Design Totally Rocks!

My dream bed

2011-11-29T03:40:00.001-08:00

When I close my eyes tonight I'm going to dream that I'm sleeping here

japanese hand printed papers

2011-11-24T01:58:00.000-08:00

I'M hearting these papers. Hand printed using ancient Japanese methods. They're from the paper store. Check it out pattern lovers!

Beaut!

A belated valentines...

2011-02-16T05:04:00.000-08:00

Hello friend, I love you...
..I hope one day you will be mine.

I’m dreaming about camping out in you with the gang.
we could go to Marbury park...
...we’d wake up in you, make coffee then go for a swim...
perhaps we could have a bbq then a walk too...

in the winter we could go for a nice drive , then a walk
then make hot choc and bacon sandwiches for lunch
((SIGH))

These two single things...

2011-01-19T20:09:00.000-08:00

Are the reason I am pretty much out of the blogosphere, i may reorbit at some time in the coming years. It's actually 4am and this is practically the only time I'll ever have to blog!!

My new range is out this week, the biz hangs in there whilst my darling bubs occupy any other free time I may have. And who knew that I'd have a gorgeous baby number 3 who's a worse sleeper and takes the record of all 3 of my insomniac children - thank god the other 2 sleep now. The record last week being 13 wakes in one night. There's almost no point sleeping!

So toodle pip people, look out for me - I'm the designer asleep on my keyboard at 3pm with a baby on my knee. (still she's as cute as a button so it's worth it!!)
xx

Hungarian folk vintage xmas cards

2010-11-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

What's that you say?....folk, red, vintage, hang on ....there's a running theme here!
How GORGE are these cards I found from Etsy shop Found Vintage Style based in Toronto. Check out their other scrumptious items too.

My Venn Diagram

2010-11-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

If my dream lifestyle were a venn diagram this is what it would look like. I was thinking about current trends and desires and this is what I reduced it down to, it's a kind of thick stock, a gravy of my woodland dreams....

.....Ok I'll shut up now as I'm turning into captain random. I'm off to bed to dream about tree houses, open fires, guitars and owls...zzzzzzzzzz.

guitary thing love..

2010-11-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

I'm busy designing my new range (in my sleep) so sifting through billions of images on t' web when I came across this beauty.....I don't know what the hell this is but i LOVE it.

It ticks all the boxes:

Red - Check
Folky - Check
Vintage- Check

I just wish I knew what it was or how to play it - any ideas?

P.s Creating makes me sooo happy - Just wish it wasn't so blinking hard to make a living out of it!

owl crazy...

2010-10-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

It's a trend that runs and runs - OWLS!! I just can't get enough of the little blighters.

I just ordered this owl crochet hat from etsy and these little owl shoes from daisy roots for my own little chick. Cute childrens clothes are my weakness, I also got some fab owl pyjamas from boden for my eldest chick - ok stop now, enough owls!

Drink Shop Do

2010-10-19T05:16:00.000-07:00

Kristie & Coralie and their lovely cafe are my new customers....

Sometimes when I have time I like to have a little peak online at what my outlets actually look like, otherwise they're just a name on an order form.

I'm always pleasantly surprised at how hip or gorgeous they are! I wish there were more of these gorgeous places near me - although for my bank balance it's probably just as well. I've had to ban glasses of wine and internet shopping recently, ahem.

Here's a pic of a new cafe in Kings Cross called Drink Shop Do, check it out if you're in the area, it looks cute, I love their colour scheme.

Print pattern feature...

2010-10-13T01:57:00.000-07:00

I had to blog (with baby on knee!) to tell you about my new range featured on one of my fave blogs - print pattern. If you're not familiar then check it out, I find it really inspiring...

Yummy childrens illustrations...

2010-10-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

What is it about old childrens books that I love so much - the colours? The fresh illustrative styles - they're quite graphic in nature. I dunno but I find them really inspiring. It takes me back to being a little girl (I'm pretty vintage myself) and curling up on a cold afternoon in front of the fire with a new picture book, mmmm the smell of the pages and the crackle of the fire - bliss!

Xmas Brucy Bonus...

2010-10-07T02:28:00.000-07:00

Hi All, look at me blogging more than twice a year - life must be getting easier.

I'm telling y'all about my spesh 'Brucy Bonus Xmas Bonanza'. I've still got tons of Christmas stock (I ordered WAY too many!) so I'm putting it on special offer for any Xmas early birds.

You can now buy 12 of my luxury, glossy, thick (no it's not a hair advert) Xmas cards for...

ONLY £8!! ...Ta da!

They retail individually for £2.20 each in the shops so it's a HUGE saving of £18.40. I'm trying to clear some stock ready for new designs that will be out soon (well, just as soon as I sit my bottom down to design them!)

Each of the six designs is also available individually for just £1 also from folksy.

Click on the cards to take you to my li'l ol' Folksy shop.....

Hello long lost bloggers!

2010-09-12T02:31:00.000-07:00

Goodness me, a bimonthly post is a bit rubbish isn't it?? Well it's sunday morning, I just made myself a big cup of Jo and a fried egg sarnie and settled down to catch up on the blogging world so I expect any minute now my sleeping babe will awake!

Amazingly I've managed to keep my business afloat and growing, new updates are my new range 'Fur & Feather' came out last month and is selling well. I have a fantastic new agent for the SE who's bringing in tons of new accounts and doing amazingly well. I also have a development with a company in Dubai who are setting up a moonpig type business and want to license my designs. I've also ventured into prints for a new company called 'Beautiful Pea Green Boat' who launch next Saturday, so it's all good.

I'm struggling to have time to create sales myself and I can only do the bare minimum for so long before it all catches up with me. My good old mum has stepped in to help and has taken on my orders and dispatch for me which is a god send and should free up more time for me to get stuck in to some marketing and design (in my sleep!).

Of course I'm a bit frazzled but we're through the toughest baby bit, she's still waking every 2 hrs to feed but 3rd time round I think I've become invincible! I just feel very lucky most of the time that I have a job I love and a gorgeous family, yes it's blinking hard work and I never have a minute to myself but I'm very happy and that's priceless.

Back with baby!

2010-06-28T05:43:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I can't believe I've actually found time to blog (well I should be doing admin but that's boring). Baby No3 - Lois was born on 29th May at home in a pool, she's a very cute pudding and we love her to bits. The home birth was a brilliant experience - I LOVED being at home. It also helped with bonding for my other children , being part of the experience and being there to hold her. Having 2 other girls, the experience for them was positive and powerful too, they were totally unfazed and took it all in their stride. I'd highly recommend it if you have quick and easy labours, not sure how I'd fair for hours and hours on end though, you have to be pretty brave!

Surviving on 4hrs sleep a night, running a business and looking after family, 3 children a dog and a house is not for the feint hearted, it's been blinking tough at times. But seeing as I adore all of the above, it's a labour of love and I guess will get easier.

Looking forward to getting back into the blogosphere and seeing what the world's up to!

Hip snaps from my hipstamatic...

2010-05-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

This is officially my first blog from my iPhone. I've been getting to grips with it for the last month and we've been through a lot together. I spent the first week guilt wracked at such an extravagance. The second week was getting used to the keyboard, imagine a cow trying to type with it's udders and you'd get the picture! Week 3 I really started to comprehend how amazingly useful and indespensible my new friend was and now i'm really having fun.

