Wednesday 27 November 2013

The Boutique Christmas Market & Colston Hall Made in Bristol

 Ahhhh! So excited, this weekend I'll be holding my first ever Boutique Market. That's why I havn't been posting much here rescently, alot of work goes into organizing a art and craft market.
This will be on Dec 1st Monmouth shire hall, 11-3! We're raising money for the charity SANDS (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity)

You'll also find lot of lovely stall setup ideas and be introduced to loads of lovely artists and makers from in and around the Wye valley and welsh marches!

Read more here: The Boutique Market

This weekend I'll also be at Colston Hall Bristol, which I can't wait for! See you then? x

Monday 9 September 2013

Bath Artisan Market


This Sunday I was at the Bath Artisan Market. It was my first stall there and I set up shop in this cute little hut! I've walked through the Old station many times as I've got friends and family who live near there. Its a very pretty venue, out side and yet covered from the elements by a glass roof, a perfect mix of inside/outside atmosphere! (Although I imagine it'll be horribly cold in the winter!!)
 The day was a bit slow for customers and other stall holders who were regulars commented on how unusually quiet it was. So I will be back in Bath to try again. This was also the first outing of my cushion display trunk, which I was very happy with. Happily all the colours matched on my stall. :D



Next week I'm at:
Newport Riverfront Sessions and Boutique Market on Friday 13th
Hereford Art Market on Saturday 14th
and Hereford Vintage Wedding Fayre on Sunday 15th!

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Handmade Gifts : DK Crafts


Wow! I'm in a book. In Handmade Gifts by DK I show you how to make my popular tote bags, including the pencil design above. This was the first bag print I listed in my online shop and I'm happy to share a technique in printing it. (One that you can do at home without any expensive equipment!)
 In the back of the book you'll see my other stencil shapes for printing. Once you've copied and cut out the designs you canhave fun playing about with repeat patterns or changing scale of the shapes.



Take a closer look Here or even buy from a local retailer!? It's full of lots of lovely crafts and tips. I'm going to make the macaroons!



Monday 5 August 2013

Tenbury Show


 I was at the Tenbury show this weekend. I've not done any county shows before so though I'd give it a go. There were some nice people and lovely baked goods in the tent next door. (dangerous for me..)

Thursday 25 July 2013

Cats

I drew these in March 2012, when I went to the local cats protection to get a new pet cat. There were so many personalities and stories I felt the need to draw a few of them when I got home again. They're funny little sketches with a few words about each animal, but when i looked back through my sketch book recently they stood out. I'm not great at drawing from memory, but in a way that meant I got the personalities of the cats across better as I wasn't focusing on the accurate look of each animal.

Felix really did have a big head like this. Some kind of condition that meant his teeth grew big too.
Pumpkin was huge, and a bit scarey, I went in to pet him and he stood up to great me, showing his full size. He was surprisingly friendly though.
 Molly was my favourite! She lay out on the floor and rolled around wanting a belly rub.

These cats were really shy and both just sat at the back of their cage mirroring each other.

These cats were a bit worse for wear! They were really cute though. They're previous owner had died of old age. :(

I've been thinking about drawing more animals to incorporate into greeting card designs. I'd like to make bright ink coloured drawings that fit in with my recent balloon illustration.

Monday 22 July 2013

Lobster

Lobster is done! This one I've printed on a square 15 x 15cm card. Would look great framed for someone who loves seafood or has a nautical themed decor.This card is now in my Floksy Shop

Saturday 20 July 2013

Snake Print

The next print in my rainbow animals set of lino prints. This design was nice to carve with the flowing simple lines. The more I printed the design the more mottled the yellow colour became, which looked great; like scales. I think I'll have to highlight something on the snake in black thought as it looks flat right now. maybe eyes and a tongue?
The next design is for the colour red. This lobster will be a bit more difficult to carve I think, there is a lot more detail and a small image too. Can't wait to see it done though, so that will be my motivation to get it done today hopefully!

Thursday 18 July 2013

Pink Flamingo

The first of a series of prints; animal rainbow! Starting with pink yesterday it could only be a flamingo.

I wanted to try and do simple to make screen prints that were detailed and printed in just one colour, so I could make tote bags and cushions a bit cheaper. (multiple colour prints are more likely to go wrong and take much more time so are more expensive.) However I started with lino cuts of my ideas, so they're less detailed (no feathers drawn in ect) and I've highlighted the beak in black, I may have to do a bit of black in each design so they all sit well as a collection, and to add a bit of depth to each print.
This design was printed on textured paper which works well with the lino, looks like feathers!

