Submission for Castle Rock Brewery x Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
To celebrate 20 years of friendship, Castle Rock Brewery launched a competition to design the can and keg labels for their collaboration beer with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
To celebrate 20 years of friendship, Castle Rock Brewery launched a competition to design the can and keg labels for their collaboration beer with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Whilst my design wasn’t selected to win the awesome prize of having their design printed and showcased across the country, it was a really fun brief to work to! Both organisations are personal favourites of mine, and you know I love a good British woodland theme to work to.
The above design was the finished artwork for the keg labels, whilst below the illustration was adapted to fit their beer can labels.
Huge congratulations to Matt Newton for his beautiful winning design!
Spring/Summer Market dates 2022
There’s nothing I love better than getting out and about with my paper goods to meet you lovely lot in person! So far this year these dates have been confirmed, with hopefully a few more to add!
Sunday 15th May - North Notts Artists, Makers & Fine Foods Market, The Manor Room
Sunday 29th May - The Garage Market, The Garage Chilwell
Sunday 17th July - North Notts Artists, Makers & Fine Foods Market, The Manor Room
Sunday 31st July - The Garage Market, The Garage Chilwell
Sunday 7th August - North Notts Artists, Makers & Fine Foods Market, Ravenshead Village Hall
Sunday 21st August - North Notts Artists, Makers & Fine Foods Market, The Manor Room
Hope to see you there!
Deborah x
MediCity Mural
More and more often I'm getting asked to paint murals for many different building for many purposes; signage, decorative display and statement wall pieces. However my latest wall mural piece is by far the biggest to add to my repertoire.
Measuring 6 metres wide by 3 metres high, this mural of a lush green British landscape has found a new home at the Grade 1 listed MediCity building in Nottingham.
More and more often I'm getting asked to paint murals for many different building for many purposes; signage, decorative display and statement wall pieces. However my latest wall mural piece is by far the biggest to add to my repertoire.
Measuring 6 metres wide by 3 metres high, this mural of a lush green British landscape has found a new home at the Grade 1 listed MediCity building in Nottingham.
I won't lie and tell you this piece was a breeze, because as they say, all great things are by far the most challenging! Creating digital files that can scale up beautifully to such a large size was part of the problem, especially when your work isn't vector! However husband-graphic-designer-genius Avnish helped me immensely to navigate around Illustrator in order to vectorise my work, and once we solved that problem the rest fell into place.
The next challenge though was seeing the finished print. Was the design going to come out pixellated? Would it fit the exact measurements of the wall? Poor Avnish was on tenterhooks on fitting day, but amid his hidden anxiety he managed to capture some beautiful time lapses of the piece going up. The finished article? Well, watch for yourself:
It's been such a privilege to work on this mural piece for the BioCity team; not only did they have the faith in me to produce such a large, detailed, and risky piece, but they also have given me the amazing opportunity to have my illustration work permanently in a Grade 1 listed Art Deco building.
I mean, how many people can say that?!
Have a browse through the gallery below to see more shots from the installation day. I would love to know what you think so feel free to drop me a message or leave a comment below!
Pint of Science Festival 14-16 May
About half a year ago the wonderful Creative Reactions team got in touch to see if I fancied creating some artwork based on scientific research, as part of the upcoming Pint of Science Festival, and of course my answer was a resounding YES. I am a typical 'right brained' individual however I love science and all it's amazing discoveries, especially anything to do with the brain! There is especially a beauty in marrying together those 2 hemispheres, right and left, to produce a little bit of magic, and that's just what myself and Dr. Martha Skinner did.
About half a year ago the wonderful Creative Reactions team got in touch to see if I fancied creating some artwork based on scientific research, as part of the upcoming Pint of Science Festival, and of course my answer was a resounding YES. I am a typical 'right brained' individual however I love science and all it's amazing discoveries, especially anything to do with the brain! There is especially a beauty in marrying together those 2 hemispheres, right and left, to produce a little bit of magic, and that's just what myself and Dr. Martha Skinner did.
A research fellow in Sensory Science, Dr. Skinners research looks into taste; how we perceive it, how strongly others can experience it compared to others, and also how it can be affected with heat.
“Why do our food worlds differ? Have you ever wondered why others do not share your love of a favourite food? We know food preferences vary greatly across the population. Could you be a Supertaster? Or maybe you’re part of the 20-50% of the population who are termed ‘thermal tasters’ as they perceive phantom taste sensations when their tongue is warmed or cooled, in absence of any true chemical tastes in the mouth.”
Martha's talk, which was held at the Angel microbrewery, discussed novel approaches used to understand individual variation in taste perception using sensory science and neuroimaging techniques to measure both perceived and brain response to taste.
I was quite sad I didn't get to see Martha's talk, or others that were held across the city (and the world!) but I was really pleased with the piece I created for her that represented her research.
