Time to say goodbye!

I think it's time to finally give up on my world of blogging, I just haven't got the motivation for it anymore. I used to love writing on my blog, but now it just seems like a chore, no matter how hard I try to make it interesting for myself and the followers! But I rely more on instagram now, I already have more followers on there than I do on my blog, and I have other commitments I need to take on to...

So sorry to anyone that wanted updates and good news on here! But if you are interested in buying some of my friendship bracelets, (the art of which I am still perfecting) add me on instagram, and will soon make an 'etsy' account to buy them!

Ellie,

p.s Thank you to all my loyal followers! I just don't have the time anymore! 

I got my results yesterday!

I was so panicked yesterday- finally finding out what two years of annoying GCSE exams would finally come to.

6 A*'s, 6 A's and 1B! So happy! I have A*'s in all my wanted sixth form subjects! I had to ring the sixth form with my results the same day, and they got back to me in a couple of hours saying that I have all my subjects and a place there- and my results were impressive!

Just so relieved- so much worry! How did everyone else do?

Ellie.

Summing up Sunday!

This is a new weekly thing- and just a bit of a trial. But what I want to mention on this summing up is how we all adapt and change.

We all have natural instincts to change anything we dislike about ourselves/situations, or change to make us cope with reality better. To the extremes of life and death all the way to making money and keeping ourselves busy. But sometimes it really surprises me how people you don't expect to change; do change. But I guess that's all about your determination, and really being able to see the better future and the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm sure I've done a post on this before, but it still surprises me and gives me that inspiration to be someone for the better (not just for you but others around you as well), and rise to the challenge of being the better person no matter what life throws at you.

But on a small scale I'm already winning some of that battle with this this week and recently- I have become more determined and focused in things that make me happy, rather than trying so hard at being someone I'm not, and don't want to be. I guess this week has been a bit of a realisation that sometimes not everything can be fixed, but in seeing that you can move on with your life and make it something you actually want to live in.

So this week- Summing up Sunday- I just wanted to say that this is the start of a the happy care free time, doing what you love, love what you're doing, and not wasting it on things that are bringing you down.

Friendship bracelet style!

I have managed to do a handful of different designs and patterns for my friendship bracelets, I have already posted the picture to my separate Friendship Bracelet page on my blog! I think I will only upload photos with a brief caption there- but if anyone is interested in buying any, just write a comment and we can arrange something! The bracelets on there at the moment are quite simple ones; I have already made a couple more (a bit harder), so I will be updating the collection soon!

I was also wondering if showing a tutorial of a couple of them would be of any interest? So comment and I will try my best to make more, and make tutorials if that would be any help to anyone!

 Here's the collection so far with my simple (first trial ones), but I might do an update tomorrow just of some more difficult designs!

Rainy photography.

I set myself a task to take pictures in the rain,(this post I made a couple of weeks ago). I finally got round to it- my two favourite ones will go on instagram as well. But here they are- the rainy/gloomy day that I challenged myself to take photos of plants and flowers.


The rain had mostly stopped by the time I got out there- I didn't exactly want to be there when it was completely pouring it down! But the sky is grey, so I thought that the photographs would be dimly lit, but in fact it seemed to be one of those more reflective days where the clouds are almost white- so it was actually quite light outside. I think that made it easier to capture the photos in a good light, but I don't think it captured the essence of what I wanted- a darker gloomier mood (just as the weather makes you feel)- but it was a start! I think I should carry on this task and edit these photos into something I would have expected to see; or carry the emotions of the weather I wanted to get across better.

Hope to keep you updated on this editing and other parts of my project!

Back from holiday- and straight into rain.

Coming back from the sunny island of Tenerife straight into the English rain was a 'nice' reminder that I am finally home! But now I am finally back- and able to carry on with my blog and my summer project!

I have thought of some ideas how to make my blog more interesting again (for both my readers and for me personally to write it- and have the motivation to post). I am going to do weekly things as well as my usual ramblings that I have on life, artwork and photography. I thought about what days I would want to post and about what sort of topics- and in the end I thought about having a "Summing up Saturday". So I can talk about something that has made that week memorable- whether it is some of my artwork from the week, a really big rant on something that has happened throughout the week or just something interesting from the week. So you have that to look forward to!

