B is for...

Happy Folksy Friday once again!

In keeping with my alphabet theme, this week's letter 'B' gives me the perfect opportunity to show off perhaps THE best streetname I have found so far. Yes, that's right, please welcome BATMAN Street.

When Mr O and I arrived in Melbourne back in August 2008, the whole 'streetnames on cards' idea was a fresh concept, it being born mere weeks before whilst travelling up the east coast of Australia. I've mentioned before about the sheer volume of names to be found on signs in Melbourne, but I never thought we'd be lucky enough to visit Batman Street. It may help you to garner enthusiasm and understanding to explain that for some time now, Mr O is of the belief that he is, in fact, Batman. This is thanks to a 'dream' he had...I humour him, what more can I do?...so for us to visit this place, nay, this shrine was quite a find.

And here it is, for you all to see... along with:

Bernard Street, London

Beverley Street, Cairns, Australia

Bruce Crescent, Ellon, Aberdeenshire

Buxton Street, London (Buxton in Derbyshire is my home town!)

This week we've all gone from Brrrrr to Boiling thanks to summer finally arriving. I also finally got around to doing a major update of the website and am proud to say that all the streetnames I've acquired so far are now online and available to purchase, just click here (can take a few seconds to load). Or to purchase from Folksy, please click here.

And as for my favourite Folksy Friday finds this week, I think I've found some Brilliant Belters...

Brooch by Pants and Paper - here's just one of a fab selection

The Beat-owls Greetings Card by Konnie Kapow!

Bunting - Flower Garden by Hollie Lollie

Batik Paper by I Love Red

Have Brilliant weekends! Next week, the letter 'C' (I'm still trying for that spot on Sesame Street...)

Jen x

A is for... A Folksy Friday blog post!

It's disgraceful how long it's been since I last posted on the blog. Do not fear however, as I have a cunning plan - I will be teaming up the alphabet and Folksy Friday to keep me on track and post a new blog EVERY WEEK. Well, at least for the next 26 weeks! I haven't had chance to take part in the wonderful world of Folksy Friday thanks to the busy-ness that is the day job. Which is why this post has been in the pipeline for the past few days and now I can finally post it, it being Friday and all...

So, with my alphabet theme I'll be keeping you up-to-date with which collages are a-happening and which streetnames are now on The List. Starting with 'A' this week, I'll also be delving into the various Folksy shops to show you some of my favourite items. If I try harder, they might give me a spot on Sesame Street...

So, here we go - A is for...

Anstruther Harbour

Streetnames:

Abbey Road, London (yes THE Abbey Road)

Albert Street, Melbourne

Allan Street, Edinburgh

Anderson Place, Edinburgh

Andrew Lane, Marple, Cheshire

Angus Court, Perth

Ann Street, Edinburgh

Ash Street, Buxton

All available now on www.jenowensimages.com

And here are a few of my Folksy Friday Favourites beginning with the letter 'A'...(click on an image to see more)

Apple of my Eye handcut card by Quite Contrary Crafts

Alphabet Soap by Lucy Loves... (I have a bar of this at home and it's fab!)

Alice in Wonderland Gift Tags by Crafty Pagan Designs

Angel Wing necklace by Nanuk Jewellery

Next week, yep, you guessed it! - B is for...

Jen x

Something new, kind of...

Well what another busy week! Most of my evenings have been filled with making more of my Mother's Day cards thanks to orders through Folksy and my website shop. It's great to see orders pop into my inbox - a nice little boost to know they're going down well :)

The March Morningside Makers Market last weekend was another lovely day full of clever crafters and amazing artists selling their wares amongst the continual throng of customers. So many people through the door - I guess that's the difference between a sunny day and a rainy one (as was February's market) - the place was a-buzz!

I was lucky enough to have two happy helpers with me - in the form of my parents. While it was my second fair selling my own handmade goods, it was in fact my gazillionth time at a craft fair, having spent many a happy year when I was younger helping out on my dad's jewellery stall. It was great to have seasoned pros on hand and it meant I had the chance to pop away from the stall and venture out into the sunshine (and straight into the nearby camera shop!).
I wouldn't usually miss out on all the market had to offer, but I needed to get some film for my new camera... I say new, it's very much second hand but I can't wait to see the results! Here it is, my ebay purchase - a Kodak Duaflex II from 1956.
Having done rather a lot of Googling on these vintage cameras, I've discovered the world of TTV (Through the Viewfinder) photography. The name says it all - you literally take a photo through the viewfinder, with the aid of a homemade cardboard contraption to block out unwanted light flares. Here are a couple of my first-time results...

