New cards and upcoming markets

Hello!

I hope you're all doing well.  Today I'm going to share my brand new card designs that I've been busy working on recently.  

Apart from Christmas cards it's been a little while since I made any new greetings cards so I thought it was about time to create some new ones.  I also heard in January that I'd got a slot at a market I'd applied for so I wanted new cards ready for that.  I've now got two upcoming markets in spring (hooray)! so I'm super excited for those. 

I knew I wanted to make at least three cards and that I wanted them all to have the same colour palette so they work as a set.  My first market is the day before Mother's Day in the UK so one of the cards I wanted to be is for that, plus a Birthday and any occasion floral card.  

They're now all at the printers so they should be with me in physical form very soon.  It's always exciting to see them when they come back in finished form.  Once they arrive and get photographed I'll also be popping them into my Etsy shop SharonFarrowArt.  I also have a sale on there at the moment with 50% off all A5 prints including these below.

I mentioned earlier that I've got two markets coming up.  The first is @localmakersmarket on March 9th in Wanstead and the second is @craftyfoxmarket on April 6th in Kings Cross.  Both are brand new markets for me and I'm super excited to be taking part in them.  I will post more about them soon.  If you're in London then it would be great to see you!

That's all for now, time to head out for a refreshing morning run.  Have a good week :).

Happy New Year and a sale!

Hello and Happy New Year!

2024 is now upon us.  Strange to think just one week ago was Boxing Day and I was eating crisps and losing (yet again) at Cluedo.  I hope (if you had one) that you had a good break and are feeling refreshed.  This is what I call my first day back proper, and I've tried to make it not too challenging with some sketchbook work.  So far I've been quite happy with what's been going on in there today.  There's a bit of admin to do as well so overall day one looks ok.

Todays post is really to advertise (shameless plug) that I have a sale on over in my Etsy shop SharonFarrowArt.  It will run for most of January and includes all my Christmas cards, wrap, tags and tree decorations.  There's either 25% or 50% off those items as detailed in the listings.  Some of them are pretty low in stock and it would be good to sell them on to a good home.  I've also got reels over on my Instagram with all the details.  I know many people like to get organised for next Christmas in advance so if you fancy taking a look in my shop have a look here.

Here's some items that have 25%off :

and below some of the 50% off goodies including all my tree decorations :

I had a good and busy December which I really enjoyed.  Can't deny that now feels like a flatter time but it is a good time to plan ahead.  I've got a list that I've been adding to, started in December, with things I would like to try in my business over the coming year.  I am just jotting down anything that comes to mind, no doubt things will be deleted and the list will be added to as we go forward, having it there gives me something to work toward and get going with right now though.  The sketchbook work today is one of those starts, as I want to make some new cards/prints for my shop and I feel starting there is a good way to try a few things without putting a huge pressure on straight off.  I think it's worked but I'll save that for another post.  I don't make resolutions and stuff, but the start of a new year always does feel like a time to reflect and reassess.  

I hope you're having a good start to January, it was raining here this morning and now it's really windy.  I do quite like listening to the wind whistling when I can just stay in.  It really does feel like back to regular life again! 

Speak soon :).

Final December market of the year!

Hello!

I hope everyone is doing well.  I thought I'd pop back with an update as I've now done my final fair of the year.  

This weekend was the @designandcraftfair held as part of the Truman markets in East London.  It was my only entire weekend market of December.  One of the really good things about having a stall here is that it is huge so I can really spread out and bring some framed prints which I can't normally fit on a table, (although my arms are not so pleased with this 😅).  Unfortunately though, it wasn't as busy as I had hoped.  The area in general didn't seem as busy as it is usually, as it's normally very buzzy.  It was a bit of a shame but, I still made a profit and sold a lot of cards in particular so that is the upside.  Sadly footfall is often something that is totally out of a traders control, however, I got to chat to some of the fellow stall holders which is always a lovely part of trading.  

So, that's my December markets wrapped up!  It's the first time I've done a market each weekend and I would do it again.  Over the past year I have increased the amount of markets I've done and next year I definitely would like to do more.  I enjoy them, inspite of the schlepping of stuff around London (which is always a challenge), the days are really fun.  I've met lots of people doing similar things with similar struggles and wins! and that is one of the best bits, as well as people liking your created goods enough to buy which is always a joy.  

To round up my busiest market was definitely the @illustratorsfair.  Very well marketed every time, and the location is itself is busy and has a really good vibe.  The second was the @ktmakermarket and for their first one it really was a huge success, so again great marketing I think.  I really want to do more with them. Even though this last Design and Craft fair was quieter than I hoped, I would still do another.  The last one I took part in in September was much busier, and I still really enjoyed my weekend there.  

I'll just pop in that if there's anything that tickles your fancy in the photos above have a look in my Etsy shop SharonFarrowArt.  I have now sold out of some stock, but most of what is on display here is still available.  If you want in time for Christmas though as I post by second class, the cut off for guaranteed delivery has now passed but....maybe you want to surprise someone for New Year!

This will more than likely be my last post before Christmas so, if you are celebrating, or just having a break, I hope you thoroughly enjoy yourself 😊.  Also just to say, thanks for reading my ramblings I really appreciate it!

See you soon

Sharon x

New festive shop goodies

Hello!

Once again, it has been a while since I've last posted, whoops!  Still, I have a bit to share right now so I think today is the day for more of my scribblings.  

I've been busy getting ready for......I daren't say it, because it is early, but, yes, for Christmas.  It's tricky, but as a person making and selling things for that time of year you do have to start gabbling about it early!  It's been quite exciting for me really because I've tried out a few new things this time.  Foiled cards is one. They've been something I've wanted to try for a while, and I'm really happy finally to have made some.  I've also ventured into making wrapping paper and gift tags this year.  

My original plan was to make one set of cards, the foiled ones, but once they were done I was in the swing of festive ideas (you know how it is), so I made another card featuring partridges (any excuse to draw a bird), and seasonal foliage.  I'm really happy with all the designs, I've realised it's a very green coloured Christmas in Sharon land but that's ok I think :).

They are now all live in my Etsy shop SharonFarrowArt

Also, if you're in London in December I will be selling in the flesh at various markets every weekend throughout that month.  I'm going to save all that information for another post though.  That means I will be back soonish with all those details.  I'm very excited about all of them.  Markets and fairs are something I started doing in the last few years and I've really been enjoying them.

So, I will leave it there for now.  I hope you're having a lovely week and I WILL be back soon!

Sharon :)