When we started SheepSheep.co.uk earlier this year we needed a logo pretty quickly so a quick search on Microsoft Clip Art and some Photoshop re-colouring led to the following:

However it was always our intention to create one that better represented our brand.

And so our expert designer (thanks Paula!) set to work at creating completely original logo that wasn't built from images that other people can use and most importantly consisted of sheep wearing sheepskin slippers - which is actually a little bit sick in a way but we'll gloss over that.

A number of design options were created some of which we may actually use in the future, and one stood out amongst them all as best serving our purpose. You can see a selection of our design options below including the final one we used (top right).

We're not quite there yet though - as these were all created using traditional pencil and paper so needed digitising. While it was important we kept the essence of the hand drawn image, it also needed to stand out. The sheep also had scarves on this original drawing which complicated the logo a little so were left out. This was built up gradually in Photoshop; you can see the process below.

This all leads to our final SheepSheep.co.uk logo - as unique as the products we sell! And made in the UK. :)

A while back, Richard spoke to a local website about the sheepskin manufacturing process, explaining all the stages.

This was about 4 years ago as you’ll see, however back then we didn’t have a website or blog so before the piece gets lost in the world wide web we’re going to bring it to your attention!

Unfortunately the images and captions of the sheepskin manufacturing process which were the main point of the story don’t seem to be working but the interview about the business is still up. It’s a bit like reading our SheepSheep About Us page page from a different point of view, sorry!

We’ll try and get those images live again with some captions as it’s helpful for people to see how skin gets from the fields to the wholesaler (us). If that fails we’ll get Richard to write a blog piece about the process – watch this space!

Despite selling classic British countrywear, here at sheepsheep.co.uk we like to keep up with the times too. So today we’ve been experimenting with QR codes (or mobile barcodes) to try and promote our website.

Mobile barcodes as wikipedia will tell you were invented in Japan and enable you to take a photo of them on your mobile phone, and via software on your phone will then redirect you to a website.

Why not just use a web address you ask? Well admittedly this may be a bit of a gimmick but they do encourage people to actually try and take a photo of them just to see what it’s all about. Whearas i know that when i see a web address in an advert i usually just ignore it.

So here’s our SheepSheep.co.uk QR code, print this page now and try it out! You may even be able to take a picture of the screen (although that didn’t work on my phone).

In Japan, most mobile phones have code readers installed when they’re bought but not so over here. There are a number of places where you can download code readers, try NeoReader or BeeTagg.

If you want to try creating your own QR codes, try this free QR code generator.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking for ways we can use these codes, maybe putting on our labels? Stamping onto sheepskins? Sticking to the backs of unsuspecting sheep (no, we wouldn’t do that of course).

Last week we (Richard Sexton & Co) attended Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring at the SECC in Glasgow. We entered our latest product – the 100% wool Aran throw into their ‘Best Product Award’ and were proud to be Highly Commended!

OK, we didn’t win, but we were up against some excellent products with which we were featured alongside in a presentation cabinet at the show entrance. Hopefully we can improve on this next year, watch this space.

Read our competition entry below:

Our Glencroft® throw/blanket in a Celtic pattern is brand new to our range and we’re excited to be launching it at Scotland’s Trade Fair.

We are proud to say that this throw is knitted in the UK from British wool.

You may recognise the Celtic pattern, commonly associated with warm heavy knit winter jumpers. Which is why we thought it would work so well on a throw, so people can feel like they’re wrapped in a favourite pullover whether they’re snuggled in bed or sitting on the sofa watching a DVD on a cold evening.

This is a premium product at an affordable price for sale by craft and gift shops across Scotland – our core customers. It is important for us that we not only sell high quality sheepskin and knitwear but also maintain competitive prices (even against products not made in Britain) to satisfy our customer’s demand.

We know our customers like to get more for their money so we’ve also made this throw enormous – 4’2" by 5’0" (1.27m x 1.52m) – which means for double the warmth you can fold it in half and still have more than enough.

As with all our woollen items, this throw also has a natural ‘wool’ smell – have a sniff!

View more pictures of the throw and get your own to snuggle in.