December Update

Hi! How have you been? Hopefully you have come here from my FACEBOOK PAGE (click the highlighted writing) and have seen that I am illustrating for Standard Issue UK regularly. It's a fab online site, written by clever funny women and about the issues we all think about but rarely talk about. You MUST check out the hilarious horoscopes, and the arts section is top notch. Everyones super lovely and I am continually astounded they let me anywhere near it with my drawings. Follow this LINK if you want to check it out for yourself.
The degree is going well, with me getting 72/100 for first project, which is enough for a first if I keep it up. Only 11 more assignments to go to test that theory. I do love it. The venue exasperates me sometimes, and getting used to new tutors is hard, but I'm absolutely happy to be there.
Lets have a picture catch up

My tools

Labrinth at Vevo Halloween

Collection of Manchester Staffordshire Pottery (john Rylands)

Darlington Station

Miniature Slum House in Library

Atmospheric Town Hall

Central Library

moths in my sketchbook

My Mind Is Working Overtime

My Mind Is Working Overtime this week. I've been open for business for approximatly 3 months now, and while its fair to say I am getting a tiny following and had some rather encouraging signals, I'm still lookinjg at an order book with maybe 2 jobs in it until the end of the year. Nothing has sold on my ETSY despite being favourited lots.
I can only draw the conclusion that the problem is one of price. The pieces take ages to do and using a simple craft calculator is how I arrive at the prices I do. But if they're not selling, what is the point of making them?
My solution is to create a range of more affordable pieces to suit peoples budgets for weddings, christenings and such that are smaller, simpler, but still 'me' and try listing those and hopefully have more success. It's such a delicate process, this endless jenga of retail.
On to some pieces I have made this week. Because at the end of the day they deserve to be seen

Where You Can Find Me

I doodle. Incessantly. I must be personally responsible for the deaths of thousands of trees. I apologise.
I have a shop and I chose Etsy as the pricing seemed fair and the layout suits my mood.
I have a facebook and I am getting used to it.
I am a member of the best papercutting group on facebook Papercutting Help and Advice
My email is clairemccartanjones@hotmail.com if you want to get in touch for commissions or advice or suggestions.
I have a Border Collie called Bo and 2 big strapping sons and am trying to grow my own veg with somewhat sporadic results.
It's a lot.