I also am about to post pictures up of some of the friendship bracelets so far- there are only a couple- it's been a busy couple of weeks! I have also put some pictures on instagram- if you have it add me @07elgr. Commence uploading all of these pictures! (Guaranteeing that my laptop crashes half way through and I have to start over!) So keep up to date with my posts- going to put more effort into my blogging!

Finally getting on track with my blog!

Ellie.

I'm finally getting there!

My string has arrived! And I have already started testing out patterns and colours for my new summer project! The only change to my plan for this summer is to stick with this blog and not create another one. I will make another page on this blog just for my friendship bracelets, but I think I will get a higher rate of sales if I sell on EBay rather than on here only. But I will take any orders/interests on my blog as well as EBay, and the discount still applies!

So I will put pictures up soon and start a new page. So keep updated and I will add more artwork, photography and my bracelets! Thank youu!

Ellie. 

I want to get out!

It's oh-so depressing at the moment, with all the rain. I genuinely miss summer. I'm not even sure what the sun looks like any more (not that you should look straight into it anyway!). But I really wanted to go out and get some nice summery pictures, of flowers and of the day time summer sky. The natural light just makes the capture so amazing, but no sun, no really nice natural photography.

So that made me realise how close minded I am to the way I take pictures and what makes them look good. So I have set myself a challenge- to get some nice pictures but in darker natural light or rain.


So another challenge added to my summer project is to get my photography up and going again and challenge myself on the subject matter and light source used for the captures. 

Just a light update at the same time- my thread is ordered and on the way! (For my new entrepreneurial development- the friendship bracelets!) I have got some school work to do! Not so much of a loose end! I have my A level course summer projects, which actually seem quite fun to me at the moment! 

Ellie.

Just a touch more artwork.

Finally getting some artwork done! Getting back to the usual way I do this blog finally! So enjoy some of the latest work- finally had the motivation and inspiration to actually do something constructive!

This one is dedicated to two friends, the picture just looked so perfect so I used it as inspiration. I used only pencil  (only HB) so that's why some of the darker tones are harder to see, plus my camera was playing up slightly. 

This one was just a doodle, that I added some cross hatching in pen to to make a more detailed flower. I am thinking of making this piece stronger my adding some kind of back ground. Any ideas?- Watercolour? Collage? Acrylic? 

This was also inspired by nature- a solitary rose. This was made from pencil, but then edited in instagram. (All artwork I produce is on instagram as well as a couple of random pictures) This was more about the outline than the detail and tone, but still a quick drawing. Again any ideas for a good eye catching background?

Hoping to get a bit more interest in this blog again! Hope to hear from everyone soon.

Ellie. 

I have finally decided on my summer project!

I have finally decided what to do this summer! (shock!) I am going to start a new blog, which is completely dedicated to my artwork and jewellery making. I will try and get some sales on there, but setting up the site is going to be more important for me. So I will make this new blog a more specific one! I will carry on with this blog, but I will be focusing more of my time on the other seeing as it will have more structure and interest to me and the audience of the internet! (Not everyone wants such random blog entries!)

I will get it up and running and sorted out to get some main structure and then add links from my new blog onto here! Hopefully get some feedback? This blog needs work as well, so hopefully my inspiration will show on here as well!

If any followers are interested in free samples of some of the work I do, or any commissions to be done I will do a cut price. (I know again ambitious, but I would like to award some of my most loyal followers some how!)

I have finally worked out how to get the price down and more interesting patterns- so hopefully the bracelet making will just be the start! And updates on instagram are needed too- so add me on that too for even higher cut price!

I hope to get this all up and running by the end of the summer enough to gain little bits of money (no profit, just more an investment and hobby!) and so it is established enough for a handful of people to know about it!

Wish me luck- sorry for the disjointed updates so far, I really need to get everything up and running!

Ellie.

The summer project is underway!

So I've officially finished school! Woop! But I've already started feeling the "loose end" feeling of not doing anything constructive...
So I have decided that I want to put some effort into making money, but in a less conventional way ... I wouldn't want to be predictable! So not only with my summer project of making my own art work and getting people involved in it, I would like to try an create my own app. This again will be very ambitious, but I will have all the time to make it.

