creative shell

10/04/2026

THIS IS YOUR SIGN…

I’ve been a member of the Forster Tuncurry Business Chamber for maybe 6 years now, but before that, the idea of “networking” terrified me.

I’m an introvert. Walking into a room full of people I don’t know? Not exactly my comfort zone. I used to much prefer hiding behind my computer and just getting on with my work.

But joining the Chamber pushed me (gently) out of that comfort zone and I’m so glad it did. Looking back now, going along to Chamber meetings was a turning point for my business.

What I didn’t realise at the time was how much those connections would actually lead to more work, more opportunities, and some great friendships. It’s not “networking” in the awkward sense… it’s building relationships with other locals who just get it.

You put faces to names, support each other, and become part of something bigger in your community.

A really good example of this is the Mid Coast Business Awards, organised by the Chamber. Last year I was honoured to win People’s Choice and honestly, I don’t think that would have happened if I’d stayed behind my screen and never shown up.

People support people they know.

I often invite clients to come along with me to Chamber events and I hear things like:
“I’ll wait until my business is more established…”
"I don't think I'm ready yet..."

But honestly, that’s the BEST time to come.
It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting up, have a small side hustle, or years in, there’s space for everyone.

If you’ve been thinking about coming but feel a bit nervous, come with me. I’ve been there, I get it and I promise it’s nowhere near as scary as you think.

If you find it’s not for you, at least the food was good ha!

Forster Tuncurry Business Chamber

02/04/2026

New office signage for Fyfe Constructions in Mudgee!

Building with Fyfe Constructions means working with a team that values quality at every level.

From the way a project is planned through to the workmanship delivered on site, our focus remains the same.

Careful attention to detail, strong collaboration with trusted local trades, and a commitment to building homes that are made to last.

It is a process built on experience, professionalism, and a standard we stand behind.

24/03/2026

I had the absolute pleasure of judging the Digital Design section at the Gloucester Show this year.

Honestly, it’s never an easy task when the standard of entries is so high! The creativity, skill and originality on display was impressive, and it made choosing winners incredibly tough.

A huge congratulations to all of the talented entrants, and especially to this year’s winners 👏 You should be very proud of your work!

Well done to everyone involved and thank you to the stewards for all your hard work 💛

12/03/2026

🌼 BARRINGTON COAST

Designing a pattern repeat is a bit like solving a puzzle, every edge needs to connect perfectly so the design can continue infinitely without any visible breaks.

I had the opportunity to create a custom pattern for Barrington Coast, building on their existing brand elements (originally designed by another designer). Using their established colours, shapes and coastal themes, I developed a repeat pattern that celebrates the region and incorporates the names of local towns across the Barrington Coast.

Creating a seamless repeat requires careful planning, as each edge of the artwork must align perfectly with the opposite side so the design flows continuously when tiled. It’s a fun challenge that combines creativity with a little bit of technical thinking.

The finished pattern has now been applied across a range of merchandise available at the Forster Visitor Information Centre.

It’s always rewarding seeing a design move from screen to real products that people can enjoy.

If you're looking for custom pattern design or branded merchandise for your business or organisation, please get in touch.

26/02/2026

🐾 JO LYONS PHOTOGRAPHY – LOGO REDESIGN

Jo came to me ready to gently evolve her brand.

Her original logo was created in 2015 during her chapter working with rescue dogs, a chapter that still matters, but her artistry has grown.

Through Jo Lyons Photography, Jo now creates fine art portraits centred on connection, character and storytelling.

Rather than completely reinventing her identity, we refreshed her original dog icon, this time inspired by her beloved Daisy, the matriarch of her dogs who passed in 2022. It felt like a meaningful way to honour her story while evolving the brand.

The new wordmark is timeless and confident, complemented by a subtle heart dog tag, and designed to grow alongside her expanding body of work.

A brand refresh doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes it’s about respecting where you started… and thoughtfully designing for where you’re going.

Are you looking to rebrand in 2026? Let’s chat.

18/02/2026

🌸 FAEODYN FIELD FLOWER FARM

Marlay from Faeodyn Field came to me with a logo she absolutely loved, a beautiful logomark (the round logo) that really captured her brand.

The only challenge? It wasn’t practical for every application.

So we built out a complete logo suite around her existing mark.
Now she has:
• A horizontal logo
• A stacked lockup
• A text-only version
All designed to work across different platforms and uses while staying true to her original branding.

Marlay also needed help launching her presence on Facebook, so she chose my 'Social Media – page Setup Package' which is perfect for businesses who are new to Facebook and want a professional, cohesive start.

This included:
✔ page setup
✔ Custom cover and profile image design
✔ Content starter kit
✔ A training session so she feels confident managing it herself

I love helping businesses evolve what they already have into something that works everywhere, without losing the heart of their brand.

If you’ve got a logo that isn’t quite “working” for you anymore, or you’re ready to show up properly on social media, let’s chat.

14/02/2026

Roses are red,
Templates are cute,
But custom design?
That’s the real pursuit. 😉

❤️ Happy Valentines Day

10/02/2026

💡 Soooo you have a logo… now what?

Getting a logo is exciting, but if you’re a small business owner, the next step can feel tricky, how do you actually use it to create consistent, professional designs without spending hours figuring it out?

That’s where my MINI DIY BRAND KIT comes in.

Perfect for Canva users who want to design confidently, it includes:

✅ A tailored colour palette
✅ Font selections for headings, subheadings, body & accents
✅ A small set of Canva-ready graphics, icons, or textures
✅ A simple brand reference sheet showing how to use your assets together

No more guessing, no more mismatched posts, just a clear, ready to go toolkit to help your brand shine.

📩 DM me for more information!

05/02/2026

Spotto: New bus advert design…

It’s a good day when we see our client’s brand new bus advertising out in the wild. creative shell, top job getting this bad boy looking so good!

Yep, proud to say we’re way more than just a digital agency these days…

Sunrise Supported Living Tuncurry

05/02/2026

I’ve been lucky enough to work with Marlay from Faeodyn Field Flower Farm here on the MidCoast, and today she completely made my day with these gorgeous freshly cut flowers.

Faeodyn Field is a local, seasonal wholesale flower farm, and the quality is just beautiful, grown with so much care.

Support our local businesses - give Faeodyn Field a follow!

Thank you Marlay 💐

22/01/2026

🎨 Calling All Aspiring Artists

Always wanted to paint or draw but never found the time? Feeling a little nervous about putting yourself out there?

Why not kick-start your artistic journey with us! Forster Gallery welcomes motivated amateurs who want to explore their creativity in a supportive, inspiring environment.

JOIN US TODAY
• Annual membership: $50
• Join after 31 Dec: $25
• Join after 30 Apr: $50 covers 14 months

Download a membership form, print it out, and either email or deliver it to the gallery. A hard copy is also available at the gallery.

📄 JOIN NOW: https://www.forstergallery.org/new-membership-application

📍 Forster Gallery, 34 Lake Street
🕙 Open 7 Days, 10am–4pm
(and when the flags are flying)
🎟️ Free entry
🖼️ All artworks for sale
♿ Wheelchair friendly
🚗 Off-street parking available