Pocket or Purse?

A while ago I screen-printed some shoulder bags and fabric to make pockets for the back of the bags. I finally got around to the sewing the pockets together and once I started I realised they really ought to have some zips. Now ... I have to admit that sewing in zips isn't really my strongest point ... and I haven't made to0 many purses before either. So my first attempt was rather complicated, but thanks to the excellent tutorial at Skip to my Lou I slowly got the hang of it. I still can't compete with the speedy factory girls in China, but I very much enjoyed making them.
Except that I now like the 'pockets' so much that I will probably sell them separately – as purses – and not put them on the tote after all. So I will let you know once they are in my shop.

How to Make a Beach Hut

Its always a great pleasure to work with ContainerPlus. This time I created objects for 5 sets to be used in stop-frame animations for consumer profile films.
I created amongst others some miniature tennis rackets – which were fun – but my favourite was definitely the disheveled beach-hut. Details of the creative process can be found here. The finished product can be seen on my website.

1) I created the side walls out of corrugated cardboard (an old box is best for this)
2) I used pencil to dirty down the wooden 'poles' which support the roof
3) I created poles in different thicknesses using glue and string to hold them in place
4) Extra bits of card were added to make the walls and roof appear more solid
5) Blue and white paint were applied sparingly, working with nearly dry brushes of different width to achieve a rough texture
6) Torn pieces of paper were used to create the bunting

Jewellery now online

Things have been rather busy lately. I created some illustrations for some magazines and also started making some jewellery, which I've been busy marketing. The jewellery is now sold in Berlin and Brighton and can also be bought online in my new shop.