do what you love

shared stories new series launches today (and my blog has moved!)

2011-02-15T00:13:00.000Z

Today is Valentine's Day and I can't think of a better way to celebrate all the love in the world than launching *Shared Stories*, a new series of guest posts which shares the stories of people determined to do what they love. Some stories talk of triumph, others despair. They all involve bravery, belief, courage and hope. They are real stories about real people chasing their dreams, and making choices and sacrifices which allow them to do what they love, for life. Every Monday this will become a space for sharing those stories.
It takes courage to share, and I hope you will read them, relate to them, and be inspired by them.

The stories shared here are our shared stories.
"Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams..." WB Yeats

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Sharing their stories today are Clare Mulvany and Cara Tilson.
Clare is author of 'One Wild Life: A journey to discover people who change our world' , which she wrote after a year travelling the globe seeking out extraordinary people. She now lives in Ireland.

UK-based Cara is artistic, and creative, but (in her words) 'too busy doing nothing to do what she loves'. It sounds like this is the year that all that will change...

Hop over to my new blog to read their stories

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The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is back (and I have moved to a new blog!)

2011-02-09T14:41:00.000Z

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is back for the third time!

Come over and join in, give yourself a little fun creative project to do,

and look forward to receiving some creative love in the mail from somewhere else in the world!

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By the way, my blog has now moved.

Come and visit the new site Do What You Love here

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I have moved!

2011-01-20T19:24:00.000Z

I have moved... Please come and find me at my new place, Do What You Love

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See here for more info about the Do What You Love art retreat

I am moving! New blog and website launched - come with me!

2011-01-10T13:00:00.000Z

(in the window of a New York cafe)

After nearly a year blogging here, I am excited to announce that I have a new home! I have just launched my new website, Do What You Love, and will be blogging from there from now on. Please come and join me!

Just like when you pack up and move house, it is with mixed feeling that I leave this warm safe space behind, with its happy memories and many lessons. But as I close this door, I open a new one - it is time for a fresh start to coincide with the launch of the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreats.

Registration is now open for the first retreat! (I can't believe I actually wrote that! After much planning and preparation we are actually ready!) So excited to be able to invite you to join us at the retreat, which will take place in a stunning countryside venue in Yorkshire, England in May. More about this very special event (and the early bird discount) here.

Thank you so much for sharing this space with me over the past year - I am so grateful for all your thoughts, comments, and creative love. Please do come and join me at my new home - I'd love to know what you think of it. Let's carry on the journey from there!

Beth

Bring it on!

2011-01-07T15:00:00.001Z

2011 came a little early for me, and it showed in my first post of the year. I was expecting it, but not quite yet. Like when your dinner guests turn up while you're still tidying up and peeling the potatoes, finding you with wet hair and no make up.

After a rollercoaster 2010 I had soaked deeply into the goodness of the festive bubble and slowed right down... So I was taken a little by surprise when it was suddenly January. I hadn't captured my big vision on paper, unjumbled my ideas, worked through my planning, cleared out or organised. But now I have.

Now I am ready.

The dreaming is done.

The plans are laid.

The fire is stoked.

2011? Bring it on!

Don't you just love new beginnings (when you're ready for them)?

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By the way, I have been busy working with some talented folks on a shiny new website for the Do What You Love retreat, and my blog will be moving there shortly. So excited to share this with you – stay tuned for the new address – I hope you’ll join me there very soon

What's your colour for 2011?

2011-01-06T13:35:00.001Z

According to the Pantone Colour Institute, the 'official' colour for 2011 will be Honeysuckle to "lift our spirits. (It) is a captivating, stimulating color, that gets the adrenaline going - perfect to ward off the blues".

I love this colour. It is full of energy, and is a great contrast with black and white. I am going to create something using it this month. Look out for 'honeysuckle' on the high street and in homes...

What do you think? Do you like it? What's your colour for 2011?

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By the way, I have been busy working with some talented folks on a shiny new website for the Do What You Love retreat, and my blog will be moving there shortly. So excited to share this with you – stay tuned for the new address – I hope you’ll join me there very soon

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What will you make of 2011?

2011-01-05T01:51:00.004Z

It’s nearly 2am and I can’t sleep. Rain is pounding on the skylight and the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of camomile tea.

This isn’t how I planned to start my first post of 2011, but there is so much swirling round in my head it is hard to think straight. Ideas, plans, and a buzz of excitement about the possibilities. But also the shadowy doubts (are my dreams just too big?), endless to-do lists and looming deadlines (Already? It’s only January 5th!).

Running your own business tends to do that to you. I wrote on Facebook earlier today that I love not having a real job, in the 9-5 sense of the word. And I really do. But when it’s not 9-5, in your head it can end up being 24/7.

I have spent the past few days hidden away working on my plans to make 2011 a big year (of course those dreams aren't too big!). It’s going to be a long and winding road but I just know the view from the top will be amazing, if I can just make it there (and enjoy each step along the way).

How about you? What kind of a year do you want 2011 to be?
How are you going to make sure it turns out that way?
Wishing you a very special year filled with adventure and discovery!

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By the way, I have been busy working with some talented folks on a shiny new website for the Do What You Love retreat, and my blog will be moving there shortly. So excited to share this with you – stay tuned for the new address – I hope you’ll join me there very soon

That was the year that was...

2010-12-31T15:46:00.002Z

2010 was the year...

- I started a blog and discovered this incredible online creative community

- We moved into our new home

- I started a new business venture

I also travelled to three continents and got serendipitously stuck in Paris (yippee!). It has been a happy year, with a rollercoaster of emotions in places, but mostly filled with adventure, fun, and new friendships. Here is my year in blog posts, featuring the most 'significant' from each month.

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JANUARY
- I started the year sat on a sand dune in the Sahara Desert with my man

- I didn't even know what a blog was (must have been walking around with my eyes shut, and just think what I was missing!). 127 blog posts later I am still loving it...

FEBRUARY
- I went to California for an art retreat, was inspired to start a blog and discovered a whole new world, to which I felt like I had belonged all along

'Tribal Gathering' posted Tuesday 27 February

MARCH -
I had a 'wow' Mondo Beyondo dreaming moment

Did that just happen? posted Monday 15 March

APRIL
- I had a wonderful piece of bad luck when the ash cloud from an erupting Icelandic volcano stranded me in Geneva, giving me little choice but to hop on a train to Paris for an impromptu long weekend

'The most wonderful piece of bad luck' posted Friday 16 April

MAY
- My 33rd birthday gave me a great opportunity to look back over the many big changes of the past few years, and look forward to a new chapter in my life

'Looking back, looking forward, looking inward, looking outward' posted Wednesday 5 May

image: Francois d'Elbee (taken in Zambia)

... and posted the first Do What You Love interview, which was followed by a further 15 over the course of the year, with people like writer Danielle LaPorte and artist Claudine Hellmuth. More to come next year!

'The Time is Now: Do What You Love interview with Christina Sbarro' posted Sunday 9 May

JUNE
- My man and I spent three dreamy weeks island hopping round Greece

'Barefoot in Greece' posted Saturday 19 June

JULY
- All the wishing worked and we moved into our new home

'We got our dreamy little new home!' posted Thursday 22 July

AUGUST
- I celebrated my six month blogiversary!

'Learning to paint Jesse Reno style + 6 month blogiversary' posted Tuesday 24 August

SEPTEMBER
- I was lucky to be chosen as one of Britain's most exciting young entrepreneurs, and secured a place on a ground breaking business mentoring scheme run by a leading national magazine, pairing me with entrepreneur extraordinaire Kanya King, founder of the Mobo awards

'Exciting creative business news' posted Friday 3 September

Kanya King (image courtesy of Mobo)

... I went back to the US for another art retreat - bliss

'Reflections on Squam - I dreamed a dream' posted Friday 24 September

... and I was published on mega-design blog design*sponge

'Stop press! Published on design*sponge (eek!)' posted Wednesday 29 September

OCTOBER
- I launched the second Great Big Stitched Postcard swap, which attracted 85 women from 13 countries on 5 continents, and forged many new connections across the creative world

posted Tuesday October 19

NOVEMBER
- I launched my new business venture, running art and creative enterprise retreats in the stunning English countryside

'Finally, announcing my new business venture' posted Monday November 25

DECEMBER
- I met Prince William (what a charmer). Incidentally I also met David Beckham again that day, mmm...!

'The day I met the future King of England' posted Moday 6 December

... and I indulged in all the delights of Christmas preparations, and have loved every festive minute

'Countdown to Christmas#5: Throwing a Christmas dinner party' posted Friday 17 December

Thank you for sharing this road with me.

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How was your 2010? Are you looking forward to 2011?

I can't wait, it is going to be a big year! See you there!

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It's Christmas Eve!

2010-12-24T09:52:00.000Z

Christmas is nearly upon us, when anticipation and preparation gives way to celebration! I love Christmas Eve - there is snow on the ground and magic in the air. I am spending it at my parents' house, with young nephew and niece as the perfect little Christmas helpers. Today will go something like this...

- wrapping up warm to go last minute shopping for new christmas cake decorations (the old santa has last year's icing stuck on his boot, and the collection of little green fir trees we have used since I was a child has dwindled to just two trees - we need a few more tree friends to make a snowy forest)

- cake decorating with the help of some little people

- watching 'Miracle on 34th Street'

- taking my parents' dog for a walk in the frosty park

- posting the neighbours' christmas cards

- gathering round a huge tree for a candlelit children's carol service

- cooking up hot mince pies and mulled wine

- putting out some sherry for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph

- reading 'The Night Before Christmas' to the little ones before they fall asleep 'with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads'

- putting out all the presents under our tree

- trying to get to sleep, which is as hard now as it was when I was five...

Merry Christmas to you all!

