Providing a unique range of alternative greetings cards and gifts. We pride ourselves on using local resources and eco friendly suppliers. Providing a unique range of alternative and creative greetings cards and gifts.
We pride ourselves on using local resources and suppliers, as well as doing our bit globally! All our cards, postcards and envelopes are made from 100% recyclable materials -even our cellophane is biodegradable! Follow us on Twitter @SWALKcreative and Instagram swalkcreative
Operating as usual
💛 Issue 25 💛
Can you believe we're on the 25th instalment of The Happy Newspaper ?! This gorgeous quarterly paper is pure sunshine 🌞 and the latest issue has just landed! (Also excellent timing it arrived whilst I've got yellow nails 💅 💛)
Find us on the 2nd floor of Afflecks Manchester to grab your copy ✨️
Big news at SWALK this week, as on Friday we'll be hosting our first ever *Seconds Sale!* As we get ready for Spring we've had a clear out which means this Friday you have the opportunity to bag some mega bargains 💥
❔️ What is a 'second'❔️
Seconds are pieces that have small imperfections, that don't quite meet the high standards our artists strive for. They could be printed slightly wonky, a little faded or perhaps some small superficial damage.
❔️ Why buy seconds❔️
In lots of companies, any items that aren't perfect end up getting destroyed, resulting in huge waste. A seconds sale is an opportunity to save these items from going to landfill.
Chances are you wouldn't even notice the tiiiny imperfections on the pieces in our Seconds Sale, only the perfectionists that create them would!
It's also an opportunity to bag a major bargain, these items don't quite live up to their perfect counterparts so are heavily discounted in Friday's sale. The sale includes some sample pieces and end-of-line items too so there's plenty of gems to be had!
All 12 of our artists have been invited to include items in the sale, which will be run on the SWALK instagram stories from 10:30am this Friday 25th Feb. I'll show you some sneak peeks before then to give you an idea of what to expect, make sure you turn on IG reminders because it will be fastest finger first!
Can you spare a minute to help Eva Elliott?
Keep Stoke on Trent’s Pottery Museums open
Happy Friday!! We made it through the first week of January 🥳 and if you want a little pick-me-up I have such a treat for you this weekend 👀
Following our collaboration for their #12DaysOfWomas I'm super excited to have some gorgeous Wo skincare sets for SWALK customers this month! 🧖♀️
When you buy one of our plantable, seeded cards on etsy you'll automatically receive a skincare set containing 3 different products. @wearewo_uk is a women-led, inclusive skincare brand and I 100% credit them with me getting ID'd for scissors recently 😅 my skin has never looked better. Their packaging is recycled AND recyclable so you know they're right up my street too 💚♻️
The first 10 customers to order a seeded card will receive this 6 piece skincare set in their order, no need to do anything I'll just pop one in when I dispatch! You'll get:
- 2 x Intense Hydrating Essence
- 2 x Eye Contour Perfecting Essence
- 2 x 3in1 Comfort Balm
AND you can choose from one of 6 different plantable card designs! Win win 🏆
www.SWALKcreative.etsy.com
🎄 It's Christmassss 🎄
*So* nearly there. I slept for 12 hours last night 😴🤯 But now I'm refreshed and ready to help you all with your last minute shopping! We're open til 4pm, and if I don't see you today have a gorgeous Christmas and a well-earned festive break!
I washi you a Merry Christmas!
Check out my top tips for using washi tape when you're wrapping gifts this year. Available in 4 different colours, not only is this washi tape super cute but it's also *so* much better for the planet than plastic tapes! Helping you have a more sustainable Christmas 🎄 #WashiTape #SWALKcreative
Stationery lovers rejoice! If there's one thing I love as much as gardening it's stationery ✏ so I'm beyond excited to share with you these gorgeous SWALK pencils!
I've had these since March (I know some of you remember them from this year's #MarchMeetTheMaker and have been waiting to see them reappear 😅) but what better time than Christmas to finally debut them, they're perfect as stocking fillers!
Available in this lush green or natural wood, they're printed with 'Sealed With A Loving Kiss' in gold lettering. And they come in these cute boxes as a pack of four or you can just grab one on its own!
I hope you love them as much as I do 💖
COVID RULES & REGS
From today, the Government have reinstated their policy on mandatory mask wearing. That means whether your Christmas shopping in our retail pop-ups, getting your hair cut for the party season, or just nosying around our vendors then you’ll have to wear one unless medically exempt.
These are temporary measures set by BoJo himself so the masks are back FOR NOW. As always keep up the social distancing and stay clear if you’ve got any symptoms.
