Cards are the best medicine

9:58am Tuesday 8th July 2008

A FORMER television executive, who worked on the ITV Catherine Cookson dramas, was inspired to set up her own handmade greeting cards business while recovering from breast cancer.

Helen Mallon, 51, wanted to send cards to friends and family who had supported her through her illness.

But unable to find appropriate cards she started to make her own.

And now, with the help of Be Enterprising, which offers start-up advice and support to residents of Derwentside, Easington, Sedgefield and Wear Valley, she has turned it into a business.

Magnolia Moon launched on June 1, and the cards, all of which Mrs Mallon produces herself, are available in a number of shops in the region.

Mrs Mallon, from Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham, said: "I worked at Tyne-Tees Television for a lot of years. I was a production co-ordinator on the Catherine Cookson dramas, and then at the BBC in Newcastle for ten years as a personnel officer.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer and that was one of the reasons I left work. I was working long hours and once I was diagnosed I decided I was going to concentrate on getting better.

"Once I started to feel better I decided I would send everyone cards, but couldn't find any nice ones, so I started to make my own.

"I then realised people might be interested in buying the cards, so it sort of snowballed from there."

The married mother-oftwo had started her recovery in 2004 and has spent the intervening years finetuning her business idea.

She said: "I do everything myself. I take a long time because I am such a perfectionist.

"I do not use any mass production techniques or large-scale printing. This means I can provide small runs, fast turnaround and a bespoke greeting card and wedding stationery service at competitive prices."

She was helped with her business idea by an Emerge business advisor appointed by Be Enterprising.

Mrs Mallon added: "Without the help and support of my Emerge business advisor, Gillian Khachikian, and the advice and funding received from Be Enterprising, my business would not be where it is today.

"Gillian has given me all the support I needed to start up my own business, including expert advice and financial support"

Various art mediums are used to produce the range of cards including watercolour, acrylics, pencil sketches, fine beads, wire, leaves, satin/organza ribbon, seed beads and fine crystals.

The cards are made using 100 per cent recycled and unbleached card, solventfree adhesives and envelopes from managed forestry sources.

Shops where the cards can be purchased include Wooly Blue, in Jesmond, The Cornmill, in Hexham, The Fat Quarters, in Blackhall Mill, Acanthus, in Corbridge, and The Glass and Art Gallery, in Consett.

A website will be coming online shortly and to discuss individual orders or designs, contact Mrs Mallon at helen