I’ve migrated…

Posted on 9th May 2014 by Neil

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.

New benefits:

Pinterest hover buttons added – quicker way to add an image to Pinterest – hold your cursor over an image and then click on the Pin it button that pops up in the top left. Most images should work.
Sidebar added to single page posts – making it easier for those directly linking to a post to navigate round the rest of the blog and also to see the subscribe options.
Continuous scrolling on home page – as you get to the bottom of the page, more posts will load, just like a Facebook newsfeed.
Added related posts feed – at the bottom of individual posts, including pictures, so that you can more easily find inspiration.
Updated font – to make text more readable on screen.
Custom page header images – just because I can and it looks pretty 😉
Instant Digital Download capability – now you can get instant access to digital downloads, no more time zone issues or waiting for me to send a link
New Workshop Calendar added to side bar – just click on the title to go to the workshop information and booking page.
Google AdSense advertising added – to support hosting costs – please let me know if you find any inappropriate adverts!

Studio Dog has Pups!

Posted on 14th April 2014 by Neil

It’s not often that I post personal stuff on what is really my business blog. But who can resist pics of puppies? Esther, my cockerpoo and honorary crafter, gave birth to four pups last night, with the first at 21:30, and the last as a bit of a late surprise at 00:35. She’ll be spending the next few weeks in the studio with me, pups and all – got to start them young 🙂

Cue the ooo and ahhhing 😉

Workshop and Giveaway News

Posted on 10th April 2014 by Neil

Remember this creation for Craftwork Cards that featured on Create & Craft TV a little while back? So many people asked how I made it that Craftwork Cards have booked me to lead a workshop at their head office near Leeds (UK) on Saturday, 26th April. There are still a few places available… I’ll show you how to use my templates and their fabulous papers to make your own dressform, from the base up to the Candi necklace. As a bonus, we’ll also be doing a couple of card projects to finish off the day. All materials will be included, you’ll just need to bring your basic craft kit.

This workshop is now taking place at my studio in Leicester – click here to book.

—

And in unrelated news, this ‘ere blog is coming up to another major milestone – I’m getting near 500 posts. When I post my 500th post, it will be announcing a list of winners – my favourite commenters from now until then, anywhere on the blog. Prizes will be pieces of art, from ATCs to cards, a Distress Technique tag book or may be a piece of quilting – all of them created by me. So all you have to do to be in with a chance of getting a piece of my work is to comment (meaningfully please!). And of course, regular followers of my blog get a head start 🙂

Exciting news – another design team!

Posted on 7th February 2014 by Neil

It’s official… and I can share exciting news I’ve had to keep quiet about for the past month or so… I’ve been invited to join the Design Team for Craftwork Cards 🙂
I’m really looking forward to working with Julie and the rest of the Craftwork Cards team and my first official post will be towards the end of February on their blog.

Find Craftwork Cards on Facebook here, and their website here.

Fancy a book of tangle patterns?

Posted on 24th January 2014 by Neil

Encouraged by my recent publication, I have spent most of the last three days typesetting a book with 112 of my tangle patterns in ready for my Zentangle Inspired Art workshop next weekend. I think it’s turned out rather well… which got me to thinking – would anyone else be interested in a copy (especially since several loyal followers have requested such!)?

Here’s a sample page:
As you can see, it’s mainly the information already published on my Tangle Pattern Gallery and blogs, but all in one place with a handy cross-reference. The patterns are arranged alphabetically, with a gallery/quick reference at the back.

There is a CD wallet attached to the back cover to keep tiles in and is wire-bound so that it lies flat when open, and also has room within the wire-o to keep your pen handy. It is A5 in size and printed in full colour, with a total of 66 pages (112 patterns) and stiff glossy cover. (Hard copy no longer available).

UPDATE 25-FEB-14:
For those requesting an e-version…
I have a formatted PDF version which is designed to print onto A5 paper and get wire-bound as well as being useable on most [colour] devices. This is available for £3.50 and payable through PayPal – you can pay in your own currency subject to PayPal conversion rate. Once payment is complete, you will be emailed a link to the file which you can then download. If you don’t receive an email, please check your spam folder. This will be sent to the email address you use for PayPal. Please do not share the file with anyone else – sharing deprives me of a much-needed income and is against copyright law. Please note that on greyscale screens, e.g. non-colour e-book readers, the formatting means that the book does not show up well.

By clicking on the download button, you acknowledge once payment is completed you are not entitled to cancel the order or receive a refund (Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 – digital downloads).

UPDATE 16-JAN-15:
IF YOU ARE IN THE EU (non-UK), this e-book will be affected by the new EU VAT rules for digital services. This means that from this date if you are in the European Union anywhere but the UK I can only provide you with a personally sent link. Please request a copy via my email in the sidebar.

Hard copy versions:
I’m sorry, but I am no longer producing hard copies of the book.

My cards go international

Posted on 14th January 2014 by Neil

Thank you to Cathi who was lucky enough to actually to be at the Craft & Hobby Association exhibition (big big trade show) in Anaheim, California, this week – she took this photo of my ‘Time Flies’ cards on the CHA UK highlights stand in the Craftworks Cards section. Exciting 🙂

And another pic, courtesy of Julie Hickey, of the Craftworks Cards stand showing off the rest…

New Year, new news

Posted on 4th January 2014 by Neil

I’m delighted to share that I have been invited to join the fabulous Design Team working with Jones Crafts in Nottingham – and I’ve accepted. Keep a look out for brand new projects using kit from Graphic 45, Marion Smith Designs and 7 Gypsies amongst others.

This is perfectly4med…

Posted on 1st January 2014 by Neil

Welcome to my blog, in which I aim to keep you up-to-date with my new career in art and design and showcase my work. Let me know if you want to purchase any of the artwork on display, all offers seriously considered. Please leave comments – I’ll need to moderate your first comment on my blog, but any future comments you make should appear straight away.

A list of workshops held at my purpose-built studio is available here.
Connect to me at The Studio on Facebook by clicking here.

Come & Craft/Stashbuster Clinic – extra daytime session added

Posted on 31st December 2013 by Neil

For a trial period, I’m going to open up the studio for a daytime Come & Craft/Stashbuster Clinic session on Wednesday mornings between 10am and 12:30pm (£5 per session). The Tuesday evening sessions have proved popular, but some don’t like coming out during the dark hours or when buses are less frequent. If the morning session proves as popular, I’ll continue them 🙂

For the uninitiated, the sessions are informal, with refreshments and some materials included. You can either bring along your unfinished projects and complete them in the creative environment of the studio, or you might choose to bring along stash and kit that you don’t know what to do with to get ideas and inspiration. If there are techniques or materials that you’d like to learn more about, it’s also a time for experimentation and play.

Booking is essential to reserve a place, and can be done online via my Workshops tab above.

I’m a published artist in a proper book!

Posted on 28th December 2013 by Neil

I’ve just found this book on Amazon – and my tangle features on the front cover!
My ‘Arabian-Style Tangle’ is in the middle on the bottom row. It features on page 2 as well, and step-by-step instructions are on page 60. Best of all, I’m a contributing artist in the list on page 122. I’ve yet to get hold of a copy – I’m wondering if it’s the parcel that went missing back in October. I’m also hoping to be able to get hold of discounted copies, but in the meantime, follow the link through to Amazon and get it there… I’d be happy to sign any copies, should you desire me to deface the book 😉

UPDATE:
P&P means getting a stock from the US is unfeasible. For UK purchasers, please use the links above. For US purchasers, please use the publisher’s website: www.northlightshop.com. This will make signing for those that want it a lot more difficult 🙁