Showing posts with label Day to Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Day to Day. Show all posts

Monday, 12 December 2011

Latest News December 2011!!

Been busy the past few weeks with different things, 
sadly one of my dogs died which was awful miss him more than I thought I would:-( The house felt really empty so now we have a new addition to the family who is keeping us very busy:-) 

I've also been busy building a studio space:-) I've been running out of space in the spare room for a long time now and I'm slowly sneaking into every space I possibly can which is not ideal, so we've built a log cabin! OMG, half a day it says it will take! Two weeks later it is finally water tight....yeah! Not all our fault,, thank goodness I had help from my otherhalf and sister on day one, instructions were the wrong ones, screws all the wrong size but we managed to sort it out with common sence, we built the floor and the walls just slotted together easy! until it came to the roof. Instructions said lift pre-assembled roof into position, what we had, was tongue and groove in a million pieces! but it was getting late and would have to wait till the next day.

As it was Monday I was on my own, so a quick call to the supplier and the instructions were emailed across quickly, so up the ladder I go with hammer, nails and roof felt. After a bit of problem solving I soon found a system but due to the late start I only got a quarter of the roof done but had to stop when it got dark, took a further day to get it completed. Had more problems  not enough T&G, but luckly I had some spare so I cut that down and used that, also not enough roof felt supplied, so I had to fetch some flashing, although I was still having problems I was relived to get the roof on as we had bad winds and weather was on its way.

Work had to stop for a few days because of the gales and rain but once the weather changed it was back to work, with an action plan to get doors and windows fitted and the outside painted. Otherhalf was able to help so I would paint while Ade fitted the windows and doors, he unpaked them only to find out they had delivered the wrong ones   :-( I couldn't believe it! so calmly I called the supplier and on-one was there till the Monday. One email and four days later the doors and windows were exchanged for another set, finally time to get it secure. I unpack, right size doors, windows a packet of fittings for each one Yeah finaly I get started, fit windows, hinges on door and fit one side, start on the other door, different size hinges they sent the wrong fittings!!!!! all I want to do is get it secure!!!! I'm now at a stage when I'm likely to blow a fuse and I'm getting so stressed that I just go and get another set and sort it myself. 

I now have a lovely semi-secure cabin with just few finishing touches to be done to the exterior and that part will be complete. I would love to live in Cornwall,  as that's not an option my studio will be my little beach hut haven in the middle of the Midlands (one can dream), I've painted it white with blue doors and windows. The next stage will be electrics, insulation and move in. The later will probably not be untill the New Year but I'm getting really excited about having my own little creative space.

I will post pictures soon.  

Sunday, 15 May 2011

Uk Handmade

Had exciting news this week to say my 
"Camper Van of Love" 
has been selected for the 
UK Handmade Summer Showcase, 
please visit using the link below.

I would like to say a big THANK YOU 
to the UK Handmade team for selecting my work.

UK Handmade have recently launched a campaign to get people 
buying Handmade and supporting independent 
designers and makers throughout the UK.

Please visit their site and sign the pledge to show your support!



Friday, 29 April 2011

Summer's starting.

Summer Term starts this week, I'm back at some of my old schools after they asked for me specifically, which is a nice feeling and I'm looking forward to seeing some of my old students. Theres lots to do, decorate porcelain plant pots and potting sunflowers, design a pencil case and more. I will post pictures as I get them. 

Summer Term will run till the end of the school year, initially it was thought that this would be the last term but after a quick chat yesterday there's talk about September bookings, which is great news. 

More good news - I'm currently working on a small Window Painting commission, I'm booked to start a Fence Garden project beginning next week working with the whole school. I'm in talks about another mosaic project and after a call last week it looks like I may have three community events to organize, so it look's like I'm going to be busy, busy.  

Batik workshop

During March I delivered a couple of of Batik workshops for Lodge Primary School about the Fire of London. I like to try new workshops from time to time because its a opportunity to learn what works and what can be developed further. its something Id do again but a lot more help is needed. Here's some of the work while it was hung-up to dry, they look beautiful with light shining through.




Saturday, 5 March 2011

More new designs

Unloaded the kiln this morning with new designs, all fired nicely after new program. Been finishing by hand and getting them ready for sale, some will go on Etsy and Misi but I'm also putting some on Folksy, so I will be adding a new shop and information on the Gallery page.

Saturday, 11 December 2010

Winding down for Christmas.

The past couple of months have been none stop and things are now winding down for Christmas. This week has seen the final event of the year, some of my school workshops have come to the end, just two to go this week and that's it for 2010.

2011 looks like its going to be packed, double the amount of schools want to book me in the New Year, my problem is, there is only one of me and they all want after school clubs, going to have meetings next week to see what can be done.


The Lodge School sign went up last week, it has pride of place in the reception area, I walked straight passed it at first. Just a bit of touch up work to be done, but it looks wonderful!!!

Anyone out there want a new sign for their business, school or community group/centre,

please email me!!!!!!!

