Nothing to do with data protection!

Hi... it's been ages! How are you?

Just wanted to let you know about a couple of things coming up in the next few weeks.

Before I get started; I don't send out emails very often, but if you don't want to receive them please do UNSUBSCRIBE.

Honestly, I won't mind, I know I can go on a bit.... And we all sometimes sign up for emails, and then forget why.

The new data protection regulations (yawn...) mostly don't affect tiddly little artisan businesses like DoodlePippin, but I just want to make sure you actively WANT to get these irregular, slightly off-the-wall messages from me. The Unsubscribe button is at the bottom of every email - click there, and follow the instructions, and I will vanish in a puff of pink data protection smoke, never to darken your e-door again!

Still here? OK... here goes.

First, workshop news! I'm running a beginner's polymer workshop at Hobbycraft Crawley next Monday (21st May). If you fancy learning some new skills, making something beautiful, and having a laugh too, come along! It's just £42 and includes 3 hours tuition and all materials. All details here.

My next beginner's session in Crawley isn't until Friday 19th October (and that's my last one this year).

BUT I'm also running a new class in Billingshurst, in case that's a bit closer, on Saturday 16th June.

And a last beginner's session in Woking on Sunday 16th September.

Second, during June (argh... I can't believe it's nearly June already...) I'm taking part in my friend Aileen Hamilton's Open Studios .

The Open Studios "thing" has been going for years but, in case you're not familiar with them, this is the few weeks each year when artists and makers open their precious studios to the public. You can often go and see makers actually "making", and it's a fantastic way to get a really unusual present or something amazing for yourself or your own pad. Definitely "not on the high street".

Anyway, you're getting five for one at Aileen's studio because there are several of us taking part in the same location; Aileen is an amazing jeweller and silversmith (and teacher!) and will be showcasing her new range of up-cycled gold and diamond jewellery sourced and inspired during a recent trip to India.

I will be there with DoodlePippin, demonstrating how polymer millefiori works (click here to see my video of the process) , and you'll also be able to see fabulous work by artist Kirstin Wood, as well as Joe Wyer's beautiful handcrafted wood, and Sharon Cunningham-Brown's stunning ceramics.

The whole Surrey Artists Open Studios runs 2 - 17th June, and hundreds of artists and co-operatives are taking part.

Aileen's Studio will be open every weekend from 11am till 5pm. So that's...

• Saturday and Sunday 2nd and 3rd June - 11am-5pm

• Saturday and Sunday 9th and 10th - 11am-5pm

• Saturday and Sunday 17th and 18th - 11am-5pm

I'm probably going to be there at least two Sundays doing demonstrations and boring the pants off anyone who will listen, going on about how amazing millefiori is... come and say Hi!

Got an urgent need to spend some money? Well, I am always here to help!

I think we both know that I'm terrible at getting my work "out there". But if you're looking to buy a DoodlePippin piece, there are now FOUR places you can do it... *woohoo!

1: Etsy - I'm focusing on getting more pieces online because fairs are unpredictable and galleries want 50% commission...

2. The Surrey Guild of Craftsmen has a lovely ecclectic gallery shop in Milford, Surrey. I sell a range of my handmade originals through this shop, and I also do regular stewarding (so you may well find me behind the counter, putting clay through my pasta machine and trying not to get bits everywhere...)

3. I've just started stocking Mine Gallery in Carshalton, South London. It's at 30-34 High Street at the lake end of the village. It's open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-5pm, it's crammed with amazing handmade stuff, and the owner Andrew is a hoot.

4. Lastly, you could always... you know, talk to me.

Errr.. that's it.

Still here?

OK, you asked for it... Here's a tiny tip-of-the-iceberg taste of awhat's been going on at DoodlePippin towers since the turn of the year (I told you... its been a while!).

Lots of amazing fabric printing (from my millefiori patterns, obv!) If you've got lovely travel shots or even family pics that you'd like turned into fabric, www.prinfab.com can do amazing things - try them!

I've also had my first set of professionally printed cards made by the lovely people at The Dandy Arthouse in Yorkshire.

Lampshade-making - a fantastic morning with Linsey of SewDarnRetro produced two spectacular lampshades. Big thanks to CC's Emporium in Billingshurst for providing an exceptional welcome and a really fun morning (I was hungover and ham-fisted but still managed to make a really very acceptable lampshade!).

More silver and polymer pieces, and my first trip to the amazing Goldsmiths Hall and the London Assay office to have pieces hallmarked. Unfortunately, they arrived back with hallmarks so discreet as to be almost invisible to the naked eye... I've decided "bigger is better" for the next set.

Inpsired by the beautiful cane-work of French artist Cecile Bos, I've decided I want to focus for a bit on making botanically inspired patterns - hence the flower and leaves patterns in some of the canes I've been making recently.

Tote bags, coasters, heat-proof glass trivets all printed and sent off around the world (fingers firmly crossed, they've all arrived safely so far).

Tiles made for a selection of extremely beautiful and tasteful kitchens and bathrooms.

I've also done a bit of tweaking of my packaging - OUT with the tired-looking buff luggage tags which required endless stamping and got tatty too quickly, IN with the recycled board tags. Prettier and more eco-friendly..