I'm not going to be a phone bore but some apps are fab, others are totally pointless.
Here are 5 apps I will NEVER need:

1. Gun builder(?!)
2. Spirit level (just incase i need to know whether i'm lying down or standing up).
3. Compass (a must when orienteering my way to asda)
4. Stocks ftse index update. Those of us in the design industry aren't famed for our wealth!
5. Facebook. Call me old fashioned but I've never done social networking sites. I love REAL people in the flesh!

On a better note, I found this great hipstamatic camera app which turns your phone into a camera that takes pics that look like those from the 70's. Any old snap takes on retro value, it's fab! Here are some pics of my adorable mutt and a vid of what it can do.

'Tis the Queens Birthday today...

2010-04-21T02:58:00.000-07:00

... so what better way to celebrate than a visual feast of all things British and the good old Union Jack.

There's a fab old club called the Carlton Club near us, it has a wonderfully dilapidated interior. It's fallen from grace but I love it's tired glamour, there's a huge faded print of the queen in a guilt frame, dusty chandeliers from the 20's, a wooden dance floor and stage and lots of mismatched chairs from various eras.

It's been adopted by local DJ's and hosts some cool underground nights, I love Home on the Range, the last friday of every month, always a sell out. Cheap beer & great tunes - lets hope the Queen is enjoying the very same thing this evening!

My hospital retreat...

2010-04-16T02:37:00.000-07:00

Well, folks, it's been an interesting week, I wound up in hospital for a couple of days this week. I'm home now and recuperating well (well I must be nearly better if I'm blogging!).

I had to take an order from a shop within 10 mins of arriving home which was a little disorientating. That's the only downside to having your own business - it doesn't stop when you do.

On the upside, it was actually a good experience to totally stop for 2 days, lie on a bed looking out a huge wall of window ( I was in the new St Mary's hosp which is fab) without any phone, internet or outside communication. It was a bit like I can imagine a retreat would be. I just thunk thoughts and had many hours to reflect on every part of my life, work and family. My brain slowed right down to a silence and since I've felt strangely calm and together and almost zen like.

Maybe we all need to totally stop every now and then, trouble is most of us are only forced to stop when we have to through illness. I think just a walk on your own would be a good time to think, so that's what I'm going to do more often. Or maybe I just need a lie in once in a while, I'm just too enthusiastic about everything!

Lotte Reiniger

2010-04-11T01:46:00.000-07:00

Grandma arrived yesterday with a DVD of the work of German artist and animator Lotte Reiniger. I was so inspired, it's absolutely beautiful and the animation is so elegant. She worked using paper cutouts with stop motion animation. Her prolific work spans from the 1920's to the 1970's. You can see most of her animations on you tube.

To think that every scene was cut intricately and lace like with scissors is incredible. There's been a trend for laser cut greetings cards with a folky feel such as these by Rob Ryan, who's work I've always loved. I first saw his work when it graced the cover of my favourite novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louise de Bernier.

These mugs from Pintuck also have a similar feel with their cut out style. I think this style of illustration has a timeless feel and certainly jumps on the folk trend. It's always a surprise when you find out that this modern trend finds it's roots nearly a century ago when this style evolved so beautifully from the dexterous hands of Lotte Reiniger.

I'm feeling creative

2010-04-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's the spring sunshine (and the fact that I'm running short of time before baby arrives!) but my feverish brain has been spinning with lots of creative thoughts.

I couldn't sleep last night as my design cogs whirred and clicked with new ideas. I sold out of my birdy design some time back (sob! - my fave design) so I want to create some more designs that are blank for any occasion.

I'm going to start designing next week. God I love that bit - can't wait. I've also got to think of a way to produce new products that don't break the bank. These print runs are my biggest bank breaking expense and i always have more than i need. Hmmm a little lateral thinking is in order me thinks, time to get my biz thinking hat on as well.

The Magpies Daughter is getting hitched!

2010-04-08T05:36:00.000-07:00

My lovely crafter friend Rachel (aka The Magpies Daughter) is getting married this weekend. I wanted to wish her all the best for a lovely future together with her husband to be Ian.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful so the birds will be singing and the sun shining for you.

In the meantime, here are some examples from the clever chick's collection. The links take you to her blog as she's shut up shop until April 20th to be in wedded bliss!

My fave holiday shop...

2010-04-07T06:34:00.000-07:00

I just adore The Deco Shop in Machynthleth, near Aberdyfy. It's just full of everything gorgeous you could ever possibly want to buy. It's such a visual treat. I just love the juxtaposition of gorgeous homewares, pattern, colour and texture - take a peek for yourself and make sure you go there if you're ever in that neck of the woods.

I'm totally stealing the painted pink cabinet idea for my new studio!

Back from my hols..

2010-04-07T06:21:00.001-07:00

I had such a lovely break I was actually a bit tired and grumpy when I got home which is not like me, I miss living by the sea sometimes, the urban lifestyle is hip but sometimes I crave big open spaces! No that's not the beginnings of itchy foot syndrome again, I've had enough moving to last me a life time. Did you know I have lived in 27 different places in my life, which is ridiculous and verging on nomadic.

Spending my birthday afternoon on the beach collecting shells and crabbing was perfect. At about six, when the shadows were long and the wind dropped it was just beautiful, the light was incredible and the skies dramatic.

The girls made me this heap of cup cakes for breakfast (they were very keen but it was a bit early for butter icing so I saved them for lunch!)

On a more contemplative note...

2010-04-02T05:27:00.000-07:00

A dear friend of mine has just discovered her mother is seriously ill and only has months to live. It's so hard seeing a friend so upset but these times are when we need to look at our own lives and question what we're doing.

Being a sensitive soul, I often think about making the most of my life and what's important. For me, it's making great memories with my family, my husband and my children. It's been a long journey but the small things in life are the best for me. Waking up and cuddling my children, really talking to my husband - sharing our good days and bad days, having a glass of wine with friends or a big meal with family. Community and charity work too - sometimes doing a good deed makes you feel happier than the person who benefits from it.

We think we love the material things in life but nothing fulfills us more than good relationships. On that note, I leave you to your Easter weekend, call a friend, see family, go for a walk and a long chat, enjoy the great people and simple things in your life.

Easter Freebie

2010-04-02T05:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to you all! For those of you who want a last minute Easter card but can't get to the shops, here's a free jpeg for you to download and print. Just print off on some A4 card, crop to size and bung in an envelope - et voila!

I'm off to the Welsh coast for some fresh seaweedy air, walks on the beach and a cream tea. It's my birthday on Easter Sunday so I'll be stuffing choccy as well as opening pressis - joy!

My plan for a desk

2010-03-31T12:13:00.000-07:00

I love this painted filing cabinet idea. There's a brilliant Dead Peoples Junk Store just down the road. No it's not actually called that but that's basically what it's full of. There are some old school filing cabinets, I figured if I brought 2 and got something like a high gloss white Ikea Pax wardrobe door to use as a desk top, I might just have an original and very useful desk.

My new studio is nearly there....

2010-03-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm finally at the exciting bit of choosing wallpapers. Ok it's a bit premature but the staircase is coming tomorrow and the window is in so in my books that's a green flag for decor. I want to do a wall (I'm not going to call it a 'feature wall' it's naff, but that's what it is) in this harlequin retro lamp wall paper, it's so different. I sent off for a few samples from wallpaper direct, they're free which is great.

