i like pens

sorry...

2010-03-19T02:46:00.000-07:00

hello, i have been so so busy since christmas that my illustration work has taken a back seat. cherry cherry is moving to its very own shop so i have been frantically painting, wallpapering, cleaning etc! if all goes according to plan cherry cherry will open at 20 lower goat lane on april 3rd, so if you're about pop in and say hey. take a look at the cc blog for progress updates and general delights...

in other news i forgot to post a little pic of the work i did for harrods...there is now quite a range with my cupcake design on...great

christmas cards...

2009-10-30T04:19:00.000-07:00

i have christmas cards for sale in my shop now...with only 2 months to go its time to get buying...

guten tag

2009-10-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

i have just come back from a few days in munich. ive never been to germany before and it was amazing. i went to a cute little village on the border of germany and austria, saw houses that looked like cockoo clocks and drank some really good beer! i also ate some excellent cake and saw lots of sausage dogs. i will post some pictures in the next few days.
i have been so so busy with cherry cherry that my personal work has been put on the back burner. however i have some interesting projects in the pipeline so watch this space. my notebooks are to be featured in the financial times, how to spend it magazine, sometime in november...this is pretty darn exciting.

2009-09-28T02:24:00.000-07:00

i have been extremely busy since i last blogged, and it doesnt seem to be slowing down...which i guess is good but i could really do with a holiday! so ive been doing some work for Harrods, and my notebooks are now being stocked in Liberty...which is unbelievably exciting. i also have a few more new stockists in the shape of Welcome Home in Glasgow and Babahogs art cafe in Falmouth...they have budgies so go check it out!

Bust craftacular...

2009-09-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

finally ive got round to adding some images from the Bust fair that took place the other week in London. Twas a lovely day, and i managed to meet lots of ace people...

Love To Print...Obsession Zine

2009-07-31T08:48:00.001-07:00

Me and the folks in Love To Print have made this ace zine. It's called Obsession and it features the work of Karoline Rerrie, Gemma Correll, Jess Bradley, Kate Seaward (me), Claire Lynch, Sarah Lynch, Sarah Ray, Ruth Green & Yee Ting Kuit.
It's limited edition so pick one up over in my shop...here sharpish.

busy times...

2009-06-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

hello! I've been very busy lately...doing a design for a Harrods shopping bag, which, after a lot of amendments, is finally finished. Once I get pics I will post them for the world to see!
I have also been busy with Cherry Cherry, which is going well, busy with my after school art club...kids are so funny, and busy looking after my new cat ,Ned, who is a mega pest! Also look out for some new cards coming soon:)

Me and the Fine City gang will be making some appearances at a few craft fairs over the next few months...the first one being the Candy Floss fair in Sheffield on July 18th, see the website for details, and the second one is the Craftwerk fair in London on August 1st, so pop along to either, or both if you're a fan, and buy some fabulous goodies!

introducing...ned kelly

2009-05-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

i got a cat last week...hes called ned kelly after the australian outlaw! hes a bit of a tear away but tres fun...ahhh ive never had a cat before, its funny!

Cherry Cherry...open for business

2009-04-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

finally cherry cherry is open for business...me and gemma (correll) have set up shop within th eperfect pad, norwich. we sell handmade contemporary craft items made by very talented folk, such as kelly robb, julia pott, beth morrison as well as lots more...if you're about in the fine city pop in and have a rummage! or look at our blog here

woop woop first day of summer

2009-03-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

well it's officially the first day of summer today...however I don't know about anyone else but I'm still feeling a little chilly!

anyway to brighten up your days i have some cute new notebooks for sale over in my etsy shop...take a look HERE

2009-03-24T02:05:00.000-07:00

hellooooooooo....the fine city friends tootled off to london on saturday for 'a little bazaar' held at the amersham arms, new cross. there were cakes and clothes and half price food which was nice!

carrying on the flow of craft fairs we will be having our usual stall at clutter city this saturday at the arts centre, norwich. it's clutter citys 1 st birthday...yay so treats all round.

cherry cherry

2009-03-03T12:57:00.001-08:00

yay so me and miss correll are setting up shop...Cherry Cherry will open in 5 weeks time and i can't wait. we'll be selling a lovely selection of cool crafty bits 'n' pieces so keep your eyes peeled for more news and info.

i got samples of my house's for artforum yesterday and was so excited...as it was the first time i had actually seen them. look at them here

Love To Print

2009-02-21T03:11:00.000-08:00

Please take a look at this lovely limited edition box set of prints...either gocco or screen printed by 7 wonderful artists:

Sarah Ray

Kate Seaward

Karoline Rerrie

Claire Lynch

Yee Ting Kuit

Sarah Lynch

Gemma Correll

you can buy one of these little beauts on my etsy shop...www.ilikepens.etsy.com

love is in the air...

2009-02-08T07:26:00.000-08:00

not long until valentines day now so best get prepared...head over to my etsy dawanda shop for some lovely goodies that won't break the bank. and get a hand printed card card with budgies on too!

