No, not that kind of tagging...this kind of tagging...two shop orders and a craft fair to supply. Little Brown Dog generously offered to make space on her stall for some of my bits. I will be there in spirit if not in person, as it's in the next county. I've posted her several packs of my cards and Christmas gift tags. I have never 'done' a craft fair before, lacking the basic infra-structure (eg - transport and trestle table) so I will be interested to see how it goes. Ten packs of Red Flannel Elephant cards = one full load of wood. We need wood. It's getting cold.
I have somewhat made a rod for my own back, as I've done my designing and planning on the hoof with the letter press stuff; it's all got a bit out of hand and not very cost effective as far as time and effort goes. What started off as simple little packs ended up as swanky big packs, for presentation purposes. However, at least I should recover the cost of the not-brilliant-but-servicable inks.
I do confess to enjoying designing my own packaging - something I loathed at college. And writing blurb has to be the best part, riding the thin line between genuine enthusiasm and cheese.
Vintage Impressions
A selection of twelve individually printed Christmas
gift tags, using traditional letterpress techniques.
For six hundred years, until the advent of the modern computer, books and stationary were produced using a variety of ‘hot metal’ techniques. Unlike today’s uniform digital printing, letter press has a distinct personality. You will notice that the card is not only printed, but slightly impressed into the card, where it has been gently rolled through an antique proof press, before being finished off by hand. Using a variety of authentic vintage blocks and type faces, Vintage Impression tags will ornament your special gifts with unique style. Because of the age of some of these blocks, print finish will vary.
(that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it)
The pack labels are not letterpressed - that would be a dedication too far. And it is not, by any stretch of the imagination, typesetting; more like decorative printing. But it's a step in the right direction.
Before I return to the busy land of small enterprise...I have two packages. One from Tara and one from my unknown SOSF partner. They are still both unopened, waiting for a quiet moment. That is unlikely to happen in the near future. I am going to open them this weekend. I feel I've earned it.
Greetings from Planet Head Cold where I have been marooned for what seems a lifetime - but is in fact only a week. A week in which things have come and things have gone. With a delightful accompaniment of sniffs, snuffles and pathetic coughing.
IN - A lovely bracelet from Etsy jewellery seller Definitely Different Designs, calling up images of the sea in autumn; dull green seaweedy stones and pebbly stone/red jasper beads, set in silver plate. Yep, I got suckered by the sea thing again...call me weak willed.
IN - I inadvertently won a draw on the lovely Vintage Pleasure blog; 'Something to Do', a Puffin book from the Seventies, when it was not beyond the realms of imagination that children should occupy themselves cooking, sewing, bird watching and crafting. Most of it without the aid of an adult and blissfully lacking in 21st century health and safety warnings ("please be aware that making hand shadows can result in a sprained finger...") I do so love getting beautifully wrapped things and this is a fantastic book - thank you Kirsty!
IN - my SOSF Tea Party from Tara of the Silver Apples blog, who also packs a pretty - and generous - parcel. Herbal teabags from her own garden, lemon geranium sugar tea, a tub tea bath bag and other wholesome goodies - thank you Tara, the herbals are just what I need to flush the darned cold out of my system.
IN and OUT - In from the library and out again for someone else to enjoy - The Lock by Frank Egerton. I used to review books for a specialist magazine, and while I read some darned good stuff, I also read some unutterable tripe. The worst offender was a nauseatingly cosy pot boiler penned by a well known TV personality. So I felt obliged to give the drivel a halfway positive review, even though it deserved to be dipped in watery porridge and fed to the birds. With a certain High Street book chain gripping the book industry in an iron fist, small, quality publishers need all the help they can get. What follows is not a book review; I have lost my book review skills, or at least they don't work on Planet head Cold...this is my opinion. Suffice to say that this is an Oxfordshire writer, and the Lock is set in and around Oxford, which is given its full share of attention, and described with love and knowledge. But the main story - the straying off the marital path of a middle aged Oxford don, and the consequences of his actions on his family and friends - is cleverly and thoughtfully written. Egerton has the rare gift - in a male author - of being able to write strong female characters realistically, making each one individual and interesting - sometimes even infuriating. Any fan of Oxford and its university scene will love reading this; the detail of the city and its inhabitants is true to life and hugely enjoyable. If I had to be so crass as to give it a catchey genre, it would be (highly) superior Joanne Trollope. For while it concerns itself with similar themes - middle class affairs/guilt/angst - it is so intelligently written that it is a joy to read, the more obvious subject matter belying Egertons sophisticated language skills - this is no mere 'Aga saga'. It has had a shining review from John Bailey, the late Iris Murdoch's husband. Get your library to order it in, read it and savour it. Or even buy it - let's give small publishers like Smaller Sky a fighting chance, God knows they need it.