Trying to keep myself busy, and I will keep you up to date!

Ellie.

Just a sprinkling of inspiration.

I've been wanting to do more artwork, but I think I have creative-block going on. I think about a piece I really want to set my mind on, and within three seconds I have changed my mind and have no idea what I really want to do! So I thought I would try and get myself more inspired, and show some talented artists, and what really caught my eyes.

Louise Saxton

I loved this style- and this specific piece the best out of all her work. She used left over materials to then make a piece  of art. I love the use of recycling, and feeling like this art work is just a smaller piece of the bigger picture- because the other parts of the material are still out there- making their own art. 

Pat Perry

I love Pat Perry's work, it just shows everything that makes a piece eye catching. The intricate details, distinct proportions, contrasting and complimentary colours. But the subject matter also makes such interesting piece- they all show realistic things, but then twist them to the un-natural eye catching (and pondering- thought provoking) ways.  

Stina Perssons

I really love this style- using watercolours to show the simplist forms of the face, and yet still have quite a lot of detail.  The fading of the complimentry colours just sets the whole piece off, making it 

Summer project update.

So I finally looked at how ambitious this idea of selling things I have made is. 

I worked out that even selling the friendship bracelets at a low price possible I would still make such a loss. Each set of decent threads you need just for those very simple friendships bracelets are about £3 each, I know I got the high end quality stuff, but if you don't all the threads on that string spread apart and become really frayed, especially on something that is made by tight knots. Each piece of string has to be 30 inches long which is probably a tenth of the whole yarn I get. So each piece of string is worth about 30p, and I have about 5 strings in one bracelet, making that at least worth (in raw materials) £1.50. So add on shipping/travelling cost, and my work labour I would have to less them at £3 each. And I know just from looking on Ebay and other sites already you can get them so so cheaply, so you would have to be a big manufacturer to make any profit by getting all these materials cheaper... Which is just stupidly ambitious and not really worth your time.

So I carried on with my other ideas as a trial run, I found that quite a few people were actually interested in buying some of my artwork. Although this was part of my original plan, I really doubted anyone was interested! So now I have to let people honestly judge my work- which is a whole new experience for me, I've never really had that before! So I'll see how that goes, not sure how well it's really going to work, but at least it was nice knowing that some people are genuinely interested! I think it's just given me a little confidence boost I needed to do more adventures and experimental work- and hopefully show you on my here and instagram as well!

Ellie. 

My wish list for summer.

This list seems to have got a lot longer, even though I have been out shopping just to actually have some summer clothes to wear... Which seems a bit ironic because the weather is like mid-winter. But oh-well! Here are just some of the random/useful things I really want to buy over the summer.

I want to get a journal/ sketch book, something that I can take with me on holidays and have pages that work with watercolours and inks. I have always had sketch books and notepads, but I never really finish them, or stick to the same ideas. So it would be nice to finally get to finish one with the spare time I have - and a fresh start, by getting rid of all the old notebooks I have had with sketches in (recycling some pieces if I like them) so I can fully focus on just one, rather than random pieces scattered everywhere!

I want to get some sort of canvas rucksack, just because I want to have a new bag for sixth form- mines slowly breaking.  And I think it will be nice to finally move on with the stuff I originally had in secondary and go for a completely fresh start!

Yes, I know I must look like a seven year old. But these roller skates are just amazing.  For part of my bucket list I wanted to learn how to ice skate, and because it just takes so much effort going all the way to an ice skating rink, hiring crappy skates to then only be bashed around by little kids with no balance (slightly hypercritical, seeing as I have no balance myself) and only be given an hour of this. Is really hard to learn if you only go once in a blue moon, so I thought that these would teach me in the spare time I have, as well as having fun - clearly the pink aspect of them- and actually getting outside and doing something productive; I've got way too lazy! 

I never stick my original plans when shopping- but maybe this year is going to be different! Curious to see what other people want on their wish list this summer; mine isn't that summery because of the lack of sun, maybe someone who has a more positive outlook on the weather would like to share their shopping lists! 

