A window on the world of greeting card publishing, art and design and entrepreneurship

1. Gypsy Chic
magazine
Issue 15 - 2017
the magazine dedicated to greeting card publishing and entrepreneurship
INSIDE!!! Interviews with Jane Whyman
of Image Plus Cards, Shelley Leslie of Ruby
Doodle and Lauren Sebastian
BOOK
NOOK
THE 100
DAY
PROJECT
Envelope
Art
What value are
you adding in
your business?
Part 2

2. 2
CONTENTS
3
4
6
8
10
13
14
16
17
18
22
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
INTERVIEW WITH... JANE WHYMAN
THE 100 DAY PROJECT
ENVELOPE ART
INTERVIEW WITH... SHELLEY LESLIE
BOOK NOOK
WHAT VALUE ARE YOU ADDING IN YOUR BUSINESS PART 2
THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE
FINELINERS REVIEW
INTERVIEW WITH... LAUREN SEBASTIAN
BOHEMIAN BIRDS
GYPSY CHIC QUOTES
P.4
P.18
P.22
P.10
23
P.6

3. from the Editor
LETTER
S
o May is here….and with it (we hope)
the chance to catch some early
summer sunshine, admire gorgeous
gardens, and hear beautiful birdsong.
In the trade fair world we have Pulse (14-16th
May) in London; a show full of inspiration and
innovation, showcasing new gifts, stationery
brands, modern living and fashion products.
Pulse is a superb platform for independent
publishers to show their wider product
offering rather than just stationery.
It’s the time of year the grafters, who’ve
worked so hard over the dark winter months,
get their moment to shine at venues like these.
Whilst I’m not attending any trade fairs this
year I’ve still been beavering away on an
architectural range based around London,
the South East and East Anglia. My aim is
to keep things local, focussing on the great
buildings that we walk past every day and
take for granted. Absence has made me fall
in love with Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk in a
way I never thought was possible, and from
afar, I’ve been networking with creatives, and
businesses in these
areas on Instagram,
my platform of
choice. It’s a
weird thing – self
imposed exile. But
new things are on
the horizon (more
on that later).
So let me introduce
you to Issue 15’s multi-
talented contributors
– Three creatives in the
art and greeting card
space. We have Jane
Whyman of Image Plus
Cards (East Sussex),
Shelley Leslie of
Ruby Doodle (Donegal, Ireland), and Lauren
Sebastian (St Ives, Cornwall). Together we are
the voice of the UK & Ireland’s art world. We
are all striving to build our business, serve
others, and grow our reputation as well as
building a community we are proud of. So
as always, grab a drink and enjoy the read. I
hope you find it of value.
Lorraine
www.lorrainestylianou.com
3

4. Interview with .....
Jane Whyman
of Image Plus Cards

5. 5
1. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR
JOURNEY AS A CARD PUBLISHER SINCE
2012, HOW YOU GROW YOUR STOCKISTS,
AND A TYPICAL WEEK IN YOUR STUDIO.
ALSO SHARE THE STORY BEHIND YOUR
COMPANY NAME.
lll Because my background was
exhibition design, I plunged in feet first
and launched our new card company at
the Spring Fair 2012. Definitely not the
most profitable way to start a business,
but a great way to meet people within
the industry. I think we are lucky that
this industry is so friendly, and I met
many good friends that have helped and
inspired me along the way.
We always exhibit at the Spring Fair as
it a good way of meeting new customers
as well as existing. We have been lucky
to meet some great agents at this venue
which helps generate orders through the
rest of the year.
As a mother of three, a typical week
involves a balancing /juggling act
between school runs and designing with
a bit of emails/paperwork thrown in for
good measure.
2. FOR YOUR “SPEND A PENNY” RANGE
HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE SO MANY
PENNIES? DO YOUR LOCAL BANK
CLERKS KNOW YOU WELL?
lll “Spend a Penny” involves lots and
lots of coins, and I am very lucky that we
have a very kind local post office lady who
contacts me when she gets a delivery of
new shiny pennies perfect for our cards.
3. DO YOU APPLY ALL THE HAND
FINISHED ELEMENTS YOURSELF OR DO
YOU HAVE A TEAM OF OUTWORKERS?
IF YOU HIRE STAFF TELL US HOW YOU
GO ABOUT BUILDING AND MANAGING
YOUR TEAM?
lll We have a fairy range called “Do you
believe in Fairies” which I produce myself,
but all other ranges are given to friends
and family on a weekly basis.
4. I’M IN LOVE WITH YOUR SHINY
FOILED WORLD RANGE – SUCH A CLEVER
USE OF “WORLD” THEMED IDIOMS
AND IMAGERY. IT IS HEARTFELT AND
LUXURIOUS. HOW WAS IT RECEIVED AT
SPRING FAIR?
lll Our new “On Top of the World” range
was very well received at the Spring Fair.
We hope to bring out more titles in the
future, especially more open titles that
send a positive message, and can be used
for many different occasions. We always
use FSC credited board and a printer that
is very local to where we are based, but
I would also like to source biodegradable
cellos and vegetable dyes to try to make this
range even more environmentally friendly.
5. WHAT ARE YOUR BIG DREAMS FOR
THE REMAINDER OF THIS DECADE?
lll My biggest dream would be to get my
designs on other products. I would love to
go shopping and see my designs in leading
High Street stores. (Although right now-I
would just love to go shopping!….)
JANE WHYMAN
Tel: 01424 893345
Website: www.imagepluscards.co.uk
Email: sales@imagepluscards.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImagePlusCards

