding wee cowrie shells, that I collect during walks on my local beach, to the heart shape. I love the different colours that their exteriors provide and the variation in texture they add.  Thanks to the materials and colours that I choose, each han...

As they emerge from a fog of Christmas pudding vapor, smelling slightly of brandy sauce and still wearing their paper crowns, the Brand-it Gals are ready for action. Welcome 2013 and Happy New Year to all! In the blink of an eye we are almost through January and heading towards Burns Night followed by Valentines. Ah such heady memories of the anticipation of that card plopping onto the mat, heart pounding, mouth dry, only to find the banks logo winking at me. Anyway, we shall be pinning some lovely Valentine suggestions (and Burns ones too) on our Pinterest board, so do feel free to have a butchers. It’s been a busy old start to the year. We’ve welcomed the lovely Lois to the team. Though not the girlfriend of Clark Kent, we’re expecting great things nonetheless and you can follow her adventures on our twitter stream @branditscotland. We also bid a fond farewell of our precious Nina, who’s off to a permanent home at Loretto school. I’m sure they must need a little branded somethin...