Some of my favorites

http://weare310.blogspot.com/
http://mrmarkmottersheadillustration.blogspot.com/
http://chrishowker.artworkfolio.com/
www.propermag.com
http://worthyontheweb.blogspot.com/2011/11/complaining-in-another-language.html?spref=fb
Anne www.carrieannebrown.co.uk

http://baalamb.tumblr.com/
http://helen-louise-surfacedesign.blogspot.com/
http://sallyredfordisaacs.blogspot.com/
http://jane-richardson.blogspot.com

I get by with a little help from my friends !

I don't want to get soppy but just lately I have realized that I am very lucky ! I am surrounded by very supportive positive and all round lovely people . I have always been a people person and prefer to be part of a team so working for my self was a bit of a worry because It means spending a lot of time on my own, but it has been great because i feel i have a network of support in the back ground ! It is really important to feel that I have people on side and I am so touched by how kind people have been ! You know who you are, so big thanks !

I need to start blogging again !

Just a quick update on the business front ! I now have a small collection of ceramics ready to sell , some teapots and coffee cups and saucers ! Its all very exciting if not a little scary . Its difficult to know when to start on the next lot because its about judging how quickly they will sell , its all very early days and my house is now full of boxes bubble wrap and ceramic ware ! The cottage industry is definitely beginning to develop , I am thinking of producing prints and some textile items like tea towels and cushions , so i need to dig the old sewing machine out !

Mellor Ware

I have registered with Liberty Best of British open day for 2012 and whilst looking at their website I came accross one of this years successsful designers Lianne Mellor of Mellor Ware ceramics. I was really impressed with Lianne's collection of tea party ware and it is not too far removed from what I produced for my final project at Uni. I emailed Lianne with some questions regarding her brand and business and she was kind enough to reply ... heres what she said ......

Why did you decided to produce ceramics after having graduated in architecture?

I started selling my illustrations at art markets in 2008, it was only in the summer holidays between my studies, but one I’d got the thrill of somebody wanted to buy something I’d created, there was no going back. When I graduated in 2009, I gave myself 12 months to turn my passion into a business, It was 3 months into this period when I decided that in order to create a viable business I’d have to design product. I’ve always loved tea party sets, so it seemed like a natural progression.

Is your collection manufactured in the Uk and if so do you intend to continue with this production method?

It certainly is. For markets and online, I hand decorate all the pieces with my decals and fire them in my tiny kiln. To fulfil the orders for Liberty, I use a manufacturer in Stoke. It’s hugely important to me to keep manufacture in the UK.

Did you get any grants to help set up your business?

I did a business start up course in 2010 on the Wirral, once my business plan was approved I received a £500 grant which I used to buy a digital camera and to go towards purchasing a kiln.


I know you would like to develop your range of goods so what is next on your list?

This month has seen the launch of three Mellor Ware tea towels (printed in Manchester). I’d love to design more kitchen textiles such as aprons and oven gloves!

Thanks so much Lianne for taking time out to answer my question . I wish you continued success with your lovely range of products.
http://www.mellorware.co.uk/index.htm

looks like we are in business!

I have seen a wonderful business adviser via Blue Orchid ,who feels that my ideas and products have sales potential and together we have drawn up an initial cash flow projection which looks like I have a viable business opportunity . I have also been given business funding from the bank which again is a positive sign in such a difficult financial climate . Another major bonus is my brilliant web developer Claire Worthington who is really putting her self out to help get things up and running . Every now and then in life things all come together and I feel that this is one of those times . My next step is to buy stock and start producing a product range to sell ...... watch this space !!
http://www.theblueorchid.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/#!/WorthyOnTheWeb

Post Graduation !

Well can you Adam and Eve it, I only went and got a degree !!!!! Its pretty unbelievable for a forty something single parent with a part time job and lots of other plates spinning ! The other funny thing is that I saw the course as a journey and experience more than a career move but I have actually sold some of my work , to my astonishment people seem to like it and have been happy to pay for it . So away with the self doubt and the negative comments ( I no longer have to tick boxes for tutors or conform to the constraints of the education system ) I am going to run with it !!!