6. #THE
100DAY
PROJECT
6
WHAT IS IT?
It is a FREE global art
competition that anyone can participate in.
WHY JOIN?
It is a great way of building community AND
growing your Instagram followers.
What’s not to like?
WHO CREATED IT?
Elle Luna and Lindsay Jean Thomson are the
two creatives/community builders behind this
year’s project.
ARE YOU IN?

7. 7
HOW DO YOU JOIN?
Even if you have missed the start of it (4 April 2017)
you can still join by doing a few things:
1. Sign up for their newsletter here:
http://the100dayproject.us15.list-manage.com/
subscribe?u=451503ae9e962553862c61156&id=e87075ea2d
By joining the mailing list you will get weekly prompts
2. Follow them on Instagram
@elleluna
https://www.instagram.com/elleluna/
@lindsayjeanthomson
https://www.instagram.com/lindsayjeanthomson/
3. Decide on your original theme or ACTION –
it can be anything: yoga, animal painting, writing poetry
Mine is sketching British leaves.
4. Then create your own hashtag following this format:
#100daysof______________ (put your chosen theme here)
5. Post an image of your work EVERY DAY.
Don’t forget to use the hashtags:
#The100dayproject
#100dayproject
#100daysof––––––––––––
WHEN DOES IT FINISH?
12 July 2017
https://the100dayproject.org/what-is-the100dayproject-fbb4d1754a90

8. ENVELOPE
ART
8

9. 9
A
ren’t you fascinated by the beautiful
envelope art and decorative
journals that appear in Instagram’s
feed each day. Creatives (journal addicts,
calligraphers, and decorative artists) who
are passionate about gorgeous packaging,
washi tape, stamps and the art of joy.
If you fancy lusting over some hard
core envelope porn whilst growing your
Instagram following check out these
hashtags 
INSTAGRAM
HASHTAGS
#mailart
#snailmailing
#stationeryaddict
#penpals
#snailmail
#snailmailrevolution
#correspondence
#stampcollection
#brownpaperpackages
#snailmaillove
#write_on
#snailmailrevival
#outgoingmail
#sendmoremail
#showandmail
#papercraft
#philately
#artjournal
#happymail
#calligraphy

10. Shelley Leslie
of Ruby Doodle
Interview with .....

11. 11
F
Introducing Ruby Doodle by Shelley Leslie…..
1. I MET DESIGNER SHELLEY LESLIE
IN THE CARD SECTION OF SHOWCASE
IRELAND AND LOVED HER HAND DRAWN
DOODLES, AND PERSONALISED, BI-
LINGUAL CARDS.
lll Showcase 2017 was a success for me I
was able to secure new accounts and had
plenty of orders from existing customers.
As it was my first time exhibiting at
showcase and knowing how hard it can
be at a trade fair, I was delighted with
how Ruby Doodle got on. A lot of Buyers
were drawn in by the bright colours
I use and the happy aspect of Ruby
Doodle’s style. There was interest and
orders across a wide range of Retail
outlets including, gift and craft shops,
lifestyle stores, pharmacies, online
vendors and Garden Centres.
2. TELL US HOW THE SHOW WENT FOR
YOU AT SHOWCASE IRELAND – WAS IT
YOUR FIRST APPEARANCE, AND DID IT
LIVE UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS IN
TERMS OF INTEREST AND ORDERS?
lll There was a one day briefing
session organised for all exhibitors in
the Enterprise zone, this briefing gave
us a fairly detailed outline of what was
expected from us and what the Buyer
expected. We covered everything from
stand set up, ordering formats and

