A friendly kick up the arse

I had coffee with the lovely Louisa and vibrant Victoria earlier today and quite unexpectedly it kicked me up the arse.

I have spent too much time inside Purky Towers being sad and quiet and all that kind of stuff. To reconnect with some friends in a bizarely painted cafe has done me lots of good.

Plus the lovely Vix has her own blog with crafty stuff on it (http://supervixieasbo.blogspot.com/) and she has made a funky cupcake wreath. I had to go upstairs and make something.
So I came up with these.

I have been meaning to do some more experimentation with textures and mica powders.

I really enjoy juxtaposing fluid organic shapes against rigid 'containers' like geometric shapes and such. I think the textured tiles will join the ranks of my tile pendants with some serious refinements. These guys don't have my proper textured backplates on them because they are just samples.

I will probably tidy them up with some lacquer and perhaps some sanding then pop them in a shadow box for my house.

I also need to mention that a slightly older artistic chap gave some wonderful life advice to me and chilled me out for another chat. For political reason I will leave him anonomous but his help was greatly appreciated xx

Keep it Purky guys, I am back behind my desk :)


(ta muchly Vix)

A whole week gone...again

Methinks I need to get a grip. Well, probably anyways. This week I have achieved.

Registration with HR GO
Registration with SMART START
Investigated possible training and courses
Registered an Etsy account
Registered a Folksy account
Done some kickass design work
Cooked awesome thrifty food


Ahh that makes me feel somewhat better. While my to do list is enormous I also need to try and find myself again. I have fallen out of my creative groove and I really want to get back on the horse so to speak.

I am considering launching a competition on my Purky fanpage on facebook for some free goodies just to put me back into the creative mood as I will need to create.

I think that I really want to work on some Purky tile pendants as they are fun for me to produce and work as limited edition runs in multiple designs.

Tommorow I will have to be brave and just get on with finishing my studio cleaning and get back behind the wheel. (I know enough motivational bullshit metaphors now)

New Year

Well here it is 2011.

I apologise for not talking much but its been a hard few weeks. I got super poorly and the Christmas rush never arrived so I got rather deflated and a tiny bit depressed. However, this year I am going to blog much more frequently, post pictures much more often and take artistic leaps of faith.

I am currently deliberating over which online craft retail site to use. Folksy, Etsy, Notonthehighstreet, Artfire and all the others. Currently its a pretty even split across the first three. Do we reckon I could maintain market presence on all three?

I dunno. Currently I am gearing up for at least 6 months to a year of temping, sorting out CV's, finding my shirts, ties and with any luck some trousers that actually fit. Even going to polish my smart boots, which always reminds me of the story of working boots, but I digress.

Happy New Year for everyone out there, although on a zen note I genuinely believe that the attitude of a New Year starts every day is a very helpful one.

Acid Butterflies ready to fly

I have had a really odd weekend. I worked massive overtime to get a commissioned project finished (10 personalised double stranded rune bracelets) and it left me exhausted, plus I helped my lovely friends Maya and Petra move house.

However, I thought I should find time to pop these butterflies up here. Hand crafted and inspired by tiffany lamps, raves and acid colours these guys are mounted on my standard bails. 

 Unusually for me they are exclusively on sale at Minerva beads and crafts in Glastonbury, although I am going to do some interesting variations for my own experiments soon. I have images of lovely fine chains and semi precious stones, maybe some pearls as well.

The technique for these was lifted directly from my Ghostie pins and pendants. That in itself was lifted from shadow work textile technique.

 I have lots to do this week, mostly involving orders and shipping them out. Plus my usual markets and I am savagely attacking the clutter in my house. In the new year I am going back to work to build up some funds to reinvest into Purky Products. I am starting to plan next years products and have high hopes.

 I was a bit naughty and gave my DH one of his Christmas presents early this evening. Its an electronic cigarette that dispenses a dose of nicotine without all the tar and bad stuff. The end lights up and it gives out water vapour to give the sensation of really smoking. Whilst strictly I do not approve of him being a nicotine addict at least its not as toxic as proper smoking.

I appear to have run out of photographs so shall bring my paragraphs to a conclusion. Catch you later guys xx

Purky experiments

Double posting because I need to put some more out there!

I am experimenting with smaller things at the moment using my canes. Also trying to develop some niche products :)

and here are some bookmarks :P

I have lots to say at the moment but I come to sit down and type and nothing appears. Quite an odd sensation because in the flesh I am gregarious and verbose.

On Tuesday I popped into Minerva Beads in Glastonbury to chat to my friend Tabatha and catch up on some craftiness. Feel better for a bit of an arty recharge. We had choux buns and tea whilst discussing beadiness :)


Going to pop off now and promise to post a bit more frequently :)

Wincanton Farmers Markets

Hola!

I am back sort of, trying to get some more discipline in my professional life. I traded at the farmer's market in my home town and it was quite interesting.

For the first time the organisers intergrated crafty folk into the mix and the atmosphere was very pleasant.


I have actually got photos and details of all the crafty folk involved and voila!

 Tamsin G - lovely lady makes crocheted items and much more. Currently has a shop in Wincanton High Street.

Joy and Emma, a dynamic duo who work wonders with pork :D

Veronica is a talented glass artist whom I think is based in Frome. 

Rowan Meade is an artisan choclatier from Street. www.rowanchocolatier.co.uk

Mary Straker is another crafty lady, catch her at www.marystraker.co.uk

Thursday? THURSDAY?

It might strike you that a common theme of this blog other than Purkiness is my inability to cope with the space time continuam. I love time and the way it elapses erratically, sometimes flying by and other times dragging. Just part of the cosmic humour that envelops us all.

However, its Thursday? When did that happen. Mister Loaf was frankly amazing in concert as was his support act Imelda May. Cardiff is a lovely city and my DH and I had a brilliant time up there.

Now I am back, there is some serious studio catching up to do and all of a sudden there is only 23 days until Christmas, or even less time until Yule.

So au revoir for now.

Pictures and Purkys to follow.

H xx