I am currently attending business planning workshops , so let the scheming begin .........

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catherine-Summers-Design/176963452360049

My Evaluation

Well what a journey ! I have loved it, learnt a lot about the technicalities and the history of art and design but most of all learnt a lot about my own behaviour.

I know now that I am constantly seeking approval and this has held me back and stopped me from doing my work for fear of failure. I am much wiser than I was three years ago and have a better understanding of what makes me tick, I feel confident to move forward with my art and embrace my own issues and exploit them with in my work .

I have most definitely developed a style and my presentation has got better, I still need to push my ideas and not just keep them in my head , I appreciate that my work is as valid as the next persons and I actually like some of the work in my final project.

I have met some genuinely lovely people both my fellow students , teachers and professional and the experience at Stockport College has been one of the most enriching of my life. Don't get me wrong it has not all been plain sailing, the second year was very tough, self doubt took hold and I almost through the towel in, a lack of confidence is a painful thing and public speaking very nearly got the better of me!

I am so glad I faced my fears and listened to the tutors wise (but often harsh) evaluations of me ,because it made me see the truth and has helped me to move on in more ways than one !

I am sad that my University days are numbered but also very happy and proud that I got to the end!I have a much more open view of the world I see every thing through the eyes of a designer ! get me !!!!

FMP images

These collages are a mix of found paper and fabric, all hand produced and representing personal issues . I have used my own drawings and produced all the work by hand . I feel that this collection is about me but could be developed to include many more representations of people , places and issues the possibilities are endless. I would be happy to produce commissioned work for other people. For example if you feel you have the qualities of a lion and you have issues with your job.... example as a police officer I will interpret the two and trap it in a frame .

FMP images

The rabbit is the creature that reappears again and again in my work so is very significant ( when i researched its meaning the rabbit can signify anything from insanity and innocence to promiscuity and fertility ! ) I have used animals who represent people from my life and illustrated issues that have trapped me by placing them in frames , The winged cloth dog is my attempt to represent escape and freedom ( from a glassless frame and a cage !). I also left some of the large rabbit design fabric hanging out of the frame to indicated it is not entirely contained.I used black and white because of its simplicity and bold appearance . I have had fun and produced work that is very personal to me , My focus was no about how commercially viable the designs would be , I wanted to make a personal statement.

cost pricing and selling

Financial restraints have definitely impacted on my final major project , I did not have the funds to purchase expensive materials and so recycling was the best option, I used a couple picture frames that i already had and purchased the rest at a cost of £60, fabric I used was £2 and £4.50 per meter, the crockery was from ikea's seconds and cost £1 per item, it then cost £15 to have my art work transferred onto a printable sheet for ceramics. I spent around £50 on card and paper and used my children's old clothes for the fabric collages . It cost £30 for trimmings , buttons , threads , glue , tape etc. having researched the craft market i have found that items sell for prices of any where between £4 right up to £460 , you can charge for your time, the materials and the hand crafted bespoke element , your over heads , shipping cost , at the end of the day your work is worth what people are willing to pay for it, I paid I found some interesting websites with lots of information on them !

http://www.ohboydenterprises.com/HowToPriceHandmadeGoods.html

http://www.makeforbusiness.com/directory.php?directory=Pricing

http://ukhandmade.co.uk/content/business-pricing-your-handmade-goods

http://ukhandmade.ning.com/forum/topics/how-do-you-work-out-the-price

For my degree show i have some funds available from the last installment of the student loan, through my contact with Claire Worthington I have found a lady who is going to make me some black and white cup cakes for the show 6 cakes will cost £12 , she has found me a company who can transfer my art onto icing to make toppers for the cakes and the price is 85 p per item.

