Charity Art Auction

I've been overwhelmed by the support I've received for the planned auction to raise money for Bootvluchteling. Over a dozen artists from all over the world have already promised to donate a piece to the cause, and there is still time if you would like to donate something, or know someone who would. Just get in touch and let me know.

Art by Moyra Scott

The auction will take place on facebook from the 14th-16th December. Although there are some people who do not use facebook, I feel the advantages in terms of the ease of sharing the event outweigh this factor. The event page can be found here and photographs of all the pieces being auctioned will be listed here over the next week, along with information about the artists taking part. The link to the actual auction album will go live at the start of the auction. Bids can be made as comments on each item's photograph with the highest bid at the end of the auction winning the piece.

Art by Sally Abbott

The auction is going live on Monday for 48 hours so there is still time to donate a piece if you would like to get involved. Artists are sending their pieces to the winning bidder directly so there is no middle man. That way you have up until the weekend to create something if you suddenly feel inspired!

Participating artists so far include;

Orly Avineri

Tamara LaPorte

Moyra Scott

Emily Mulroney

Sally Abbott

Lisa Wright

Michelle Hazell

Katie Flowers

Marie Goodwyn

Ciarrai Samson

Emma Louise Harris

How can I help the Syrian refugees?

The terrible situation faced by the refugees fleeing Syria has been on my mind a lot recently. I feel so much pain and sadness every time the desperate images are shown, and with the omnipresent nature of social media the visual assault can come upon you at any time and cannot be unseen. I feel, and I'm sure many of you do too, so small and helpless in the face of such large scale distress, and have been feeling very uncomfortable about the fact that I'm not really doing anything that will make a difference.

Today, as my democratically elected government votes (presumably) to join the countries already dropping bombs on Syria and adding to the numbers of people fleeing their homes, a friend shared this picture on facebook, and I couldn't face another day of inaction.

This child is about the same age as my own daughter. It makes me feel sick that there are families having to go through this. I don't know what I would do if my baby was struggling in the water off a foreign shore because my home was being bombed to the ground. I cannot comprehend what these men, women and children are having to live through. They are people. They are HUMANS. And I feel like so many of those in power are not seeing them or do not care what is happening.

That photograph was shared from the page of a Dutch charity called Sichting Bootvluchteling (The Boat Refugee Foundation). They are working on Malta, Lesbos and Kos to help refugees arriving by boat. When I saw that today I felt like there was a tiny point of light in this terrible darkness and I realised what I can do. I can make art. And many of my friends can too. So I am going to organise a charity sale of artwork to raise funds for Bootvluchteling.

I haven't worked out all the details yet, I was initially thinking of using ebay for charity with a central account to list the items and each donor posting their artwork directly to the winning bidder. However the foundation is not registered with eBay for charity so I will look at all the options. I have already had a couple of wonderful, kind friends agree to donate a work and would love to hear from anyone else who would like to be involved. I want to get this up and running quickly to see if we can get these artworks out to their new homes in time for Christmas so do get in touch if you would like to donate or can help spread the word. I will post all the details as soon as I have them!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... (Help!)

Happy first of December! Little one is a bit small to appreciate an advent calendar this year, but I'm looking forward to making her one next year. I feel like Christmas has suddenly crept up on me, and I still have so much to do. I always like to try and make a few presents, but this year I think I'll have to buy most of them, I just don't have enough time left! I always try to support other small businesses as much as I can, and I'm aiming to do a little gift guide in the next few days with some of my favourite handmade present ideas that have caught my eye recently.

I have been focussing on trying to get my business and website up and running properly over the last few weeks. I was made redundant from my day job so I'm taking the opportunity to try and make my living in a more creative way. I have been ticking off little jobs behind the scenes as part of the 100 day goal (we are on day 92!) and slowly feel like I'm getting there now. I even managed to attend a craft fair and sell a few paintings at the weekend!

I will be having a big website launch with a giveaway and some exciting new projects to share with you early in the new year. In the mean time I will try to maintain a more regular posting schedule here before Christmas! Now to figure out the practicalities of putting up a Christmas tree with a toddler in the house... Any suggestions gratefully received!