Greeting cards. Always a black abyss of choice. Is this one too sentimental for a best mate? Is that one too rude for Aunt Susan? Basically the only rule of thumb you could go by is that if it was a Far Side card, odds were that it was going to go down ok, and you'd also look a bit clever. But as Tarnya Chambers, creator of Loveland Studios, points out on her website, 'most greeting cards suck harder than a hooker that's picked up Charlie Sheen.' A disturbing phrase, but one that is spot on the money. So fortunately, Loveland Studios designs and produces a range of cards, suitable for any occasion. Loveland Studios is the place for the discerning customer who is in the market for a slick, well-designed piece of greeting stationery.

Of course, the words 'design' and 'greeting card' aren't words that most people would leap to associate with each other. The somewhat unusual idea of designing a new range of cards came to Tarnya Chambers after a difficult experience. 'I was running up & down chapel street one day looking for a card for a friends birthday and I couldn't find any that weren't hideous. So, I went home and made one for her instead. The idea started from there.'



Rather than attempting to create a card from scratch, Tarnya was able to draw on her background in design. 'I have been interested in art & design since childhood.  However, I  started a business degree after high school and suffered through that for a year before I transferred to a Bachelor of Visual Communication.  After that I moved to London and worked as a graphic designer for a while before finally landing in Melbourne.'

The response to the cards has been, in Tarnya's words, fantastic. She is stocking at stores across the nation, here in Melbourne and in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. Stores including Husk, Fat 4 and Bimbo have picked up her cards for retail sale. Some of the success may be derived from Loveland Studio's unique take on marketing its product- pointing out on the website, along with the comparison to Mr. Sheen's bedroom habits, that 'when you use lame cards they detract from the gift, making everyone involved feel worthless and dirty. Well, these hideous days have now come to an end! Loveland Studio cards are better than your gift, and won't leave you feeling violated...'

While this is a glowing endorsement in itself, the popularity may also have something to do with the fact that Tarnya's cards are chic and modern on the outside, and can be adapted to any situation that may call for a greeting card.

'All the cards are blank inside, giving people the opportunity to wax lyrical. The designs of the cards are predominantly fun and cheeky pictures that suit birthdays and other magical, happy occasions. They are all blank inside, so they can be used anytime. '



It's an approach that works. The current range of cards is selling well, and a Christmas range is on the way. It's an impressive start, especially when considering that Loveland Studio has only been in operation for just over a year, and that their output isn't limited to cards. 'I also do websites and design for other creatives, including stylists & photographers. '

Running Loveland Studios clearly comes with a fair-sized workload, more so given that it's a solo operation. 'At the moment Loveland Studio is just me, plus I also freelance as a graphic designer. Designing the cards and having  other projects on the go is my creative outlet and  gives me the freedom to produce what ever I feel like.'