Anorak Magazine - Summer Games Special

When I was a kid, I was always sending drawings and poems in to our local newspaper, which had a kids corner section. The prize for getting published was a £3 WHSmith voucher. I can remember the buzz of not only seeing my name in print, but also of getting that crisp green voucher in the post.

The girls were similarly ecstatic to find that the pictures they sent in for the Anorak "Draw Me A Game" competition got published.

Getting a sensible photo out of either of them at the moment is a struggle.  I took about 30, these were the only ones publishable.  Sigh.

Crafty Magazine.

What?  Another new craft magazine?  Ah yes, but this one is quite a sexy little beast.

I was pretty excited to get my hands on a copy of the first issue of Crafty Magazine, after I saw Perri Lewis tweet this.  Because there really has been a gaping hole in craft magazine publishing for one that has a bit of edge, a bit of bite to it.  A Rizzo to the rest of the Sandra Dees*

With lots of moody, grainy photography and printed on uncoated paper, it's got the sniffability factor I like in a mag.  Articles include some great DIY projects (ombre Converse anyone? make your own moth?), interviews with contemporary artists (Mel Elliott, Iona Thomas) and guest spots from Perri Lewis and Mr X Stitch.

I'm looking forward to the next edition already - I hope they continue pushing the boundaries and seeking out genuine original talent.  You can have a peek at issue 1 here.


*Don't get me wrong, I love Sandy.  Primrose yellow cardigan, white high-collar shirt, too-short fringe.  It's a great look.

Homemaker Magazine

A nice little mention for my blog in the first issue of new craft/homes magazine Homemaker.  Some great articles and d.i.y. projects in this publication, including a lovely interview with superstar retro-scandi-lady Jane Foster.

Lots of behind the scenes commissions and projects on the go at the moment, hence little available blogging time, however I did manage to get a quick snap of this commissioned Love Birds piece before I posted it off to the USA today.

Oh Comely

I recently subscribed to Oh Comely magazine. I love it.

It's full of interesting, not-too-wordy

articles on music, art, craft, fashion and life.

There is a quiet, calm, uncluttered feel to the whole publication.

They've asked Folksy sellers to submit work

with the theme "Every item tells a story".

This is what I submitted.

It's called "Some Lived.... Some Died"

An original illustration, hand-painted on

mouth-blown glass and kiln-fired, then

mounted in a lead frame.