Valentine Etsy Treasury

Thank you jennyhoople for highlighting Bertie Bear in this lovely treasury!

Sam Battersby

Ziggy's been wandering the world (this week in Australia) meeting great and interesting artisans and he's been chatting to Sam aka Matou en Peluche who's principally herself, chief artist, illustrator and drawing machine! 


Also greatly assisted by a partner who's a technical genius and all round good guy - Matou en Peluche means Plush Tomcat and under this banner produces original drawings, cards, posters, prints and badges.

Sam's been drawing and making things enthusiastically since whenever.  Favourite thing is to spend the day drawing - preferably lovely looking girls - drinking cups of tea and listening to music.  She thinks she's a bit of a closet hermit!  So here's the questions Sam .........

Why do you do what you do?

I've always enjoyed making and creating! I've worked in many different mediums, oils, clay, decoupage e.t.c. but I always come back to drawing. I think I like the absolute control you get with a pencil in your hand! I also find the actually process both rewarding and very relaxing.

Do you work in silence or music blasting or ......?

When I'm initially nutting out an idea, silence. If I've got the basics down and am doing the final bits then a bit of music never goes astray!

What's your routine before you create ?

My routine is I don't have one - it's all a bit in the lap of the gods!

Who's your favourite designer / artist / musician or song at the moment?

I'm very inspired by Mad Men actually at the moment. I'm watching season 4 episode by episode on I-tunes and it's just the best thing since sliced bread in my opinion!

Chocolate or cheese?

Cheese most definitely! Preferably brie, camembert, jarlsberg or blue castello!



What is your PLAN B?..

I teach English as a second language to students from overseas.

What have you learned about being a creative?

I've learned that you must above all be patient and persevere.

Who do you think Ziggy should interview next?

Golly! I think it's interesting reading about anyone who's creating!

Any advice for him ...

Stay cute!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions and I wish Sam lots of success and happiness in everything he does!  I'm jealous - Australia is beckoning me too - maybe next year!!!

My Etsy Shop

My Blog

My Website

ziggy and friends card pack

Set of fun animal cards available for sale - make up your own selection of four and they are ideal for any occasion - birthdays, parties, get well.  Available at 'ziggy's shop

kirsty cat christmas cards with gold sparkle star & tartan bow

Kirsty Cat gets the gold star treatment for the new range of Christmas cards - there's 4 types of star cards to choose from.  Kirsty Cat has treated herself to a lovely new tartan ribbon bow too!  Available for sale here - Etsy

sparkling stars cards

Some embellished 'bertie bear' sparkling stars cards I've designed for Christmas and other happy events! Now available in 3 designs - line star, big star and little star at ziggy's shop

toy cars

An idea I've been working on from Ziggy's dungarees and the animal collages I did - from a vintage packaging paper I had saved for many many years.  So I'm going to put it up on Etsy as a blank greeting's card - perhaps I'll do a girlie one.....

'all things Scottish' range

A lot of my friends have been asking me to make cards from my Scottish project so here they are folks! And now available from ziggy's shop (well, as soon as I get them uploaded!)

scottie dog

The 'Scottie Dog' is born and is available soon from Etsy in the form of a blank greeting's card!

baby zebra card

Another little animal is born! This baby zebra is now available from ziggy's shop - I've started working on a baby lion so we'll see how I get on with that as I'm still tweaking the face and the profile ...

scottish theme card pack

'kirsty cat' and the yummy Scottish theme cards are now available as a set of 3!  So why not pop over to ziggy's shop and buy some!!

'bertie bear' cards

Been working on some new cards for the shop - no problems with the printer (thank goodness).  I'm thinking of making some badges as I've got an idea for party badges so I just need to get a badge maker!! Any one know someone???

kirsty cat and bertie bear cards

A lot of people have been asking me to design cards so here's the start of a new range. Ideal for any occasion these fun, quirky, contemporary cards will suit all ages and make them smile! Selection available from the new ziggy and friend's shop

'kirsty cat' porridge poster

"Kirsty Cat sends her love to you with a bowl of Scott's Porridge Oats" !?!
'Kirsty Cat' gets stuck into a traditional Scottish breakfast - porridge! It's the only way to start the day.  I got a lovely response to 'all things Scottish' and I have a couple more illustrations that I'll be completing before I put 'Kirsty Cat' posters to bed. This should be up on Etsy quite soon.

kirsty cat and the chocolate teacake print

'Kirsty Cat sends her love to you with a chocolate teacake' can be bought on Etsy

A series of illustrations developed with my love of all things quintessentially Scottish. Kirsty Cat came from creating Bertie as I decided he needed a wee Scottish girlfriend who just loves all the naughty food I was brought up on when I was young.

The illustration of Kirsty and the Tunnock's chocolate teacake were hand drawn starting off with lots of pencil sketches and finalised using fine line pens and then coloured using my computer.  If you've never had a teacake you have to try one - they are sweet, creamy and delicious!

all things Scottish illustration

Almost at the end of this for a while and now I have these to play with I'll start on drawing up Kirsty Cat now for the posters I intend to do - it's been fun!

irn bru poster

Fresh off the drawing table, Bertie's Scottish girlfriend gets in on the act but decides on pinching only Scottish items!  She doesn't have a name yet but I was considering Kirsty... what do you think?  This will become an A4 poster and possibly some badges... not sure yet.  Any comments much appreciated.

'bertie steals a .... kiss' poster

Meet Bertie - he's always up to naughty but nice things and here you catch him stealing a kiss to send to you! The poster is A4 which I think will be perfect for framing. Pop over to Etsy to buy one!

All images copyright by we3 collective. Copyright does not transfer with the sale of this artwork.

the first ziggy

And here's my first print of Ziggy.  He's almost 2 years old and sucks his thumb (which he's not that bothered about)! He's a little shy but has a few friends that I"ll introduce to you all over the next few weeks.  If you choose to send Ziggy as a greetings card, don't forget to tell the lucky person you send it to to keep it afterwards and then get it framed.

This is a limited illustration print run of only 40 and will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Each illustration will be numbered, signed, titled and dated on the front in pencil. Size of card front - 12.5 x 17.5 cm (5 x 7 inches) I print my reproductions with gorgeous Epson inks on smooth bright white card.

Ziggy will be safely placed unfolded (with an envelope) inside a rigid acid free clear sleeve and be carefully packaged into an unbending mailer for shipping.  Pop over to Etsy to buy

All images copyright by we3 collective. Copyright does not transfer with the sale of this artwork.