Dear loyal blog followers,
Thank you so much for taking my view count to just a smidge over 500,000 views in just five years. I know from your comments, purchases and much needed ad revenue that you still find my corner of the internet interesting enough to visit regularly. To each one of you, thank you 🙂
Can’t wait to get to the million mark!
Neil
I’m normally one to meet deadlines with time to spare… for instance, all my Craftwork Card samples are always delivered in time for the shows on Create & Craft.
This project was started in my final term at college, some two years ago now. It was part of my geometric constructions for lanterns (featured here), and I made a wireframe cage based on the same shape. The idea was to then grow salt crystals over the wire frame and photograph it as part of my final major project. As anyone who has tried growing crystals knows, it takes time – and in this case, the piece didn’t finish ‘growing’ until 6 months later, well after I’d finished my extended diploma. Since then, it’s languished in its protective bucket on a shelf in my studio waiting to be photographed. Prompted by a need for more space, I got the camera out late last night and took the photos. I think it was worth the wait…
Aside from feverishly making samples for Craftwork Cards latest collection (details on their blog as well), I have been preparing for my next demonstration day at Coleman’s Craft Warehouse on Saturday 6th December. I’ve been given the (rather broad) title of ‘Altered Art Tips & Tricks’, so I’ve been busy gathering together ideas and samples to share.
Brand new, especially created for the day, are these altered paper mache letters featuring embossed card, inka gold and tarmac technique; napkin decoupage; Tim Holtz/Ideaology/Distress techniques; acrylic crackle and beads.
This is a Tando Creative mini-print tray decorated with the Christmas Post set from Craftwork Cards – I’ve a quick trick to share with you for colouring in the frame. Embellishments by Mark Richards via Woodware stockists.
I’ll also be revealing my ‘Artist’s Palette’ assemblage for its very first public viewing, as well as bringing along my ‘Sewing Room’ assemblage for your inspiration and sharing ideas. Hope to see you there 🙂
It might seem quiet, since I have neglected to post on this ‘ere blog in a little while. For regular readers, you know this is probably due to me being silly busy and not finding a moment to update! Well, you’re not wrong…
I’ve been prepping and delivering staff training at Coleman’s Craft Warehouse on Viva Decor products (yesterday) and I’ll be there demo’ing there again for their Big Demo Day on Saturday between 10-4. There’s also two workshops (bookable via their website) on 25th October, when you’ll be able to get your hands all inky with the same products.
I’ve also launched an Art Journaling Session here at the Studio, meeting on the first Monday of the month – and it’s already full! The homework this month was to choose and journal a favourite quote… here’s mine:
Simple background to emphasise the extravagance of the colour in the word, and a bit of sparkle added with Stickles. Oh, and I didn’t hand draw the text in case you were wondering. I designed it on the computer, printed and then traced it out.
I’ve also been designing this year’s Christmas cards… Spoiler alert – if you don’t want to see what you might get through the door in a couple of months’ time, look away now 😉
Stamp is an oldie from Stampendous, embossed with WOW! Metallic Bronze onto watercolour paper. The dove is masked, the paper spritzed with water and then Purple Brusho sprinkled, teased and dried to get the nebular appearance. Oh, it didn’t quite look right in blue.
I also had the fastest sample turnaround ever yesterday afternoon – I got back in from teaching at 2:15pm, opened a package from Craftwork Cards that had arrived not an hour before, and was crafting by 2:30pm. Five samples in 90 minutes, labelled and packed and to the post office by 4:45pm for 9am special delivery (how much!?!?) for today’s Create & Craft TV shows with the lovely Julie Hickey. Phew!
And talking of Craftwork Cards, I’ve been helping out with graphics and the inaugural Project of the Month over at the official Craftwork Cards Fan Page over on Facebook. For details of how to make this ‘Christmas Kisses’ card, pop over to the page, ask to join if you haven’t already and look for the POTM header 🙂
I’ve been invited to take part in this international creative blog hop by Peg Adkins Robinson – we took Tim Holtz’s online class (Creative Chemistry 101) together at least two years ago, and have stayed in contact ever since. Peg’s blog can be found here: http://on-account-a-scrap.blogspot.com/
This blog hop is a tour of creative blogs to so that we can meet new crafty friends, share inspiration and techniques, and generally discover new sources of creative outpouring. Peg did the same in her blog hop post last week – click here to see it.
Here’s a mini-interview to give you some background to me and my work:
1. What I am working on?
On my studio table at the moment is the aftermath of a workshop making a Tim Holtz-style wallhanging and an acrylic and bitumen room nameplate for a friend about to leave to her first year at Sheffield University, and packs of Craftwork Cards papers and accoutrements ready for this week’s crafting frenzy making samples for their Four Day Deal on Create & Craft TV next week. Also in sight is the memory/happy times jar sample ready for my workshop in January, a decorated MDF wreath and card samples for my workshops at Coleman’s Craft Warehouse (WOR4327 & WOR4328) in October.
