Didn’t need a fancy title for this piece, the quirky and delectable stationery company do it all on their own with what is perhaps one of my favourite company names EVER.
Yup that’s right folks - Bunny Delicious.
They make all sorts of wonderful and unique wedding type stuff and the table plans in particular are OUT OF THIS WORLD.
I mean it people – just total knock-your-socks-off super clever loveliness.
Bunny Delicious was created by Zoe Rusga in 2003 after the birth of her second child and coming to the conclusion that the thought of becoming a housewife was terrifying……..
7 years and over 1600 clients later and this lady is positively rocking W-day paper goods.
And if you like me are a design geek/wannabe entrepreneur/lover of kitsch originality then you GOTTA read this piece Zoe put together for Rock My Wedding, ’tis witty, honest and full to the brim of utterly gorgeous images.
My designs, or “My stuff” as I like to call it, was born out of desire NOT to be like everyone else. I hated looking like other people in school/out of school. hated having the same things as anyone at school, so was always on the hunt for unusual, expensive or one of a kind. Naturally when it came to designing stationery, the same rules apply. It can’t be the same as anything else out there. It HAS to be unique, as well as giving people the OMG, I have to have it! reaction. The same reaction that I used to get from a pencil case in Paperchase in Tottenham Court Road/London at 14 years ago, is the sheer hit-you-sideways-with-a-dumb-fascination is what I wanted to bring to my designs. You know deep down its just a pencil case, but you can’t help to be sidetracked by its awe and beauty.
Sticking a feather or anything that came in a pack was such a cop out to me, anyone can do that….so I always made things as difficult and as complex as possible, especially in the early days of design plagiarism, of which I was a constantly pillaged! I almost gave up, I found it soul destroying! What gives these girls to steal the concepts that breed and develop inside my head?? This is turn spurred me on to develop my brand as SO recognisable, that the other girls looked silly copying me, as it stood out a mile as to what they were up to. How can you use a designer that has no design skills?
My inspiration is deep routed into my childhood. I have a thing for detail, I was raised into the world of Art Deco, Liberty prints, William Morris, London, Art Galleries, the V&A, history, foreign travel, exotic foods, hello kitty and things of cute miniature nature. My one stand out thought is a shop that sold every kind of pen, pencil, rubber, pencil case, note book, pencil sharpener, school bag going. It was situated in the Old Town of Stockholm (Gamla Stan) Sweden and it was called Happy Lina. The logo was a fairy, with wings, a big smile, a wand surrounded by a trillion stars. I think subconsciously this is where the star aspect comes into my designs. You can’t help to be transfixed by a star, it twinkles, it draws you in, and saturates your heart will the possibility of a fabulous dream.
I don’t draw on anything in particular for inspiration, I don’t look at other people’s work either. The recent trend for vintage bird cages was very tempting, but I do abhor jumping on a bandwagon. I love to create little “scenes” which is a new tangent for me. Everything you see is drawn on a computer, digitally cut, illustrated and then stuck or built into a picture. Every piece that I make like this, is a one off creation. I am an utter perfectionist, therefore nothing goes out unless I am 100% happy with it. I am my toughest critic!! Thinking about it, other peoples dreams and brief’s are my inspiration. there is nothing more I enjoy, than taking an ordinary, dare I say dullish brief, and turning it into something so amazing the bride cries. You know you did good when that happens.
My most favourite memory was a couple who came to collect their table plan. they stood there for 2 minutes not staying a word. I thought they hated it, no emotion no nothing, they left saying a small thank you, and that was it. I was gutted, to date it was my best piece. She emailed me later in the day to apologise. She said they were so struck by how perfect and how they had never seen anything like it, that they were both lost for words! they couldn’t believe this “thing” was now theirs! They’ve emigrated to Australia now,but she still buys all her friends wedding albums from me! I just ship them over to her!
So basically, why do I love my job? I have the creative freedom to do as I like, I feel like an adult 14 year old girl sometimes! My work still has a chidish edge to it and I think thats what draws people in. For as long as people continue to give me orders, and fuel my desire for quirky stationery, I will reign supreme in my own fantasy world.
Um….I want a guest book, I want a honeymoon book, I want one of those hen party invitations, I want the New York inspired table plan and the London one and the FARM one….. Jeez I so want the farm one!!
And I’m not even a bride anymore.
Boo.
But most of you lot are ….. Hoorah!
Go check out Bunny Delicious and tell us what takes your fancy.
Big Quirky Love
Charlotte xxx
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