Through our Bring It 2020 crowdfunding project we have launched a limited edition Treasures Box which is themed ‘Books & Bikes’ – a lovingly curated gift box featuring high quality prints and products from five local artists. A celebration of our beautiful city Cambridge, this box is available to buy for £40 (including p&p) until 1pm on Monday 30th March 2020.

By buying a box you will be supporting both the launch of our business venture and the artists themselves, with a proportion of your pledge going directly to the contributors; Naomi Davies, Alison Hullyer, Snowtap, Maureen Mace and Lily In Space.

Funds from the crowdfunding campaign will support an ongoing project to support local artists, designers and makers from across Cambridgeshire through the launch of an online shop.

You can also find the ‘Books’ Treasures Bundle or ‘Bikes’ Treasures Bundle reward options which are available to backers for just £25 (including p&p) – find out what prints and products are included here.

‘Books & Bikes’ Treasures Box

WHAT’S INSIDE THE BOX?

– 1 x A6 ‘Bridge Street Bike’ Greetings Card by Alison Hullyer

– 1 x A6 ‘Tree of Knowledge’ Greetings Card by Maureen Mace

– 1 x ‘Book Badger’ Wooden Pin by Lily In Space

– 1 x ‘Bikes’ Tea Towel by Alison Hullyer

– 1 x Coaster by Naomi Davies – Various Designs

– 1 x A5 ‘Blue Tits in the Library’ Print by Lily In Space

– 1 x A4 ‘Snow Leopard Reading’ Print by Snowtap

MEET THE ARTISTS

“Born and bred in Cambridge, only straying to Newcastle for my degree in Graphic Design, I now work full time as a professional printmaker and illustrator. My work is inspired by patterns in nature such as skeletal winter trees, pebbles, seed heads and the birds I see on my daily dog walks. I also incorporate chine-collé, silver leaf and relief printing into some of my drypoint prints. I have a range of cards, coasters and tea towels which I supply to many shops, including Anglesey Abbey, Houghton Mill and Wicken Fen.” — ALISON HULLYER

“In early 2016, whilst having a catch-up coffee in Kings Cross, the idea to form a collaborative venture and work for ourselves came about. Less than a month later, we took the plunge and launched Snowtap in Cambridge with two greeting cards. We now have over 60 card designs and are stocked in shops across the UK. We sell our original illustrations at markets and fairs throughout the year, including the All Saints Craft Market in Cambridge every Saturday, and work on bespoke projects for people all over the world. Specialising in watercolour and gouache, line drawing, printmaking and collage, together we create whimsical illustrations, handmade coasters, cards and screen printed apparel, all inspired by the extraordinary natural world.” — SNOWTAP

“I live in Cambridge and spend my time painting and teaching art in my studio. I feel very lucky to be able to pursue my dream and love welcoming people to see my paintings and to inspire others to paint. You can find out about my tuition over at Cambridge Art Classes. The beautiful historic city of Cambridge full of cows, scholars and learning is a huge influence in my work. I add rich night skies, a shining moon, a taste of Medieval Art and this forms the basis for my intricate, detailed, dream like paintings full of stories. The results are magical and slightly surreal.” — MAUREEN MACE

“Drawing has been a compulsion and a comfort all my life. I had an unusual childhood travelling the world, and drawing was my constant. Once I moved to Cambridge to study history when I was 18, I knew I had finally found my home. Most of my drawing and painting celebrates the beautiful city I feel so lucky to live in. I generally work in pen. I like concise lines and like to record what I see, not what I want to see. It’s there, and my fingers start itching to record it. I think that’s the historian in me. I then use watercolour to add colour and vibrancy to my lines.” — NAOMI DAVIES

“I’ve been a Cambridgeshire-dweller from the start, having spent the first 18 years of my life in Peterborough. I then spent five years studying for my Physics degree in York, where I decided to set up a small business to keep myself creatively fulfilled during her 3rd year. Not one to stay out of Cambridgeshire for long, I decided to return to the county after graduating, and I now work as a physics consultant in Cambridge. I run my business in my free time, and I love how varied my life has become!” — LILY IN SPACE

#CambsCreativeTreasures

In 2014 we started to use and promote the hashtag #CambsCreativeTreasures on Instagram which has just hit an incredible 10,000 shares! It has been amazing to see hundreds of local creatives and creative organisations from across the county joining in and sharing their work and discoveries with us.

To celebrate hitting this milestone we are running a competition. If you become a backer of this project and pledge any amount from £1 you will be entered for the chance to win a bundle of our new merchandise – find out more here.