Little Christmas give-away

This partridge print needs a good home, so to celebrate Christmas and to wrap up a fantastic 2012, I will be picking a winner from the 'hat' tomorrow, just share this page on your fb or twitter, and either comment on my fb page: https://m.facebook.com/printingfawn?id=337848546261930&_rdr
Or mention me on twitter, @printingfawn

Good luck all!

Merrion Pop-up

Extra special, one-time only, two for one blog posts! Felt I needed to add a mention of the recent pop-up in the beautiful Architectural Archive, on Merrion Square, as arranged by the equally lovely Clare and Laura of Irish Design Shop - these gals sure know how to put together a shop, and now a pop-up. It was one of the nicest faires that I've ever not done... My mum did it for me. Thanks Clare n Laura, here's to next year!

Space, the final frontier

I've finally run out of space in my studio and it's driving me nuts. Too much stuff in too small a space. I am currently playing 'twister- the studio version', as I clamber over boxes and bubble wrap and frames. Here's hoping that post-Rds fair will give me a bit of breathing space.

And, relax (not really!)

Lovely, albeit incredibly busy day today making up some printed lavender bags - pic below. The skull really works well as it's a simple image, bulky and interesting. The other bag will have an owl - not quite as dramatic as the skull, but very sweet nonetheless - just awaiting dried lavender delivery which I hope will arrive in time and we'll see how these go down at the RDS national craft & design fair, 5-9th Dec.

Rds gift guide

Delira' to say one of my prints has been included, I have been told that I will now become a millionaire on the back of this... Or at least sell a few prints. After Bloom in the Park, I invested in some cataloging of my work so it is good news indeed that they have been included here. Oh, and if you happen to be at the fair, and having a gander at the Crafts Council Special Feature area, the lovely 'Just You' will be there, cooing from its frame!

Holiday... Before it really kicks up a notch!

Off I go for a few days, with lists & logos floating around in my little head. As a pre-holiday workload, I finalised the printing of my wall signs (thanks for the help, Vici... "Help!", she says, "I bloody did them!") and some final printing runs. Pics of the lovely golden-tipped 'Foxy Dreams' and the gorgeous 'Sleep Tight', hot off the press. By the way, I'm typing this on the plane as the other passengers board - this is why apps are so great!

... Christmas is a coming

Today at Designer Mart was certainly a good pointer as to what people are looking for for Christmas. 'Just You', was an outright winner, but the Christmas(sy) prints were favourites with 'Foxy Dreams' and 'Sleep Tight' golden tints and a 'partridge in a pear tree' lovely robust feel. See piccies.

Tomorrow will be a work from home day, a spot of nice relaxed Lino cutting, woo hoo, bring it!

Lewis Glucksman Gallery

Ah, the joys of this space. What an amazing fair to do. Bright, light, spacious and relaxed, what more could you ask for! Here's some pics of the beautiful architecture and interior space - clean-lines-tastic! For anyone who doesn't know where to find it, it's in the grounds of UCC just a skip from Cork city.

How did I get on you might ask? It was so nice to have my first fair outside of Dublin here. I worked really hard on my display prior to the show, and with the new 'FAWN' logo that was essentially launched here, I'm happy to say it was all very well received... Particularly the gift boxes which got a lot of attention!

Preparations for Creative Island

So I know it's coming up to the C-time (apparently, I'm allowed to say the actual word after Halloween), however I've been busy designing new work, the new logo and new displays. I have a lovely spot for Creative Island in January, and one of the new pieces I will be showcasing are these two, 'swoosh' and 'just you' - some of you may have already seen these bit thought I'd share the excellent photos, courtesy of Trevor Harte Photography! The end!!!

New website now live!

Quick post just to let y'all know the new site is now live - a few tweaks to make (and possibly a much larger, general tweak!) but I think it's looking great. Take a look http://www.theprintingrooms.ie/index.html, or at fawn.ie and, although I've been promising for many weeks now, a discount code will be sent out to anyone on the mailing list early next week, so don't forget to get your name down!

New website... Nearly there!

It's been a fiddly, busy few months. Not quite feeling like I'm getting a huge amount done, but in reality quite a bit has moved on with the Printing Rooms. The website is in the final stages of being completed; some lovely packaging, after quite some trial and error, and lots of research, has been finalised. A few interesting projects coming up, and lots of finalising of 'things'. In between all of this, I have been trying to design a few new pieces, and will knuckle down to this in the next week or so.

So to satiate you, here's a wee pic of the new packaging, available now in the lovely Liberties in Westport. They fit my smaller printed frames, are laser cut with the flamingo pink tissue or (grr, manly) black tissue, with ribbon handle... still testing the strength of the handle and have swung it around a fair bit, but looks like it's good to go!

Don't forget to add your details to the mailing list, if you're interested in hearing about new site launch offers!

some pics of Bloom work

Nothing much to report from The Printing Rooms Studio except a lot of printing has been happening in preparation for Bloom in the Park, 31st May - 4th June. I promised on my last post that I would load completed images of new work once done, so that's all, here they are!

If I can get spare tickets for Bloom, I'll be posting updates on Facebook, so don't forget to like the page to keep updated!