...and its february

2009-02-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

not that i want to wish the months away but im pretty glad that january is over...although its snowing i feel that we are a wee bit closer to seeing some sun and feeling warmer!

its been a weird start to the year but i have been keeping busy...im working on a card range at the mo and me and the correll that is gemma, are doing a little business venture so keep your eyes peeled for info on that soon!

my artforum work is done and dusted and is being launced at the spring fair today in birmingham so fingers crossed i get a good response from that...see the pic above and let me know what you think!

also new stuff for sale in my shop...www.ilikepens.co.uk including valentines cards and pocket mirrors...woop

happy new year

2009-01-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

christmas and new year have been and gone and now that's all over with all i can think about is when the sun will start shining again! hopefully soon...

above is the mini protest board i did for zara arshads 60 years project...you can read all about it here

the day we went to the big smoke...

2008-12-09T10:18:00.000-08:00

so us country bumpkins...the fine city friends, made our merry way down to London on saturday for the BUST craftacular. it was a complete success and very well worth it, even though London Town is one scary place! the fair was held in some kind of social club a bit like the phoenix nights! take a look at the photos...

Bust Craftacular...

2008-11-30T11:21:00.000-08:00

So...me and my fine city friends are doing the bust fair next saturday which should be a great day. please come along, if you're out and about in London on that day, for christmas pressies and lots and lots of festive fun!

roll up roll up!

2008-11-26T12:46:00.000-08:00

yay, christmas cards are now available in my etsy shop (click here), featuring such things as penguins, robins, snow globes and snow...how festive can you get! ch ch check it out now!

there's no business like snow business...see what i did there!

2008-11-22T12:55:00.000-08:00

clutter city was a roaring success today, despite the fact it was snowing. i'm completely divided when it comes to snow...i like it because it looks pretty and is a bit of a novelty...i hate it because it is cold, and i really dislike being cold, especially when my favourite boots leak and my feet get wet. so anyway we were pleasantly suprised as to how many people made it out and bought our wares!
great news on the craft fair front...fine city friends have a stand at the BUST\'s 2008 Christmas Craftacular taking place on Saturday, December 6th, at the St. Aloysious Social Hall. this will be very exciting and i can't wait, so if you're about pop in and see us!
my christmas cards will definatley be up in the shop on monday...so keep your eyes peeled for those bad boys!

christmas time, mistletoe and wine...

2008-11-19T02:55:00.000-08:00

i know i shouldn't be excited about christmas yet but i am...i can't help it! i think whta tipped me over the edge was collecting my lovely new christmas cards from the printers on friday, then coming home to a roaring fire and roasted chestnuts...how very festive!
anyway enough of that...the christmas clutter city is on saturday 22nd nov and the fine city friends will be in attendance. hopefully we will see your lovely faces there buying christmas gifts handmade by me and my elvish friends!
also this week i bought a gocco printing press...its probably one the coolest things ive bought and i cant wait to get cracking on it...so watch this space for some limited edition prints!

karaoke, christmas and cake

2008-11-15T04:01:00.000-08:00

well it was my birthday yesterday and i had a delightful time doing karaoke with my lovely friends! I think Miss Correll wins the award for best rendition of Circle of Life by Elton John...it was a stunner!

Anyway apart from birthday treats i collected my new and wonderful christmas cards from the printers...on of which you can see above! these will be for sale very soon in my shop and in various stores around the UK...see my list of stockists for more details. Or you can find me and the fine city friends next week at the Clutter City Fair at the Arts Centre Norwich.

on a final note...yay its saturday!

back down to earth!

2008-10-21T02:10:00.000-07:00

well it's been a while...i am now back from my oz-nz adventure and i had the best time ever. i have driven about 5000 miles, swam in waterfalls, snorkeled with fishes, skied(!)...on the whole had a crazy time!

but now it's back to 'i like pens'!

my threadless design...please vote!

2008-08-12T01:29:00.000-07:00

ay up please vote for my threadless t-shirt design by clicking on the link !

2 weeks til lift off

2008-08-09T06:32:00.000-07:00

yay it's 2 weeks until i jet off to oz and nz...can't wait. be so nice to be in the sunshine!

i've got a tonne of stuff to do before i go though...doing some lovely notebooks for a lovely design company...you can see a snip it but not too much just yet!

2008-08-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

this week i have been mainly...drawing, sitting in the garden, having my car towed home from the beach, and getting excited about Oz!

clutter city was a success at the weekend, although we were stuck in the dark when the sun had his hat on. see the fine city friends blog for pics...gemmas new shrinkles went down a storm!

i need to write on my blog more...i'm getting a bit slack!

everyone loves the bees

2008-07-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

along with 'Mizz' my busy bee notebook has also been featured in 'Essentials' magazine this month...August is obviously the month of the bee! you can grab yourself one of these little beauts in my shop http://www.ilikepens.co.uk/ go on...you know you want to!

when will i, will i be famous...

