Excitement

I am so excited to report that my wee brooch made it into the exhibition. Will keep you posted on the exhibition opening etc. I can't wait!!!

I am off to rest now.

The last few days have been madness and I have worked myself to bone. Not long resting though, will be back in the studio tomorrow at some point no doubt.

Something different

I have been experimenting with making a brooch out of wood for submission to an exhibition. Will have to wait a few weeks though to see if it gets selected. Fingers crossed. Below are a few pictures of the brooch I submitted.

For the exhibition you had to visit the new refurbished Ulster Museum and be inspired by something in the museum's collection. I was inspired by a Katy Hackney brooch (different from this image) which was on display. The use of wood was appealing and it was a real experiment for me using the wood and textiles.

I think I will be making a few more of these and maybe pop them into frames as well. Hopefully my brother will oblige with cutting the wood. I am very good with the electric belt sander. It was very scary to use the first time and I found it was better not to hit the centre of the spinning circle sander.

Love

Love is just around the corner and what a perfect way to express it, by sending that special someone a valentine card. I have been working away on creating some sweet cards to send to that special person in your life.

Where have I been

A busy Christmas and New Year. Gosh I can't believe the things I managed to do over the holiday period. On boxing day I was laying a wooden floor and yes little old me was cutting wood and slotting it together. Its a bit rough round the edges but I was pretty pleased and it brightens up my wee hallway in the basement outside my studio door. I then got my dad to put up a shelf unit on the wall for over stock, which I need to paint and I also need to paint a filing cabinet, its going to be red.

So I have kept myself pretty busy, cleaning, sorting stuff and writing a very long essay. I am doing a teaching course and its such hard work, but I am learning so many useful things.

Also over Christmas my work was on display in SPACE Craft, Belfast. Below are some pictures of my Christmas decorations and my framed piece, which I am pleased to say is no longer there and is now adorning a nice wall in someones home.

Now that Christmas has passed and the New Year is fading, Valentines is not far away, I am planning and making new things. I will get blogging some more, as my new designs develop.

Whats happening so far

What has been happening over the last months, well where do I start. A few months have passed since my wee photo shot of my new products. At that time I started a teaching course for higher education and its been all go doing essays, teaching and doing presentations. I am really enjoying the course and can't wait now till tomorrow is over, then I will have done my presentation.

During all the madness I have been preparing for Christmas craft fairs, and setting up an exhibition piece for an exhibition with a group called Emission Arts (you can see the exhibition in Cregagh Library in Belfast till the end of the month, pics to follow). Below are a few pics of the latest craft fair in the Guild Hall in Derry. I had an amazing time and stayed in this super B+B Rose Park House

I was very chuffed with my wee stand I have to say and most of the ideas were from friends. Those wee chats make all the difference.

Now after all the crazy weeks of Christmas craft fairs, long hours driving to them, the packing and unpacking, I can relax for a few weeks till the next one. In between then there are still orders to be done, ideas to realize and a shop to build online for all the Christmas goodies I think you should be packing your stockings with.

Off to finish my presentation.

Photo Shoot

Oh I am very excited, I have been designing a new product and today I had a wee photo shoot in my garden. Below are some pictures of my key rings pods. The main body is made from 100% linen and circles are made up from liberty fabrics, silk, pattern paper and vintage book text. I had such fun photographing them.

I love old vintage things and this lock, key and door were a dream.

Now I have to pick my way though my photos, I love them all and I had such a fun wee time outside, something which I should do more often.

Panic and give up: How I am feeling at the moment.

This is how I seem to be feeling at present and I hope it passes quickly.

Above work by fellow crafter Sue Cathcart http://www.mr-papers.com

This last week as been crazy and not were I want to be, I don't like being this stressed. The work up to this stress and mini season of panic and wanting a rest, began with a new second hand car. I had to get the car though mot and it failed on the ABS brakes which cost a fortune. So fours hours in the garage and it was fixed or so I thought, that to come. Off I went back to the mot centre and after me hating them on Monday I warmed to them after they looked at it there and then. So all sorted on Tuesday to be disappointed and feeling drained when the light came back on for the ABS brakes today, tears and more tears. Another trip to garage will have to happen and even more money.

Then today I was off doing some workshops at SPACE Craft in Belfast and drove in to find the motorway was closed off and my chosen car park was too because of it. Already running very late I ended up driving round the town trying to get somewhere to park.

I just want to curl up in bed and sleep for a week.