The Trove Cambridge

Aim

Cambridgeshire's online creative hub connecting local creatives, creative organisations and the community.

"Hello – I am Stephanie, founder and content curator of The Trove Cambridge. When I moved back to Cambridgeshire in 2013 I was inspired to learn more about the local creative scene and started blogging about my discoveries. Six years later I am incredibly proud to have developed an alternative platform that showcases the work and services of creatives and creative organisations across the county.

February marked the start of a new journey for me personally after making the decision to step away from conventional work in order to focus on my health. This decision brings with it the very exciting opportunity for me to finally pursue my dream of launching The Trove Cambridge as a business venture.

Since first launching my blog in 2013 I have attended and volunteered at an incredible array of creative events and workshops across Cambridgeshire, networking with hundreds of inspirational creatives along the way.

In 2014 I started to use and promote the hashtag #CambsCreativeTreasures on Instagram which has just hit an incredible 10,000 shares! It has been amazing to see hundreds of local creatives and creative organisations from across the county joining in and sharing their work and discoveries with us.

To celebrate hitting this milestone we are running a competition. If you become a backer of this project (before 1pm on Monday 30th March 2020) and pledge any amount from £1 you will be entered for the chance to win a bundle of our new merchandise - find out more here.

In 2018 I launched a trial membership offer inviting local artists, designers and makers to join our #WeAreCambsCreatives collective which saw 70 members sign up in the first year. Last year I looked at ways to grow our online presence and manage an increasing workload – as well as other ways of sharing our message across Cambridgeshire.

I am currently working on a number of exciting projects for 2020 including integrating an online shop, community notice board and forum into the new website. I am also working with our member Dario Fisher to bring about the first issue of #CambsCreativeScene - a magazine which will be distributed to the public and businesses across the county!

You can find out more about my reasons for crowdfunding below and take a look at the rewards available to supporters of this project. Thank you so much for taking a look at my crowdfunding page and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch." — STEPHANIE

Image: The Trove Cambridge illustration commission by Snowtap

TheTroveCambridge.co.uk is Cambridgeshire’s online creative hub connecting local creatives, creative organisations and the community.

We invite you to explore Cambridgeshire's creative scene - whether you are looking to sign up for a creative workshop, attend an upcoming exhibition, find a printing or framing service, or buy a gift from a local artisan, we aim to help you find what it is you are looking for and to spark your curiosity.

• To provide local creatives - professionals, side-hustlers and hobbyists - as well as creative businesses and organisations from across Cambridgeshire an alternative platform to showcase their work and services.
   
• To provide a connection between the local creative community and the wider Cambridgeshire community by promoting the ethos of shopping and supporting local.
   
• To provide residents of and visitors to Cambridgeshire with latest news updates from the creative scene - including upcoming events, exciting opportunities and community interest stories.
   
• To provide an inclusive and supportive network for local creatives and creative organisations through an affordable membership scheme.

Inspired by the amazing talent of creatives across Cambridgeshire - and the work we have discovered through the community #CambsCreativeTreasures feed on Instagram - we are looking to launch a series of 'Treasures Boxes' that will be available to buy via our online shop later this year.

TREASURES BOX LAUNCH

'Books & Bikes' is the first themed limited edition Treasures Box curated by The Trove Cambridge featuring high quality prints and products by local artists, designers and makers from across Cambridgeshire, UK.

Our 'Books & Bikes' box is available as a reward to backers of this crowdfunding campaign for just £40 (including p&p).

This box is a celebration of our beautiful city Cambridge and includes work by local artists Alison Hullyer, Snowtap, Naomi Davies, Lily In Space and Maureen Mace.

WHAT'S INSIDE THE BOX?

