A nice start to 2012...

A very (belated) happy new year to you all! Hope Christmas was relaxing as it could've been; mine was spent with family playing Scrabble, eating far too much and a good stomp in the countryside before a nice quiet week in Wales around new year...feels like a long time ago already!

I'm back in the office sorting mostly my first tax return out, (oh, the glamour) though my day was saved yesterday when I heard I'd been included in Channel 4's list of 'top 10' makers to watch and invest in for 2012 on Folksy! Such amazing, exciting news, totally ready for 2012 now after my slow crawl into the new year! 


Lots of things to report to you in January, it's turning out to be quite a busy month which is surprising so will keep you posted as bits evolve...This is a small sneak snippet of a 40th birthday commission I did for a client's best friend just before Christmas...

It ended up being nick-named 'the love token' and was so beautifully thought through, with just about every important aspect of my client's friends life entwined together including places she'd lived, first cars,the names of her children and husband and other bits and pieces along the way. It was printed absolutely huge and was so lovely to work on, especially before Christmas when we all need reminding of the important things in life! 


I'd love to do more personalized illustrations like this, I'm thinking wedding presents, retirement gifts and 'big' birthdays. Interpreting and digesting photos and information that people have given me to work with is a nice challenge and I end up feeling like I know these people inside out! ...is that a little too creepy...?! 

So...back to the book keeping. May all your wishes and dreams come true this year, make it a good one! X

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas...!

Finally, a photo of my newest studio addition as promised. This rare stationary moment was caught whilst she was asleep on the ironing board, exhausted from 're-arranging' the Christmas tree...enough said! She is so sweet and absolutely exhausting!

 

The Christmas shipping date has now been and gone and things are starting to wind down. I've been finishing up a few Christmas commissions including this one for a friend's boyfriend who adores vintage racers; this one's a little like my vintage 'lady bike' cushion, but a male model on a canvas frame. Have to say, I love this and it was pretty hard to let go of it! I may well be making some more, let me know what you think...

The polariods on the tree are old ones of my mum dressed as an angel when she was little and me with the cousins and a rather creepy looking Santa...I love having these out, they provoke a few chuckles on the way past and are a bit different to the trusty bauble!

Our festive offering this year- you can find the cushions, prints and stockings in the shop!

Those who follow these ramblings may recall the evening ceramics course I said I was doing last term? Well these little houses are the (small!) fruits of my labour, along with lots of other wonky pots / useless vessels / indescribable...things! Had lots of fun doing the course, and looking forward to whatever 2012 brings! 

Heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported me in my first year of trading, it is evident (as I sit down to sort out my tangle of accounts over Christmas!) that 2011 has been such an adventure, so much fun and just brilliant- I'm so grateful that after graduating only last year, I have been able to make a go of this creative malarkey! Couldn't do it without you- have a fabulous Christmas and all the best for 2012! X