Do What You Love interview: Rachael Taylor

2010-12-22T13:00:00.000Z

Voted ‘Happiest Person in Britain’, this really is a girl doing what she loves. Rachael Taylor’s bright and fun designs caught my eye some time ago, and I bought an original piece of her work for my studio. As a surface pattern designer and illustrator, Rachel has clients all over the world, and next year she will be bringing out her own line of stationery with US-based Teneues publishing.

(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)

Rachel graduated in 2005 with a BA (Hons) in Textile in Fashion Design. After working in industry for three years, she set up her own design studio in 2008. Now specialising in surface pattern design and illustration, Rachel works as a freelance designer for clients like WH Smith, Target and Graham and Brown, and runs her own design label, Rachael Taylor Designs. Rachel’s international collaborations include a signature collection with Seascape Lamps USA. I talked to Rachel about loosening up, setting up on her own and getting known.

(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)

1. For those new to ‘surface pattern design’ can you explain what it involves?
Working as a surface designer is great fun and never dull. Surface pattern covers so many areas and products in the market, so my work is very varied and every day is a new challenge. I've designed for magazine covers, greeting cards, packaging, fashion and homewares, so it keeps me on my toes.
If I'm working for a client on a freelance commission I tend to work from a direct brief but if I'm designing for my own label, I try not to have a plan. I just let my designs and ideas flow naturally. I also create surface designs and illustration that I license out to companies. They tend to use them exactly as they are but sometimes I re-colour them to tie in with their collections.

2. How would you describe your signature style and how did it come about?
I'd say my signature style is free, quirky & spontaneous. It normally involves elements of freehand drawing, bright accent colours, textures and layering. Sometimes I combine all of these things together. I think it stems from my student days. I studied Textile and Fashion design at Leeds but our tutors were really keen on mark-making, drawing, painting and working more freely.
My portfolio was more fine art based rather than your typical design portfolio. It took me ages to loosen up my work, then in my final year whilst creating my screen printed collection something just clicked and it all fell into place. That's when I started to really have fun with it and take risks. I'm never afraid to experiment as quite often my mistakes turn out to be my best pieces.

(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)

3. You have had great success getting your work out across the country and internationally. Can you talk us through the steps of getting one of your designs into a shop as a product?
I think a few factors helped in getting my own label out. I work as a freelance designer for other companies in the UK, USA & Europe so I think that raised my profile and people were aware of my style already. Being featured in books and magazines and on blogs really helped too, as people became more aware of me. When I first started my own line (launched in Sept 2009) I just started very small. I opened a notonthehighstreet store, and planned to just planned to sell online. Then when I started to see there was interest in it. I decided to approach a few local shops and it just went from there really. I rang up the British Craft Trade Fair about exhibiting at their 2011 show and they said someone had pulled out the 2010 show. There was just one week to go before the show so they offered me discounted space. It was a crazy idea and at first I said no, as I thought I couldn't pull it off. But then something clicked and I just thought “I'm going to take the risk and go for it”. It paid off - this really got me out there and now I have number of stockists in the UK.

4. What made you take the leap from working for someone else to setting up your own design studio?I just decided it would be nice to have a few small things that I could call my own and put my name to. Then from I decided to have a signature range that I'd license out with my name on as a brand. It's really nice having the freelance and my own stuff - I feel very lucky that I have the best of both worlds. It can be crazy, non-stop juggling sometimes, but that's what I love. I wouldn't have it any other way!

5. What were the biggest challenges you had to overcome in setting it up?

I've found it hard managing the admin side of things - there are just never enough hours in the day. I've had to become quite business-minded so that's been a learning curve too! I find it hard that some days the business things eat away into my creative time. I've had a fair few time delays with product development too, which has been a bit stressful. More recently I had a designer blatantly copy my work too, so that was an awful situation to deal with.

(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)

6. What do you wish you had known when you were starting out?
I wish there was a guide to prepare you for setbacks you may have, every day I learn something new! I never knew I'd have to become so business savvy that would have scared me off!

7. How much of a role does technology play in your business? (in terms of actually creating your designs, managing your business, promoting yourself etc)

Technology plays a huge part. I create my designs on my mac using a graphic tablet. I still use traditional methods but everything has to be developed on the computer in the end. I use twitter, my blog, my website, facebook to promote my work on the internet. It really does work – I have had a fair few overseas clients find me via twitter!

8. What makes you ‘the happiest person in Britain’?

That was a bit bizarre receiving that title,but wonderful too! I feel very honoured. I'm just a regular girl who rambles on a bit. I think I'm quite an upbeat and positive person. My tweets (on Twitter) come across that way. I'm just so grateful that people have received my work really well, so I think that shows as it makes me really enjoy what I do even more. Little things keep me happy like my family, great friends, my lovely dog, music… I love music! My work is really influenced by it as pieces are created depending what mood I'm in. My work keeps me happy, I'm extremely passionate about what I do.

9. Where will you take your business next?

I'm hoping to continue expanding my own line and develop further homewares products. I also want to continue freelancing as I think it keeps my work fresh and I love working with new products and challenges. I've also started receiving regular bookings in schools and colleges for workshops and talks. I want to continue with that too as I really love doing it.

You can see Rachel’s lovely designs on her website and blog, or connect with her on Twitter or Facebook.

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See here for more interviews with inspiring people doing what they love

(image courtesy of Rachael Taylor)

What would happen if...?

2010-12-21T09:00:00.000Z

This quirky little slide show won best creative/offbeat presentation in the World's Best Presentation contest 2010 - it is all about a very powerful little question...

The Best Question in the World

View more presentations from Betsy Streeter.

Have you asked yourself this question lately?

Countdown to Christmas #5: Throwing a Christmas dinner party

2010-12-17T23:24:00.001Z

The house was filled with merry laughter, chinking glasses, and christmas songs from bygone days.

We were dressed up all sparkly and festive*

We dined by candlelight in my studio, transformed into a winter wonderland of silver and white.

We feasted on a roast, sweet mince pies, handmade truffles and pints of steaming mulled wine.

We shared stories and secret santa presents by the open fire.

There's nothing quite as cosy as a Christmas dinner party with friends and festive fun on a cold winter's night.

How are you keeping warm this winter?

*see, I'm working on self-portrait bravery!

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For more Christmassy fun see other 'Countdown to Christmas' posts

Do What You Love interview: Mark McGuinness

2010-12-16T12:03:00.002Z

Rain falls with twilight –

the city’s fingers drumming

on our umbrella

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Rain haiku by poet and creative coach Mark McGuinness

(Image courtesy of Mark McGuinness)

This Do What You Love interview features Mark McGuinness, a poet, creative coach and trainer and creative entrepreneur. He has been coaching artists and creatives since 1996, when he noticed a high proportion of them turning up in his psychotherapy consulting room. He has also consulted for organisations including the BBC, Channel 4, Arts and Business, the Institute for Practitioners in Advertising (UK) and many creative agencies and studios. Since 2006 he has been blogging about creativity and business at Wishful Thinking. In 2008 he launched Lateral Action with Brian Clark and Tony Clark, developing the site as a resource for creative entrepreneurs - first a blog and later the Lateral Action Entrepreneur Roadmap. . Mark's latest course is the Creative Pathfinder, a free 25-week guide to success as a creative professional. I caught up with Mark to find out what gems he could share from his many years of working with creatives (and find out a bit about poetry too).

- Can you remember the first time you referred to yourself as a poet? What made you do that for the first time?
I can't remember, to be honest. Robert Graves said 'poet' is a courtesy title - there are very few real poets, the ones with the genuine magic in their words. On the other hand, the original meaning of the word 'poet' is simply 'maker', so maybe it's just the equivalent of the modern 'creative'.

- Do you see life differently as a poet?
Wow that's a big question. I think that what we call poetry is something inherent in life, which we can all see, if we look carefully, or sometimes it catches us off-guard and we can't help seeing it. Poets make a habit of looking out for it, and trying to capture it in words, but every true artist is after the same thing. And having spent a little time with Buddhist monks, I think they are on the lookout for the same thing, they're just not so worried about capturing it!

- You are also a coach for people in the creative industries. Why is coaching important for artists?
Coaching allows me to work one-to-one with creatives, so I can take account of their individual - often idiosyncratic - talent. There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to creativity - what works for one person won't work for another, and sometimes the hardest part is recognising where your own inspiration is leading you. I often hear from clients that one of the biggest benefits they get from coaching is simply validation of who they are and how they do things, as they sometimes go through life feeling like a square peg in a round hole.

- How did Lateral Action come about and what kind of impact has it had?
It came about through discussions between Brian Clark, Tony Clark and me. Towards the end of 2007 I released an ebook titled Time Management for Creative People - little did I know Brian and Tony were thinking about launching a site about creativity and productivity, so when I sent it to them, they said it was 'bang on target' and the conversation went from there.
In terms of the impact... well I'm maybe not the one to judge, but we've had a terrific response, both to the blog, the Entrepreneur Roadmap, and now the Creative Pathfinder. Every week I hear from people who tell me it has helped them in their creative work, their career, or their business, so it feels like I'm making some difference, but there's always plenty more to do...

- What question are you asked most often by your consulting clients, and how do you respond?
I can't really narrow it down to one question. Maybe four:
1. How can I find a way to do my real creative work, in the midst of interruptions (from the outside) and distractions (from the inside)?
2. How can I get others to notice my work (and buy it)?
3. How can I deal with person X, who's in my working life and not at all easy to work with?
4. How can I motivate myself to keep going, in spite of rejections, criticisms, disappointments and the rest of it?

I generally respond by doing a lot of listening and asking questions - first to clarify the situation, and then to unlock their own ideas about how they could approach the situation differently. Sometimes I'll also 'put in' some ideas and advice around specialist topics, e.g. productivity systems, stress management techniques, internet marketing strategies. Either way, the idea is to get clients to be able to learn new approaches for themselves, that they can put into practice in future.

