Thursday Showcase No. 11 Sue Hotchkis

I can’t quite believe it is Thursday again – where does the time go?! I am very pleased to be able to introduce you to a very talented lady today – am so glad that she agreed to take part as I really admire her work. Please give a warm welcome to…..

1. Whats yer name and where d’ya come from?!
My name is Sue Hotchkis and I’m a textile artist who currently lives in Guernsey. Although I’m a northern lass at heart, born and raised in Hull, and then living and working in Manchester.

2. How long have you been doing what you do, and how did you get into it?
I’ve always created from being a small child. I had my first sewing machine when I was seven, and would draw and paint and make my own dolls clothes. After gaining a degree in Embroidery and then an MA in Textiles I completed a PGCE and went on to teach Art & Design to adults and Textiles to pre degree students at Tameside College Manchester. When my husband got a new job in Guernsey I was given the opportunity to give up teaching and concentrate on my own practice.

3. What is the hardest part of your work?
Besides never having enough time to be creative, I would say it’s the composition of my work. Although I want the work to look effortless, they are in fact well thought out. The piece has to look balanced. This part can be very frustrating. Pieces are added and taken away until it feels right and this can take a long time. In addition to that utilising social media regularly to promote my work, networking with other creative people and exhibiting are all time consuming tasks that can be challenging to fit in when what I love most is to be in the studio producing.

4. And what is the most rewarding?
Creating and finishing a new piece. Sometimes I look at things I’ve made and I can’t believe I did it. It’s also rewarding when someone buys a piece because they really love it.

5. What do you class yourself as – artist, designer/maker, crafter, creative?
I’ve always considered myself an artist but I do design and create my work. I hate boxes and labels, trying to succeed is hard enough as it is without putting boundaries on yourself.

6. Who from the creative world do you admire?
There are lots of people, these are just a few; Jock McFadyen, Gerhard Richter,  Howard Hodgkin, Mark  Rothko, Robert Rauschenberg, Turner , Jo Budd, Jane Mckeating, Alice Kettle, Shizuko Kimura  and Janet Echelman.

7. Where does your inspiration come from?

I take photographs all the time, especially when travelling. I find inspiration in the insignificant and overlooked.  I’m particularly drawn to man-made objects that have been distressed by the passage of time old cars and boats, crumbling walls, peeling paintwork, that sort of thing. Initially I study the photographs that I’ve taken of a specific place or object. Then I work with its qualities, colour, form, texture and composition.

8. Do you listen to music/watch TV whilst you are working, and if so, what?

I recently entered the digital age and bought an iPod touch. I like the freedom of putting it on shuffle, knowing it will surprise me with what it plays , anything from Florence & The Machine, Adele to Paul Weller, Nic Drake to Japan  If I’m writing or really having to think about  my work  I don’t listen to anything , as I can’t concentrate with noise.

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Still making, creating and exhibiting. It’s possible we might be living in France in five years so that would bring new challenges.

10. What sacrifices have you made for your art?!
I’ve given up trying to be a domestic goddess!! It’s never going to happen. Being an artist and having a tidy house with all the washing and ironing done is impossible, for me anyway.

I am sure you will want to see more of Sue’s work, so here is the link to her website.

If you like her work, please head on over to her Facebook page and like that too – Sue Hotchkis

You can also follow her on Twitter right here – Sue Hotchkis

Thanks for reading, I’ll be back with another interesting person next Thursday, or stop by on Monday to find out what I have been up to this week.

Craft Fair and Craft Market

So what is the difference between a craft fair and a craft market? Well I haven’t a clue! If you know, please tell me! The only thing I do know, because my back hurts, my fingers are blue from cold, and I am starving hungry,yet in a good mood, is that I have done one of each this weekend. I’ll tell you all about it in this link-tastic blog post … I am writing this now before I forget, or get too busy with other things – I have worked out how I can write it now, Sunday afternoon, and post it to you lot on Monday morning – very clever!!

Firstly there was the craft fair at The Swan, Newlands – this is a pub fairly local to me, where I go every couple of weeks to meet up with a craft group (we sit and do our work, have a chat and a pint, and it is all quite interesting!) So the craft group decided to do a craft fair at the pub. What a great idea – a craft fair where you can have a drink – excellent! It was just a small event, but well attended and I actually did really well – I sold out of stock in three card designs! All the artists and crafters were local, and a real varied range – hand-made walking sticks, decoupage, hats, cushions, baby bouquets, artwork….that wort of thing. We were very lucky with the weather – glorious sunshine – and I think that really helped.