And who knew the brain and tongue papillae could be so beautiful to draw?
Pint of Science is an annual science festival that takes place every May and brings researchers to your local pub to present their scientific discoveries.
Creative Reactions is a collaboration between artists and Pint of Science scientists to produce artworks related to the science presented during Pint of Science. It was started in Cambridge during Pint of Science 2015 and proved a major success, and subsequently in 2016 and 2017.
In 2018 Creative Reactions events were held in Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kent, Manchester, Nottingham Portsmouth and York. Each event has a different format - some following a traditional Pint of Science evening and others full art exhibitions with the artwork for sale.
Nottingham Etsy Made Local
Another year, another successful Etsy Made Local from the Nottingham Etsy Team!
The girls, yet again, put on amazing event, showcasing not only over 40 stalls of local and handmade talent but a whole host of extra features such as a VIP early access event, candy floss machine, free craft workshops and plenty of festive sparkle.
Another year, another successful Etsy Made Local from the Nottingham Etsy Team!
The girls, yet again, put on amazing event, showcasing not only over 40 stalls of local and handmade talent but a whole host of extra features such as a VIP early access event, candy floss machine, free craft workshops and plenty of festive sparkle.
Amy from Super+Super hosting the free drop in craft workshops to make Christmas decorations.
This was my only fair of the year after spending the past 12 months focussing more on my freelance career and client based projects than on the handmade wares side.
It was so lovely to meet my wonderful customers face to face! I forgot how much I missed doing fairs and markets after spending a year just working from home. I definitely missed the interaction and the chance to be out in the world making lovely human connections that markets bring with them.
A good sign of a super busy event is when you don't find enough time to take the photos you want! I really wanted to share with you some snaps from the event of some of my personal favourite items (which, believe me, is hard to do when every single one of the 40 stalls were amazing!) but since I didn't manage to, here are 5 of the 40 stalls that I'm seriously swooning over:
Delphine and Max
mage from Delphine and Max
I was opposite Delphine and Max at the fair and loved not only their stall set up but all of their beautiful porcelain items! These porcelain and gold earrings in particular stole my heart.
Modflowers
Image from Modflowers
Expert crafter, seamstress and blogger Modflowers' adorable dolls and fairies were a beautifully whimsical and vintage touch to the market. I know these beautiful handmade dolls would look so lovely in our little girls room!
Cocoa Tabby
Image from Cocoa Tabby
As well as having a mouthwatering Etsy shop, Cocoa Tabby also has a bricks and mortar shop in Derby that you can go and visit if you have the restraint to wait and buy her chocolate in person! These Christmas tree chocolate slabs are getting added to my Santa wish list.
Petrichoralia
Image from Petrichoralia
I have a jewellery obsession, especially when it's been made with unusual materials! Petrichoralia's jewellery is made from concrete, and finished with gold and silver for a wonderful mix of industrial and elegance. These concrete and gold earrings are just too beautiful not to share.
Fabritzia Design
Image from Fabritzia Design
I've been coveting Fabritzia Design's work for a long time, but trust me when I say it's even more beautiful in real life! Her prints and cards feel almost too good to give away as gifts, I just want to frame them all, especially this pigeon woodcut.
The end of the fair was also a bit of a calling card for some of the team leaders, including myself! Captain extraordinaire Becky [Becky, Queen of Frocks] has now officially stepped down in order to continue with her studies and work, as well as get married in the next few weeks! One of our social media team leaders, Katherine [Dendiko], will also be leaving the team as she embarks on a teaching career in Egypt. I have also stepped down as leader whilst I prepare for our little girl to be born in March, something I didn't appreciate would consume so much of my time!
The Nottingham Etsy team is now in the good hands of Rachel [REW homeware], who will be taking the helm alongside our remaining leaders Michaela [Blue Stiggy] and Amy [Super + Super] until new leaders have been recruited. I'm still excited to take part within our growing and ever evolving Nottingham Etsy community, and can't wait to see what the girls bring in 2017!
Did you manage to make it to our Etsy Made Local event? If so share your photos on Twitter or Instagram by tagging myself @deborahpanesar or @NottinghamEtsyTeam - we would love to see!
Nottingham Etsy Craft Party (Photos + Video)
Last month saw the Nottingham Etsy team's busiest meet up as we hosted a tie-dye event for the annual Etsy Craft Party!
On a rare and beautifully sunny day in Beeston, our team members came to fold, clamp, peg and tie their belongings to make beautiful tie-dye creations! With 4 different tie-dye colours to choose from, we dyed everything from pretty dresses to bed sheets, t-shirts to trainers!
Last month saw the Nottingham Etsy team's busiest meet up as we hosted a tie-dye event for the annual Etsy Craft Party!