- What is the best thing about working with creatives?Partly it's inspiring to be around interesting, creative people doing amazing work. And partly because I'm a creative myself, so I feel an affinity with them. It's a tribal thing. :-)

- When you get stuck in your own creative endeavours nowadays, do you deal with yourself as you would a client, or do you turn to others for support?
Sometimes I can get myself unstuck, having seen most of the usual pitfalls in myself and others over the years. I don't necessarily deal with myself as I would a client, but hopefully there's an occasional flicker of self-awareness that comes into play! And sometimes I work with a coach, or a teacher who knows a lot more than me about what I'm trying to do. Mimi Khalvati at the Poetry School is a particular source of inspiration.

- What is the next big dream for your business?
I'm really excited about several new products I have in the pipeline that will be released over the next year or so. Plus I'd like to travel more, so I'm working to move as much of my business online as possible. E.g. I'm doing more and more e-learning and coaching via Skype, as well as live workshops and face-to-face sessions.

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You can find Mark on his Wishful Thinking blog, on his poetry blog, or for bite-sized inspiration you can follow him on Twitter

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See here for more interviews with inspiring people doing what they love

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Are you an artist wanting to make more money from your talent? Are you a budding creative entrepreneur? Have you heard about the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat, to be held in a stunning countryside venue in England next May? Sign up for the newsletter (on the right) to be the first to hear when registration opens!

To tweet or not to tweet

2010-12-14T14:13:00.000Z

So tell me, is it worth it?

Is Twitter all it is cracked up to be?

As I decide whether or not to open myself up to yet another social media channel,

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Are you on Twitter?

Why?

What do you like about it?

Any advice for a newbie?

Big Dreams, Small Wonders

2010-12-14T11:34:00.000Z

Although it can be hard to find time amongst all the holiday preparations, December is a great month for looking back, to create the time and space to spend January looking forward. It is so easy for time to fly past without acknowledging both the big things and little things that have happened along the way, so this month I am taking time to reflect on the 2010 journey. More of that to follow soon...

In terms of looking forward, I have treated myself to spending some time in January dreaming, planning and setting an action plan to make the most of the exciting year ahead in 2011. I have signed up for Louise Gale's shiny new e-course, 'Big Dreams, Small Wonders', to help me do this. Won't you join me?

Find out more on the Big Dreams Small Wonders website here, or in this great interview with Louise, by the ever-inspiring Danielle Fraser.

Countdown to Christmas #4: Christmas cake - how do you make yours?

2010-12-13T17:28:00.002Z

My grandma always used to make our Christmas pudding and cake. I could never understand why she would make it so far in advance (the Christmas before!) and how it didn't go mouldy. She said "good things are worth waiting for" and she was so right.

When I lived in Japan I remember being so shocked that people at sponge cake decorated with strawberries on Christmas Day. I have no idea where that tradition came from!

This year I made a very special Christmas cake to celebrate a very special Christmas - one when a close friend's dad just got the all clear from cancer. The best present anyone could hope for. So I made the cake, and I have sent it off to Cornwall to be iced by his two little granddaughters.

This is a lovely old recipe, best made about six weeks in advance, but if you make it now and feed it brandy each day it should still be delicious come Christmas day. Enjoy!

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Ingredients:
200g each of raisins & currants
50g glace cherries
200g chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts)
150g butter
2 large eggs
100g dark brown sugar
zest of half a lemon
150g plain flour
half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon
quarter teaspoon each of ground cloves & ground ginger
sprinkle of nutmeg
200ml of brandy (or maybe more if you are anything like me...)

Advance preparation
1) Put all the dried fruit in a saucepan with the brandy, bring it to the boil and then take it off the heat. Cover it and leave it overnight to soak up all the lovely brandy goodness.
2) Take your eggs and butter out of the fridge so they warm to room temperature
3) Prepare your tin (see below)

How to make your delicious cake
1) Put some nice Christmas music on in the background and pour yourself a large sherry!
2) Preheat your oven to 150 degrees C / gas mark 2
3) Cream the butter and sugar, then mix in the lemon zest
4) Add the eggs and beat well
5) Sift the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger, then add to the mixture, alternating with adding the soaked fruit (which should smell amazing by now)
6) Add the chopped nuts and fold in
7) Put into prepared tin (see below) and bake at 150 degrees C (gas mark 2) for around 2 hours
8) Once the cake is cooked, wrap it in foil straight away (still in its tin) to keep the top of the cake soft as it cools
9) Once it is cooled, remove it from the tin and wrap it in a double layer of greaseproof paper and a double layer of foil. This version of Christmas cake will easily keep for up to six weeks in an airtight container, if you store it in a cool dry place.
10) Every couple of days add a bit more brandy to the cake and by Christmas day it will be moist and delicious!

How to prepare your tin
Prepare your tin by cutting out two circles of greaseproof paper the same size as the base of your tin, and two long rectangles that are slightly longer than the circumference of your tin, and 12cm wider than the height of the tin. Fold each of the rectangles in along one length, about 2cm from the edge, and then snip small triangles out of the folded section (as if you are making a frill). Hold the two rectangles together (to make a double layer) and use them to line the tin, with the frill side at the bottom of the tin. The triangles you cut out should allow the frill to sit on the bottom of the tin. The circles then go on top of the frill to line the base, and your cake mixture will sit on top of this. The lining should be sticking out about 10cm above the rim of the cake tin. (See photo above).

All ready to send off to be iced by my young friends...

Icing your cake

If you want to ice your own, first spread a layer of apricot jam over the whole cake, cover it in marzipan, then royal icing and whatever decorations you fancy.

Then tuck in!

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What's in your christmas cake this year?

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More Christmas goodness here in the Countdown to Christmas

Do What You Love interview: Abigail Borg

2010-12-10T11:42:00.001Z

Multi award winning young surface pattern designer and illustrator Abigail Borg is riding high, having just been awarded 'Best British Pattern Design 2010' by Elle Decoration at The British Design Awards.

(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)

Just two years since winning New Designer of the Year 2008 award for her collection of hand-drawn and digitally-printed wallpapers, Abigail’s wallpapers, cushions and fabrics are now stocked in Liberty of London and in stores across the world. She also has freelance illustration clients like Laura Ashley Home. I talked to Abigail about her phenomenal success, and how she is managing her rapidly growing creative business.

(images courtesy of Abigail Borg)

Ever since you graduated from Leeds College of Art your feet haven’t touched the ground – what has been the most exciting thing about your journey so far? I think just being able to do what you want to do, and feeling happy with that is the most exciting thing. No restrictions, trends to adhere to, colour palette to work with. If what I design looks nice and people who I show like it, I'll go ahead with it. This formula has worked for me so far, so I'm happy to carry on working like that. I am also very excited to move into a brand new studio in the New Year – it's in an old Victorian hall, surrounded by woods in the Worcestershire countryside. I went for a viewing the other day and there was a deer, squirrels and a pheasant in the courtyard! That totally won me over.

When did you first realise that surface pattern design was your thing?
From an early age I was always drawing and painting for friends, of course then it was just something to do to get out of doing maths and biology homework. As I got older I decided I wanted to go to University so took a surface pattern degree. For the first year and a half I didn't know what I was doing and felt uncomfortable, until we had a brief set by Graham & Brown to design a collection of wallpapers. I think this was the turning point for me, and I knew from then on I wanted to design for the interiors market.

How would you describe your personal style?

I like classic looking things with lots of colour and pattern to them - that goes for in the home and clothes. I especially like mid-century design, as well as late Victorian – there was no compromise in colour or density, and the designers really went for it.

(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)

Did it take long for your particular design style to develop? Was that evolution organic or did you specifically try to design with certain inspiration in mind?

I've always loved flowers, nature, anything organic. We were encouraged to set away from florals during University, as everybody designed with them and we were told to develop our own individual styles. I've always loved vintage and Arts & Crafts design, so on designing my final collection decided to delve deeper into the workings of archival designs. This was when I decided to hand draw all of my work, and concentrate mostly, but not exclusively, on florals.

You set up in business on your own this year, just 18 months out of college. Can you tell us a bit about the learning curve you faced to get where you are now?

I have been on a massive ongoing learning curve since graduating. This has mostly being the business side of things, marketing, sales… All the things you weren’t told very much about at Art School. I was really lucky to be involved in the New Designers exhibition on graduating, as I think it opened a lot of doors for me. As for Liberty and Laura Ashley, they both got in contact with me – who knows where they saw my work! I think a major part of learning is being nice to people and listening to what people have to say. You may not like or agree with some things, but if you try and take something from everyone you meet on your way this can only be a good thing.

Abigail's wallpaper sells for £295 for a 10m roll

(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)

What do you wish you had known when you first started your business? That you shouldn't take what everyone says as gospel, and that you don't have to be in London to be a designer. I think I put some pressure on myself in thinking this to begin with, but when I was working there for four months I didn't feel at anymore of an advantage, just paying twice as much for the privilege.

What is the ratio of time you spend designing vs marketing and managing your business?

I definitely do not spend as much time designing as I would like, I'd say probably 30% on an average day.

(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)

And what about your life outside the business? What else do you like to do?

I like visiting friends around the country as well as friends at home I've known since I was in first school, also cooking, going to gigs, car boot rummaging, going for walks in big gardens in the summer.

What is the big dream for the business in the next five years? As I said I will be moving into my new studio in the New Year, so I would like to be based here with a small team of people around me taking care of the business side of things leaving me more time to do what I love. I would also dream of having a shop front somewhere, selling my homewares which I would also like to expand. Finally I'd love to do some more big commission work, maybe designing a range of 'Abigail Borg' patterns for a big design house.

You can see more of Abigail’s gorgeous work on her website, along with her first foray into letterpress card design with this Christmas card:

(image courtesy of Abigail Borg)

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See here for more inspiring interviews with people doing what they love - like illustrator Claudine Hellmuth and writer Danielle LaPorte

Award-winning mixed media artist Priscilla Jones to teach 3D sculpture at the Do What You Love Retreat

2010-12-08T16:29:00.002Z

I am delighted to announce the third of our teachers for the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat, to be held in Yorkshire, England in May.

