Niknee Designs, Uralla

20 Apr

Nikki Farthing knows that creating something exceptional takes patience, persistence and confidence in the face of adversity. Thanks to a heady dose of all three, her small business provides custom wedding and business signage, logo design and bespoke cake toppers to people in the New England region and beyond.

What led you to a career in sign making?

I’ve always loved tools, which probably stemmed from being in my dad’s shed from a young age, watching him make stuff. He always encouraged me to use them, to pick them up and see how they worked – now I’ve got a thing about them.

I also have vivid memories of going to the Sydney Royal Easter show with my family. I was 10 years old and remember just standing there, watching the semi-trailers pass by, enamored with their beautifully decorated signs, emblazoned on the side of their carriages. That was it, I asked my mum how I could do that for a living.

At 17, I ended up securing an apprenticeship with a local sign making business where I worked for 16 years. I was also fortunate enough to pursue floristry, another passion of mine, which influences personalised pieces I make the rest of the time.

What drove you to start your own business?

I wanted to do something within the industry of sign writing, but totally differentiate from what people were doing in the area – I wanted to create and offer something more custom.

It started out small in 2012, doing jobs for friends or people I knew ordering bits and pieces, then I started getting messages from people out of town and just grew from there.

What’s your creative process?

For a custom piece, the client might say they want something for a friend who recently had a baby and painted the nursery in certain colours. From there, they usually leave it up to me. I start with an idea and work out a few designs on the computer, figuring out which elements to laser cut that will make it ‘pop’. Then I play around, which is really the best part, and send the designs to the client to proof.

I make everything from scratch, from bespoke signage, engraved timber pieces including cheeseboards and grazing plates, handmade keepsake boxes to wedding items and cake toppers… all custom designed. It means I’m in control of the process from the very start – which is important to me because I can provide the best possible outcome for the customer. I feel very fortunate to do this work. Even after so long, I still have a passion for sign making, I love it.

You were recently diagnosed with MS, could you tell us a bit about that?

I’m happy to talk about it if someone asks, but I made a deal with myself when I was diagnosed three years ago that I wouldn’t dwell on it. Not because I’m embarrassed but rather, if I complain, it feels like I’m letting it take over.

I know it’s okay to say that I’m struggling, and I will ask for help if I need it. I just don’t want it to take up more space in my life than it has to. I want to show my children, and anyone else, that despite challenges like MS, you can still maintain a good work ethic and achieve your goals every day.