Russian dolls

Inspire by my Russian doll illustration I am working on a set of actual Russian Dolls. I'll post the finished ones soon.

Threadless

So I finally got around to submitting one of my illustrations to Threadless the t-shirt company.

If you want to see my design printed in a t, please pop along and vote for me.

Votes = printed tees, its that simple :–)
http://www.threadless.com/submission/383689/Dino_at_the_fair

AN ACOUSTIC WINTER

My very talented friend, the folk musician Steve Cooper, has organised a wonderful evening of music this December.

Come and enjoy

Stevie Matt Cooper teams with The Mill Arts Centre to present an evening of acoustic music. A main stage seated event featuring some of Oxfordshire's fantastic local acoustic acts. To be filmed by OXBOX TV. 

Set 1

DAMIEN BLACK

JESS HALL

STEVIE MATT COOPER(feat guests)

Set 2

BARNABY NEWMAN

NIKKI LOY

LUKE MAY

Tickets are £5 in advance and £7 on the door

The Mill Box Office

Tel: 01295 279002

please contact www.themillartscentre.co.uk for more details

Love love love

Some recent heartfelt doodles

Work in progress

I'm in the throes of a creative burst this autumn, an editorial piece for a fabulous magazine (watch this space), an exciting heart painting and the preliminary character sketches for a wonderful AP book.

This exciting project is a collaboration with my good friend and talented writer Katherine Sutherland.

To give you a small taster, here are a couple of little sketches.

Napton Craft Fair

Don't forget I am at the Napton Handmade Fair this Sunday, October 23rd

Postcode: CV478LS

The Napton Handmade Fair takes place every month at Napton Village Hall, Napton-on-the-hill, Warwickshire, showcasing the county and beyond's talent.

Everything is 100% Handmade and is a fantastic day out for all the family.

*Ceramics * Textiles * Cards * Art * Illustration * Embroidered Furniture * Gifts * Jewellery * Glassware * *Homemade Cakes * and Many More...*

All this for just £1 Admission for adults and Children Free!

~October 23rd~

Faeries Fairies everywhere

At the fair on Sunday I met the fabulous Nicky Tsierkezou and all her fairie loveliness!

You should check out her work at
www.dizzinesdesigns.com

She was kind enough to trade with me, and I have a fabulous one of her fabulous angel wing's prints.

Christmas Cards

Our Christmas card pack is now available in our Etsy shop.

I am so in love the Reindeer one!

Busy Crafting Day

I'v been having a fun pack craft day.


I have been making bunting, so much fun. I am so excited by how it looks. I hope you all like it too!

Baby wearing cards

For all those natural mamas out there I now have my 3 of my baby wearing illustrations as a set of 3 cards.
Now available on Etsy. 
They look so cute.

Craft fairs and Art Markets

I have lots of Craft events lined up from now until Christmas,

so come along and say hello

Starting with this weekend, 
here are all of my upcoming markets:


Sunday 16th October
Berkhamsted Artisans, Arts & Crafts Market

10-2
The Town Hall
Berkhamsted

Sunday 23rd October
Napton Handmade Fair 

10- 4
Napton Village Hall, Napton-on-the-hill, Nr. Southam, CV47 8LS.

Saturday 29th October
Coventry Art Fair

10-5
The Coventry Canal Basin

Thursday 17th November
Bishop Carpenter School Christmas Shopping Evening
6.30 - 9.00 pm
School Lane, North Newington. OX15 6AQ

Saturday 19th November

The Birmingham Vintage, Crafts and Collectables Extravaganza

10-4.30

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Sunday 20th November

Southam Christmas Craft Fair

10-4

The Grange, Coventry Road. Southam

Sunday 26th November
Coventry Art Fair

10-5
The Coventry Canal Basin

Sunday 27th November

Frost Fair Christmas Market (TBC)

11-3

Market Square

Northampton

Sunday, 4th December

10-4

Contemporary Craft Shopping Experience

Warwickshire Exhibition Centre

Fosseway

Leamington Spa

Saturday 17th December

Birmingham Christmas Craft & Gift Fair

10-4.30

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Peaceful Doves

I've been doodling more bits and bobs, here is another Christmas themed one, although it might find it's way into other things.

Although I drew the sketch up a few weeks ago I have spent this evening colouring it up. I took this time and this peaceful dove as a meditation almost to think about a close family friend who has is very ill.


