Tell us, what exactly do you do?
I make customised story books for all occasions. For weddings I write the story based on the bride and groom which rhymes and the illustrations look like them too. They’re A4 hardback with 16 pages of unique illustrations and on each page 4 lines of words which rhyme. The front cover’s also different and there’s space for a personal message at the front (from the client – to whoever the book’s intended for). The scope for a book is great because lots of family members and/or friends can be included. It can be from the bride to the groom, or friends/family of the bride/groom to the couple. It can be done before the wedding day or after and include things that happened on the day (bit of the groom’s speech etc.) The process begins with a client telling me stories about the couple, the more I’m told – the more personal it can be. The most recent book I’ve done is ‘Kate and Tom’ – made for the bride and groom from the Maid of Honour. She told me about the couple’s first date – and how Kate (the bride) was nervous and spilt red wine on Tom (the groom) – so I included that which makes it personal and adds humour. She also told me where the couple were getting married and the date, details which can all be included. It takes me a week to do the illustrations and during that time I can send updates to make sure the client is happy with the work. A client can be really involved (sending me lots of stories and photos) – or not – it’s up to them.
Were you always an Illustrator?
In my spare time yes – but I’ve been a broadcast journalist since graduating from Uni in 2003, which has been great. I started off in local radio reading the news and reporting, and then freelanced in London at national stations and moved into TV. Then I took some time out, moved to Spain – learnt Spanish. Came back into journalism – but decided I wanted to travel more, so became an airline stewardess. So….have always liked to try new things! One thing has always been consistent though, I love to draw and make up stories.
What gave you the idea of creating these story books?
In my spare time I’ve always loved to illustrate, making cards and short funny stories for friends and family – which has always gone down well. And about a year ago I thought, hold on, maybe I could do this for a living – or at least try (have always been of the opinion you have to try – or you’ll never know). So, that’s what I have done – set up my own business doing customised story books. I read about how to set up your own website and got on with that and found a printing company that creates what I want – A4 hardback books.
What makes your story books so unique for couples?
It’s about their story – how they met, so it’s very personal and the illustrations look like them. It’s something that will last forever – and they can look back on and smile (and maybe show their children if that’s part of the plan).
What do you use to create these stories?
My imagination mostly! It doesn’t take me long to write the story, then I sit and look through the photographs of the couple, think about how pictures can fit with the words I’ve written – and get on with illustrating. Just my desk, pencils and me. I get a bit lost when I am drawing – and don’t realise how much time’s passed. I recently met one of the brides I did a book for, and it was difficult not to feel like I knew her quite well – as I’d been drawing and looking at pictures of her for a week!
What’s been your favourite story so far?
I like all of them in their own way. Each couple’s unique, and that’s what’s great about it. I love the reaction from someone who’s really happy with what you’ve created – that’s just brilliant and I thrive on that.
What advice would you give to a couple hoping to tie the knot?
I guess for them to try and enjoy the process of getting married and not get stressed with all the organising and problems that can sometimes arise.
Dani Crawshaw started off as a broadcast journalist, reading the news on the radio, reporting for TV stations and writing articles for papers like The Telegraph. She’s always enjoyed being creative – making funny poems and stories for family and friends and drawing pictures that look like them. So she decided to spread that happiness!