Secondly, I have just got back from a craft market at The Fold at Bransford. This is going to be happening once a month from now on, so it was a bit like starting a new job – checking out your workspace, sussing out your ‘colleagues’ and finding the best place for a pint after a hard days work (at the stall opposite me!). I am so excited to have finally found a market that I think really suit my work. There is only one downside – I am likely to spend a large amount of the profit with the other stallholders, especially in the run up to Christmas. They were all of a great standard, and also very friendly and helpful. So let me introduce you to some of them…

The Friday Beer Company – these chaps had the stall opposite me – both a good and a bad thing I guess – fortunately it was far too cold to be wanting to drink much beer, so I managed to stay sober! I have, however, bought home four bottles of Friday Gold and am looking forward to one in a few hours time.

Panache – I had the pleasure of being next to Frankie and her fragrant stall – she is going to do so well on the run up to Christmas – and I will definitely be asking if I can do a trade with her for a Christmas wreath. She does lots of other non Christmassy stuff too – check out her website!

Hatty Baggins – amazing felted stuff, made from wool from the lovely Steve the sheep and his sheepy friends Alan, Issy and Bluebelle. I have put in a request for some fingerless gloves for the next market as it was brrrr-cold today and my fingers are still not back to normal.

Vineyard Pottery – beautiful pottery in gorgeous soft colours. See Neil at the next fair (28th October).

Chilli Pepper Plantation – as the name would suggest, all things chilli! Pam has a huge range of homemade james, sprinkle,s chocolates, oils and also chilli plants so you can grow more at home.

Canapes By Gill – I have met Gill before at another craft fair and I knew she would be there today, so I didn’t bother taking any lunch with me! Gill makes the most amazing cakes and savoury tarts, and as I found out today, amazing scotch eggs too! Additionally, she does party and event catering – and can do it in your own home – fantastic!

Smoffy Photography – Karen had some wonderful prints of her work available – some mounted, some framed. Really lovely work – check out her blog and see for yourself!
Christine Harmer – beautiful enamelled jewellery from Christine – check out her website and look for the peacock stuff – amazing!

Ecowood Products – Stellan creates amazing stuff from locally sourced wood, all hand turned. He can also use a real spinning wheel!! He doesn’t have a website at the moment, but you can see him at the next Fold Monthly Market on 28th October.

Rainbow Cottage Crafts – Andrea had a range of handmade sterling silver jewellery incorporating ethically sourced gemstones – find out more on her website.

Plantation Cottage Herbs – Lynda has the most delicious looking range of jellies and vinegars all made with home-grown and local fruits and herbs, and if you check her website you will see she is one of Rick Steins Food Heros!! An also, she sells sheepskins! They looked very, very snuggly today when it was oh so cold and wet!

Artisan Forge – Gary is a traditional style blacksmith and I am in awe of his work! Pop down tot he next market to see some of it!

A&S Enterprises – Andy and Simon make very smart looking signs from slate – come and meet them at the next market.

Bread By Bike ( or B to the power of 3!) he lovely Simon and his yummy bread. Lucky people of Bransford are able to have their bread delivered to them by bike! For the rest of us, we have to wait for the monthly market. The bread is actually cooked in The Fold’s kitchen. If you want to know more, contact Simon at simoncox83@gmail.com

Norbury’s Norrest Farm & Cider Company – supplying a range of apple products – juice, cider and apples! See them at the next market.

And of course Kevin with veg fresh from The Fold Care Farm – click the link to find out more. I managed to come away with two potimarron which I have exciting plans for!

I also met a couple of artists who are full time residents of The Fold (well, they have studios there) Sharon and Tony

There were other people too – sorry, I didnlt have time to chat to everyone! Oh, and of course a tombola for St Richards Hospice – I won some body lotion!! And a stall for The Gateway Retreat run by Andy and Ann of the Worcester Satsang Meditation Group. It is an interesting project – have a look in further detail – The Gateway Trust

OK, well as you can probably tell, and if not the certainly guess, I am cold, hungry, and tired – plus my son has started drumming and ‘singing’ on the table next to me and really needs some attention! toodlepip!

Thursday Showcase No. 10 Divine Choice Creations

Wowzers – the tenth in the series! Amd I am so excited to be able to inroduce you to the lovely Pearletta Wilson of Divine Choice Creations. I met Pearletta on twitter thanks to #cbuk chat – a weekly meeting of bloggers who blog about their crafts. She is a warm, kind hearted soul with a real passion for her work. Her she is, on Olympic Torch day, showing her support for St Lucia, Jamaic and the UK all at once!

