Window shopping

I've been feeling unwell today and so after work and a sleep on the sofa I thought I'd try and cheer myself up by going on line window shopping.  There's so many things I would love to buy for my new house but most will have to wait, so window shopping it is for now.  

Below are a few of the pieces of art I've been eyeing up for some time.

Dandelion Clock - By Charlie's Hand

Chihuahua and Sara portrait - Holli

Bunny Rabbit Print - Corella Design

In the mix

Sorting sequins out has inspired me to make this treasury from some of my recent favourites over at Etsy, a combination of colour and tones.

Fruit love notes

How sweet are these little fruit stickers found over at the twig and thistle store on Etsy.  With Valentines day not too far away, I have started to think of designs and ideas for new goodies with romance in mind.  With everywhere covered in red and pink hearts I'm trying to think of something that little bit different.
What do you like to see at valentines day?

Lesley Bee Photography

Towards the end of 2011 I attended the Glitterarti craft fair at the Atkins Buildings in Hinckley. Here I met photographer, and possibly somewhere along the lines distant relative, Lesley Bee.

Lesley photographed each of the stalls and created collages with the beautiful pictures she took. I'm so pleased with how fantastic she has made my work look. Thank you Lesley!

If you want to see more of Lesley's work, go and have wander round her website here.

Images via Lesley Bee Photography - www.lesleybee.co.uk

Grey Days Inspiration

A dull, grey day has left me feeling very miserable indeed. Do you ever have one of those days where you want to be creative but aren't able to motivate yourself to actually do anything? Well that's me today. So after spending several hours sitting looking grumpy I decided to make a couple of treasuries over at Etsy, I feel better about having not achieved anything practical and look at it as inspiration, in the same way you make mood boards. Take a closer look here and here.

November Nights

I haven't made a treasury for a while, I think mainly because my computer was being a pain and not working properly. So now I've had it fixed I thought i'd have a play around with some of my Etsy favourites.

I think now I should go and finish off any final bits ready for tomorrows fair at Rawlins College, Quorn and stop this playing about.

The Reason Why

One the reasons why i've not been blogging recently is that i've had quite a few commisions of varying sorts. One of these commisions was to design a CD cover for the new single 'The Reason Why' by a local band Refuge.
Refuge have been working alongside SISO and other mental health organisations, developing competions and charity events to raise awareness of mental health and as part of this are giving away free downloads of their new single. Click here to go to the website and to download the single. Tickets for the event on the 10th October are also available here.

Busy little bee

Next weekend Bee Designs will be at 'Crafted' Summer fair, which is being held at the fabulous Atkins Building in Hinckley, Leicestershire. So this week i've been busy preparing and updating my online shops.
Yesterday I found time to visit Patchings art, craft and design festival. Have you been? It's such a good day out with three huge marquees full of artists, designers and suppliers selling their goods, not to mention all the smaller tents with demonstrations and exhibitions. I managed to come away having not spent an unreasonable amount of money on things I don't really need; so well done me!

Sunshine dreaming

A weekend of music, fun and camping has left me dreaming of pretty things and sunshine. Here are some of the things inspiring me today.

Peace and serenity

This weekend i've been drawn towards these gentle images over at Etsy, they have such a peaceful and romantic feel to them don't you think?

What's been inspiring you lately?

leather and wood

What a week it's been. No work, just lots of time spent with friends and family, eating, drinking and enjoying the sunshine. It was also nice to be able to spend time making without a deadline hanging over my head.
I've just spent the last half an hour looking at lovely leather and wooden goodies on Etsy and making a treasury from my finds.

A touch of love

Another beautiful weekend has come to an end. Have you been doing lots and enjoying the sunshine?
I've spent most of my time indoors being creative, or at least trying to be. I'm in the process of helping my friend with wedding invitations, trying to get the shops organised and myself ready for upcoming fairs. A week off work next week will hopefully give me the chance to get everything sorted along with spending time with friends and family and generally enjoying myself.
I have managed, eventually, to create a pretty treasury and thought i'd share a few of the items with you here. Click on the image to go and see it in full. I seem to be having loads of problems with Etsy lately, either the page wont load or I can't see any of the images. I've checked all my computer settings and everything seems fine. Does anyone else have the same problems?

Grey with a splash of pink

Still feeling very sorry for myself so I thought i'd try and cheer myself up by making a treasury, the colours seems to represent my mood quite well.

Click on the image to go and see the treasury and look at all the beautiful items more closely.

Pretty in pink

I love this time of year.

The sun has finally started to peep out, filling the day with a warm glow, this instantly makes me feel so much happier. The other thing about this time of year that I love is everything is starting to come to life. The first flowers of the year, the leaves on the trees beginning to bud but my favourite of all, the blossom. It has such a romantic feel to it, don't you think? Apparently the Japanese Cherry blossom or Sakura, symbolises love and affection amongst other things.

I've put together this collection of spring inspired Etsy goodies from a recent treasury, click here to see the entire treasury and all the items.

The witching hour

I've just spent the last few hours searching the internet for inspiration. Having been dissapointed and not found what I was looking for I decided to make a treasury, this is always inspiring and fun.

Itch Gallery

A week off work and a chance to spend time with friends and family and visit some some very exciting new places.
On Tuesday I took a trip over to Itch Gallery in Oakham and saw some of the beautiful pieces of work they have on display.


Itch decribes itself as a dynamic and zesty new Gallery in the heart of the East Midlands.

They've teamed up with some of the most talented independent creators and makers from all over the UK and offer a refreshing change from the mass production of the high street to bring you a spine-tingling range of affordable contemporary art, innovative craft and fresh design.

It's a truelly inspirational gallery and well worth a visit if you're in the area. They're also on Facebook if you want to keep up to date on their goings on.

Time to relax

Sorry i've been gone so long but i've had nothing exciting to share with you over the last week or so, but i'm back and have some lovely Etsy goodies to show off to you. I love the greys, blues and natural colours, they have such a relaxing feel to them don't you think?

Cute house shoes - Leninka
Beautiful handstiched leather journal - Odelae
Pretty bike print - Skippy Designs
Flower beanbag bookends - Dede Etsy shop
Sea Urchine - TCapone Photo
Snug felted slippers - ing00te
When I think of winter mornings print - Sick Feet
Message in a bottle - Perriwinkle Prints
Pretty little vintage gold hairpin - Sumikoshop

I've been finding some fantastic shops via the 'suggested shops' in my etsy favorites section; i'm loving it!

Fresh ideas

I thought i'd share with you the gorgeous interiors designed by Gardener and Marks

Hunter Jones

If you have a few minutes to spare this weekend then head on over to Hunter Jones at Not on the High Street.

They are made up of the lovely Michael and Michael and their collection is based around the vintage furniture they lovingly bring back to life with carefully chosen paints and finishes, and accessories and prints to compliment these items.

A glimpse of sunshine

It's the weekend again and that means it's time for me to share with you some more of my finds from the week. With the grey weather gradually dissapearing and the sun creaping out more frequently I thought i'd use those colours as inspiration.

Popping lemon earrings by Tara Lea Smith
Pretty little beach huts by Helena Carrington
Circle scarf by Sweet Nature Designs
Burlap pillow by brand new etsy shop Casa Bean Design
A bit of Paris by Artquirk
Starburst notecards by LandMdesignworks
Titanium ring by Titanium Knights
Birdhouse silhouette purse by MsPIGGii
Into the mystic by Honey Tree

I'm off to enjoy my Friday evening but will try and get back over the weekend with more pretty things to share.