OUT - the hope engendered by my recent London trip. (The so-called new dawn as optimistically mentioned in my fortieth birthday post.). Not wishing to go into details, let's just say it was like being invited out by the School Hunk. At first you can't believe he really wants to see a little mouse like you. Then you spend days fretting and sorting out what to wear. You buy a dress you can't afford and dream of being Mrs School Hunk, having little School Hunk babies. You draw hearts in biro in the back of your exercise book with your initials entwined. The big day arrives and with trembling fingers you apply the last coat of lip gloss, heading off with beating heart to your dinner date. But when you arrive it appears you are not the only chosen one - he has several candidates for the prized position, who he is also wining and dining for suitability. And you know - you know - that they are prettier, slimmer, sexier than you. And so does he. He lets you down gently, and tells you that you have a nice smile. You crawl under the duvet and cry. You wake up the next day and realise that you didn't want to be Mrs School Hunk anyway. Or so you tell yourself. And life goes on.
so we won't be eating here just yet...
front back
OUT - My first repeat order for the Lost Toys cards, from Pad in Manchester. I've managed to get a few gorgeous shops to stock them (see the list on the left) but they are also available from my Etsy shop, from where they have been going nicely. I am printing off various designs in small numbers, just to road test them - the first being this ginger cat cat design from the very first incarnation of Red Flannel Elephant cards. (another story, another time). Available in packs of six, so that's one to keep and five to send. 
Right, that's my feeble energy used up, I wonder if I can summon the strength to do Illustration Friday - the theme is 'Moon' and I am sorely tempted...
Apparently only about four people on the planet knew that I had a new set of Red Flannel Elephant cards printed some months ago...even Andy's parents didn't realise. I am not mad keen on announcing stuff for sale with trumpets and fireworks; I know it's what one ought to do, but I feel (and this is entirely a personal thing) that to do so ostentatiously is a little like inviting people to a nice tea party and then trying to flog them a second hand motor. It works for others, but I feel uncomfortable about it. However, I've been furiously busy all week making up sample packs and direct mailing lovely little shops, which I feel far easier with. And the response has been pleasingly surprising. Step forward the Church Hill Gallery, in Knutsford, Cheshire, who now have a goodly stock of the 'Lost Toys' collection. This is their order, all piled up for packing. 
This morning I had more orders from gorgeous Pad in Chorlton, Lancashire and Penny from Natural Attrill. (She's not a card shop but she is a jolly good friend and valued customer). So I'm on a roll. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get round to doing this, but I was galvanised this week. I've whipped up order forms...
...made various bits of stationary...
...and printed off some formal address labels, after Andy observed that my habit of addressing envelopes in large print with fat, black marker pen gave the impression that I was selling hob nailed boots, not greetings cards...
I'm now thinking about new designs, (painting again - scary stuff) and even what to do for the 2007 Christmas set. Next step is a proper eBay shop, when I really will be trying to flog a secondhand motor - that is to say, sell people 'Out There' my cards and a few old bits of artwork I found lying around.
If you would like to know when it is up and running, please drop me an email. One careful lady owner.
First, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who rallied round and ordered cards after my little winge...I was overwhelmed by your kindness, and especially from other artists who I know are in the same leaky old freelance boat as myself. Thanks to you all, I will be able to get a new range of cards printed next year, hopefully without any silly mistakes. Nelliephant arrived and I have re-ordered a couple of designs which to my utter amazement sold out. I am now re-stocked and having a final push, capturing unwary friends and villagers with the cry 'have you bought your Christmas cards yet??"
I've been bunkered down, sorting out dreary admin-thingys and sorting out the small stuff of life. Waiting, like Billy Bunter, for a mythical publishing cheque (or in his case, a postal order) which only arrived last Friday. Thankfully we were given a generous load of wood by some kindly souls, who heard we were rummaging about in the forest for wood ends. A couple of weeks ago they turned up with smiling faces and a few sackloads of logs, leaving me quite speechless and on the verge of tears at such generosity. 
After being given two brace of pheasant (shot this time, not roadkill) we were able to repay the good turn. We made them casserole ready - plucked, drawn, quartered and cleaned. Imagine us on a darkening, chilly November evening, reverting to caveman regime - Andy doing the macho, yukky business in the yard, me at the sink doing the womanly titivating and cleaning and Clover hovering in the dark, yellow owl eyes aglow, waiting for the main organs to be tossed her way, like a true cave-clan cat. So I was able to take a box of jointed pheasant and a jar of chutney to our good neighbours.
