Have a great weekend everyone. I’m off now for a long weekend by the sea! Back on Monday.

This week started well with a package from Weavermania Productions. The talented Stephanie Ablett creates beautiful scarves which she weaves on a traditional antique loom. You can choose from a number of shades and styles including houndstooth, honeycomb and log cabin. I ordered one of the gorgeous little ‘itty bitty’ brooches cleverly crafted from soft wool mixes.

Check out Stephanie’s work at http://stephaniescarves.etsy.com

Read more at http://weavermania.blogspot.com

Cups of coffee and tea at the ready. Sit back and follow Janice Jong through a typical day in her life.

To begin my ’Day in the Life’ I should mention first off that I’m not a full-time artist. I’m going to skip past my non-artist existence and concentrate on the creative side of things.

Radio 4 in the Morning

I wake up to my radio alarm, usually set to Radio 4 for my daily dose of what’s going on in the outside world, shortly followed by my alarm clock because I need a bit of a kick to get out of bed, especially in the winter. Once I’m clean and dressed I head downstairs and check my email and see how my online shop’s doing. Then, assuming this is a “studio” day I get out my favourite drawing instrument, my trusty dip-pen, and a sketchpad, or if it’s one of those nice days when I’ve got an order I’ll get that ready to post first. And I have to make sure to update my log book of transactions.

My So-Called Studio

I’m pretty minimal in my creative process, I tend to just get a snippet of a picture, like a shop sign or with one of my current pieces, a sweet dispenser, in my head and if I think it might develop into something put it straight down it ink. I don’t usually do rough sketches or even keep much of a sketchbook; I’m always fascinated by other people’s. The one I have at the moment is tiny and although it has a few fairly illegible scribbles it’s mainly filled with words and ’to do’ lists. Here’s an example from a couple weeks back.

“Inspiration ’ Rear Window ’ Hitchcock”

I do get a lot of inspiration from films and animation, as well as just walking around towns and cities and seeing interesting bits of architecture and glimpses of life. In my illustrations I like to create scenes and the hint of a story.

My creative workspace is in the dining area of my living/dining room, essentially the dining table and computer desk (both in dyer need of some dreaded tidying), although occasionally it leaks over to the sofa in front of the telly. I love seeing what other artists and designers are doing so I spend a bit of time visiting my favourite blogs, and if I’ve got something to share, writing on my own blog, http://drawinginthebackroom.blogspot.com, I’ve had some lovely comments. I spend a lot of time on the computer, my illustrations are digitally coloured and I usually spend more time colouring than drawing, usually with the music player on, I can’t work in silence. I also devote time to investigating new ways to promote and improve my shop, and ideas and supplies for new products, at the moment I’m working on adding greeting cards to my range.

At the End of the Day

Because my home is my studio I don’t really finish working until I go to bed, which is usually after midnight, though when I do need to step back I watch a film or some TV, preferably something with a bit of humour. Or, if I’ve got a good book, I might read that in bed.

So, what do I like about being an indie artist/designer?

Well, I’m only 3 months in so this is bound to change, but so far I’m really enjoying having my own little business, it’s so great that I can create things I love and there are people out there who will like it enough to want it for themselves, or for a friend. Also, having an online business open to international buyers means that my prints are in homes around the world. That’s such a great thought.

What do I dislike?

I guess what comes with being my own boss is that I’m responsible for absolutely everything and if something goes wrong, which it hasn’t yet thankfully, it’s completely down to me to sort it out. But, of course, it’s worth it to do this.

Buy from http://janicej.etsy.com
Read about Janice at http://drawinginthebackroom.blogspot.com

A huge thank you to Janice for sharing her day.

If you’ve been walking around with your eyes closed, it may have escaped your attention that it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday. (For the UK anyway.) If you’re struggling for inspiration we’ve put together a few ideas.

1. Evelope and Tag Set by Beverley Hicklin

2. Candyfloss Neckwarmer at Betty Joy

3. Wristie in Ivory at Tilly Jane

4. Ice Cream Cushion by Hunky Dory Home

5. Vanilla Bean Noel (Bath and Body Works Type) Goat’s Milk Soap by Cozy Moments

6. Blue Elephant Key Fob at Sweet Acorn Store

7. Geisha Girls T-Shirt at Cute Culture Clothing

8. ‘You’ll make a good girl crazy, if you don’t treat her like a lady’ Necklace by JBee Jewellery

9. Annabelle Clutch Bag at Betty Joy

10. Wool Scarf- Recycled Argyle by Thinking Mama

11. Hidden Tulips Tee by Urban Tulip

12. Waiting - Original Coloured Pencil Drawing on Paper by Art Angel

Note: Some of these sellers are based overseas. Therefore, if you need delivery by the weekend you’ll need to get your skates on.

Carry Me Home is a quirky online shop for babies, little men and little ladies. It’s full of bibs, babygrows, toys, knitwear and other lovely treats.

The brand started life on Spitalfields Market, where you can still find them on Sundays. And from Spitalfields to Carnaby Street they grew and grew and now have their own little corner of cyberspace, where you can find their signature slogan bibs, t-shirts and babygrows and other goodies from a host of talented designers.

Check them out at www.carrymehome.co.uk.