Boots

Today we’ve got a special treat for Be @ Home readers.  Susie of Susie McMahon Dolls has an incredibly unique and evocative style of doll-making – and that’s because she’s not only a hobbyist, but an artist trained in painting and sculpture. A true lover of her craft, Susie also shares her passion through teaching, and combines her various talents to make  what she calls “unclassifiable objects” – creations that utilize all three of her disciplines in painting, sculpture, and doll making. Read on to get a glimpse of what makes Susie tick, and what she loves most about blogging and art:

Why did you start your blog?

I started my blog almost by accident really – being a woman of a “certain age” my computer skills were fairly rudimentary and I believed that such things as having and maintaining a blog were only for the tech-savvy! One day, out of curiosity I logged into the Blogger site and one thing led to another – after a couple of hours, I had a blog up and running and was posting like crazy. I felt pretty silly, because it was so easy to do and user-friendly. Since then, I have helped and encouraged many computer-shy people to start their own blogs. Having started my blog, I realized pretty quickly what a great thing it was, especially for an artist like me living in a fairly isolated place. Blogging meant that I could display my work to the whole world very easily.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

Connectedness. I can finish a piece of work and have it out there in a virtual art gallery being looked at by people on the other side of the world in a matter of minutes. I like posting about work-in-progress and my followers seem to enjoy seeing the creative process at work, also. I like the feedback my followers leave on my blog.

Do you have a favorite blog?

I can’t say I really have a favourite blog – I like many. Some are art blogs of people doing similar things to me. Others are about life in general, philosophical and even gardening! I like blogs that are fairly simple looking – I don’t like them to be cluttered or with moving bits or music – I generally steer clear of that kind – I find it too distracting and hard to find my way around them.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working towards a solo gallery show – in a physical gallery. I have never had a big one of my own – I’ve had small ones and been in group shows, but I’ve always wanted to put one together and I’ll be blogging about the work as I get it made.

What is the best advice ever given to you with regard to blogging or anything else?

A number of years ago I did a business course  – the best thing I learned during that course was a line from one of the tutors……..he said; “You’ve got to get in their faces!” Meaning, if people don’t see what you do, how can you generate any business from it? It applies to blogging, too – you need to be out there promoting yourself. I actually found it quite hard to do this at first as I am naturally quite shy, so I had to force myself to “get in their faces”. I’m better at it now.

Any recommendations for people who want to start their own blog?

Post regularly, often and consistently. Blogs kind of wither if they are not nurtured and tended – a bit like a garden. Don’t try to put too many bells, whistles, moving bits, exploding backgrounds etc on your blog – it puts a lot of people off.

Do you have a style icon?

Don’t think I really have one, but if pressed, I like the cool, understated style of Cate Blanchett – very classy without being conventionally “pretty”.

Any Must have accessories for the Fall?

Boots!

What are/were your favorite and least favorite fashion trends?

I loved mini-skirts in the 60′s. I had the legs to wear them then! I disliked the whole profligate mess that was the 80′s – Fashion trends mirrored the “greed is good” mantra that summed up that decade.

Wedge shoes, boots and sandals are the latest trends in women’s shoes this summer.

I personally really like wedge shoes during the hot summertime months as they give you those extra inches that we are all looking for along with the comfort of a continuous sole.

Also, I like the versatility of the wedges as they can really transform your outfit by giving the appearance that your casual outfit looks really dressed up and they can also allow you to add a playful casual look when you are all dressed up.

For this summer, the fantastic Michael Kors espadrilles combine style and timeless  elegance. I also am particularly keen on the Sugar Shoes collection that is particularly hot in Europe at the moment.

You should remember that during the summer your feet tend to swell up so it is even more importatn to make sure that they are comfortable, especially if you have to walk around a lot.

For the final touches, if you are planning on showing off your toes, don’t forget to sport a nice pedicure!

Isabelle