2008-07-10T03:22:00.000-07:00

i hope you got up bright and early this morning to be the first in line to buy todays 'Mizz' magazine! how exciting my Busy bee notebook has been featured on the 'Bag a bargain' page, along side wares from Lazy Oaf and LadyLuckRulesOk.

summer loving...

2008-07-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

i went to scarborough this weekend...i love that place and even though it rained it didn't stop me from having a good time.

in the space of a day i went to a wedding, ate a tonne of cake, had a nap, went for a walk on the seafront, ate chips, ate pizza, watched deal or no deal, and slept in a tent...not bad!

snakey b

2008-06-30T07:53:00.001-07:00

Never Again!

2008-06-29T05:27:00.001-07:00

We had a fine city friends day out at 'pukewood hills' yesterday...formally known as pleasurewood hills !

Zara and Anthony were not in attendance as they were too scared of the swingy chairs and how right they were! As you can see from the above photo sequence Helen, Gemma and me felt as sick as a dog when we got off our 2 hr ride! It wern't a pretty sight I tell thee!

2008-06-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to mention a website I just stumbled upon...sarahknight.com sarah's illustrations are amazing so please check it out! She is part of a collective called honest four...another member is Kelly Bryne who's work is equally cool! If you're out and about in the Bristol area they're having some exhibitons.

2008-06-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

Yikes it's been a while...I've been a mega busy bee of late and things don't seem to be getting any less hectic. It's all good really, keeps me busy and out of mischief.

I had a stall at 'Strictly not highstreet' yesterday, which was interesting! Gemma and Zara came and kept me company for a bit, Gemma brought one of her new creations along...a moustache necklace which I think is ace and am going to get one. Zara was looking tres French and bought us strawberry chocolates which were lovely...thanks Zara.

Iv'e got new stuff in the shop so check check check it out...here and make a note to purchase Mizz magazine on the 10th July as hopefully my sketchbooks will be featured...yay.

Full steam ahead

2008-05-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

This last week has been a bit on the manic side...as I have been beavering away to get things sorted for the Clutter City Market. It was a complete success though so was worth it.

It doesn't stop there though as I have another busy couple of weeks ahead, mainly consisting of work experience and commissions. There are not enough hours in the day!

I just wanted to mention also a Frnch singer who goes by the name of Francois...his music is lovely and his website is definatley worth a visit. Take a look at his drawings and animations.

Anyway, I have some new stuff on my website, including some envelopes made from envelopes ad some badge packs! woop check them out.

Clutter City...and my desk

2008-05-21T02:35:00.001-07:00

I thought I would post a little picture of my work space so you can see where the magic happens! Actually, you can see where I get stressed out because I can never find anything...it took me about 45mins to find my camera lead this morning!

I also just wanted to mention the Clutter City Market that is happening this Saturday at Norwich Art Centre...be there or be a square!

sun sun and more sun

2008-05-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

How cool is this ice cream van...pretty old school?

I thought it was funny. Yes I have been trying to do work but this is what happens when it's sunny outside, I just get distracted!

The sun has got his hat on, hip hip hip hip hooray!

2008-04-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

You lucky people...have a little sneaky peek at some exclusive good luck cards that are hot off the press...designed for a friend who is dancing for Kylie's X tour...even designed a card for the wee pop star herself! bit proud of these!

Time flies

2008-04-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

Jeez louise i can't believe it's been a week since i last put pen to paper...or fingers to keys in this case! I've been a busy bee...working, drawing and making things. I now have a rather small but very painful blister on my finger from making 180 beads out of paper! That's dedication.

Got a tone of things that I need to get done this week, mainly work for people.

My lovely new friend Gemma Correll posted a lovely snippet about me on her blog t'other day so thought I would return the favour and put a little pic of hers up here. It's above!

Migrain attack part 2!

2008-04-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

Second installment for today...just wanted to add some pics from the fair on saturday.

Migrain attack!

2008-04-16T03:39:00.000-07:00

I had a migrain last night...think it may have had something to do with the amount of time i spent on the computer. Das ist nicht so gut ja?
Before that i did get some bits and pieces done. will post some pics up a bit later. Au revoir!

Fine City Friends Fair

2008-04-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

What a productive weekend I've had.
Thanks so much to Gemma, Zara, Helen and everyone else for letting me join them yesterday at the Fine City Fair...was tres fun and lovely to see how much cool stuff is going on in Norwich. I'm looking forward to taking part in future events!
Plus my website is now up and running, complete with shop, so 'tis all good!

First Blog...how very exciting

2008-04-06T05:04:00.000-07:00

This feels a bit weird...i'm not really sure who will read this as nobody knows I have a blog yet!Well anyway it is Sunday...my first day off work in 4 days so I have a lot of stuff to catch up on, mainly involving emails:( I went to the circus on Thursday it was really good, I especially liked the trapese people!