So, a very very long story cut short...

I used to be a cop, there's a lot to be said about that profession, in particular how it can shape you and drive you into the unknown. I was injured on duty one night back in 2010, seems forever ago now... but following a very long rehab I found myself no longer able to chase the bad guys and very much desk bound. I've always been pretty single minded and motivated to make stuff happen. The lengthy periods of time off following operations gave me an opportunity to revisit my childhood in painting and drawing. It wasn't long before I decided that I wanted to design and make! Following Medical Retirement in 2015 I started to make a plan.

Here I am now launching my little Etsy Store in the first week of January 2016, I can't tell you how excited I am about it. It's nice to have a purpose and I love to create. It really is the best therapy.

From the age of around 15 I used to sign my name in cards with a little smile, a heart and a kiss so it seemed absolutely perfect to have them as my logo. That was my starting block. I'm always scribbling away in a note book and I'm often teased about the fact I carry a pencil case everywhere with me, I can't be the only 30+ something that does this surely!?

So that's enough about me. More about Smile Heart Kiss, all of the products in the store are made from my home in Northamptonshire, we have a little workshop and an office where all the action takes place. We are fortunate to be surrounded by Lakes and Meadows, there's no better place to clear the head and get creative!

Our Eco-Friendly Policy and Ethos:

All wood used in stamp production is up-cycled, we like to share with you how so, so you will find with each stamp you order from us a little recycled note to tell you where the wood is from and what it was in a past life.

We design and make with the environment in mind. To the best of our ability we source and produce the best in recycled, up-cycled and eco materials to ensure we are operating with the smallest carbon footprint possible.

The Rubber we use is 100% natural making it the best eco friendly rubber available to us on todays market.

All the 'new' wood we use is FSC approved. We use suppliers with the same ethos on waste.

All packaging, paper, card and envelopes are RECYCLED. They are made from 100% consumer waste. This is reflected in the packaging, you won’t always find they look identical. We hand stamp our logo, minimising further need for more production and printing. You’ll no doubt have noticed that our paper is an off white colour, that is because it is made from ‘low grade’ (the greenest) post consumer waste and has not been treated with bleach or any other harsh chemicals.

We have taken lots of time to develop a system of working that reduces our waste products, what is left we send to our local recycling plant. Even our recycling bin is recycled!!

Feel GOOD about yourself for being GOOD to the planet!

#LetsMake #BeGoodToThePlanet

A little on [RECYCLING]...

Why should we buy recycled paper products?

The future of recycling ultimately depends on there being a market for the materials collected. Recycling is not just collecting materials and taking them to the recycling bank, it is about "closing the loop" and buying recycled too. Paper mills cannot continue to produce recycled paper if people do not buy items made from it.

One Tonne of 100% Recycled Paper Saves:
17 trees
7000 gallons of water
4100 kwh of energy, enough to power the average home for 6 months
60 pounds of air pollution
2.5 cubic yards of landfill space

Source: Department of Conservation

Thanks for taking the time to read my little story.