Ever a digital girl, I've been quite inspired by some of the TTV photos I've seen online recently and hope very much to get out and about this spring and get snapping at all that grabs my attention and if the weather keeps on like this, it should be a very productive time!

Jen x

Mother's Day is on the way!

I'm feeling rather pleased with myself, this chilly Sunday night.

Is it down to my transformation yet again into a card making machine? A machine so efficient it has churned out a pile of stock ready for next weekend's March Morningside Makers Market?

Or is it because I got up at 7am (early for me!) on Tuesday morning to drive in the snow around town getting those street names that have eluded me when I'm usually rushing to get home? I have to admit, the early start and quiet-ish roads were definitely a welcome change and it was quite an enjoyable outing!

Or was it posting off my first international order!? Quite a thrill I can tell you, to say to the man in the post office, "Can I post this to Singapore please?"

No, the reason is: I have finally finished my selection of Mother's Day cards! It's been such a busy time of late, when I finally sat down on Wednesday night to have a go at putting some together, I just couldn't find my creative mojo! But never fear! It was with me today and what a relief! I was starting to get a little concerned...

The cards are a mere snip at £2.20 each and can be bought online on my website or on the wonderful world of Folksy - a site dedicated to buying and selling arts and crafts, featuring a host of lovely creative-types. Worth a look!

Next weekend I will be back at the Morningside Maker's Market for my second craft fair and I can't wait! For those who fancy popping along, it's at the Columcille Centre, Newbattle Terrace from 10.30am-4.30pm. Hopefully see you there!

Jen x

Busy busy busy...

In the aftermath of last weekend's wonderful, wild adventure across to the other side town for the Morningside Makers Market, there's been a flurry of activity in the world of Jen Owens Images. Feeling somewhat inspired by the lovely reception my streetname cards received, I had a very productive evening updating my stock with the newly acquired names from a trip out to Gullane (who knew the East Lothian roads would provide such a good haul?!).

I've also been getting busy online and involved with the, quite frankly, super-talented and friendly Scottish craft community. Thanks to my new found fellow craft-fair friends Angharad Jefferson, Konnie Kapow and Lucy Loves Soaps, I've been pointed in the direction of the excellent UK Handmade website where you can now see my new profile, and to Glasgow-based Made in the Shade Maisonette which I can't wait to get through to and visit!

I'm also about to embark on an exciting new collage for a certain public watering-hole of favour. Can't really say more than that at the moment, but watch this space...

On top of all that, I have booked into the March Morningside Makers Market (or as I like to call it, MMMM...) so you will find me there on Saturday 6th March, as well as on Saturday 3rd April.

And should you be wondering what is at the end of the road to Gullane...here are a couple of views I found. Nice to get out of the city :)

Swimming in cards...

And so my first craft fair has been and gone... and what an all-round lovely day it was.

All those late nights making cards, mounting collages, writing stickers, pricing stock and drinking tea (read: wine) was worth it! Not only did I meet some lovely fellow crafters, I also had some, quite frankly, ego-boosting feedback about the collages and the street name cards were brilliantly received as well, which totally made my day :)

There were the inevitable few who couldn't find their name amongst my stock and in response I think I made a couple of promises that I won't be able to keep ("Of course I'll find Engelbert Street, just keep checking the website, or pop along next time!") but lots that I will.

The whole day in general had such a great atmosphere. All of my fellow crafters that I had chance to chat to were so welcoming, friendly and happy to dole out craft fair advice, which I duly scribbled onto numerous pieces of paper (and which I spent a good half an hour or so deciphering this morning!).

The next fair is booked for April 3rd, although I may try and get one in for March, so watch this space...

Jen x

Swimming in cards!

Valentine's Day is on the way!

In preparation for that good ol' romantic day, I've created some Valentine's Day cards after discovering Lovers' Lane in South Queensferry back in December - too good a street name to not use for such an occasion.

I've even been extra organised and added them to the website, available to buy in their very own shop, which you can access by clicking here. Of course do come and buy them in person at the Morningside Makers Market craft fair on 6th February if you prefer!

Jen x