2. How does my work differ from others in my genre?
This is probably something other people can tell me! I think I work in a non-fussy way, concentrating on highlighting techniques and leaving enough white space on a piece to set off the focal elements. I really don’t like loading a piece with unnecessary layers or frippery, or indeed colour, when a little can make a bold statement.
3. Why do I create what I do?
Firstly – it’s the way I (hope to) make my living! Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, I believe creativity is a gift from God, and in expressing it, I am making him happy. I also get enjoyment from watching others discover their own creative gift, and if that’s during one of my classes it’s even better! I’ve also taken on creativity as a career as it offers me the most flexibility to manage my mental health (I have recurrent depression).
4. How does my creative process work?
It depends on what I am doing. If it’s work for a design team, usually the materials and stamps I am given to work with provide all the inspiration I need to create samples. For example, the Paper Kitsch Kit from Craftwork Cards screamed out pinafore dress to me and that’s what I set out to create. I just took it a little further than a die cut on a page and created a 3D folded skirt and full mannequin complete with stand – as you can see here.
For some arts in worship work I’ve done, inspiration comes from what I am listening to at the time as up to now I have created pieces as I have been sitting in the pews at church during the services. Other projects have been created in response to pieces of music and the theme of the service the work is to be included in.
Other work is inspired by materials and their chemistry; technique reference books; the latest craft fad to be featured on social media; what my crafty friends are playing with; commissioned work; an empty space in a room that needs a piece of artwork; things under the floorboards, e.g. 1930s newspapers from when the house was built; nature.
Now comes an admission – I’m friends with many artists and crafters, but they’re either busy with their ‘other’/’proper’ jobs, or already taken part in this blog or similar. I’ve also not had much chance to follow this up as much as I would have liked either. As they say, all good things come to an end, and so, unfortunately, does this branch of the creative blog hop. My apologies! As you explore my blog, you’ll see that where I have been inspired by something or someone, I have added links to the inspiration – follow these and see where you end up 🙂
Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to my blog as well for updates and information, particularly as I am planning to launch a series of online classes in the near future.
Following feedback from various sources, and the number of viewers of my recent video for Craftwork Cards, I’m doing some market research for offering online classes for those who would like to do some of my projects/workshops but can’t get to The Studio in person.
If you have the time and inclination, I’d be grateful if you would complete this short five question survey: start the survey now. Many thanks 🙂
I’m starting to plan more sessions and workshops in The Studio, and will be trialling a monthly Art Journaling Session from 7:30pm to 10pm on the first Monday evening of each month. It’s a time set aside for you to work on a visual journal, which might be a record of your day, or your experiments in artwork or sketching, a means to express yourself in a private way, or something to show off and share.
I have a number of Stampington Art Journal magazines and art journal reference books for inspiration, as well as a few of my own journals. As a taster, the first session in August will be free (but please still book so I know you’re coming) so that you can chat more about what art journaling is about and what might happen during the session. After that, each session will be £5 to attend, and will include use of some materials as well as refreshments.
Please book via the Workshops page (tab at the top, or click here). And do email or comment below if you have any queries.
As promised, here are some more 500th post winners… several prizes weren’t claimed, so here’s a list of new winners – if you want the prize, drop me an email using the link on the sidebar with your address so I can send it to you! Once again, if there are any unclaimed prizes in a week’s time, another winner will be selected.
The De-stress with Distress Techniques Tag book is now going to Denise Fletcher.
The Quilt Square has been won by Sarah Stainbach (perhaps my oldest follower?)
And the limited edition print has been won by Lila.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my 500th post on my little corner of blog-land. In a little over three years, I’ve enjoyed hundreds of thousands of visitors, views and comments, and in celebration (and as promised) I have a giveaway for my readers.
Here are the prizes:
And here are the winners:
Terri Young – Tangle Pattern Book
Sam Smithard – De-stress with Distress Technique Tag Book
Denise Fletcher – Mini-Quilt Square
[Please email me via the sidebar link with your details to send the prize out if you’d like it. Any that are unclaimed by next weekend will be added to the public giveaway below.]
And the final prize, a limited edition hand made print of one of my tangle patterns mounted for a 4×6″ frame, will be given to a random commenter on this post. Closing date: 0001 GMT on Sunday, 29th June. Winner(s) will be announced later that day. Good luck!
I’ve migrated this blog to a so called self-hosted site – and you’ve reached the new improved version. If you find any glitches, or things missing, please let me know!
A list of workshops held at my purpose-built studio is available here.
Connect to me at The Studio on Facebook by clicking here.
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