Thanks for understanding x
🌱 Blooming Gorgeous 🌱
I am SO excited to share this new product with you 🥁 Plantable cards! Your fave designs are now available on seeded card, packed full of wildflower seeds. Combining my two favourite things, snail mail and gardening 🐌✉🌿
Right now as well as a couple of year-round favourites, the bestselling Christmas cards are available in the plantable version. So this year when you take down your cards instead of recycling them you can plant them and watch your wildflower patch grow 🌸🌼 It's a card AND a gift rolled into one!
I'm so excited to launch these that I'm starting them off with a 10% discount 🤩 no code needed, just head to the etsy and the introductory offer is already live! I'm starting a highlight on IG for these so you can find all the tips and updates on growing 🌱
www.swalkcreative.etsy.com
Don't forget! This week is the first week we're open a whole *7 DAYS* so you can now shop with us 11-5 on a Sunday right up until Christmas 🎅 And we've got a selection of festive handmade hangers in stock, including these Christmas cuties by Beemancunian
An important message from team N&D. Please suppirt us if you can. https://chng.it/FNNgrdkK
Why does this photo look like I'm about to tell your fortune 😂🔮 I'm not, but I am here to remind you we're heading into the most hectic time of year for lots of small businesses!
Here's my top tips for shopping small this Christmas 👇
- Buy in-person where you can! In shops and at markets. Ordering through online platforms can mean high transaction fees for sellers
- If you are buying online, read the description of an item closely! You wouldn't believe how many people order something tiny thinking it's going to be huge 😅
- If you're planning on ordering some custom artwork make sure you do it *early* so you're not disappointed, lots of creatives have already closed their books til 2022!
- Be patient. Remember the post last year?! 🤯 There's lots of things out of our control, angry emails won't make your parcels move faster 🤷♀️
- Keep a tote handy, you never know when you'll spy something fab! And bringing your own helps cut down on packaging 📦
- Spread the word, if you're doing your bit to shop indie this year tell your pals about the great spots you know to help share the joy! 🌞
- Check in on your artist/ maker/ seller friends 🤗
Shopping small is the best way to find unique gifts. Lots of love, care and time goes into handmade pieces like this beauty by Modern Woven Handmade Wall Art 😍 I can't wait to welcome tons of people through our doors over the next couple of months! #SWALKcreative
Afflecks Manchester
👇👇
☑️ VOTE LEVY ☑️
Each week we transform a humdrum car park in our neighbourhood into the beating heart of our community by popping up with a top notch market, with the finest food, fun and friendly faces we can muster. It's completely free to come to the market and soak up the warmth of our lovely community.
But did you know that Levy Market is also a social enterprise? That means our profits go into local initiatives to help encourage our local high street thrive.
Did you ALSO know that Levy Market is run by residents of Levenshulme who volunteer their time, meaning those profits can go further, help more people and make a bigger change?
Voting is now open for Britain's Favourite Market 2022 and we would LOVE it if you could take a moment to vote for Levenshulme Market. You can find the link in our bio and voting takes literally a couple of seconds.
This weekend we'll be giving away free Levy Market badges at the Market Bar so please vote, come, have fun and show your support for Manchester's only true independent social enterprise market.
https://nabma.com/vote-for-britains-favourite-market-2022/
Hiii just here repping some SWALK stock to let you know that all these tees are now half price! In store and online they're just £8 so I can whittle down the last of the stock and make room for new things 💖
The quality is gooorge they're a 99% heavy cotton and they've got no side seams so no itchy labels to bother you. The sizes are unisex so they're not fitted and are quite generous, I'm wearing a medium here! I've got this wolfwhistling design and the catcalling (check my stories) in the following sizes left:
🐺Wolf - M, L, XL, 2XL
🐱Cat - L, XL, 2XL
Shout me if you want one saving 💖
www.swalkcreative.etsy.com
How fab is this? Check out this feature on Chelsea Waites working with Pinterest!
As students begin their annual stationary spending spree, the illustrator creates heart-warming scenes to signal the return to education for the moodboard and ideas platform.
Re-jigged my wall a bit at @swalkcreative today! Second floor of @afflecks_manchester - Open till 6 😊
.
.
#afflecks #affleckspalace #bird #birdwoman #harpy #mermaid #swalkcreative #linocut #blockprint #blockart #feministartist #manchesterartist #manchesterart #handmade #contemporarycraft #hanarubi #hanarubistudio #linocutprint #localartist #buyartfromartists #artprints #manchester #portraitsofwomen #boldart #artprints #wildwoman
How fab is this?? The shop is BRIMMING with good stuff right now, I can't wait to get back to it this week 🤩
🧶 Textile Art 🧶
Framed weavings are a great way to introduce some textile art into your home if you prefer straight edges and clean lines. They've got all the flair and creativity of our other weavings, but are finished with a chunky statement frame! These are a fab addition to gallery walls to add some variety of texture 🤩
Swipe for the details on this piece by Modern Woven Handmade Wall Art
Happy Friday!! I'm SO excited to introduce you to our new artist, Inktally 🤩🎨
Think 70s and psychedelic, Natalie is nestled between Emily paints and Nia Makes and you can buy her work from TODAY at our shop in Afflecks Manchester - I can't wait for you all to see it IRL 😍😍
Tiny framed weaving now available in SWALK creative 🥰
I’m at the @swalkcreative shop again today, restocking some prints, trying to catch up with my messages and hopefully gonna get into sketching out some new designs!
