Our new box designs are a cut above – thanks to Heather

It’s fair to say that Bettys staff have many hidden talents. And sometimes we’re able to bring them into the spotlight. Take Heather, for example, who has been a familiar face behind the counter in our York shop for more than a decade. When we decided it was time to create fresh (and plastic-free) new boxes for our Milk Chocolate Owls and Milk Chocolate Frogs, we called upon Heather’s skills, not for serving customers, but for lino cut printing. She tells us how she came to craft designs as irresistible as the Swiss chocolates within…

Please tell us a little bit about yourself…

My name is Heather, I’m 32 and I work part time as a retail team leader at Bettys York. I spend a lot of my spare time entertaining our basenji puppy Frida, dabbling in yardening and seeing friends and family whenever I can.

How long have you worked for Bettys?

I have worked in the shop for just over 10 years, around half of that as a team leader.

Have you had any formal art training?

I took fine art up to A-Level; it was always my favourite subject. When I went to university I took photography, video and media studies but once I finished I decided to teach myself printmaking. I started with screen printing and wood cuts but found my niche in lino print. I used books as guides and after many hours of trial and error, I’ve been carving lino prints to sell for around eight years.

What’s involved in making a lino print?

I always start with a sketch which has to be simplified so it’s suitable to be turned into a print. There are different processes – for example, single layer, reduction print, multiple layers, jigsawing blocks together – so I will plan ahead so I don’t make any mistakes down the road. The sketch then has to be traced so I can transfer it onto the lino block. It is carved in reverse so the design will be the right way around when printing. It takes many hours to carve out a design but you can use that block several times over to create an edition of prints, or use them on cards or fabric. Once the design is inked, I use a small book press to put even pressure over the block to give the best results.

How did you come to create the stick box designs for Bettys?

A few years ago I designed and painted a lamp for the York Bunny Trail which went in the shop window for people to find on a map. As I had to get the design approved, it was a great opportunity to share what I did with Bettys’ marketing department, so they had faith I could do a good job. Alex Meek, Bettys’ in-house designer, got in contact to say that they would be in touch if my work would be suitable for something in the future. It was so exciting and unexpected to get an email a few years later to ask if I would do the new chocolate boxes.

Which design was your favourite?

It’s hard to choose but I really like the frogs. They’re so interesting to draw and I enjoyed putting a bit of individual character into each one. I love the shiny lily pads too! But I just recently finished the Easter characters and had the most fun doing those, so they might be my new favourite.

Is there anything extra special that we might spot in the designs?

On the sides of the Christmas character boxes there’s a little Santa waving, I hope it’s a nice surprise for the customers and makes them smile.

Who or what is your main inspiration when creating?

I would say nature and places and moments are my main points of inspiration. When I started doing larger prints I did a trio of designs focused on the Swedish Archipelago, carving different islands, the sea and lots of trees after a holiday to Stockholm. I really like carving animals, so you’ll often see birds or dogs in my prints but mostly I love to carve plants and flowers. All usually done in bold colours so they stand out on a wall.

What are your plans for future design work?

I’d love to continue with book illustration. I recently completed The Gardener’s Yearbook with 80 linocuts in, which has just been published. I feel very lucky to have then been able to do this work for Bettys straight afterwards so I’d like to also spend some time on my online shop, creating some work for my own portfolio and see how I can broaden my skillset, practising with ink pens and different mediums. Perhaps I’ll learn more about digital design, too.

You can buy our chocolate novelties featuring Heather’s new designs either here or in our Yorkshire shops. Look out for new chocolate characters as Christmas approaches.