Pawsome Dogs Christmas Crackers by Wrendale Designs

Hannah Dale began Wrendale Designs on a crowded kitchen table in Melton Ross, Lincolnshire. She has a pretty eclectic background, studying art at school before reading Zoology at Cambridge University followed by five years as a stockbroker in London. But when she found herself married to a Lincolnshire farmer with a young baby she had a desperation to find an outlet for her artistic roots. Being a practical sort, Hannah turned her hand to sewing. She started furnishing the windows of many friends and family with beautiful curtains and blinds. She also began making personalised nursery paintings for children which proved very popular.

Inspired by the glorious Lincolnshire countryside and the outdoor life, Hannah started to paint hares. She loves their expressive faces and wonderful personalities – other people agreed and they were an immediate success. Spurred on by this, she expanded her repertoire. She began painting other animals. Including foxes, pheasants, geese, dogs, hens (the family keeps cochins with their wonderfully feathery feet!).

Someone then suggested to Hannah that she design some cards… and she hasn’t looked back. Since then, the company has won five prestigious Henries awards. The company now supplies cards nationwide, as well as exporting all over the world. It has a collaboration with Portmeirion. Portmeirion produces wonderful quality ceramic, textile and melamine items featuring Wrendale’s designs. It has also branched out to produce other stationery, tinware and a fab soft furnishings range.

As the business has grown, it has become very much a family affair and Hannah’s husband Jack now runs the business, with a wonderful team processing orders, answering the phone and packing the orders so that Hannah can focus on what she enjoys most – the artwork. We are delighted that people seem to love our designs and hope to keep on creating many more!