Balancing Creativity with Business : a Blick Academy event - Blick Shared Studios

- - `DIY YOUR BRAND` RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - PART 2 - -

A list of super useful resources for emerging creatives looking to DIY their branding compiled by Laura Whitehouse founder of Mighty Fine Design
@mightyfinedesign who recently hosted a creative skills workshop for us on `How to DIY Your Brand` for creative business owners.

To get inspired

visualjournal.it

brandarchive.xyz

pinterest.co.uk

To generate colour palettes (and see them in action)

coolors.co
P.s. Use the ‘Tools’ button top right to check contrast and see the palette visualiser

To start meddling around with fonts, icons, and social posts

www.canva.com

For great free fonts

Google Fonts can be downloaded and added into all sorts

To get inspired by font pairings

www.fontpair.co/fonts

To find free photos

www.unsplash.com
Please just no men shaking hands across a table!

A great email signature maker

www.hubspot.com/email-signature-generator

www.honeybook.com/email-signature

For simple websites (that you can make yourself)

www.squarespace.com

To edit photos you’ve taken yourself

Download the Adobe Lightroom CC app

Full list can be found on our website (link in profile and below)

https://blickstudios.org/resources/how-to-diy-your-brand-in-partnership-with-mighty-fine-design/

Mar 31

Part 2 of our interview with Homewerk founders husband and wife team Katya and Graeme ahead of their workshop for us on Wednesday 2nd April on ChatGPT for creatives
You can read the complete interview on our website blog (link below and in profile) https://blickstudios.org/blog/an-interview-with-graeme-and-katya-founders-of-homewerk/

You can also sign upon our website for their workshop Adventures in ChatGPT which is at 7pm on Wednesday 2nd April in our Hill St studios!
(link below and in profile)

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-skills-workshop-adventures-in-chatgpt/

Mar 30

Ahead of their workshop for us on Wednesday 2nd April on ChatGPT for creatives we have done an interview with Homewerk founders Katya and Graeme to find out a bit about them and their new business Homewerk!

Here’s the first part of the interview or you can read the complete interview on our website blog (link below or on profile): https://blickstudios.org/blog/an-interview-with-graeme-and-katya-founders-of-homewerk/

You can also sign upon our website for their workshop Adventures in ChatGPT which is at 7pm on Wednesday 2nd April in our Hill St studios!

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-skills-workshop-adventures-in-chatgpt/

Mar 29

- - `DIY YOUR BRAND` RESOURCES FOR CREATIVES - PART 1 - -

Laura Whitehouse, founder of
@mightyfinedesign recently hosted a creative skills workshop for us on `How to DIY Your Brand` for creative business owners

Following the workshop, Laura has very kindly shared this amazing Brand Thinkin` Kit Worksheet, which you can download from the creative resources section of our website to help you on your DIY branding journey. She has also shared other useful resources and her full presentation. You can find everything on our website (link in profile) ✨️

Mar 28

Meet the facilitators of our next creative skills workshop - Adventures in ChatGPT `Homewerk` @homewerk.project

Graeme Watson ��@graeme_theory and Katya Buryakova @stormy_kate are the founders of Homewerk, a project that designs workshops, courses and projects to give creative professionals time, space and inspiration to learn new tools and tricks, and make new connections.

Graeme Watson has worked in marketing, communication and events in higher education and the arts for almost two decades, and played a leading role in building the stand-up comedy scene in Northern Ireland through his production company The Infinite Jest. Graeme also worked in collaboration with us in the past as a co-creator and co-presenter of the Small Town Big Dreams creative industries podcast.

Katya Buryakova is an artist, designer, and educator with a background in fine art and design. She graduated from the Moscow Academic Art College and the National Design Institute before moving to Belfast to complete her Master’s in Fine Art.

With experience teaching painting, composition, and design, she now helps craft makers boost their digital presence at Craft NI. Now, as Craft NI’s Digital Development Officer, she oversees website development and design while helping craft makers improve their digital presence through running workshops on Canva, Photoshop, Video Editing tools and social media marketing.

Beyond her work at Craft NI, Katya continues her artistic practice, focusing primarily on digital art.

We have an interview with Graeme and Katya on our website

Or you can also still book tickets to attend their FREE workshop!

WORKSHOP DETAILS
�Event Date(s): April 2, 2025
Event Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

�Book your place on our website link in profile

Mar 27

- - ONE WEEK TO GO - CREATIVE SKILLS WORKSHOP - ADVENTURES IN CHATGPT - -

Our next creative skills workshop is all about ChatGPT for Creatives.
Helping you explore some of practical ways as a creative professional you can integrate it into your work life
In this workshop session for beginners, Graeme Watson and Katya Buryakova will explain some of the major controversies and opportunities around using ChatGPT in your work.

