Brand new Summer 2011 Collection now available!

After finally overcoming some huge obstacles in my life, I managed to focus on my jewellery shop after neglecting it for so long. The products were ready for long, but I didn't have chance to take their photographs and uploading them to my website seemed impossible until now.

Please have a look at the Iyobo Design Summer 2011 Collections at the links below:
Earrings
Bracelets

Enjoy : )
And of course let me know what you think...

Coming soon at Iyobo Design

I have been working on the new collection for a while, but had to wait to make photos as my camera is not as good (as my sister's). She came over to take some photos and I can already see the difference. Oh dear what can I do without her (camera, lol) now?

Here is one photo to make you all excited. You all are really excited now, aren't you? ; )

It will need some time to upload everything to my website. I'll definitely announce it on the blog once they are available. Until then please do let me know how you like this pair of earrings.

New paintings in my Etsy shop

I haven't written anything for awhile, I got a bit disheartened that I'm not really getting comments, like noone is reading. My followers may have followed me to see my jewellery creations, but I also would like to show some other creative things I'm doing these days, for example I'm really proud of myself to be able to style my daughter's hair now, but nobody seemed to be interested in my last post... anyway...

Here is a new painting from my Etsy shop:

She loves to love - Available in my Etsy shop

Another hairstyle

I'm finding it difficult to get back to my normal internet-routines, and even though while sorting my life and trying not to get ill again I've been working on some jewellery, I haven't got anything to show you off just yet.

It's been almost 2 weeks now when I made this new design for DD's hair, but didn't get around to post any photos about it yet. So better late than never, here:

I was quite happy with it when it was ready, but after a few days it started to show that it was still not perfect... need more practise... Next time I'll try to use a different technique, which I just seen on the net today, though have no idea if my hands would be happy with that... This thing is not easy to do at all, and really waiting for the time when I finally get it right. : )

Something new, as promised

As a jewellery designer if I show you this photo you may think my latest project is some kind of jewellery...

But it's a bit different this time. I promised something new for next week in my last post. Well, I could not wait any longer. I decided to do it today.

I would like to say a huge thank you for Katie (her blog is  http://www.keepmecurly.com/) as I found her videos on youtube and I learned a lot from her.

So here is the result (of our WHOLE afternoon)

It's not perfect yet. But I think quite good if you know the fact that this is my second time to try cornrows. The first one was a simple ponytail in cornrows, which was not tight enough as I removed them after 1,5 weeks (though it's also the excitement to try something more interesting, lol).

I'm not sure why it was not tight, if it's my fault or because my daughter's hair is very soft. Well, after some more years I'm sure I'll improve. (and she will probably at least try to keep her head one place, lol)

I'll try to blog about my hair desings if they turn out any good : ) So if you are interested feel free to follow to see some more in the future. : )

My positive girls

Sorry for not posting anything recently, was not online as much as usually. (had to take off some time because of some health issues, which seem to be sorted finally)

Started to work on some collages, which I really enjoy and listed 2 of them on Etsy today, one more to come tomorrow. Feel free to check them out and let me know what you think please.

Etsy shop

Etsy shop

I'm planning something really exciting for next week. Something I never done before. But it's high time to start it. I can't wait, I wish I could start it right now, but for some reason I can't. It's not about my work at all, but really exciting. Lol. Hope I made you all interested and will come back next week to check the result. If it's the way I plan it, I'll do regular posts about the development... ok enough teasing for now... see you all soon. : )

Art journaling

Have you ever heard of art journaling? I only discovered it recently, and at first it seemed strange as all the artworks are in a book which you cannot sell, but finally I realised this can be very useful for me, so I started one. (have to admit, this is why I haven't blogged for some time now, oops)

There are more ways it helps me:
- gives me chance to try new techniques without the pressure of failing
- I can try new colour combos
- helps my creativity to flow
- summarize some positive thoughts
And if I create something I really like, I'll try to do similar on canvas (I started one last night after a successful journal entry - see below)



You can use any technique you like, the only "criteria" is to enjoy. : ) I prefer collage and mixed media these days, I really like experimenting with it. But in fact if you add ANY illustration to your notes it's already an art journal.