And her is a little bit more about her…

1.Whats yer name and where d’ya come from?!

My name is Pearletta and I create and craft under the name DivineChoice Creations. I was born in London and have always lived here. I grew up in North London then moved to East London more than 30 years ago. I have to include St Lucia in an answer about where I come from as that is my family homeland and although I am British by birth I am also St Lucian.

2. How long have you been doing what you do, and how did you get into it?

Making cards using various media started five years ago. I’ve always been a creative person and when I was admitted to hospital and knew that it would be a long stay I decided that I needed something to keep my mind occupied. Luckily I found something in the hospital shop that fitted the bill – a cross stitch kit. I was bit rubbish and didn’t do it very well but my mum then brought me some cross stitch cards kits and some other crafty stuff. There were some nurses from the Philippines who were expert stitchers so they showed me how to work better and so it was only natural that I gave one of the cards I made to them as a thank you when I left.

During my recovery I discovered card making magazines with paper and embellishments included and so I started following the designs and made cards for family and friends to say thank you and for celebrations. That is really how it all started as it led to my own designs and creations.

As I said I’ve always been a creative person so in recent years I have picked up skills that were lying dormant and incorporated them into my crafting.

3. What is the hardest part of your work?

Maintaining my creativity during difficult times e.g. when my health is not good or when coping with other emotional issues is the hardest part of my work as my creativity is inevitably affected. It is partly why I switch from card making to knitting or stitching and back again so there is always something I can make to fit my current circumstance.

4. And what is the most rewarding?

The most rewarding thing is receiving a positive response to one of my creatons whether online or off but I also get a huge amount of satisfaction from seeing a design develop and completed well.

5. What do you class yourself as – artist, designer/maker, crafter, creative?

Oooh that’s a tough one…mmmm.

Well I’d probably say all of the above. Is that allowed?

6. Who from the creative world do you admire?

One of the first handmade items I ever bought online was made by a knitter and stitcher whose work I both admire and am inspired by – Julie Cartwright of Life in Stitches. I also admire the work of Stacy Ann Cole of Creativesque – her work is so distinctive. I admire the yarn creations of Penny Graham-Jones of Planet Penny too as I get the most repins when I pin her work on Pinterest. Seriously though these are just a few names that spring to mind but I could name lots of people.

Besides the talent in the their craft I also admire crafters who have great blogs and are getting into the media and doing well at craft fairs – they ‘re all so organised!

7. Where does your inspiration come from?

I am inspired by nature, children, art, especially African art, TV, even the urban landscape … can’t really put my finger on one thing specifically. Some ideas just pop into my head as if from nowhere.  I am like a little kid sometimes finding beauty and pleasure in the simplest of things – a pink summer evening sky, the twinkle of dew on the lawn or in a spiders web, the first strawberry of the season…

8. Do you listen to music/watch TV whilst you are working, and if so, what?

Yes I do all those things. If I am listening to music I like to shuffle my mp3 player so I hear everything from roots reggae, to r&b, rap, and gospel. If I am watching TV I enjoy football or programmes like LA Ink (not into tattoos I just admire the art and the ideas they come up with), food programmes (Nigella, Saturday Kitchen Live…) or something factual like ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, The Empire or some true life tale. Sometimes when I work I’ll listen to a drama or comedy on digital radio. I especially like Agatha Christie even though I’ve heard or seen all the stories more than once. I’m the same with Columbo. Oh yeah and I am a fan of the Archers. My mum used to listen to it when I was little and I thought it was so boring except for the theme tune. I got into it about 20 years ago when I ‘discovered’ spoken radio and I’ve listened ever since.

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I would like to think that I will be making fantastic cards with a wider range using more of my own artwork, be a much better knitter and stitcher with my own website including a shop and a blog in one. I expect to be an old hand at craft markets and even venture out of London once in a while to pursue my creative endeavours. I’d also like to have a community project encouraging people to make stuff and have fun doing it.

10. What sacrifices have you made for your art?!

That’s a bit deep unless you mean the hours I’ve sacrificed sleep because I must see a spark of an idea through to the end even if that means staying up until the birds start singing or the neighbourhood cockerel (yes even in the heart of London we have a cockerel) starts crowing his head off. Or what about the house cleaning I sacrifice because I just have to complete a drawing, card or knitting project?  Yes these are the sacrifices I’ve made for my art 😉

See, what a lovely lady- I bet you are glad you have met her! Here is some of her work…

You can find Pearletta in a number of places, just click on the links below….

