Things I Like

Below is a list of things that I like and therefore may be featured on this new "all round good stuff I want to talk about" blog.


Glitter
Cats
Sport
Lush products
Cosmetics
Chevrons
Magazines
Permanent markers
Fine liners
Nice card
Glitter paper
Neon paint
Nail varnish
Necklaces
Rings
Scarves
Hats
Sequins
Bows
Stars
Gold
Graphic markers
Sweet smelling shower gel
Coloured eyeliner
1950s vintage stuff
Stickers
Sparkly socks
Glittery stickers
Washi masking tape
Origins skincare
Bright lipstick
Vintage clothes
40s hair styles
Shiny hair
Coloured or patterned jeans
Cosy jumpers
Screen printing
Design books
Pattern

Work in Progress

Thanks to the Christmas holidays I don't go back to work until tomorrow and so that has given me some time to work on some artwork and new bits and pieces for Hello Pushkin. I've also been experimenting with patterns and different media in my sketchbook and collecting lots of inspiration pictures together.

My students hate doing "research"; when we ask them to look at the work of other artists to help inspire their own work. It is kinda forced because it's not images they've sought out themselves but it's so important to see what other people are doing. I'm sure you all know that!

So I have been walking what I talk and doing exactly what I ask them to do, because I would be at a loss for ideas if I didn't have inspirational images!

         Cutting up images for my sketchbook.

New earrings displayed on new card backing!

Chris has also been busy getting his hands dirty. Literally! Ages ago he bought an Adana 3 x 5 printing press and it's taken quite a lot of work to get going but finally he has and it is looking very smart and working like a dream! He has been printing some Thank You cards. Here are his instagram photos of the lovely job he's been doing.

Inking up the roller ready to get going

Inked up and ready to print.

Back to the grind tomorrow but I will be adding some new earrings and a couple of new necklaces to the shops soon. Just waiting for the shop I buy my chains etc from to open up again after the holidays.

Snobs Coffee, Town Hall, Ipswich

Since last Summer Snobs Coffee Shop has been resident in Gallery 1 in the Town Hall in Ipswich, where I live.

The space is still used as a gallery and is furnished with fabulous vintage furniture mainly supplied by the fabulous Jess Bradley of Betty Blue Hat, on twitter as @bettybluehat and you can also find her on Facebook.

It's such a wonderfully relaxed place to meet for food or drink, there are piles of interesting magazines and books and unique artwork on the walls. All this and you're supporting an independent business by visiting there instead of one of the big commercial coffee shops.

I popped in the other day and enjoyed a lovely cuppa and a Portuguese custard tart (Mmmmmmmm!!) I love their mismatched mugs and vintage crockery.



Make sure you visit if you're ever in Ipswich.

Stripes, Colours, Wood

I often have a product in mind that I want to create and I can get quite single minded about it. Just because the plan was to make a necklace I don't think any further than that. I hope that I can change that in 2013. So the other day I had a thought that I could use my wooden circles to make earrings as well as necklaces. Well DUH! So here they are....

In the Etsy and Folksy shops now.

What's Next?

I don't do New Year's Resolutions but if I did...

So yes, I don't make New Year's resolutions, I guess because I feel like they never get kept and if I really wanted to stick to some kind of decision I had made calling it a NY's resolution isn't going to keep me to it any more.

BUT I have been very slack on this blog lately and that's just not good enough! So I am planning to blog more in 2013 and about more than just what i've made and what i'm adding to my shops. It isn't all about consumerism after all! (she says, knowing that eBay listings are going to be part of this blog, sorry!)

So the plan is to blog about my likes, what i've been excited about recently, where i've been (on the rare occasions when I go somewhere worth talking about) new books, or magazines or iphone apps or Etsy/Folksy shops or local makers (inspired by our I Make Fun Stuff markets) and whatever else takes my fancy. I hope that's okay with you all! To make things easier I will, no doubt, be using some pictures taken with my iphone so I hope that's not too offensive to anyone. Let's see how it goes huh?

So first off, we've been having a bit of a tidy up and clear out this last week. We haven't sorted out some rooms since we first moved in nearly a year ago so it was definitely about time. I found some clothes and things that were too good to just give to the charity shop so i've listed them on my eBay page here.... (click "here") All items start at 99p!

Authentic Welsh Tapestry Ladies Coat. Size 16-18. Excellent Condition

Vintage Synthetic Fur Ladies Coat. Size 12. Excellent Condition

Vintage Burgandy Clutch Bag. Slightly worn due to age.

Vintage Orange Handbag. Slightly worn due to age.

More items can be found on my eBay page. Link above the images! 

See at the next post! 

Christmas Stuffing!

I have added so much stuff to my Etsy shop at the weekend including lots of new painted brooches, brand new things that i've been working really hard on so I hope you like them. At the moment you can't find them anywhere else but i'll be adding things to my Folksy shop soon as well.

I have also added lots more teacup earrings in a variety of colours and will be adding lot sof teacup and wool badges soon too. Promise!

As well as all that i'm working on a new collection so stay tuned for sneak peeks of that in the future.

Clutter City Yuletide Market

After a successful day at the Weasel in a Teacup market at Colchester Arts Centre this Saturday you will find me at the Clutter City Yuletide Market in Norwich.

I'm really enjoying doing more markets than I normally do and it lots of different places. It's so exciting seeing new and exciting makers and their work. I can't wait for Saturday!