Vicky Yorke Designs

I love visiting independent stores and gift markets at any time of the year, to wander round looking at the treasure trove of loveliness and finding beautiful presents for loved ones - and little treats for myself! But at Christmas I think independents really come into their own. The stores are beautifully decorated, the gift stalls are fabulously festive and there is always a warm welcome! They've been adding to the loveliness all year... It's just really special and I know they are waiting for you to pop along and give them their time to shine! Today is my absolute favourite day of Just A Card Indie Week, because it's the day I get to shout about my favourite independent businesses! All of these designers, makers and independent stores are doing an incredible job of enriching our lives through creativity and / or community. This year I've decided to focus on independents who are local to me. I've created a little paragraph about each, but please take a look at the

Just A Card pin designed by Angela Chick . This week is Just A Card Indie Week and I will be supporting the campaign to tell you why shopping with creatives and independent shops is so important in the run up to Christmas ( - and always!). It's also a good way to tell you a little bit more about me and what I do... I’m Vicky and I'm proudly wearing my Just A Card Christmas pin in the image above. You can support the campaign by buying your own pin here . I'm a surface pattern designer and illustrator and I create warm and happy designs for products, which I hope spread a little positivity out into the world. I use illustration combined with typography to create work that is decorative, bright and inviting. I draw or paint all of my designs by hand, before they are scanned into the computer to be digitally coloured. I live in a semi-rural village in Worcestershire, UK and my designs are often inspired by the beautiful countryside that surrounds my home with collections in