With this dove, I wish him peace and love x

Trade-a-holics

I have now joined 'trade-a-holics', so if there are anyother etsy bots out there who fancy a trade, get in touch.

http://tradeaholics.ning.com/

Yarn bombing

Whilst driving through the nearby town of Chipping Nortonand I noticed some yarn bombing had been going on! Fab as I didn't think this sort of thing had reached the sleepy Cotswolds.

I shall take this as a good omen as my
Mum is going to attempt to teach me to knit over the next few days.

This may sound easy but as a left handed bod many have tried and failed to teach me in the past!

Start your Christmas shopping early!

I shall be selling my wares tomorrow at the Real Art and Crafts event at Towcester Town Hall, 9.30-4pm. If your in the area pop in and say hi!

I shall be rolling out my Christmas cards, here is a sneak peak at one of the illustrations.

Geek Chic, Nerd alert

I finally have some of my Geek chic, Nerd alert jewllery and accessories on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ashabean

Busy Whizzy me! Craft fairs and passions

Things have been super busy for me of late. I have been whirring around building up stock and venturing into the world of fairs and markets!


My first one was last week, it was a baby event, I had lots of fab feedback on my work, and it gave me my first chance to actually set up a stall for worlds of whimsy. 

My second show was a few days ago and was pretty good, lots of feedback and quite a few sales. My earrings went down a storm!

I have dabbled with two previous craft incarnations before where I did some shows. First was when I first left university, selling embroidered bags and scarves, but I became distracted with graphic design and so that fizzled out.


Then the next incarnation was about 8 years later when I lived in the US. I got into making handmade paper and book binding. I did a few shows but mainly sold on ebay.


I feel more passionate about worlds of whimsy, it has grown out of my love for drawing and illustrating which has always been the root in my artistic heart.


I have a thousand idea buzzing around in my head, lots of avenues and projects to work on, now if I only I could find that thing called TIME! Maybe it's behind the sofa along with all the blocks and toys Oakley posted back there!

Haberdashery dreams

Back at Greenwich market again I discovered the wonderful 'Miss Gingers Haberdashery' stall. The most beautiful fabrics, with a huge dash of passion thrown in. 

Verity has the most amazing fabrics, hubby and I were drooling, whilst Oak fluttered his long eye lashes!

She sells in fat quarters, half and full meters, at bargain prices.

I could have gone crazy, but I  showed some restraint! I plan to make some bits and bobs for Oakley.

The day of the dead fabric was bought for hubby as it reminded him of the grateful dead.

My favorite fabric was this, not sure what I will make with it, maybe some cushions for when I redecorate the living room.

Check out Miss Ginger Makes

http://missgingermakes.blogspot.com/

and finally.....

I have the worlds of whimsy website live now. It still needs some tweaking and more images, but please take a look.


Let me know if anyone has any feedback, thoughts suggestions are always welcome

www.worldsofwhimsy.co.uk

Ode to Moleskine

Today I bought a new moleskine diary, and it led me to write this...............

You are a dark seductive piece of ephemera

that no creative mind can resist.

You sit in your corner of the bookstore taunting me

with your perforated pages and hidden pocket flap.

You draw me into your world of notebooks packed in threes, in craft paper or a super coloured mist.

Your super organized diaries send my head into a whirl. Maybe I can conquer the world with a funky little map.

Your little tabbed address books make me want to

find lots of boys that can be kissed.*

Your watercolour sketchbooks delude me the most.....

now believe I can win The Turner Prize

with my silly doodley bits.

* As I am married this bit is just fictional!

Super Dooper Markets

On Wednesday I spent the day in London, nothing unusual as I visit my brother most Wednesdays, but he was mainly at the hospital so Oakley, My Mum and I headed to Greenwich.

http://www.shopgreenwich.co.uk/

We headed to the market first after hearing that it was an art and crafts day with lots of things for children, I was quite keen to have a look after discovering that the pitch prices were quite reasonable. 


There were the cutest little felt booties, sock monkeys, cute little crochets and knitted clothes., the list goes on! There was also lots of food stalls, and Oak and I fell for the vegan cupcake stall!

Seriously amazing! We bought Papa-Boo a double chocolate one and Oak and I opted for a carrot cake muffin. DIVINE!


I rate checking out Ms Cupcake, they aren't just at the market, but have a couple of shops in London and go to other events:
http://www.mscupcake.co.uk/


We also had to sent Papa Boo (the chocolate and Ice cream fiend) a picture of us outside the Ben and Jerry's shop. DROOL!

