Tiki Pole Post Box

Last month a pretty awesome email popped into our inbox. It was from Kerri of Kreative Kaos, a fab Liverpool based company who specialise in creating fun family events. In her email she asked us if we could create a freestanding tiki pole that children at there summer Liverpool ONE events could post notes into. As you can imagine it took us no time at all to reply saying yes.

We absolutely love getting requests like this. Something as bright, colourful and fun as this is always a pleasure to work on and really breaks up projects nicely.

If you're heading to Liverpool ONE this Summer, be sure to head to the top and find Kerri and team Kreative Kaos. Guaranteed to keep the little ones entertained!

Taking time out.

I love my job. I really do. I get to surround myself with talented people and work with a really great team. Not many people get to say that they work with their best friend and I love that I can, but as any business owners will know, establishing your working hours is one of the hardest parts. Choosing what time to switch off, turn off your emails and stop working can be really hard. This is something at times I really can be guilty of.

With a partner who works in the creative industry and also runs their own business I have to admit we have spent many a Friday evening working into the night, on various projects, chatting over emails and eating dinner in-between deadlines. It's great that we both understand the bizarre hours, the long days and the sometimes lack of weekend but sometimes, we need to take a step back and just take some time out.

Living in Liverpool we are very lucky to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery. There really is something for everyone. If you are a lover of architecture, there is an abundance of sights to see. If you love strolling around greenery, we have some of the prettiest parks and open spaces there is. It was after reading a similar post earlier this year, that made me realise. I need to start appreciating this more and taking the time to relax.

Last week, with the sun shining, I headed to one of the parks local to me. Sefton Park. It was full of people all with the same idea. Walking dogs, feeding the ducks and eating picnics. One of the great things about Sefton Park is that every corner you turn, or hill you walk up, there is something new to see. From the palm house, to the lake there is always a quiet spot to be found. Not to mention the baby ducks, swans and geese everywhere. I am a sucker for a baby animal and seeing them up close really made my day.

Kilner Jars Commercial - Behind the Scenes

Summer for Strange Case has been a brilliant one. Not only have we been blessed with sunshine, but we have had the opportunity to work on some wonderful projects. If you are a regular follower of all things SCC, you will know we work closely with Liverpool company Papertwin. A group of extremely talented film makers creating commercials, beautiful wedding videography and films. In August, they approached us with a project, that as an avid crafter, we just couldn't say no too.

Logo and Image from Kilner Jars website

Kilner Jars. You know Kilner Jars. The jar that your Mum uses to store jam in, the ones you get cocktails in at your favourite bar, the jars in the background of The Great British Bake Off? Yes, those. Well, they have been around since 1842 and are now venturing into their first TV commercial. We have worked on set with Papertwin a lot before and when they needed Art Department for this shoot, they gave us a call.

Kilner Jars are awesome. I was heard saying it on set a lot, but there really is so much you can do with them. Our job was to show the variety in which the jars can be used and to create as many variations as possible before we all arrived on set. After meeting with the brand, in a location that can only be described as Sophie heaven,  (walls lined with every Kilner Jar, in every variety and rooms filled with the most beautiful home and cookware appliances) the brand sent us a selection of the range to get to work with.

Top - Delivery for Strange Case!
Bottom - Setting to work on the children's jars. - A customised pin cushion jar.
All images by Strange Case Collective

With plenty of jars to work with and a lot of ideas, Laura, Nicola and I, set to work filling the jars with as many colourful, fun and different ideas we could. We bought an abundance of citrus fruit, spray paint, butchers twine and buttons, then got going with our glue-gun and kitchen appliances. 

A small selection of what we filled the jars with. They are perfect for decorating too!
All images by Strange Case Collective

One of the things that we noticed and loved about the jars is that they look just as amazing empty as they do filled. The spray painted versions have been so popular with everyone who has seen them and I love how the logo stands out when filled with colour behind.

From soap dispensers, to twine wrapped drinking vessels, the opportunities are endless
with the range of Kilner Jars.
All images by Strange Case Collective

Our studio was taken over with an abundance of jars, all covered in ribbons, wool, twine and buttons. Filled with everything from soap, beads, sequins and vegetables, to oil, vinegar and chilies. We then cracked on with labeling them. We used washi tape, blackboard paint, tippex, and of course, the Kilner range of labels. It was a well oiled production line of creativity. With all the jars finished and packed up. We set off at 06:00am to arrive nice and early at the most beautiful location in Wilmslow.

Photography by Gary Owens

How beautiful are the surroundings of this lovely cottage? We even had an on set puppy, who kept everyone entertained. Especially four-year-old Lois, our actress, who fell in love with him.

Top - Set dressing in the background.
Middle - Our customised children's themed jars
Bottom - Karen and Alex, the actors
Images by Gary Owens
Cakes by Laura's Little Bakery. Flowers by The Flower Barn

Some of the label and jar variations we came up with.
Images by Gary Owens
Flowers by The Flower Barn

Top - Lois, 4, our wonderful little actress.
Middle - Cupcakes by Laura's Little Bakery
Bottom - Mike from Papertwin, filming the ad!
Image by Gary Owens

What a way to end the Summer. On set with a wonderful crew, providing the art department for our first UK TV commercial. The advert will be going live on Saturday and you can see it on More 4, TLC, Really, Food Network and Good Food. We are very excited and after all the hard work put in from our team, everyone involved and especially Kilner, it will be a proud moment to see it gracing some of our favourite channels.

Looking forward to hearing what you all think.

Sophie xxx