Hello Monday!

Well this is the 4th week of Freelancing and still enjoying working from home! I thought the hardest part for me would be getting out of bed in the morning, but I suprised myself! I haven't given myself a lie in (yet) Ok I get up abit later than when I went out to work, but I have made sure I get out of my PJ's slap on some make up and start every morning at 9am..start as you mean to go on I say!

So, over the past 3 weeks Ive been putting myself about abit (so to speak) I've sent off emails to 5 Illustration Agencies and 2 companies with potential Freelance opportunities. I've been working on some packaging design aswell as developing my own ideas.

I have also joined Society6 and created a little shop!

Last August I posted about my butterfly designs that I wasn't sure what to do with, so after shelving the idea for a few months I went back to it & turned the design into a repeat pattern and put it into 3 colourways which I must say I was very please with!
I decided I would like to see the pattern on products. I knew about Society6 through Social Media and followed some of the Designers on there.
It's an American website that allows Designers all around the world to create their own shops and upload their Artwork to all the products available. Society6 print to order and the Designer gets a percentage of the sales. It's only a small percentage, but it's a great tool for getting yourself noticed, seeing your designs on different products and it doesnt cost anything! I've got 2 patterns on there so far, but I would also like to add some of my Myla-May designs which I think could be fun! Go and have look, I hope you like what I have done so far :0)x


http://society6.com/HlneMarieGilmour

Butterfly Cushions in 3 colourways, also available on Canvas, Framed Prints, Phone Cases, Laptop Covers, Mugs, Clocks, Cushions, Tote Bags & Stationery

2 weeks in the Freelance World..

Well, It's been 2 weeks working from home as a Freelancer! Its hard work getting myself out there and I've still got a long way to go, but I'm enjoying the challenge.
I would like to share my journey with you and snippets of what I've been up to..

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been working on an exciting new project with a Multi-Cultural Greeting card company. I have designed a collection for boys and girls which I am very excited about! I cant show you anything just yet, but watch this space! ...

I have also been producing patterns for a company in Manchester. They sell designs all around the world to customers in the wallcoverings, bedding, textiles and gift industry.
I created 30 patterns to start off with ,for their office in New York and they have just been shown at Printsource so fingers crossed they got a positive response!

I enjoyed ceating these patterns because the subject matter is endless because customers buy for all Seasons & Genres.

An American trend that is very much over here now is the woodland theme! Trees, cute little foxes, squirrals and bears so of course I had to do some woodland patterns...

It's 2014!

Happy New Year everyone!

One of my New Years Resolutions is to keep my blog up to date! I will try my very best to keep to it!
I hope everyone is settling into 2014. I have started the New Year as a Freelance Designer and although I'm only 3 days into it, I'm enjoying it so far!
As some of you know, I have worked in the Industry for 15 years (omg is it that long!) in that time I have worked in different areas of the business, designing for Kids Back to School products, Christmas Cards & Crackers, Electrical Goods, Food Packaging, Homewares, Textiles & Giftwrapping. Experience in these different areas has taught me to adapt and grow as a Designer. I decided about 6 months ago that I was ready to go it alone. I had built up quite alot of contacts over the years and I felt that my experience and confidence in my work would pull me through. I thought a great time to start my new venture would be January 2014, New Year, New start! So here I am and I'm already busy on a couple of projects, I have an appointments booked so it is a positive start !

Alongside working on my various Design projects, I really want to develop my pretty pink Character 'Myla-May' I have lots of ideas for her so watch this space!

Wishing you All the best for 2014, let's hope for a happy, healthy & prosporous one!xx