• 1 x A6 'Bridge Street Bike' Greetings Card by Alison Hullyer
• 1 x A6 'Tree of Knowledge' Greetings Card by Maureen Mace
• 1 x 'Book Badger' Wooden Pin by Lily In Space
• 1 x 'Bikes' Tea Towel by Alison Hullyer
• 1 x Coaster by Naomi Davies - Various Designs
• 1 x A5 'Blue Tits in the Library' Print by Lily In Space
• 1 x A4 'Snow Leopard Reading' Print by Snowtap

ALISON HULLYER

"Born and bred in Cambridge, only straying to Newcastle for my degree in Graphic Design, I now work full time as a professional printmaker and illustrator. My work is inspired by patterns in nature such as skeletal winter trees, pebbles, seed heads and the birds I see on my daily dog walks. I also incorporate chine-collé, silver leaf and relief printing into some of my drypoint prints. I have a range of cards, coasters and tea towels which I supply to many shops, including Anglesey Abbey, Houghton Mill and Wicken Fen." — ALISON

SNOWTAP

"In early 2016, whilst having a catch-up coffee in Kings Cross, the idea to form a collaborative venture and work for ourselves came about. Less than a month later, we took the plunge and launched Snowtap in Cambridge with two greeting cards. We now have over 60 card designs and are stocked in shops across the UK. We sell our original illustrations at markets and fairs throughout the year, including the All Saints Craft Market in Cambridge every Saturday, and work on bespoke projects for people all over the world. Specialising in watercolour and gouache, line drawing, printmaking and collage, together we create whimsical illustrations, handmade coasters, cards and screen printed apparel, all inspired by the extraordinary natural world." — SUSY & GRACIE

MAUREEN MACE

"I live in Cambridge and spend my time painting and teaching art in my studio. I feel very lucky to be able to pursue my dream and love welcoming people to see my paintings and to inspire others to paint. You can find out about my tuition over at Cambridge Art Classes. The beautiful historic city of Cambridge full of cows, scholars and learning is a huge influence in my work. I add rich night skies, a shining moon, a taste of Medieval Art and this forms the basis for my intricate, detailed, dream like paintings full of stories. The results are magical and slightly surreal." — MAUREEN

NAOMI DAVIES

"Drawing has been a compulsion and a comfort all my life. I had an unusual childhood travelling the world, and drawing was my constant. Once I moved to Cambridge to study history when I was 18, I knew I had finally found my home. Most of my drawing and painting celebrates the beautiful city I feel so lucky to live in. I generally work in pen. I like concise lines and like to record what I see, not what I want to see. It’s there, and my fingers start itching to record it. I think that’s the historian in me. I then use watercolour to add colour and vibrancy to my lines." — NAOMI

LILY IN SPACE

"I’ve been a Cambridgeshire-dweller from the start, having spent the first 18 years of my life in Peterborough. I then spent five years studying for my Physics degree in York, where I decided to set up a small business to keep myself creatively fulfilled during her 3rd year. Not one to stay out of Cambridgeshire for long, I decided to return to the county after graduating, and I now work as a physics consultant in Cambridge. I run my business in my free time, and I love how varied my life has become!" — LILY

#WeAreCambsCreatives is a forward-thinking collective of creative individuals, groups and organisations from across Cambridgeshire, UK.

Membership is available to individuals who are residents of and groups or organisations based in Cambridgeshire (including Peterborough) - as well as those just across the border with a CB or PE postcode.

We are inclusive of professionals, side-hustlers and hobbyists looking to promote their work and services. We welcome new and established members - from yarn-bombers to fine artists.

JOIN TODAY FOR £30

Are you interested in joining? Take advantage of our exclusive offer only available to new members through this crowdfunding project.

Sign-up today for 12 months at just £30 - saving 50% on 2020 Membership Fees (£24 joining fee and £3/month).

You will receive your membership pack by Thursday 30th April 2020 and your membership will go live on 1st May 2020.

MEMBER BENEFITS:

• Member Profile - a page integrated into our website dedicated to showcasing your work and/or services (see an example here)
• Welcome Pack - a membership pack will be sent to you by post with details of how to make the most of your membership
• Social Media Promotion - including an introduction post over on Instagram at @WeAreCambsCreatives
• Content Collaboration - opportunities to promote your work and/or services through blog posts and social media takeovers
• #CambsCreativeScene Directory - active members will be added to a directory listing in our magazine launching in 2020
• Priority Tickets - members will receive priority access to networking events organised by The Trove Cambridge
• Exclusive Offers - from our Community Partners to be announced when available

MEMBERS FACEBOOK GROUP:

You will also receive an invitation to join our members only group on Facebook where we will keep you updated throughout your membership and let you know about opportunities and events. We encourage you to get to know other #WACC members and get involved in the weekly threads. You will also receive access to inspiring content and tips for promoting your work across social media.

