Bookmarks

I recently bought myself a laminator and have started to make laminated bookmarks. The first few are finished now and I've started listing them in my Etsy shop today.They are all printed with HP inks on HP premium plus photo paper to produce a high quality print. On the back is the title of each print and my shop address. Before laminating, I rounded the corners of each print.

Buying these bookmarks would be a lovely way to collect my illustrations, they would also make great little gifts and of course being bookmarks they are useful too!

So far most of the bookmarks have been made from my Hexley illustrations. The first one I have listed in my shop is the 'Hexley Solo Dirigible Balloon':

The Solo Dirigible Balloon is one of the many modes of transport to have been developed at the Transportation Centre in Hexley. After several years of experiments and prototypes the first fully functioning Solo Dirigible Balloon was built in 1892. It is the perfect flying device for the lone traveller. Once the balloon has been filled with hot gas it can be steered by means of large 'fins' and propellors attached to the traveller's back. Although the traveller is not limited by the direction of the wind when flying, it is recommended not to attempt journeys in strong windy conditions!

Animal ACEOs...

I've just been relisting some of my animal ACEO prints on Etsy and thought I'd share them here... These were all drawn in artist pen and painted in watercolours.

I've not made any new ACEOs or animal paintings for a while - hopefully I'll have a go at some new ones next week. I'm looking forward to doing a painting of my new guinea pig (he's called Basil) -I've had him for about a month now so it's about time he was painted!!

Quote of the week...

A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do. - Bob Dylan

I'm feeling positive today - I woke up to a nice surprise of 4 sales! August seems to be a good month for me so far - hopefully it will continue to improve over the next few months! I wonder if things are picking up for other people - are people starting to spend more again?

Diving Station Cotton Bag

I am in the process of testing out ideas for new products... The first thing that I've had a go at is making a transfer print and ironing it onto a cotton bag. I was really pleased with the result :)This bag features my 'Diving Station' print - one of the illustrations from my Hexley series.

The Oceanography Centre, led by Francis Jennings is one of Hexley's six main outer settlements. As well as being the centre for ocean research it is also the site of the area's harbour. Less than a mile offshore is the Diving Station; a quiet place for observing the ocean. Diving bells and small boats can be tethered here while divers rest or study the sea. The Jennings Diving Bell (which appears in the lower right corner of the illustration) is used for deep water exploration and has space for a maximum of 2 men.

I am planning to start selling cotton bags with this and other illustrations on soon. Until then you can purchase ACEO and 5x7 sized prints in my Etsy shop. :)

Bags of Ideas

Having just listed a new 'Bags of Ideas' kit I thought it was a good time to write a little about them here...

My initial idea behind making kits was to clear some of my craft items and send them to a home where they would be used instead of just sitting in my cupboard. I soon came up with the name 'Bags of Ideas' and the concept that they could be bags filled with all sorts of crafty things to inspire the creative mind!

I know that when I am stuck for inspiration I will soon come up with ideas by looking through my crafty collection or by buying something new. Sometimes though you don't want to spend a lot of money buying a whole stack of paper or a big bag of beads.

Each of my Bags of Ideas kits is unique; filled with different papers, fabrics, fibres, beads, buttons and more. They also come packaged in a pretty paper bag making them an ideal gift for new and experienced crafters alike (or a gift for yourself of course!!).

You can see which kits are currently available in my shop here, I also have Mini Bags of Ideas and Mini Cupcakes Kits for sale.

Sepia Dreams

I finally timed it right and caught a treasury slot on Etsy! :D
Inspired by last week's 'Quote of the week' I decided to create a treasury based on the title 'Sepia Dreams'. It features some lovely work by fellow Etsians - some of whom I'd never come across before.
Here's a screen shot of my treasury..You can see the treasury in full by clicking here.

Home Grown...

This year I've been growing lots of different things in my garden. Here's some of my fresh produce, just picked today!

As well as the peas, runner beans and cherry tomatoes we are also growing cucumbers, courgettes, beetroot, carrots, parsnip, shallots, leeks, cabbages, lettuce, radishes, peppers and a few potatoes (I think that's everything!). Fruit and vegetables always taste better home grown - although not everything is entirely successful... I think I was a bit late growing the strawberries - I've seen bigger raisins!!

Dreams and Treasuries

Last night I dreamt that I made 23 sales in my Etsy shop... it would have been amazing to get that many sales in one night but it was only a dream...

I did discover that I've had some new shop/ item hearts and my giraffe ACEO print has been featured in a treasury though which is great!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=74794

'Giraffe'

This is a high quality giclee print on glossy HP premium plus photo paper taken from my original illustration which was drawn in artist pen and painted in watercolours. ACEO prints of this giraffe and other animals are available in my shop - only $3.50 USD (that's approximately £2).

Elizabeth Bridges

The first in my new series of Hexley people is complete! Inspired by Victorian and other old photos this will be a series of illustrations drawn in dip pen and ink and painted in watercolours.

Elizabeth Bridges first visited Hexley in June 1895. During her two week stay she toured the area making plenty of notes and sketches which were complied into a book on her return home. In the following months Elizabeth travelled to Hexley on numerous occasions and having become so fond of the place and people there she became a permanent Hexley resident in 1896. With her minature notebook and pencil always close to hand she could often be seen sketching or taking notes on one of the latest discoveries or inventions.

This illustration of Elizabeth Bridges is available to buy as a print in my Etsy shop.

Quote of the week...

As well as sharing my work and ideas I thought it would be nice to have a few other regular things in my blog, so here is my first 'Quote of the week'... :)

I have dreamed in my life, dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they have gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the colour of my mind. - Emily Bronte

There are dreams I had years ago that I still remember... and I think the dreams that I have when I am awake have turned my mind sepia coloured - with a little brass and copper too!

Hollytrees Museum

I've spent a lovely day in Colchester with my sister. Along our travels we visited Hollytrees Museum. The house was originally built in 1718 and has been a museum since 1929.

The museum houses photographs, paintings, toys and other objects from the last 300 years. It also includes exhibits on two nursery rhymes associated with Colchester; 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' and 'Old King Cole'.

Visiting the museum was a great opportunity to do some research for my next set of Hexley illustrations. I'm planning on making a series based on different characters in Hexley and now have lots more ideas for costumes, poses etc. :)

Edwin Cracknell's Clockwork Animals

Amongst the inventions of Hexley are Edwin Cracknell's clockwork animals. He spends his time tinkering away in his shop in Hexley town's Port Street. Clockwork birds are his speciality and if it wasn't for the occasional whirr of the cogs you could almost imagine they were alive!I have some lovely prints of this clockwork bird available in my Etsy shop, he is also featured on some button badges and magnets along with other images from Hexley.
Keep an eye out for more of Edwin's clockwork animals appearing soon - I am currently working on a clockwork robin for Christmas! :)