Friday, 23 November 2012

Christmas, Cake and Ceramics...

What have I been up to?...

Well, last Sunday 18th Nov I had a stall at the 'Christmas Market' on St Peters Street, run by 'I Make Fun Stuff' and 'Loveone'...

It was a fun day with many artisans around... selling vintage items, soaps, jewellery, clothing, lamps, etc... the list was endless and a beautiful sight it was!  The day was chilly but fella and I had a lovely time.

Picture taken by my dear friend Hannah, from 'Huny Bun Bakery'

Here are some more pictures from the day, taken by the fella...




Photo credited to Chris - 'I Make Fun Stuff'

On the day I was giving away prizes... you could have won an 'I Love Suffolk' badge, ' I Love Suffolk' mug, I was also giving away the chance to paint a ceramic on the day, a homemade 'I Love Suffolk' cake by Hannah, from 'Huny Bun Bakery' and I was also giving away the chance, for two lucky people to come along and paint a ceramic for free, at my next 'Ceramic Painting Workshop'...

Here is a picture of the fabulous cake by 'Huny Bun Bakery'... But I will tell you more about this fabulous cake in my next blog entry and where it ended up...

...BUT NOW IT'S TIME TO PAINT....

So, this Saturday 24th Nov, I am holding my next 'Ceramic Painting Workshop' at the shop 'Loveone' in Ipswich, 21 St Peters Street.


I will be there on the day to help you paint any ceramic you wish, from a coaster, mug, dinner plate or side plate...  I promise the day will be relaxing and you will be supplied with free cake and hot drinks :) What's not to love about that?

For more details please go to my website or click on the poster below for further details...



Ceramics make the perfect unique gift for any loved one and I will have examples with me on the day.  Here is an example below of one that I painted for my Mum and Dad this Christmas :)


Coasters

Set of 4 coasters - 'LOVE'

So come along tomorrow and get creative!  Thanks and I look forward to seeing you!


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Wednesday, 7 November 2012

CERAMIC PAINTING WORKSHOPS - VINTAGE CHRISTMAS & ELABORATE INITIALS - PERFECT GIFT

CERAMIC PAINTING WORKSHOPS - DATES ANNOUNCED...

I am thrilled to announce the next two dates at 'Loveone' 21 St Peters Street, Ipswich.
Poster, click on image for more details:


24th November, Saturday, 11 - 4pm

13th December, Thursday, 2 - 7.30pm
*LATE NIGHT PAINTING*


'Ceramic Painting Workshops'

Need a special gift for someone this Christmas?  Their initials on a mug or a plate?  Need a unique 'Christmas' inspired coaster for your hot Chocolate?...  Then come along to a 'Ceramic Painting Workshop'!...

Paint your own, individual coaster, mug or plate!  Relax, paint and eat cake.  Price includes:  Ceramic, paint, glazing, templates, help and free hot drinks with a cupcake :)

£15 - Coaster,  £22 - Mug,  £26 - Plate.

Christmas and gift inspired!  'Vintage Christmas and Elabortae Initials'.  I will have specially designed templates with me on the day for you to use and books for inspiration.  I will also draw any elaborate initial you would like placed onto a ceramic, then you can have the fun part of painting it!

It will be a fun day, no booking necessary, just turn up on the day.  I have explained a little more about the workshops below...  Please feel free to read...


HOW IT WORKS...

* When you come to one of my 'Ceramic Painting Workshops' all you need to bring is yourself, a little creativeness and a little money to buy yourself a gorgeous hand painted ceramic, created by you!

* I will be there on the day to help and assist you with your chosen ceramic, I prepare themed templates for you to use and if you need a little help with a design, just ask me and I can draw something onto a ceramic for you to paint.  No problem!  I am there to help.

* You can choose to paint either a mug, coaster or a plate (side or dinner).

* Then simply relax painting your ceramic, with a FREE hot drink (tea/coffee/hot chocolate) and homemade cupcake by yours truly.

* After you have finished painting I will then take your ceramic away with me, when I get home I carefully glaze the ceramic by hand and place it within the kiln.

* Firing your ceramic is a long process, it takes over 10 hours to complete and the kiln reaches up to 1100 degrees!  That's pretty hot, but it does release a lovely amount of heat into my home :) especially needed with winter quickly approaching!

* After complettion I will then add cork to the base of any coaster and carefully wrap up your ceramics ready for delivery.  You will be able to collect your hand painted ceramic 1 week after the workshop from 'Loveone' and then enjoy your unique and individual, hand painted ceramic for a lifetime :)

SIMPLE!  Any questions, please feel free to contact me via facebook or email...


