someday soon I shall finish this drawing and hang it on my wall.

it is getting there...slowly slowly...

Every so often I get the bug. When it bites, there's very little to be done only to give in totally to the loose plannings and processes when took up much of 4 years of my life. Once I get into it, Im quite happy, and  like the results...then wonder why I don't let myself get carried away like this more often.

Anyway, Eoghain, dear darling baby brother, often gives out for various different reasons. One of the things he barks about is clothing...the lack of originality. The price of clothes which are quality...and a bit original. Etc...So I said that I would make t-shirts for him.

That was a couple of months ago, and honestly, I have been thinking about them, and doing little sketches for them, but hadn't really sat down and done anything serious until yesterday.

Now, today, the Sketches made it onto fabric. Exciting times, I know. If the final result is worth showing, it will be here first. Fingers crossed !

I might get the repeat pattern professionally printed...might...maybe :)

This is my newest work in progress, and as of yet has not settled with a name. It keeps changing. Something pops into my head and I think, "Yes, that fits"...then it doesn't anymore, and I change my mind and want to keep that title for something else. Anyhow, this is coming along quite slowly, but Im happy thus far. Might get it finished by monday...hopefully.
Also, working of print designs for a few t-shirts Im doing for my little bro. Just sketched out one, and I must say, it looks a bit wicked. I think he will be well pleased, and might even honor me by wearing it from time to time :)

Your Problems Are In Your Curls

I couldn't wait another minute, I had to finish the drawing.

New work in progress.
God I love my tablet. It is so freaking awesome.
And Photoshop.

As part of The Invisible Circus collection.
No working title on this just yet. Ill upload the finished piece soon.

Only The River Stared Back

Yea!!
So, as you know from my last post, this has been a long time in the making. And well...I don't want to say that I am finished, yet. But for now, this is my piece that is going in for Switch.
Thanks to Jane for all her help and encouragement!
I feel good that I have finished it. Im going to let the dust settle today and send it off tomorrow. Ive put it on facebook to see if I get any comments are critiques...maybe someone will watch it. I shall wait and see.

Film is a medium that I feel rather comfortable with. Like photoshop, it has been mostly self directed, in part thats to the brilliant introduction from Austin Ivers at college (the best lecturer!). Now, he might stumble upon this and wonder if he ever taught me anything. But for the first attempt, Im pretty happy with it, and Im only starting off, of course. So it can only get better.

I am sort of half obsessed with the Sea Area weather forecasts on RTE radio 1 and have been known to stay up till all hours, and wake up especially early just to hear them. I might give it a rest now for a time, because they are beginning to lose their magic...but Im thrilled that I actually went ahead and used my collection.

I hope you enjoy this short little film, and if you have any constructive criticism, I would love to hear it !

Balance Submission for Switch

This is a still image taken from the end of a film I am working on for an upcoming submission. I don't know what the final piece will be, or the title, but it is something I have been thinking about and working on for a good few months now. There is so much collected for it, and I just want to use it all, but I know, I know that sometimes it is in what we take away that makes the work. So maybe it wont turn out how I had initially planned for it....I want to be proud of whatever it grows into. And this still is making me very proud indeed. 

The submission is due in the first of November, so when it's sent off, Ill upload my final product and post it here. Fingers and toes crossed everyone !

"Things That Matter"

Speak Slow and Remain Calm

beermats, guache and ink

Suzie the Shark's latest outing. This piece was done specifically for the upcoming "Things That Matter" show happening in Westport's McGing's Bar on the 29th of September. Hopefully I make it in!

The Carousel Ponies

Greetings friends! Now, a longer post is in the pipeline, but let this whet your appetite for more. These little fillies had their first outing last weekend in Dublin. They are the latest in my collection of ever growing Kewlery. Meet the Carousel Ponies...inspired directly from The Invisible Circus (more of that to come soon)!

I love them on the hand, and yes yes yes, I will have pictures of my stand up soon, I just need to charge my camera up, she's been working so hard lately! And before you go away shaking your head thinking, "My goodness, how could anyone get away with wearing jewelry like that"...let me assure you that you can, because I do!

News for all!