Eventually and in the nick of time, another illustration job has come in which will tide me over Christmas. Drawing is like any activity, if you don't do it for a while, you get rusty. For the last 3 weeks I have been sorting out Red Flannel Elephant amongst other things, and very little art work has been done. Getting going again, especially with a tight deadline, was like exercising lazy muscles. The first day I was in despair, convinced that I'd lost it forever. The next day I hid myself in research, always a good way to procrastinate with a clear conscience. I was getting a bit down in the dumps at my feebleness, and in the end, I bit the bullet, scribbled rubbish for a day and dragged my inner draughtsman out kicking and screaming. It's going ok so far.
My unexpected reward for perseverance was darling Andy buying me the dvd set of 'Planet Earth'. - he'd noticed my glumness and thought it would inspire me. Not having a television, we had no idea of what to expect, and I sat throught the first episode with my mouth literally open, stunned at the sheer magnificent glory of it all. I adore nature programmes, and it is the only drawback to not having a 'gogglebox' as my old dad used to call them. I am indeed inspired, and how lucky I am to have such a kind partner who notices when the grey clouds set in.
Tomorrow I am being visited by a fellow blogger, so I will have to fish out my best corduroys, brush my hair and try to remember the art of civilised conversation. We may go to the woods and there might be cake...
Sometimes I think my brain should be replaced by a large spongoid fungus...perhaps a giant puffball, or a morel...just lift this one out, it doesn't function very well, especially not nowadays, and pop t'other in. You can recycle the old one, if the council men will take it.
I am not very good at business-like-things. Dang me, it's not as if I had oodles of money to waste on stupid mistakes. I thought it was all going so well...my new cards uploaded to my printers and winging their way back to me, ready to be packed up and sent to happy customers everywhere. The first boxes arrived - very pleased. Very nice repro. Good colour matching. Glad I chose that font, it looks just right. The next batch arrived - very pleased. Very nice repro. Good colour matching. Glad I - oh. Bugger. Double bugger. Triple bugger in a marmalade sandwich. How the Devil did I manage to do that...
This finding coincided with a small painting commission, which just about covered the cost of reprinting the offending articles. Never let it be said that I aim to make profit where breaking even can be achieved. Now, knowing how popular the 'Three Kings' design is, I thought I'd be show some business savvy and splash my last pennies on getting 250 printed. We are talking very small print runs here, you won't find RFE cards in Clintons. And just 100 of Nellliephant, play it safe. Good, that's that sorted. I was a bit puzzled though, when only 100 'Kings' arrived, a week later. Maybe they were sending them in batches? Then a box of 250 'Kings' arrived too...I had of course, reordered the 'Kings' twice. Time to reorder. Again. So now I am just waiting for 'Nelliephant' mark 3 to come trumpety trumping through the jungle, as it were. How do I manage it? Am I some kind of genius?
"I know I left it here somewhere..."
So, as usual, my cash flow is pretty much stuffed, and we are foraging in the woods for firewood until my last cheque gets here, then I can buy a proper load from the men who cut down trees. Ah well, it gets us out of the house; we LIKE the woods, hurrah! But I am about to sacrifice my best paintbrush to the Gods of illustration in the hopes they will send me a job.
Moaning aside, there have been some lovely pink fluffy moments...not least a kind fairy godmother putting in a large card order today, which has helped enormously. (THANK YOU!) Times like this you realise who your friends are, and one day, with luck, I'll be able to see this as just a learning curve.
At last, after much mutual worrying, some SOSF booty has arrived...belated but enchanting, these teeny tiny origami cards, a little late for Hallowe'en, but it does not matter one bit. They are mind bogglingly bijou...
(Sooz, confess, you are only inches high, aren't you? How else could you get those little folds so perfectly creased?)
And after many weeks swimming their way round the globe, beautiful cards and fairy dust from sweet Miss Robyn, (you can breathe easy now MR, it arrived safely after all!)
So in the grand tradition of 'if life gives you lemons, make lemonade', I am off to make - appropriately enough - fairy cakes. With rainbow sprinkles. Next week is shiny new and waiting to be filled. Watch this space.
Seems to be one of those times of year when things are tidied up, finished off and others started. The cottage has been autumn cleaned and yet more space cleared. I am anxiously waiting for news of a job that has been in the pipeline for months, and have begun work on a design brief. 
My name announcements were accompanied by delighted gasps, as the staff know so many of their customers and were happy that they had got what they wanted. Afterwards I happily pottered about looking at new displays and taking snas. I love these skinny bears, 'Lucy Havahart' and 'Duke Havahart', created by Deb Beardsley, a Wisconsin bear maker. 