Bloom preparations

Looking forward to being a part of the Crafts Council of Ireland section in Bloom this year (31st May - 4th June, although, when I tried to enter it into my diary, I realised there was no 31st May in it, bizarre!).

Working on a few new pieces just for Bloom, have a few test-prints completed - my current favourite 'Swoop' see below.. it's a really energetic print (teeny, about 6x6cm) but packs a punch and I'll be trying out something new with the framing to see if it works. I'll post some pics when the prints are printed up properly.

I may also consider introducing my lavender bags again, if I have time, and looking forward to playing around with the display given that we are currently in prime Summer (ahem). If I can get spare tickets for Bloom, I'll be posting updates on Facebook, so don't forget to like the page to keep updated!

nice parcels!

As this year is all about change, large and small, I am in the middle of doing a bit of research for my packaging, labels, bags etc... fiddling really, but coming across some beautifully packaged 'things', so this post will feature lots of interesting and beautiful packages or lables, all a little different, a bit clever, and very very simple. So, from the rustic...

...to the cute

... to the edible.

 ...but my ultimate favourite....

Don't forget to like my facebook page and follow for more regular/daily updates!

studio, nicely settled

pic 1

Not quite the immediate pics I promised, but finally got there, and nicely settled into new studio. Have a look at the after shots (just click here for the before!) My favourite spot is in pic 1 - luckily I've been able to re-use all of the props that I bought for various pop-up shops and exhibitions and they've now found a (hopefully) permanent home.

Lovely new floor, thanks to the other half, and a nice comfy chair thanks to the Ma.... after hours of printing, this chair is a life-saver.

Pics 2 and 3 show my desk area and the pegs for my 'drying line' for freshly printed prints... and obviously my clunking etching press. Hopefully soon I'll be adding to my range of equipment with some silk screens and possibly an exposure unit... watch this lovely space!

pic 2

pic 3

Don't forget to like my facebook page and follow for more regular/daily updates!

Stoodio update

It may look like a sea of dull concrete grey, but to me it heralds endless possibilities... the studio, not the floor exactly. In my excitement at making a nice space that I will be happy to work long (looooooooooong) hours, I ripped up the old dusty, oil-paint covered carpet, and with it ripped up the existing cement level. hours of hoovering, mopping and sealing every square inch, cursing the floor, and everyone else, but the work was worth it as it meant the lovely Nick was able to re-level the floor today. Once dry, I will be able to do a final paint of skirting and then move my studio into it's new premises. Really looking forward to it. In fact, can't wait.

New Studio Space.... before

State a da'! so, here we go, piccies of The Printing Rooms new studio space - for those of you familiar with it, it's Mox.ie studios, Pembroke Row, D.2. Just to make it clear, these are the before pics... I will be arming myself with cleaning and painting tools next week, and hope to have a slightly improved after pic, and maybe even a during one. Right, back to the list-making and logistics of moving a small but heaving space!

big, fat sigh of relief

no pics (boooooo!)

it's been a long time coming, but finally I've managed to sort a studio space that ticks all the boxes (proximity to home, cost, size). It's on hold for me, so let's hope nothing happens in the meantime.

I won't tell you where it is yet, or upload any piccies, but will keep y'all posted next week. Needed to say, I feel as though a weight has been lifted. I haven't moved yet, but it means I can spend a happy week next week beautifying the space, and moving my stuff in for the official move day of 5th March (and then start work straight away on newer pieces). HALLELUJAH!

Showcase - quick update

As usual, a perfectly executed photograph by myself... you get the picture though.

So, Showcase. A really interesting and worthwhile experience, met some great new creative peeps, and overall a really worthwhile, albeit expensive experience. It has focused me more on where I need to move forward, but it's also reminded me of the importance of taking time off. I had been focused on this show for 6-8 weeks, full throttle, so it's time to 'work clever'. Preparing a few orders for next week, and updating the website, more aware that the down-time is just as important as the full-on, up-for-it, work-work-work, which up until now has been all the time.

Right, siesta time!

Showcase teasers

As I mentioned in my last blog entry, The Printing Rooms will be at Showcase, RDS next week, stand B31, City Enterprise area. Promised a brief new entry with some teaser images (teaser is code for really really bad photographs) of the new products I'll have, and here we go, three pics!

If you need further (more regular) updates, like or follow us on FB!

 

Show-ho-ho-Case 2012

As I didn't get around to updating the blog pre-Christmas, I thought I'd add a little Christmas cheer (a bit late, I know... or early maybe) with an occasional ho-ho-ho. So after a very brief hiatus (Christmas day), I have started cracking on with preparations for a whole new range of prints which I will be, ahem showcasing at Showcase. This is a trade-only event, but should give me a great idea of where to progress and what to progress.

Showcase kicks off at the RDS on Sunday, 22nd (that's months away, right? right?) and goes on for 4 days. Looking forward to it (nervously, ho-ho..no), as this will be my first big-scale fair. I won't say I'm ready (I'm not), but I'm not too far off.

Wish me luck, there will be a definite lull in communications over the next few weeks, although will try and send through a few teasers pics!

(oh, and Happy New Year!)