Ellie. 

The first attempts at my summer project.

I couldn't stop thinking about how I have forgotten how much  have loved to make things. Art used to be my way of letting out stress, or keeping my mind occupied on that rather than on other things, so getting back into making-even little things-is a lot more satisfying than I had thought it would have been.

I started just playing around with ideas, but ended up making a little friendship bracelet and a watercolour and pencil drawing of some penguins. Everyone has to start somewhere! and I thought it would just bring some more ideas and parts of my project to do. These were just first little attempts- basically just trying to keep my boredom away, but I think both look okay as quick little pieces that I just did randomly.

It was about time before I started uploading more artwork and more interesting things, so hopefully be back to my normal ways soon! So enjoy, and tell me what you think!

Ellie.- Have to start somewhere! 

Just an update of thoughts.

So I only have 4 more exams to do; still feels like forever though. I'm not quite sure what I want to do in the summer, I've told myself that I wanted to do little projects in the summer, that way I don't feel like I've completely wasted my time.

So I started looking up what I could do with my spare time, good old google! I swear it has the answer to everything- if not the meaning of life one day... Anyways, I came across this site with loads of ideas for toddlers all the way up to technical glass blowers, so nothing sort of a good range of abilities. I wanted to try out some of these ideas, but with my skill I'm not sure how far it's going to get me! But I have decided to try and make some sort of branding and personal making (not sure what sort of things I will make yet) and if it does become a success with what I make maybe try and sell some of it?

I know this is way too ambitious for someone who has no real clue about what sort of audience, what to make, how to brand it, how to sell it... So only a couple of flaws in the plan... But I have 3 months of free time, so I think that's a good learning trial! Hopefully it will give me some inspiration for my blog as well, showing my fails and successes of trying to make things for the first time! Always a good read seeing other people's fail!

So my ideas so far is-

• Jewellery making- I already have loads of glass beads stashed away at home along with wire and a jewellery making set that I never use, so it would be nice to make something of that. So that already gives me loads of different pieces to do- earrings, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, rings... 
• Customising clothes- I'm not entirely sure how I would do this, but I know I have tried in the past to make some shorts, and if I get my sewing machine working again who knows? Bits of bleach/ dip dye? Embellish it? (okay this one is probably a bit far fetched for my skills, but it's always worth a fun try!)
• Maybe selling some paintings or drawings? (again a bit far fetched for what I can usually paint, but again I can just paint something- again no idea what- and post it on here and see the responses first before I decide to offer it up to the public eye!). 
• And finally even try and create some sort of brand name from this all- Of course it's not really going to be the first priority because I want to see the comments and responses I get from this first. I don't want to give a brand name to something that will only get bad recommendations from it! 
• Where to sell? Well I will keep you up to date on the things that I think I should sell, or see if anyone likes it on here first- so it's just a select audience. But then if it does actually come to the point of selling things I though ebay could always be a start? It's just easy to get things across through the internet, rather than having to set up some sort of advertising to let people know you are even selling... Too much work for something that just is a bit of fun!

So this is my summer plan- to try something new, even if it is completely over ambitious, it's worth a try and hopefully won't leave me at a loose end! Hope to keep you updated, and hope to hear what you think about my attempts and the idea! 

Ellie. 

A solitary tear.

That moment you just want to break down. When you realise that you can't do anything better than just cry. But yet you still have that ashamed feeling of being completely useless, that you can do nothing productive, nothing meaningful or worth while. But cry.

I guess this is just an after thought to all the times I have cried for all the wrong reasons. Crying for people that shouldn't mean something to you, crying for someone who never really cared. But I guess it's just human nature to hope and expect the feeling to be mutual, that caring to be mutual.

why do we always have that ashamed feeling that comes with just letting things go just for once? Isn't it better to let things out than let them eat away at you? So why is it such a weakness to let people in and see you cry?


Ellie. - just a thought. 

It's finally time to start saying goodbye.