I aim to make a new entry in my journal every day until my book is full. And who knows by the time I get there I may not be able to stop it.

Have you got an art journal? Can I have a peek? : )

Folksy Friday - Little birds

Recently I started to notice the little birds all around us. Sometimes I hear their lovely voice and we always meet some when we go to walk with my daughter. She loves them and usually watch them for some minutes before we can continue our walk.

So today I decided to do a Birdy Folksy Friday. The links under photos will take you to the sellers' shops, check out their other items too.

ACEO pink birds - The Emporium of Curiosities

Love birds print - Mochalulu

Textile Art- Two little birds - SketchStitch

Lacy bird bowl in key lime - Prince Design UK

Elizabeth's website

Birdie Tooth Fairy Pillow - Heartfelt

Blackbird mini necklace - Handmadecharlie

Everything I love...

I noticed that I'm too busy doing more things at the same time, and always have something new in my mind while working, so never remember taking photos of each process. This is sad, as I have nothing to show off right now...

A tiny list what I'm working on, until I can show them off:
- Spring/Summer Jewellery Collection (going to be so nice, can't wait to be ready)
- ACEOs to fill up my art shops http://www.folksy.com/shops/artbybeata and http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtByBeata
- painting in watercolour and acrylic on watercolour paper, canvas and canvas board
I'm not bored at all, lol. Especially that I do all these things with my daughter (soon 3yo) dancing and singing around me ALL DAY! : )

But I don't want to neglect my blog, so came up with a list, so that you all will know me a bit better : )

Everything I love:
- My gorgeous daughter

- Working from home
- Painting
- Being creative
- Dreaming about a happy future
- Thinking
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Bright colours (to work with, not to wear though)
- Sunshine
- Tulips
- Writing lists ; )

What are on yours?

My latest ACEOs - Dilemma

Recently I haven't tweeted, blogged or facebooked much as I'm lost in my paintings. I really enjoy all the inspiration I'm having these days so have to admit, I can't stop painting.

While working on each little artwork, I have so much good idea about every kind of things. Especially some more paintings, lol.

Here are some I finished in the last couple of days. They are not listed in any of my shops yet, need to decide if I should list them on Folksy or Etsy... (I use different prices and have different numbers of views)

So what do you all think about them?

We are designers - Folksy Friday

This week's Folksy Friday is a bit different. While watching Gok's Clothes Roadshow I had an idea.

High street against Designers. Why are we not there?

There are LOADS of talented designers in the UK who are working hard and the public never even heard of them. We have our little websites and shops at http://www.folksy.com/ and we are lucky if we happen to sell a few of our designs per month. We don't increase our prices as we are worried they would not sell, so they cost the same or just a bit more than something similar on the high street. (though there is some high street chains who sell jewellery for £1!!! Ridiculous! Do people really think they will last? And is it not horrible seeing the same thing on others? Well, I don't like that)

So whom are we really promoting? The mass produced low quality items made by underpaid factory workers somewhere far far east? Or those who already made their luck and get LOADS of money?

What about helping our own hardworking designers who are struggling to get noticed? I believe we are worth a mention. Check out these beautiful things I found on Folksy.com and let me know what you think.

Can Can Hand-knitted Neck Warmer in Rico - BellaCastella

Brooch - Pants and Paper

Teal blue loose weave shrug - iLEAiYE

Dress- Sarah M Designs

Wrap Clutch - Vintage Florals - Leanne Woods Designs

Sparkling fuchsia-topaz bracelet - Iyobo Design

Folksy Friday - Dreaming of spring

For the last couple of days I have been working on my Spring/Summer Jewellery Collection, which is going to be really bright and funky. My head is full of colours at the moment, so decided to make a bright, spring-ish Folksy Friday. Look at these lovely things I have found! : ) The link under each photo takes you to their shop. Hope you like them : )

Pair of Yellow Felt Flower Hair Slides - Lilies and Daisies

2 Blue and Green Egg Cosies - The Knitting Press

Bright and Funky Set of 4 Crochet Coasters - Girlybunches

Kindle 3 Pouch Case Bright Flowers - Pipdesigns

Kitsch Hot Pink Colour Attack Original Acrylic Painting - Esme Dodsworth Design

Folksy Friday - Sunshine

After having a bit of January blues this week my Folksy Friday theme is Sunshine. : )

