About Ahoy Designs

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Ahoy has evolved over the years. As you can see below, I started it as a way to sell my guestbooks which I still sell.

Now it’s where my articles go on all things from beauty tips to the latest technology. I love writing, although my grammar is poor (thank you Grammarly!) I try to keep my writing as natural and as close to how I’d speak as I can, but try to make more sense!

I have a full-time job and tend to write in the evenings and weekends. As you’ll see from the article dates, I go through phases of either updating blogs, or writing new ones. It all depends on what I’ve been buying!

I love helping people, which I think is where my love of writing comes from. I’m 37, so I’ve had many years of practice with beauty and makeup products. I like to write about what’s worked and not worked for me. I have small obsessions with things too. Like headphones – I have 3 on rotation!


I started making guestbooks in 2015 (not long after my own wedding) and soon it became more than a hobby – people actually wanted to pay me for a guestbook!

Since 2015 I’ve made guestbooks for couples getting married, engagement parties, christenings, and birthday parties. I’ve written guestbooks which aren’t in my language, so I have no idea what they say. Others have had personalised images on such as swans for a “Mr and Mrs Swan”.

I love adding small touches like that because they raise the bar on personalisation. Plus it makes the customer much happier I’ve done something extra special, just for them.

behind the scenes

I live in Buxton, Derbyshire (where the water comes from) and everything I do, I do it in #AhoyHQ. I live with my Husband and dogs. I have a full time job, so I craft and get orders ready in the evenings and weekends.

I mainly sell online (eBay, this website) but I’ve done a market in Bakewell. That was a great day! I got to meet a lot of people who bought from me. A very different experience than crafting in #AhoyHQ.

All my materials are bought from UK-based suppliers because I believe in shopping local. I have great relationships with them and get the best possible price that I can pass on to my customers.

For my day job, I work in Marketing as a Web Designer. I’ve designed and built the website you’re looking at, so I hope you like it. I’m on my website usually daily, making tweaks here and there to improve it.

If I’m not making guestbooks, I’m doing something else. Usually crafty! I can’t sit still. I have a sewing machine I use to make little bits and also alter clothes.

I’m a vegetarian and actively promote the use of vegan and cruelty-free products in an area I love – make-up and beauty. This is what my blog focuses on so feel free to check it out and get some inspiration to make the change.

me at my sister-in-law’s wedding, signing her guestbook that I made