12. 12
dealing with customers from overseas.
My stand took about 20hrs to organise
pre show. Showcase opened on the
Sunday, exhibitors could go in on the
Friday if they wanted to paint their stand
and finish it off on the Saturday .
3. WHAT WAS THE SET UP LIKE PRIOR
TO SHOW OPENING – DID YOU HAVE
HELP AND GUIDANCE FROM THE
SHOW ORGANISERS AND HOW MANY
HOURS DID YOU TAKE TO GET YOUR
STAND READY?
lll Showcase starts on Sunday and goes
on till 4p.m. the following Wednesday,
4 days in total. I stayed nearby in the
Clayton Hotel, which has special rates
for Exhibitors and Buyers. Other nearby
Hotels include the Herbert Park, and
The Ballsbridge Hotel.
4. YOURSTYLE REMINDS ME OFONE
OTHERUK DESIGNERINTERMS OFHAND
EMBELLISHED COMPONENTS, RIBBONS
AND GLITTER. I PARTICULARLYLIKED
THE LITTLE STREAKS OFSILVERYWHITE
GLITTERONYOURSAMPLE GETWELLCARD.
TELLUSWHICH RANGE ORCARD DESIGN
PROVED MOSTPOPULARATTHE SHOW?
lll Ruby Doodle’s Irish language range went
really well for the show as well as special
occasion cards such as Valentine’s, Mother’s
Day, Communion and Confirmation.
5. WAS THERE MUCH INTEREST IN
BUYERS FROM THE NORTH OR DO
YOU THINK DEALING IN A DIFFERENT
CURRENCY MAY DISSUADE
BUYERS FROM THE NORTH?
lll I had some orders from
England and Northern
Ireland. I don’t think the
currency issue is a problem
as the buyer has a good idea
of the rates and mark ups
themselves. I got a feeling
though that there was not a lot of English
buyers, maybe because Top Drawer was
just over and Showcase slightly overlapped
with The Scottish trade fair. I can’t say for
sure as this was my first time.
6. YOU’VE ALREADY INTRODUCED PRINTS
(EITHER FRAMED OR UNFRAMED). ARE
THERE OTHER PRODUCT LINES IN THE
PIPELINE? GIVE US A GENERAL IDEA OF
WHERE YOU’D LIKE TO SEE RUBY DOODLE
BY 2020?
lll Ruby Doodle in 2020 will have
expanded to not only offer cards but
have a suite of stationary products as
Ruby just loves all things Stationary as
well as doodling!!
There was interest in my illustrations
being used in a children’s book so that would
definitely be something I would love to have
ticked off on my bucket List.
The future for Ruby Doodle is
definitely in Paper, Print, Pen
and lots of colour.
SHELLEY LESLIE
Web: www.rubydoodlecards.com
(wholesale password available)
Facebook: @rubydoodlecards
Email: info@rubydoodlecards.com

