🧵One of my favourite products is my hand printed and handmade purse. I usually have a few on my stall or in my shop, but did you know they are all different?

 I make a small batch at a time, printing my designs on fabric offcuts and scraps, and sew them up using cute coloured zips and contrast threads. 
I usually make 4 or five at a time. I use different fabrics, and mix different inks. They are all lined, usually in some kind of gingham, with a surprise dog print  inside.


So far I've printed on dark blue, neutrals, flowers, bright checks and black and grey fabrics. Each background fabric suggests a different ink colour, adding to the variation.
I particularly like working with linen, it feels so nice and soft, and then crisp when you iron it.


Making these purses includes  all my favourite things -drawing, printing, colours, sewing- and haberdashery!
​I'm not keen on ironing to be honest, but it has to be done.


The latest batch of purses included the red gingham which I think is my favourite so far...it got snapped up at The Illustrators' Fair in July. 


I have a few listed here in my Folksy shop, but most don't make it on there before they're sold.
​If you want a heads up of the next batch join my Tomato Ketchup via my profile and I will let you know as soon as they're stitched!

My next event is The Illustrators' Fair at Granary Square, King's Cross London N1C. Saturday 12 July 11am -5pm.
One of my all-time favourites, this is packed with 100+ illustrators and small press publishers. It is all under cover in the Granary Square building, and dogs are welcome!
I will have new tees, cards prints and all sorts!
Have a look @illustratorsfair instagram feed to see who else will be there.

My latest screen printed cards. I always take a selection of my latest cards to markets and print fairs, including some that don't make it to listings in my shop. There are variations and one offs so you will be buying something that is absolutely original, made by hand, by me.
Click on the image to find the ones in my shop, see previous post for where I am selling in person this year.

I have designed and printed a new range of cards featuring dogs...and tomatoes.
Very short print runs, subject to change/whim! The beauty of printing my own cards is that I can change the colours/card stock as I go, trying out different combinations, see how I like it. So these cards might not be around very long in this form- if you like 'em get 'em while you can.
​Square cards and rectangular cards, available here.

Three Badges by Jo Brown, Illustrator, who DOESN'T Work for FREE.

I created these pin badges initially for my own amusement, but they are proving very popular, particularly artists and makers of all kinds, and the self-employed.
Somehow writing it on a badge reinforces the message, and if someone comments on it, it starts a conversation.

Creatives are often asked to do something 'for free' by a relative, a friend or in business -
though they don't frame it that way - more likely something like:

'It'll be great exposure! '
'You will be seen by all our followers',
'it's a great opportunity',
'-it's for a good cause... '
'it'll only take you five minutes' (!) 
​'We have no budget...'
'but you do it because you love it...'
Or, they can minimise the effort by beginning  'Just...' as if the thing asked for takes no effort at all.

Why I Don't Work For Free (and neither should you)

1. Art is work.
It takes time and skill, and effort.
Years of training, development and practice. It could be a 'quick sketch' but years of drawing and choice making have got you to the point where you can do that sketch.
​
2. Just because you love something, it doesn't mean it doesn't have value.
You wouldn't ask a plumber to work for free because they love plumbing, would you?

(there is a third reason, see end of post)

So with all these things in mind,  I created my badge I Don't Work For Free.

I had photos of it in my images that I used to apply to markets last year, and it led to a really fun collaboration.

The Illustrators' Fair organisers commissioned me to provide badges for stallholders in Summer 2023.
It was great seeing everyone wearing them, and sharing the message on social media. 
In December the range of self employed artist badges expanded to Art Is Work, I Am Working and my favourite I Draw, You Pay.

 I have other ranges of badges, not just for the self employed, but lots of them have messages. The messages are different depending on the viewer, I think, you can put your own spin on it. 
I am particularly fond of Not Even Listening.
Buy my badges here.


3.If you needed it, yet another reason you shouldn't work for free.
Nobody values something they didn't have to pay for.
If you work for free, the person will not value your work.
​They won't want to pay for it next time either.

I don't just get cross about this, read about my other word prints too.