Bears, bears everywhere.
Although there are many many unique artist bears, they are also a major supplier of Steiff collectibles.
Oh look - down there on the bottom shelf; it's one of my favourite new models - Dulcie. She has been specially commisioned as a reproduction from an original old bear owned by one of the staff.
And round a corner, in a big, mirrored display cabinet, are some familiar faces. Not teddy bears at all, but looking quite at ease with their furry brothers and sisters. 
Soon they will be on their journeys to the corners of the world, to start their new jobs. And I am going to take a day off to rest and try to get myself back together, starting with a long, hot bath. 
You certainly deserve a good rest Gretel - It's great to know that folk truly appreciate your wonderful creations.
Your toys look completely at home in such fine company. I'm so pleased you got this commision and I hope you have many many more. It must be wonderful to work with people who really appreciate you and what you do.
WOOOT!
what a wonderful shoppe it must be......I'm sure they do understand fully if you fall to your knees exclaiming over some new found marvel. Bear people are like that....
your little characters do look right at home and I'm happy to see them with some miniature bears for company.... how I'd love to spend time poking about in there. Well, a person might have to spend a few hours actually...... I like that funny little bunny on the left in the big chair...
What a fabulous shop! You must have been in seventh heaven in there - I spot some little characters that could have stepped right out of one of your paintings! Your creatures look right at home there - not that they will hang around for long I am sure!
That's quite a fierce competition of 'Cuteness' all piled up in one place... but I'd say your creations look right at home there. Actually I think they stand out, since they're quite unique...
Good luck!
:0)
What a fabulous Aladdin's Cave - just right for your treasures to begin their new journeys! x
I'm with John Nez on this one............. well done!:O)
How incredibly exciting! You must be proud all the way down to the tips of your toes!
What a lovely lovely launch for all your enchanted creatures. Did I hear music in the background? Yes I did, The Teddy Bear's Picnic
of course.
Oh they all look wonderful on their glass shelves!! I'm so tickled for you. I know it is such a treat for the shop keepers when you show up!
Your delightful little toy art animals look like royalty among all the more ordinary toys. Hope you got your soaking bath!
What a lovely shop and your little lovelies look perfect in it. I bet they won't be there for very long though....
What a dangerous-looking shop. I must never go near it.....
....maybe I could manage if I just pressed my nose up against the windows? From outside, of course, with a sturdy friend hanging onto my arm, restraining me from drifting inside?
Your beautiful creations look just right in amongst the bears.
Oooooo - you just sooo belong in that shop, and your creations of course. It was lovely, a real treat to have a look round it, so a big thank you for that post, and I'm really very pleased for you that things have turned corners so to speak...
Your toys are going to sell like hotcakes!!! They are beautiful. Congratulations on all your success.
I am sending warm thoughts from across the pond.
Well done Gretel! They do pay attention to detail in the shop don't they? - teddy bear biscuits!! Looking at one of those photos, I spy a bear exactly like my own very old bear (handed down from an auntie many years ago!)xx
Well I love all the teddy bears for sure but I have to say those little characters in the mirrored case have personality plus. How can you not fall in love with each and every one.
I just had my Sherbetta out and loving her so much.
Hope all those in the shop go to a good home.
Hugs,
Oh, that topper! *Sooz temporarily goes spare squeeing over hats*
It is interesting that, despite your creations having a very distinct look of their own, how comfortable they seem among the myriad fuzzies. (Hope they don't get too comfortable, though, and that they're soon on their way to homes where they will be well loved.)
It's sooo nice to see your creatures in that "entourage". And how exciting that so many people want to have them. As for your reaction when you visit that shop is absolutely understandable! It's that kind of places where you have to overcome your timidity ;0) !
What a fabulous shop, Gretel - will have to check it out. And your lovely characters look right at home there. Hope you enjoyed your long, hot bath.
Oh, but the display of your creations looks amazing. I think the shop is magical- a place I would love to visit! Congradulations keep up the excellent work!
Angie
This looks like a place I'd like to crawl around in! Congratulations on getting your creations into this shop--looks like they'll be in fine company there.
I have the same problem as you--I sell my books at a local Art Gallery, and it seems like every time I go in to take them some books, I'm in some sort of wind-blown, half-demented state. Glad to hear I'm not the only one. :)
What a perfect place for your lovely felted creations (where else would you find a top hat on the counter ?) I have a particular fondness for your long-necked geese.
Any word on the next project? Fingers crossed,
Frances