sail away, originally uploaded by valeriepica.com.

I painted this about a month ago – just playing around with paper and gouache on wood.

it is better to light a match than to curse the darkness, originally uploaded by valeriepica.com.

This is a recent commission for a friend. The text is in hebrew, and translates to: “it is better to light a match than to curse the darkness”.

Acrylics on canvas.

So this is the new project I’ve been working on- monster badges!
I’ve got all the packaging set up, and will show you the final piece soon.

Just thought I’d show you the set up for some Lino printing I’m doing- I know most people use a roller and blockprinting ink, but this is a simple way of getting an image down.
If there’s any interest for this I might do a short video about Lino printing…

And if you’re curious about what the label is for- stay tuned! I have exciting things planned…

Just though I’d show a sneak review of some books I’ve been working on. These are for the University of Southampton’s art and craft show, which will be held on Sunday, 28th November. Come and see me!
I’ve also got some sets of badges which I’ll be showing you very soon- I had lots of fun designing and making the packaging, so I hope you’ll like them!

I love this ‘red riding hood’ fabric! I bought it from cottonblue’s shop on Etsy and couldn’t bear to part with it for a long long time. Luckily, I summoned up my courage and transformed it into two sweet little pamphlet-bound sketchbooks. I’ll show the complete books soon!

Just so you know, once I’ve recovered from the show in November (my very first craft show!), I’ll be listing the remaining books on Etsy, so even if you can’t make it to Southampton, you can still buy from me.

So I’ve been badgering(!) away, and making different badges. The ones above originally looked like this before being popped in the oven. I’m not quite sure if I fully like these- I don’t know anyone that would actually want to wear a portrait on their lapel so perhaps they don’t make much sense… but they were my attempt at a sort of modern victorian cameo.

Below- the pin backs are held in place with a little piece of felt for strength (and you know, cos it’s pretty).

And of course, the ever present DIY badges- now smaller, and shot on prettier fabric! I’m trying to make more of an effort to take nicer product photos- you know, as practice for when I actually sell stuff. Any comments/hints?

PS. If anyone would like, I’ll post them a portrait badge via snail mail. Just comment below with an email and let me know which one you want. Obviously, only the first two people will get one.

nb. the purple haired lady badge has gone to a lovely lady in Arizona, so only comment if you’d like the peach haired portrait!

I thought I’d share with you my super zine package from Mel Stringer, an illustrator from Queensland. You should definitely check out her drawings, her style is fantastic. As far as I can tell it’s mainly done with ball point pens, but somehow she manages to make the sketchy lines look so stylish. I admit, I totally I have art envy for this girl.

As you can see above, I had a bit of a splurge in her etsy shop, and ended up buying Girlie Pains (buy it here), Telephone and Me (here) and the Lula badge (here).

Below: and she threw in a badge for free!

Be quick, be speedy! The lovely jen of hellojenuine has some hand bound and hand screened zines up for sale here.

I’ve already snaffled mine up, but if you’re quick you might get one too!

(image via hellojenuine)

diy., originally uploaded by valeriepica.com.

more badgemaking!