Setting up shop

So, after 2 years since I first registered my name on Etsy, I have finally managed to get my act together and start actually doing something about it. It's not as simple as it sounds either, especially when you're as indecisive as me.

It's taken me days to even get as far as deciding on the all illusive name for starters. This proved to be an extremely painful process which ended up with me going round in circles and literally driving myself mad. Finally I have it though and here it is in all its glory....

What? I hear you say. Who is Uncle Tom and why is he Cobley? And who's the lady in the picture?

All will be revealed...

Now the name is sorted, I have to think about other things too, such as very important things like how people pay me and how I get it to them and not forgetting 'what am I actually going to sell in my new shop'?

Here's a few things which I've got planned:

• vintage plate cake stands
• hand felted baby booties
• collaged pendants from found photographs
• paintings, illustrations and collages
• handmade children's clothing, with a twist
• homemade candles and soaps
• sock creatures AKA Mutants
• handmade collaged badges
• screen printed T-shirts, bags and tea towels
• handmade knickers and clothing accessories
• crocheted and knitted things, but not sure what as yet...
• whatever else may take my fancy along the way

A lot of the things which I sell will have their own story to tell, so keep watching this space for more updates.

Hand Written

I am currently working on a few signage designs for another commision for The Old Fire Station, Oxford  (see  http://www.oldfirestation.info/ ). The designs are for two windows, and we will be using either laser cut vinyl or printed vinyl.

The signage has to advertise the shop, the gallery and the cafe. The message which needs to get across to the audience (the passing public), is unique, hand made, and original.
I will be using hand written text to give that hand made feel and also to make the signage more personal.
I have been working on ideas using different media and colour, just playing with the materials to see what I can come up with. I wanted to introduce pattern and texture into the text to bring in the design element from the shop and the gallery.

Experimenting with different media

Graphite, rubbed back

Ideas and inspiration

I like the orange, grey, white and black colour scheme...maybe some blue?

As well as using the hand written type, I will also be using drawn images. I want the images to work with the type and become part of the whole image. The overall look will be bold, and contrasting to create a striking image which people will notice. Hopefully the hand written type will intrigue enough for people to want to read it and come into the building. I have been photographing some of the objects found in the shop as a starting point for drawing and sketching out ideas. I will be taking some of these objects and maybe creating silhouettes or a paper cut effect to include detail and pattern. I will also be looking at some of the pattern and deign on the objects, and maybe just use them on their own.

I have been looking at the bold images of lino cut prints as inspiration.

This reminded me of the red Chinese paper cuts

...and the paper cut illustrations of Rob Ryan

and then a screen print which I did a few years ago...

So, I will be experimenting with the objects and pattern next. Watch this space.