Another fascinating Day in the Life of feature, this time written by beadmaker Beverley Hicklin.

Early Morning Alarm Call

I’m usually up around 7am ’ typically with Millie, our Parson Jack Russell, jumping about on the bed ’ I’m ashamed to say she sleeps on (and in) our bed but my only justification is that she is simply gorgeous ’ my own ’studio hound’. First job of the day is to put on the Discovery Channel and make a cup of tea.

Start of the Day

I’m fortunate enough to work from home ’ I have a lovely big studio attached to the house so I tend to find I spend a lot of time in there. It’s a proper home from home ’ I have my computer in there, my photography area and my DVD player so I can see all my Kevin Spacey movies whilst working!

First thing in the morning will find me taking beads out of my kiln from the day before, cleaning them and then photographing them for my website. I’ll also be checking my emails and catching up with orders received overnight. I spend quite a bit of time wrapping up my beads as I think it’s important the ’whole package’ looks good when my parcel arrives through your letterbox. I make my own packaging and now sell that through my site too.

Working Day

If I’m not teaching in my studio or writing my monthly article for ’Beads & Beyond’ magazine, a typical day will find me sat at my torch experimenting with new glass, frit or tools. Bead making is becoming more and more popular in the UK and the choice we now have, glass-wise, is quite extensive so I love to try out new colours.

Students often can’t believe how quickly a day can disappear when you are wrapped up in yourself making beads. It’s very therapeutic, albeit strangely tiring, and the day just vanishes in what seems like a blink of an eye.

Sometimes I’ll stop for a quick snack at lunchtime but more often than not work through, especially if I’m feeling inspired and have a ’rhythm’ going.

The working day continues through until 7pm-ish, sometimes longer before I drag myself back into the house for a nice glass of wine. The rest of the evening is spent with my husband and thinking about what is going to come out of the kiln tomorrow.

Best Thing About Being an Indie Designer/Artist

I never forget what it was like to work in an office day in day out and hate it, so I give thanks that I now have the independence to be my own boss and, more importantly, to absolutely love what I do. I’d never want to go back to a ’normal’ career.

Worse Thing About Being an Indie Designer/Artist

I’m usually quite good at working alone but sometimes it can be very isolating. It’s important to keep in touch with others. One day I’d like to open an independent gallery/studio with selected artists working independently in one space, bouncing ideas off each other in a fun, creative, environment. I’m lining up all my arty friends for that one!

For more information and to shop online please visit www.beverleyhicklin.co.uk. Thank you Beverley!

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.

I met Jen Lewis last year at Fresh on the Market in Preston. Her stall was full of beautiful canvases combining paintings, illustrations and photography. She has recently expanded her collection to include pretty household textiles and accessories made from reclaimed fabrics.

Jen has kindly agreed to share a typical day in her life with us.

A Day in the Life of Jen Lewis

Up with the Lark

I work as a cleaner part time so Thursday to Saturday I’m up at 5.50am for work (and 7.50am every other Sunday)! On days I’m not cleaning I get up around 7.30am, if the weather outside isn’t being too cruel I’ll go out for a short walk to wake myself up, then back to the house for breakfast, which I try to keep healthy, although sometimes the easiest thing is a bowl of sugary cereal, and I have been known to prepare the odd “full English” on a Saturday morning! I don’t always have the TV on, but when I do it’s usually the digital sports news channel!

In an Artist’s Studio

I work from the spare room in my house, where I have a large work table, computer, loads of drawers and boxes full of materials, plus plenty of great books and magazines for inspiration!

I check my emails first thing, and if I have any orders that have been paid for the first job is to get them packed up and posted, luckily the Post Office is only a short walk so I’m there quite a lot, running errands! If I need any materials I would usually pop out first thing and get these too. Even though Longridge is a small market town, there are many useful facilities and shops, which mean the expensive bus trips into Preston are thankfully rare!

Then it’s back home to concentrate on either promoting my work through the web, or getting on with works in progress or sometimes painting commissions. Jimmy my pet budgie spends a lot of the day in his cage on the drawer unit next to my computer, and has sometimes been known to fly around and try to sabotage the computer keyboard! His constant chatter keeps me company throughout the day!

A Spot of Lunch

After sitting at a computer, over a canvas or sewing machine all morning, lunch is often a welcome break! My mum works in and around the Longridge area, so if she’s in the vicinity she will sometimes pop in for a spot of lunch with me. I also like to get out for some fresh air and get another short walk in around this time. Often I will come across something in the morning that I need for the afternoon’s work, so this is also the perfect time to pick any essential materials up.

Clocking Off

I usually get finished around 5-5.30pm but if I’ve been cleaning in the morning; I’m really ready to leave the studio from 4pm onwards! I cook myself tea, trying to be as healthy as possible, although I slip to the occasional pizza or Chinese takeaway when the budget allows! Some evenings I will carry on working, or browsing the internet for inspiration and looking at others’ work. If I have work the next day, I’m usually in bed by 8-8.30pm; but a big part of my life is watching football, and if Preston North End are playing I’m either down at the Deepdale ground for the evening, or listening intently on the radio (the same scenario occurs on all Saturdays between August and May)! I’m a passionate fan and, believe it or not, shouting at those players really helps me relax after a hard day being creative!

