Cambridge Open Studios 2015

This weekend is the deadline for completing the applications to take part in Cambridge Open Studios.  It's always a struggle selecting a single image that I hope will capture the attention of someone flicking through the yellow guide book.  How do I stand out amongst the other 250 artists and entice someone to read further and then hopefully decide to visit my studio?  The text also takes careful consideration, with only 150 characters permitted to convey concise information about my work.

I have chosen this new drypoint print depicting a blackbird about to feast on the remaining golden apples seen in Milton Country Park.  The apples use chine-collé (paper collage at the same time of printing).  A square image is the optimum size for the guide, so I have cropped the image from the rectangular original.  I hope it does the trick.

New Product - Meal Planner

Here is another new product launched by Phoenix Trading this month.  I always like receiving commissions and after several attempts at various styles, layouts and designs we settled on this.  It's magnetic so can be attached to the fridge for easy access.  There are sheets of paper to plan out meals for the week and a shopping list to buy what you need.  No excuses for not using up left-overs!

 They aren't available to buy at the moment, but if you host a Phoenix 'coffee and cards' event at your home or work-place, then it is a gift to the host (at the discretion of the Phoenix Trader).

I love all the little details and it was nice to use pen and ink combined with digital artwork for the layout and some of the colour.

This is a detail of the pattern that's on the board beneath the paper pads.

Happy New Year 2015

Wow, 2015 came around quickly, I've only just got my head around it being 2014.  I actually took some time off work over Christmas and of course I came down with a cold - that'll teach me to relax!  So back in the studio today to work on new ideas and finish off a couple of commissions.  I have reopened by Etsy shop and it's really lovely to read the nice reviews from the orders I had before Christmas.

This is a new product launched this month for Phoenix Trading.  A pack of ten 5" x 7" Thank You postcards printed on matt textured board (code: TY107), £4.50.

Wooden Decorations

Today I've uploaded a few of my hand-printed birch wood decorations onto my website.  There are only 15 of the birds and 10 of the hearts available.

Cambridge Christmas 2014

My favourite event of the year didn't disappoint.  The Unitarian Church Hall had people queuing at the gates at 12 noon and the hall was buzzing with visitors until we closed at 8:30pm.  Mulled cider warmed everyone up and home-made mince pies kick started the festive shopping experience.

My new Bike tea towels were a big hit and the Indigo Bird coasters were the best sellers.  I also sold out of my Pheonix Trading advent calendars, stocking garlands and paper-chains. I love being part of this event, together with the other 14 talented artists and makers.  Here's to 2015!

Photos from Ely Cathedral Fair

Well locations for a Christmas Food & Craft Fair can't get more spectacular than Ely Cathedral.  We spend a magical three days there, setting up on Thursday 13th November, with a preview that evening.  A full day on Friday, with a break for evensong from 4:30 - 6:30pm.  This gave us a chance to go out for dinner with some fellow stall holders.  The show continued on Saturday with huge numbers of visitors.

My best sellers were the new 'Cat in the Meadow coasters' and new Boats tea towels.  The Penguin cards also went down really well and I am busy making more Red Birdy decorations in time for Cambridge Christmas on Monday 24th November.

Our neighbouring stall was Slate & Nature run by the charming Jeanette and Gerard who'd come all the way from Northumberland for the show.  They sold wonderful reclaimed slate bird feeders, candle holders, garden ornaments and such like.  We swapped a few tea towels for a couple of bird feeders which are really beautifully designed.

Another favourite purchase was from the Ely Gin Company - a lovely selection of little bottles of flavoured gin.  Had to buy it for the packaging alone.

Penguins

For the last few years the Christmas advert from John Lewis always becomes a big talking point and this year is no exception.  It features a very cute penguin called Monty.  So I thought given the surge in interest of all things 'penguin' I would design some new hand-printed cards for my forthcoming Christmas shows.