13. l This new, hot off the press book (published
April 2017) is a great read for those of us who
feel we are stagnating, generating no profit
and losing the will to live.
If that sounds like you, then this may be a title worth purchasing (not
cheap, yet!) but will come down in price in a few weeks. Matt Malouf
encourages us to let go of the things that are holding us back and
to stop doing those things in our business that restricts our business
growth in any shape or form.
He calls this Zombie Slaying – so just like I’ve
made a stop doing list, why not start killing off
a few of your own dead horses, and create
a re-energized business you are proud of.
For a step by step guide visit
www.stopdoing.com.au
Paperback retails at £15.95
THE STOP DOING
LIST: HOW TO CREATE
MORE TIME
BY MATT MALOUF
THE BOOK NOOK
13
WHAT’S ON
YOUR STOP
DOING LIST?
l You know – those things (and people)
that waste your time and thwart your
business progress. Since we are one
quarter of the way through 2017 already,
let’s re-evaluate our progress and cut
out, eliminate, ban anything that is a
hindrance to our success.
Here’s a few of mine:
1. Stop answering calls from friends
who will chat all evening (about
themselves) without first checking if it
is convenient for me to talk.
2. Stop agreeing to meet for lunch
with associates with whom I’ve little
in common business wise – it’s a total
waste of time.
3. Stop watching the news on my
laptop: Don’t open the URL’s for The
Mirror, Daily Mail, Telegraph, Guardian
at all during the day. [Maybe a sneak
peak before bedtime.]
4. Stop doing what’s comfortable – In
my case, it is designing all day, posting
to Instagram, but doing little sales
prospecting, or strategic networking.
5. Stop making calls on my mobile
during the day when I could use my
landline instead – why pay peak rates
for something an email can do for free.
6. Stop looking at the piles of
unsorted cardstock in crates all around
the house and get them categorised
by range and code.
7. Stop eating sugar – it slows down
my productivity
8. Stop sitting for long periods at my
computer and take regular breaks
(every 45mins)
9. Stop procrastinating about my next
catalogue and just get it designed.
10. Stop putting everyone else’s
needs first and set aside some ME
time to recharge, and think creatively.

14. I
n Issue 14, I talked about the importance
of content marketing in any business and
the need to have a strategy for getting
your message out. In this issue, it is worth
considering the content we are putting out, and
how it is an art in itself. To make it meaningful,
relevant, and likely to be shared by our readers,
or our viewers on Facebook or Instagram we have
to know who our core audience is.
We can learn a lot about who our ideal audience
is by who likes our posts, who shares our content,
and who engages with us consistently. We
need to drill down further into our audiences’
demographics, occupation, education, income and
where they live to name a few factors. Knowing
a lot about their lifestyle gives us lots of material
to work on and incorporate into our card designs.
We know the British are generally known as dog
lovers, others are passionate about fine wines, or
gardening. Designing a top selling range of bird
cards will appeal to the ornithologists out there.
But we need to go further. We need to establish
WHAT VALUE
ARE YOU
ADDING
IN YOUR
BUSINESS?
Part II

15. 15
is there are problems these specific groups face –
what irks them, what they are looking for, and to
tap into their specific needs. Just as Instagram and
Facebook throw up sponsored adds in our feed for
products and services they reckon we need, card
publishers must also target their audience with
potentially appealing card lines. We will probably
be unable, however, to afford the customer
experience optimization software big companies
use to track what our customer searches for. We
must therefore ask them directly.
Post two different designs, and ask your
audience which they prefer and why? Then test
the times your posts gain their highest levels of
engagement. I have discovered that 9.30pm and
11.00pm are good for me as I get most likes on
certain visuals at that time. It’s the time America is
winding down a bit after their working day. There
are measuring tools out there to assist with all of
this – some companies allowing a free trial. If I
type the words “Greeting Cards” into Buzzsumo
I get a fantastic list of topics and statistics to
show which, and on what platform, had the most
engagement e.g articles on offensive greeting
cards, or cute handmade greeting cards made
from matchboxes had the most engagement.
Optimizely is another platform doing the same.
Without the luxury of subscriptions with these
companies, or the availability of data determining
our customer’s decisions, or specially designed
apps, the small card publisher has to seek feedback
directly through surveys, and/or watch for lifestyle
clues. Continually look for the things that nark your
customer continually, or what makes them laugh.
Keep an eye on what hashtags your customer also
uses when posting to social media. Once you have
a better idea of your customer you can align your
content better to their persona.
AND NOW FOR STORIES!
Having a regular blog is a brilliant way to gain
engaged fans who may become paying customers.
Learning the art of storytelling is a skill we should
all acquire. When we sat on our parents lap as
children and the book opened with “Once Upon a
Time…….” we sat enthralled as the story was read
to us and we embarked on the literary journey in
front of us. The structure of childrens stories is one
we should follow in our blog posts too
1. Setting the scene
2. Having a big problem to solve
3. How it was remedied.
So next time we start a new range, or face the
challenges of exporting goods, we should apply
that structure as we blog about it. If you tell
your story honestly people will resonate with
that – we like to see the human side to people
and share their vulnerabilities. It is how we build
trust and a voice.
Don’t forget No. 4 however – the importance of
a “Call to Action” – how your product serves to
solve other’s problems. Show how in your work
as a designer and illustrator how you are doing
your best work, offering great customer service,
beating the competition with uniquely original
designs and soothing souls through your joyously
uplifting visuals, your side splitting humour, and jaw
dropping expletives that everyone uses but no-one
is brave enough to admit to. It will all reinforce the
customers belief in you and your product offering.
Another way of connecting with your customer
is to link things in the media – current affairs, and
hot topics to your designs and see which work
best in your business.
The moral of the story must be the importance
of keeping your content 1) consistent 2) current
3) relevant 4) shocking 5) believable 6) original 7)
authentic (but not necessarily in that order). Keep
an ear to the ground, keep researching, remain
flexible and adaptable. Above all, keeping sharing
your happy, and keep showing up.

