Thursday, September 27, 2012

Challenging few days

Tuesday morning, we woke up to be surrounded by water.  We have been here 7 years and not had even a large puddle.  We have 2 large ponds at the back of the house that usually take any excess water.  So it was a bit of a surprise. By the end of the day it had started to go down, but they were forecasting rain over night, so we sorted a few bits out and lifted the valuable upstairs and unplugged electric items and switched off as much as possible and went to bed hoping the worst was over.


It went down overnight,  so when we got up on Wednesday we were quietly confident, that was it. Off we tootled off to work and didn't really give it another thought.  But came home to quite a shock.

Our road was closed and had to walk through the floods to get home.  The next street along was  a real mess.


When I saw my house I was in a real panic as we had a river running down the side of the house and down the road.  This was our neighbours garage


Remarkably, even though it was up to our  door then it hadn't come into the house.


The water was basically coming from the back as a stream, through our garden,  as the road is on a small slope it ran like a river down the road and luckily drained off enough to keep it from rising,


Unfortunately the drains were getting backlogged  and it started to rise again,  so with all the neighbours we were out with brooms to push it down the road quicker.  A couple of quick minded people, knocked out some of our fencing to stop it building up behind and to get it moving quicker.  Also a few planks of wood were hammered onto the brooms and so larger amounts of water were being moved. Also someone set up a submersible pump to move some water down to the unlocked drains. The fire brigade then started pumping out from the next street on.


 The Council Incident unit  came and assessed our situation, and then the council brought us sand bags and gel bags to block doors in the hope of keeping it all out.


Unfortunately as the van arrived then some people from another road ( who had no water as yet) helped themselves to the bags when no one was looking,  so they then had to go and get some more for us.  People are so impatient,  they were going round and prioritising those at risk first, rather than doing it in order as some people wanted them to do.



The council then took the decision to build a barrier behind our gardens.  With this and the fire brigade, we stopped trying to move the water away from our houses about 8pm last night.   ( the pictures were taken this morning, so the water is much lower than last night)



I am so grateful to all the neighbours,  most of who were not affected and some complete strangers that helped us out.  We had offers from people we haver never met, to store furniture for us or ring later for assistance if things got worse.
The fire brigade and council were great and even though some people felt they weren't kept informed,  I was grateful they just got on and sorted it, rather than chat to everyone .  Luckily by us, no houses were lost,  so that is amazing considering the amount of water that was  coming through at the peak of the rain storm.

I know that unlike some poor people around the country we were incredibly lucky .

Monday, September 24, 2012

Funday Sunday

Yesterday we had a Funday Sunday Craft Day at Clevedon Craft Centre.  We had lots of demonstrations and crafts to try.  There was spinning, making brooches, pottery painting,  throwing a pot, plant sale and exchange and at my studio I ran a, have a go at still life drawing.  The other units were open but its hard for the furniture restorer and clock maker to do demonstrations, but they were all in their studios, chatting about their trades.


I was so busy I didn't get to take many pictures but I got few.  I set up 3 still life's and everyone regardless of age could have a go. The middle vase was particularly for the children for the bright colours but it was difficult to see light and dark,  but the children did love colouring it.


What surprised me was how many people came out in appalling weather and did actually have a go. I had one lady who stayed for a good 3 hours just drawing.


 and some of the children,  when I got time, had a go at painting. This young lady was very good



Here are some of the results.  You may wonder what the funny structure was,  It was a test piece my son made years ago, learning how to weld.  Its usually a door stop in our house.



And I also managed to tick off one of my 50 things to do,  when I made a pot with the wonderful Liz, our local potter.



A great day for all and lots of fun!


