Dorkface

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January Excitement

3rd January 2017

Hi guys! I hope you all had a wonderful new year!

I genuinely love fresh starts, and January is the best of the best for getting that ‘starting over’ feeling. We’re taking our Christmas decorations down today, having a good clear out, and looking forward to 2017.

life print

INSTAGRAM:

Gary and I seem to both be really inspired this week, especially in regards to Instagram! He’s started a photo a day challenge on his own Instagram, to push himself to be creative and document each day, and I think it’s wonderful! I’ve started up a whole new Instagram account, dedicated solely to my creative side. So any doodles, illustrations, paintings I do will all be documented on this account. I LOVE this, and have been meaning to do it for a while! So starting January first seemed perfect. I found that I keep my normal/blog Instagram quite themed, with plenty of colourful imagery, beauty products, selfies, etc. And while I love this, sometimes my artwork or doodles don’t quite fit in, and I found myself reluctant to post them. So a whole new account for them works out great! I’m trying to stick to following other creatives on there too, to keep it a totally arty account for myself.

 

OTHER CREATIVE STUFF:

The new notebooks on my Etsy have been selling quite well, and I’m so so pleased! I haven’t sold them all yet though, so do go have a visit and treat yourself! I’ve absolutely loved dedicating myself to a new line of products, and I’m hoping I can do more notebooks soon, in new designs (maybe it’ll be a monthly thing, a new line each month?). I’m also definitely planning on making my own pins, patches, beanies and mugs! Please let me know in the comments which you’d prefer!
I’ve started spreading out the header designs and logos I do for bloggers and small businesses too, as I’ve found it takes up too much of my time at the moment. I’m still doing them, and love it! But I just need to cut it down by about 70%. So instead of doing around 3 or 4 designs a week for people, I’d rather just do one a week. I’m actually keen to increase the amount of custom portraits I do for people though! I really want to practise getting my ‘signature style’ with illustrations (like the ones shown below) whether I’m working digitally or in watercolour.

Want one of these of yourself? Email me – dorkfaceinfo@gmail.com. Currently they’re priced at £20! 🙂

 

PAMPERING MYSELF:

The greatest thing about taking a few days off over the holidays, was the chance to really take care of myself. Simple things, like taking a long bath, painting my nails, using face and hair masks; really made all the difference! I felt so well rested and more like myself.

I’ve been obsessed with these nail polishes from Itsy Nails London* recently, and they’re bloody gorgeous!

itsy nails

My favourite throughout December was definitely the red, and this week I’ve been wearing the grey because I always love grey polishes! However I do think the green and pink are PERFECT for heading into Spring with, so I’ll for sure favour them from next month onward 🙂 The formula is beautiful, and they are super shiny! I found that they last at least 3 days without chipping; which for a painter/artist is something special, lemme tell ya.

 

THIS WEEK:

I’m hoping this week to start teaching myself my ukulele, as I’m so excited to get started! I’m also trying to ease into the ‘healthier 2017 Jemma’ by drinking lots more water with my water chart stickers (available in this pack) and creating lots of yummy smoothies made with a variety of fruit! As for keeping my mind nice and happy – I’m going to start one of the many new books I have waiting for my on my Kindle 🙂

 

 

 

I hope you guys are having an exciting/lovely/motivated week too! Let me know what you have planned for this month!

 

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  2. Im the same in January, there’s something about it that just screams blank page and this year I really want to spend more time just looking after me, doing the things I love and leaving less room for negativity in my life!

    So glad the notebooks are doing well, they’re so cute! And the portraits you’ve done recently have been stunning! GO JEMMA!

    Sarah 🙂

    Saloca in Wonderland

  3. Sounds like a good start of the year to me! I’m hoping to be a lot more organised and I managed to accomplish that over the past week by taking lots of photos for my blog. I’m hoping to keep that up for the rest of January so that I could get some posts ready for next month too!

    Lizzie Bee // mysticthorn.com

  4. Hi Jemma. I’m new to your blog and loving it.

    I love a January clear out. Started with the kitchen as I always get new gadgets at Christmas and the clothes are next!

    I also got a Uke for Christmas. There are a couple really good channels on youtube you should check out. Cynthia Lin does some very basic tutorials which are great for starting out. Also check out The Ukelele Teacher who is UK based and also has an app. Ten Thumbs Productions are also good and provide tutorials that are closer to the original song so tend to gear to more advanced players. Good luck 🙂 x

  6. I’m loving the new Instagram page! I’ve just found Gary too 🙂 I was going to do a photo a day and a 1 Second Everyday but It’s not going too well so far haha!
    Once our little man is born I’m deffo going to get you to do a lil portrait for me :3
    Have fun learning your uke skills! xxx

  8. Love this post!!Feeling all positive and happy!!Your new insta is just fab!!How beautiful is all your drawings!I plan to do a different one for my etsy as well cos as you said photos like that most of the times don’t fit with the theme haha I wish you to have a really amazing and creative year ahead you ^_^

    xx Aphrodite ~ BubblyBeauty

  9. I love this post!! I’ve been trying to treat myself to some new bits and have a pamper too!
    I hoovered and mopped the floors yesterday so I feel ready for my 2017 challenge, which is to actually paint at least ONE room of our house!! Xx

  10. Sounds like January is going to be a creative month for you! I’m loving all the new designs and products you’re creating. It’s amazing seeing your style develop as you create more and more! Good luck 🙂

    Liv // petticoatsandpatriarchy.com

  12. January seems like it’s going to be a very lovely month. I love how you’re always letting your creative juices flow. And I can’t wait to see like a collage of all your portraits at the end of the year. It’s going to be amazing.

    And yes to a healthier version of yourself. I’m in the same boat as you in terms of water. I have to keep track or else I forget all together.

    Chloe
    http://www.naomindoll.com

  14. January is starting out to be such a lovely month. I love how new things happen and how everyone is excited to start something new. Good luck Gary with your photo challenge… I hope that I can work my self up to doing that. I think I’ll start with a selfie a day picture.

    Will you post that up on your YouTube (after you get the handle with playing) the ukulele?

    Cheers!

  15. I absolutely love just how creative you’re getting this year- coming out with new prints and water stickers (uh, GENIUS) and I can’t wait to see more of your art work. I plan on getting more creative with my photography, like I mentioned in my newest post if you haven’t checked it out yet. There was also this great pin from pinterest that I found that plans out your year- month by month- on ways to a healthier lifestyle that I’m currently following. Love ya x

    Kyia at WANDERLUSTGIRL// Lifestyle & Beauty
    Let’s be BLOGLOVIN friends!

  17. This was a lovely post to read Jemma and I’m so glad to see all of your creative pieces – your art and illustrations are gorgeous, and after I finish typing this I’m going to go and check out your Etsy as I haven’t had a look for a while, and I’m intrigued by these notebooks. I’m sure that 2017 will be full of lots of wonderful things for you, and I hope it’s just as amazing as the previous has been. Happy New Year! – Tasha

  21. Congrats on all your Etsy sells – I see you there on Twitter, you seem to be slaying! I always take January to pamper myself too! I’ve had a tattoo lately and I CANNOT WAIT for it to be healed so I can have Lush baths again! Wishing you all the best for 2017 lovely x

    The Sweet Seven Five