Weather for taking photos...

Well I don't know about you but I am really tired of this dull, grey, cold weather. In Suffolk today we have snow yet again. Not as bad as in other parts of the UK but it has been non stop since first thing this morning.

This means I can't take photos of new products to put in my shops and show my readers. Or do any other blog post that involves taking decent pictures.

So for now here's a picture of Belle Vue first thing this morning.

I'm off to New York on Monday for a few days so if I get wifi I'll post some exciting pictures (probably mainly food) from there.

Shops are closed until I return.

50 Random Facts About Me

I've not been able to make the post I want to as the weather has been so grey I haven't had the light to take photos. So I've decided to do a random post. Here are 50 random facts about me.

1. I'm a picky eater
2. I did a Fine Art degree but I wouldn't do it if I could choose now.
3. I love cats, not a fan of dogs.
4. I'm a homebody, I really don't like being away from home.
5. I had bright pink hair for 5 years
6. I don't like Photoshop
7. I am a massive sports fan, everything but boxing and snooker and i'll watch it.
8. I cry when watching London 2012 highlights because I loved it so much I want to go back in time.
9. I don't like orange when used alone.
10. I will happily sit against a radiator for hours
11. When people use "done" instead of "did" it really annoys me. E.g. "I done my presentation"
12. Getting "your" and "you're" wrong annoys me too.
13. I love making my jewellery and do it because I want to wear it, but I rarely do.
14. I'm a control freak
15. I have far too much Japanese masking tape.
16. I don't take enough risks with my artwork.
17. I don't like negative people
18. I love being organised, it makes me feel in control.
19. I wish people were as polite now as they were 100 years ago.
20. Spiders really scare me and I know its irrational.
21. I find it difficult to throw jam jars away, they will come in handy!
22. I don't really enjoy cooking but I love baking.
23. Part of me wishes I worked in sport not art.
24. I love the London Underground
25. Bed solves many of my problems
26. I get antsy if I spend too many evenings away from home
27. I find it difficult to talk to people but can't stop talking once I start.
28. When I was young I wanted to be a Geologist.
29. I have a GCSE in Geology
30. I didn't start my art education until I was 18.
31. I don't like The Simpsons
32. I love Mad Men and want to be Joan.
33. I like films but don't like going to the cinema very much.
34. I have the entire Good Life box set and cried when Richard Briers died
35. I love retro sitcoms like Porridge, To The Manor Born, Yes Minister, The Good Life.
36. Winter is too cold and Summer is too hot.
37. Hydrangeas are my favourite flower
38. Poppys used to scare me.
39. Speaking of scaring me, I don't like insects. Especially flying ones.
40. The gack in the plug hole after washing up makes me gag.
41. Cat fur on everything really doesn't bother me.
42. I have to tuck my jammer top into my bottoms and my bottoms into my socks because it annoys me that they ride up in bed.
43. I like to be "all in" bed. No arms or legs sticking out.
44. I like routine, I have Weetabix for breakfast everyday and I'm not bored of it.
45. I don't like baths. Ever.
46. I used to go to uni in London, I didn't like it.
47. I've never been to Brighton
48. I don't like being too cold or too tired, I turn into a crying child.
49. I don't like dried fruit.
50. I love permanent markers for drawing. Mostly kurecolor S markers.

Completely random facts. Some dull, well probably mostly dull really.

Instagramming

If you are anything like me you are a bit of a fan of Instagram. I like being able to record moments in my everyday life. It kinda makes me feel like it's less mundane than it is haha! It also reminds me to be thankful for what I have, as I do believe I am lucky to have such good things in my life.

Every now and then i'm going to post some of my Instagram photos for you. I hope you like to see a bit of my everyday life.

1. MT Wrap! Washi Paper Wrap. 2. Shoes from the Office sale. 3. New brooch designs with added glitter. 4. I accidentally baked cookies. Then accidentally ate them. 5. A productive weekend. 6. Drawing at the museum. 7. Feeling a bit Russian. 8. Beautiful Milly.

Follow me on instagram

Indoor Market! Sunday 17th March, Ipswich.

The last time we (Chris and I, as I Make Fun Stuff) held an indoor market was March 2010. It was held in the Town Hall in Ipswich and we had 25+ stalls selling beautiful handmade crafts and fabulous vintage sellers.

On Sunday 17th March, for the first time in 3 years we will be holding another indoor market, but it doesn't stop there, there will in fact be TWO markets on at the same time in the same building! One craft and one vintage. We are very excited.

We are currently trying to come up with a name for the market and we are still accepting applications for stalls on our website here until Friday 8th February. Check out the website for more information.

Here are some pictures from the last indoor market, I can't wait fr the 17th March!

Inspiration Hunting

Last week Chris and I and some friends went down to London to Top Drawer and Home at Earls Court. These 2 shows are big trade events for retail buyers to find new products and ranges. All the big retailers go to scout out the latest trends and must have items, in our case the little retailers go too. Our friend Cathy was looking for new products for her wonderful shop LoveOne in Ipswich.

I went to find some inspiration for how I can improve Hello Pushkin to look more professional and make my market stalls look more interesting and appealing.

My favourite part of the whole event was the "Spotted" section where the smaller businesses looking for wholesale orders can be found.

Fracas Studios http://www.fracasstudios.com
Sarah Ray http://www.sarahray.co.uk
Claire Gaudion http://www.clairegaudion.co.uk
Sarah Knight http://www.stormyknight.co.uk
Tamasyn Gambell http://www.tamasyngambell.com
Roddy and Ginger http://www.roddyandginger.co.uk

Were my favourites. Hopefully LoveOne will have some of these brands in soon. I'll keep you posted!

I've spent my week preparing a wholesale order for a new retail client. Lucky me! Here are a few pics of what I've been doing. More news on that soon.

My paint mixing looked like a dolphin!

What could be better than glitter?

I've been busy making for the past few weeks, even over Christmas and have some new necklaces to show you. I've also had a couple of commissions which I will post some pictures of soon. These necklaces are not available online and will soon be in Loveone on St Peter's Street in Ipswich. If you like these necklaces and are interested in them please leave a comment as I can always do some custom orders.

All my new range are hand painted with acrylic paint varnished twice to protect them from the elements.

Finally, this last necklace is not available to buy. It is my first experiment with using glitter on my jewellery and I am so happy with the results that this one is just for me. I will be using glitter more in the future so again if you like this one let me know. I'd love to hear your opinions and feedback.

I have since noticed the little bits of glitter on the rest of the necklace and rubbed them off, little blighters!

College Trip to the V&A

Today I took my students to the V&A in London to see the Hollywood Costume exhibition. Unfortunately for us and for you, dear readers, you were not allowed to take photos in the exhibition. We couldn't even sketch!

It was VERY busy. So that's probably why sketching wasn't allowed. In fact in places it was far too busy and you couldn't get near the exhibits. What I did see and the information I got to read was really interesting. The costumes were amazing and there was so many of them!

My highlights were Indiana Jones' costume, René Zellweger's from Chicago, Nicole Kidman's costume during the beginning scene from Moulin Rouge and THE Marilyn Monroe dress from The Seven Year Itch. SO exciting!

I also learnt a lot about HOW important costume is to a film as a whole. Sounds obvious but the information was discussing how in a film you are seeing the character for a moment in their life. Their clothing choices have been influenced by what has happened before we "meet" them, what job they had, where they live etc etc. So interesting.

Well as I said I couldn't take any photos so here are some I took on the coach on the way to the V&A and in the café. So beautiful!