Sunday, September 23, 2012

NO 33


50 THINGS TO DO IN MY 50TH YEAR

1. Have a meal with Steve and all the kids

2. Try and see a whale

3. See the Angel of the north

4. Photograph wild flowers

5. Paint outside ( not the fence)

6. Search for sea glass

7. Find 50 Art Deco buildings and photograph them - started

8. Swim a mile

9. Walk on a beach at sunset in the UK

10. Sing in public ( not on my own)

11. Make  a sculpture out of found or natural items

12. Pooh sticks

13. Walk up to Glastonbury Tor

14. Paddle in a stream

15.  Go on a picnic

16  Climb something

17. Tea and cake with all the family

18.  Spend a day with Gemma           

19.  Spend a day with Heather

20.  Spend a Day with Chris

21.  Walk a dog

22. Find treasure

23. See wonderful stained glass

24. See a David Hockney painting

25.  Visit Scotland

26. Try and see the Northern lights

27. Stargaze

28. Dance in the tower Ballroom Blackpool

29. Road trip

30. Decorate a special cake

31. Do a mosaic

32. Make 50 origami birds and hang them in trees

33.  Throw a pot



34. Have a girly night

35. Make a flower arrangement

36. Sparkle

37. Have my engagement and eternity rings repaired

38. Decorate the bedroom

39. Make a daisy chain

40. Get a tattoo

41. Have a photo us all.  Not professional

42. Make an album or photo book of the year

43. Do something to raise money for charity

44. Candle lit relaxing  bath

45. Kiss in the rain

46. See a film in the directors lounge

47. Have a butterfly land on my hand

48. Crochet or knit myself a jumper

49. Paint a good picture on an Ipad

50.  Surprise me!!!


33 to go

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Card frustration!!

I need more cards,  I do have a local printer who does an ok job,  but he is very limited on how he does  the cards. I want a more dynamic look and my images to fill the cards rather than have  a large white border.  So I wanted to look at options for printing them myself.  I know I can go to Moo, or other online printers and also there is an option for other local printer and I wont rule them out at all,  but I would love to be able to print what I want, when I want and how I want....

I spoke to Mr WD about inks and printers and we looked at recommendations and actually decided that as printers go our HP printer probably was ok to at least experiment with and decide on paper and designs.  So I bought some card stock and updated my Photoshop package and so was set to go.


AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH  its not that easy.  I have discovered the biggest problem with HP printers.........Paper feed.  The printer can't cope with 300gm card as it has to turn it around a roller and there is no manual feed option.  I have taken the back off and tried to feed it through but its just not going to happen and if I could get it to work its just not worth sitting there for ages to feed it all through.

Back to the drawing board and decide it its worth investing in a new printer, stick with my current local printer or look for a new print company??

Why is nothing straight forward??

Monday, September 17, 2012

Happy birthday Dad


Tomorrow will be my Dads 88th Birthday.  As some of you know, he has been having  a few health problems and was diagnosed with vascular dementia earlier this year.  Unfortunately had to go into a nursing home.  He is settling a bit better now but his room seem so clinical and has nothing of his in there.  We don't want to upset him by bringing in loads of bits from his flat, that we have had to clear, as he has not been told that the home will be permanent.
So I painted him this picture.  When he was young he worked on the railways for a while,  I am hoping it will bring back happy memories.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

