Award winners reveal their triumphant thoughts
“I was more than a little shocked to hear my name read out, and my ridiculously long legs went a bit wobbly on the way up to the stage, but I got there in one piece,” said Bewilderbeest founder Iain Hamilton on hearing he’d won The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer Or Artist award in The Henries 2022, the greeting card industry awards event which took place on Thursday, 6 October.
“Seeing a 10ft photo of me in my underwear on the big screen was a highlight and will no doubt make my mum very proud – it was a very exciting moment and great to have my wife Maddy there on the night, as she was the one who convinced me to give up my day job to draw nonsense for a living. Turns out it was a great decision!” added Iain.
Iain was not the only one walking tall on Thursday evening with UK publishers of all shapes and sizes being feted at the industry’s wonderfully enjoyable industry big night’ which this year took on an uplifting 1950s theme.
Click here to see all the winners, while PG Buzz shares a selection of more initial reactions from the jubilant ones…
“Wow! What a night!” exclaimed Rebecca Green, creative director and co-owner of Raspberry Blossom, as her memories of the evening were made all the sweeter by the Pawsome range clinching the Best Cute Range award. “A wave of shock” gave way to a feeling of “a huge sense of pride” as Rebecca made her way to the stage to collect the trophy.
“The love that Mark and I put into our business and the sacrifices we have made honestly make all the difference when that hard work and determination is acknowledged by winning such a prestigious award. The room was full of extremely talented publishers and companies and to be even a finalist in such an amazing industry fills us both with so much joy. We can’t thank the industry and also everyone that has supported our business by buying a card or sharing our business enough.”
“I honestly didn’t expect to win, up against such tough competition,” said a delighted Jo Wilson, co-owner and creative director of Dandelion Stationery, whose Words Of Wisdom range won the Best Contemporary Words & Sentiments Range award.
She added: “I was absolutely over the moon when our name was read out, it really is the most amazing feeling. The whole team had a fabulous evening celebrating – though there were some very sore heads on Friday!”
“Wow, Wow, Wow. I was so chuffed when I heard our name called out. We were up against some strong contenders but, as I tell my very competitive kids, it’s all about winning – and we did! Fantastic! Great job, Ling Team and thanks to everyone who voted for us,” David Byk, ceo of Swan Mill Group which includes Ling Design, told PG Buzz about Indigo Blush winning the Best Traditional Words & Sentiments Range category.
“I was really chuffed to win this award and wasn’t expecting it – because David Byk took so long getting to the stage when he won his award just before me, I decided I’d jog to the stage to try and build back some of the time we all lost!” said Mark Callaby, managing director of Ohh Deer, which won the Best Photographic Range award for its Say Cheese collection. “I always love going to The Henries as it’s more than just the awards – it’s a chance for the whole industry to let their hair down and just enjoy each other’s company with too much alcohol!”
“We’re thrilled and truly humbled to have won such a prestigious award in this year’s Henries – the ultimate accolade!” commented Rachel Hare, creative director and boss lady at Belly Button Designs.
“With so many entries each year, you can never assume that yours will have caught the imagination of the judges so, to have succeeded in the Relations & Occasions category with one of our best-sellers, Elle, is just fantastic!
“It’s all about partnerships too – we would like to thank our retailers for their support in what has been a tough few years and we look forward to continuing to put the heart into our art with each and every one of them! Thanks also to the wonderful Max Publishing for another amazing event, bringing us all together to share the experience.”
“I couldn’t believe it when Stormy Knight was announced as the winner – I was genuinely so surprised!” Sarah Knight, director of Stormy Knight, confessed to PG Buzz about her festive Bloom seed card collection winning the Best Christmas Counter Card award.
“We were just saying how great all the designs were that had been shortlisted in the category so it feels such an honour to have won. It’s my first Henries award and I’m completely over the moon to have won one – and I love the new-look trophy! I’m currently deciding the best spot for it in the new office that we’re soon moving in to.”
Having feted the design and production excellence in the product categories, there was then the much-anticipated Best Service To The Independent award, which saw The Art File being presented with the Bronze trophy, IC&G earning Silver and UK Greetings taking the ultimate Gold award.
“This is amazing news! This award really means a lot to us as it’s voted by those that matter most…our customers,” commented Darren Cave, commercial director of UK Greetings.
“We’re absolutely thrilled. I want to thank all of those involved at UKG who serve our retailers so well. And the biggest thank you goes to our wonderful customers who voted for us this year, thank you!”
Above: A very happy Iain Hamilton of Bewilderbeest