.
There’s still a small selection of little hanging ceramics here, and only available to buy in store at @afflecks_manchester - so available to Manchester locals only I’m afraid.. that is until my next shop update 😊
.
.
#ceramicart #clay #playwithclay #ceramicbird #clayboobs #ceramicboobs #catlady #catart #mermaid #mermaidart #feministartist #manchesterartist #clayart #tadaan #earthenware #smallart #handmade #hanarubi #hanarubistudio #swalkcreative #clayartist #affleckspalacemanchester #matchbox #packagedesign #claysculpture
Afflecks Palace
Manchester
M4 1PW
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SWALK creative posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to SWALK creative:
The weather last night! 😴 Normally nothing gets between me and my sleep but last night was a lot 🌧🌬🌧 If you want to sleep better 😴 it is proven that positive thoughts before bed will give you a good night's sleep and sweet dreams 💖 These gratitude pads are the perfect way to make a note of positive things as part of your night time routine! And for today if you order a green gratitude pad you'll get a free card in your order 🐑 https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/807356762/multipack-gratitude-notepads-square-tear
I was extremely flattered to be asked by bruntwood to feature in this advert (especially when I saw the bigwigs in the final edit!) Afflecks Manchester
Whilst we’re looking back on the party... I thought you’d enjoy this! Remember how I had to announce the giveaway winners but I’d had a *few* glasses of Prosecco? Here’s the outtakes... I hope it brings you as much joy as it did me 🤣🥳 sound on!
A closer look at the new Gratitude Pads! Find them here https://etsy.me/2Y8N8gb
GIVEAWAY WINNERS Thanks for all your entries 💖 and all the birthday love 🥳 the five winners of the personalised portraits are: IG @alexhunt_design @nield78 @adam_ash93 FB Sophie Gordon, Lucy Eliz Please email me your chosen photo and postal address to [email protected] and I’ll get your portraits out to you next week! *no cats were harmed in the making of this video #swalkcreative #afflecks #indieroller
Happy birthday to our megababe @nia_makes 🥳 she’s got some gorgeous new shiny stickers in, you can get your hands on one when we’re back open tomorrow from 10:30am 🙌🏻 have a lovely Sunday #niamakes #sunday #sundayfunday #universe #solarsystem #iwd #illustration #sticker #stickers #afflecks #swalkcreative
After 4.5 years... knocking down several walls for 3 expansions... the time has come. We’re going up in the world... or rather, I should say down ⬇️ SWALK is on the move, to the 2nd floor at Afflecks Manchester 🙌🏻 I’m dead nervous but really excited! Honestly I hate change and it makes me super anxious, but the new shop is bigger, better and I can’t wait to share it with you all. This might not seem huge to a lot of people, but a big business decision like this comes with a lot of planning and risk so I’m frantic to say the least 😅 was not expecting to feel so sentimental about our original unit and leaving that but we’ve got to look forwards and get out of our comfort zone! Huge thanks to Afflecks for encouraging, supporting and facilitating the move. Massive shouts to Dave Draws and Crozzilla who have been with me since day 1 and all the love to all our artists - without whom this would not be possible. Keep your eyes peeled for renovations and updates, one week countdown starts now!! @authenticityguide @lucydelaney_illustrates @maisysummer @theplayfulindian @fernandesmakes @beemancunian @sophmog @remouse1991 @nia_makes
I loved doing this little commission ♥️ I think this is the tiniest one yet! Hand drawn on gorgeous textured khadi paper - made from cotton tshirt offcuts - then carefully popped into this tiny glass keepsake bottle. I love making these! #handmade #tiny #tinyart #tinydrawing #mini #miniatures #tinythings #handmade #illustration #messageinabottle #afflecks #khadi #khadipaper #swalkcreative
💀💀💀💀💀💀
Don’t forget! My emails are open for applications, we have a space from May for a new artist to join our collective at @afflecks_manchester ❤️ @lucydelaney_illustrates made us this cute little gif to remind you!! #artistcall #afflecks #swalkcreative #manchesterart #manchesterartist #callforartists
Day 10 of #MarchMeetTheMaker is YOU! Well, not you, me! 👩🏻🦰 I tried finding a photo of me doing something arty for this prompt but I came across this outtake from a short intro vid I was doing for something. It made me laugh loads and is a pretty accurate representation of me so this is what you’re getting! I’m Megan, I wear a lot of hats (literally and metaphorically!) and SWALK is my pride and joy. I love reading, I love gardening and I love painting my fingernails 📚🌱💅🏻 oh and I hate cheese. That really helps people form an opinion of me 🧀🚫 This video is the very reason you don’t see me often on my ig stories 😂 this is my favourite #MMTM prompt because I love seeing the people behind the businesses I follow on here! #swalkcreative #you #me #indierollermmtm #meetthemaker #womenimbiz #outtake
Sometimes I miss the corporate world when I see things like A MEETING ROOM IN A RANGE ROVER 😂😂😂 #thatcorporatelife
What was the first ever Christmas card? I hear you ask! Our lovely Crozzilla is here to tell you! Swing by City Tower, Manchester for more history facts!