No 31



50 THINGS TO DO IN MY 50TH YEAR

1. Have a meal with Steve and all the kids

2. Try and see a whale

3. See the Angel of the north

4. Photograph wild flowers

5. Paint outside ( not the fence)

6. Search for sea glass

7. Find 50 Art Deco buildings and photograph them - started

8. Swim a mile

9. Walk on a beach at sunset in the UK

10. Sing in public ( not on my own)

11. Make  a sculpture out of found or natural items

12. Pooh sticks

13. Walk up to Glastonbury Tor

14. Paddle in a stream

15.  Go on a picnic

16  Climb something

17. Tea and cake with all the family

18.  Spend a day with Gemma           

19.  Spend a day with Heather

20.  Spend a Day with Chris

21.  Walk a dog

22. Find treasure

23. See wonderful stained glass

24. See a David Hockney painting

25.  Visit Scotland

26. Try and see the Northern lights

27. Stargaze

28. Dance in the tower Ballroom Blackpool

29. Road trip

30. Decorate a special cake

31. Do a mosaic



32. Make 50 origami birds and hang them in trees

33.  Throw a pot

34. Have a girly night

35. Make a flower arrangement

36. Sparkle

37. Have my engagement and eternity rings repaired

38. Decorate the bedroom

39. Make a daisy chain

40. Get a tattoo

41. Have a photo us all.  Not professional

42. Make an album or photo book of the year

43. Do something to raise money for charity

44. Candle lit relaxing  bath

45. Kiss in the rain

46. See a film in the directors lounge

47. Have a butterfly land on my hand

48. Crochet or knit myself a jumper

49. Paint a good picture on an Ipad

50.  Surprise me!!!


34 to go

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Sunday, September 9, 2012

So you want to turn your hobby into a business.....

People are always saying how lucky I am that I managed to turn my hobby into a business.  I wont argue generally with that statement and I do have to pinch myself occasionally that I do indeed work for myself, doing something I love.  But I always get the impression that people feel I have an easy life.  To some extent then I will agree, as I truly believe the old saying,  

"If you do a job you love, you never do a days work"

But I have also learnt a lot over the last year about what it takes to run your own business, so thought I would share some of it with you.......  




Money

When working out whether you can afford to take the plunge  don't just look at the monthly costs.  Think about those yearly costs like MOT's and insurance, take into account, birthday presents, christmas, petrol money to visit relatives etc...its amazing how much they add up.

Have a pot of money for emergencies,  when you  have no money everything will suddenly turn on you and break, in my case, the microwave blew up, the car windscreen got chipped and my clutch died.......

Everything costs more than you think, allow extra on everything.

I have worked out a weekly target.  Its the minimum I have to make every week to just stay in business,  its a great motivator.

Don't get sick or have family emergencies....you can't afford it.

Pay all your bills on time,  companies appear far less forgiving if they think you are a business.

Expect not to make any money in the first year,  anything you do make will go straight back into the business anyway.

Have more than one revenue stream. My teaching keeps me though the winter months and my selling through the summer when my students are on holiday.

Do your accounts weekly at minimum,  if I can I try and do them daily,  then you know where you stand all the time, and also no hassle looking for receipts etc at the end of the year

Planning 

I would say have a good business plan and don't jump in until you know you are ready,  but I can't really, as I didn't do that,  but it is probably advisable. But if you are going to just do it,  don't just dip your toe in to test the water.  jump right in and commit totally.  as Master yoda says

"Do, or do not. There is no 'try.'"

Within reason try to never say NO.  I try my best to take every opportunity offered.  If it doesn't work out I never do it again.

Trust your ideas, don't over think things,  its a waste of time.

Promotion 

Your local paper is your new best friend...they can really bring in business.  I have never paid for an advert but I e-mail our local reporter every opportunity I have.  I have got some great spreads in the editorial.

Everyone you meet from now on is a prospective customer,  never be caught short without a business card.  I chat to people in the supermarket queue and give them my card.  

Reply promptly to all enquiries. People love quick replies and appreciate not being kept waiting, even if they didn't get the answer they wanted.


Day to day

Stay true to your vision,  its easy to get sucked into, making or doing things you think will be money winners,  they wont work as the lack of passion that you have, will show.

Never agree to any work unless you have a deposit that will at least cover your costs. Not even if you think you can sell it anyway.  Its just not worth it

Your reputation is everything,  don't give anyone an opportunity to bad mouth you.

If someone says they will come back later and buy something,  never believe them.  That way your wont be disappointed and wait around hoping.


Personal

The buck stops with you,  you HAVE to make all the decisions,  other people can only advise, but at the end of the day its your call. ( something I love,  I always hated being told what to do, as I always knew I was right anyway :-)

Your business hours are every hour,  you no longer have a personal life.  You will bore your family and friends at every social occasion.You WILL turn into a work-acholic,  if you don't, your not doing it right!