Interestingly enough on the worst day of the week, after getting some lovely messages from some lovely folksy friends, I sat down and started to paint... Really strange, but I painted a little sunshine, and the colours are so vivid, that it doesn't look at all that I had a bad day... I feel a lot better since then, and trying to take it easy and enjoy the nice things in my life, and the rest will sort out itself... hopefully.. : )

I found some lovely sunny items from other folksy sellers. Please click on the link under the images to see the items from closer and check out their other items too. : )

Crafty Mushroom - Happy Sun Greetings Card

Helen Hallows - Sun Coaster Tile

Crafty Monster - Sunshine earrings, cross stitch

Sketchstitch - ACEO

And finally here is my sunshine ACEO:

This way to my art shop



What is success?

I am a list person.

I wrote a list yesterday about the things I need to focus on (there is a point for blogging... blog more regularly! AND read more blogs!) and this morning I had to write a list again, this time about my life... what do I want to achieve. The list is a bit depressing, because the things I put down are really complicated and would not happen overnight, so I'm not sure it's a good list, as it will only make me feel worse and would not give me any power to move in the direction of completing them.

The most important point, which I would like to talk (or better say think "loudly") about is SUCCESS.

What does success mean to you all?

What I wrote is this: I want to be able to have a nice amount of income from my handmade business which is enough for a comfortable life. Once I have this, I feel successful.

I'm not happy about this. Does it mean I don't feel successful if I don't have it? Like now... Am I a loser? Well, right now I feel like one. : (  And it puts me down as I really-really hate to lose! I'm a fighter and don't just give up things easily. But what can you do when you try your best and still not happening? I have to try even harder I think.... Still don't know how though.

Or does it count if I have a happy child and doing it all alone? Am I done with that and any little extra just adds to it? I'm not sure... It may be the single mum thing, that I want to be successful in every area of life. But boy, it's hard!

So let's see... my plan-list for this year to help me to achieve my goals is:
- Do something really BIG, something courageous, something really different (need to think about this now)
- Set big goals, but be happy for the little steps during the way
- Look back at last year, if there is anything I did right, I have to keep on doing it, or correct those which are not right
- Organise some more quality time programs with my little sweetheart, to make her even more happy... in case the first plan doesn't work, I'll still be a good mother : )

What is on your success list? Are you feeling successful? Hope to hear loads of opinions : )

I need a change

Sorry for not posting anything these days, there was a really frustrating time for me in December when I attended some craft fairs... They were really not the way I expected. It was good as an experience though, because I got loads of lovely feedback and was great to meet fellow crafters, but I thought I would sell a bit more... There were days when I was actually worried if my stock was going to be enough, lol.

Since there is still enough stock in my jewellery store, I don't have to worry of that for now, and until I start to work on some new designs I wanted to do something different... I hate doing nothing, especially after the hard work I put into my business last year. I really worked hard. I enjoyed it very much and I got used to it. I'm really proud of myself being able to decide about starting a business and pushing it this hard, but I'm very disappointed right now, that my effort didn't pay off. Not yet anyway. As I am not going to give it up. I'm not a giving-up person at all! My friends know this about me. I simply don't know it right now how to step forward.

So until I have some new ideas about this I started to paint.... again... There are always these periods of my life when I turn to painting, drawing to get ideas from. I used to work with pastells some years ago, then I tried acrylics, though I enjoyed both, but they were not just perfectly right. Now first time ever I tried watercolour. After some practising I can say I really like it.

Available in my new art shop

ACEOs

And luckily enough there is a new addiction on http://www.folksy.com/ . There is a group of people whom are making these tiny pieces of art, called ACEOs, which stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals. These are very collectable and their only rule is the size: 2,5"x3,5". It's great way to collect original art for affordable prices. And for me it's a great way to paint without needing loads of material and time. I really enjoy working on each piece and hoping to get some inspiration for other areas of my life also, just as for my jewellery business.

Now I'm off to paint, but will be back with more posts soon I promise.