ABOUT GRAEME & KATYA:
Graeme Watson and Katya Buryakova are the founders of Homewerk, a project that designs workshops, courses and projects to give creative professionals time, space and inspiration to learn new tools and tricks, and make new connections.

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): April 2, 2025
Event Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

Book on our website. Link below and in profile
https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-skills-workshop-adventures-in-chatgpt/

Mar 26

- - CREATIVE TALK - ILLUSTRATOR LAUREN KELSO - -

Join us for our April Blick Creative Talk on Wednesday 9th April with upcoming illustrator Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator sharing her creative story!

At Blick we like to share the stories of creatives at different stages of their creative journey as inspiration for others at a similar stage in their own journey. Our April creative talk is with Lauren Kelso an award-winning freelance illustrator who graduated in just 2023, but who has already achieved so much and is currently in the process of opening her own opening her own bricks-and-mortar shop and studio. In this creative talk Lauren will share her experiences and some of the highs and lows she has experienced on her creative business journey.�

About Lauren:
Lauren Kelso is an Award-Winning Illustrator based in Ballymena who has completed illustration work for businesses such as Galgorm Resort, Ulster Orchestra, Digg Deep for Kids Charity and others. Lauren is inspired by fashion, travel and the world, often creating illustrations using ink and a cocktail stick, collage material and created textures. She loves to be experimental within her practice, enjoying the process and embracing the unknown.

Alongside selling her illustration prints and more through attending in-person markets/pop-ups, her online shop and through various stockists around Northern Ireland, Lauren is opening her own bricks-and-mortar shop & studio in Raceview Mill in Broughshane. This will be a creative shop where people are welcome to come and browse and buy illustration gifts for themselves and/or friends and family and the premises will also provide a working studio space for her to complete freelance client jobs etc. The space will also be used for delivering creative workshops and Lauren is really looking forward to this next step in this exciting season.

Lauren graduated in July 2023 with a First Class Honours Degree in Graphic Design & Illustration and following graduation, Lauren was selected to be a Graduate in Residence for the Illustration course at UU Belfast School of Art where she completed the First Steps to Teaching course, delivered a range of presentations and

Mar 24

- - CREATIVE TALK - ILLUSTRATOR LAUREN KELSO - -

Join us for our April Blick Creative Talk on Wednesday 9th April with upcoming illustrator Lauren Kelso @laurenkelsoillustrator sharing her creative story!

At Blick we like to share the stories of creatives at different stages of their creative journey as inspiration for others at a similar stage in their own journey. Our April creative talk is with Lauren Kelso an award-winning freelance illustrator who graduated in just 2023, but who has already achieved so much and is currently in the process of opening her own opening her own bricks-and-mortar shop and studio. In this creative talk Lauren will share her experiences and some of the highs and lows she has experienced on her creative business journey.�

About Lauren:
Lauren Kelso is an Award-Winning Illustrator based in Ballymena who has completed illustration work for businesses such as Galgorm Resort, Ulster Orchestra, Digg Deep for Kids Charity and others. Lauren is inspired by fashion, travel and the world, often creating illustrations using ink and a cocktail stick, collage material and created textures. She loves to be experimental within her practice, enjoying the process and embracing the unknown.

Alongside selling her illustration prints and more through attending in-person markets/pop-ups, her online shop and through various stockists around Northern Ireland, Lauren is opening her own bricks-and-mortar shop & studio in Raceview Mill in Broughshane. This will be a creative shop where people are welcome to come and browse and buy illustration gifts for themselves and/or friends and family and the premises will also provide a working studio space for her to complete freelance client jobs etc. The space will also be used for delivering creative workshops and Lauren is really looking forward to this next step in this exciting season.

Lauren graduated in July 2023 with a First Class Honours Degree in Graphic Design & Illustration and following graduation, Lauren was selected to be a Graduate in Residence for the Illustration course at UU Belfast School of Art where she completed the First Steps to Teaching course, delivered a range of presentations and

Happy Sunny Monday in our beautiful Great Northern Street Studios where we have a small private studio coming available from April! Get in touch if you would like more info 🌞 ☀️

We have loads coming up over the next couple of weeks!

- Womenfolk Peer mentoring - Tuesday 25th March 7pm, Blick Hill Street

- Creative Hubs Meetup - Friday 28th March, 11am, Vault Artist Studios

- Creative Skills Workshop - Adventures in ChatGPT - Wed 2nd April, 7pm, Blick Hill Street

- Creative Talk - Lauren Kelso Illustrator - Wed 9th April, 7pm, Blick Hill Street

More info and booking details for all on our website blickstudios.org/events or links in profile ✨️ ✨️

Mar 24

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Wednesday evening for a brilliant, intimate and super informative creative talk by Juliette founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company @lecontourcandles it was a great evening! I learned so much and really loved Juliette`s energy and her mindset. Lots to try and emulate in my own work when dealing with the ebbs and flows and ups and downs of running a creative business!