On a rare and beautifully sunny day in Beeston, our team members came to fold, clamp, peg and tie their belongings to make beautiful tie-dye creations! With 4 different tie-dye colours to choose from, we dyed everything from pretty dresses to bed sheets, t-shirts to trainers!
It was incredible seeing everyones creations unfold, with so much imagination used in each piece!
A huge thanks goes out to all of our members who came along, as well as the other fellow Nottingham Etsy team leaders Rachel Ward, Becky Kennedy, Michaela Bere, Katherine Jaiteh and Amy Phipps of which the event wouldn't have been possible!
Special thanks as well to Daniel Hughes for photographing the event, and Avnish Panesar for creating an amazing promo video which you can watch below.
Our next team event is next week on the 14th July, and will be a two part seminar on how to create a blog for your craft business! It will be hosted by blogger Mike Aspinall of The Crafty Gentleman and held at Rough Trade on Broad Street, Nottingham.
If you would like to book, tickets are available through our Facebook Event page but are limited so be sure to book in advance.
Deborah x
Nottingham Etsy Team Presents: Meet The Maker, 10th March 2016
Last week saw our Nottingham Etsy Team host our second meet up of the year at Rough Trade, showcasing three of our talented who talked about their Etsy shop journeys so far!
Last week saw our Nottingham Etsy Team host our second meet up of the year at Rough Trade, showcasing three of our talented who talked about their Etsy shop journeys so far!
Our Meet the Maker feature, which Team Leader Katherine Jaiteh runs, is such a popular fixture in our social media content that we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring it to a live event. These talks are a lovely way to get behind the story of the Etsy shop, and to see that each shop starts somewhere with it's own goals and motivation.
Speaking at the event were Hilke Kurze of Buchertiger Supplies and Buchertiger Press, Charlie Marshall of C Marshall Arts and Katie Abey of Katie Abey Design.
It was pretty inspirational to hear how these three ladies came to open their shops, what drives them, and most importantly their advice for running their shops. These were some seriously tough ladies, each trying to balance work and personal commitments around building a craft business. And that is no easy feat, believe me!
Their advice for budding or current Etsy Shop Owners?
- "Etsy = Personal" Katie Abey explains how receiving little handwritten notes or extra goodies in your orders is the difference between a one time buyer and a repeat buyer. And let's face it, we all love free stuff.
- "Treat Yourself!" Charlie's belief in the power of giving yourself a pat on the back is really not to be underestimated. If you've finally conquered that photoshoot, or listed those 5 listings which you thought you'd never do, then you deserve to give yourself some recognition and maybe a sweet treat.
- "Give Yourself Goals" Hilke constructed and ran her Etsy shops by setting herself short and long-term goals. Even if she didn't reach them within the time frame she expected, there was a framework to build her shop by.
Before I end this post on yet another successful meet up I wanted to share a quick snap of myself with the other Team Leaders who work hard to make it what it is! We haven't been around for very long (only since July 2015!) but we work hard to make our team the most supportive and creative community that it can be! So big shout out to (from Top left to bottom right): Amy Phipps (Social Media Leader), Rachel Ward (Senior Social Media Leader), Becky Kennedy (Team Captain), Katherine Jaiteh (Social Media Leader), Me! (In-Person Events Leader) and Michaela Bere (Team Navigation Leader).
We have a lot of exciting meet up's planned for the year, but pay particular close attention to April's event which we will be hosting with The Craft Off! Here's a little teaser to get you in the mood...
Have a great week!
Deborah x
New Kitty Pattern!
Back in December 2015 I decided that it was long overdue to draw up a cat pattern! I find cats have such individual personalities that it seemed so wrong to just draw from getty reference images - so I did an international call out on my Instagram to which I had an unprecedented influx of tags as people sent me photos of their gorgeous kitties!
Back in December 2015 I decided that it was long overdue to draw up a cat pattern! I find cats have such individual personalities that it seemed so wrong to just draw from getty reference images - so I did an international call out on my Instagram to which I had an unprecedented influx of tags as people sent me photos of their gorgeous kitties!
Roll forward to January 2016 and I am so pleased to say that the kitty pattern is now finished, named Le Chat Toile de Jouy for all it's Frenchy vibes. I wish I could have included all the wonderful and beautiful cats that were sent my way, you should have seen them!
I'm so extremely pleased with how this design turned out, and now it is available in my online shops!
Purchase tees, leggings, mugs, shower curtains and even duvet covers with my kitty pattern through Society6
Le Chat Toile de Jouy is also available as a downloadable art print in my Etsy shop! Simply purchase, download, print and frame!
This design is also coming soon to my Spoonflower page where you will able to purchase it on fabric and wallpaper.
As always, I love to hear feedback! What do you think of my latest pattern? Is there a particular animal you would like to see illustrated next?
Deborah x