Fairytales

This month the UK Etsy Challenge subject was simply 'Fairytales' and my imagination went wild! Then I thought realistically about what I could and couldn't manage!

I drew inspiration from my favourite stories as a child and recalled how I used to copy the illustrations from the books.....pencil drawings it had to be! I originally chose four fairytales 'Cinderella' (my fave film used to be 'The Slipper and the Rose' with Richard Chamberlain and Gemma Craven!) 'Alladin', 'Snow White' and saving the best until last 'The Princess and the Pea'....

I wanted to create something which suggested a darker and even more mundane side to 'fairytales'. So, heavy pencil drawings lent themselves well to this and made a refreshing change to my usual bright cheery images and notecards.

The first images I drew were the mirror from 'Snow White' and the lamp from 'Aladdin' as small ACEO's (artists cards which measure a tiny 2 1/2" x 3 1/2")


I was really pleased with them until I started on the other illustrations!

The next pieces I drew were inspired by 'Cinderella' and I actually like raggy Cinders best and actually imagine living in the kitchens with a nice open fire, fresh veg and mice for pets to be quite nice actually! Hence the reason for my rather unglamorous take on 'Cinderella'


The next illustration is my favourite and really the only one I could choose when thinking of 'The Princess and the Pea' A favourite as a child the imagery has stayed with me and it's such a fantastic tale!



These inital illustrations have since become prints and a set of notecards to form my entries into the challenge. Here are the finished articles.....


My challenge entries have been submitted to the Flickr group along with all the others and voting for peoples favourites will be opened at the end of the month! I'll be sure to blog about the winners and display there work too!

Swap

I blogged recently about the great UK Etsy swap and what wonderful items I received. Well, my swap partner has received her goodies and so, I can now share what I sent!

My swap partner was Greygoat the talented maker of fabulous undies! Her likes were as follows:

Likes: black, white, red, grey, retro stuff, stationery, atomic power (got to throw that in there!!), kimono, bold graphic prints, anything to do with typefaces or letters etc, anything shoes/clothes related is usually a winner.

So, here are the items I made for her based on these:

The Geisha is my favourite and is actually an original painting, I was really pleased with the way it turned out. So much in fact I have started selling cards with prints of a similar painting in my shop.

Must also advise a visit to Greygoats shop for some lovely pants or accessories.

The Talented Nonsuch

My Dilema............Favourite dress ruined by the evil moth!
My brief................Save my favourite dress from the bin.
My Hero................Nonsuch


I recently took my favorite dress of all time out to wear and to my absloute horror found small holes in it! After much deliberating and consultation with a wise lady (my mum :D) I found the small holes were created by the devils spawn........i.e. the moth! (technically I think it's the moths eggs but, it's too yacky to think about)

Well, what's a girl to do? Throw away the dress and spend the next ten years trying to find one I like just as much? Or, turn to the talented folk of Etsy for help? No contest..........

I knew immediately who could save the day. Having admired her work for quite some time I e-mailed and asked if the lovely Nonsuch could custom make me my very own doodle. Not a problem she said and within just a few days she worked miracles and created me a lovely brooch (or, doodle in Non speak :D) to save my dress from life in a landfill!




Nonsuch is one talented lady and lots of different treasures can be found in her shop! So pay her a visit when your next after a treat for yourself or a present for a friend.

Etsy Swap Joy

Two posts in one day, I must be ill!

Anyway, I recently took part in the second UK Etsy Swap. This basically works like secret santa, we are given a fellow Etsy seller to create an item for based on their likes and dislikes.

I received my lovely parcel today from the amazing artisan Sneddonia and she made me two beautiful gifts. Firstly this pretty necklace which features an cute wire and bead heart. The beads are green.....my favourite colour :D



and secondly this Suncatcher featuring lovely blue beads. It is gorgeous and the colours match my living room perfectly which, considering she has never seen my house is amazing.


I haven't posted my swap parcel yet! I intend to do this tomorrow and when it's been received safe and sound I will post photos of the items I have sent. I am a bit worried just incase they do not like the items I have made for them :P Quite scary......

A huge thank you must also go to the wonderful lady Askey who spent hours arranging this swap, pairing us up and chasing people for replies and addressess (yes, I forgot to provide an address..........stupid!)

Stupid me

I need to check my blog more often.....I've been neglecting it again! I recently changed the settings to moderate comments and never checked back....D'oh!

Well, about 15 days ago I was tagged by the lovely Bunny and only found out today :P
Now need to reveal 7 things about me! This may take a while so be patient! I am trying to think of smonething wonderfully witty and funny.......trust me you'll be disappointed.