Home Ideal

We've Moved!

After I started blogging back in 2009 I've enjoyed a good three years posting my updates with blogger. However, today I'm really excited about launching my brand new website- and with that will also come a brand new blog!

The very talented Kim Lawler (owner at Finest Imaginary, and web developer extraordinaire) has been working her socks off to build me a beautiful new internet home- and now that it's done- I can't wait to move in!

You can find my lovely new site at my original address: www.nikkimcwilliams.com. From now on I'll be blogging from my new abode- so be sure to add the new address to your Google Reader/RSS Feed/Blog Lovin'.

You can still read all of your old favourite posts right here- or even better- come and find them in their new home at www.nikkimcwilliams.com/blog! I'd love to here what you think, so don't forget to leave me a comment...the new blog need christening!

See you there!

Nikki.x

New Postage Prices- 2012

A few weeks ago- Royal Mail announced their annual price increase on postage. The day that the news was announced, my Twitter feed was ablaze with stunned small business owners- and rightly so: with postage prices increasing by between 30% and 39%.

The unfortunate reality of this is that many of the postage prices in my shop are going to have to increase- however, I am relieved to say that it won't be by as much as 30%. The service which I use most frequently (Royal Mail Packets, for sending individual cushion orders) has only increased very slightly for the average weight I send- so in the case of individual cushions- the P&P on these will only see a small increase.

P&P on smaller items (for example brooches and prints) will sadly have slightly higher % price increase than that of the cushion P&P- with the price on large letter stamps jumping from 75p - 90p.

New postage prices will take effect in all of my online outlets, including Big Cartel, Etsy & Folksy from the 30th of April 2012.

Apologies for such a gloomy post- I promise I'll have some good news in my next blog article!

Instagram-a-go-go

Ok- so I'll be the first to admit it has been AGES since I last blogged. March disappeared beneath my feet, but here's some instagram snaps of the last few week's highlights and happenings.

Top to bottom, left to right:

1: My Caramel Wafer cushions got a mention in May's British Vogue!

2: A bizarre mix of summer & winter weather in Dundee led to some confused looking outfits...

3: ...Even the ladybirds were huddling together to conserve heat!

4: Been doing LOADS of travelling around. I couldn't count the hours I've spend on trains/buses/cards recently.

5: Helped the other half move into his new studio at WASPS, Dundee. It's looking GREAT!

6: Shopping for chairs, Chair City, Dundee.

7: A pic of my Frightened Rabbit inspired rainbow Snake got retweeted by the band themselves!

8: I rediscovered my love of Babycham on Easter sunday. It really is "The Happiest Drink in the World"!

My Malted Milk cushion was spotted on the sofa of trendy-lady Alexa Chung (pictured above with Tennesse Thomas of The Like) . Thanks again to Sarah at Magasin for pointing me towards Alexa's instagram stream!

I've got some exciting things to share with you soon- but until then, I'll leave you with some rainbow snake draught excluder inspired tunes to keep you going :)

P.S- Hello to all of the new Instagram for Android users! You add my by searching for my username: nikkimcwilliams

Jamie Oliver Mag- Bake Your Own Biscuits

If you're a fan of home-baking, cooking or (like me) eating delicious food then I strongly suggest purchasing the current Jamie (Oliver) magazine! I was so excited to hear that the issue was going to feature lots of DIY biscuit recipes- and also that they would be featuring some of my biscuit cushions, in tribute!

I have to admit- while I enjoy watching Jamie's 30 Minute Meals (30 minutes is my approximate time ration for dinner-time at the moment!) I'd never before bought a copy of the magazine...and I am so impressed! The current issue (Mar/Apr) is full of loads delicious and achievable Greek inspired recipes- which my Cypriot granny would approve of as well as the aforementioned DIY biscuits. There's recipes for baking your own Custard Creams- Bourbons and even Jaffa Cakes (genius!)- which I will definitely be putting to the test at some point soon. You can even find out how to make your own Jammy Dodger biscuits here (and take a look at my Jammy cushions here!)

Jamie Magazine are currently giving away 2 of my cushions- so buy a copy of the magazine or head over to the website to enter the competition today!

We Have a Winner!

Thanks to everybody who entered my blog competition over the last few weeks. There was an amazing response- but there can only be one winner...

So, congratulations: Georgia Coote!

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Dundee- and I've just had my favourite Sunday breakfast: pancakes, bacon & syrup. I hope everyone's having a lovely weekend!

Greetings and Salutations!

I had a little batch of these cards printed a while ago and thought that with Mother's day just around the corner it would be the perfect opportunity to add them to my online shop.

A colour variation of a digital print which I currently sell- this card is professionally printed onto a nice heavy 350gsm satin finish card. It's blank inside- so could be perfect if you have a cake-loving Mum this coming mothering Sunday (18th of March, folks!)

Cards are priced at £2.00 and are available to order now from my online shop!

21st Century Design Lecture at DJCAD

A little while ago the lovely Kate Pickering got in touch with me to ask me to be part of the 21st Designer lecture program at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. Being on the other side of the lecture theatre during my studies at DJCAD from 2003 - 2008 I was really excited to go back and give it a go!

I spoke to 2nd year Design students about my journey since leaving art school, my business and the joys of twitter!

I got some lovely tweets from students attending my talk as well as a few blog posts later on in the day that I've linked to below. Thanks so much to Kate Pickering and Jonathan Baldwin for having me along- and also for inviting me to stay to talk to 4th year textiles students in the afternoon with Angharad McLaren.

Thanks to all of the students who blogged about my talk (If I've missed anyone, drop me a line with your link) Thanks also to Kate for taking the photo above!