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....

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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

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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!