Award-winning mixed media artist Priscilla Jones will teach 'Structure and Surface: Creating 3D sculptures using wax, wire, fabric, paper and found materials'.

(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)

This is a rare opportunity to take a three day 3D sculpture workshop with Priscilla. Her work is exquisite, and has been exhibited and exported all over the world.

(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)

Dive in to a world of experimentation as you learn how to construct a gorgeous sculpture using wax, wire, fabric, paper and found materials.

The first day will be spent drawing and experimenting with mark making to create stunning images that can be applied to your sculpture. The next day, using lightweight wire you will create a structure in a style and scale of your own choice, learning how to form and shape contours that can easily be manipulated with your fingers. There is no need for soldering or fusing in this process so you can relax and enjoy creating at you own pace.

(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)

On the last day, you will be able to refine and re-manipulate elements of your sculpture before exploring its surfaces. You will experiment with the images you created on day one and apply them to your fabulous shapes. You can also add found materials and experiment with waxing fabrics and paper to complete your final piece.

(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)

This will be a hands-on experimental workshop. No experience is necessary. Come prepared to have fun, and take home something very special!

(image courtesy of Priscilla Jones)

During the retreat, Priscilla will also share her experience of working as a professional artist, and discuss how she has grown her creative business - including establishing and running a successful art gallery and selling her work internationally.

More information will be available on the Do What You Love retreat website to be launched in early January. This retreat will be cosy and intimate – small enough for everyone to get to know everyone - so places are strictly limited. Registration will formally launch with the new site in early January, but if you want to be the first to know about it (and get in on the early bird discount), sign up for the new Do What You Love newsletter up on the right hand side of this post.

American painter Flora Bowley and British book artist Rachel Hazell will also be teaching at the retreat! See here for more info.

It's all in the details

2010-12-07T18:41:00.002Z

Last weekend I went to a beautiful simple winter wedding in a stunning old priory down in the south of England. I thought I'd share some of the lovely details with you...

Are there any lovely touches you particularly remember from your own wedding or one you have been to?

The day I met the future King of England

2010-12-06T16:54:00.003Z

Last week I had the privilege of meeting newly-engaged Prince William, the future King of England. Wow, what a lovely guy he is. I have never been a huge fan of the monarchy, but meeting him changed that. I got the feeling he understands what real life is like, and all about. I just know he will make a great King.

I couldn't resist but ask him about how he proposed to Kate Middleton. He blushed and said he was so nervous beforehand - in case she said no! In case she said no?? She is going to be a princess! Of course she wouldn't say no!

I think I'd quite like to be a princess. How about you?

Do What You Love interview: Russell Crook

2010-12-05T19:00:00.000Z

One of my favourite parts of Christmas shopping in London is staring at the mesmorising window displays in places like Liberty's of London, Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols. I have often thought it would be a wonderful job to create those window displays, digging deep into the imagination to come up with something more magical, more sparkly and more inspiring than the Christmas before. So I thought I would ask a professional window dresser (or 'visual merchandiser' as they are called in the trade), to share some insight into this life.

(image courtesy of Russell Crook, window of Liberty's of London)

This Do What You Love interview is with Russell Crook, a freelance visual merchandiser whose client list includes Liberty's, Nicole Farhi, L'Oreal, Disney and British retail giants BHS and George at Asda. Russell is from my home town of Southampton, but now lives in the arty town of Brighton on the south coast of England.

How did you get into this profession?

When I left school I took a job as a steward on a round-the-world cruise ship. My first voyage was from Southampton to New York! Although I loved seeing the world I have always been artistic it got to the point where I had had enough of waiting on people. I just thought "what do you really want to do?" and came up with dressing windows. The first step was to move to London, so I got a job at The Ritz Hotel, then the Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge and always admired Harvey Nichols' windows as I walked passed them everyday.

Serendipitously, just as I was wondering how to break into the industry, I met someone at a party who was working at Liberty's of London. He said "Hey, we are looking for someone that we can train up. Come in and see Paul Muller for an interview." Paul Muller was the god of display at the time and his background was at Selfridges. So I went, got the job and haven't looked back since. I was also offered work experience (without pay) over Christmas at Harvey Nicks. Mary Portas (who now presents prime time TV show Mary Queen of Shops) was there at the time as display manager, so that would have been another way in, but I got the full time role at Liberty and dived straight in.

While I was at Liberty's back in the 1980s I took a day release course at St Martin's studying retail visualisation. I was extremely lucky as I could take Liberty merchandise to do my displays - all the other students were so envious of me as all the props at the college were so old and tatty but my displays looked amazing!

(image courtesy of Russell Crook, window of Liberty's of London)

Window dressing for Liberty's sounds like a dreamy job, especially at Christmas when you get to use your wild imagination on the windows. What is the reality of the job like? Yes it was a dreamy job, but it was also very physical and hard work. Christmas was the worst as the team would work eight weeks without a day off to set the Christmas windows and the whole interior. Every department on every floor had to have a touch of Christmas.

The best bits were choosing the themes and then doing the actual dressing. Pulling it together it would take a whole day just to set one window. There would be endless tweaks and then the rest of the run of windows would follow that format before being professionally photographed

Once a year around the 5th Dec a few of us would go on a buying trip to New York where they host an amazing retail show ... it was a very exciting time with lots of showroom parties. All the big name retailer display reps would be out there so we would all network and catch up. We also used to go around all the big name stores in New York to get inspiration (note from Beth: sounds like my kind of business trip!)

How do you go about planning a window to make it original and eye-catching? How do you choose what to display from the thousands of products in store?
You start with the Marketing Department's promotional calendar for the year along with your allocated budget for the year, which you split into chunks. Then it's all down to using your imagination, utilising old props and looking at product samples. Sometimes you have sponsorship money to promote a certain brand. Sometimes you literally do rough scribbles of ideas on the back of a napkin when inspiration comes, and you have team meetings to brainstorm.

More often than not you set up some things in advance - the main colours and the props, lighting ideas and make up and hair on the mannequins - and then you play with the composition and lighting on the day of installation.

Which window are you proudest of and why?
The window I did in the flagship BHS Oxford Street store - I won an award for it. I also had one of my Nicole Farhi windows used as a front cover in a book called 'Store windows that sell" - I couldn't believe it when I saw it for the first time for sale at an exhibition in New York.

(One of Russell's windows on the front cover of the book

'Store windows that Sell: Volume 7', image courtesy of Russell Crook)

What was the most valuable thing you learnt at college? Composition, lighting, project management and taking ideas from the window concept throughout the store - right down to the carrier bags. We were taught how to gel it all together.

How do you promote yourself as a freelancer?
Apart for my website, it's usually word of mouth. The visual merchandising industry is relatively small and I've have built up a good reputation over the years with suppliers and other colleagues within the industry.

(image courtesy of Russell Crook)

What advice would you give to someone starting out who wants to get into your specific area of work? I would suggest a college course, as this will not only teach you valuable technical information, but will also get you work experience within the industry. The British Display Society has more information.

(image courtesy of Russell Crook)

Thank you Russell, for sharing a rare insight into this industry!

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See here for more inspiring interviews with people doing what they love.

Internationally-renowned book artist Rachel Hazell to teach at Do What You Love retreat in England (May 2011)

2010-12-03T10:01:00.001Z

(Image credit: Kelly Whybrow)

I am hugely excited to announce the second of the three fantastic art teachers who will be joining us for the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat in Yorkshire, England next May. Rachel Hazell, known as 'the Travelling Bookbinder', has made a career of creating extraordinarily beautiful books in extraordinary places - from lighthouses in the Shetland Islands to on board a ship in Antarctica.

(Image credit: Rachel Hazell)

Joining us from Scotland, Rachel will share her love of all things booky in her workshop 'Maps, Charts and Other Discoveries: An Extraordinary Expandable Sketchbook Journal'. Rachel invites you on a literary quest of folding, following lines, cutting, composing, gluing and constructing.

One step at a time, with plenty of demonstrations and fool-proof exercises, there will be opportunity for wordplay and expressive adventure. Spread over three days, there will be time to make a literal and metaphorical journey. Building pages of content and layers of meaning into an utterly unique work or art that is private, personal, portable, precious and presentable - a papery expedition of exploration and discovery!

NB: It is likely that much chocolate will be consumed during this workshop...

(Image credit: Shannon Tofts)

Rachel Hazell’s motto is Read Make Love Books. She believes that everyone has a book inside them. Rachel has voyaged far in pursuit of good book art, and with three book-related Masters degrees and a plethora of teaching experience, Rachel is looking forward to another adventure with you.

More information will be available on the Do What You Love retreat website to be launched in December. This retreat will be cosy and intimate – small enough for everyone to get to know everyone - so places are strictly limited. Registration will formally launch with the new website in December, but if you want to be the first to know about it (and get in on the early bird discount), sign up for the new Do What You Love newsletter up on the right hand side of this post.

American painter Flora Bowley and British mixed media artist Priscilla Jones will also be teaching at the retreat! See here for more info

Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap (2) - the round up!

2010-12-01T22:00:00.003Z

Oh my oh my... what an incredible turnout for the second Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap. Wow, what a turn out! We were joined by 85 lovely creative people from 13 countries (including 24 states of the US!) across 5 continents - with first time participation from Argentina, Puerto Rico and the Philippines!

It was fascinating to see how people from so many different geographic locations, cultures and backgrounds interpreted the theme 'home'. I was stunned by the gorgeous creations that were made with such care and sent out across the world to brighten up the day of a complete stranger. You can see some of these in the random snapshot below, and there are more in the Flickr group here. You can also learn more about some of the people involved by checking out their blogs - all listed here.