Divine Choice Creations on Twitter

Divine Choice Creations Blog

So pop on over and say hello, and have a look at what else Pearletta has been up to!

See you again next week x

An update

Phew, super  busy! No time to write anything much of interest, so will just let you know what I have been up to, and what I am trying to get on with.

Firstly, am working away on these flamin’ Christmas cards. I have some ideas finalised now and approved by my most important stockist, so need to crack on with getting the final cuts sorted so that I can take them over to the printer and get them set up and ready to go.

Company logo – I have been asked to design a company logo. I was so excited to be asked to do this – what an honour! After extensive talks with the client and a couple of false starts we now have a design that we are both happy with. So a final cut needs to be done, and then off to the printer to get it properly scanned in and set in the right type of format ready for use. Here is the sketch cut…

Apple tree shades – am working on some ideas for a commission to do two light shades – a table lamp and a standard lamp – with an apple theme. I think I am happy with what I have done so far, but will need to check in with the client – I am very lucky that this is not required for a certain date, so have had lots of time to think about it. I am looking forward to communications with the client and finding out if they like the idea as much as I do!

Christening commission – this is a new one, and extra special as it is a present from the godmother to her godson. The client has been fab to work with – I think because we both have similar ideas on what would work!! I have a fair way to go though as I am not happy with the lettering yet, so not ready for a final cut. It is quite a tight deadline though, so I need to pull my finger out and get going.

Christmas cards again – I am designing a Christmas card for a local small business. Very exciting! Due to meet with the client this week to discuss colourways, sizes, and of course my final design. Fingers crossed she likes it and we can press on with getting them to the printers.

So that is where I am at on this sunny September morning. I have a small dog asleep next to me as I type, daughter at school, son at nursery, an almost tidy house…. I better get on with the work then! Hope you all have a smashing week, and don’t forget to look out for an interesting person on the blog on Thursday!

Thursday Showcase No. 9. Gilhoolie Lampshades

Hello, and welcome to Thursday. Thanks for joining me for another interesting person! I discovered the Gilhoolie website very early on in my adventures with lampshades, and so I am very pleased that she has agreed to feature on my showcase today.

And here we go with the questions….

1. Whats yer name and where d’ya come from?!
My name’s Julie Gardner and I own a business called ‘gilhoolie bespoke lampshades’ – the name speaks for itself really! I chose the name gilhoolie from a nickname at university a long time ago – it just rhymes with Julie and I wanted something a bit quirky and original.

2. How long have you been doing what you do, and how did you get into it?
I had to count the months on my fingers for this one! I’ve been making lampshades for 18 months now. I stumbled across a designer and lampshade maker called Helen Rawlinson on the Internet one day (http://helenrawlinson.blogspot.co.uk/). There was a photo of her standing in her workshop, surrounded by colourful drum lampshades and I immediately thought that was what I wanted to do one day.

I started with drum lampshades and then moved onto hand-stitched empire lampshades which I absolutely love. A lot of work goes into them so I find the end product beautiful and incredibly rewarding.

I also teach how to make drum lampshades at my house in Maidenhead and for a lovely shop in Caversham, Reading, called Make & Do. (http://www.makeanddoworkshops.com/index.html)

3. What is the hardest part of your work?
The pins! J I use hundreds when I’m pinning fabric to a frame and it takes practice to not get sore fingers plus I’m always worried about dropping them on the floor and someone treading on one! I also find it hard to find fabric that I like, I wish I lived near a big fabric shop, but then that would probably be fatal for my bank account!

4. And what is the most rewarding?
Teaching is really rewarding for me and it’s great to be with other people rather than on my own all the time. It’s really good to be able to teach others and see their excitement as they see their lampshade take shape!

Also, believe it or not, just finishing a hand-stitched lampshade is really rewarding for me – I always stand back and admire them and say to myself “I did that!”

5. What do you class yourself as – artist, designer/maker, crafter, creative?
Designer/maker I guess. I like drawing too – I take orders for ink portraits of people’s houses and wedding venues for wedding gifts and I love sitting down and drawing when I get the time. I also like drawing pictures using machine embroidery – it’s a great way to incorporate pattern and drawing and gets easier the more you do and the more you relax at the sewing machine!