As you know, I was exhibiting at the Zine Fair the weekend before last. While in Dublin I went to a carboot sale where I handed out a handful of my business cards to people who were interested in my brooch and ring (both of which I made).
Well, this just in:
One of the women I gave a card to has invited me to take a stall at the Ranelagh Fest Craft Fair this weekend coming (17 and 18) because she liked my work. How chuffed am I? The reason Im telling you?
Well, if your going to be in the Dublin area this weekend and fancy yourself a handmade brooch, crazy ring, or some other little bits and pieces I have up my sleeve, come on down! Im making new work at the moment, so just because you saw me at the zine fair does not mean you have seen it all :) No no, on the contrary, as all my pieces are one offs, and as most sold, nearly everything will be NEW NEW NEW ! I even have a few uber new owlies (ie. new shapes, sizes and patterns)
The craft fair is being held in the Ranelagh Multi-Denominational School, located on the Ranelagh Road each day from 11-5. It's free in and you can find out further information from the facebook page Creative Collective Ireland.
I'm going to be a very busy bee this week, but I can't wait for the weekend!!

mondrian is the one catching everyone's attention at the carboot sale

Howdy lovelies! Look what I whipped up before I ventured up to the Electric Picnic. This skirt is what I'm wearing to my cousin's wedding tomorrow. And of course, nothing can be done without the help of friends...Jane lent me a wrap around skirt to trace a pattern off...and no, I did not design the fabric myself, I really would be amazing if I had...but...This is the first item of clothing that I have made which I can actually leave the house in, so I am dead proud of myself, and thought I would share my cute outfit with you all. Hope you like it too! :)

Electricity is in the air

As always, Im am completely inspired, super buzzed and filled with a new energy after the Picnic.
The weather is changing out there, and it's that time again to get out your woolies, layers and heavy curtains!
With the wedding coming up on Friday, I'm a super busy bee trying to make an entire outfit before-hand (one of the things on my to do list for the year) and I'm nearly there.

a pretty poor picture of my wrap around skirt for the wedding...now just to make/aquire everything else :)

as requested, keelin's white rabbit wooden heart ring

Aren't friends wonderful? It's in giving that we receive, and it's always nice to make something for someone else. Part of the perks of being creative :)

Elaine's cat birthday card, happy birthday again misses ! :)

Super Extra Bonus Amazing Girls on Tour like you've never seen it before, for the WIN

Right, so from the title, you can problie tell that Im still a bit hyper from the weekend. It was what it says on the tin, pretty epic in every sense of the word. The sheer enormitiy of the feat at hand alone earns most of the title, but all the inbetweens, ins and outs...well that's what makes something extra spesh

(I've also aquired several teenage phrases which Im just going to go ahead and run with)

Quick recap for my captive audiance:

Got the train up to Dublin, just to pass the time and use up some nervous energy, I had a few finishing off things to do. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute. And eventhough Im promising myself now that Ill never get myself in that situation again, I know that it'll happen....so ill just have to let myself off the hook when it does.

Feliticy picked us up from the train station and we went back to her's and chilled in her too nice house, have a lovely dinner of pea (ours from the garden) and mushroom risotto, and spinach/courgette and potato soup...along with two desserts. Roisin arrived later that evening because of work..but it was nice once everyone was under one roof. Jane and I finished off everything and had a late enough one...

The next morning, all dolled up to the 9s, porridge in us and all the rest of it, we set off for the Ranelagh arts centre, not knowing what lay ahead...this was all new ground for me to tread. We arrived about an hour early, so just had enough time for a walk to Rathmines to go for a sneaky chazz...then legged it back in time to get some tea and toast in a place which looks like its stuck back in time, in a totes good way. Elieda and Owen and their baby surprised us by joining us just in time for to go over the road and set up for the day

and what a day! I really enjoyed every second, from setting up and knowing exactly where everything was going to go, to taking to people who were genuinely interested in my work. It was wonderful seeing people 'get it'...so many walked away with a softie owl brooch including a cute-sy little blonde girl, two of my fellow exhibitors, and one of the members of Gypsey Rebel Rabble. Most of my little bear books went as well, which I was only too pleased about. It was a lovely atmosphere, nothing like any of the shows Ive exhibited in before where your basically petrified standing next to your work, god forbid someone should ask you about it. No, this was different all together. Laura and Fie surprised me with visits, which was more then welcomed, and I also walked alway with some zines and things that i liked. While I loved nearly everything there, unfortunately the funds were a bit tight this time around, and the prospect of having to cart it all back to mayo was more then daunting!

All in all I thought it was a massive success and I really enjoyed it! I will definately be at the next one with new work and a much better idea of what 'works' and what doesnt :) The Girleens arrived then, looking quite tired from their trip to ikea, and we went home and experienced more of Felicity's exceptional cooking in her cute house, with her visiting handsome cat :)

I had a bit of a meltdown in the form of giggles which didn't stop for ages, and landed me with tears streaming down my face, but it was good to rid myself of all that nervous energy which i had been surpressing all day!!! :)

Sunday we went to Dun Loighre carboot sale, getting the dart out which was fun because ive never gone on it, so it was a bit of a novelity :) I bumped into Laura and met her lovely boyfriend, and picked up a few bits and pieces for work :) It was nice hanging out with Ros and laura...there's been a bit of a lack of 'hanging' with peeps my own age this year because of distance/money/plans etc etc, so it was reviveing to say the least. There were lots of lovely people at the carboot who liked my red owl and pyramid ring, so that was a pleseant surprise!