I'm also loving this paper by misprint (cool name)...

they do some great stuff, as do Mini Moderns, this C60 paper reminds me of my party mix cassette card design. It also comes with an ivory ground so you can colour in your cassettes,

We had to chop the old ladder staircase in half to get it out but I thought it would look great painted white and used as some shelving or a bookcase, I'll keep you posted on that one...

And how cute are these slings???

2010-03-29T13:25:00.001-07:00

Have baby will travel - I love these slings from Big Mama Slings, you can have them made up in your own fabrics too. You know if anything stands still long enough in my world it gets pimped or patterned!

I spend a hell of a lot of time carrying my bubs so I may as well design myself the most gorgeous sling to do it with! 9 weeks and counting - I'm ticking those to do's off on an hourly basis.

lazy doodles...

2010-03-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

Trees and dogs seem to be the focus of my doodles at the moment, maybe Freud would say I need some fresh air and sunshine...

Lampshade of joy!

2010-03-29T02:07:00.000-07:00

Isn't this gorgeous?? I used to collect stamps as a little girl so the birds and the postcards really appeal. It's my birthday next week so I might treat myself. It would go in my bedroom, I would wake up every morning and it would be the first thing that I see - that's got to be money well spent.

It might be a bit OCD but I think the little things are so important, I have a favorite bowl for my breakfast and my Portmerion Hungry Caterpillar mug for my coffee every morning. At the moment I have a big bunch of spring daffs on my desk that fill the room with their scent. It's these simple pleasures that make my life lovely!

If you want to have a look at some more gorgeous lampshades check out The Old Lamp Shed

My secret tin fetish...

2010-03-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, I am obsessed with vintage tins. It's a useful kind of obsession as a gal can never have enough storage. I use them for make up, cotton reels, pins, saved garden seeds, spices, jewelery, sewing kits, buttons - the list is endless.

Really though, you don't need an excuse to buy such gorgeous items, grouped together on the shelf they look so pretty. I even have a mini collection of red London bus tins.

You can pick them up at car boots, jumble sales, reclamation shops, ebay and these beauties were from etsy. But hands off the birdy one - it's mine if she'll post to the UK!

Why are accounts such a 'mare??

2010-03-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

What is it about accounts and creative people? I used to be so organised with my accounts but now it seems it's the first thing to be dropped when I get busy then I get in a pickle.

You may remember me mocking my husband as he ironed his receipts in the garden to radio four last summer after retrieving them from his filing system of the car floor. At least he got them in on time!

My new tax year resolution has been to find a lovely lady called Deidre to keep my books for me so I need never have to pay a fine or hunt for receipts again. I hate feeling disorganised and with baby no3 in the mix there would have been no hope & probably a spell in prison courtesy of Inland Revenue!

Folksy feature..

2010-03-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

Those lovely folks at folksy have put my Easter card on their featured items on the front page, there's loads of yummy Easter goodies so check it out if you haven't already.

I love these little egg cosys by ticketyboo ...

Brilliant News!

2010-03-18T05:05:00.000-07:00

Yippee yay! Had a lovely mention on the delicious Print Pattern blog this morning, featuring lots of my new designs. I was a bit of a div though and forgot to mention my wholesale website - duh.

My other good news is I've also got 2 new agents covering East Anglia and Scotland!

A very gorgeous retailer...

2010-03-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

I'm supplying Toby Tiger with my cards. I absolutely adore their clothing ranges. You can find them in The Lanes, Brighton. They also supply to lots of outlets across the country. Hmmmm, I feel a spend coming on!

Spring Greens..

2010-03-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

I found a whole cluster of gorgeous spring green prints from various artists on folksy. I love these nordic hares by Dee Beale, visit her blog it's lovely.

I also like these 2 prints from Sparklehen, another busy mum who used to be a graphic designer but now sells on line. check out her folksy shop for lots of goodies.

Big Brunch

2010-03-05T11:44:00.000-08:00

I dropped off the kids and headed into the N. Quarter with 'im indoors for a spot of brunch at Teacup. After polishing off a massive poached eggs on toast we wandered off for a mooch. I always come back really fired up creatively (maybe it was the eggs!) from the N. Quarter. It has such a charm, rough round the edges and such a cool indi scene. We did galleries, some shopping then Magma which I LOVE.

You could call it a day date but I'd say it was strictly research of course!

I'm in love (again)..

2010-03-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

Spring is finally in the air and after an inspiring chat with a lovely friend who shares my love of all things caravan and outdoors, I had to share this beauty with you, click on the pic to see the whole flickr stream...

All we need now is the smell of matches and camping gas, bring on summer!

Vintage Yardstick Coat Rack of Joy!

2010-03-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

I love finding unique items on Etsy, I love the mellow wood of these yardsticks. They remind me of the wooden meter rulers of my school girl days.

I think this is a fine example of how to create something fantastic out of found items. Sometimes when you discover something of beauty you're not always sure what you can do with it. Thinking laterally about how to approach it and what else you could turn it into is much more resourceful and you end up with something totally unique and environmentally friendly.

Weekend Project....

2010-02-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

I got this typography draw from my lovely sister-in-law for Christmas, (one of my best pressis!). I've been meaning to track one down for years as I have so many little knick-knacks, found things and folders full of nice papers that really need to have an airing. Some of the papers I used to line the little boxes were antique wallpapers that i bought back from New York. There's also some antique buttons from my grandmas button tin.

I spent a wonderfully creative afternoon just putting them all together with my second eldest 'helping', listening to good tunes (loving this Florence remix) sipping hot spiced apple. Each little box was like a piece of artwork with it's own composition, pattern and colours. Then when you step back the whole thing comes together visually.

A perfect winter afternoon, I've definitely caught the making bug again. I love whiling the hours away, forgetting everything and just focusing on creating. I'll just have to start collecting more bits on walks, carboots and fleamarkets now as I've looted my collection for this project!

Studio wallpaper

2010-02-25T02:56:00.000-08:00

Here's the wallpaper I've chosen for the studio wall to go behind the sofa. It's by Sanderson, I love the retro dandelions and it has a metallic finish to the greys. I might paint the backboard in my bookcases that same lime colour or paper them in the same paper if I have any left over.

I'm way ahead of myself of course, my husband keeps saying, 'can we get a staircase and window in first before we start thinking about decor!' Of course not!

Blog Update and Amazon a Go-Go....

2010-02-24T07:28:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed that my blog has had a bit of a revamp. You can now shop from Amazon by clicking on the left. I have a blog search feature at the bottom of the page so you can find articles on my blog more easily on subjects that you're interested in.

I also have these 'quick shop' buttons so you can buy cards for upcoming events like Mothers Day and Easter.

Ooooooh I love having a tidy up and a sort out!

Amazon goes live tomorrow!

2010-02-23T05:36:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned earlier in the month, Amazon have invited me to sell on their site. Well, tomorrow's the big day when my account goes live and you'll be able to buy from my whole range - yay! It's great as all 40+ designs are up there. Look out for the button on my blog and let me know what you think.

I'm actually nesting...

