Featured maker - Pumpkin Sputnik (and a GIVEAWAY!)

Ok I'll admit it. I have a thing for notebooks. I think that maybe they make me feel organised. I have loads of them, but I still want more. And the more gorgeous they are the less likely I am to want to write in them. Is it just me? (Really?)

Anyway, when I was browsing Folksy recently I saw these breathtakingly beautiful notebooks on Folksy (yes, I know, I'm gushing. Okay so I like stationery) and I couldn't wait to show you.

Emma who runs Pumpkin Sputnik has very kindly agreed to do an interview for the blog, AND has offered ....wait for it....not one, but two notebooks for a giveaway!!!!

Excited is an understatement. I just wish I could enter! Plus she also likes Sigur Ros, best thing out of Iceland since The Sugarcubes.

Read on, giveaway details at the bottom..... but in the meantime over to Emma....

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Hi, my name is Emma Wilson and I live just outside Glasgow.

I make notebooks, sketchbooks and cards printed with my photographic designs of trees, plants and flowers. I’ve always loved stationery and used to make my own notebooks and sketchbooks while at art school.

I began making the notebooks back in 2005 when my youngest child went to school, I had been a jewellery designer-maker before I had children and studied at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen for my degree in 3D Design.

Making stationery was something I was able to do at home while looking after my two children and meant I could indulge in my love for photography and Photoshop. My designs are influenced by my surroundings here in Scotland. Trees and flowers feature heavily and in particular my last two collections have featured Hydrangeas – my favourite flowers.

I began selling my work at local craft markets in Glasgow and online on Etsy, I now sell through Folksy and Big Cartel and various shops and galleries around the country.

I have some new designs in the pipeline, some new photographic designs and some completely graphic designs inspired by school books. I also taught myself to crochet last year and am hoping to have more time for that this year.

My other job is being Mum to my two children and keeping my husband in clean clothes

I do love paper in all its forms, my main range is made with watercolour card and lovely creamy cartridge paper which is great for drawing on. The watercolour card has a gorgeous texture which complements the designs perfectly and I recently switched to linen cord to bind the books together which has a lovely quality to it. I can’t think of anything I don’t like about paper, I do get frustrated with my equipment though – my printer has a tendency to play up and my guillotine is currently broken “sigh”.

I usually listen to 6Music in the workroom, but often when I have a huge pile of paper to fold I put Sigur Ros on – the perfect music to work to.

The house we are in just now has a converted loft so I work up there, it’s a bit cold but at least it’s away from the rest of the house – and any distractions!

My favourite design at the moment is one of my new ones call Betty (see giveaway at the bottom), it has a bit of a vintage vibe to it and has lovely golden and blue hues. The best seller is probably Vintage Hydrangea though.

Thank you Emma!

Some wierd stuff going on with linking the pictures today so you'll just have to click on the links below to see the shops.... sorry 'bout that folks. 


Links:
www.pumpkinsputnik.com
www.folksy.com/shops/pumpkinsputnik
http://pumpkinsputnik.bigcartel.com/

So.... the GIVEAWAY bit...

Emma has offered 2 Pumpkin Sputnik notebooks to the lucky winner. An A5 and A6 size in her favourite design, Betty.

Here they are...

The giveaway is open until next Friday 4th May, midnight GMT. I will draw the name on Saturday.

All you need to do is comment below and let me know you'd like to enter and your name will go in the hat! Simple.

However,.....If you'd like to up your chances a bit you could do any or all of the following - just remember to come back and let me know!!

• One extra entry if you pop over and like the Pumpkin Sputnik facebook page,  http://www.facebook.com/pumpkinsputnikpapergoods

• One extra entry per tweet of the following  "Fab giveaway on the @bpearcedesigns blog http://www.redbirdjewellery.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/featured-maker-pumpkin-sputnik-and.html- pls RT!" But please max 1 tweet per day, we don't want to get all spammy now do we? While you're there why don't you follow Emma @pumpkinsputnik ( https://twitter.com/#!/pumpkinsputnik/)

• One extra entry if you blog about the giveaway and link to it on your blog. Post the link here in the comments so we can all come and check out your blogs too!
  
• Last but not least, one extra entry if you go and like my facebook page (let me know if you already do, and I'll include you too) http://www.facebook.com/RedBirdJewellery

Phew. Good luck. And please spread the word about this fantastic maker.

Jewellery Inspiration - Our pond!

We've got a lovely little patio pond in the new (or now, not so new) house. It's really not big at all, (think very, very small) but it's so nice to have a pond, however teeny. Obviously, whilst the kids are small, and with me looking after other peoples kids quite often; it's not so safe to have a pond. But I couldn't bear to fill it in (where would all the frogs go...?)

So instead we've fitted a grid system over it, that's strong enough for Richard to stand on, but which has holes in big enough for frogs to use it as a climbing frame, and birds to still be able to have a splash and a drink, but small enough for the kids to be safe. Perfect!

Unfortunately, I'm not sure how well it's working for the lily pads - they seem to be pointing upwards a bit too much, as they can't just float on the top of the water, but we're getting some lovely flowers poking through too..



Aren't they beautiful? What a fantastic shape, they remind me of a spirograph - all long curves, and many, many petals. And those colours, especially against the green of the pads.

As you've probably guessed, they've given me a bit of inspiration for some jewellery too.... watch this space.....

Flouncy flowers

Love, love, love what's popping up in our new garden this spring....

Flouncy, flamboyant peonies, bright and gorgeous - and lots of 'em.

We've had a few wierd and wonderful visitors too, like this lovely red-legged partridge (apparently) which keeps popping by. They seem really tame - happy to wander around the garden while the girls play around them, very very noisily.

And of course our tennants...

I can't see any tadpoles in the pond anymore, so I hope some survived. Hopefully they're just hiding under the lily-pads waiting for their legs to grow.

I can't wait to see what else pops up...

How's your garden doing, have you had any unusual visitors in your garden this spring?

Ah it's nice to have company....

Someone has been watching me make my jewellery...

and yes I do need to dust the printer at some point. .

Leaves

(Picture by gorjuss - click to check out the etsy shop!)

I know it's a cliche but I do get alot of inspiration from nature. I am such a country girl, and feel so lucky to live in such a lovely little village with miles and miles of beautiful countryside on my doorstep.

Spring finally seems to have sprung, and I've been out in the garden all day. I noticed that our silver birch is coming to life again - I love it's delicate leaves, and the shade it provides.

I've got a few leaves in my shop at the moment (none of which are birch .....yet);

Fine silver leaf, with rock crystal and freshwater pearl

Fine silver leaf earrings

Other springy leafy finds I love....(click on the pics to find out more)