From an early age, I loved to create. Whether it was drawing, sewing collaging or any other media for that matter, I have always been happiest when creating.

One cold October (in 2017 I think), I saw an event listing for the Ouseburn Open Studios. I’d seen it before but been nervous to go along (there was the anxiety that I didn’t realise I had in buckets). It was fun looking around people’s studios and getting to see how they were set up but the real lightbulb moment came when we went Northern Print.

I started creating Lino prints as a hobby on my kitchen in January 2018. I’d been a mum for long enough to realise that I had lost sense of what made me tick and needed to do something for myself.

It’s now April 2023 and I’m 5 years into selling my art (something that just kind of happened) and my style has changed massively over that period of time.

Let me take you through this changes…

They say a poor tradesman blames his tools but is that really true?

There’s a balance to be struck when aiming to create the highest quality products. It requires a combination of skill, knowledge and the right tools and materials. Even the most skilled of artists will struggle to create their best work with low quality equipment.

I have always been at my happiest when engaging in a creative activity, whether it’s drawing, sewing, journalling or something else. The act of focussing on something I enjoy helps me to process my feelings, take a break from the jobs list and have some time just for me.

While it’s lovely to finish the creative task with a finished piece of something beautiful, I have learned in recent years that enjoying the process is even more important. If I dwell on the getting it finished too much it becomes more like a job, which is often what I need a break from in the first place.

Whether you do Valentine’s Day (14th Feb), Valentine’s Day (13th Feb) or just want to make something nice for a loved one, these three makes are super easy, fun and pretty cost effective to make.

The makes I’m going to share with you are:

• Handprinted cards

• Handprinted totes

• Decoupage & drypoint gift/keepsake boxes

I managed to make all of these in one afternoon and had a lush time making them all.

Valentine’s Day can be another one of those times for needlessly spending money on tat, chocolate and things that nobody wants or needs. My husband and I refuse to go out on 14th February because meals cost at least twice as much and are often naff. We’d rather cuddle up with a film and a takeaway.

A piece of art that you have created is so personal so it will mean so much more than anything else you could give them.

Decorating the Christmas tree is when I get fully into the Christmas spirit. There have been years when I’ve felt so drained and fed up with work that my husband had bought the tree early because it totally changes me!

Without fail, I always follow the same pattern when decorating the tree (whether it’s the family tree or the one I dress for my launch photos). They are:

• Level the tree

• Lights

• Ornaments

• Topper

I am so excited to show you my new Christmas range because I know you’re going to love it and it will fit so well with your existing ornaments collection.

It’s clean and luxurious with a combination of white and copper!

There are many different types of printmaking - from the crude potato cuts that children do in their early years to more sophisticated methods such as:

• Monotype

• Linocut

• Etching

• Woodblock

My preferred method that of Linocut, although I occasionally dabble in monotype. I get an enormous amount of pleasure from being a Lino print artist and want to share my experience with you.

Before getting into what a reduction print is, let’s make sure we understand the basic form.

When I take to people about what I do, they either remember having a go at Lino print in school (and more often than not have very fond memories of it), liken it to potato print or stamping (the basic principals are the same but the skill level isn’t) or refer to it as painting. This article is for the latter group.

While there are a few similarities between painting and printmaking, there are some very big differences. I’ll be expanding on some of these differences below as well as answering the question: What is printmaking? And expanding briefly on different types of printmaking.

It goes without saying that I love printmaking because I have chosen to make it my business. There are so many reasons that I love it though. It helps me to focus or zone out. It helps me to express my creativity. It connects me to others and gives me time for myself too.

Fancy giving printmaking a go but not sure if it’s right for you? Here are 10 reasons to try printmaking.

Soon (end of May 2022) I’ll be releasing my new collection of seascape prints for sale. I’m so excited to get them out into the big wide world so I thought I’d let you in on how the process has developed.

Your environment has a huge impact on your day to day mood. If your home is a mess or falling apart then that has psychological implications. They say ‘tidy space, tidy mind.’ Well I am hopeless with house keeping. I love a good clear out but I have a child and two jobs so yes my house is messy and I’m no Mrs Hinch (I’ve only just learned who she is).

So how do I make my home a feel good space? I add colour.

When buying things for our homes, budget plays a huge part. Prioritising what to spend money on is a fine balancing act and you need to make sure you are getting the most from your hard earned wages.

Artwork may seem like a frivolous investment but actually it could be more important in your home than you think.

My husband and I invested in original artworks before I worked professionally as and artist and i’m glad I did for the following 5 reasons:

• colour

• dopamine

• atmosphere

• durability

• detail

You’ve been living together for a while and you already have the perfect toaster (4 slice and it works) and you’re looking for a wedding gift list with a difference. Does this sound like you? Then you’re in the right place.

When you create a wedding list with me, you reserve your favourite limited edition linocut prints or a bespoke commission slot and your wonderful guests club together to buy them. The end result is that you end up with stunning artwork in your home to remind you of your fabulous guests for years to come. Perfect!

A commission, in the art world, is where you employ an artist whose work you love to create you a piece of uniques artwork to your own specifications. It’s an exciting process and results in something totally bespoke that you’ll love for years to come.

I would always say to go with your gut. Who’s artwork do you love? If its someone that you keep coming back to and artwork that you always feel good around then that’s the one!

On one of our daily walks, we spotted some Snowdrops pushing up out of the ground and I decided there and then it had to be florals. Also, when chatting to my Facebook followers, one asked if I could try and new flower every month. YES! I thought. That’s it!

By the time I settled on this, it was already February and my brief research told me that Snowdrops are associated with February so that seemed like a great place to start.

Even the simplest gift can seem all the more special when it’s wrapped with care. That doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot on wrapping paper and takes ages folding. There are lots of ways to add that finishing touch that don’t break the bank.

I’m going to share with you how I do it at The Peacock and The Printmaker as well as showing you how some of my creative friends do it.

When we had our first flat, all that we could fit in was a short slim line tree from Wilkos. Despite its size, it was perfect for us and it’s still going to this day. It’s the munchkin’s tree (she takes great pride in decorating it) and I use it for all my Christmas lifestyle shoots. So far, it has lasted 13 years and it’s still going strong.

My cards and ornaments are made using high quality @cranfieldcolours metallic inks that give the most glorious glow against the Christmas lights. These inks were chosen because they produce the most beautiful sheen as they catch the light.