2010-02-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

I'm getting rather large with baby no3 on the way and sitting at my desk for hours on end is pretty tough. I seem to need a mountain of cushions to get comfy! I've also decided to invest in a macbook so I can work in the evenings from the comfort of my sofa/nest of cushions/bed/anywhere in a horizontal position. Mmmmmmm, new gadgetry for my nest.

Bring on spring (pleeeeeease!)..

2010-02-21T06:58:00.001-08:00

I am so utterly desperate to feel some warm sunshine on my face, hear insects buzzing again and birds singing in the trees, I'm going bonkers.

As a bit of a kickstart I've got all my windowboxes full of little green shoots promising to burst out into colour in a few weeks. Sometimes at night when I'm reading, I turn my reading light by the window onto my shoots on the windowledge and say hello to my little friends.

The house is also full of hyacinths and smells amazing, all I need now is a bit less snow and a bit more sunshine. I can recommend blue hyacinths and Jasmine as a heady mix.

studio plans...

2010-02-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited as our lovely builders have been beavering away (well actually they're a bit more zen and ploddy than beaverinsh) in our cellar. I will soon have a fab new studio space. I get to do that lovely planning and decorating bit - I can't wait. I did interiors for 8 years so it's great fun to get stuck into my own project. It's going to have limited daylight and i'm on a really tight budget so it'll be junk shops and flea markets all the way which is much more creative and inspiring anyway.

I want to go for a white gloss floor and zingy limes with a bit of retro pattern. I'm loving these 2 interiors shots with oranges, limes and whites, they look really fresh and bright. I might actually get round to making some soft furnishings with my vintage fabrics!!!

A return to the blogosphere...

2010-02-15T09:48:00.001-08:00

Hello my very neglected readers (if you're still out there?). This post marks a return to my very sad and sorry blog that I've been neglecting whilst baking bigger business pies.

Here are some of my new designs, there's 18 in total. I'll be uploading them all on my folksy site soon. The good news is you'll be able to buy Design Rocks! cards on Amazon. Yes, I've been invited to sell with Amazon, so we'll see how that goes. There also other interesting developments afoot, so I'll keep you posted on how they turn out.

I feel like I've been in a washing machine for 2 months with such a massive workload (and massive bump, only 3 and a half months to go until baby no 3 arrives!). It's great but I'm glad to finally be able to do fun stuff again like reading, blogging and visiting galleries. I'm also really looking forward to meeting up with my lovely crafters and designers this weekend at the Craft Centre on Tib St for hot muffins and tea and a mooch round the N Quarter.

There's a fab conceptual wallpaper exhibition on at the Whitworth called 'Walls Are Talking'. Go and see it it's brilliant, there's everything from Warhol to Sindy to bloodsplats and barbed wire wallpaper.

Finally I leave you with Lola's Room, adorable photography by a gal with a great eye for colour and composition. I think her snaps would make great greetings cards actually. You can buy her pics from her folksy shop.

Wooo Hoooo!!!!

2010-01-23T03:28:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to say Top Drawer was a phenomenal success!!! I'm so excited and super happy! After all the determination, frustration, hard work and (many) tears - it's all paid off and I can finally make a living doing something I absolutely love.

I had tons of orders (actually quite overwhelming now) and more than 50 leads to other great retailers and developments. Some included John Lewis, Mamas and Papa's, Amazon and many many more. There's so much to get my teeth into.

People were so lovely and lots of people complimented the stand (pics coming soon) and said my cards were really different and stood out which is a relief because the greetings card market is HUGE so that's really important.

I was so tired after the show, standing around with a now rather large bump was a bit tough but I ran on adrenaline and had a great time. I'm still walking around with a smile, I'm a very happy bunny.

I've got a new website too so have a look if you want to see my new designs:

www.designrocks.co.uk

Merry Christmas and Countdown to Top Drawer

2009-12-28T09:56:00.000-08:00

Phew! It's been a long old slog getting everything ready for Top Drawer Spring but I'm on the home run and looking forward to the show. My new cards and ranges are ready, more importantly, I'm ready! After too much turkey and xmas movies I'm ready to kick start the biz in the New Year and meet lots of lovely new retailers I can lavish my attention on.

New plans for next year will include a new website, more new products and ranges and lots more, I'm really excited about my business plans. And for those of you who don't know yet, baby number 3 will be coming along in June. It will certainly be an eventful and busy year but my legendry energy and enthusiasm should see me through!

I'd like to wish all my wonderful customers a very happy Christmas and a fun filled New Year. Lets get this show on the road!

NEW DESIGNS!

2009-11-16T02:35:00.000-08:00

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Here's a new design from my latest collection. I love the way he looks like he's just popping in to shot! It's very exciting as I have a total of 36 new designs to add to my existing range. So a total collection of 54 designs, all ready for Top Drawer in Jan. YAY!

I'll have childrens birthday numbers up to 8, lots of new occasions and a range of 12 messageless cards, (i think we call them notecards in the trade?). The notecards will be 100% eco, recycled and totally biodegradable, the inks will be vegetable based. I say start as you mean to go on and make your business as green as you can.

Autumn is upon us...

2009-10-05T07:28:00.001-07:00

Now I remember why I painted my garden gate hot pink all those years ago! Every October I have an autumn treat with these beautiful leaves.

I've just invested in a giant and very gorgeous red Le Creuset casserole pot so i can cook up some autumn flavours. Just right for hot casseroles to warm your cockles on dark autumn evenings. The added bonus is the house is full of cosy cooking smells whilst I work. If any of you have some good slow cooking recipes - let me have them, I can't wait to get cooking!

Craft Cafe a roaring success!

2009-09-28T04:02:00.000-07:00

Yay and triple yay! I sold a ton of cards at the craft cafe, held at the Northern Tennis Club in West Didsbury. the morning was quiet but then it got really busy and my stationery was flying out.

I know I say it every time but it's such a confidence boost when I get such incredible feedback from customers and seeing their first reaction when they look. It makes me feel on top of the world to know that I can create products that make people happy and want to buy!!!!
And just the boost i need before Top Drawer.

I also road tested some new designs (will reveal all soon) and they also went down a storm. A little range of autumnal mini cards, I'll take some pics and get them on the blog as soon as I get a min.

Here are some little freebie gift tags for you to down load and print on to card. They look lovely with hot pink or orange ribbon.

Enjoy!

I'm in love with...

2009-09-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

...these cute little boats and lanterns by Jurianne Matter. Her paperwork is available on notonthehighstreet.com. What's not to love, the colours, pattern, styling and vintage maps to boot!

This weekend, right after the crafters meet up at the design centre cafe, I'm going apple picking! The idea is that volunteers (me) pick excess fruit from garden trees and take them to people who need them such as refuges and hostels. I absolutely LOVE helping people so this is a win win situation, plus I get to spend an afternoon climbing trees - yay!

Here's something appley to celebrate:
Apple broaches by Kat Boon Design - very autumnal!

Top Drawer Eye Candy

2009-09-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

I won't bore you with the details of my tedious journey, when I eventually got to Olympia it was well worth it. I was pleased that all the products there were fantastic - high end, quality, design led stuff.

At first I felt a bit daunted at the competition, I loved cards by Nella, the square card co, here are some pics, haven't got time to link them all yet - just comment if you want to know more.

My absolute fave of the show was a danish company called house doctor. I could fill my entire house with their catalogue! Here are a few pics but you can download the catalogue online.