This month also saw the sale of Christmas decorations and my favorite Geisha Girl glass panel, didn't want to let her go, but she's gone to a good home.




The last couple of weeks I've been working on some new textile ideas and I'm hoping to get some quite time over the Christmas period to develop them further alongside some new jewellery pieces, each one made will be bespoke, feeling excited and looking forward to 2011!!!

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

September provisions!!!

Looks like we are ready to go with September provisions and the possibility of additional workshops during Family Learning Week! I have an extra 4 workshops a week to do during September provision.


More information about Jewellery Parties coming in the next few weeks along with new glass and jewellery designs.


I'm also planning Christmas decoration and Christmas Jewellery Gift - workshops, timetable for the run up for Christmas along with new decoration ideas for sale on Etsy and Misi.


Lots to come over the next few weeks!!

Sunday, 25 July 2010

September Provision and Summer Schemes

Availability queries are starting to come in for September - School Provisions. It looks like the clubs will go from two bookings a week to 6 possibly 7. Fingers crossed they go ahead, which means I'm going to be very busy! Other enquiries coming in are for community Summer Scheme's during August, lots of enquires just wait and see if they come off!

Wednesday, 14 July 2010

Fantastic News

Received enquiry today in connection to availability during September for bookings which will start the new school term. Not only do schools want me back in the new school year, but there are also new additional school bookings. I am so cuffed that school's want me back and looking forward to seeing the students again, fingers crossed, I'm going to be busy. Friday 23rd July I'll be promoting new workshop ideas at the One Stop Shop, big thanks to Find it in Sandwell for another promotional opportunity.

Monday, 3 May 2010

Workshops continue

My workshops have continued another term with an additional class! which is great news and in July I have a One Stop Shop at Sandwell MBC through Find It In Sandwell, so things are getting back to normal after my illness at Christmas. I have finally started work on my new jewellery designs, which I've been trying to develop for about 6 months!!! I've also got new ideas for mosaic garden panels both of which I hope to launch at the One Stop Shop in July. All in all things are running along smoothly and at the end of May I will have been in business for a YEAR!!!!!

Saturday, 27 March 2010

Back from holiday!!!

Been away on holiday, haven't had one for three years!!! Now I plan to get some of my new designs developed and made over the next few months. Still have a few workshops in the diary and I would like to try out a new jewellery workshop for adults. All my workshops at the moment are in schools, it would be nice to get feedback and ideas from an adult audience. I'm going to start looking into booking a room and promotion.

Monday, 22 February 2010

New ideas

Working on some new Butterfly design tiles and trinket bowls.

Friday, 15 January 2010

Workshops!!!!

School workshop bookings are continuing up until April!!!Thank You!!! and I've got lots of new exciting activities planned for the students designing posters, bags etc. It's going to be fun, the students learn new skills, get to keep what they make and they make something useful, keep checking out our progress here.

Sunday, 10 January 2010

Whats New!!

Well the excitement of Christmas and the New Year as gone and we move into 2010. The challenges have already begun! I've been ill all over the holiday season and still recovering, which hasn't been easy but we are still going. New designs, workshops and competitions are planned for 2010 so I think its going to be an exciting twelve months. I aim to put more on my blog to keep everyone informed with what is going on and I aim to set myself a few challenges to achieve this year. My first challenge it to get well! hopefully it wont be long!

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Winding Down for Christmas

Well its the count down to Christmas....Workshop are coming to an end, I'm wrapping up the events in Smethwick, should I run stalls up to Christmas?

Sunday, 6 December 2009

you learn something new everyday!

Today I have taught myself how to make a banner for my Etsy page and it works on my blog!

Monday, 26 October 2009

Half Term

hoping to get some good stuff on blog this week....take advantage of extra time with half term!!!!

Monday, 5 October 2009

photo work

I need to practice my photography work, it used to be OK but I'm having trouble at the moment!!

Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Busy, busy, busy


I can't beleive how busy I am at the moment, I've had about 8 weeks with hardly any work, now I'm almost fully booked till Christmas. I have some new work in progress, need to get new pictures on my blogg, my aim is that by this Monday I will have new pictures, Friday is going to be photograph day!!!!! sneak preview

Wednesday, 23 September 2009

I can not believe the way things are turning around this week, I was in a dip last week feeling un-confident, but in the matter of days things have completely changed. Today I have just finished two school workshops, work until Christmas and I can not tell you how much I have enjoyed them. Children will answer questions, give you their ideas it is such fun and they seem to love art, so I am feeling very energised and lucky to be doing what I do. Tomorrow I've been short listed for a Sandwell Learning Award at West Bromwich Albion football stadium, fingers crossed, I am so chuffed that someone thought I deserved an award for the hard work I've done setting up my own business and to be short listed I can't believe it, what a week I've had so far. I have set time aside at the end of the week, to pop new picture of my work on here, so keep checking out my blogg.