It's only once it's all laid out I realise how much artwork we have dedicated to beautiful bees! Catch Lulu Delaney at Hatch all afternoon with all these goodies!
Hmm it feels like too long since we've been at Hatch... well good news! This Friday afternoon we have a brilliant bee themed pop up to coincide with their gorgeous Bee in the City MCR bee by Kim Hubball landing this week. Have you seen it yet? It's BEEAUTIFUL! Catch me and some of the usual Afflecks suspects there with all things bee!! Nia Makes PeachIllustrations Lulu Delaney Tom Brown Kathryne Nield Illustration Annalise Humphrey
Day 5 of #JustACardWeek is 🎉HAPPY DANCE🎉 This is the whole point, when you buy from an independent business a real person like me does a little dance. It still makes my day. 💃💃 Do yourselves a favour and click the hashtag #JustACard and check out all the wonderful talented makers showing you their happy dance. If that doesn't make you want to #shoplocal and #shopindependent I don't know what will!! #happydance #shopsmall #buylocal #womeninbiz
YEYYY!! Issue 8 is now available in store!! 🌞💛🌻 And it's a good one!! Manchester come and get your fix of HAPPY NEWS 💛💛💛 at Afflecks The Happy Newspaper #happynews #thehappynewspaper #goodnews #positivevibes #happy #positivity #emilycoxhead #manchester #swalk #swalkcreative #afflecks
Something tells me Frida wouldn't approve hun. Frida Kahlo prints and Theresa May voodoo pin cushions by Nicola Fernandes at Afflecks #frida #fridakahlo #theresamay #jeremycorbyn #andyburnham #momentum #manchester #fernandesmakes #swalk #swalkcreative #voodoo #nhs #afflecks
Who needs a mirror... when you can have a compliment?! These faux mirrors come with various flattering messages 😍😘 #gorgeous
Don't forget today is the last day we're taking applications for a new artist! We've had lots of absolutely amazing applications so far, thank you everyone who's keen to get involved. I can't wait to start meeting some of you! #manchesterart #artist #artists #manchesterartists #manchester #nq #northernquarter #afflecks #swalk #swalkcreative #swalkcreativepresents
Ohhhh-hiiiiiiii-ohhhhhh 👋👋 #OHIO #international #etsy #etsyuk #etsymcr #america #swalk #swalkcreative #swalkcreativepresents
I love when @thewhitemandala has been at @afflecks_manchester on a Saturday and she does us a gorgeous new display featuring work from all 8 of our artists. This time it's 💙BLUE💙 (excuse my shaky hand 😅) @fernandesmakes @dave__draws @adriannmai @authenticityguide @crozzilla @leonniespencer85_art
Gave my dad a super shiny Father's Day card. The inside read: 'So you must be BLOODY GORGEOUS' 😂 #fathersday #dadjokes #handmade #swalk #swalkcreative #swalkcreativepresents
Guess what?! We will be taking on a new artist next month. I'm sad we'll be saying goodbye to Adriann 😭 but she's making way for a new artist to come & get involved with our wonderful collective of Manchester talent ❤ If you're interested in coming on board drop me an email [email protected] with some examples of your artwork 🖌 please note any applicants must be available to cover a shift at Afflecks *one day every fortnight*. We'll be taking applications til the end of the month! #artistcall #manchesterart #manchesterartists #manchester #afflecks #swalk #swalkcreative #artistsofmanchester #creativenorth #manchestertalent
Happy Friday! What are your weekend plans? Wherever you'll be, I bet Dave Draws has doodled a map of it!
PARKLIFE BABES. I'll be at Afflecks all day today & tomorrow so if you want some hair feathers or tinsel for Parklife come and see me! 💖💖 #parklife
