The Snuggle Wooden Plaque Cat

Hannah Dale began Wrendale Designs on a crowded kitchen table in Melton Ross, Lincolnshire. Hannah has a pretty eclectic background: studying art at school before reading Zoology at Cambridge University followed by five years as a stockbroker in London. When she found herself married to a Lincolnshire farmer with a young baby she also had a desperation to find an outlet for her artistic roots. Being a practical sort, Hannah turned her hand to sewing. She began furnishing the windows of many friends and family with beautiful curtains and blinds. She also started 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; loving their expressive faces and wonderful personalities – other people agreed and they were an immediate success. Spurred on by this, she expanded her repertoire and began painting other animals. Like foxes, pheasants, geese, dogs, hens (the family keeps cochins with their wonderfully feathery feet!).

It was 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. She now supplies cards nationwide, as well as exporting all over the world. It has a collaboration with Portmeirion which produces wonderful quality ceramic, textile and melamine items featuring Wrendale’s designs. Wrendale has also branched out beyond cards 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. There is 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!