16. 16
A
hough not technically an artograph, a quick
artist’s sketch on a postcard amounts to a
pictorial autograph – and I received my first
request for one this week. Because I’m an
ABNA member, I was listed some time back in the
36th edition of “Who’s Who in Art”. I’ve no idea
if this publication has any kudos at all, but it didn’t
cost me anything to be listed.
On the back of this, I got a letter request this
week requesting my “artograph” from someone
who collects artists’ postcards. Since a stamped
addressed postcard was included, I thought “what
have I got to lose?”
I sent off my silly sketch and was
pleasantly surprised to receive
an envelope of chocolate Easter
eggs the recipient sent me
as a thank you. It got me
thinking how important
an unexpected item
arriving by post really is.
An envelope, a stamp,
and a postbox is all it
takes for the art of surprise.
Who can you surprise today?
Surprise
THE ELEMENT OF

17. 17
lIn this issue, I purchased two types of black
fineliners – perfect for architectural drawings.
Having used a fine Sharpie pen for all my
earlier work, I wanted to compare cheaper
varieties. Nibb, a brand stocked in BM Bargains
are fabulously cheap and cheerful at only £1.99
for 8 (less than 25p each). The other pack was
purchased in Tiger Stores at £2.00 for 4 (50p each)
Both are manufactured in China with 0.4mm
thickness. In terms of appearance, they differ
slightly in length and lid size.
Both write exactly the same but the
Nibb brand wins on price.
PRODUCT
REVIEW
Fineliners

