Monday 20 August 2007

Come join the E17 Art Trail!



"Ms. Priscilla, the future bakers wife
lived above the shop in a small but tidy flat
with her pet chinchilla Morris and fat ginger cat."

(pictured: Ms.Priscilla,the future bakers wife)
Mixed media work on family portraits fused with fantasy and story telling playfully depicted through the hypothesis
of "animal" evolution in place of humanity.
Photo manipulation printed onto canvas,embellished with embroidery,lino printing, collage,ink drawing etc.

This year the E17 Art Trail will run from the 1st to the 9th of September and I am proud to say that I shall be exhibiting my illustration work at Penny Fielding Beautiful Interiors in Walthamstow. There are 67 venues hosting 97 exhibitions and events, with well over 300 artists taking part.Please visit the Art Trail website for details and listings of all other shows and artists.
www.e17arttrail.co.uk
Once again with no support from the local council(shame on you Mr. Loakes...art is not a middle class pass time as you can see it's made by everyone for everyone! ) artists have taken it onto themselves to showcase their work and the creative richness of this sometimes forgotten borough.Thank you Cris and Laura for all your hard work.
Come support your local artists and crafts people!

Tuesday 14 August 2007

What to do when a multi million $ company doesn't pay up?

A very good question. Maybe you can help and answer with some legal know how.
It all started last year. I was so happy to have my dolls up for sale in Fabrica Features Benetton Shop in Lisbon. Apart from the great kudos, but I must confess that as a teenager I absolutely hated Benetton... too many pastel shades for a young punk rocker, I thought it would be a great chance to get my creations out in the big wide world. They were taken on a sale or return basis which with hindsight I would never have done but each opportunity must be explored and taken...or so I though!
I've now taken back my stock and have been awaiting payment for over 4 months. All receipts/invoices are legal but they say otherwise. After speaking to the relevant tax offices it was said that on imported stock they are exempt from paying the VAT what they need to do is pay their equivalent tax to their country's financial department. So why they need it is beyond me. Basically you would need a VAT number only if you were trying to get a reimbursement from the UK's tax office which they can not do. From what I understand a company that exports to another EU country does not need to provide their Tax registration number as this is only relevant in their own country.
I know that this Benetton shop in Lisbon is a franchise but it does leave a sour taste in my mouth regarding the company as a whole. It's just really sad when a large company like Benetton tries to tap into the handmade, art and craft market and actually explores small makers like myself.
Oh well...that'll teach me for not stick to my ethos and teenage beliefs!

Thursday 9 August 2007

There here!


Hooray...the new collection is ready to purchase in my online boutique!My little hands were sewing away like frantic ferrets...can they even hold a sewing needle? You get the picture.
It was intense, hours of designing, sewing and stuffing but all worth it. As well as the old favorites there are some new
characters. Misleading bunnies, gang land squirrels,
hot headed bears and run away rock show flames(pictured).
Go check it out!