One thing'f for sure I need to pull my design socks up and get cracking! No more blogging distraction for today - bye x

Didsbury Art Festival...

2009-09-12T04:19:00.000-07:00

Quick bit of news: the Didsbury Art Festival is running from the 26th of September to the 3rd of October. There's loads of great stuff going on. Check out the website for the full programme.

I have a stall at the Festival Craft Cafe at the Northern Lawn Tennis Club, on SUN 27th 10am - 4pm.

There's a £1 entrance fee, there's cakes & a bbq on the lawn, live classical music and quality crafts (including my own goodies!). It all sounds lovely so get there if you can.

off to London Town...

2009-09-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

This Sunday will be my recce for TOP DRAWER! It's the autumn show on at the mo. I need to get a feel for my competitors, the set up, market, etc before I exhibit myself in Jan.

I love day trips to London, apart from getting lost, sweaty & slightly claustrophobic on the tube and so on. When I was a wee nipper of a designer, many moons ago, I remember being reduced to tears of exasperation trying to find some random location in central Londres. I sat on my porfolio and heartily cried somewhere in Hackney.

Now I'm a true city girl, it's a total treat for my senses and always gives me a design buzz.

Will have a market/trend report for you on Monday (written on the train with a long coffee and lots of pics, I'll also be sketching and scribbling!)

Bike of my dreams..

2009-09-09T06:39:00.001-07:00

My posts are like buses, nothing for a week then 3 at once.

I just had to add this bike, I keep meeting it by chance. It keeps popping up in various different places to say hello. It always makes me smile, I LURVE the winged mudguards ad the happy grass green and cream paintwork.

Today I was making the most of the sunshine by cycling to the Barbikan for a fat piece of cheese cake (calorie neutral). I just locked up my bike when along it came! I met it's owner and she was lovely too. She has a shop in the Manchester Craft Centre selling perspex jewelry and furniture, studio 3 I think.

It's so nice I might have to honor it's vintage lines by turning it into a li'l ol' design!

I know it's barely September...

2009-09-09T03:52:00.001-07:00

...but us card designers do our Xmas selling as early as June! It's hard to think about Christmas designs when you're sunning yourself with a long cocktail.

I sold my Xmas cards as singles last year, I thought I'd offer them as a pack this year - here's the new packaging.

The packs and singles will be on sale in my shops from this evening if you want to have a little shop. I'll also be doing mini stationary sets which will make nice stocking fillers or mini gifts for friends. I'll keep you posted!

I heart cassettes...

2009-09-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

Remember the clunk and whir of stopping and fast forwarding cassettes? I'm showing my age when I say I used to listen to Bananarama (who are apparently releasing another album!) and write down the garbled lyrics so I could learn them. My sister even learnt the dance routines!

I'd forgotten about the variety of colours and hand written scribble. And you always knew your boyfriend loved you if he made you a mix tape - my husband used to!

Check out these beauties...hmmm, I feel a design coming on....

Back to school - YAY!

2009-08-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

I've got that back to school feeling - yay! After getting my head around the end of summer, I can't wait to get stuck into designing ranges, business, selling & growth for my little business. My new mantra: Create, enjoy, have fun & sell!

I have some new stationery (any excuse) my pens and pencils, a tidy(ish) desk and my new shoes - I'm ready to roll and all excited about preparing for Top Drawer London in January.

My exercise books sell really well but I just found this french exercise book complete with exercises inside from Etsy shop Petit Vintage. She has gorgeous Gallic goodies so have a nose if you get chance.

I feel a little autumn shop coming on...

2009-08-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

Rather than grumbling about my canceled camping trip this weekend (rain stopped play), I decided to enjoy the autumnal weather by going for a country walk and a big pub lunch. It's blinking freezing!!! But the upside is, I don't have to wait for the first leaf to fall before I hit the shops.

I'm already sporting a cute pair of grey slouchy ankle boots instead of my standard issue gladiators. I've planned a few autumn outfits and some disco eyelashes to help me grieve over the loss of summer.

I love the changing of the seasons - I get a massive design hit from all the new patterns and textures in both the shops and great outdoors. I've been designing my new collection so I'm like a sponge at the moment. I'm thinking about checks, autumn colours, berries, tweed, preppy styles and I love this red satchel. I organised a jumble sale a couple of weekends ago and amongst my vintage bargains (first picks) I got an old leather satchel - it's so cool!

I brought a pair of leopard print tights this week and they now feature on one of my new card designs! Well, that's my excuse for buying them - hmmmm, I wonder if that makes them tax deductible??

The height of bloggy laziness...

2009-08-18T11:00:00.001-07:00

I'd love to say I've been busy on a Mauritian Beach guzzling cocktails, but alas no...I've been working my little butsky off the last 2 weeks on things that are too tedious to talk about. So apologies for my absence this week.

Down to the nice stuff - here's my Little Vintage Dresser of Joy - after all those plans I had of painting and papering it, I put it in place and it was just perfect as it was, and too good to paint.

So embracing full granny chic I adorned it with all my little nik-naks (ornaments not crisps) and I just love it! It's so nice to see all my Other- half's childhood books on display. I wanted to show you the gorgeous illustrations.

Storage should be good on the eye and not always about capacity and a place to shove stuff.

Little Vintage Dresser of Joy..

2009-07-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

I picked this little beauty up off ebay today! I've been having a massive sort out, and needed a nice storage/display cabinet for the boudoir. I had a moment of madness and just bought it - it was one of those gut reaction things.

Just think...you pay £100 for a solid wood vintage darling like this but if you bought new you'd have a super flimsy, rattly bit of rubbish. It's a win win - quality craftsmanship, environmentally sound and something I'll still have when I'm 90 as it won't date!

It looks a little Ye Olde Inn at the mo but I have big plans for it. I'm going to paint it a nice grungy neutral then wallpaper the back of the display shelves in a fab wall paper, or I'll paint a nice pattern or illustration to work with the displayed items. I love natural shades with patterns and colours that pop. A bit like my cards I guess. I'll show you the after when it's done.

A little gift to you all...

2009-07-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

Hmm, I've had such a nice day I'm feeling in a generous mood! Here's a little book label for you to print and keep, if you print them 8 up they'll fit snugly on a sheet of A4. Either print them on to a sticky label sheet or just plain paper and stick them on with good old pritt stick.

Now you can get busy with a cute book labeling project and pretend you're back at school.

Enjoy, but remember people: this is for personal use only....and have a good weekend. Yay!

Happy Harrogate!

2009-07-23T12:13:00.001-07:00

My God, people in the greetings card industry are SO lovely. I went to check out Harrogate Home and Gift to get an idea of trade fair set ups and a fresh feel for the market, before I take the plunge in Jan at Top Drawer. I chatted to a few of my competitors and I couldn't believe how friendly they were.

My two best show pals were: Iain from Hello! Lucky, here's their stuff. I've always loved the Letterpress stylie and these guys are definately one of the best so there was much scribbling and chin stroking whilst talking to my mini mentor Iain.

My other mini mentor/verbal sponsor is the lovely Alison from Aliroo. Not only is she always so generous with her time and knowledge, she does all this with a 10 week old baby in tow!

I think what I like the most is that these great people have the same outlook as me. I love helping people and sharing what I've learnt, I'm not guarded or defensive (or naive!). Supporting people on the way up is a two way street.

