What do I have?............

What do I have to contribute that is unique? I do not seem to have the imagination that I need to inspire me. Oh I can copy pictures, I can draw to some extent and I can learn. To actually sell "something" requires not just talent but it takes imagination and to see what people may like. I get so caught up in all the things I would like to do that I don't get anything done. I am still working on my sketch books. I am beginning another before finishing the last one. I had sent for some art supplies to finish off some of the pictures in there. Maybe I should forget that one. Just paint with water colour as usual and start fresh in the new book. Right, that's the plan there.

I love looking on Pinterest for things to draw. Instead I should look around me at things in my life to draw but other people have so much better imagination than I do. I can't focus. I can't seem to get creative in my own right. I used to take pictures for something to draw years ago. Then I got to just enjoying taking the pictures so much that the two things never melded. Maybe that's where I should begin.
I am not looking for recognition. I just want to make some money doing what I love to do. Thats why a shop has always been a dream of mine. My fantasy used to be running a small resort and in the office selling my quilts and arts and crafts to holiday makers. Or a Bed and Breakfast with the same idea. Too bloody old for that now. So what else, and Etsy or Facebook shop. Then to deal with mailing and complaints etc. Then there is keeping the shop stocked and still getting everything done here that needs doing. I wish I could also sell things from the house. There are several "yard sale" pages on Facebook I could use but that does not appeal to me. I guess I would rather do a real yard sale in the Spring, its a lot of work but I have usually had luck in making a little money that way. I have picked up so much from thrift shops that I need to start weeding out. I know people do that for a living, maybe that's an idea but I tend to want to keep things myself but there is only so much one can keep. I just like stuff I guess.

I keep going down the same old street, the same old arguments. I have been put off from selling via shops in town and about because they take 60% and expect me to not sell for less myself. That means the prices go to a point where I certainly would not pay that much so why would anyone else. I tried Ebay once but got nowhere with a couple of quilts I made.

No one wants to pay what they are worth. By the time you price fabric and quilting you cant add much for labour and so what's the point? I would rather give them away. That's what I normally do. A quilt costs around 300 dollars to make when you add the costs of everything. That is using new materials though. The cost of fabric has gone up so much.
That's my other problem, I can't stick to one thing. I love fabric, I love craft supplies. I need a work room. My dining table is always full of something.
I spent this past Spring making wind chimes. Pretty sure I could sell those.

So here I am, same old story, same old problem what to do...............I want to make some greetings cards so maybe I will start there. Maybe I should just get off my butt and go rake leaves.

Sketch Book Ideas.........................................

I originally started my sketch books to learn how to "loosen up" with my water colour paintings. I felt I needed some guidance from other artists and see what I could do. I enjoyed it so much that I have done almost 20 books. Now what? Well since the first book I have evolved into a complete different direction. I have found some artists that I adore their work. I don't want to copy them but they have given me ideas and I am filling my sketch books with them. From "Annsdoodles" I have found products that I never dreamed were out there. Yes I started out doing watercolour, and I still do but......oh there is so much more out there. The sketch books do not handle some of the products well, I need better and different paper or card stock. Till then I am still using mainly water colour.

The products do not show up well on here but in that picture there is glittery paint that shines when you move the page. I need more colours in that particular product. It will look nice on cards and things.


Now if you happen to be an artist and I have copied one of your pictures, not to worry, when I do anything other than the sketchbooks it will only be my own original ideas and artwork. However I have found it useful to get some things down so I remember.


I still love doing faces, they are not meant to be lifelike. These are with the idea of doing pictures for childrens cards or bedroom pictures. When I do those I will be using glitter and the raised effects on a lot of things.

I would like to do some birthday cards and things that could go in a small frame.


I have been learning to do unrealistic flowers and zentangles.....all of those I will decide how and what to use them on later




These are but a small portion of whats in the sketchbook


Yes, I have done a lot of nudes to help get my proportions, those will certainly not be among the things I make to sell (blush)

I love Fairies and that will be one subject that I will do for sure

This brownie is copied but modified, I just wanted to keep the idea. I like it and will no doubt do my own version.




Suns and Moons are a popular subject and I love doing those.

These next are a few unfinished pictures.I have probably 1/3 of my book still to colour and have started a new book.



I still have a lot to learn but I will always have a lot to learn and so I need to make a start somehow.

I need to focus on getting some products done this winter so that I can get started. I will have pictures, cards ACEO's, quilts, bags, totes as well as other thing like
my wooden wind chimes. So much to do.................