Just those last couple of weeks, a couple more lessons, 13 more exams. Then it's over. Everything I have worked for up to this point. I was thinking to myself about this is going to become such a relief when I have finally done everything, but what am I going to do with myself for a whole 3 months! I've always had something else I have needed to be doing in the back of my head making me think about what time I have, but without any more work where does that leave me? Well, it leaves me for a whole 3 months without a care, which of course is a good thing after all this build up of stress, but I think I will start becoming lazy. So I have decided that this blog is in need of a lot more love than it has been getting, as well as focusing on more productive things; like reading all the books I have told myself that I will eventually read! I will put up bits of art work, just so I don't turn completely insane with nothing else to do! So this was just a post so it gave me a bit of a push to finally tell myself it will all be over soon! And that a 3 month- no work holiday is going to be what I need! Even if it means a slight bit of laziness! Sorry for the repetitive posts about work, stress and how this blog will get better. But is controlling my life quite hugely at the moment, so I guess it's only natural to see that in my blog! Ellie. Also good luck to anyone else doing their exams :) mine start monday!

Support.

Support- that word that makes even the worst situation seem to slightly melt away into a less intimidating form. 

It just surprises me how the human race works; how we have these "destroyers", "sheep", "victims" and "fixers/supporters"; yet we all balance each other out. The names really say it all- people that destroy everything in their path, the people that just follow the crowd and do anything to fit in, the people that are the butt of every 'joke' or bad word and those people that are always there no matter what fixing all problems.

But even with these groups of the "good Vs. bad" people, we seem to cancel each other out. But the strangest thing I find about human nature of these groups is that the person can switch from group to group depending on the situation, and end up in a group you never expected them to be in.

Lately I have been feeling this, where someone you once knew changes, maybe for better or for worse. But they aren't the same person any more. Making your opinion of that person change and change their group. Or people you don't even know become someone you can fully trust everything in.

It just made me realise that it is human nature to help, it it human nature to show resentment and harsh words at times. But no matter what we feel about each other there will always be someone else to pick you up or to put you down.

So it's just about not wasting time on people that will never show you the gratitude you deserve. And showing the people that give you support you can return the favour. And if you really want to be generous be the person every one smiles at - the person who supports everyone without even knowing them.

Getting support from people that don't even know you that well feels like the world has finally noticed that you need that security blanket. You may not ever talk to them again, but just knowing what ever slip up you make you can rely on them to be there.

Ellie.

THE one.

I'm sorry this isn't going to be a usual post, but hopefully something people can understand and maybe relate to it (but also give sympathy for those people who have been in this position).

I don't really talk about relationships, and where that gets you. But going to have a shot at it:
You fall in love, you fall in love for all the right reasons, you fall because you want that person to catch you. You don't fall because you want to feel the pain of landing without a parachute. So why is it such a crime to love someone who doesn't love you back? There shouldn't be any shame or embarrassment about it, it should be seen as a moment where you show you're full trust in that person, so if they don't return it doesn't mean it's over. It doesn't mean a dead end. It just means that their trust isn't where yours is.

"If you can't go a day without thinking about them don't give up". 

You're my best friend. You may not be "perfect". You may not have the most articulate ways of expressing yourself. You maybe insensitive. You maybe completely hopeless. But you are you. And I love you for your flaws and you're stupid ways.

Your flaws are what makes you most captivating and unique, it isn't your downfall. 

No one is ever going to fill the space you leave. No one is going to be my childhood best friend. No one is going to remember all those stupid little things like you do. No one is going to have such an amazing family. No one is going to be you.

Letting you go...
Is it me being selfish trying to keep you, or just hopeful?
Are you going to be happier without me? Or with another girl?
Are you going to forget about me? Regret "us"?

So many questions, you create this bubble of self doubt. This self hatred that you let it get this bad, that you let yourself fall. Fall flat onto your face.

I know he is so perfect to me, even if he or everyone else doesn't see it.

I don't care what people think. 

How can you feel this way if you don't even get this love back? How can you feel so attached?

Every girl wants that happy ending. Every girl wants to find "THE ONE". Every girl wants to find her knight in shining armour. Every girl wants you to be their best friend. 

So don't play with my heart. 

Ellie. 

P.s Sorry for the rather large rant, that had no real structure, just another one of things that is filling my head up with mush, and just about the time I really need it before exams. SIGH. -.-