14th Birthday February Release - Introducing... Stencil Layering Retro Rainbow

Happy Wednesday.

Welcome to day 2 of the 14th Birthday February Release Introductions. Today myself and the Uniko Brand Ambassadors are introducing a new retro layering stencil. And I think you are going to love this one as much as the Stencil Layering Retro Lines. 

Introducing Stencil Layering Retro Rainbow.

Let's have a look at it in action... 

Anita

Bev

Izzy

Julie

Natalie

Steph

Vinita

This stencil is going to bring SO much colour to your crafting, I hope you love it as much as I do. 

Thank you for joining us today and I hope you come back tomorrow for the next product introduction. All the products being introduced will be available at 9am GMT Saturday 28th February 2026. 

Crafty Hugs

 

Brand Ambassador Inspiration - Mid Century Modern Birthday

 Good morning all, 

Steph here today wishing Uniko a Happy 14th Birthday and taking us on an MCM journey using Uniko Mid Century Modern Birthday stamp set. 

I stamped a series of boxes across the bottom of the card and added the outline, ribbon and bow details using darker shades of ink. Following this I added the stamped sentiment.

For my second card I wanted to use more of the smaller stamps in the set and instead of using the stamps as presents I created a pattern for either end of the card. I stamped the sentiment in the middle and them in filled with a few more of the smaller stamps.

And finally, although this is a birthday post, I couldn't resist creating a Christmas card as the idea had brewed in my head as I was creating the two previous cards! My Christmas present 'tree' is topped of with a lovely bow and the sentiment is from the Uniko Simply Said Blocks Christmas stamp set (but now I think about it, it could also be a birthday card for a Dec birthday!). 

I hope you are enjoying the Uniko birthday celebrations this month and have had time to join in the fun Linky Party here. 

Keep an eye out for a new release later in the month too.

Much love

Steph x

Celebrating 14 Years - Throwback Thursday

 

Happy Thursday. 

I thought it would be fun to do a little Throwback to where it all began. There are a few new to Uniko followers and customers, so you might not know much about the beginnings of this little company. 

First up, I'm Bev. I am the owner and designer of all things Uniko. I wear all the hats here in the studio, from designer, customer service, picker packer and everything in between. I absolutely LOVE everything I do. 

I especially love meeting lovely customers at shows and crafting with them at Uniko Stamping Retreats. It can often feel a little isolating working alone, but it can also be very rewarding and I am proud of what I have achieved in 14 years. 

Ok, so where did it begin...

Back in 2005 I started a BA (Hons) in Textiles & Surface Design. Though the course concentrated more on drawing, sewing and printing across fashion, interiors and the gift industry. I saw more and more links and associations with the paper crafting industry. In 2008 my mother died suddenly and my whole world turned upside down, I was close to quitting everything, including my degree. However, I decided that life was too short and instead of quitting the degree I quit nursing and concentrated my efforts into the degree. It was in my final 2 years that the idea of Uniko was born.

 

It was during those 2 years that I concentrated my designing towards stamps, patterned papers and developing my business idea. Here are a few of drawings from those two years which inspired my first 2 clear stamp sets and continue to inspire my designs today. 

So, after all that back in February 2012 on Saturday 11th, Uniko Studio (which it was called then) was open for business.

So how the name Uniko come about?

I am a HUGE fan of Marimekko a Finnish design company and at Uni I was known as 'Marimekko Girl' by a number of my tutors! 

One of my all time favourite designs that can be found on various items around the house is by Maija Isola and is called Unikko, seen below.

So partly in homage to my favourite design, memories of going to Finland with my mother and wanting to be 'unique' compared to many of the UK stamp companies/designs that we current when I began the name & company Uniko was born.

I started small launching just 2 clear stamp sets (which are now retired, they may make a reappearance one day as trends change).

After 14 years so much has happened and changed not only with how Uniko has changed, developed and grown with now over 300 products available on the website. But so much has happened to me too, I have got married, have two beautiful children, moved house, started taking Uniko to paper craft shows, running Uniko workshops and more recently collaborating on workshops AND with all that YOU my friends, loyal customers, blog readers and social media followers have stuck by me and helped me to keep going and to enjoy bringing you (in small amounts) products to use in your love for paper crafting. 

It really does bring me so much joy each time I see a new customer order and a huge grin on my face when I see a card or project around blog land and social media with Uniko products used on it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you that makes this happen. 

And because we all need a little card inspiration, I chose a trio of my favourite cards made with these two original clear stamp sets.

I started with these two stamp sets because I wanted to bring more creative masculine products to make cards like the above. 

