I’ve been making mixed media paintings and jewellery for just over three years now, and although I sell well at my own Open Studios and have a number of devoted private clients (plus sales through Newblood, and also in Istanbul and Shanghai) I’ve struggled to find the right way to consistently sell my rather unusual work.

But perhaps I’ve cracked it now, it started early last year when I was contacted by a new American website that had found my work on Behance.com (a free and very stylish US portfolio site on which I’d loaded a couple of images and brief description of my work two years ago and then forgot all about……) loved it, and wanted to sell it in America.

The site was very professional; there was no cost to me other than a very fair commission on any work sold, so I got on board. My work went up, and four of my bangles were used in a full page advert to launch the website in the November/December edition of Elle Décor USA. And then my bangles started to sell, and sell! This exposure generated great interest in my paintings and ‘Within Without’ a big pink number was even blogged by American designer Tory Burch, which brought loads of traffic to my own website and (I hope) to others where I show my work. A couple of other American bloggers have written about me, and I think there were even a few tweets…………

The website owner is a huge supporter and has encouraged me to develop a range of tableware, she also recommended me to the organisers of Ecoluxe 2011, (a two day event focussing on the luxury end of sustainable fashion,) held during London Fashion Week over 20/21 February, where I’ll present my work to Buyers and Press. And not only that, the American website will also show my jewellery and paintings and launch my brand new tableware collection at WestWeek LA in March, a huge design exhibition for Trade and Press, America here I come!

(if you live in or near Los Angeles and would like an invitation do get in touch with me).