6. Who from the creative world do you admire?
I originally dreamt of designing my own fabric to make things from and still really admire the work of a lady called Lotta Jansdotter (http://www.jansdotter.com/). Her designs are very simple and fresh and I love her drawing style too. I have made lined drum lampshades from one of her designs, which hang in my hallway.

7. Where does your inspiration come from?

As I live near London, there’s nothing like a trip to some fabric shops and Liberty; I’ve just decided I need to make time to do that more! I‘m also a bit obsessed with simple, geometric and retro patterns on anything, plus I love looking at old houses and browsing in boutique shops and antique shops. I recently bought a 1960’s J & G Meakin platter for 50p from a local antique shop, because I liked the retro blue flower pattern.

8. Do you listen to music/watch TV whilst you are working, and if so, what?
I listen to six music a lot when I’m making lampshades (if I’m not sitting in the garden when it’s nice weather!) I really like Lauren Laverne’s show in the morning – it’s good to have a mixture of new music and friendly banter while I’m working. If I’m writing a blog post I can’t listen to anything though, I’ve always found it hard to concentrate with lots going on!

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Well, I’d like to be doing more of what I do now really. I’d like to be making more lampshades for clients and to have several Interior Designers that I get work through. It would be good to teach more too, oh and to have my own studio space in the garden where I can go and be creative whenever I like!

10. What sacrifices have you made for your art?!
I’m not sure I’ve made any really. I’m lucky that my children are both at school (and a very supportive husband!) so I have time to work on gilhoolie during school hours, except in the school holidays when I find it really hard to do both!

There we are, another interesting person for you! One of these days I may have to beg her to teach me how to make amazing hand stiched empire lampshades, althought I think it may take a while as she is so dedicated, neat, and hard working!

Please do go and check out her work further in the following places….
Gilhoolie Website

Gilhoolie Twitter

Gilhoolie Facebook

Thats all for now, see you again next week for another interesting person!

Bromyard Folk Festival

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This weekend I did my first ever two-day craft fair. It had cleverly been organised in the centre of Bromyard to coincide with the famous folk festival. We certainly had some interesting characters wandering up and down, with their pewter tankards attached to their belts, and some amazing costumes and fabulous hats!

I can’t say I took a huge amount of money, but I did make enough to cover my costs and have a few pints afterwards! And I have some interesting leads to follow up regarding other craft fairs, possible retail outlets, artists to check out who might inspire me further, and possible projects/collaborations.

And of course I met some wonderful people too! Thought I would introduce you to them..

Lovers Orchard – I was lucky to be right next to Karen and Caz who run this fab online gift store and also stock my stuff. Was great to get to know them a bit better, and have a good nosy around their extensive range of gifts, artwork and handmade cards.

Names In Frames – wonderful to meet Kevin and his wife who have been doing craft fairs for many years, so had lots of great tips to share. It really makes these things worth while when you can meet such interesting, helpful and friendly people. And yes, I did walk away with my very own name in a frame!

Colour Boutique – the lovely Carole, with her fab range of bags and scarves int he most gorgeous colours and styles was super  helpful, and we are definitely staying in touch so we can help each other out with news and information about other craft fairs.

Jane Dickinson – again, another smiley friendly face. She had some stunning photographs for sale. I particularly liked the ones of doorways and arches.

Chiselbrick – Joz had the most original idea of the day, and I am definitely bookmarking his website for future birthday presents. I have never seen anything like it before – reclaimed bricks transformed into mini sculptures/artwork/home&garden decorations.

Handmade In Hartlebury – the fabby Jo has a very cool range of bunting, aprons, beanbags, decorative hearts, cushions – I know where to go next time I want something to cheer the house up a bit or for great presents for all ages.

And on top of that were the lovely people to the other side of me with fantastic mosaics, the amazing Zoe who organised the whole thing, Becky and her jewellery, um….. and loads of others, too many to mention!

Finally, sorry about the quality of the photos – the camera is still broken and so I had to use my husband’s iphone (and I think I may have had a glass or two or cider by that point!)

Thursday Showcase No. 8 mrsmcindoe!!!!!!!!!!

Another Thursday showcase for you! The person I was going to profile today has been having a hectic time recently and so we have not finished her post yet, so I thought, why not do one for myself?! Just incase you were wondering what my answers would be – I have to say, I have been wondering how I would answer since i started this series, so I’ll have a go right now and see what comes out!

