So what would any sane, rational thinking person do when they’re about to launch their debut novel? Why, launch a craft business at exactly the same time of course!! I may or may not have mentioned that I’m a bit of a craft junkie and part-time artist (well I mean I’ve got to fill up those hours when I’m not writing, right?). In fact I’ve been doodling for the past ten years and I’ve got quite good at it. So much so that I’m ready to launch my unique designs on the unsuspecting citizens of my home town any day now.
I’ve spent months designing a contemporary product for the Irish gift market and so I’m actually very excited about its launch. However I’m a bit freaked out that it’s coinciding with the launch of my novel. Honestly, if I was trying to plan it this way, I couldn’t have pulled it off. Still, in an attempt to comfort myself, I’m thinking it’s actually a good thing in terms of cross-promotion and all that other marketing jargon that usually makes my eyes roll. Some of my favourite authors are artists (Mark Haddon, Audrey Niffenegger) and I’m always interested to see that other side of their creativity. So as soon as I have officially launched (i.e. got my products into some retail outlets) I’ll put photos of my designs up here. In the meantime, here’s one of my most recent paintings “The Cherry Wood”.
Evie Gaughan 