EXAMPLE MEMBER PROFILE:

For member profile requirements please see a list here.

If you have any questions about membership then please do get in touch.

Through this exciting crowdfunding opportunity with Natwest and Crowdfunder as part of their Back Her Business campaign and Bring It 2020 competition we can get access to matched grant funding of £500 and we are also in for the chance of winning a prize of between £2,020 and £10,000 to invest in this business venture.

5 REASONS FOR CROWDFUNDING

YOUR SUPPORT

There are many ways you can support this project! You can donate any amount from £1 or select from one of our fantastic rewards which range from £5 to £150.

If you are not able to contribute financially but love the sound of what we are doing then please consider sharing this page with your friends, family, colleagues and followers.

REWARDS

As well as our 'Books & Bikes' Treasures Box which is available to backers for £40 (saving you up to 15% on the prints and products included) - and our great offer for joining our #WeAreCambsCreatives collective - you can also choose from one of the following rewards:

Virtual High Five - £5

Pledge £5 and you will receive:

• A thank you shout-out on Facebook & Twitter!

Thank You Postcard - £10

Pledge £10 and you will receive:

• A thank you postcard in the mail, plus
• A thank you shout-out on Facebook & Twitter!

Happy Mail - £20

Pledge £20 and you will receive:

• 1 x A5 Print of ‘Blue Tits in the Library’ by Lily In Space
• 1 x A6 Greetings Card of ‘Snow Leopard Reading’ by Snowtap
• 1 x A6 Greetings Card of ‘Bikes’ by Alison Hullyer, plus
• A thank you shout-out on Facebook & Twitter!

'Books' Treasures Bundle - £25*

Pledge £25 and you will receive:

• 1 x A6 'Snow Leopard Reading' Greetings Card by Snowtap
• 1 x A6 'Tree of Knowledge' Greetings Card by Maureen Mace
• 1 x 'Book Badger' Wooden Pin by Lily In Space
• 1 x A5 'Blue Tits in the Library' Print by Lily In Space, plus
• A thank you shout-out on Facebook & Twitter!

*Includes P&P - UK Shipping Only. For US Shipping please add £5 to your pledge. For Worldwide Shipping please contact us for pricing.

'Bikes' Treasures Bundle - £25*

Pledge £25 and you will receive:

• 1 x A6 'Bridge Street Bike' Greetings Card by Alison Hullyer
• 1 x A6 'Bikes' Greetings Card by Alison Hullyer
• 1 x Coaster by Naomi Davies - Various Designs
• 1 x 'Bikes' Tea Towel by Alison Hullyer, plus
• A thank you shout-out on Facebook & Twitter!

*Includes P&P - UK Shipping Only. For US Shipping please add £5 to your pledge. For Worldwide Shipping please contact us for pricing.

We are looking for sponsorship from local businesses to enable us to launch our first issue of #CambsCreativeScene - a magazine that will be distributed to the public and local businesses across Cambridgeshire.

We are excited to be working on this project with one of our members - Cambridge-based illustrator, graphic designer and printmaker Dario Fisher.

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE

Are you a local business based in Cambridgeshire? We have a great sponsorship package available for just £150 through this crowdfunding campaign which includes: 

• A half-page advertisement in the first issue of our A5 magazine (2000+ copies to be distributed across the county)
  
  
• Two months free leaderboard advertising on our website (thetrovecambridge.co.uk) and your business logo added to our website footer for 12 months (with a clickable link)
  
  
• A shout-out on our blog and across our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn)
  
  
• Your business logo included on marketing material to be sent out in our new members packs and within the ‘Books & Bikes’ Treasures Box (plus mentions in our e-newsletter)

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us via the website contact form or email to: [email protected]

YOU CAN FIND US ON:

• Facebook: @thetrovecambs
  
  
• Twitter: @thetrove_cambs
  
  
• Instagram: @thetrove_cambridge / @cambscreativetreasures / @wearecambscreatives
  
  
• LinkedIn: The Trove Cambridge / Stephanie Stott
  
  

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?

This project successfully funded on 8th April 2020