I received a lovely quirky postcard from Wendy of Inner Graffiti. A little while before I had posted mine off to Marianne of SewRuffhaven in the USA. Here's mine, made with fabric, ribbon, stamps, a metal charm, tissue paper, handmade khadi paper and stitch. What do you think?

Thank you so much to everyone who took part. I hope you enjoyed making your postcard and receiving a piece of hand-stitched loveliness in the post! If you blogged about it please share your link below so we can all pop over and have a look.

Look out for the next Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap in early Spring next year...

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Newsflash!! American painter Flora Bowley confirmed to teach at the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat in England next May! More details here - so exciting!

Flora Bowley to teach at Do What You Love retreat in England!

2010-11-30T11:00:00.005Z

I am absoutely thrilled to share the news that American painter Flora Bowley will be teaching a three-day workshop at the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat in Yorkshire, England next May!

(Image: Tyson Robichaud)

Flora's painting style is gorgeously unique, bursting with colour and beauty, and she is an incredibly gifted teacher. The one day class I took with Flora a while back was one of the most freeing days of painting I have ever experienced. So you can imagine how exciting it is that Flora will be travelling to Europe specially for this workshop, where participants can sink into three days of indulgent creating with this wonderful free spirit.

In "Bloom True - wild and delicious painting with Flora Bowley", the class will explore a whole new way of painting from a space of freedom, non-judgment and experimentation. This process is about loosening up, letting go of expectations, having fun and allowing paintings to unfold naturally. The class will paint on giant canvasses, with access to acres of stunning countryside for inspiration and outdoor classroom space.

If you are able to join us, I can promise you will never look at painting the same way again.

'Freed' by Flora Bowley, acrylic on canvas 36" x 36"

As part of the retreat's creative enterprise sessions, Flora will also share some of her experience in making it as an internationally-acclaimed professional painter, who has licenced some of her work with Anahata Katkin's 'Papaya!'.

'Thirty-six' by Flora Bowley, acrylic on canvas, 36" x 36"

Flora lives and works full-time as a painter in Portland, OR, where she is inspired by magical forests, abundant gardens and a thriving community of fellow artists. Flora’s love for life and spontaneous nature are clearly visible in her vibrant, easily recognizable paintings. Throughout the year, Flora enjoys travelling, teaching workshops and painting in colorful locations around the world.

And then there was snow...

2010-11-29T09:16:00.000Z

We haven't had snow like this in England in November as long as I can remember. Down to minus 20 in some places and eight inches of snow expected in the next 24 hours.

I know it is nothing like you get in other parts of the world, but somehow snow seems to always take us by surprise here. On the news they keep talking about the travel chaos everywhere, but I am secretly happy about the quiet magic that falls over the countryside when snow comes.

We shuffled downstairs early this morning, before the rest of the world woke up, and sat with steaming mugs of tea looking out over the whiteness.

View from my studio early this morning

View from my attic office skylight

Our little garden

What's the weather like where you are today?

Countdown to Christmas #3: The magic of baubles

2010-11-28T14:54:00.000Z

I love baubles. When I was little my dad would get down the boxes of christmas decorations and we would throw everything on the tree - the paper chains we made in school, the balding angel we called 'Arthur Scargill', the baby's first Christmas bauble my little brother (now in his 20s) had when he was a few months old, the gingerbread stars we had just cooked up in the kitchen. It didn't matter what colour anything was, as long as it sparkled.

When it came to buying decorations for my own place I decided to do away with the (lovely) haphazard craziness and try out a colour scheme instead. Every year I try to find a new bauble for the collection, and find myself captivated by the magical glass creations I have brought back from New York, Tokyo, Paris and Rome. I love it that we are now building our own story into our tree.

A couple of years ago my man and I went to Venice and visited a glassblowing factory where big burly Italian men blew the most exquisite, delicate decorations.

Window of glassblowing factory in Murano, Italy

This year I am thinking about silver and white for the tree, with some turquoisy-green here and there. What about you? Do you have a favourite colour scheme for your tree, or do you prefer the haphazard approach? And do you have a favourite decoration which makes you smile each time you unpack it from the box?

***

This year I have created some hand-made decorations to give to others. You can see a step-by-step how-to here

***

Finally... announcing my new business venture!

2010-11-25T18:16:00.008Z

Finally, it’s time to share the new venture I have been secretly working on all these months, and I am so excited I might just burst.

But first the story of how it came about…Nearly a year ago, I jumped on a plane and travelled over 5000 miles to California, on my own, to join an art retreat. I remember sitting in my seat as the air stewardess did her demonstration, thinking “What are you doing flying half way round the world… to paint? ARE YOU CRAZY WOMAN?”

It had all started a short while before, when I stumbled across Kelly Rae Roberts’ book Taking Flight, and something in it spoke to me. The bit about listening to the whispers in your heart. You know, the ones that keep nudging you towards a more creative life. I felt like she was talking to me, and I thought “I wish I could meet this woman in person.” I found myself sat at my computer looking at her website and saw that she was teaching at an art retreat in San Jose, and I knew I had to go (although I didn’t even know where exactly San Jose was).

At the time, this was actually quite ridiculous. I was busy, it was going to cost me time and money, and I didn’t know a soul (not to mention having not painted more than three times in the previous year).

I was scared it would be full of people who knew what they were doing, and knew each other, and that I’d be the faker at the back wondering what on earth I was doing. But I booked it anyway, and went.

And it was perhaps the single most important thing I have done for myself in years.

I found a whole new community of incredible women who have since become friends, confidantes and supporters of my creative dreams. I found a deeply hidden love of creating that had been trying to get out for years.

It literally changed everything.

I went home with one message to myself. Do what you love.

And ever since I have been plotting and planning, listening and learning, exploring and dreaming, with this as my mantra.

Piece by piece I turned my business idea into a business plan and then into a real company. I put everything I have learned out in the corporate world into something for the creative world. I had some incredible support along the way, from my mentor and from some amazing members of this creative community (you know who you are). I can never thank them enough. Something about the retreat experience had captivated me. I had seen so many women come alive to their own creativity and talent, and the choices they wanted to make in their lives. And I recognised two things.

Firstly, there was nothing like it in Europe, where ‘art holidays’ tend to be all about learning traditional techniques, rather than the rich and deep creative and emotional experience of the US-style retreat (with all those wonderful American women!)

Secondly, I noticed that the space created by 'retreating' somehow cracked open old trunks of buried dreams about making money from creativity. But there was no way to capture this, build on the ideas, get practical advice from people who had made a success of creative business, and put the wheels in motion to realise those dreams. And so my business was born.

Drum roll please…

The first Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat will take place in a stunning luxury venue hidden deep in the English countryside from May 11-15 2011.

As the world’s first retreat to mix indulgent art workshops and business sessions with successful creative entrepreneurs in a luxury venue in an area of outstanding natural beauty, it will be unlike anything else anywhere.

If you join us I can promise it will be a magical experience, and it might just be the most important investment you ever make in yourself and your creative business.

***
Class update: the retreat's teachers have now been announced! The line up is: American painter Flora Bowley, British book artist Rachel Hazell and British mixed media artist Priscilla Jones. Which one will you choose?

***

This retreat will be cosy and intimate – small enough for everyone to get to know everyone - so places are strictly limited. Registration will formally launch in early January (as part of a new website – so excited!), but if you want to be the first to know about it (and get in on the early bird discount), sign up for the new Do What You Love newsletter (on the right hand side).

I hope you will share this journey with me.

Look what landed on my doorstep!

2010-11-25T12:02:00.002Z

This lovely quirky postcard from my Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap partner Wendy of Inner Grafitti arrived from the USA yesterday. The theme of this swap was 'home' and Wendy interpreted this in a very original way, and created this card using ribbon, stitch, vellum, stamping, ephemera and ink, with vintage American stamps on the back. I love it - thanks Wendy!

Has your postcard arrived yet? If not please let me know. If you haven't posted yours yet please do get it sent out asap as I am going to do a round up post early next week, highlighting some of the gorgeousness created and shared around the world by these lovely people.

Is it just me or is the year rushing past?

2010-11-23T23:42:00.007Z

I need to breathe.

To take a moment to stop, and just be.

To listen and reflect a bit before leaping ahead.

There are some huge things happening in my life in the next few weeks, not least the culmination of a project I have been working on for over a year, the launch of my new creative business venture (more very shortly I promise!) and Christmas in our new home.

It is all incredibly exciting, but also stressful. Scary even (except for the Christmas bit!)

I have a to-do list a mile long.

I cannot see the floor in my studio for the mess.

And I really don't want December to come and go without taking time to reflect on the incredible year that will soon be coming to a close.

So I'm going to stop, just for a while.

To breathe a little.

And maybe even drop my to-do list in the bin and see what happens... I dare me...

***

How about you? Has the year flown past for you too? How will you make sure you find time to look back over the past year before December has come and gone?

Countdown to Christmas #2: Making tree decorations

2010-11-22T14:01:00.002Z

Christmas is going to be very special this year, as our first one in our new house. As part of Louise's ornament swap, I thought I would make some vintage-style hanging tree decorations to share.

Here's what I made and how I made them, inspired by an idea in Ideal Home. They are easy (and cheap) to make and look sweet hanging up.

Step 1: Choose a variety of coordinating decorative papers and cut them into 8cm x 4cm strips (you will need six pieces for each decoration)

Step 2: Fold each piece in half lengthways, and then fold the corners inwards (with the folded edge along the bottom)

Step 3: Fold each piece in half so the folded corners are together

Step 4: Insert the points of one piece into the 'pockets' of another (you should have a double-sided pocket next to the folded corners)

Step 5: Continue doing this to build up a circle

Step 6: Tie several finished circles together with twine or ribbon, fix with a brad and hang on your tree...

What are you hanging on your tree this year?

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Do What You Love interview: Juliette Crane (with my first podcast!)

2010-11-19T10:45:00.005Z

I am delighted to bring you this Do What You Love interview with mixed media artist Juliette Crane.