1. Whats yer name and where d’ya come from?!

My name is Naomi, and I work as mrsmcindoe – incase you hadn’t guessed, my surname is actually McIndoe (pronounced Mac-In-Doo, emphasis on the Mac) I live in Worcester, we moved here a year ago. I have also lived in the following places – London (Peckham, Primrose Hill, Kensal Green), Bristol (many different districts), Manchester, Sheffield, Godalming, Peak District, Kenilworth, Bromsgrove, Solihull, Burton On Trent.

2. How long have you been doing what you do, and how did you get into it?

I officially started work in January 2012. It all came about rather by accident. The previous year I made a picture for my husband for Valentines Day. We put it up in our home, and lots of people have asked where we got it from and been shocked when I have admitted to making it myself. I thought I would have a bit of a go at doing some more cutting, and again, people seemed to like it! Then at my first craft fair I was approached and asked to create a series of greetings cards, which is where that element came in. And the lampshades – well, I cut in the evenings, and often hold my work up to the big table lamp to see how it is going, and my husband suggested I turn them into lampshades. I mentioned this to one of my bestest friends who told me a good friend of hers (who I had met a long time before) was now running classes in how to make lampshades – fate! So I went to see the lovely Ruth of Quincy Lampshades who taught me all I needed to know.

3. What is the hardest part of your work?

There are not enough hours in the day – simple as that. I have a 2 yr old son who is at home with me all the time (starting nursery for two mornings next week) and a 5 yr old daughter who has just finished her first year of school. On top of that I have a husband, a cat and a puppy, plus a house that is half renovated and a garden in need of some serious attention. Oh, and the PTA. There is just not enough time to fit it all in, and it is very hard prioritising and re-prioritising over and over again during the day to accommodate everything.

4. And what is the most rewarding?

I love it when a plan comes together – when I have had an idea, or working on a commission, and am doubtful that it will work, but then something clicks and it all fits and I am very pleased with myself! Plus all the lovely comments from people I have never met, both on the blog, on twitter and Facebook and at craft fairs – it is what keeps me going.

5. What do you class yourself as – artist, designer/maker, crafter, creative?

I would say designer maker – all my work is my own design, and I make it myself without laser cutters or staff.

6. Who from the creative world do you admire?

Obviously all the lovely people I have been mentioning on this showcase series. On top of that I would include Orla Kiely, Rob Ryan, Phillipe Stark, Grayson Perry….. a never-ending list really!

7. Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration comes from everything – every experience, every thing I see, it all goes in and gets logged somewhere and bits of it come out again at a later date, sometimes years later, sometimes that afternoon. Sometimes these bits are good and they work, other times they can lead onto something altogether different, and sometimes it is utter rubbish that goes in the bin! A general love of pattern, form, shape, colour, texture – am sure everyone is the same, more or less. I like to surround myself with interesting things – be that little objects in my own home, or fantastic countryside to walk in, or visiting shops and markets.

8. Do you listen to music/watch TV whilst you are working, and if so, what?

I am a big music lover, and it is very sad that I can not listen to music when I work – I just get too involved int he music and can’t concentrate at all. I do watch TV though, when I am cutting in the evenings, or using social networking stuff (twitter, fb, pinterest etc). Only mind numbing programs though, nothing too interesting. In fact, sometimes it works out quite well – my husband can watch sport on TV and still have me sitting next to him, as if I am working, I don’t mind football too much (can’t believe I just wrote that – thankfully husband is away with the children where there is no internet access so won’t read it!)

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Doing the same as now but with less stress! I would like to branch out into other homewares – printing my designs onto fabric for cushions, curtains, wallpaper, bedspreads, napkins, placemats – that sort of thing.

10. What sacrifices have you made for your art?!

I have pretty much no ‘me’ time, the house is a tip, the rest of the family and all my friends don’t get as much attention as I would like to give, and when my son goes to school in a couple of years we won’t have as big an income as we would if I had a ‘proper’ part time job.

Phew….. well, there you go – that was actually pretty hard to write! so an extra massive thank you to all those who have agreed to be involved in this series, I now know how much effort you have put in!

The Wales

Yes, we are in The Wales, at The Cottage. I am hoping that I will at some point have been able to get to a computer and send this blog post, which was actually written back in July, in preparation for being away. I didn’t want to leave you lovely people with nothing to look at or read, so I thought I would dig out some pics of last summer in Wales and show them to you. Hopefully it wont be too dull for you. And maybe some of them will provide you with some inspiration for your work – they certainly inspire me.

These pictures are all taken around Mid Wales – mostly in the sort of triangle between Welshpool, Llanidloes and Aberdovey.

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