Photo: recent sketchbook pages
Hello, another busy week and here we are in December. For me December begins with family birthdays and much crafting, art-making, planning and unfortunately some paperwork. I like to get my tax return paperwork done before Christmas and usually this happens, sort of, but maybe 80% done…. I set aside an hour or two each day to get this chore processed, gritting my teeth as I remember how to use a calculator, rummaging through receipts and wondering what it might be like to be a hyper organised business person.
It’s not easy right now to be a one-woman business with inflation and postal strikes added into the mix. I think of all the small businesses that hope and pray for a good December and really feel fortunate for my humble, simple and fortunate business. I have some absolutely lovely customer /collectors, as well as artist friends who encourage me along the way. So thank you! This December, may I say a simple thanks for supporting not only my business but any other small one-or-two person business you may buy from.
Here are just a few of the many artists/makers out there I would recommend to you:
Champignons - hand pulled screenprints - fantastic for all nature lovers
Deb also has her own newsletter - with the fantastic name: The breakfast of champignons
Jo Aylward is a favourite artist of mine - I have got to know her work via Instagram and enjoy seeing her bird paintings especially - as a bird watcher and because she paints so much character into her birds.
Maureen Nathan - is a multi-talented artist and also happens to be a great Scrabble player - I know this because we have played online game after game, for at least a trillion hours. Yes, Maureen is a friend indeed and I happen to enjoy her artwork very much.
I will share more links next week
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Hmmm… here’s a photo of my handmade tree. You may remember last week I mentioned not being exactly thrilled by it. I had spent quite a bit of time sewing the branches in dark green wool felt. They are wired and connect to a solid paper ‘trunk’ that is now painted brown. I hope this idea gives you at least an idea…. I like it simply with the small copper wire lights and sitting in this vintage tin. So, after all that, I like it!
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A few small stories from this week
Daughter arrives home from a busy day working at the post office (you may imagine what is like especially at the moment). There are damp pillowcases hanging from our dining table. Damp pillowcases with sheets of handmade paper on them, drying gently in the warm room…. This is not the best time of year to make paper (a warm summer day is best) but when I feel like making paper - when I ‘need’ to make paper - I do. Using the deckle and mould my grandfather made for me back in the 90’s gives me a connection to him, to his own making. I ask my daughter if she has noticed anything and explain the pillowcases will not be dangling from the table on a permanent basis - this is not a new interiors design fad. Daughter tells me: she is used to seeing something different every time she comes home and if there wasn’t something to see she would be a little worried. I reflect on this.
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I walk up the street, just our little stretch of six or seven houses. There are squashed rose hips and the moss is so green from so much rain. There’s a chill in the air. I’ve spent so much time indoors lately, I am going to need ‘hardening off’ as gardeners harden seedlings before planting out. But now I surprised too by how much I like the cool damp air of outside, the novelty of it. And how I can walk with it feeling just moderately odd. I turn and walk carefully home.
Photo: recent sketchbook pages
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Thanks always for reading here, for subscribing, for all your kind comments and emails. If you would like to support these studio notes then you are welcome to buy me a coffee and I am most grateful to everyone who has done so previously. Please take care and enjoy your week ahead.
Your Christmas tree is so charming! It is the handmade touches that make the holidays so comforting. I’m thrilled that you continue to get out to walk-- it must feel so freeing. Fresh air and fresh perspectives are good for the soul. I look forward to discovering these new-to-me artists you mentioned. It’s delightful to discover new work and I thank you for sharing! Hoping that you find the quiet moments to indulge in ‘Decembering’. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! 🎄
I'm imagining being able to vacation with your sketchbooks, Cathy... dreamily passing days and days away lost in them. That clock! Many thanks for the introductions to new artists. As for taxes, I don't know who they're harder for- me while I do them, or my spouse having to live with me while I do them. Best of luck to you with yours.