"autumn wind"

Exactly one year ago tomorrow Juliette had her first showing at a local library. One year on and she has fans all over the world, and is about to be published in Somerset Studio. If you want to know how she has done this in such a short space of time, you need to listen to this interview!

"sing your song" (I have this one in my studio)

Juliette also talks about her process, her gorgeous whimsical style, and the importance of creating in her life. Dive in and enjoy!

"fresh from the ocean"

Click here to listen (it is about 25 minutes long):

"she stands out"

See more of Juliette's work on her website, her Flickr page and in her etsy shop, or connect with Juliette on her blog, facebook or twitter.

"beauty in prayer"

Thank you so much Juliette for sharing your story so openly.

NB: As my first audio interview I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing (apologies if you can tell that by the editing), but it was so interesting listening to Juliette’s story of how her creative business has just exploded over the past year, and I hope you will find it inspiring too. Thank you so much to Nelly for the suggestion to be brave and try audio, it was fun!

All images courtesy of Juliette Crane

***
Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the interview:
Flourish creative business development class with Stephanie Fizer
Flying Lessons creative business class with Kelly Rae Roberts (affiliate link)
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (in the Do What You Love amazon shop)
Somerset Studio magazine
***
The rights-free music used in the audio is courtesy of danosongs

***

Click here for more inspiring interviews with people doing what they love, like Claudine Hellmuth and Danielle LaPorte

Taking to the streets in the name of art

2010-11-16T11:06:00.000Z

Steaming cappucinos, yards of bunting, warm welcomes, gorgeous art by emerging artists and the chance to poke around people's houses - what's not to love about a local arts trail?

I discovered some gems on the inaugural Headingley Arts Trail this week, not least the vibrant paintings of Julia Keates, inspired by her travels across the world. Here are some of her works on display in her lovely home, where she paints in her large attic studio.

Have you discovered any local artists near you lately?

What’s in a blog name?

2010-11-12T14:20:00.002Z

Tell me, why did you give your blog the name that you did? I am often fascinated by blog names, and wonder whether there is a story behind them, or whether they just popped into the writer’s head when they were creating their new space. Here are a few names I love:

Pilgrim of the Moon
There is a sweet love story behind this name but you’ll have to ask Judit if you want to know about it. I find this name is really dreamy.

Shin Shin
The name means ‘honest heart’ in Japanese, and Maki describes her blog as ‘little notes to my honest heart’.

Nectar and Light
Home of polaroid photographer Jen Altman, to me this name evokes a summer day – sugary sweetness and sunshine

Tangled Sky Studio
I used to love playing that game where you try to find pictures in the clouds, and this makes me think of a sky tumbling with clouds

Doorways Traveler
The title of Lisa Field-Elliot's gorgeous photography blog suggests possibility, adventure, the unknown…

My own blog title ‘Do What You Love’ came from a deep belief that the world would be a better place if more people were doing what they love. More time spent on things that make you feel alive, connected, expressive and happy can only enhance the experience others have when they interact with you out in the world. Through this blog I wanted to give myself a space, and a kind of accountability, to do what I love (creating, having adventures, sharing stories) and put it out in the world.

How about you? What is your blog name and where did it come from? What other blog names do you love?

Sheltering from the wind

2010-11-12T10:57:00.000Z

It's blowing a gale over here.

Winds of 90 mph in places, our bay tree was sent flying last night.

As the wind whips through the eaves and round the house, I am holed up in my attic office working away on my new creative business venture which I will share with you here very soon.

So very exciting - I hope you will be inspired to get involved!

And the giveaway winners are... (& 100th post!)

2010-11-10T10:11:00.006Z

The lucky winners of the

Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap giveaway are...

Catalina

Catherine (Sailor Girl Jewelry)

Deb

Elizabeth

Irina

Jenny (Love and Peas)

Kate (Trestle and Bunting)

Kylie (One Red Fox)

Tiffin (Linwood Avenue)

TJ (Studio Mailbox)

Congratulations ladies, your set of three postcards, handmade with love by me using Jessica Swift's gorgeous new fabric, are on their way to you right now.

Have you all finished your postcards? Please get them sent off in the next week if you haven't already. When you receive one in the post, don't forget to share it in the Flickr group.

I wonder what kind of loveliness is putting a smile on postmen and postladies as the postcards fly around the world...

***

This is my 100th post, posted at 10:11 on 10/11/10! When I started this blog just nine months ago I had no idea how much I would grow to love this space, and all the people I have connected with through it. Thank you for making it so special

***

On creative validation

2010-11-09T10:52:00.000Z

My first dart!

Why does it matter what other people think of what we create?

We must care, because we post it on our blogs, show it in exhibitions, publish it in books.

I'm not talking about when something is intended for selling, but rather when we make something for ourselves, because we feel like it, because it needed to be made, (or because sometimes it seems to make itself), why then do we care what people think?

Recently I have been going to a sewing class at a great little studio/gallery/cafe near my house. I wanted to learn how to use my sewing machine properly, and maybe even make something I could wear. And this skirt was the result.

I am slightly in awe of the fact that it was actually quite easy to make something which fits me absolutely perfectly, and wonder what I could have made all those years it didn't even cross my mind to try.

But the wierdest bit of it all was when I sewed in my first zip, and my teacher described the sewing as 'beautiful', I think I actually blushed. I am 33 years old. Why do I care if someone thinks I sewed a zip in beautifully? I don't know. But I did. It made me feel ridiculously proud of my little skirt. And it made me want to make more things, and make them even better.

So maybe sometimes it is good to get a little validation, especially when tackling something new, or something that you used to be afraid of.

What about you? Do you care about what people think of what you create?

Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap - how is your postcard coming along?

2010-11-08T19:13:00.001Z

Have you made any progress? Have you sent your postcard off already? Here is a sneak peak at mine, which I finished yesterday:

It's going to be winging its way to the USA shortly - will it land on your doorstep I wonder?

Everyone who signed up to participate should have received an email from me with details of where to send your postcard. If you haven't received one yet please let me know.

Please try and get your postcard in the post next week so we can all start admiring the lovely creations as they fall through our letterboxes and pop up in the Flickr group (PS there are a couple there already, why not take a look!)

Chicago city magic

2010-11-04T16:12:00.007Z

Having fun with my photos from Chicago,
the last stop on my recent US adventure.
They aren't my normal style. What do you think?

The top two are of Anish Kapoor's amazing sculpture 'Cloud Gate' in Millennium Park. The third is of a smaller sculpture in the same park ('Sacred Rock', part of a special exhibition by contemporary Chinese artists), and the last picture was taken at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

If you like any of them, I'd be interested to know which and why...

***

More posts from my recent US adventures:

What's in your secret stash?

2010-11-03T19:54:00.001Z

I was doing some sorting in my studio today

and was shocked by the number of spools of ribbon

I found tucked away.

Baby blues and scarlet reds, French beauties and English lace.

I must have sneaked them in when I wasn't looking.

What's in your secret stash?

***

PS I also love paper. Do you?

New York part 2: My kind of city

2010-11-02T17:31:00.005Z

In this penultimate post about my recent trip to the US, I want to share some images of this captivating city. There is an incredible air of possibility about this place, and so much to feast your eyes on...

If you are a fan of NYC, what is it that draws you to it?

More posts from my recent US adventures:

New York part 1

Cape Cod

Portsmouth, NH

Squam Lake

Countdown to Christmas

2010-11-02T07:00:00.004Z

I have a confession to make. I absolutely love Christmas. This is our first Christmas in our new home, so I want to make it really special.

There is so much to soak up and enjoy that I have to start preparing in November(!), so for the next eight weeks I will share some of those moments with you - recipes, traditions, hand made decorations and gifts and other lovely things - as we get cosy and get ready for this magical time of year.

I hope you will share some of your thoughts, preparations and your own traditions in the conversation along the way. You will be able to find it all on the Do What You Love Countdown to Christmas page here

***

Countdown to Christmas #1: Ornament Swap

In keeping with the theme, Louise is has launched her Creative Colour Challenge: Ornament Swap over at Dream, Inspire, Create today. I love making decorations so I am definitely going to get involved. Why don't you join in too?

A misty English country morning

2010-11-01T13:05:00.002Z

Won't you wrap up warm and join me for a walk?

Happy Hallowe'en!

2010-10-31T09:00:00.004Z

Just look at this juicy pumpkin. Should I carve or make soup to serve inside it?

Anyone else love New York City? Part 1: NYC people

2010-10-29T13:04:00.005+01:00

Living the NYC artist life on a stall with Jenny (Overallbaby), Dolores (Marikit Deisgns) and Louise (Dream, Inspire, Create) at Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn - I could get used to this!

and enjoying have Anna-Marie Still come to play

Do you love NYC too?

***

Other posts from my recent US adventures:

New York part 2 (My kind of city)

Cape Cod

Portsmouth, NH

Squam Lake

***

Sign up for the second Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap has now closed. Check back here in a couple of weeks to see what beautiful creations have been flying round the world!

Last chance to sign up for The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap - sign up closes today

2010-10-29T09:54:00.000+01:00

Come and join people from 10 countries (and more than 21 US states!) sending stitched postcard love across the world.

Today is the last day to sign up for the second Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap. Find out more here and send your postal address to me (bethvnicholls at googlemail dot com) before tomorrow to be part of it.

... and to be in with a chance to win in the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap special giveaway (more details here)

For anyone who signed up but has not sent me their postal address please do this asap. Many thanks!

Can't wait to see what loveliness you all create...

Cape Cod in pictures

2010-10-27T18:11:00.003+01:00

Windswept empty beaches

tumbling oceans
whirling skies

Hidden galleries,
wine in my glass,
laughter in the air

When was the last time you walked barefoot in the sand?

