Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Starting to build back up






I have been busy tidying my study and getting back into working on my art. Thought I would share a few things i love from etsy, things I would buy when i sell my next item:


This wonderful picture can be found here. I just love the expression the bird has and the colours, well done mincingmockingbird.










This wonderful picture can be found here.



It is just so fab in the monochrome. Nice work Sophiac.






















How much am I lovin this necklace by Surly found here. It is everything i like, birds, purple, silver and the rock chick look.















And lastly a fabulous pair of earrings. Found here.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Finally some making

It has been a while since I have been able to face making anything. But at the end of last week I started again. These are bags that have been placed as custom orders.












Thursday, July 24, 2008

mmmm

i have had a good week of selling things non shop based but etsy is still not selling after the first initail flurrish.
I think i need to do something radical, with my making and other things. Think i need a change, voluntary work, teacher exchange something completely different. To try and get the joy back.
Need to go and investiagte.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Trying out new ideas

Today i have been trying to make a drawing string bag that isnt lined. Couldnt find anything in the books i own, typical. So i have created my own.

I have also been listening to Bodyrox - Yeah Yeah and Wiley -Wearing my rolex. Been kinda dancing around whilst making. Must becareful with the scissors!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

More photographs

I have been busy clearing up the house, making up for the last few weeks where all i have done is make things. But I also found some time to take some photographs.
The neighbours cat who keeps visiting:One of my new bags with hand goccoed peacock design.
Flower in my garden - what a great colour.
Another new bag I have made using the peaccock design.
Ah yes, where all the magic happens, my study.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Interesting Times

Still had no sales on etsy but my head is clearer. Been a strange week though. Had a great morning at a wood fair, all things to do with wood funnily enough. Beautiful birds of prey there. Had to take some photographs.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

New bags and bits



I must restock my shop. I have made many things but seem to be running out of steam with etsy. Think it is because I haven't had a sale for 2 months. Thing is I have got lots of orders and sales elsewhere so there is no reason for me to feel bothered by this, but I still do. My head is in many places at the moment. Winding down for the summer, getting ready for September. Thinking about life in general, do I be sensible or go crazy, splash out, save for things to come, go with my gut feeling, think ahead, weigh up everything????? Arrr tooooo many choices, someone to tell me the answers would be good. Only good thing is the doodles that have come from this pondering.


Here are a few of them. Maybe things will come clear if I don't overthink them. Doing the right thing from a choice of 2 right things is impossible. How can you choose.


Making side of things - My cards using my Gocco turned out fantastically and I sold quite a few at the fair.

Monday, July 07, 2008

I am back

I had a wicked weekend at the Mighty Boosh festival. Here are some photos. Now I shall start to restock my shop.







Thursday, July 03, 2008

Shop shut for the weekend

I have shut my etsy shop for the weekend as I am going to a have a stall at a fair and then restock it with lots of new goodies. Also off to a one day festival - whooh the Mighty Boosh. I can't wait. There will be photos, new bags and special offers at the beginning of next week. Feeling pretty chipper.

Heres a few sneaky peak photos and new bags:

Sunday, June 29, 2008

I am in love

I am in love with my Gocco printer. Spent several very happy hours this afternoon printing on fabric and paper with my Gocco. I created 2 new images with the special pens to print with, plus I revived one that been wrapped up in the fridge for about a month. Tried one of the master screens to use with fabric like a screen print rather than the machine. Was a little sceptical to begin with but actually gives a great deal of flexibility. The peacock I drew is my new favourite image and I have printed it on a range of fabrics ready for many hours of sewing.


Really love using embossing powder on the greeting cards whilst the ink is still wet, gives such a fantastic effect.


Been making for almost the entire weekend and I can only seem to work well in a mess.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Rush job

Wow, must be getting better at making bags, was able to do a rush order for someone. We had a memeber of staff retire on Friday and on Wednesday I was asked to make her a bag to remind her of Devon when she moved to Spain. Good luck in Spain Stephanie. I managed it, got nothing else done though for 2 evenings but I feel pleased with the results.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Wow, time goes past again so fast

FInally finished the commissioned bag I was making for someone on the theme of Dartmoor.

I am very pleased with how it has turned out. I was hoping work was going to quiten down so i could spend more time making but this does not seem to be happening. ONly 4 weeks till the end of term now. Running a stall at a local summer fair in 2 weeks, need to pull my finger out and finish the things I have been making. Less talk and more action I thinks. Any way here is the finished product:


Sunday, June 08, 2008

New Books

Today I am going to blog about some new books I have recently got, I am rarely disappointed by books, I could live in a library, however these ones are particularly good.



The first one is: The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are.

I agree the title does make it sound a little corny however it has been very reassuring and encouraging. It contains little mini tasks to do, to get the juices flowing. I found this at just the right time, feeling fed up that nothing has sold in my shop for a month, even though I have had lots of private orders. It is helping to keep me focused on doing things because I love them not to sell. I shall share the results as soon as I have some. Bought a new sketch book yesterday especially.


Book 2: Painted Quilt: Paint and Print Techniques for Colour on Quilts


Wow, it is so imspiring. I have no other books quite like this one. Lots of ideas and quite hard core quilts, no chintz in sight. It really spoke to me. Simple things like applying colour after working on the fabric. Really recommend this to anyone who likes working on fabric and feels like moving their direction.






Book 3: Altered Photo Artistry


Another massive, wow. If you have photoshop or photoshop elements there is loads of really sound advice in here on things to do with it. Within 5 minutes of owning the book I was on the computer and doing a new thing with my pictures and I thought I knew quite a bit already. If you don't have these programmes, good news the book comes with a CD that contains a trial version. I would describe it as a step by step book, but I would say it takes you through the whole process of using your photos on fabric with stitching. Already planning a project using the ideas. Another book with ideas in I have not come across before.

I am a going to be busy playing with all the new ideas I have read over the week end. No more books for a while now so that I can really get into these. Off to finish a commissioned bag inspired by Dartmoor, pictures coming soon.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

New bag

I have finished one of the bags that I had been commissioned to make. It uses an altered image of honeysuckle, which can be seen here. I am very pleased with how it turned out as it is a different shape from what I have made before and the longest handle so far. Very pleased with the slider bars I bought from meowcraft, she is a great seller I would recommend her highly.

Almost run out of this material and as it was from a Laura Ashley curtain it has been difficult to get more, have tried. Managed to find something similar though. Hope to make another similar to this for my shop.