Blog award!

Hey great news, the lovely Tara of Aquamarine has nominated me for an award! I'm so happy! Ive got a reader! I now have to tell my 5 favourite blogs that they are getting this award to paste onto their blogs.

Here are my chosen five:

1.Sketch & Jones : Diana is an illustrator, maker, designer, who has loads of talent and is also always nice enough to leave me a comment or two!

2. Richard Baird : Graphic design blog: I have a secret desire to be a graphic designer and Richard has always been very helpful in answering any graphics related questions, especially when I started up istock. His blog is full of info for the budding graphic artist.

3. Skinny la minx : Fabulous Heathers' was the first blog I ever followed and I love her work, I'm sure you all know how talented she is and a great inspiration.

4. Robin Zingone: Robins illustrations a bright and beautiful and she always shares the love with her readers, her style is a joy to the eye!

5. Manilla Made: Helen's blog is beautiful and always features ethical and recycled designs which is the way to go!

How exciting!

Friends and family

This is my latest istock accepted drawing. Its always nice to get accepted, and this one was rejected at first, they wanted me to tidy up my lines. I don't mind the rejection as long as I can improve it and have it accepted the next time.... its worth it!

The girls are off school for half term this week, so I may be short of posts, its been so wonderful though, the sun is actually shining and we have the first signs of spring! Walks on the beach with the kids, hanging out with friends and family... I will be inspired for next week when all is back to normal.

Mothers day cards

Here are a couple of new card designs, both for Mothers day and with a spring flower theme. Ive been trying out different card weights, the 290gsm is a bit thick, and 160gsm is too thin, I'm thinking 210gsm. The Epson Matte Heavy weight gives a lovely sharp print, but is no good for cards, better for prints...which I am looking forward to working on more and listing on etsy.

Jolene

Just thought I'd post this purse that I made for Rachel, since shes seen it now Christmas is long gone. This is dedicated to her little doggie Jolene, who she hopes is 'with pup' after a rather public love affair in the park with a local Shitzu! Im waiting in anticipation to find out the result of this union!

Chinese dress

I'm working on some new prints this week. I want to get start selling quality prints as well as cards in my etsy shop. The Epson Archival paper arrived on Monday, so I can't wait to try it out and see the results. This is one of the drawings I'm working on and have scanned into illustrator to add colour and detail. I will post the results when I have a group of 4 done.

Happy February!

Hooray, I sold 2 cards on etsy! This makes me very happy, ok so its not much, but its something! When I started this blog a year ago my designs were mainly sold via an agent, so I remained anonymous, like most textile designers. By selling my own designs I get to keep the copy right. There are growing ways to sell online, which is one big reason why the design market is changing. Yes I want to be independent... say yes to small business! Ok Im getting a bit carried away, Ill talk to you when I have my first wholesale order!

kitty joins cafe

Today Ive been looking into starting up a cafe press shop. It seems quite a good idea for me. So far Ive just set up a basic shop so go and take a peek!! Its quite exciting to see your design on so many products. I believe I will have to upgrade to a premium shop, as y0u are limited to how many designs you can sell in the basic. I need to do a lot more planning for a premium shop, and get a whole range of designs that will sit well together. I think it will be worth the fee, its about $5 a month if you pay it in one hit for the year. Has anyone tried cafe press before?

Online friends

Theres nothing quite like a little love from some online friends to cheer you up at the end of a long day!! Ok so the snow has thawed down south but our roofers arrived today and found lots of rotting joists that they didn't know were rotting!! More expense there then! Still its nice to log on and find some comments on my blog ...yeay.. and a write up over at sooziebee! Thank you! Its so inspiring to see fresh water colours, and when I saw how well Karen Fulkner does on etsy with hers , I thought good on you girl! I'm inspired to get my water colours out, and in response today here's one of my pieces from my art college days!

New Etsy friend

Whilst browsing esty at the weekend I came across a fellow textile artist and Brit, who also has an etsy shop. She is sooziebee and she is very kindly sending me one of her lovely cards just for being her 100th favourite! Heres one of her water colour designs. You can see more if you look at her blog. As for me, no more sales to report on etsy, but I did sell a card on Photobox, but the royalty is pants to be frank!!! 5%. Still, I suppose if I sell a few it is better than nothing!