I believe there's a market out there big enough to support all these diverse companies so the best thing we can do is to support each other to make British design the strongest in the global marketplace. And I believe it is. Right. I'll get down off my soap box now.

China Town colour blast!

2009-07-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

We went for the legendary Thai buffet in Pacific (go starving - there's a lot to fit in). After wards I had a mooch over to the mental craft shop in China town, it certainly blows out the cobwebs with the bright colours and mega kitsch merchandise! These are my colour inspiration pics from the Chinese Craft market.

I had to buy a lantern for the garden. I bought tons one year and hung them along the washing line for a bbq, only trouble was it was windy so I popped in to the kitchen to get some bbq fodder, when I returned the whole lot was on fire! A bit of a fire hazard with candles inside but they do look pretty.

UPDATE:

2009-07-15T11:20:00.001-07:00

I'm putting on my heels and I'm off for a summery drink and an Indi film at the cornerhouse. I can get my fix of hustle and bustle down Oxford street.

Yay for a bit of fun!

On days like these...

2009-07-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

...when the kids are driving me mad, the house is a tip etc etc, I dream of packing a suitcase and traveling back in time to my old job in The Big Apple. Sigh, I walked past this button every day. I used to get up pootle to work walking alongside huge skyscrapers, grab a cup of joe en route and take in the blue skies , abusive New Yorkers, and lovely hustle and bustle - it really made me feel ALIVE!

Weekends I used to spend rollerblading around Central Park, checking out the weekly roller disco. I'd look a bit of a sad div doing that round Old Trafford! but I think I need to inject a bit of glamour back in my life, it's all got a bit kitchen sink drama.

I can't afford a trip to NYC so I'll have to have a think and come up with some glamorous ideas. Help me have a think about cheap/free glamour??

I'm thinking, a gallery, some shopping, a night out, haircut, new make up?? HELP

One day, my ambition is for my business to be successful enough to be able to do the stationary show at Surtex, NY. Then I have a legitimate excuse to go! Watch this space (although you'll have a long wait!)

Answers on a postcard please.

Studio Blitz!

2009-07-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

It's time.... to clear The Room Of Doom as it's become known. I'm taking a break from a massive studio blitz. I can't stop sneezing from all the dust - I hope nobody knocks on the door, I look like I've got swine flu. This isn't actually my studio but I like looking at it as it makes me feel much better to know that there are people with worse work spaces than mine out there.

Isn't this cute? I found it at the bottom of my samples box (one of many!) It's a 60's floral. Maybe it's the sun but I'm really into acid yellows as an accent colour with muted shades of lilac or bone at the moment.

Annoying interruptions of my Studio Blitz:

1. Jehovah's witnesses (sorry but it's really annoying) Thanks for sharing the word but no thanks. Plus I've sussed you now - I can spot the long black silhouette and briefcase through the glass door

2. Sales calls. After spending 10 rings searching through my crap for the phone only to find it's a chirpy recorded message from 'Susan' telling me I need more credit cards. I don't.

3. Hunger. All that sorting and chucking means I have to keep stopping to refuel.

4.Calls from lovely family members who have no idea of the massive task I've just taken on and that I could die under a landslide of my own rubbish if I stop to chat, however tempting.

5. Finally a nice distraction: Blogging. We'll a girl's got to take a rest and survey her explosion in a paper factory of a studio!

Oh Wow! I just looked back at my studio and it's no longer The Room Of Doom! Yay, I'm nearly there and won't it be lovely to know where everything is??? Is every creative person messy or is it just lack of time/space etc? Let me know!

sweets

2009-07-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

A random man offered me a lollipop on Sunday which set me thinking about the sweets of my childhood - ahhh 10p mixes.

I also had a fathers day bacon buttie and coffee party this year and i made all the Dad's a 'Dad's Mix' of sweets.

garden doodle

2009-07-08T08:14:00.000-07:00

I love doing kawaii or 'cute' garden doodles. Here's one I did last night. Also working on my new range which is exciting, can't wait to show you when they're all done!

My heart beats faster...

2009-07-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

...when I see a gorgeous colour combo like this. Where's my sketchbook - I feel a design coming on.

A love affair

2009-07-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

Sigh....another gorgeous weekend in the elements, building fires, camping with 20 great friends, nobody but our gang and a ton of fields, skimming stones (see pic), walking through woods, guzzling good wine around a roaring fire. Ok, so chorizo on the fire isn't very Ray Mears but it's lush! Bloody knackering but great fun.

Keeping your accounts in order...

2009-07-01T03:23:00.000-07:00

...is very important. For all of you guys who are rubbish with the whole numbers/tax/receipts thing. I wanted to share my husband's system with you...

1. Keep all your receipts on the car floor/glove box (handy for the kids to draw on and rip up on long journeys)

2. Collect up and put in a shopper:

3. Now you're ready to iron. If it's a nice day you can do it in the garden.

4. Now call your accountant with an undertone of panic in your voice.

There. Never feel bad again - If any of you are worse than this I want to hear about it??!!

Free craft stalls at Bolton Abbey

2009-06-24T01:21:00.000-07:00

I'm exhibiting at Bolton Abbey this weekend! Check out Northern Belles Blog for all the info and to find out more about the free stalls.

Here are my new cupcake notelets:

Manchester Crafters meet up this Saturday

2009-06-19T01:26:00.000-07:00

Hi All, just letting you know that we'll be meeting up to discuss the gorgeous muffins, and business of course, at the Manchester Craft Centre this Saturday at 10.30am. Any crafters or designer makers are welcome to join in.

I'm looking forward to my Northern Quarter fix! A mooch along the fashion market out side Debenhams, followed by a trip to Den, my fave interiors shop, a coffee and chat with the crafty girls in the craft centre, finished off with a vintage clothing shop in retro rehab. If I've still got time after that, a trip to Abakan (an aladdins cave of fabric treats) to get some nice trimmings and pick up some cute fabrics.

Indie Quarter feature - YAY!

2009-06-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

Here's my feature in indie quarter - a fab blog with loads of really cool features. They found my things on Folksy - I've had so many great leads from folksy. It's been a really good venture - I don't really bother that much with Etsy now.

Check it out here, they feature my fathers day card, If you still need one, get one NOW - it's a week on Sunday!

Yummy design time

2009-06-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

MMMMM. It's that yummy time of year where I start thinking about new designs. This is the best bit. I fly around in cyberspace picking up bits that i love. Start looking at the world in a different way and muttering and scribbling. Going out and about to new places and having new experiences to get my creative brain rammed up to superdrive.

Here are some things that caught my eye today. Completely random.

Stay tuned and follow my creative process, it'll be reet weird to actually watch myself as I've never thought about how the designs and collections come together!

Head in a spin

2009-06-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is how my head feels at the mo! Only it's really not cool like this guy. Busy is not the word. I think I'm stuck on fast forward and I don't know how it creeps up on me. I think my enthusiasm for life doesn't tally with the amount of hours in the day.

Today I've resolved to get my life back to a manageable pace. Currently I run my card business, look after my 2 children plus 2 more, am studying a night course at college. I'm the president of a charity, I'm on the committee for our centenary garden who are organising a mini festival in 2 weeks, a member of a choir, I run the craft biz manchester meet ups, and somewhere in there I have to squeeze in friends, family and time out.

When I write it all down it's no wonder i feel like i'm spinning plates. I need to calm it down a bit, i'm coming undone at the seams.

