Let there be light!

The new studio is finished, and looking bloomin' lovely if I do say so! Jane and I worked our socks off, trawling second hand shops for furniture to tart up. I developed a brand new muscle from sanding, cleaning and painting, but it was all worth while as it looks exactly how we imagined, fresh and cosy. We both agree that more people are coming in and looking at our work - more than 6 people at a time would not have been possible in either of our old cupboards/studios! Here are a few shots of the work in progress:


Thank god for the orbital sander!





Amazing cocktail cabinet for 20 quid, including lemon squeezers, whoop! (totally impractical, of course)





Finished! Although we will no doubt be making some changes as time goes on, for the moment we're really pleased with how it looks. To celebrate, we will be having a little party on Saturday 7th of November, so be sure to pop along for a nosy, there's bound to be a drink in it for you! Of course, you may also be able to get all your Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop, how good would that be?! ;)

Aside from all this excitement, Jane and I exhibited some work on the Craft Centre's stand at The Buy Art Fair, Urbis and we both sold some pieces, so are both happy girls. I start my workshops for Bolton Museum on Friday, looking forward to the Entomology guy bringing his insects in for the kids to draw, even if they aren't!!
Adios amigos xx

Back to School!

What what what?! Did I really not blog for the whole of August? How remiss of me! Well fear ye not, I'm back and ready to knuckle down! I was out and about having fun a-plenty. I've been to The Big Chill in Hereford, the Lake District and North Devon for a spot of camping and surfing. Phew! Pretty pooped now, I can tell you. But! no rest for the wicked, I have exciting plans! The beautiful and talented Jane Blease and I are going into cahoots, and will be moving into a bigger studio in our beloved Craft and Design Centre asap! Stay tooned for more info, we're bound to have a shindig to celebrate the opening, and you're invited, baby!


We're in the middle of a HUGE thunderstorm here in Manchester, so a nice pic of some sunny times is needed! xx

Where's Summer, B?

Wowzer, I can't believe it's halfway through July already...well, more than halfway, yikes! And I haven't written a post all this time! I've been busy as always, so busy working and playing that I seem to have developed quite the eye twitch! I blame too much time staring at the computer, so had planned a splendid day of gardening and household errands. Alas, the weather here in Manchester is absolutely appalling! So I'm waiting patiently for a break in the rain to whiz out on my bike for provisions.
Last weekend I went down to London town to attend a training day at the V&A for the Design For Life project, it was super-inspiring and brilliant to meet some more experienced designers and educators. I felt a little sheepish that people seem to manage to do so much more than me, juggling design projects with teaching and personal art endeavours. So I hereby decree that next year I will definitely apply for a residency somewhere so that I can put some of my less commercial ideas into practice.
Other than that my customised baby T Shirts and bibs are proving popular, you can purchase them here on my Folksy site for UK buyers, and here on Etsy for you worldwide lovelies!
I took these product pics when the sun was shining! Ah, remember those days?! Hope you kids are enjoying a splendid Summer x

Just so busy, busy busy, busy scissors oh-oh

Hello! Thought it's about time for a real post, written with my real hands and mind.
First off, the workshop I did as part of Ministry of Craft went brilliantly, I was so impressed with the designs people came up with, you can read about it and see the results here. I'm going to be leading another day-long workshop in September, this time including monoprinting, lino cutting and screenprinting, so stay tuned for more info about booking.

I've been working hard on lots of new products, such as these alphabet print posters, which are for sale on my etsy and folksy sites.





I'm working on completing the alphabet set, so keep 'em peeled for more designs and colours coming soon. I'm really enjoying working with larger blocks of colour, working on paper gives me a bit more freedom to play with ideas, so I'm happy with that.

My most exciting news is that I've been selected to be workshop leader for the Design For Life project, working with Bolton Museum in conjunction with the Victoria and Albert Museum! I'm bursting with happiness about this, yesterday was so inspiring (and geeky) and I got to poke about behind the scenes at Bolton Museum, and chat to lovely Paul, the aquarium guy about mudskippers and the like! So, so good. I have loads of ideas for the project, I'll reveal more later...The workshops won't start until October, so I have plenty of time to prepare. I'm off down to London in a week to do a training day at the V&A, yippee!

That's probably enough for now, suffice to say I'm feeling very, very positive right now! <3 <3 <3

Max Ehrmann 1927 Baltimore

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, And remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly & clearly; and listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing future of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.
Beyond wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

R.S.I!!

Eek, I didn't realise it had been so long since my last post! Oopsie! Today has been spent updating my etsy and Folksy sites at long last, because the sun has reappeared and I was able to take some product shots on Saturday. Yippee! I've got some new t shirt designs and a couple more bibs. The tee pictured is my fave and I'm wearing one now. It's a bit of a change in direction because I just wanted to play with colour more and use some shapes that I felt would carry strong tones well.
I've started to do custom kid's bibs and tees, with names printed on them, hopefully they'll do quite well. I always loved anything with my name or initial on it when I was small(er)! I must must must get some shots of those at the weekend.
Other than new ideas whizzing around my brain, I've been digging a spot of exercise of late - I did the Great Manchester Run a couple of weeks ago and managed to beat last year's time, 10k in 1 hour 5 seconds. Next year I will do it in under an hour! I raised nearly £200 for Mind, the Mental Health charity as well, so I'm really pleased. Muchos gracias to all those that sponsored me.
I've also been going to intermediate (killer) yoga classes on a Wednesday and hula hoop classes on Mondays! Fun fun fun. I've even bought a hoop, bring on the abs of steel. This is all old news for those following my ramblings on Twitter, soz!
Tomorrow I'm facilitating a workshop at Manchester Art Gallery, hurray! All is pretty sweet in the Nell Camp. Hope it is for everyone else too :) xx

MAPS Festival...

MAPS festival is on this weekend in the good old Northern Quarter and we at the Craft and Design Centre are pleased to be a part of the fun. There will be paper cutting and embroidery activities from 2-4 to celebrate the end of the Craft Mafia exhibition, which is brill and worth a peek - it's your last chance!
We've also got bands on from 3-8, with all the studios and the cafe open for business. Come holla at me! It's free entry and therefore no excuses are acceptable for not coming on down to support local musicians, artists and all round good eggs. Start the Bank Holiday Weekend in good cheer! xx