18. 18
Interview with .....
Lauren Sebastian
of The Art of Lauren

19. 19
1. WHEN I SAW YOUR ART I JUST FELL
IN LOVE WITH IT. IT ENCAPSULATED
SO MANY POSITIVE ELEMENTS FOR
ME – ANIMALS, SOULFULNESS, AND
A POSITIVE SPIRIT. TELL US HOW YOU
STARTED YOUR ART JOURNEY?
lll As far back as I can remember, I
always wanted to be an artist. Thankfully,
that calling never left me and I went on
to study a Fine Art degree. However,
after graduating, it became clear I had
also managed to gain some unwanted
‘programming’, leaving me with a lot of
fear around how I could sustain myself
full-time just making art. The stereotype
of the poverty-stricken artist is a powerful
and insidious one; it took a few years, but
I made it my mission to transform my
thinking and follow my bliss. It is amazing
how the cogs of the universe begin turning
to support you in realising your hopes
and dreams, when you start to believe in
your vision and the realm of possibility!
It is my understanding that we all each
have that ‘thing’ (or several things) we
love to do or be. That thing that lights up
the soul. For me it happens to be painting
and illustration. I realised, if I wanted
to be truly happy and fulfilled, my life
had to include the expression of innate
creativity. Therefore, you could say my art
journey really began at the same time as
my healing journey (about six years ago);
and, thus, the content and inspiration for
my art is deeply informed by the whispers
of my soul.
2. YOU’VE NOW OPENED YOUR OWN
STUDIO/SHOP (WHOOPEE!) TELL US
ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE AND YOUR
PLANS IN 2017.
lll Opening my own art studio last
year was a huge step in the journey of
saying goodbye to the poverty-stricken
artist perception and welcoming in the
thriving artist paradigm! I believe when
we become more aligned with our hearts’
desires and authenticity then magic
happens. The opportunity to have my
own art studio in the heart of St Ives,
Cornwall (an artistic hub of a town) was
a dream come true for me. It has not
been a complicated endeavour and, by
honouring my artistic practice in this way,
I feel the quality of my work has come
on leaps and bounds. This isn’t because I
am particularly special, I just think that
when we devote ourselves wholeheartedly
to something that brings us joy in the
process and work at it every day, it is
almost inevitable our skills and abilities
will improve exponentially. This is why
I always encourage people to follow the
bliss whispers of their hearts. We need
that kind of shining, soulful energy in the
world; everyone deserves to express their
authentic self.
My plans for 2017 include expanding
the Promise of Non-ordinary Beings (a
collection of magical characters from
non-ordinary reality), which I aim to
turn into a deck of oracle cards for art
therapy and divination at some point in
the not-too-distant future. My partner and
I recently had some exciting news that we
are expecting our very own extraordinary
being this summer. Now, a little baby is
part of our 2017 plans; the universe never
ceases to surprise!
3. YOUR ART IS CONTEMPORARY AND
PERFECT FOR BOOK ILLUSTRATION ME
THINKS. HAVE YOU ILLUSTRATED ANY
CHILDREN’S BOOKS YET, AND HOW DO
YOU PROMOTE AND MARKET YOUR ART?
lll I have indeed illustrated a lovely,
little children’s book for British author
Keidi Keating called “Lori and the Love
Tree”, which is in the process of being
published in America, as we speak. I’ve
also illustrated a couple of spiritually-
themed poetry books lately (with some F

20. 20
more to do, in the pipeline). One of these
has already been published by Tarcher/
Penguin (an imprint of Penguin Random
House, New York), a beautiful book called
“Miraculous Silence” by Sufi Master
Mitra Rahbar. The thing that amazes me
is, when I follow my bliss, connections
come about effortlessly and not always
as a result of marketing my art. If I do
promote myself it is usually via social
media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)
and, in truth, I only share something
when I feel an excited pull to post.
Marketing myself must never be a chore
because if it is done under duress, then
the missives have heavy energy stuck
to them somehow. In my experience,
the most successful marketing involves
those communications fuelled by joy,
enthusiasm and authenticity.
I am quite particular about the
illustration commissions I take on these
days. I go within and ask my heart
whether it feels light or heavy at the
prospect of the collaboration on offer.
Now, I only agree to work on the projects
that make me feel light-hearted. This is a
very simple way for me to know when a
commission is in alignment with my heart
and soul. If I feel heavy, then I take it as
a sign that I am not the best person for
the job. It probably sounds a bit bonkers
and woowoo, but it works for me very
practically, and also means I keep room to
realise the ideas up my sleeve for my own
children’s stories. I don’t want to clog up
my time on projects that don’t inspire me,
life’s too short for that.
4. GIVEN THAT YOUR PARTNER IS A
MAESTRO WITH GUITAR, HAVE YOU
CREATED ANY GUITAR PAINTINGS THAT
WOULD COMPLEMENT HIS WORK.
lll Funny you should ask that
because, not so long ago, Graham was
commissioned to build a guitar for a
musician friend of ours. The client
had also requested that I decorate the

