Happy May!

In the garden, spring makes way for summer and
mother cat has found the 'Purrfect' spot to snuggle up for kitten cuddles
by the scent of the flower beds, in the shade of the lilac trees.

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April has been a busy month of juggle.  
It always is in our house because on top of the Easter break we have a couple of birthdays and anniversary to celebrate.  Plus, it is also a time of year to catch up on lots of admin.
 Over the years I have gotten used to this being a time when it's difficult to keep on top of the creative work.  Making it feel like a huge achievement to have anything new to show you at all this month!

However, there are a few things to share with you!...

Firstly, jumping on the Coronation band wagon,
I've recently completed another lovely collaboration project with The Crafty Collective Bridgwater, to create a design to go on Coronation commemorative products, unique to our town.
​
These joyful mugs are available in store in The Crafty Collective, Angel Place, Bridgwater.

This design is also available as a downloadable printable set over at my Etsy shop,
ideal for crafting paper bunting, place settings, cupcake cases and toppers,
​to add a special touch to the bank holiday gatherings and celebrations.

The images above and below link to where you will find these products...

Last month I also discovered that my nature guide card collection
is being stocked by one of my favourite gift shops.  

The Pod in Clifton Village, Bristol dedicated their large window to a display
on British Nature and used my card designs as the heroes of this display. 

This made my day because years ago I lived and worked in Clifton and used to pop into The Pod and a regular basis, buying many cards and gifts on a lunch hour in there.  
This was back when I was working in an advertising agency, dreaming that one day I would go back to art and illustration, having studied it for my degree - but not really knowing how I could make that happen.

If I could have gone back in time and whispered in my advertising account manager ear that my designs will fill the window of this shop one day - I would have been totally stunned and wouldn't have believed it, as the thought would have meant a long held dream come true!
 
Lesson being, never stop following your dreams no matter what they are.  
Little steps, consistently each day, over time will take you where you want to be!...

Talking of little steps each day...
My dream now is to get thoroughly stuck back to my art practice
and create some of the drawings I have swimming around in my busy mind.  

Starting with continuing with my A to Z of nature.  
In the past few days I have managed to get a couple more letters done.  
​Progress has been slow, but it's progress all the same and that's what matters...

I hope you have a wonderful May
​and enjoy all the bank holidays,
celebrations, bluebells and blooms!

​Best wishes

Happy February!

As the mist lifts on a crisp morning,
the pretty primroses raise their faces towards the canal
to greet the early birds and houseboat dwellers
with their bright promise of spring...

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Looking back at January, it has not been an ideal start to the year,
but it has taught me some valuable lessons in business about adaptability
and the power of community over competition...

In case you are not aware of what's been happening in the UK for many small businesses:
Following the delays and disruption of the Royal Mail strikes in November and December, during the second week of January, Royal Mail suffered a cyber attack which caused them to pause their International Shipping services.  This in turn has caused an absolute nightmare for businesses and customers all over the world, where orders and goods were just stuck in sorting offices for days.
 
Instead of getting back into the swing of new designs and planning for 2023,
I've spent most of January, like many other small business owners, juggling helping customers with their delayed orders and trying to find alternative ways to get their orders to them.

Thankfully, with the help of online creative communities, I have managed to find an alternative way to ship my Etsy orders to US customers - however, that's not the case for other countries but I will keep looking.  

Royal Mail seem to be slowly but surely getting their international services back up and running.  However, I am still determined to get all my back up plans firmly in place and this has taught me a big lesson in not being too over dependent on one supplier.

Had it not been for other creative business owners willingly sharing their experiences and knowledge, I would still be struggling to find any viable alternatives - as cost and reliability are huge factors.  Thank goodness for the support the creative community gives each other and I am certainly paying forward my experiences with this, to help the businesses I've watched grow over the years - we've all gone through this together.

My hope now is that we can all move forward and start the year properly this February!

So with that hopeful thought,
let's put the 'snail mail' January blues firmly behind us where it belongs,
and step into the sweet colours of Spring for some joy and inspiration...
​

​The cards above are a selection from this year's Valentine's Day collection.

​The cards, wraps and prints featured here
are all available from my Etsy shop..,
​

​I hope my colourful creations have boosted your mood
and left you feeling refreshed and ready for brighter days!

Have a very lovely February
Best wishes