I want to get some high quality black and white fabrics to make more textile items for the show .The craft council and some other craft organisations have some funding opportunities available

http://www.craftanddesignmonth.net/proposal.pdf

http://www.startacraftbusiness.co.uk/small-business-grants-funding.html

http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/craft-directory/opportunities/list/?type_guid%5B%5D=16

http://www.aah.org.uk/post/491

Apart from Etsy and Folksy , I see my own website as a way of making sales , I have also been approached by a couple of retailers via twitter and have a meeting with a shop owner in early August to discuss business options.

FMP images

These images are ideas for products that could carry my design, I feel that the simple pattern repeat works on some items such as the curtain and the door draught excluder but the cushions would be more interesting and dynamic if different stitch techniques were employed. I feel that for the exhibition in June I would like to produce cushions using , patchwork, pleating and applique in order to make the collection more interesting. The tea cosy I feel is a successful design , I have used recycled fabric to make the clothes for the characters and appliqued them onto the quilted fabric, the scent bags are made from fabrics from my children's old clothes. Again with the t-shirts the addition of embellishments and different stitch techniques will add interest, although when making garments for young children and babies it is important to make sure health and safety guidelines are followed and all new materials are used and also all additions need to be machine washable .

Claire Worthington FMP porfolio visit. Part 2

I met up with Claire again on Friday 22nd April and we set up my webdomain it cost £6. 43 for two years and is means that the website name is now mine (www.catherinesummersdesign.co.uk) Summers is my maiden name and I am going to use is for my business. Having googled the name Catherine Summers we did not find any other business trading under the same name which is good news. The website is not live yet as I need to get photographs of my portfolio of work to add to it and Claire is in the process of creating the different pages and collating all the information. She has asked me to write a short bio and think about what I want the website to do ie sell from it or create interest in my work, it needs to be clear what the role each of the pages of my site is for ie, to sign up for a news letter or to purchase an item etc etc. She explained that things can be changed and upgraded as are appropriate but advised to keep it simple initially and make it really easy for viewers to follow, We have also set up an email account for business which will be available via the website. Thanks Claire I look forward to our next meeting and the next stage of this exciting journey !

Social Media Campaign

Having had several meetings with Claire Worthington about the development of a website she also advised me to launch a 'social media campaign' using twitter, facebook and linkedin which are all online social networking sites. I created a twitter account on 4th March and was delighted to find I soon had several 'followers' from the art and design industry including a shop owner whom I am now in contact with regarding selling my work. I also found links to possible funding opportunities and local facilities such as a studio which offers silk screen printing services. I its a brilliant way to network and find people who will help and support you in your work. Claire said she had been at a lecture given by a woman who's business is to advise people about how to exploit online social media sites who had recommended that business people should tweet 6 times a day and the content of the tweets should be 20% information 20% entertaining 40% interaction and 20% business, in order to retain interest and be successful.

I have also joined linked in which is much more business focused and once I have finalised my portfolio and have quality photographs of my work ( my friend who is a professional photographer has offered to take shots of the uni show and all my work ) I plan to create a facebook page to help promote my work and link to my website.

portfolio visit to Nicky Rodgers

I visited Nicky on the 15th April, she has a design background and makes soft furnishings but her full time position is an area sales rep for a french company called Casamance fine fabrics and wallpapers. Nicky is very much working in the commercial field so her input is based on the best way to market my work for the most number of sales. I showed her my work so far and explained that the project had developed from fabric dolls into more commercial textile items and also framed art .Nicky felt that my drawings were strong and in order to produce a commercial collection the items needed to be a range of products for a specific area for example all kitchen items that people would want to collect, ie tea pot, crockery,tea cosy, table cloth, tea towel etc she felt this would hold the work together and make the collection more coherant. Nicky said it was a very competitive industry but her company did purchase art work from artists which they then modified and used in their designs so this would be a posibility for some one like me. She explained that her company had a large team of designers who all had different roles with in the production process. Nicky liked my framed art work and suggested that I looked at producing a range of proffessions as a theme , police officer , teacher, fire fighter etc.