Talking of break dancing, there's a wicked exhibition at the Lowry at the mo. It's an interactive dance type thing called Express Yourself - there's all sorts of costumes you can try on. My personal favorite was the hip hop bit, you can put on some gear and throw a few shapes in the disco room - perfect for forgetting about all those other jobs I should be doing!

Wild Swimming

2009-06-01T07:14:00.001-07:00

The weather has just been too amazing for blogging!!! I've become lazy and haven't checked in for over a week. Hopefully you've all been outside too.

After my last post of Proper Camping, this week I have been mostly Wild Swimming. Heat in the city makes it really vibrant: HUGE afros, cool shades and t's, base pumping from cars, everybody out chatting, kids playing out on the street, hedge trimmers, ice-cream vans, the yout hanging out in the park. The cocophany of an urban summer. But when it all get's too noisy, it's time to escape the hot urban sprawl and go Wild Swimming.

That first dive in is totally FREEZING, but after your skin goes numb and you get your breath back you're fine. Having lived here for 15 years now I have my secret spots but there will be a place near you to swim outdoors so go on the wild swimming website and find one!

There's nothing more amazing! Just remember not to wear body lotion, hair products or anything toxic that will wash off in the water - remember living things share these waters with you.

Proper camping

2009-05-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

We abandoned the festival we were meant to go to, for all it's noise, people and sensory overload (get enough of that with my busy life) and instead found a farm in the peaks to pitch up.

Our only neighbours were sheep (and a lot of sheep poo!). The facilities included a tap and a porta loo. The views were just stunning and I had a proper feel of nature and being at one with the land. I saw herons, swallows, rabbits and voles.

I also got a bit Ray Mears and went Ferral. I think I missed my vocation and should have been in the SAS. I come from generations of forces families and I only realised this weekend that it must be in my blood!

Top 5 Proper Camping activities:

Fire building
Setting up camp
Cloud spotting
Drinking round the campfire with good friends
Wittling sticks with your knife - pointless but fun.

I have an ambition to try Hardcore Camping where you build your own shelter in a wood and live off the land. One day.

One thing it did make me is a green warrior - you realise how much crap you create as a human. I made a vow to cut down on plastic, packaging, chemicals and unneccessary 'stuff'. When you live that basically you realise what you actually need and it really isn't that much. I'm also going to use biodegradable cello wrappers and vegetable inks for my cards in future.

In the meantime here's the view I woke up to every morning.

BIZ NEWS!

2009-05-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie to say Top Drawer has accepted me to exhibit at their lovely and very posh trade show. They called this morning when, very professionally, I was painting my little lady's toenails and without thinking just answered the phone with a chirpy 'hello'. They seemed quite excited for my products and have already sent my images to the marketing department!! Yippy yippee yay.

Hmm just got to pay for it now. ummmmmmm.

Take it easy Monday...

2009-05-18T05:22:00.000-07:00

After another successful, and exhaustively busy sale at Chorlton Arts Festival. I decided, after all my hard work, I needed to kick back and relax with my little one this morning.

We painted our nails, had coffee (well I did), took a long walk round the park with the mutt and decided what to bake.

Here's my recipe for Wicked Flapjack (for normal sandwich box flapjack, or for those with heart conditions halve the butter and sugar)

Everything you need is written here on my HUGE floor to ceiling chalk board (very useful!)

Mix up the oats and Muesli in a bowl.

Look away now if you have a heart condition. Here's a massive wedge of butter, a good gloopy blob of golden syrup and a good dredge of golden caster sugar. There's no measurements just mix up equal amounts of each, the more you add the more wicked and delicious your flapjack.

Mix it all up together.

Find a good flat vessel. Something like this:

Squash the wet mix down with the back of your spoon(s).This is the point where if baking with toddlers you need to monitor the intake and spread of buttery flapjack mix!

Bung in the oven till golden brown on top.

Whilst cooling score into portion sizes. Take out when cold, this requires patience if you're as greedy as me.

Put on a cake stand, gobble it up and wash down with a cup of tea!

For even more wickedness add ground ginger to the mix and spread 1/2 an inch of melted choc on top. MMMMmmmmm.

A bit of chin stroking

2009-05-14T13:58:00.000-07:00

I've done an intensive month of craft fairs and been observing a lot of what works and doesn't work. After much thought and deliberation (ok, and a little wine). I think there is a magi formula to successful selling as a designer maker.

A. The product - must be of quality and a good price, be original - do what you do best and concentrate on that. Don't try and do what someone else is doing because they're making sales. The only way to be totally unique is to develope your unique skills to the max. Don't go all craft ADHD (very common problem). Stay FOCUSED dude.

b. Your market - get the right venue with the right buyers - old biddies - forget it. What you need is middle class guardian readers with muchos deniros and an appreciation of your hard work. Look out for craft fairs in trendy city 'burbs with a little cool subculture of their own. Think about who buys your stuff and imagine what they do and where they live - that should narrow it down. If there isn't anything there then set up your own - it's not that hard, just start small and invite friends.

c. Your sales technique - you are your brand! You need to be an extension of your product. I sell cards featuring vintage patterns and I love pattern. So, I wear my best vintage frock, a huge smile, and I engage and chat to as many people as possible. I tell them about the designs, where the patterns come from, the process, my inspiration - I sell the cool image. It sounds cheesy but people are buying in to you as well as your products. Your nice personality should come into it's own here, just be your self and enjoy the time you have with people. This is also a time to get feedback on your customers faves and what sells best - that way you can develop your range in the right direction.

Ok, enough waffle. just want to try and work out how I seem to have made a success of this and share the wealth with you good crafting people out there. Hope it helps.

If you want more great info the ETSY sellers handbook is a real help.

Chorlton arts festival

2009-05-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

Roll up roll up... This weekend I'll be selling at the crafts market, within St Clements Church on High Lane, as part of Chorlton Arts Festival. I also have to give a plug for my daughter who's exhibiting at Battery Park and has her first opening (at the age of 9!!). Here's one of her sketches - they are way better and more stylised than anything I could do. She has a knack of capturing peoples expressions with a little squiggle here and there.

I can feel in my bones that this fair will be a good one. Watch this space for the post fair feedback from both of us!

I'd just like to add that in a whole sketchbook this was the only non smiley face (for all you amateur psychologists out there) and that it isn't a picture depicting my meaness to my first born!

BIZ NEWS FLASH: Also went to the printers yestrday to discuss the next range - very excited. Am also waiting for acceptance to do the hottest (and blinking expensive) trade fair in London. Hope they let me exhibit!

Fun on the farm

2009-05-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

After all that hard work it's lovely to get some green grass and big blue Somerset skies at my parent's. Not many Grandmas have a quad bike but this one does!

It's just idyllic, birds singing, chickens clucking, the smell of hay and curious horses nuzzling you.

And have you ever seen a madder hair do on a chook?? I actually laughed out loud at this funny character, he was all bossy and noisy as well! They're polish and totally bonkers.

We're very lucky that my Mum is horse and animal mad. A quick audit of animals they own:

10 Chickens
9 Shetlands
6 Full size horses
6 Cats
3 Dogs
10 Koi Carp
30+ Birds in a huge aviary
1 Parott

I've never added them up before, my God, that's mental!

Folk House a success!

