Saucy stuff

                                       

This week I have been quellewed (made up word) with the task of making a label for a very hot sauce. This 'Fire Water' is a chilli sauce made by Pudsey Pickles and sold in a limited run for the 'Little Heroes' charity with something special to label it up with. In come Oldfield Press.  
                                                                                                                            
                                                    

I actually did this twice. The first block took me the first day but at the end of it, even with  the obvious changes that need 'making I felt it could do better' (as the old school reports said).

                                                   

So I didn't diss (not a made up word) the first attempt, I just started again.
I now have more small 6pt and 8pt type out that I am worried I won't get it all back in the right drawers...


Note self; get organised.            

                                                 

I am glad the I spent the extra time though as I think the new label is streets ahead. Big thanks to Brian again as the blocks he has loaned me really do make the difference.

                                                  

The flames, the swirls and all the rest really add to my collection and open up what we can do using the old standards.

So now to finish up and sort that missing 'i', oh and though it seems like as tongue twister to me 'Vinegar' has to go before 'Salt' ....??... I know but thats the EU for you :)

These really are 'rationed' to a limited amount....

Here in Haworth there is a 1940s' weekend every year. There is a fly over and all sorts with the Main Street slipping back in time and bringing those war time years back to life. Its full of people in army clothes from WWII and civilians join in too.

                                    

                                                           postcard

I thought I could possibly kill two birds with one stone here and pay homage to that 'time' aswell as maybe prepare for the future (what with the way things are...).

                               

Being a letterpress shop I had to try and capture the iconic look of authority without setting it out on the computer and then making the plate. No... I went back in time myself and stood in the shoes of the printers who did for a living. I used a 36pt font for the title and went all the way to 6pt for the extra info... 

I could've done with shrinking down aswell as travelling through time. My eyes still can't focus on owt bigger than an owl.... Sorry its a dog...

                            

The 'Ration Book'. I remember taking my Grandmas ration book to school for 'war week' along with a gas mask in a tin. I don't know where it is now but I can still see it in my head. I can also find a copy of it on the internet which was great to remind me of the kind of type that was used. We might not be that far off having this kind of thing reissued either.. (what with things the way they are).

I added to the Haworth stamp to maybe remind people of here too.. Y'know like a a postcard.

and an all occasions card...

I hope you like the reminder if it was just taking it to school with the gas mask in the tin or maybe even had one yourself and I hope that it is a true touch back to the traditional printing methods used.

Hoping to get them in up the Main Street for the 18th and 19th May weekend and don't forget to call in here at Oldfield Press if you come to see

Valentines to Border Towns...

No update doesn't translate to not busy... Oh no, infact quite the opposite. I have been mowed out.
In February I did a series of bespoke 'Valentines' cards. Which was great practise on the presses but not the best business plan as they take so long to make.



 Start of the year I was thinking how are we going to keep going and then I did the 'Mothers Day' cards. They sold like hot cakes straight away and as there were only 25 made I thought it would be worth doing a second run and a new design. Again limited to 25 on these runs they sold out fast.
Then we got people in to use and learn on the letterpress aswell. Making their own cards in the shop and making some great use of the press.



I started and am still working on a wedding invite for a couple who are getting married in the woods in Scotland and I borrowed a wonderful tray of ornaments from my mate Brian. Full of borders and decorations. I am still finding ace small leaves, symbols and designs that fit everything from mechanic to organic. There are so many ways to mix up what is in the tray I could be here a lifetime.
I also thought that maybe I should think a bit harder about how a business has to work to survive so I am on with... I am half way through a series of generic cards that I can build up and make in bigger runs to sell through various shops...? (fingers crossed)

All this work does seem to be paying off though as it was really great to be asked to display some of my stuff in a letterpress exhibition at the, West Yorkshire Print Workshop. They took a couple of new copies of the 'Rock&Roll' record and mangle print and a selection of our stuff that we do in the way of cards etc. ...Oh and a few sets of the 'Border Towns' I have been doing. I have done 4 of them now although I was unhappy with one after setting my 11 year old lad the same challenge and seeing his 'Letterpress Island' it made my 'Border Town Hall' look a tad naff so I put his in the exhibition and he is well chuffed. If he sells any I am sure I will never hear the end of it but he did it and he should be proud eh :)

And so there we have it... I will try and keep you more up to date and hope I have time to take some more pics of what is going on.... Oh and email me for info on how to purchase my lads... Or my prints. oldfieldpress@rocketmail.com www.twitter.com/oldfieldpress and facebook...