Busy in the workshop

Sorry I've been quiet. I'm still here working away. Had a rush of September wedding fairy lights to make and struggling to find the right paper for them. Last year the mill that makes my lamp paper went bust (after about 300 years of being in business...how sad) but as it was a good seller my paper merchant made their own version of it which was the teensy weensiest bit thicker. This is fine for my lamps but has been causing problems with my fairy lights. The little bit of exra thickness has put extra pressure on the cylinders. I tried using thinner paper which I thought was ok but have now decided has less of an impact and doesn't show up the letters and patterns quite as well. Right now I am using all the last remaining sheets of my old paper (only 12 A2 sheets left) until I figure out a good fix....theres always something sent to try us!

This stack of boxes here are full of lamps going off to a good stockist of mine. Rural Living in Haselmere, Surrey.

Virtual tour of Radiance!

Hooray! Now you can take a virtual tour of the new Radiance shop. Joby Catto of Anti Ltd has once again worked his magic and created this new virtual experience! (you might remember the last one he did a few years back of the old Radiance). You can scroll around 360 degrees and zoom in and out to look more closely at all the pretty things. So if you're far away it's the ideal way feel like you have visted in person! I hope I don't bump into you while you're scrolling about!

Dorset

We have just had a lovely week on the Dorset Coast.



There were coves and cliffs and high high views...That arch in the rock is the famous Durdle Door. Would have been a lovely place to swim.



We walked over the top of Lulworth Cove. I loved being so high up and looking down over all the teeny boats. It was a really steep climb though with wet towels and beach stuff...



We saw lots of butterflies and coastal flowers. I havent got my book out yet to find out what that blue butterfly is. Anybody know?



There was sun and sand and swimming...



...and lollies. Ffion has been using film to take her photos alot this week. It makes all our holiday snaps look like the seventies...




Our boat trip from Swanage Harbour around Durlston Bay and the Tilly Whim caves was choppy and splashy but lovely all the same. Beautiful big blue sea.



My Dad always used to take me to the amusements when we went on seaside holidays so I have fond memories. Ffion couldn't see the attraction of trying to win a flip flop keyring....



.....she'd rather take her guitar down the beach and sing to the sea instead!!!

Allium Allium Allium

I just did a Google image search for Allium (looking for website inspiration) and THIS is the first page that popped up. So beautiful. I just wanted to remember it so I thought I'd put it here.

Is this a new Google layout? It's so lovely...

Taking the 'light-arted approach'

I'm in the Halifax Courier today. It's a fabulous two page spread about me and Radiance. Thanks very much to Virginia Mason for the lovely write up.

Cow Parsley pictures

At last all my Cow Parsley lamps have images on my website. I've been working on these over the last couple of days. Dandelion Clocks next...

Hello

Hello again. Long time no speak... I've been very quiet on the blog for a few weeks. Things have been busy here.... at work and at home. I have started to redesign my website. It's due for an overhaul. I want to re think my menus and make it easier to add new products as I design them. I've learned SO much whilst designing my Radiance site that I want apply my new knowledge to my Hannah site too so it will run more smoothly. I want to make it easier to order the personalised stuff too because at the moment that involves lots of too-ing and fro-ing!

It's also inspired some new photos. I have found a beautiful house to do a photoshoot in at some point soon. I'm looking forward to that!

Oh, I bought this String of beads plant today from Easy Cactus. I've always loved these but not had much luck with them. Wendy gave me a cutting last year but it didn't last long. I thought if I got a fairly established plant this time I might have more luck. I promise to take good care of you.....

Open Studio and SALE SALE SALE

It just occurred to me that I hadn't blogged about my open studio and my annual seconds sale. It starts tomorrow for three days. I have just been delving around in my seconds drawer - the place where all the ones with bits of fluff trapped inside or holes in strange places end up and I have some really good seconds this year which we will be building up this afternoon in readiness. So for three days only you'll be able to grab yourselves a real bargain!

...and it's not just my studio that's open. There are 58 artists all over town opening their studios this weekend. There's even a mini bus to take you to the ones off the beaten track. For more information have a look at the open studios website.

...and the winner is....

Well we couldn't find a hat to put all the names in but we used a foxy mug from the shop instead! Ffion picked out the name and the winner is Sophie Henzell from Lightbulb design.! Allium lamp coming your way Sophie!

Thanks so much everyone for your lovely lovely comments. Cow Parsley was a clear winner, followed closely by Allium and Dandelion Clocks. Allium has been top fave for so long that's it's nice that there is a new top favourite!x

Playing in the woods

I finished work a little early today beacsue it was a beautiful day! Me and Ffion went to play in the woods.