Colin Ross is 33 years old and lives in Glasgow.

He is a photographer who slipped into card making by accident.
Colin recalls how cards took over his life!
"I was asked to put together a landscape range for a very well known
English card company.

But when the range received what was called a luke warm response at a trade show, the company pulled the plug!"

Colin was disappointed and decided to do it himself to show people that
his cards would sell.

He set up GreyCard.com and has been concentrating on designing and selling
cards for the last year.

"It's ironic that most of the cards I design and make are not landscapes.
Most of the cards that sell really well for me are flowers and
birthdays... the classics with an art twist."

Colin's ranges are now stocked in an ever increasing number of stores
including The National Galleries and Libraries of Scotland.

He has also received an order through the AIB from a gallery in Norfolk.
"Living in Glasgow and getting my first English order made me feel I had
gone international!

The help and advice I have received from the AIB and it's members has been invaluable. I doubt I would have persisted with card making and selling if not for the amazing top tips and encouragement. It's full of kind people willing to spend time helping others... and mad people having fun!"

Although we think Colin would be the first to admit he is the maddest.

Colin was asked to enter The Henries this year by Progressive Greetings magazine.

"It was amazing! Although I didn't receive a nomination this year, it was
quite an achievement to be asked to enter in the categories of 'best new
young designer' and 'best photographic range'. Especially when you
consider I had not made a card a year ago!"

Colin and his greycard ranges will be entering again next year, and we
wish him every success.

"It would be rather ironic if I was to win an award at The Henries
attended by the company who dropped my range. I'm not bitter in the least.

I'm delighted I got this chance to take my photography in a new direction by
making cards and meeting lots of great people. I just love cards.

I started making cards in 1997 after a serious illness. I have always been an artist but never really found my "niche" having tried everything from painting to calligraphy.

Then I happened upon card making, I found the joy it gave me immense and at last I was able to express myself through my cards.

In November 2002, I happened upon an Artist in business, and became a member. The forum has been great fun and the advice contained within the site has proved invaluable.

I have been perfecting the art over the years and have sold at local craft fairs and in 2003 began selling to exclusive shops.

I love the diversity of designs you are able to achieve with rubber stamping, embossing and decoupage and am always eager to try out new things.