Jill, Hamish and Alan received this message from Carshalton High Street’s Calladoodles which may be of interest to Carshalton residents…

Christmas is coming and it’s a busy time for the team at award-winning gift shop Calladoodles in Carshalton. But they’re not just busy preparing for the festive season, they’re also celebrating the unprecedented success of their very own ‘celebrity’ artist, Helena Vaughan, whose bestselling vintage posters of local scenes have proven such a hit, they’re selling faster than she can deliver them!

Helena’s colourful collection celebrating Carshalton through the seasons has been selling like hotcakes ever since making its debut at unique concept store Calladoodles, which champions independent designers, makers and publishers. Helena designed the images after Calladoodles’ founder and manager Clare Callanan bought her a calendar of vintage posters for Christmas last year and (over a glass of wine!) suggested she create a Carshalton in Winter poster. Helena quickly got to work on conceiving her masterpiece, delivered her design, and within just five minutes of the first stunning picture being placed in the shop window it was snapped up and her hot-off-the-press prints began flying off the shelves!

“I revamped a view that I’d previously done of Carshalton High Street and bingo! I thought I might sell just a few and so wasn’t at all prepared for the demand – it took me completely by surprise,” explains Carshalton resident and sixth form art teacher Helena, who, along with her husband Neal, also an art teacher, has been exhibiting in the area since moving here over 10 years ago.

“I’ve been constantly amazed by the feedback about my artwork. I knew this was an area to be proud of and this is the proof that the locals here love where they live,” Helena continues. “I’m so proud to live here myself and phenomenally proud that my designs are on the walls of so many local homes. Calladoodles have been great in supporting me. They listen to their customers and, together, we try to deliver what they need.”

The exclusive series of timeless designs, reminiscent of a romantic bygone age, was inspired by vintage transport posters, encouraging travel to places of interest and beauty to escape the increasing urban sprawls. Helena’s bestselling poster set is available in framed or unframed prints and boasts spring, summer and autumn editions, while the winter version is set for a re-release next week. The coveted Carshalton prints illustrate the high street at its very best, looking down to All Saints Church, past Calladoodles itself, displaying different colours for each changing season. A brand new, much-requested design, Carshalton 4 Seasons will celebrate a year of posters.

“We’re very proud to showcase Helena’s work here at Calladoodles,” says Clare. “We’re exclusive stockists for her designs in the area and are overrun with interest and orders for her work… so much so there’s now a waiting list for her prints!”

Alongside the vintage-style posters for Carshalton, Helena’s Beddington and Wallington By Bus Or Rail posters, greeting cards and postcards are also selling fast, and keep an eye out for her new special edition Christmas card collection, due in store in December, featuring a delightful night-time, snowy view of Carshalton high street illuminated with Christmas lights.

Beautiful boutique-with-a-twist Calladoodles plays an important, credible role in the community, working closely with local and regional small businesses to provide high-quality, unique gifts with a focus on affordable, cutting-edge design. As a specialist in top-quality cards and paper products, the stunning shop and popular community hub recently received a prestigious national award for ‘Best Non-Specialist Independent.

Retailer of Greeting Cards’ at The RETAS 2015, which celebrate the very finest greeting card retail stockists in the UK.

Clare and her team are currently working on their famous, dazzling winter wonderland window display, which never fails to enchant passersby. As your one-stop-shop for the best of British giftware, décor and cards, the shop is already bursting with baubles and other sparkling decorations, stocking fillers, secret Santa gifts and gorgeous luxury items. “As always, we try to offer a selection of Christmas products that customers won’t find elsewhere,” Clare continues, “encouraging people to shop local!”