Trivial Pursuits - New Ways to Show Off your Photos

If, like me, you are guilty of taking photos and never doing anything more than storing them in files on your computer, you may be looking for some unusual ways to display or share them.

I found these, and more, on Huffington Post's website and thought I would share.  Some I didn't like and others wouldn't suit my home, but I'm certainly going to have a go at a couple of these, especially the envelopes which would be great to personalise thank you cards.

This is a simple way of displaying photos on a shelf or table top.  You can find out how Rikki recycles the jars for use on her website here.

And I'm definitely going to be using this idea for sending out business correspondence.  The simple advertising that I will be able to include with various images of babes in my hats will be perfect.  And I'm sure grandparents would love to open a thank you card with a photo inside the envelope too.  See how to make them here.

And I'm going to rethink how I display my art in the kitchen when we finally renovate it.  I love this idea of wooden clip boards which was created by Love Grows Wild.  Check them out here.

I assumed that these coasters had been sent away to be made. I know that most of the supermarkets and photo labs make them, but it is possible to make your own.  If you want to a have a go, check out Granny Girls' website here.

And if you want to let someone else do the work for you, these lovely framed windows are available on Etsy.

I've been doing a bit of my own recycling in the office.  I took the prints from last year's calendar and mounted them in some old frames I had brought with me from our last home.  But although I love the images, I think I might have to try something a bit more original with the way I display them.  If you want to see some more amazing photos I've been sent by both customers and professionals check out our galleries on the website.

Do you have unique and interesting ways of using or displaying your photos?  Do let us know.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Trivial Pursuits - embroidery with Wendy Stephenson

Another find on Facebook.  I wasn't sure whether to put this in the category Meet the Maker or Trivial Pursuits, but since she produces embroidery patterns to complement her adorable watercolours, I thought I'd include it in this section in the hope it may inspire some of you to have a go yourselves.

It was actually the sweet stitched image below that I saw first.  Made by Wendy Stephenson of snap dragon ....

.. a little further investigation unearthed more of her work including these cute little ceramic pots, cushions and other textiles.

I'm not sure if she does illustrations for childrens' books, but judging by these, she certainly could.

And so a little about the artist ...
"I love to take photographs, draw, paint, stitch and watch the clouds. If I can combine all these with a swim, then it's a day well spent. So welcome to my little studio space, and I hope you find something to make you smile!'

All images (c) Wendy Stephenson

Boutique and Unique - Polkadot of Winslow, Bucks

Stumbled across Polkadot on Facebook and thought you might like to see what they get up to.

Lisa (aka Miss Dottie) runs Polkadot and spends her days hand-painting gorgeous stuff & things in a farmhouse in the middle of a field in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside.

She specialises in handpainting wooden signs, canvases, hearts & boxes and the sound of sawing, sanding, drilling & painting, dogs & chickens can always be heard!

I love the fact that when Lisa gets cold she fires up the kiln and makes a few of her sweet little mugs, jugs or teapots!

There seem to be no end to Lisa's creative talents and she also produces a range of cards & prints.

As well as a shop in Winslow you can also buy her stuff online.

All images (c) Polkadot of Winslow

Meet the Maker - Artist Louise Rawlings

Another find via Facebook.  I love the innocent style that Louise Rawlings employs and it's easy to see why she has a flourishing career, not only as an artist in her own right, but also through her association with the likes of Woodmansterne, Phoenix and Calypso Cards.  She also illustrates childrens' books.

It was difficult to choose which images to show to illustrate her work as I liked them all, so you should take a look at her  website to see the full collection.  And, surprisingly for someone who lives in Sutton Coldfield, there are several coastal scenes.

Her love of dogs comes across too.

As well as prints, originals and cards, she also works with ceramics and has some lovely christmas ornaments for sale.

All images (c) Louise Rawlings Art

Meet the Maker - My Paper Cut Heart

I know very little about the creator of My Paper Cut Heart as she only appears to take commissions via Facebook but I love her work and admire her skill.

The intricacy of her pieces is quite breathtaking and I love that she describes her work as ranging from the sublime to the downright quirky.  She clearly has a penchant for her magical hares.

The piece above was commissioned for a couple who love beach bonfires, guitar playing and fancy dress....spot the bunny ears hiding in the tree!

And there is a nod to her Welsh location in her dragon design.

   

I have seen on her Facebook page that she has also had limited edition prints made.

If you know more about Jen, the woman behind this work, please let us know.

All images (c) My Paper Cut Heart

Meet the Maker - Laura Stenhouse, illustrator

It may have been Laura's Parliament of Owls that first drew me to her work but one of the things I love about Facebook is that you discover a whole wealth of other things that they perhaps don't publish formally on their website.

I'm hoping that Laura is working on some book illustrations, not only for her own story about an intrepid tin soldier, but also because I love her interpretations of Aesop's fables and the Owl and the Pussycat.

But her hometown of Conwy clearly inspires her too and I love her work using acrylics that capture the essence of the countryside around her.

All images (c) Laura Stenhouse

Meet the Maker - Kate Lycett, Artist

I love discovering new artists - well new to me that is.  And it's not difficult to see what attracted me to Kate Lycett's work.  The vibrancy of her work is stunning.

Her textile design background is clear from the way she paints.   She see patterns in everything: the hills adorned with houses and washing lines, rows of flower pots and stripes of brightly painted drain pipes. 

Kate works with acrylics, inks and gouache and uses lines of gold thread to trace lines through the landscape and gold leaf to change the surface of my pictures with the changing light of day.

As well as selling her work online, prints and paintings are available at Heart in Hebden Bridge and she sells cards and lanterns at Radiance.

Kate lives in Hebden Bridge with her husband and three small children and she takes inspiration from the warmth, colour and community in which she lives.

All images (c) Kate Lycett