2009-05-10T02:10:00.000-07:00

Yippee yippee! The sun was shining, people were mooching and the cards were selling. The folk house flea market fundraiser was a great success! The sales were nice and steady (no rugby scrum like last week!) and I sold about 200 (wooohoo!)

OH MY GOD, I could actually earn a living from this!!!!!

The fair was lovely, 40's jazz playing, loads of vintage frocks and hand made things - high quality bric-a-brac (mmmm I love a good rummage)

There were also some gorgous things for sale (ahem, I spent quite a lot of my profit).

In the words of Mary Poppins, "Here are a few of my favorite things.." by ceramicist Julia Davey

"This time next year Rodney...

2009-05-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

...we'll be millionaires!"

In true Del Boy entrepreneurial style, I've contacted the printers and I'm thinking of doing another 30 ish designs and then a great trade fair called Top Drawer in that London town. There be big buyers there and thems are the kind of people I need.

Of course it could all go tits up and I'll be paying off my credit card for the rest of my life, living in a house made of boxes of cards. It's a massive gamble in a recession but as Del Boy would say, "You've got to speculate to accumulate my Son".

I'll see how it goes this weekend first, if I sell 2 cards I might have to revise my business plan!

Bristol Folk House Craft Fair

2009-05-05T12:01:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I'm at the Folk House in Bristol for a craft fair. Here's all the info, it's at 40a Park St, just up the alleyway from Nomad Travel. Click here for a map.

They also do yummy organic local food in the cafe which I'm looking forward to tucking into! I'm also loving their chalk board.

I'll be selling my cards at the bargain price of £1 each - it only happens at a craft fair, they're normally £2.35 in shops across England. So if you're down that way, come and say hi!

Rainy tea party

2009-05-04T13:09:00.001-07:00

We never let the good old bank holiday rain put us off when it comes to tea parties! After all those sales it was time to celebrate with my lovely friend Charlotte who was holding a good old fashioned birthday tea party.

I was probably the gibbering mad hatter in the corner as I was so tired! Here are some yummy cake pics and Charlotte's even yummier shed!

Green Walk a blinding success!

2009-05-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

Blinking blimey flip, I cannot BELIEVE how well I did over the weekend at Green Walk Arts festival. I sold 500, yes 500 cards!!!!!!

I couldn't keep up with the sales, it was like a rugby scrum. I'm soooo happy because I've spent nearly a year trying to get this off the ground, I've been ridiculously skint, confused, frustrated, really down at times, I've nearly given up 4 times and had a little blub more than a few occasions.

Then suddenly, like a little ray of sunshine it all just happened. Everybody loved my cards, some people bought 15 at a time (ok, they were also cheap!). The feedback was so positive that now I feel really confident to go for it and get another (expensive) print run done, then do a trade fair in autumn.

Here's a rubbish pic of me selling my wares on a coffee table. I had a flashback to when I was a little girl and I used to play shops on my grandma's coffee table with a little vintage tin full of coppers and lots of packets of tea from her cupboard. I think I just came full circle!!!

City Art Gallery

2009-04-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

Just a quick not to say I went to see the Da Vinci drawings at the City Art Gallery this morning and they're well worth a look. Shoot me for saying I didn't 'get' the smushy smudgy ones but the others were just incredible!!

There's a really beautiful exhibition next door by Paul Morrison for all you nature lovers. He does these amazing bold graphic botanical paintings. Unfortunately the gallery was closed due to a high level of hobnobbing this lunchtime so I'll have to go back. How annoying is it to close of galleries for private functions grrrr.

Green Walk Art Festival

2009-04-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the Green Walk Arts Festival in Whalley Range. It's a lovely little street with a green, all the residents open their homes to artists and you can go and have a nose and buy some crafty stuff.

I'll be holding a stall there, and I'm selling my cards for only £1 each, as well as lots of new stationary and notepads.

It's off Wood Rd in Whalley Range and it's on from 12pm to 6pm on the Saturday and Sunday with tea and cakes on the green.

NEWS NEWS NEWS

2009-04-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

Blimey, it's only been a couple of days and I've had a call from a New York studio that wants to represent me for pattern design. Sounds wicked but alas these things take an AGE to earn anything from, so I'm not jumping for joy yet.

I've also been doing some really cute promotional mini jam pots with a label that tells you about the 'Sticky Jam Soul Nights' on Thursdays at Jam Street in Whalley Range, just down t'road.

I've been doing their branding revamp which is a lovely brief. Get yourselves down there for the vintage clothing sale on the last sunday of the month. Gorgeous cakes and tea and I've brought a lovely frock every time!

Inspired by the rain!

2009-04-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

You can stay under my umberella..ella..ella eh.. eh.

Thank God it rained today - totally inspired by the downpour. Here's my new umbrella design as a result!

rainy monday morning

2009-04-27T01:41:00.001-07:00

Remember people, there's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.

Brolly yourself up right nice and enjoy the rain! I like nothing more than a slosh in a big puddle.

Caravan of love

2009-04-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

If I can't have one of these I'm going to scream until I'm sick! I'm loving this baby's t-shirt by Leanne Graeff too.

I long to gut a 70's caravan and rebuild it - it would be an interior design dream. I'd paint tree's and birds on the outside so we could be at one with nature in our darling tin can.

After an in depth discussion on caravanning with the Made in Manchester gals (it was a very important business meeting) it was decided that caravanning, and camping for that matter, was like Marmite - a love or hate thing. Mrs B was also pro caravan.

I was bought up spending every summer in a 70's caravan on the costas eating tinned everything (I'm reet classy me). And I just LOVE it. The smell of gas and matches, ants in your bed, melamine plates. Loads of feral kids playing out in the fresh air all day. Happy days!

There's a wicked picture of me age 7 in my caravan sporting NHS specs and a sombrero somewhere. I must dig it out.

I feel some camping inspired designing coming on!

Print and Pattern showcase!!

2009-04-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

It's very exciting as yesterday my cards were featured on Print and Pattern. A fab blog with - you guessed it, loads of gorgeous pattern items. Well worth a look if you haven't already seen it.

I got a few sales which is great, I just need to keep on getting my stuff out there!

Here's the birdy card that featured.

The french markets are in town tomorrow - I'll be having a mooch and ordering 'deux crepes s'il vous plait' in my worst schoolgirl french!

Old Skool Exercise books

2009-04-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

I heart vintage exercise books so I just created 5 new books in different retro chalky colours.
Here's my fave, the pink birdy one.

How curly and gorgeous is that 'E'?? Imagine people used to write in that lovely scripty way.

I've got some serious uploading and listing to do in my shops!

My new notelet sets

2009-04-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

I've been a busy bee today. As well as a blog revamp I'm having to go into overdrive as I have 3 craft fairs in a row. Yikes!

More details on the locations as they get closer.

Back by popular demand is another floral vintage phone - I WISH I could buy a phone like this. This time I've created it as a notelet set so you can keep them as a stash for any occasion like a surprise birthday or a thank you. Click here to shop!

Let me know what you all think.

hello blossom

2009-04-20T04:23:00.000-07:00

I actually hyperventilated when I saw this gorgeous pom pom blossom. Then bizarrely when I took a photo it went weird and created an almost painting effect. Even more beautiful.

Copy and set it to your desktop - It could be raining next week and you can look at this instead of out the window!