link to new blog

oops, the link was wrong so I've amended it and you can find me on my new blog here and my new website is here

New Year, New Brand, New Blog, New Me.... eek!!

Well, hello there, hope you all had a very merry Christmas and a very happy New Year and you are all fit and well and ready for challenges and surprises of 2011!!

I just wanted to let you know that, after 3 and a bit years as 'sooziebee' I'm moving over to a new blog in conjunction with the rebrand and will now be known by my real name by which I can hopefully be more easily recognised. Whilst I loved 'sooziebee' it did get a bit confusing for people, not really knowing what it was, who I was, mis-spelling it etc etc, so after some sound advice I have decided that it's time for change! I'll miss this blog but the time has come to start afresh, New Year, New Blog, New Brand and New Me.....

As I look back over the last few years, from my first blog post in April 2007, to now, I realise how much has happened during these few years, how far I have come, and how many things on my endless 'to-do' lists I have accomplished, and I feel very proud of myself, because what began as a whim and a hobby at a time in my life when I desperately needed something to focus on, has grown into something that is mine, and I can now call myself an artist without feeling like I'm an imposter trying to be something I am not!

I have met so many lovely people through my blog, some of whom I have even had the pleasure of meeting, have had lots of lovely comments and support, and have also sold some of my work along the way (always a bonus). Thanks for all of the comments and encouragement to everyone who has dropped by and read this (sometimes rambling) blog. Please come along with me for the next part of the journey, who knows what will happen...

So for now, I'm signing off as 'sooziebee' and signing on as 'sue bulmer - artist'.... please find my new ramblings here I;m sure it's going to take a while to settle in, get it looking just the way I want it to, but please pop by and say 'hi', it'll be great to see you!!

time flying by... a bit philosophical

flippin' 'eck, doesn't time fly by when you're having fun? I can't believe I haven't posted since 1st December and here we are on 19th with less than a week until Santa comes!! I've been smugly organised this year and have made a conscious effort to chill out in december and take it easy rather than running round like a blue-arsed fly and being absolutely knackered by the 25th!! After our summer of being away lots on holiday and in our caravan we have had some much-needed time at home, and it has been GREAT! We have had a good few weekends just being here, cooking, walking and being all domestic, and it has been a welcome change...

....which makes me think about getting the balance right in life. It's quite a difficult thing to do, especially when you are trying to run a small creative business and all that entails, working part time in a relatively stressful day job, seeing your friends and family and spending quality time with those you love. Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of what is important, you can get so wrapped up in your own little world. Being not-as-busy-as-usual has made me realise that it's ok to not have something planned every weekend, in fact it has been really good for us, I wouldn't want to do nothing every weekend, but sometimes it is just what you need.

Having a bit of down-time has also given me time to think about my business and the things I want to do next year.... I have a few ideas up my sleeve which I can't wait to share... but I think this time of year it's also good to look back to see how far you have come, and give yourself a good old pat on the back for your achievements!

Well, thats all from me today, I think all this time on my hands has made me feel a bit philosophical so I'm off to do a bit of sketching in front of the fire. This blog will be moving soon to my new rebranded abode, if you want the link you can find it here and you can also check out my fab new website here

doodling

this started as a doodle on Sunday and i've been working on it since then. I've finished it today. The weather here is awful, I went to work today to a different pharmacy nearer to where I live, but had to close early and come home due to the snow. It looks beautiful outside but it's a real pain in the arse when you never know whether you are going to be able to get to work, and even worse whether you will be able to get back home without getting stuck or crashing your car!! Please make it stop!! The novelty has well-and-truly worn off now!!

it's bigger than the both of us

new canvas started today, and possible finished later on this week. I'm meant to be going shopping with my niece this afternoon, for Christmas pressies and party dress, but I keep looking at the weather forecast and wondering whether I'm being a bit ambitious! Maybe I need to stay at home in the warm house and finish 'The Bed I Made' (fab stalker-y thriller book by Lucie Whitehouse).

rebrand countdown

there are a few things going on behind the scenes here at the moment and not much to tell you about, but the arrival today of my new 're-brand' postcards has made my day. I designed them myself, and they very much fit the look of my new website, which I should be able to share with you very soon.