Afterwards we were caught in a bit of a shower, but found a lovely place to get lunch called bits and pizzas. It was actually lovely, and if I ever find myself in that part of the world again, Ill be calling in there. We pottered around for a bit, then headed back to the city where Felicity picked us up and brought us for a walk to the garden of Rememberence...or memorial garden? I cant remember its exact name, but it had  a lovely Rose garden, and Herons, so i was happy out :) There was a rope tied to a tree that the kids were swinging off, which was pretty entertaining. If I was lighter or hand stronger arms, I would have totally gone for it, but the prospect of falling on my backside/ breaking the tree branch or generally embarassing myself didnt exactly appeal ;)

We got the nicest fish and chips Ive had for a long time afterwards, and I supplied M&S massive chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Hyper as anything Bee and Meabh provided the entertainment for the evening which has me in stitches, they are too funny.

All ready for bed, the girls had a bit of a slumber party

We went to Ikea land the next day, and Ros went into town to go vintage shop hunting...if I had an endless supply of money, or space, IKEA would be amazing...and it is and was. I got lovely fabric, and nice things for the house, and inspiration. Bucket loads of inspiration this weekend in general actually...

Loaded down with out wears, and seeing the time, we departed and made our way back to the train station...we got there just in the nick of time, about 40 minutes early, which was lucky, any later and it would have been even more stressful.

5 women...can you imagine the luggage...

Now double that, and thats what im talking about.

All in all, the weekend was amazing, and really capped off this summer nicely. Its a great achievement to have made all that work, put so much effort into the presentation, brought it up, set it down and stood over it. I was really proud of myself (which never happens) and proud of all of us as a team. It's such a comfort to know that Jane and I work that well together, and that her kids like me. It would be a pure nightmare if they didnt, i cant even bear the thought.

So now I hear you ask, what's next?

Picnic is next, init?

This week has been more then lovely. Actually, this month has been and is shaping up to be quite exciting indeed. This weekend I have my friend's lovley little baby's christening, which I've been looking forward to for ages. It's wonderful to have something to look forward to, it puts a nice shape to everything leading up to that point. I haven't see any of my college crew since Oxygen, so this weekend will be extra special.

I'll only be home a couple of days when I'll be setting off again for the big smoke next weekend for the Zine Fair! Words cannot expressing the excitement courseing through my veins about that little venture. This morning was spent laying out my wears and trying to come up with a novel way of displaying my owls. I still have a few more things to get ready for it, a spread sheet for taking orders, and a few other tweaking bits, but mostly I'm feeling quietly confident...just wait, next Friday will come and it will be panic stations!!

But like I was saying, this week has be marvelous. A spin to Connemara which put a permanent smile on my face, various sun traps to be warmed in, a new zebra ring to add to the collection of mad Kewlery and general feelings of joyness and glee!

Two hours till the off! Wearing William for the weekend, he hasn't been out for a while :)

You're Going to Crash into This Wall You've Created

Guache on dyed newsprint

Being So Indie You Die Because Living is Mainstream

Shark Lady

GPOY

Speak Slow...You Never Know What's Waiting to Come Out

More teasing

As yet, unnamed...

"That awkward moment when you realize your sitting on a bear and not a chair"

Im getting things ready for my first ever, proper submission. Im excited, scared, worried, nervous, hopeful and hopeless. If college has taught me anything, it's that you don't put all your eggs into one basket, and never hold your breath for anything, because being let down in the worst feeling, worse their failure. I know. 

I feel like Im working towards an assessment...which isn't exactly what I was expecting. I thought if I was doing something for myself, really myself, I wouldn't be this stressed about it. I would be able to take breaks and go for walks and relax and not feel so...stressed...

All I can do is my best, and it's about the experience at the end of the day, not if I get picked or not. I know how these things work. They have an idea in their heads about what they want the show to look like, and if my stuff is just a bit different, then it doesn't matter if it's good or not, it wont get in, end of. And I just have to be ready for that. 

But yes, going to give it my best shot. My very best :)

Dedication

Because I want to tease you

This is all work in progress, but I just couldn't keep it to myself any longer...So here are little details you can ponder over and sink your teeth into...until the pieces are finished...hopefully sometime soon :)

Squeek loves lieing on them...I don't know what she's trying to tell me :)

xxx

The Spring Owls have arrived!

Yes yes, it is that time again.
The Spring Owls have finally landed and are featured in a Galway Market Stall near you, provided you live in or around the Galway area, and happen to be there on a Saturday...but NEVER MIND!! :)

This is the first batch entitled Spring Earlies and they are ready for the off!
I know I know, they only just landed, but they are ready to find they're new homes.

I have them up in my 'shop', but don't expect them to stick around too long...they do have wings...they are owls after all ! :)

ShelkyBean's photostream on Flickr.

Come check out my new shop on flickr :)