***

Other posts from my recent US adventures:
New York part 1 (NYC people)
New York part 2 (My kind of city)
Portsmouth, NH
Squam Lake

***

Friday is the last day to sign up for The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap, and have a chance of winning handmade thank you cards (made with love by me using Jessica Swift's gorgeous new fabric) in the giveaway. What are you waiting for? Come and join in the fun! Sign up here

GIVEAWAY: handmade stitched postcards using Jessica Swift's new designer fabric!

2010-10-25T14:48:00.004+01:00

All packaged up and ready to send... to you?

In celebration of the second Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap, I am giving away ten sets of three handmade stitched thank you postcards, all made by me using fabric from Jessica Swift's new Giselle fabric line from Red Rooster fabrics (thanks for the gorgeous material Jessica!).

To be in with a chance of winning these little original creations, you just need to sign up for the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap here. We already have people from nine countries on three continents signed up to send some stitched love in the mail across the world. You have until Friday to sign up so come on, get involved!

Ten people will receive one set each. The back of each postcard is blank so you can write your own message and send it on to thank someone who has brought some kindness into your world.

The closing date for the giveaway is Friday October 29 (midnight UK time). Winners will be picked at random from among the people signed up for The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap (enter here for free).

***

Check out my recent Do What You Love interview with Jessica Swift here

***

This giveaway is part of Tinnie Girl's Blogtoberfest. Are you taking part?

***

Changing education paradigms - we need more creativity!

2010-10-23T10:00:00.007+01:00

Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson always has something thought-provoking to say, and this excerpt from a talk at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) is no exception. Love the way Cognitive Media have made this talk visual too.

What do you think? How would you change education to get more children to use all parts of their brain, and develop what they are truly good at and have a passion for, so that when it comes to working they can do what they love?

***

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is open for sign-ups now! It's free - join in the fun, get some stitched gorgeousness land on your doorstep, and maybe even win something in the special giveaway! See here for more info

Do What You Love interview: Claudine Hellmuth

2010-10-21T13:41:00.002+01:00

Artwork courtesy of Claudine Hellmuth

So excited to bring you this interview with artist, author and illustrator extraordinaire Claudine Hellmuth. Claudine combines photos, paint, paper and pen into quirky, whimsical-retro collages that she calls Poppets®. Claudine has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show and she has developed her own signature product line with Ranger Inc (how cool is that?).

Claudine has written 3 books and 3 DVDs about her techniques, and recently taught a techniques e-course 'At Home with Claudine Hellmuth' (which I took and loved) Originally from Orlando FL, Claudine lives in Washington DC with her husband Paul and their very spoiled pets. Today she talks to us about Martha, commissions and her creative business life.

Artwork courtesy of Claudine Hellmuth

You have a very unique and distinctive (and gorgeous!) style. How did you develop it? Thank you!! It developed over about a year and a half. I had just finished writing my first book in late 2001 and was feeling very burnt out. I knew it was time to explore new things but I didn't know what they would be yet. I was looking through my old sketchbooks from college which included collage along with whimsical drawings and I felt like that might be a fun direction to try again. I took cheap paper and pens and crayons and just started playing around. After many months of experimenting I saw a theme that I was excited about developing and kept at it!

Having your own range of paint products (Claudine Hellmuth Studio with Ranger) must be any artist's dream. How did that come about and what was involved in making it happen?
I am very excited about my line with Ranger too! It is such a thrill to have this product line and Ranger worked with me to make sure it would be something I would really be proud of and I am. My partnership with Ranger happened very organically. I was already attending the Craft and Hobby Association conventions to promote my books. I met with Ranger and started working in their booth demoing their products. Over time the relationship grew and we thought of making my own line of products with them. I have been a painter for 21 years and have always worked with good paint so paint was very important to me. Ranger promised me that I could work with their chemist to come up with a paint I would love, that would be high quality and just right. And they delivered!

You have so many things going on - a brilliant ecourse, teaching, commissions, books etc. How do you manage your time and juggle it all?
Good question! At times it gets really busy and stressful but mostly it works out because each avenue of my work has it own "season" the custom artworks I get really busy around the holidays during that time the workshops are slower etc. so for the most part there isn't too much overlap, but there are lots of times when I have so much to do that I barely know what I should start on first!

I loved learning so many awesome new techniques from you in your ecourse At Home with Claudine Hellmuth. What is your favourite painting technique?
I have so many favorite techniques, they are all like magic tricks. I do love layering gesso and making texture with it, letting it dry and then painting over it. It adds so much depth to a background!

How do you go about creating your commissions?
I have a couple of different processes for creating commissions. When I am creating a custom artwork for a client, the client and I come up with a general idea, like a picnic or eating at a cafe or skiing and then I go from there. I work on the piece until it's at a draft stage and then I email the client with a photo of the work. at this point we can make changes or they approve the direction and then I finish it up!
When I am not creating custom artworks for clients, I use my own family photos or friends' family photos. When I run out of those or when they aren't suitable, I "create" my own photo heads by combining 3 or 4 photo images together to "make" my own people. For example, I'll purchase vintage photos from ebay and then combine a nose from one person with eyes of another and a hair style of another person until I arrive at the look I want. This has been a lot of fun and it's very useful because then I can make sure the photo image fits with the context of the artwork. This is also great for when I do illustration work because I don't have to worry about copyright issues.

How was your experience of appearing on The Martha Stewart Show? It was wonderful being on the show. I still can't believe that it even happened!! it has been great or my business because when new clients come to my web site it's like having an endorsement from Martha. You can't beat that! (NB: you can see Claudine on the show here)

What exciting new things do you have in the pipeline for your creative business?
Right now I am playting with a personal project using a doll house and incorporating my drawings into the dollhouse and photographing them. It's a project that's just for fun and all about what I want to do. so I am excited about it! It's reminding me of when I was little and I loved all things miniature!

Find Claudine on her website, blog or Facebook page or follow her on Twitter

***
See here for more interviews with inspiring people doing what they love

***

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is back by popular demand! Sign up now and be part of the fun (not to mention the special giveaway...)

Back by popular demand… The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap!

2010-10-19T19:00:00.002+01:00

It’s back! We had so much fun with the last Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap that we're going to do it again. Thank you to all of you who demanded a re-run!

Essentially, this is all about celebrating the deliciousness of fabric, paper, ink, paint, thread and all the other materials we love, by creating a stitched postcard, and then sending it to someone on the other side of the world – and receiving one in return. What’s not to like?

This time our theme is HOME. You can interpret this is any way you like.

It is great fun to do, and amazing to see how different people interpret the theme in different ways. Anyone can get involved, it’s free, and you don’t even need a sewing machine.

PLUS this year we have a special giveaway! Everyone who joins the swap will automatically be entered - see this post for details. You have to be in it to win it, so get signed up!

Here’s how it works:
1. Sign up by emailing your postal address and blog link (if you have one) to me at bethvnicholls at googlemail dot com. You are very welcome to join, wherever in the world you live. Please also leave a comment below, and tell everyone you are joining in! The deadline for this is Friday October 29.

2. Add the Swap Image to your site, tell all your friends you are doing it and encourage them to sign up - the more the merrier! (To do this, just save the top image above to your computer and upload it to your blog as a picture gadget, with a link to this page)

3. Create a lovely postcard using anything you want including a bit of sewing or hand stitching, with the theme 'HOME'. Use images, words, any kind of media. Go crazy! You have a fortnight from the sign-up deadline to do this, so by Friday November 12.

4. By this time I will have emailed you the address of someone else in the group to post your postcard too. Please post it within the following week.

5. By November 19 you should have received your handmade postcard from somewhere else in the world, bringing with it some stitched love to warm up your day

6. Take a photo of it and post it in the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap Flickr Group, and on your blog if you have one (You can join the group here)

7. A random selection of postcards and all blog links will be featured on the special Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap page, which will be archived, and I will do a big round up of all the lovely creations here at the end of November.

8. Check out everyone else's lovely creations, pat yourself on the back for your own and feel the kinship of being part of the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap!

Happy stitching!

Beth

My life is an open book

2010-10-18T22:39:00.000+01:00

About The Author (me): See profile. Loves travel & adventure, people, making stuff, tea, hugs, sunshine, books, chocolate, laughing, bare feet on sand

The Setting: Each chapter is set in a different country – at over 50 chapters so far this is a long book

The Characters: Some characters in every chapter (family, friends, lovely man), others pop in and out, bringing fleeting glimpses of other worlds

The Plot: Young girl heads out in search of adventure. Meets many strange and wonderful people, falls in love, sends many postcards

The Twist: You’ll just have to keep reading to find out…

This attempt to sum up 'my life as an open book' is my response to the Hello Splendor’s blogcrawl, as it's my turn. I am receiving the honour from Danielle at Elleinad Spir and passing it on to Sam at Today’s Nest. Check them out and back-track to find more open books floating out in the ether. Or why not try it for yourself? It’s harder than it looks, especially if, like me, you limit yourself to 20 words for each answer.
***
PS: Advance notice that THE GREAT BIG STITCHED POSTCARD SWAP is back! It will launch tomorrow, bigger and better with more sparkly bits – watch this space…

Anyone for crumble?

2010-10-17T22:45:00.002+01:00

Apple and blackberry crumble, fresh from the oven, ready to be served up with vanilla ice cream...

Sometimes there's nothing like a bit of homebaking when friends are coming to stay.

Made with apples from my parents' garden. Yum

***

PS: Advance notice that THE GREAT BIG STITCHED POSTCARD SWAP is back! It will launch tomorrow, bigger and better with more sparkly bits – watch this space…

Exploring New Hampshire

2010-10-14T16:35:00.001+01:00

One sunny day, no schedule and rumours of an art exhibition. Perfect ingredients for exploring a new town. This is what Lindy, Louise and I found in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (quite a different place from the Portsmouth I know in southern England!)...