21. guitar top with a custom design. It was
such a lovely project and a real bonus to
collaborate with the man I love!
Graham constructs the most stunning,
bespoke, handmade classical and flamenco
guitars. They are beautiful instruments
in their own right and take about 150
hours to build. They don’t require any
embellishment in truth, but it was pretty
special (and a little terrifying at first) to be
allowed to enhance that particular guitar
with my art. I’d most definitely be up for
doing it again.
5. YOU INDICATE A LOT OF VERY
AMBITIOUS PLANS IN THE COMING
MONTHS FOR YOUR DOODLING, AND
YOUR TRADEMARKED CONCEPT OF
BLISS WHISPERERS, AND A BLISS FEST.
TELL US WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO KEEP
MOTIVATED, AND HOW YOU JUGGLE
EVERYTHING?
lll Honestly, I believe when we are able
to open up to the magic and mystery of life
unfolding through each of us - listening
to the bliss whispers of our hearts and
being true to ourselves with regard to
what really makes us happy and inspires
us to creatively express ourselves - then
inspiration isn’t a problem. The potential
difficulty becomes about whether there
will be enough time in this one lifetime
to do it all! Having said that, even when
I am doing what I love to do, there is
always a risk of burn out. It has become
very important to listen to my body and
to make sure to get rest and chill out time,
too. That’s the beauty of the creative
process, it requires rest, nourishment and
incubation, as well as output and sharing.
So, my advice to one and all would be:
listen to your heart, listen to your body. Is
it time to recharge those batteries?
The times when I struggle with
inspiration are invariably when I am
trying to force myself to do something
that my gut knows is not in alignment
with my greater good or wellbeing. Those
are the times I have to ask myself, “Am I
in alignment? What’s niggling? What has
gone out of balance?” This is an ongoing
dialogue when we swim in the ocean of
possibility. There is no right or wrong, just
a deeply personal rhythm for each of us.
It was my explorations into the notion of
‘following bliss’ and what it really means
in day-to-day life that led to the foundation
of Bliss Whisperers™ (a community in
development that is designed to support
people in the process of expressing innate
creativity and finding their authentic
voices, with kindness at its heart).
6. I GET TO ST IVES OCCASIONALLY –
I’M A MEMBER OF ABNA (ASSOCIATION
OF BRITISH NAÏVE ARTISTS) AND WE
HAVE AN ANNUAL EXHIBITION THERE.
WHAT MAKES THIS PART OF THE UK SO
SPECIAL FOR YOU?
lll I adore South West Cornwall and,
in particular, the artistic community of
St Ives. My love affair with this part of
the world started in childhood, when
we sometimes took family holidays in
‘Kernow’. There is something about the
wild Atlantic Ocean, the rugged unkempt
headlands and Jurassic coastlines,
bathed in the most exceptional light that
will forever stir my soul. I am inspired
by the magic and mystery of this place:
the leylines, the ‘piskies’, the mermaids
and the elemental devas. They have all
inspired my art work lately and, no doubt,
will continue to do so. Cornwall has surely
captured my heart and I feel incredibly
grateful to spend my days here.
LAUREN SEBASTIAN
Tel: 07874 003089
Website: www.laurensebastian.com
Email: theartoflauren@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheArtOfLauren
Twitter: @laurensebastian
21

22. 22
ORDER FORM
BOHEMIAN BIRD CARD RANGE £1 PER CARD
CODE AMOUNT TOTAL
BB1 Blue Jay
BB2 Blue bird in roses
BB3 Best wishes
BB4 Golden Oriole
BB5 Sweet love
BB6 Two hearts
BB7 On your anniversary
BB8 Pink bird in white roses
BB9 Bird pair
BB10 Blue Easter rose
BB11 White rose
BB12 Blue tit in roses
Bohemian
Birds
May was my Mother’s favourite month of the year.
It was her birth month, and her garden was always
perfectly kept. Her rockery garden, Hydrangea and
Buddleja were a joy to behold.
So in memory of her, I’m publishing this ezine on her
birthday with a design from my Bohemian Bird range for the
front cover. It is the range I think she would like most out of
my designs – Kitsch, sentimental and nostalgic in its appeal.
Sized 150mm x 150mm each card is printed on quality
360gsm and comes with a crisp white envelope and cello
bag. Retail and wholesale orders welcome.
BB1
BB3
BB5
BB7
BB9
BB11
BB2
BB4
BB6
BB8
BB10
BB12

23. 23
With entrepreneurship at the heart of what we do as
designers, the quotes I’ve chosen for this month’s edition
resonate with me.
1. Adding value in your business sets you
above the competition and keeps you
firmly in your customer’s mind.
2. To get on in business, and get what
you want, you have to ask for it. Don’t
be afraid to shout if you need help.
3. Take some risks - and believe in
the possibility of things.
“Others see things and say,
‘Why?’ while entrepreneurs
dream things that never were
and say, ‘Why not?’”
George Bernard Shaw
“Strive not to be a
success but rather
to be of value”
Albert Einstein
“The squeaky
wheel gets
the grease”

24. Gypsy Chic magazine
A window on the world of a greeting card publisher