But of course they had to have a floral twist too...

Thank you for hanging in there with such a LONG post. But before I go today I have a question....

If you could choose a retired Uniko clear stamp set/s to return, which would it be? 

Crafty Hugs

Uniko's 14th Birthday Card Linky Party.

 

Today is officially Uniko's 14th Birthday. 

This day 14 years ago I opened the website with the launch of two clear stamp sets. And the rest they say, is history. 

Usually I start things off with the Birthday Card Linky Party. This year I thought I would switch it up and have the party start today. 

Simply create a birthday card using any Uniko products (current, retired or digital) and link up in the linky below. More details are at the end of the post including the prize.

Now, lets have a look at the inspiration...

Anita

Bev

Izzy

Julie

Natalie

Steph

Vinita

WOW! So much inspiration and it's always fun for me to see what Uniko products the Brand Ambassadors choose to use for their cards. 

There is plenty of time to join in on the fun.

The deadline for submission is 23:59 (GMT) on Sunday 8th March 2026.

 Prize - £25 eGift Certificate 

Open Worldwide

Party Rules

Use Uniko Products Only*.

No back linking. Linked cards/projects must be new.

Maximum Entries 3 Per Person.

*If you don't own any physical Uniko products you are welcome to use THESE FREE Uniko Digital images to create your card. 

Don't use social media or have a blog to upload your card & link from? 

No worries. Just drop me an email bev@uniko.co.uk titled Uniko 14th Birthday with a photo and I will upload for you.

Winners will be chosen by Brand Ambassador votes and will be announced on Wednesday 11th March 2026, along with all the winners. 

Crafty Hugs

Add Your Birthday Cards Below...

Brand Ambassador Birthday Inspiration Cards!

 Hello everyone!

Happy Friday!

Vinita here, We are celebrating Uniko's 12th Birthday this month! Bev has so many surprises this month with some new releases, blog hops, and giveaways as well! So keep an eye on all upcoming events!

I made two Birthday cards with CAS style to celebrate this fab Birthday month!!

I have used the Background blocks Mid-Century Modern II design on a grey panel. I love this background block, it is so cool!

This is a great retro design for creating a card in one go. I heat-embossed the design using Wow Primary Ebony EP. I colored the semi-circle blocks using my Chameleon pens. Adhered that panel to another black panel on a grey card base.

The birthday sentiment completes the design from the Up & away stamp set.

Now my other card has some shimmery touch in pastel colors.

The white pearl embossing powder looks so well on this textured white paper. Again colored the semi-circle blocks using Chameleon pens. Adhered the white panel to shimmery peach CS and again on a textured white card base. The sentiment is from the Mid-Century Modern Frames set.

Simple card but perfect for celebrations! I hope you feel inspired to make some Birthday cards.

If you missed any Feb month posts at Uniko, here is the link to visit and comment to win a special giveaway Bev is offering!

Happy crafting!

Let The Celebrations Begin 🎉

 

Hello February & Happy Thursday 😃

This month at Uniko we are Celebrating Twelve Years 🎉 all month long. I've planned lots of inspiration, fun giveaways & creative competitions. PLUS we have a Brand New Release 👏🏻

Today I am kicking things off with a little Throwback Thursday, looking back at year eleven and a few things you may or may not have missed. 

In year eleven Uniko released 18 new clear stamp sets...

Six Stencil Designs, three of which are unique and innovative. And we had one new Designer Die Collection. 

Along with all these new products I stepped out of my comfort zone and explored some new avenues and collaborations. 

In May 2023 the Exclusive Uniko Picked Posies Collection with CraftStash was launched and is still currently available HERE.

And to top that The Uniko Papercraft Society Box was launched in November on subscription and is now available to purchase as a stand alone box HERE.

I know I haven't shared much about this fun box of goodies, I have been meaning to do a YouTube video, so be on the look out over the next couple of days for that. But for now, how about a card using some of the collection...

Now, if you've been around here for previous Uniko Birthday celebrations, you'll know that it is a month full of fun and of course, lots of giveaways. 

Today's giveaway is a Uniko Papercraft Society Box for one lucky comment winner. Simply leave a comment on this post or any of todays social media posts (Instagram/Facebook) by midnight GMT 29th February 2024. Winners for todays prize and all the upcoming ones will be announced Monday 4th March 2024.

Before I go today, I just want to say THANK YOU 🥰 

Thank you for supporting Uniko, for your love, comments, support and purchases. Everything helps to keep my dream alive and moving forward. I appreciate you all ❤️

Crafty Hugs