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.

Artist, writer and illustrator Jessica Poundstone became interested in jewellery through her love of bright colours. Looking for ways to utilise the bold, vibrant patterns in her artwork, she began creating wearable art.

Each piece of jewellery is made from clear shrink plastic. Jessica cuts the plastic to size, adds the original illustration and it is then baked, painted and varnished. Each and every pendant is unique with small variations in shape, size and design and comes complete with a leather cord. Bespoke orders are welcomed.

Shop online at www.jewelrybyjessica.com.

A few years ago when the internet was relatively new, one my friends remarked that he had travelled all over the world via his PC. I remember thinking how amazing that was. Today we take it for granted. I regularly email people in the US and Europe and don’t give it a second thought. When I received a message from Iris Mishly in Israel, I had that same feeling again - a kind of awe that someone across the world was reading Indie Quarter and that they too were involved in craft and design.

Iris Mishly is a polymer clay artist. Her main focus is fashion accessories and jewellery the ‘millefiori’ way. Her colour combinations, patterns and designs are unusual and very pretty. My eye was immediately drawn to her Hamsa Home Decorations. Each decoration is made entirely of polymer clay and contains a Hebrew blessing for the home and for everyone who lives in it. Each one is unique.

Other items include charms, earrings and hair slides. And if you like to make your own accessories, Iris also sells polymer clay canes which can be cut and baked and used in a variety of art projects.

Buy from www.irismishly.etsy.com (international orders welcomed)
Read Iris’ blog at polymerionline.blogspot.com

Art, bags and jewellery. What better way to begin the week?

Laura Rodgers is an artist and maker whose work is based on beauty, luxury, craft and accessibility. With a background in Fine Art her work falls under two categories, her art practices and bag design, in which she works under the Ellie and Lou label with her friend and jewellery designer Sarah Jay.

Laura’s current work explores the idea of ‘time intensive craft’ which contrasts with the instant gratification culture we live in today. She is inspired by her grandparents’ ‘make do and mend’ generation.

For more information go to www.laurarodgers.co.uk.

Something a little bit different to round off the week. Deborah Moses is one of the UK’s most experimental and contemporary fused glass designers. Her family has a long history in commercial and art glass and Deborah began her own career after studying in London and Bristol.

Deborah’s inspiration comes from water, ice and rock formations, as well as her Cheshire surroundings. Her work includes sculptures, tables, chandeliers, wall art, platters and jewellery. My favourites are glass chandeliers. They remind me of my wedding day in Sweden. We stayed in the Ice Hotel where there was a chandelier made solely out of ice and lit with fibre optics - very similar to Deborah’s work.

Visit www.thesilverzebra.co.uk for more information.

I’ve fallen in love with these beautiful dolls and figurines by Janet Cooper. They remind me of the old Metz advert. Do you remember the Judderman? Or maybe a Tim Burton film? But Janet Cooper’s dolls and figurines have such an endearing quality about them that I just want to buy them all.

As well as the dolls, Janet also makes memory quilts and pendants. Take a look at www.janetcooperdesigns.com.

And if you can’t remember the Judderman, here’s a reminder.

Today’s theme is ‘the unusual’. Because I’m in that kind of a mood. As you probably know by now I’m a big fan of collage and mixed media art. I came across Wynter Whiteside’s work a little while ago and I’ve been dying to share it with you. In Wynter’s words she ’splice[s] open a secret world of fuzzy bunnies, succulent blueberries and faux fur sewed directly on raw canvas.’ Through her art she aims to tap into all of the senses, describing the process as spontaneous and experimental. Through ‘editing, decorating, and delicate mark making ‘ she eventually reaches a ‘gigantic sensory overload or even a soft, violet-scented whisper’.

Wynter will be curating the Sugarcraft exhibition which takes place in November at The Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit and will be travelling to Kasia Kay Art Projects in Chicago next summer. The exhibition includes the work of over 30 artists working with cake, candy and sugar. Fine artists, culinary chefs, and craft oriented designers from all over the world will be exhibiting and Wynter herself will be displaying her edible artwork.

To enter into Wynter’s fascinating world go to www.okya.co.uk/wynterwhiteside.

Something a little bit different today. MishMoshArt is an online shop/gallery showcasing the handiwork of Suzanne Lappan. Suzanne describes herself as an ‘avid sewer, painter and all around insane crafter’. She creates paintings, bags, purses, art quilts and jewellery. But it’s her beautiful art dolls that grabbed my attention. Each doll is created using a variety of fabrics. They have paper clay painted faces and lovely mohair hair.

Take a look at www.mishmoshart.com.

Ooh and check out the pretty handmade buttons.