As some of you may know 'Sooziebee' is making way for the new 'suebulmer' brand, which I hope will convey a more of a professional 'me' image, whilst maintaining the quirky 'fun' and down-to-earth element that I love, and I hope this is going to take me and my business forward in 2011. Let's keep everything crossed that the next year will be as good as this one has been, some major steps taken as far as my goals are concerned and I have ticked a fair few things off my list for 2010..... exhibitions, more stockists, some good sales, lots more focus, (thanks to my Notts Creative group which has been amazing at giving me a well needed push and some good direction), and lots of exciting new ideas for 2011, which I can't wait to get started on.

So from now until the end of the year I probably won't be posting as often as I usually do, as I hope to get cracking on getting things lined up for next year, so I'm well-prepared and raring to go. I think I'm going to take a few weeks off now, as I have no sales events or Christmas fairs booked, so maybe it's time for some sketching, researching new ideas, catching up with people, and enjoying getting ready for Christmas, which actually isn't that far away. Keep popping in though, I'm not going anywhere!!

starting to feel festive

so i had a bit of a play around with some holly tree images, in the good old black ink stylee, just to see whether they might be worth taking a bit further and adding to my xmas card designs??

I did actually feel a bit festive today, it's been blinking freezing all day here, and some places the frost didn't even melt, it's been that cold. I had to get under the quilt in the studio to keep warm, which was fine as I was just doing sketchbook stuff, but I'm going to need to turn up the heating in there I think. As for festive feelings, I've made an effort to get organised this year, and am determined to finish all my shopping before the end of the month, so that this year December can be a bit more relaxed and less stressful. My day job gets sooo manic that it will be well worth it... also I might even have some time to work on some new designs and get my tea towels printed and marketed.

hours of fun

i've just discovered the Hipstamatic app for iphones and I downloaded it last night, what can I say, I'm a bit behind the times with all things technical, but I thought I'd share some of the pics I took this morning out on my walk and also a couple from last night, when I was having a play. Fab effects, I love it. You cn change the film and lens and even the flash and get some really good vintage and retro effects!!

Ok, better go and get some work done, the beef and guinness casserole is in the oven for tea, so no more distractions I can go and work thru todays to-do list, quite boring, but sometimes the boring stuff just won't get done if you don't do it!!

SALE!!

check out my sale, in my folksy shop, i'm having a clear-out and need to make space for new work so I'm letting some original one-offs go for ridiculously LOW PRICES!!!

playing with colours

which colours do you prefer, and do you think they are suitabe '1950s'??

and a partridge in a pear tree - the pictures

Here are my photos of the preview yesterday, not brilliant I know, hopefuly we'll have some better ones to show you when we get them from the photographer (especially a rather funny one of me standing next to my work looking v self-conscious and feeling very silly!!) I'm going to go up to the gallery again and try to take some better ones when it's a bit quieter. The girls who curated the exhibition did a great job, I was soooo pleased that it all came together. It's on til 2nd Jan so if you fancy a peek you've plenty of time.

my first exhibition preview!!

A little preview of the Partridge in a Pear Tree Preview, I even got a badge!! I know, it's the small things that excite me!! The preview went really well, it was busy and we had good sales, although I haven't a clue if I sold anything. I'll show you the pics I took tomorrow. Tonight I'm just going to veg out, have a glass of wine and be thankful I have such great friends and family who all came along to support me, it made me feel so lucky and priveleged to share my first exhibition with you all. When I think back to starting out a few years ago I'd never have thought that I would be taking part in an exhibition at Rufford of all places, mmm, very pleased and happy!!

that's better

a little re-jig and i'm happier with this 1950's tea and coffee-pot design today. Maybe this will make it into the Shop.... if we ever get any decent photography weather!!

