Take Good Care of My Baby!

Phew!  I have finally completed my commissioned driftwood and shell mirror and it is now ready to be shipped (airmailed) to the US.  I am absolutely delighted with the finished product and will be sad to see it go but, happy that it's going to a loving home; there is a space already ear-marked for it on my client's wall - indeed, it has been made-to-measure.  In fact, in just a couple of days, this darling driftwood mirror will be sitting in it's new abode several thousands of miles away from where it is sat right now - amazing!  So please couriers "Take good care of my baby on her journey across the Pond.".

55/56cm squared driftwood and shell mirror

Commissions aside, I am trying to get into decoupage mode with a view to creating some more keyring hearts and heart magnets as well as some jolly bunting.  I say 'trying' because the weather in the UK has been less than spring-like just recently and I'm finding it difficult to imagine we'll ever get to see the sunshine again!  We're lucky, living in Wiltshire, in that it has simply been bitingly cold but most parts of the UK are currently under several inches/feet of snow and worse still there are areas without any power!  The reason I'm keen to get on is that I'm hoping to take a stall at the Bath Artisan market in a couple of months - when the sun will be shining and people will be dizzy with the heady scent of spring about them.  My husband thinks I'm crazy but I really do love the buzz of these markets and it's fun to meet fellow craftspeople face to face every now and then, as well as getting direct feedback from the buying public!  If I manage to make a few pennies and cover my stall and travel costs all the better!



Looking for Something Original? Look No Further!

I love doing what I do.  I am lucky, I know, in that I get to create beautiful objects from bits and pieces found on the beach and old books and left over wrapping paper etc.  Like most people in my 'line of work' I create specific sets of shapes and sizes of products whether it be driftwood or decoupage.  It simply isn't practical or cost-effective to create a raft of unique works (although, given that I work with driftwood each piece is inevitably a one-off).


Close-up of commissioned abstract
driftwood art.  I love the way the light casts
playful shadows against the wall - adds an

extra dimension to an already gorgeous

and unique work!





Commissioned Abstract Driftwood Art for Indulgent

Bathroom Space - we all deserve a bit of ME time after all!









Thus, when I get a tentative enquiry regarding a 'commission' I do get rather excited.  I consult with my client and we come up with a 'concept' together.  Sometimes the client is very specific about what they want and sometimes they have a vague idea and we work through the project piece by piece, and then there are those who are happy to let me 'run' with an idea and pleased to have their very own 'commissioned' artwork with a 'story' to display where-they-will in their own home.

 

Hessian backed and mirror fixed
awaiting adornment



Close up of sea-washed glass
affixed to gnarly driftwood





Awaiting the finishing touches - surrounded by bits and
pieces of wood and shells that may or may not be a part
of the finished article.



I'm currently working on a  driftwood mirror to be shipped over to the USA.  It's going well and I can't wait to finish it and then lovingly package it up for it's long old journey across the 'Pond'.  It's almost twice the size of my bigger mirrors and I know it's going to look great upon completion (see pictures for progress so far). 

Close-up on a corner

So, there it is!  Don't be afraid to commission anything because us arty crafty types love a challenge and a chance to break away from the 'norm' every now and then!  TTFN!!!

Oh, I love the sound of breaking glass...not!

An eventful few days have passed for little old me.  I took my girls to Bath on Sunday to check out the Artisan Market (a new monthly feature at Green Park in Bath).  It was jam-packed with gorgeous stalls and rosy-faced stall-holders - there have been warmer Mothering Sundays!  Although the day had been slow for some the general feedback was that this is a market still in it's infancy and will surely grow (so long as they stick to their ethos of all things being hand-made/vintage).  On the plus side it is under cover (but not indoors) and the atmosphere was uber friendly as well as the products being delightful and (for the foodies) delicicous!  So, I have made my decision... and I'm going to apply to hold a stall there (not every month but perhaps 3 or 4 dates before the end of the year!).

Then, I received an email via Etsy... I've only gone and got myself a commission!  From the USA.  Wow!  Now, I have done commissions before and they have been well received (naturally) but shipping out to the US is a whole different ball-game - especially when you are talking MIRRORS!  Yup, a mirror will be loaded onto a van, then a plane (via some dodgy airport truck) and then onto another van (in another country) and hopefully to my customer's door in one gorgeous, luscious, beachy piece!  Suffice to say, I do not have a great deal of faith in 'shipping' and have heard some stories that would make your toes curl - packages being kicked across the floor etc (not good, not good at all).  So, it is with a great deal of joy but also a degree of trepidation that I have entered into this 'transaction' with my new transatlantic customer.  I'm hoping for a bit of luck and the most amazing following wind to ensure my 'baby' makes it across the pond intact - fingers crossed!