Paint & Ink Studio

HOW TO PIVOT // So many new words, I don’t need to repeat them, we all know what they are! ‘Pivot’ pops up over and over and sounds so easy, but we just know it isn’t. So, I’m watching in awe as Sally and Clare move on, taking orders online, catering for virtual parties and producing gorgeous photos of it all to tempt the taste buds. Incredible.
Congratulations and Clare
Do you know anyone that has managed this magical pivot? Are you trying to? Who are you watching in awe?
@ Surrey

EDITING PICS // I need a recommendation, I used to upload pics on my camera then quickly up the Light, Brightness and Sharpen - boom done in a flash. Annoyingly they have changed it grrrrrr I just need that quick fix back and find most Apps a bit complicated. Anyone help? I like v light pics, white space and a sharpness.
Nabbed this from Clare from her latest lovely refit for in Cobham. Yup, my hands working on the shop sign as a Welcome Back to all their super loyal customers.
Star ring by Oorla , which I adore.

ECLECTIC STYLING // Brilliant word. Having been locked down in my four walls like you all... it got me thinking about personal styles. Has your home evolved over time with a mix of inherited, salvaged or sourced bits or have you started rooms fresh, all new and put together?
Personally I like an eclectic look, no minimalism here, too hard and impractical plus means it all has to match! Exhausting! But, it’s not easy to match old and new and a range of looks - but does it matter if you love it. No it doesn’t, we can’t simply throw everything out and start over but we can pop new finds in and paint over or recover.
A quick, cheap (depending on paint brand) option is always paint. At the moment, we can at least paint if we can’t shop! How about pulling all the eclectic looks through with a colour scheme? I’m obsessed with all the blues and use Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball and Aubusson Blue by Annie Sloan all over the place plus shades that are close. I also avoid red, orange and black. It’s a way of getting the hodge lodge of things to kind of come together.
From 15th June Packhouse will be back open for all your Annie Sloan paint, brushes and waxes. Hooray 🤸🏻‍♀️🤸🏻‍♀️🤸🏻‍♀️
Picture from with props from

NEW ON THE JOURNAL // How to create your own DIY photo backdrops
Hi everyone, it’s been a while! I’m on a go-slow mode but starting to feel some creative juices starting to flow... phew!
Not a great catchy journal title... any alternatives welcome?! But.... I really do hope this is useful for all of you taking your own photos, finding ways to stand out or simply enjoying making stuff! The added bonus of making your own photo backdrops.... their cheap and get a few oooos and ahhhhs, all the feel goods which we all need right now.
I do have the advantage of having a stock of Annie Sloan paint but most people have a stash of testers (I know!) and you don’t need much paint, promise.
All photos taken by Lucy , she’s done an incredible job.
I can’t take credit for the TEXTURED BOARDS bit, Clare is a dab hand at huge backdrops and made it sound so easy.... mine were! Oh, and lots of messy fun. Thanks Clare!
No moreexpensive backdrop purchases, it’s DIY all the way, especially as shopping is a mare and salvaging a breeze...


@ Guildford

DIY PRODUCT PICTURES // Do you do your own photos for Etsy or your own website? How did it go?!
I tried, I REALLY tried, bought the camera, read the manual (mostly gobbledygook) and even managed to set up a ‘light filled space’ but frankly the pictures were pants! It’s just not my thing, and I really expected to enjoy it, didn’t expect it to be easy but did think I’d get into the wizardry of taking the photos!!! 🥴
The good news is that I learnt a LOT by having a go, mostly that it’s not easy to take great pictures and also that it’s ok to admit creative defeat!
The joy of handing over the product shot to Lucy is that I got to ponder the look and feel of the images I wanted then could sit back knowing they would be perfect.
Love the name Athena, any 80s chicks out there remember the posters, glossy lipsticks and popping champagne bottles?!!