My new books

I have been so excited to show you all my two new books for Collins that are out on January 3rd 2013. Here is a little image showing the two books! 
One of them is called Top Dog and the other is called Rat's Wishing Hat. 
I have been working lots of very late nights recently to get them finished for the deadline but am proud of how they are looking. 
I hope you like them too! 
Remember that you can pre-order these via amazon!

Stars on canvas

The eBay auction has started for the Willow Foundation Stars on Canvas charity auction.
You can click on this link to vote for a canvas illustrated by many stars and artists:
http://starsoncanvas.org.uk/

You can also bid on my canvas for the auction by clicking on this link:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laura-Hambleton-Original-Art-Stars-Canvas-/181021464851

There are only 6 days left so get bidding. All sales go to help the organisation and its a great opportunity to buy a very special gift for Christmas!

Inspired: London A Guide to Handmade in London

I am excited to be one of the designer/makers featured in this new book called Inspired: London by We Make London. 
The book is out on November 10th and contains over 150 handpicked designers that create handmade products in London. 
It's great to be among fab designers and even one designer who created the embroidery on Kate Middleton's dress!  
You can take a look at the book by clicking the cover below.
You can also read about the designer/makers featured in the book by viewing the blog
 

Little Wishes mini notecard sets

I have been busy working on my Little Wishes mini notecard sets this week. These sets will go in my Etsy shop very soon, but I couldn't wait to show you them! Each little pillow pack has 8 mini cards and envelopes and a sheet of my mini stickers too. They are great cards for giving little thank you's to a friend or relative. Also they could be good as little secret notes to go inside lunch boxes or bags. Maybe even as a mini card attached to a little present too! 

wedding doll cake toppers commission

I was very happy to be asked to create a wedding couple for the top of their wedding cake, taking place today!

The bride and groom's theme was cycling so I included a little bike and basket of flowers to go with the bride and groom. Each flower was made from eggshell and blue shades of paper and stuck into place to create the bridal flowers and the basket of flowers on the front of the mini bike.

The couple provided a little description of themselves and what they would be wearing on the day so that I could create the two dolls that are unique to them.

The amazing wedding cake was hand made by Cassidy and Smith, even down to the sugar paste flowers.  

If you would like me to create a special wedding couple for yours (or a friend's wedding) then please email me for a quote!

Peg doll 'Tilly'

Exciting! One of my peg doll's is featured in this month's Dolls House magazine! My little peg dolly 'Tilly' has been featured in the 'modern peg dollies' shopping section. You can buy little Tilly from my Etsy shop or order a customised one directly from me!

Wonder Words notelets

I now have a few little packs of my Wonder Words notelets available to buy in my Etsy shop!
They are a perfect way to send a friend a cheery note go brighten their day.
There are currently six packs available and each pack contains four colourful envelopes, four notelets of different designs and a little set of six mini stickers.
You can buy them here. Hope you like them:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/108934727/wonder-words

Little Wishes cards

I have been busy creating my new series of cards ready to sell in my Etsy shop and am pleased to say that my first set titled 'Little Wishes' is available to buy now! I have created a lovely set of four cards, teamed with pastel coloured envelopes and a set of six stickers. Also these postcards are available singularly too. Follow this link to purchase some from my shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/laurahambleton?ref=si_shop
Hope you like them!

Pug Pendant

My lovely friend Abi is getting married next weekend and for her hen party a couple weeks ago the theme was 'pug dogs'. Abi loves pug dogs and so I decided to make her a little pendant with a pug dog illustration on and thought I would show you the photo of it on her neck.

I do have a couple of pendants available on my Etsy store and am also always happy to take on commissions, so feel free to contact me if you have a particular pendant theme that you would like me to create for you!