Every once in a while there’s a gig in one of the local towns or cities (mainly Manchester), and my mum and I love these evenings where we dance the night away with great rock bands; believe it or not another great source of relaxation time!

Thing I Like Best About Being an Indie Designer/Artist

It sounds silly, but I just love to be creative in general, and to come up with fantastic original ideas. I also like to think that my products can brighten up people’s lives (cheesy as it sounds) and that I can make a worthwhile difference somehow!

Things I Like the Least About Being an Indie Designer/Artist.

I honestly can’t think of anything. Apart from a bit more cash flow (!), there’s nothing that I’d want to change, I LOVE being an indie designer/artist!

For more infoemation read Jen’s blog at www.illustratorjen.blogspot.com.
Buy online at www.illustratorjen.etsy.com.

We haven’t had a ‘Day in the Life of Feature’ for a little while. Indie artist Gina Blam has graciously offered to put her typical day under the microscope for your reading pleasure.

Early Start

I get up around 7.10am and before that first much-needed coffee of the day I usually check to see if my sprogs are awake and starting to get ready. I don’t usually have time to listen to the radio or watch television and I usually grab a couple of breakfast bars so I don’t faint on my way out the door!

The Office

I work from home, but first there’s the school run to do! After all the palava of the morning I usually get back and get started by around 9am. I spend a lot of time checking emails, post and fulfilling orders. There isn’t anything I really hate about my business and I enjoy hearing from people, contacting new fellow indie artists/designers and of course actually designing. My favourite part of my work is when I have found inspiration for a new design and after a few rough sketches and paintings, it’s time to get down to the final image.

After that the really exciting bit is when I take pictures of my work and display them online for people to view and then hopefully buy.

Working Mum

It is a definite plus working from home as a mum, because I’m not tied to an office, if my children are ill I’m here to look after them. Also being my own boss was always very important to me, so after many years of trying to find something that suited my personality perfectly, this was the one that made mostly all of the puzzle pieces fit.

The Great Indie Lunch

I usually eat at home, although sometimes I meet up with friends or my mum. Lunch can be between half an hour to an hour. In the summer months (i.e. the summer holidays) lunches are usually a bit longer to ensure a bit of sunshine time. When I do this, I make up for the work later in the evening.

Clocking Off

I finish work in stages. 3pm is when I stop for a bit to do the school run, although even then if there are orders to send out I’m still strictly speaking working at that time when I go to the post office. I have family time from about 4pm til half 7 and then it’s back to drawing, painting, research and/or paperwork, including keeping the accounts correct.

I properly chill out from 9pm and watch television, usually something funny or one of those silly celeb reality shows. Bedtime is usually 10pm.

The absolute thing I like best about being an indie designer is the freedom to explore my own ideas and individuality without being constrained by other people. There’s nothing really I dislike but I guess it would be great to meet more people as working from home can occasionally be a little isolating if you don’t make the effort to see people.

Blam Designs creates and paints contemporary and retro motifs onto furniture and homewares and sells limited edition original artworks. Still curious? Find out more about Gina’s work and buy online at www.blamdesigns.co.uk.

If you are interested in writing a ‘Day in the Life off’ feature for Indie Quarter, please contact me and I will send you some guidelines. All Day in the Life of Features receive a one month free banner ad.

Remember Miki from Marmalade Ho? Last year she wrote a candid account of her experience at The Clothes Show Live. Well, she’s back. And not only does she have some kickin’ new designs to show off buts she’s kindly written an account of the 2nd Dirty Fashion Sale which took place in Brighton a couple of months ago.

Hi! Hope this latest blog finds you all funky monkeys! It’s been busy busy here at Marmalade Ho HQ.

Marmalade Ho had great fun at the 2nd Dirty Fashion Sale held at the Fabrica Gallery in Duke St. Brighton (June 16th ’ June 17th). We got to meet lots of other independent and handcrafted labels, I think there were 40 different labels at the event in total. Everyone was really friendly. There was an amazing eclectic mix of styles.

Junkie Lovers were there with fantastic plastic accessories, Ophelia Fancy with saucy cute underwear perfect for any wannabe 1940s screen siren. Emma Ferguson who makes these amazing retro appliqu?d cushions and accessories. Dolly Dagger, Get Cutie and Yamama were there too. As well as lots of cool French retro finds from Shock and Soul. Not forgetting the organisers of the event, Red Mutha and of course Marmalade Ho! A few designers were local to Brighton but many were out of towners as were the shoppers!

The little Fabrica gallery was heaving at times. There was live DJ-ing constantly throughout the event, but those with hangovers were lulled in with some more chilled tunes on the Sunday morning. Despite the little gallery heaving with goodies there was still a curtain to hide behind and whip your top off for the less impulsive shopper.

Looks like there will be another Dirty Fashion Sale follow up next year, rumour has it there might be more than one a year soon, so watch this space!

As if you need another excuse to go to Brighton? Thanks for reading.

Thank you Miki! If you’re interested in taking a stall at or visiting Dirty Fashion Sale then contact the organiser at www.myspace.com/redmutha.