Great Things.....Tiny Packages

Don't get me wrong - I love my house, but it is small, to the point my mother comments on it's lack of size each time she visits. Like everyone's house - mine is a work in progress, all of the time, you finish one job and there's another shouting you at to be started! 


These days there always seems to be an emphasis on where you work, and if you work from home - do you have an office, a studio, a workshop?  Let's cut to the chase here - I live in a three bedroomed end terrace, with two children, a husband (who does have a workshop - but far too cold and messy for me to work in, I tried), and no spare room and no room to swing a hamster, let alone a cat.  Dreams of a studio in the garden keep being put on hold for one reason or another.....

So, sick of working at my kitchen table, I decided to get create my own space on our landing (I can hear the laughter from here).  I do cheat from time to time and do all my sewing downstairs and any messy jewellery projects - like Silver Art Clay, but for the most part, I work at my little wooden school desk, surrounded by my tools, semi precious stones, admin, and books filled with cuttings and photos of things that inspire me, action lists and wish lists. I've even got space for my much loved hammock - my place for chilling out with a cuppa and a book.  And do you know what?  It works and I have that mantra - great things come in tiny packages.......

Being the optimist that I am, I am waiting patiently for work on my studio to start.  The space is cleared, swing set sold, David has drawn up some rough plans, permission has been asked from the adjoining neighbours, I have collected two sets of drawers for storage (awaiting me spraying them) and purchased a welcome sign.......all I need now is David to find some time!

UK Handmade Summer Issue

Some of you may know that I am now a features writer for the fabulous and creative UK Handmade Team.  At UK Handmade we focus on all things creative, from sewing, jewellery making, ceramics, you name it........and shout from the roof tops about the amazing talent we have here in the UK!

In addition to the daily updated blogs featuring meeting makers, peeking into their studios, tutorials - right down to business advice and sharing recipes the UK Handmade Team produce a magazine several times a year that packs a punch!

The Summer Issue is out now and can be read online here 

In this issue I have interviewed the talented force behind Milomade - Evie Milo, a designer and avid recycler based in Scotland, written a tutorial for making Summer bunting and got behind the scenes with designer Kirsty Elson, whose love of the coast influences her work.

Hope you enjoy reading!