Thanks for reading and I look forward to seeing you on the day!...
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Thursday, 1 November 2012

Drawing a Portrait and Illustrating a Vineyard

Last month, I was asked by a very successful Suffolk body, if I could illustrate their vineyard/holiday home in France for their company logo... 

Husband and wife team explained to me the 'nature' of their business and what their vineyard/home means to them.  I understood early on how much this business means to them, not just as a venture, but personally too.  I knew I had to display the charm of this unique home in France as an illustration, as well as including its beautiful surroundings, of the vineyard.

I studied a few different images of the home and its location and got to work.  I created a couple of illustrations, but the final image is shown below...




The final logo


I was thrilled to be involved in such an exciting project and am looking forward to its formal launch this month.  For more details on this business ' My Organic Vineyard' follow the links below:

Website:  www.myorganicvineyard.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/myorganicvineyard
...

Earlier on this year I also started a new relationship with my fella, Vernon.  Some of you have probably already met him at events alongside me, helping out and supporting my work.  But my artistic portrait skills have been calling me and I had an overwhelming urge to draw him.  I searched through my phone to find a good shot, picked up my paper and some old charcoal I recently found at my parents house (to which I haven't touched since high school) and started to draw...  



In the space of 10 minutes I created the following portrait and was rather happy with the outcome.  I am aware some areas need 'tweaking' but nothing I can't work on and perfect next time I decide to draw him.


End of last month I also visited London to see a couple of old University friends.  Whilst in London I visited my holy ground, 'The National Portrait Gallery'.  The contents of this building inspire me like nothing else and every year I make an effort to visit at least once.  I am greatly inspired by Tudor portraiture and made my regular visit to the two most influential portraits in my life...



If you have never been to 'The National Portrait Gallery' I urge you to go...  It is incredible and a certain must next time you are in London.

Thank you for reading


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53 Days Until Christmas! Art, Gifts, Ceramics and Suffolk

Pinch punch first of the month!

Well, we only have 53 days left until Christmas and I have already got my box above the wardrobe, brimming with goodies for family and friends.

I decided this year that I am going to avoid, at all expense, buying gifts from the high street... I am only purchasing from local artisans and supporting independently run businesses within Suffolk.  I feel it is important to support our local economy and feed our own market place.  After all, there are so many wonderfully talented and gorgeous little places where we can buy from, why not buy original and unique gifts... surely our loved ones deserve the best?


With that in mind, here is a picture of the felt badge 'V' (for Victoria), that I ordered from 'Keths Creations'.  I asked her if she could make me an initial, the idea was welcomed and the gorgeous, handmade/hand stitched felt badge was created.  I wear this proudly on my winter jacket and have ordered a further two initials from her as gifts for friends.  I cannot show the picture unfortunately, as the gift receiver reads my blog :)

To see more of 'Keths Creations' follow this link to her page... 


I have also ordered some very unique and locally handmade soaps by 'Paula Jayne Creations'.  Paula is a friendly young lady who makes all her own soaps.  I met her at 'The Maritime Festival' earlier this year, held by 'I Make Fun Stuff'.  I remembered her wonderful products and have ordered the following soaps for a few friends...  I thought these were amusing and with the scent of strawberry and bubblegum, whats not to love?!

To see more soaps made by 'Paula Jayne Creations' follow this link to her facebook page... 


...

I am also going to be making my own gifts for friends/family, as well as painting ceramics such as mugs and plates.  I love giving unique and individual gifts to the people I love, what better way to show you care and appreciate them?




I am also hoping to order more handmade Suffolk chocolate from 'Deep Mills'.  It's lush, I promise!

I will also be making my own hampers by getting yummy Suffolk produce from 'Jimmy's Farm', 'Alder Carr Farm' and 'Memorable Cheeses'.

For buying that unique and very individual gift I will be going to 'Loveone' in Ipswich.  This store holds gorgeous gifts for all ages, ranging from cards and wrapping paper, to framed posters and jewellery.  I strongly recommend a visit here!

So, please browse and visit these wonderful shops and speak to the creative artisans in Suffolk for your special Christmas gifts...  Show the people you love, how much you love them.

Thanks for reading...

p.s.

Stay tuned, as my poster for 'VINTAGE CHRISTMAS & ELABORATE INITIALS' Ceramic Painting Workshops, will be posted by the end of today :)

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