Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Soft Suffolk



With a view to develop the creativity element of my non-new year decisions, I’m developing a little line of textile based items perhaps to sell on-line or through local boutiques, of which we have many here in the south west. I used to make Shaker inspired angels which I sold through word of mouth and through a lovely little gallery in Chipping Camden, but that was many eons ago so it seems a tad daunting.

Anyhow, the picture is of a couple of simple corsages being made from felt which are my starting point for this element of creativity.

At work, I’m searching for words to describe a new tile range we’re launching called Artisan and this has led me onto investigating the small towns of Suffolk in more detail due to the names chosen for the colours – the designer comes from Suffolk and loves the soft clear tones used by artists and artisans in the area. I want to find out more about these artists and the use they made of the soft light in this area, and area unknown to me as, when not in London, we spent time in the west country (apart from a holiday at a very young age in The Wash in the north of East Anglia).

It’s funny how one string of thought takes you down a totally unexpected route – but that’s what creativity is all about!

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Resolutions

I made none!

Over many, many years I continually make resolutions (some not for New Year, but hey, why should that stop me?) and generally don't stick to them (hence still needing to lose weight many years on.... So this year, I decided to not make any resolutions. Inspired by Brenda's comments on this subject in her podcast I know I am not alone - her suggestion is not to make resolutions, but decisions and actions. Very sensible.

So, my decisions:

1. health
2. happiness
3. creativity
4. organisation

My actions:

1. joined the gym full-time (not been yet as I have a really stinking cold still)
2. now, this could be the difficult one as you can't force yourself to be happy - so still working on the actions for this one
3. have jotted lots of ideas in my notebook and will tackle some of them this weekend
4. in progress! The house is far more tidy now thanks to our chums visiting for new year forcing us not to be ashamed of the mess, but I still need to organise my clothes and the paperwork in the office.

I'll let you know how I get on with my non-resolutions.

What were yours?

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Happy New Year...

... to you all! I have so many ideas whizzing around my head that you will see a hugely eclectic mix turn up here during the coming months.

From craft creativity to writing to house renovation to my own health and well-being, many strange thoughts will turn up to help me straighten out my little grey cells (you can tell Poirot is on TV this evening!).















The first picture of the year is of a large shallow bowl I made a few years ago, stoneware with a matt glaze - I was experimenting with these glazes for a while and I love the matt texture of the finished piece which is far from perfect I will be the first to admit. The bowl contains a few pieces of driftwood found locally at Branscombe and Budleigh Salterton - nature provides many things of beauty to show us simplicity is sometimes the key.

Here's to a healthy, happy and creative 2008!