Next colour is red! Here are some of the ideas i was playing with, feel free to help suggest animals please. :

Red: Lobster, red panda, ants, Macaw, frog
Orange: Clown fish, tiger, goldfish, squid
Yellow: giraffe, tocan, boxfish, snake, bees and hive
Green: grasshopper, praying mantis, snake, camillian, parrots, frog
Blue: starfish, blue jay, lobster, jellyfish, peacock
purple: crab, Siamese fighter fish, jellyfish,

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Inking

A snap shot of my desk today! Working on some illustrations today. I'm trying to get done some of the ideas that have been jotted down in my sketch book recently.

Friday 14 June 2013

Pet Print Cushion Covers!


I've made some new cushion covers for my shop. These are hand silkscreen printed using my own drawings of animals, specifically pets. I love these bright coloured fabrics, I can make each print up as any colour but these were the ones I was drawn to. I've had people asking for more muted colours like powder blue, so they'll be 'coming soon'. As I had sew each cushion cover I can select any colour or fabric you'd like!

I think these would look great in a modern home, lined up on a sofa. They really brighten a room. Even Ed the cat was  interested in them:

Saturday 25 May 2013

Coupon code and giveaway!

'Like' and 'Share' this coupon pic via my facebook page Facebook To be entered into a prize draw for a custom made pet brooch! Thank you for all your custom and support over the last year.
Here are a few examples of brooches I've made:


Friday 24 May 2013

Doll Face

My doll face necklace has evolved into this cute collection of painted wood faces. I get carried away with creating lots of unique little characters, but I like the idea that each piece will be unique. They'll come as brooches and necklaces to start with. Look out for them in my shop soon.


They started of based on kokeshi dolls, but I think they remind me of a class of school kids!


Saturday 16 March 2013

The Aviary


My new T-shirt from The Aviary arrived today in a flurry of paper butterflies! I've been coveting this gorgeous floral cat design since I saw it entered into the People of Print Cat's Protection T-Shirt Design competition. (of which I also entered...I did not win) I really admire [I'm jealous of] The Avairy's style. The illustrations are delicate and intricate and beautiful! Mixing my favourite things; animals, flowers and ink drawings I'm sure to buy more from them, especially in the near future when they launch their own website. Ones to watch, or at least Facebook stalk, as they're making a lot of new things including items made from their digitally printed fabrics; cushions, paper and wallpaper. :D

The T-shirt is really nice as well, but if I'm brave enough I might try to adjust it a bit. The length is great but I'd like a softer neckline and shorter sleeves or at least rolled up cap like sleeves. I'm no good at sewing, so I'll have to enlist the help of my talented seamstress relatives!

Monday 18 February 2013

Paint your own egg cups

Inspired at last to paint some of my egg cups.The pens work really well! I had to break the designs up into sections as the paint took a couple of days to dry. I went with faces as a motif as the egg cup shape lends its self to being a little person. I'm going to do more! It's quite addictive to sketch characters once I got the format sorted.

Monday 11 February 2013

Valentines



Valentines Day is very nearly here. These are some of the card designs I made for the day. Hand lino cut and printed on white card. Buy from my Folksy Shop or the Welsh Gift Shop



Friday 18 January 2013

Snow Day

Januray brings the snow,
Makes our feet and fingers glow!

First day of snow is always the best, fresh crisp and bright. Here is a gift guide inspired by the weather across most of the country, All found on Folksy.


1: Snowflake necklace: Celtic Shore
2: Snow tags: Dottery Pottery
3: fine bone china with gold rim: madebymanos
4: My own photo, the snow in my garden!
5: Snow Rabbit Card: Paper Scissors Stone
6: Icicle lights: Red brick glass


Thursday 3 January 2013

Very Bunny

Rabbit earrings are hopping out of my shop faster than any other item, not hard to see why! I love Rabbits as an animal, as a motif and everything else.You can see rabbits scattered through my Pinterest boards. I could probably do a rabbit feature every week for a year with the number of items if collected, pinned and fav'edon Etsy. But for now look at these lovely items;


1: Little rabbit plush. The Black Apple.
2: Rabbit Socks, H&M
3: Rabbit Playsuit: Primark. (It’s sooo cute!)
4: Rabbit Paper Dolls by Wool And Water
5: Rabbit Wallpaper - Muraspec
6: Tea For two.
7: Beautifuly decorated Plate, havn’t found the source yet!