Win a Busy Being a Great Brit Poster and Bag

*My latest giveaway is from a small UK company called Busy Being. I have invited its owner Thea to tell you a little about herself and the idea behind her business. Be sure to check out her fabulous patriotic items and enter her sponsored giveaway below!

Busy Being came about after I stopped work five years ago to have my son. I knew I’d be an employers’ worst nightmare – a young mum with a child (and plans to have more!), so felt the only thing to do was to start my own business. I’d seen so many friends struggle with managing work and young children, and just didn’t want that to be me.

It didn’t start off as posters and typographic products. I started selling hand made baby hats and toys on a market stall. It felt quite disheartening. Markets in the UK can be miserable (it always rains and is freezing cold – even in summer!). So I started my first poster design aimed as gifts for new babies, to sell alongside my other baby gifts, Busy Being….a Boy, and Busy Being….a Girl. And those took off so much that it just went from there. I had so many people coming up and saying “Why don’t you do a Busy Being….a Mum/Dad/Grandma…. ?”, the lists were endless. I feel the range has great scope for expanding. We now have 16 designs in the range on our website, and loads more in production.

I did my first trade show back in September, and had such a great response to the range. I have a lovely company in Scotland producing mugs for me now (McLaggan Smith Mugs). They are probably the biggest and best (in my opinion) mug producer in the UK. They produce designs for so many great British designers (Orla Kiely, Simon Drew, Quentin Blake & Roald Dahl…to name but a few). Selling directly to shops felt so much more satisfying then standing in the pouring rain on a market stall, though I do still do one market a month as I believe it’s the best way to stay in touch with your audience – and test out new designs.

It’s a bit of a juggling act with my two young children. The moment they’re in bed I have to sit at the computer and work, when all I really want to do is lie on the sofa watching TV (with a large glass of wine!). But this way I can be there more for my children. I can always be with them on days they’re not well, and I don’t miss any school plays! And I never realized there were so many holidays/inset days/teacher training days from school (my son started last year), but thankfully it’s not a problem as I can always be around!

This year in the UK I think everyone has felt very patriotic. We’ve had The Jubilee and of course the Olympics. It really was lovely to be in the UK while the Olympics was running. Firstly, there wasn’t any torrential rain, which was frankly amazing! And secondly, everyone you came across seemed so up beat and happy – we all had something to feel so proud of.

I love the fact that all the athletes have inspired youngsters out there to realize there’s more to life than just wanting to be a mindless pop star or reality tv star! They’ve shown us the real meaning of ‘hard work’! That was the idea behind our design Busy Being… A Great Brit! Something for us all to feel proud of. We tried to steer clear of it being too sensible, and put in lots of funny quotes like “Queuing”. “Sunday Roasts” and “Pubs”. There is even a picture of Shakespeare with a rain cloud above his head. We like to keep all our designs fun and light-hearted. People need to be reminded that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously! I’ve really learnt that after having children!

Two of our most popular designs are Busy Being…a Tea Drinker, and Busy Being…a Happy Camper! I think we really must be a nation of camping loving tea drinkers – and I’m very pleased to be part of it!

- Thea

Thea has generously offered to give away a gift pack including one “Busy Being a Great Brit” poster and one “Busy Being a Great Brit” bag to one U.S. reader and one U.K. reader.

Aren’t they adorable?

Note: The poster is an unframed A4 size.

Enter now for a chance to win this super fun gift pack from Busy Being!

Here’s how:

1. You must be a U.S. resident or a U.K. resident.
2. You must leave a comment with your email address.
3. Please share this contest on Facebook and Twitter (although not required, just appreciated!)
4. Deadline to enter, Friday December 7.

The winner will be chosen the following Monday.

Tagged as: busy being, busy being patriotic poster, giveaways