Wedding peg dollies

Well it's been a long time since I last blogged. The main reason is that I have been pretty rushed off my feet with work and also our internet has been down for most of the month! So while it's all now back up and running (fingers crossed) I thought I would show you one of the first commissions for wedding peg dollies that I have made. They were for a friend's wedding in London and they asked me to create themselves especially for their wedding cake. They gave me a description of their outfits and then I created my interpretation of them as dolls. Here are the photos of the dolls!

An interview

Well I was very happy to be asked by Laura Clempson of Cupcakes for Clara to be interviewed and feature on her blog this week. I was very privelaged to be asked by Laura and thought I would share the link so you can see. Do also pop over and look at her blog of lovely arty and crafty gifts: Cupcakes for Clara

UK Handmade summer showcase

I am very excited to announce that my little felted Frog Prince has been picked for the UK Handmade summer showcase!

It's a little summer showcase to promote selected craft makers.
This summer's theme is Best of British and I was very happy to be picked to feature in the showcase with other lovely crafters.

Here is the link to see him:
http://ukhandmade.co.uk/showcase/summer

Join the snail trail!

Fabulous fellow crafter Laura Clempson (Cupcakes for Clara) is launching her exciting new range of products which includes the very cute character Colin. 
Colin is a very big fan of snails and if you locate and click on the tiny snail within my blog you will receive a free prize from Cupcakes for Clara, from her new range. 
Just follow the snail trail to claim your goodies!!

To celebrate Laura's exciting launch I have created a colourful little paper snail...

All you need to do is cut a long strip of patterned paper and curl it up. 
Then stick the bottom part of the paper under the head, to the bottom of the snail shell. 
Next, cut two small antenna shapes from the same paper and glue them to top of the snails head.
You could even try adding some eyes and a mouth to your snail to give him some character.

Before you go, remember to follow the snail trail and click on the tiny snail hidden on my blog and receive your free goodie from Cupcakes for Clara!

Stars on Canvas

Here is my entry for this years 'Stars on Canvas' campaign for the Willow Foundation. The charity will auction of canvas art by artists and celebrities to raise money to provide support for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds through special day experiences. They will be auctioning the canvas in November on ebay. You will also be able to see all the art before it gets sold at Maddox Arts in London from 29th November to 1st December.

Less than 24 hours!!

There is only one day left to go to bid on my envelope! Get your bids in before it's too late :)

Just click on this link to bid:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280841176067#ht_500wt_1262

It's for The National Literacy Trust to get children reading and all proceeds go towards this.

It's currently at £36 and I would really love to get a higher bid.

Thanks for your support!

One day left!!

There is only one day left. Yes, just one day, to bid on my charity envelope. Please click here to bid and remember that all proceeds go to help the National Literacy Trust! Thanks for your bid :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280841176067

Pushing the Envelope

An exciting start to the week! My charity envelope is now on ebay and is available to bid on! It's a great chance to own a one off piece of art by me or by many other artists and celebrities. You can view my envelope here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280841176067
Remember that it's for a great charity and raises money to support the National Literacy Trust. A cause I strongly agree in.
Bidding ends on 22nd March so make sure you put your bid in before 2pm that day!!

Wanted raccoon brooch

Oh take a look in my Etsy shop now! My first ever brooch is now available. It's a rascally raccoon brooch and is part of my 'Wanted' brooch series. I am very excited to add him to my shop and hope you like him too!

Business cards

I also treated myself to some business cards by Moo. I will be sending a card in every purchase from my Etsy shop!

My Etsy shop has opened!

Well it's been a rather exciting week as I have finally opened my Etsy shop! You can now buy my art at www.etsy.com/shop/laurahambleton
Currently for sale are a few of my Peg Dollies, Tweeter Birds, Frog Prince and pendants. Currently working on brooches and prints so hope that I do sell a few items in the shop! Above is one of my little pendants. Hope you like my shop!

Chicken sample

I haven't posted for a while as I have been working on various book projects and illustration samples for my agent. Here is one of the samples created for a picture book about chickens :)