Bloggy thoughts
Hello! Welcome to my fist blog post. I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for years. Actual YEARS. So why, almost halfway through 2022, have I finally acted on my bloggy thoughts?
If you’ve been following my progress with The Cluttery for any length of time, it’s probably apparent by now that I’m a procrastinator. I will think about, muse on, and ponder every angle I can before actually doing anything, especially if it’s outside my comfort zone (so anything tech related). I’m one of those people who says, “I need to make sure X is finished before I can start Y”. This can be frustrating, for me (and Mr Cluttery who often says, “just do it!” when I offload my concerns over whatever it is I’m mulling over, onto him) and I do get annoyed with myself for being this way. If you’re anything like me though, you’ll know that there is an upside to being a procrastinator: preparedness. When I finally feel ready to do-the-thing, I’ve usually thought about it so much that I’ve worked through a lot of issues and problem-solved. You might say then that I complete half the design or planning process in my head before I draw or write anything.
When I set up this website in 2019 it was very basic, with maybe three products and some fairly dodgy photography. I knew that a blog would happen (eventually), so I chose a platform and package that allowed for easy blogging. Then I promptly did nothing with it for over a year (I told you: procrastinator). During spring 2020, with my physical stockists closed and everybody turning to the web for their shopping, I spent some serious time re-launching thecluttery.com primarily as an online shop. I didn’t think I had time to start blogging, although in hindsight it was probably the ideal time while we were all starved for entertainment and demanding content!
Since autumn 2021 I’ve been busy with The Cluttery, designing, making and doing arts markets. In my other life I’ve been organising our upcoming wedding. Now in May 2022, the wedding prep is mostly done and I have no markets in the pipeline until the summer. At last, I have time! Finally, I’m dedicating a decent portion of the next few weeks to upping my socials game – blogging, improving my website, and making sense of Instagram. If I’m feeling strong, I might even tackle my TikTok.
My studio desk.
This is the desk in my spare room studio, where I think my thinky thoughts. Highlights include my pug tape measure (you pull the tongue!), motivational Nikki Miles postcards which live in my pots of coloured pens and my custom-made mustard David, courtesy of Brum-based Lobeela Studio. On the wall behind is some gorgeous Imogen Morris embroidery (also a Brummie).