Have fun,  there is no point in doing all this and putting so much in if you are not getting anything out.

Finally

Even after all I have said,  put it all into perspective,  it is after all, only a job.....................................

not really!


Please leave comments if you have anything to add to the list above


Friday, September 7, 2012

Water based Oil Paints

I have always found oil paints difficult,  not least because the smell and toxic fumes, especially from turps, set of my asthma but also because I am impatient and hate the drying time between stages.  I know there are people who can use them and finish a painting in one sitting,  but not me,  I just get too muddy.  Anyway I was intrigued by water based oil paints.  As far as I could see then these paints acted and felt like oils but there was no need for turps or thinners to use them,  you could use them with good old fashioned water.  

I chose Winsor and Newtons Artisan paints for 2 reasons,  1. I have always rated Winsor and Newton paints and I am totally hooked on their watercolour ranges.  2.  In my research then I found these were the best for using with water,  not something most oil painters liked, but I felt coming from a watercolour background they may suit me better as the flow would be similar.



How wrong could I be. I was not impressed when watering them down, not only did it massively shorten the drying time,  but they were wishy washy and very flat.  This is when I discovered in my pile of goodies I picked up from a art shop sale,  that I did actually already owned the Artisan  safflower Oil.  I definitely think you need oil to keep the drying time long and to thin the paints, without loosing colour and texture,  but it was good to be able to wash the brushes with water.

So this is what I painted. It may look like an out of focus photo but this is what I wanted for the background.  I did try adding the trees and some foreground details but as always, without leaving it to dry then the paint just lifts and mixes and a muddy mess appears. So I am going to be patient and wait for it to dry before I add the next layer.



In conclusion these a good substitute for full oil paints,  they seem to act and flow in the same way ( not that I am any expert in oil painting). Only time will tell if they retain the pigment and brightness as they dry,  but overall I would say to save the hassle associated with them, then they would be good. 

 But alas if oil painting is not for you then these paints are not going to change that.  I doubt I will use them much and they will hopefully be used by any of my students, curious enough to have a go.






Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Playing with Paint


I have been having loads of fun.  I am not usually a fan of acrylics as it feels a bit like painting with treacle,  but then I realised I had never just actually played with them,  so thats what I did and these are the result.







Sunday, September 2, 2012

Student exhibition

Friday night saw the private viewing of my student exhibition.   It was a difficult exhibition to hang as all the students  had varied work and had framed them, themselves so there was little continuity,  but I decided to group each students work together and that seemed to work fine.  As I was hanging it then I had a couple come in who were desperate to buy one of the works,  so one student had a lovely surprise when she came in.  I am not sure she will sell it,  but you never know or perhaps we could arrange a print.  



There are 28 pieces up,  I asked students to bring in their 2 favourite pieces and a few of them bought extra and in the end I managed to hang all but one.  I had a few students who didn't want to take part but they were mostly people from one day workshops.  I also had 2 new students that hadn't finished any work with me as yet so I wasn't able to hang anything from them,  but maybe next year.


Of course we had to have a Dot Teas cake to celebrate,  lemon and blueberry,  my favourite.  yum.  The donuts were for the children who came and they really must have enjoyed them, as they were gone in about 10 minutes and lots of children went home on a sugar high!




 Lots of students and their families arrived so that was really good to see the support they all had.  I also had some people sign up for my New November beginners group.


I'm the one in Black giving a school report to one of the students parents,  they had commented it felt like going back to when they had gone to parents evenings,  so I told them their daughter was good but needed to stop giggling so much and have so many break for tea!


 The local paper sent a photographer,  they have been very good at supporting me throughout the year and I am looking forward to seeing what gets printed in next weeks Clevedon Times.   Just after the photographer posed the students, then I took a sneaky picture to.  They all looked like they were having fun  and I enjoyed seeing them enjoy their very first exhibition. Hopefully a great time was had by all and people will enjoy seeing the work over the course of the next month.