Public sculptures

Paper treasures at the Gus and Ruby Letterpress paper boutique

A little cutie inspired by the work in the Enormous Tiny Art Show, drawing on the blackboard wall at the Nahcotta Gallery (which sells great gifts by the way)

A great diner with an odd name (The Friendly Toast) and pictures like this on the wall

Signs like this (and got to love that clapboard building)

And things that probably only I think are pretty because I am a tourist, like this

Coffee and cakes (obviously)

Time to chat

After what I wrote in this post it seems odd to include this photo of me, but Louise and I had just had an awesome creative business brainstorm and this picture reminds me of it (and makes me excited about what is in store in the coming weeks and months!)

I'll probably be heading back this way next year. Any tips for other places to explore in New Hampshire?

***

Other posts from my recent US adventures:New York part 1 (NYC people)
New York part 2 (My kind of city)
Cape Cod
Portsmouth, NH
Squam Lake

***PS: Advance notice that THE GREAT BIG STITCHED POSTCARD SWAP IS BACK! It will launch next Tuesday 19 October, bigger and better with more sparkly bits – watch this space…

Self-portrait bravery

2010-10-13T15:15:00.003+01:00

Joining in Cathy's self-portrait challenge for Blogtoberfest. Not a huge fan of having my photo taken (especially by me) but this one is quite fun - took it in Cape Cod a couple of weeks back, having caught the sun out on a long bike ride

How do you feel about taking your own photo? Do you get self-conscious? Do you see it as a way of getting a photo you actually like?

For more self-portrait bravery from Blogtoberfesters see here

***

PS advance notice that THE GREAT BIG STITCHED POSTCARD SWAP IS BACK! It will launch on Tuesday 19 October, bigger and better with more sparkly bits – watch this space…

Squam round-up

2010-10-12T20:00:00.004+01:00

There was a lot of laughter on this trip. In my last post about Squam I just wanted to share some of the (many) lighter moments.

Travelling to the retreat in style…

You can imagine our faces when Leroy and his mobile home rocked up to pick Louise and me up from the bus station. Not quite the shuttle we had been expecting, but we were delighted to find it filled with tea and biscuits and friendly new faces.

Wondering how apt it was that my cabin should be down this road…

Feeling lucky to share a cosy cabin with such wonderful ladies (Nina, Sylvia, Jayne, Kirsten, Brittany + Steph who is not in the picture)

Getting lost in the forest in the middle of a torrential downpour late at night with six girls laughing madly (our cabin was called ‘Wayonda’ for a very good reason). It looked something like this...

Admiring the work of fellow artists Andrea and Jess at the Visions of Squam exhibition at Mocha Rising in the cute nearby town of Centre Sandwich

Thank you Squam Lake for having us, and thank you Elizabeth for bringing us together

***

Other posts about the Squam experience:
Reflections on Squam – I dreamed a dream
Bloom True – painting workshop with Flora Bowley
Open Your Eyes – photography workshop with Susannah Conway
Wabi Sabi paper – workshop with Judy Wise

***

PS advance notice that THE GREAT BIG STITCHED POSTCARD SWAP IS BACK! It will launch on Tuesday 19 October, bigger and better with more sparkly bits – watch this space…

The importance of photography

2010-10-08T12:55:00.001+01:00

Photo: Koichi Fujiwara

An old friend of mine, renowned wildlife photography Koichi Fujiwara, is busy preparing for a big exhibition of his photos which opens later this month in Japan. The images he captures are a mixture of stunning, cute, and thought-provoking but they all have one thing in common – they tell the story of the environmental crisis our world is currently facing.

In ‘The Earth is calling us – listen to Nature’s voice’, a special exhibition to coincide with the COP10 Biodiversity Conference in Nagoya, Ko shares a stark snapshot of the state of the planet. Through beautiful photos he shows how our actions are completely shaking up the world’s ecosystems, and the impact that is happening on some of our most treasured animals.

As a perpetual traveller and the only person to have photographed every species of penguin in the world, he is taking the planet’s pulse first hand. From Komodo Dragons in Indonesia and Giant Spiny Chameleons in Madagascar, to Orang-utans in Borneo and seals in Antarctica, Ko has brought back a suitcase full of visual treasures from his travels, but with a frightening message about what we might find (or not) if we travel to those same places next year, next decade, next century.

If you happen to be in Nagoya, do check it out. If not, you can always see some of Ko’s photos on his website Nature’s Planet or peruse one of the many books he has written. (The site is in Japanese but is easy to hop about and find photos)

He got me thinking about the importance of photography not just to capture beauty, stash away memories and catalogue history as it happens, but also to influence the future. The seemingly inevitable doesn’t necessarily have to become history, if the images are powerful enough to make us change how we live in the present.

What powerful images of our time have you seen lately? Do share with a link!

***

PS Back soon with more US adventures (Portsmouth, NH, New York & Chicago). And advance notice that THE GREAT BIG STITCHED POSTCARD SWAP IS BACK! It will launch on Tuesday 19 October, bigger and better with more sparkly bits – watch this space…

Wabi Sabi Paper class with Judy Wise

2010-10-04T19:00:00.017+01:00

I love paper.

I might have mentioned that before.

I love the way it looks, feels, soaks up ink,
changes personality under a brush, tells a story.

That's why I just had to take Judy Wise's
Wabi Sabi paper class at Squam.

Several hours of natural printing with found objects, ink squirting and mess-making later, I have a 30 ft roll of homemade wrapping paper and warm memories of a class with one lovely lady...

Do you love paper too, or is it just me?

***

More on my Squam experience here:
Reflections of Squam - I dreamed a dream
Bloom True - painting workshop with Flora Bowley
Open Your Eyes - photography workshop with Susannah Conway
Squam round up

Open Your Eyes - photography workshop with Susannah Conway

2010-10-03T11:20:00.001+01:00

So to the second of my three workshops at Squam - a photography class with Susannah Conway of Unraveling fame.

I love the soulful polaroid shots that appear one after another on her blog, and was interested in absorbing some of the magic. After learning a few rules, and then being encouraged to go out and break them all (my favourite bit), I snapped away.

In the woods...

And by the lake...

Have you broken any rules recently?

***

More on my Squam experience here:
Reflections of Squam - I dreamed a dream
Bloom True - painting workshop with Flora Bowley

Bloom True class with Flora Bowley

2010-10-02T00:09:00.003+01:00

Do you know Flora Bowley? If not, you should! Flora is an incredibly talented artist with a unique beautiful style, and a gifted workshop teacher. She is a happy, spontaneous free spirit, and that is the way she paints. She is also a ridiculously cool person who is great fun to hang out with. I was so lucky to take a class from her in the US.

Flora Bowley shows the second layer of a painting. Flora's creation evolved into the bird below

It is hard to describe the workshop I took with her in the woods at Squam, I just loved it so much. Although we were taught to explore a painting method very different to the way I usually paint, it felt really natural to me. Rather than visualising something and painting it, we created layer upon layer, teasing out images that emerged organically.

Layering it on

The lovely Jess Greene examining her creation

My paintings (above and below)

My paintings were really far from the kind of things I have created in the past, but I felt strongly connected to them, not least because they reminded me of my dreams the night before the workshop (wierd!)

It was also a lovely thing to see Lorrie Spotts living out her Mondo Beyondo dream by taking a class with Flora.

If you ever get the chance to check out an exhibition or take a class with Flora, do it!

November 2010 update: Flora Bowley will be teaching at the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat in Yorkshire, England, in May 2011! For more details see here or sign up to the newsletter on the right hand side.

***

More on my Squam experience here:
Reflections on Squam - I dreamed a dream
Open Your Eyes - photography class with Susannah Conway
Wabi Sabi paper class with Judy Wise
Squam round up

do what you love

*shared stories* new series launches today (and my blog has moved!)

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is back (***and I have moved to a new blog!***)

I have moved!

I am moving! New blog and website launched - come with me!

Bring it on!

What's your colour for 2011?

What will you make of 2011?

That was the year that was...

It's Christmas Eve!

Do What You Love interview: Rachael Taylor

What would happen if...?

Countdown to Christmas #5: Throwing a Christmas dinner party

Do What You Love interview: Mark McGuinness

To tweet or not to tweet

Big Dreams, Small Wonders

Countdown to Christmas #4: Christmas cake - how do you make yours?

Do What You Love interview: Abigail Borg

Award-winning mixed media artist Priscilla Jones to teach 3D sculpture at the Do What You Love Retreat

It's all in the details

The day I met the future King of England

Do What You Love interview: Russell Crook

Internationally-renowned book artist Rachel Hazell to teach at Do What You Love retreat in England (May 2011)

Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap (2) - the round up!

Flora Bowley to teach at Do What You Love retreat in England!

And then there was snow...

Countdown to Christmas #3: The magic of baubles

Finally... announcing my new business venture!

Look what landed on my doorstep!

Is it just me or is the year rushing past?

Countdown to Christmas #2: Making tree decorations

Do What You Love interview: Juliette Crane (with my first podcast!)

Taking to the streets in the name of art

What’s in a blog name?

Sheltering from the wind

And the giveaway winners are... (& 100th post!)

On creative validation

Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap - how is your postcard coming along?

Chicago city magic

What's in your secret stash?

New York part 2: My kind of city

Countdown to Christmas

A misty English country morning

Happy Hallowe'en!

Anyone else love New York City? Part 1: NYC people

Last chance to sign up for The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap - sign up closes today

Cape Cod in pictures

GIVEAWAY: handmade stitched postcards using Jessica Swift's new designer fabric!

Changing education paradigms - we need more creativity!

Do What You Love interview: Claudine Hellmuth

Back by popular demand… The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap!

My life is an open book

Anyone for crumble?

Exploring New Hampshire

Self-portrait bravery

Squam round-up

The importance of photography

Wabi Sabi Paper class with Judy Wise

Open Your Eyes - photography workshop with Susannah Conway

Bloom True class with Flora Bowley

shared stories new series launches today (and my blog has moved!)

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is back (and I have moved to a new blog!)