After a long chat with over lunch I have decided to give the market a whirl, so I hope this weekend I will submit my application and aim to do it once a month.


What a fun morning. The afternoon was not so much fun as Oakley came out in a dreadful rash, and as were so far from home we took him to the A&E at Kings College Hospital to get it checked out (over worried new mama!!!). Luckily it is nothing serious, just a weird all over rash, but we have been quarantined for the rest of the week, so we had to postpone Oakley's birthday party this Saturday :–(


But we can still celebrate! 

Another busy weekend of crafting

Aside from fighting off the lurgy and going to Buddhist temples, I have had a busy weekend of crafting and photography.


I have been finishing off a lot of the projects I started last weekend, it seems that during the week my little man will have no part of my working, so it all happens between Friday and Monday! 

Here is a quick snap shot of my new items

I have small metal gift tins, stud earrings, rectangular pendants, hair slides, note cards and compact mirrors. There are a few more items waiting in the wings, watch this space for them.

They will be available soon on etsy and Folksy, and most will cost under £10.

I have also been taking lots of photos of my prints in their new frames, they look fab!

I love how my heart doll looks

My final picture of the weekend, a cute one of Oakley and I

Buddhist blessing

Yesterday we had a buddhist blessing for our beautiful son Oakley.


It was held at the Forest Hermitage Monestry in Warwickshire and performed by the abbot Ven. Luang Por, and Ven. Tahn Manapo. 


We prepared a meal for the monks, and ritually served it to them which was a wonderful and humbling experience.

Some water was blessed during the meal, then my husband offering to the trees, to send healing to those who are sick.

During the actual blessing our son was given his buddhist name: Mudito (pronounced 'Mu-dee-toe). It means someone who has Mudita. Mudita is Sympathetic Joy - to be glad and happy at the gains, welfare and happiness of others'. We were quite emotional about his name as it is a true reflection of Oakley's nature. He is truly happy when others are happy.

He had his hair ritually cut whilst they chanted the blessing and we were sprinkled with water.

We are so thankful to everyone who joined with us to celebrate and watch the blessing, and extremely grateful to everyone at the Hermitage, but most of all, thankful for our beautiful son whose smile brings so much joy and happiness to so many.

Crafting weekend

My wonderful husband decided I needed some chill out relaxing time and said he would go out for the day with our baby and do all the chores and errands over the weekend. Leaving me lots of time to do some crafting.


I made a fabric rug for the kitchen, which was very quickly adopted by our old ginger tom cat Aubrey. He likes to live downstairs away from our younger girl cats (I think he likes the peace and quiet!). 


I have an idea to make a super log rug to replace our stair carpet! My hubby thinks it is a crazy idea, but I have a vision!!!!

I was also working on some new things for my Etsy shop, more jewelry (pics yet to come) and some decoupage picture frames. I spent hours and hours drawing small cute little icons, which I turned into decoupage sheets, hours of fun and glue later, hey presto picture frames.

Here are some 'in progress' shots, final pics to follow

 THis one is almost finished, I need to varnish the frame and out it all back together. 

My first treasury

 My first ever treasury on Etsy, inspired by Oakley, our baby tree.

Green tree, new tree, old tree, family tree

Beautiful frame

A happy customer sent me a photo, she had had a frame made for the print she recently purchased from  me, and wow, it looks stunning. Thanks Sophie :–)

Exciting package

I am so excited today as a wonderful package arrived today full of lots of crafting goodies to make more pendants, earrings, hair-slides, and cute little gift tins.

I also went to Ikea (or Sweden as we tell my little boy) and bought some new pictures frames as props for photographing for my prints.

Inside the brain of a creative

My head has been whirring from so many ideas and creative thoughts, coupled with my hectic life, I had to put it down in picture form.

Busy Busy

Although I haven't been at the computer enough to blog, I have been busying away with new ideas and being inspired by so many things.

I am working on lots of new things, including new jewelry items amongst other things, as well some free downloads.

I have just got back from the wonderful Fairport Convention Cropredy Folk music festival. Lots of fun. It was my little boys first official Cropredy festival, as he missed last years by being born 3 weeks later!!!

In between bands I spent my time reading The Handmade Market place book by Kari Chapin. Fabulous. Lots of amazing suggestions and ideas. I am feeling inspired and raring to go. (Thats my little boy under the bandana and headphones snuggled asleep in a wrap!!)