Blog Loving

Oh My! It's been practically six months to the day since I last wrote on my blog. Shame! It's not like I have nothing to say... in fact too much has been going on. Let's just say life had taken over me.


At the moment, I'm winding down and trying to bring the most testing period I have ever lived to a close and usher in a new phase. My six month contract with my old work place is coming to an end soon (sniff -it's been cool working with the old team again) and I will be relocating (again! - Dominica this time). I have a spider diagram sketched in pencil of what I would like to achieve over the next year. But if I've learnt one lesson over the past 2 years it's life ain't yours alone to live... so be ready for change.

In terms of artistic endevours -well they're very much alive. And if a process requires two-thirds planning then I'm ready to start the action. The next six months are gonna be very interesting.... scary... but I have a feeling they're going to be amazing.

Spring is in full swing...

My goodness it has REALLY been a full day. After going back to the doctor this morning for some meds for myself (I swear the doctor has seen me and my daughter more times in the past few weeks than I have seen one in my lifetime), trying to settle miss Indie - who is very much awake while I'm typing and decided to completely skip her nap today - and catching up with the 101 tasks that I have started but not yet finished, I have just had such a blow to my sensibilities that I had to sit down and regroup.

Now I know that all sounds very cryptic. But I don't like calling people out in public. Instead, I like to look at a situation and find the lessons and morals behind it. So the big lesson I have learnt today is that you should always set aside time to spring clean your priorities.

Why? Because the things you say yes too with a bucket full of enthusiasm may not be the things you should be involved in. So know when it's time to bow out and do so gracefully. The moment you do that, you will feel more energised, organised and confident that the things left in your care will be handled well. So in the words of a British honey advert airing: I am a Master of one thing, not a Jack of all trades...

Have a wonderful week peeps! I'm going to complete my spring clean cos summer is round the corner.

(p.s. The Trini in me could add a three letter word to the end of "Jack" to really bring home the message lol)

I was meant to be...

I swear I've found my calling: Market Trading !!!! But seriously, West Norwood Feast was AMAZING. And to think that I almost didn't go! The organisation, atmosphere, fellow traders, customers - everything was brilliant, and I loved the whole experience. The steady flow of sells was a huge boast to my confidence and the best part was being able to market to my neighbourhood. People felt proud to buy something made by someone locally and I felt encouraged that complete strangers would give up her hard earned cash to own a piece of my work. I will definitely be at the next one.

I have to give a "Shout Out" to a few peeps I met there:

• My neighbour on my right "Stuffednonsense" who sell unique handmade soft creatures(they're really well made and trigger your imagination - my daughter is now a proud owner of one of their elephants).


• My neighbour across the way "TALF77" who schooled me on "street market philosophy" and who makes colourful wooden jewelry.


• The organisers of the West Norwood feast. You did a fantastic job from start to finish.

And of course my family and fellow traders:

• TMB (aka Thalia Nero) who sells handmade bags and purses that will have any fashionista drooling.


• Gwen "Alan Sugar" Johnson who filled people's bellies with delicious homemade cakes and brownies (ask me for her details)


• Tantie Lorraine (aka my big sis Bev) who made a public debut of her homemade jams & preserves (ask me for her details). Words cannot describe the taste. You just have to try them for yourself and then open an account for repeat orders! Yes, they're that good.

I have another market this Sunday - which I'll promote in another post later in the week. So I'm gonna sign off now cos I have plenty work to do.

P.S. A belated Happy Mother's Day to all the real and adopted mums in the UK. Hope you had a fabulous day.

Announcement: Market Day - ShayGon @ The West Norwood Feast on 3rd April 2011

So there I was looking for ways to "get out there and sell!" when I was told about the West Norwood Feast market. I couldn't let an opportunity like this slip by - and trust me, this is a big opportunity for several reasons. The number 1 being that it's right on my doorstep. I can travel there easily with my load of goodies and get back home at the end of a hopefully tiring day without too much trouble.

The market is a community project aimed at bringing everyone together and I love that ethos. It's also a great opportunity to test my newest products. Yes! I have finally started my range of home accessories and accents. Everything is handmade by me and created using a generous proportion of recycled, upcycled or been through a cycle material.

So look out for some preview shots of the newest offerings from ShayGon.

Musing: Pole, Pole - Slowly Slowly

I haven't been active online for quite some time. Well I had a good reason for the absence. Mainly, I had a beautiful baby girl in May 2010. So this has used up a lot of my physical energy and time.

But time hasn't been spent lamenting on the lose of one's "freedom" to do anything I want when I want nor has it been left to idly waste away. In fact, my new responsibility has allowed me to refine and define myself and the direction I want to grow. I have spent a considerable amount of time spring-cleaning my business plan and visualizing ShayGon the way I want it to be.

I have finally started my home interiors range of goodies which will be on sell soon. As for my artwork - well let's just say I'm feeling more comfortable with the style I'm producing.

The past year has shown me that some things take time - and deservidly so! I mean, who likes eating half-cooked bread? lol

So in the words of one of my daughter's favourate programs:

Pole Pole
Slowly, Slowly
Cos good things comes to those who wait...