I don't know what it's like where you are but it's really depressing and grey here, I've even had to de-camp to the house as it's just so bloody cold. It's days like today when I wished we had kept the idea of putting a log-burner in the studio. I think I'm going to go and lock up now, snuggle up in one of my blankets on the soaf and read. I've done some work so am quite happy with my efforts today... hmm, the more i think about it the more appealing it's becoming. I'm on the second Stieg Larsson book of the Millenium series, and it's calling me.... bye for now!!

new designs

this is one is a work in progress, and it will be getting its 1950s/contemporary patterns tomorrow and maybe a redesign or two, as I'm not 100% happy with the layout... ah, sometimes you don't get things right the first time, but I'm confident that it will turn out ok in time... with a bit of tweaking perhaps!!

'and a partridge in a pear tree'

I hope those of you who live nearby can come along, it would be great to see you all.... remember your purses and wallets, it's a selling exhibition so you might want to start your Christmas shopping!!

1950s inspiration

Today I have been packaging up all of my work for the 'Partridge in a Pear Tree' Christmas Exhibition at Rufford Country Park (preview next Sunday 2-4pm)and once that was all done I had some time to get my sketchbook out and do some sketches for some new designs. I have been reading a lot of design blogs and am really drawn to the 1950s tea and coffee sets and the patterns by such designers as Lucienne Day. I love the simple lines, colour palettes and the designs of that time so I'm putting together some new work inspired by that era. Here are some pages from today....

soon to be tea towels....

Here are the designs I have chosen for my first tea towel print run, which should be happening very soon!! I'm so excited to finally be expanding my range of products, and can't wait to see what they look like when they are done. This is my first tentative step into getting my images onto products so I'm hoping, if I get them all ready for Christmas (fingers crossed I haven't left it too late) you'll all be queueing up to buy one to send off to Santa!! I'm also hoping next year to expand, depending how these initial designs sell, but this is definitely the way I want to be going and I can't wait to see how it goes!!

I might even try to get some on my designs onto some fabric for cushion covers and soft furnishings so I'm off to the Spoonflower website to see how it all works, and more importantly... how much it costs!!

feeling creative

I think I've cracked it... the secret to having a stress-free creative day (and you think in my 39 years I might have realised this before now!!)... going to bed early and getting up early. I know.. it's not rocket science at all, but usually on my 'not-working-in-my-proper-job' days I have a bit of a lie-in until about 8.30ish and then rush around walking the dog, sorting tea, tidying up the studio before I can even think about working. Today I got up an hour earlier (my usual getting up time) and it's amazing how much I have got done.

Whilst I was out walking Mac this morning I got a rush of autumnal inspiration and, spurred on by my weekend away to the Yorkshire Dales, I got out my fabric paints when I got home and decided it was time for some autumn landscapes. The results you can see, all over the studio floor, drying out at the moment. I think you sometimes have to do what you feel, rather than what your to-do list dictates, so today I binned the ink illustrations and tea-towel designs in favour of following my heart. Try it!!

polka dot tea party

this started as a doodle to fill a piece of sketchbook page I hadn't used, and it ended up as Polka Dot Tea Party. I've had another busy day, and had a mentoring session today in my studio with someone from Creatve Greenhouse, which was very useful. It made me realise that my ideas for what I want to do aren't far-fetched and 'pie-in-the-sky' and that people do really make it in creative industry.... I just have a long way to go and can't expect results overnight!! AS usual I'm being impatient... So the plan it to order some of my designs on teatowels and get them for sale.... and maybe look at other ways to get my designs onto products... ideas please...

bejewelled

today i'm tryng to get lots of little jobs done first so I can then go and spend a decent chunk of time in the studio this afternoon, it isn't all going to plan though!! Does anyone find it really annoying when you have finally found the time to spend on your creative business and then you find yourself doing paperwork, printing, emailing, getting quotes for work, etc etc et-blinking-cetera and then not really doing what you want to do, ie get the pens out and start drawing... that's me today!

I need to focus!! Right, tea will help me to do that... i'm off to put the kettle on, make a brew and i'm going to my studio!!