It was great to talk to someone from a business point of view and her advice re marketing stratergies was really helpful, thanks so much Nicky!

www.casamance.com

Mrs A Originals FMP portfolio visit

I visited the studio of textile designer Mrs A today in Mossley, she kindly agreed to look at my portfolio and give me some feedback . Pauline's background is in youth work but since she retired from her full time career she has focused on her art work. She pays £100 a month for her studio space which she can access 7 days a week and creates one off bespoke chairs and hats as well as painted canvases. Her work was initially a hobby but it has become a business as people have seen her work and commissioned her .She shows her work at craft shows and trade fairs and also sells via two local boutique shops

I explained to her that i was working on human shaped dolls with animal heads that represented certain people or situations that had either held me back or set me free. I told Pauline that i felt my work was too personal and 'dark' and was struggling with ideas to make it more commercially appealing. I told her that i felt the characters could be digitally photographed and the images placed onto mugs , plates or greetings cards but I was beginning to see that i needed to move away from the ugly animal images i had drawn an create more positive up beat imagery .

Pauline felt that i should decided on 10 to 12 animals that have personality traits that people could relate to ie a dog is loyal, faithful and obedient, they needed to be positive attributes that would make people smile . She suggested that I write a small explanation as to the rational of the dolls, why , where the ideas came from etc and how the project has developed. She also thought that each doll should have its own little book or card with its personality traits written on it. She thought that the dolls would be more sophisticated if they were not dressed then the focus was solely on the head. She felt that maybe a high quality fabric would work better as the dolls were very tactile and maybe to try different coloured fabrics but stay with black for the the heads. She also thought they needed to be slightly smaller so they could fit in your hand.

Pauline was very positive and enthusiastic about what I was doing , she felt the dolls definitely had potential and i should aim for the high end of the market. She feel they were quirky and playful and the focus should be humour and the feel good factor that would raise a smile and remind people of some one they know! Pauline gave me lots of advice re packaging and branding , she felt it made more sense to purchase boxes rather try to make them my self, she felt the art work was where i needed to invest my time and energy rather than the packaging.

She said she would be happy to purchase one ! Mrs A you were like a breath of fresh air , thank you so much for your input I will take it on board !

Jennifer Collier

I find the work of Jennifer Collier very sweet and I am interested to see how she presents it . I am looking to produce framed work for my fmp so I am particularly interested in Jennifer's types of frames and how she packages work which is for sale . I am also interested to see how much the work is on sale for and the price differences for framed and un framed work. As an artist you can obviously frame work yourself, sell it unframed or employ someone else to frame it for you and these decisions will impact on the final cost of the finished piece.

www.jennifercollier.co.uk

FMP development

I am fascinated by the idea of dolls that represent my issues so I began looking at images of cloth dolls and voodoo dolls , I did not want my work to be too dark or sinister and felt it was appropriate to use the dolls in a positive way to represent escape from problems and set back , the idea of wings is also something that keeps coming to the fore front !

below are images of my experimental work.

This doll represents my youngest daughter .

This caged rabbit in a nurses uniform represents my health issues .

Each screen printed animal head is a representation of a person in my life , some have been positive influences and some not !

Dragon House Of Yuen - Etsy website

This textile artist uses recycled materials to create hare, rabbit and squirrel soft sculptures which are sold through Etsy. It caught my eye immediately because of the rabbit content ! I love the simplicity of the image which is then developed into amusing textile items , mt very favourite is the handbag made from a kilt wearing rabbit , genius !

Etsy is an website where people can sell hand made or vintage craft items , goods on sale range from jewellery, toys , framed art, photographs and clothing there is a listing fee of approx 10 pence per item which covers a 4 month period , then Etsy take 3.5% of every sale . The seller deals directly with the buyer and is responsible for shipping the goods to the customer. It is a great way to sell work with very little cost .