The Soul of a Teddy.

I don't really design teddies.  No.  I think they design themselves.  I just put them together.

I see a piece of fur fabric that calls out to me to make it into a teddy.  I have no say in it.  Sure, I designed a pattern or two many moons ago, but that's the last of my input.  The little teddy personality just happens by itself.

I think, maybe, little teddy souls float around in the air until someone buys some fur and makes a teddy, then the soul comes to reside, offering comfort and protection to a little human soul it's matched with on earth.

Maybe teddy souls are like sparks of inspiration, it's said that they float in the air, being attracted to some people and not to others.

And I seem to be an antenna for more than my share of them!

If you would like to see some of these little souls, and maybe make one your own, you can see them at my Etsy shop by clicking on the kitten to the right.

House of Shan.

It is here!  I have opened my Etsy shop.  You can go and have a look here.

House of Shan.

I know there are only seven available prints at the moment, and I know three of them are coffee.  Someone suggested a set of three, so I've been looking at some ideas.  Next will be a coffee pot on black.

Then we might start looking at some pretty flowers.  Although there is a rather nice pic of spilled nail polish I'm dying to do.

Any ideas, especially in sets of two or three, are very welcome.  I've got my own ideas, but I really want to know what other people want to see.

Another reason I'm going with the simple still life is that they are simple.  Ha.  I mean that they are easy to get done and up on the site.  This means I've got heaps of work up and there's a lot to look at and choose from.

It also means I can practice while finding my groove.  I still don't know what I want to do with my art!  So this will do in the meantime.

Also in the meantime is doing some personal commissions, a portrait for one friend and a reproduction for another.  And some book illustrations for yet another.  And if any of them are reading this, I did some work on yours today!  Promise.  One's drawn up, one's touched up and the other has been researched.

I really am having fun with this whole small business thing.  What I've also been doing is reading up on how to run a small business.  I love libraries.  I want that on a t-shirt.  "I love Libraries!"

I've mentioned my new favourite business guru, Leonie Dawson, another Aussie chick who runs the Amazing biz, amazing life academy.  I'm going to sign up one of these days.  In the meantime I have soooooo much stuff from her website, free downloadable book, facebook page and emails to keep me going in the meantime.

All in all, it's been a couple of busy days.  Seeing the psychiatrist, scanning pics at the school library, editing said pics, updating the Etsy shop, drawing up a commission, library visit, laundry (well, it has to be done), shopping, vacuuming, research into Caravaggio's technique, photoshopping some more pics, planning a holiday, emailing some friends, visiting with Mum and planning my nieces birthday pressent.  And it's only Tuesday.

And with that, I'm off for evening prayers, piggy jim jams and sleepy bo bos.

Good night.