Well its been ages since the last GG blog. To be honest I've been too busy to spend time on't t'internet blogging, but needs must and whilst 10 Payroll Union album covers engrave away I might as well do a bit of what needs to be done. Mainly bragging about how well things are going!

The glasses caddy on the right is one of the few bits of product development I've had time to do. Normally these come with space for 4 glasses, but how often do you invite 3 folks around then a fourth shows up? Now your sorted. Bottle of nice wine with all your glasses in one hand and your posh cheese board in the other.

I've also been working with local businesses such as Spinning Disks on Chesterfield Rd engraving their fine new album dividers. A tricky job as they already had the dividers made and I had to register the lettering carefully in the tabs at the top then add the logo. Scary as one mistake and a whole set is destined for the bin!

Now that Hybrid Studios where I am based is fully open, I have been involved with sorting out the studio signage (when I get time!). We've got the loo and studio 3 (or is it 1) fully signed up.

Coasters and coaster box gift sets seem to be going down well with clients as diverse as cafes rugby clubs and individual bespoke wedding gift orders coming thick and fast.

Well the Easter hols have come and gone. With one thing and another its been a busy old time at Gilman Graphics Towers. Taken delivery of new industrial chiller unit from the nice chaps at www.justaddsharks.co.uk. Very nice folk to deal with and now the laser can run at full production levels without worrying about over heating. 
Just delivered a batch of cool coffee mug coasters to Cafe#9 in Sheffield along with a nifty dispenser. They seem to be going down quite well judging by the number of folks saying they want to nick one. This week has also been an interesting one involving some cool collaboration work with a Sheffield based graphic designer and artist to rework some of his nice designs in engraved wood. More on that if it pans out.
The arrival of summer has also meant the revival of the mountain bike season. Things didn't go so well first trip out. A promising ride in the Clwydian range of hills in North Wales turned into a nightmare carry fest! Fortunately two chilled rides back in the Peak put that hideous memory to bed.

Danny MacAskill, world famous trials rider and maker of cool YouTube films comes to ShAFF and shows us all his films in the open air Cityscape cinema. Along the way he obliges with a bit of ShAFF publicity with one of my signs. Donated to ShAFF by Gilman Graphics. This cropped up all over the place during the weekend.
Since ShAFF Gilman Graphics has been getting loads of interesting enquiries for work from Woodland trusts wanting Treasure chests engraving with woodland flora and fauna to cd shaped business cards for DJs. Looking forward to getting on with it. In the meantime its onwards with the ShAFF peoples choice award trophy design...

Well ShAFF has come and gone. As have nearly 400 of the ShAFF key rings I made and over 40 cool laser-cut business cards. It was a fantastic weekend for a number of reasons. Firstly it was great to be involved volunteering at the event and catching some great showings along the way.
Secondly, the key rings went down a storm with loads of interest in what we do. Fielded two enquiries already. Highlight for me was sitting in the sun in T-shirt for the first time this year enjoying Danny MacAskill's Q&A session while we watched all his amazing Bike stunt videos.

I am really grateful to ShAFF and Matt at Heason Events for all the exposure this weekend has generated. In the ten years that ShAFF has been going it has developed into lots more than just another Adventure Film Festival.

Once the post late night finishes malaise has worn off I now need to get working on a sample pack to send out to potential clients. Busy! Busy!

Now off to set up Twitter for apparently one is nothing without a Twitter account these days!

Follow me @gilmangraphics if you haven't anything better to do!

A couple more products added to the rolling gallery. These are my business cards cut from 1.5mm birch ply. Not cheap, but they really stand out in a wallet full of dog-eared standard card affairs.

Working on new designs for coasters for a local cafe. The move to plush new premises looks like it will be happening within a couple of weeks. Looking forward to taking up residence at Hybrid3studios. Should be a really cool place to work with loads of creative stuff happening. Not far from the Brothers Arms pub either. Not that I'll have time to drink...

British No1 and World No2 bouldering champion Shaunna Coxsey shows off her winners medal at this years CWIF (Climbing Works International Festival). Medals manufactured by Gilman Graphics at short notice and delivered ahead of schedule. Enjoyed the competition. Some very strong folks on show. Maybe next year I can make the trophies too instead of that standard looking cup.

Its been a hectic couple of weeks for the fledgling Gilman Graphics. Things seem to be taking off rather faster than I thought. If you are reading this then you will obviously realise that I've finally got round to sorting the website out. Its not the all singing, all dancing Wordpress job that I intended to do, but just haven't had the time to sit down and learn it so this is one hosted by Weebly.com. Its simple, but should do the job until I can get around to making something a little more professional.

Well it's two days to go until S.H.A.F.F. hits the Showroom again. This year they are celebrating 10 years of the event. They have 400 of my birch ply SHAFF key rings to give away. Look for them in the neato Gilman Graphics designed dispensers.