Mar 21

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Wednesday evening for a brilliant, intimate and super informative creative talk by Juliette founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company @lecontourcandles it was a great evening! I learned so much and really loved Juliette's energy and her mindset. Lots to try and emulate in my own work when dealing with the ebbs and flows and ups and downs of running a creative business!

- - CREATIVE SKILLS WORKSHOP - ADVENTURES IN CHATGPT - -

Our next creative skills workshop is all about ChatGPT for Creatives.

Helping you explore some of the practical ways as a creative professional, you can integrate it into your work life

In this workshop session for beginners, Graeme Watson and Katya Buryakova will explain some of the major controversies and opportunities around using ChatGPT in your work.

ABOUT GRAEME & KATYA:
Graeme Watson and Katya Buryakova are the founders of Homewerk, a project that designs workshops, courses and projects to give creative professionals time, space and inspiration to learn new tools and tricks, and make new connections.

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): April 2, 2025
Event Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

BOOKING LINK (below and in profile) https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-skills-workshop-adventures-in-chatgpt/

Mar 21

- - CREATIVE HUBS MEETUP SPRING 2025 - -

�This is the first 2025 meetup for creative hubs in Northern Ireland to come together, connect, share ideas and support each other.

If you are involved with running or working in a creative hub in Northern Ireland we would love for you to join us at this meetup.

This event is a collaborative project between Blick Shared Studios, Boom Studios @boom.studios with the kind support of Vault Artist Studios @vaultartistsni hosting and providing a venue for the meetup

EVENT DETAILS
Event Date(s): March 28, 2025
Event Time: 11am
Location: Vault Artist Studios & Gallery - Marlborough House 30 Victoria Street Belfast BT1 3GG
Cost: Free

Booking link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/events/12411/

Mar 20

Some great insights for creatives on a similar journey from Juliette El Fouly founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company who is sharing her story at our next Creative Talk tonight!

Juliette has done an interview for us which you can find on the blog on our website and there are also still a few tickets left if you would like to join us tonight Wednesday 19th March at 7pm in our Hill St studios booking link in our profile ✨️

Mar 19

Last chance to book for our creative talk this Wednesday evening at 7pm in our Hill St studios with the wonderful Juliette founder of Le Contour contemporary candle company!

About Juliette:

“I began my journey in lockdown of 2020 where, like many of us, I experienced first-hand the importance of being surrounded by things that enrich and encourage us in our day to day lives – namely in our home. This is what prompted the creation of my very first collection, designed to empower women and inclusively celebrate the female form. An ethos I am proud to align my brand to.”

In this talk, Juliette will share her creative story, including the highs and lows and some of the lessons she has learned along the way!

You can find out more about Juliette on her website lecontour.co.uk and follow her on Instagram at @lecontourcandles

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): March 19, 2025
Event Time: 7pm-8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

Sign up now for your free ticket on our website!

Mar 18

Really looking forward to our next creative talk this Wednesday evening with the amazing Juliette founder of Le Contour contemporary candle company!

About Juliette:
“I began my journey in lockdown of 2020 where, like many of us, I experienced first-hand the importance of being surrounded by things that enrich and encourage us in our day to day lives – namely in our home. This is what prompted the creation of my very first collection, designed to empower women and inclusively celebrate the female form. An ethos I am proud to align my brand to.”
In this talk, Juliette will share her creative story, including the highs and lows and some of the lessons she has learned along the way!
You can find out more about Juliette on her website lecontour.co.uk and follow her on on Instagram at @lecontourcandles

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): March 19, 2025
Event Time: 7pm-8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free

Sign up now for your free ticket! https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-juliette-el-fouly-founder-of-le-contour-contempor...

Mar 17

Some St Patrick`s weekend reading! Part 2 of our inspiring interview with Juliette founder of Le Contour contemporary candle company who is sharing her creative story with us at our next Creative Talk on Wednesday 19th March!

You can read the whole interview on the blog on our website
�
�And sign up to hear her share her story on Wednesday evening in our Hill St studios

Mar 14

Some St Patrick's weekend reading! Part 2 of our inspiring interview with Juliette founder of Le Contour contemporary candle company who is sharing her creative story with us at our next Creative Talk on Wednesday 19th March!

You can read the whole interview on the blog on our website
�
�And sign up to hear her share her story on Wednesday evening in our Hill St studios

- - WORKSPACE AVAILABLE HILL ST CATHEDRAL QUARTER - -

We have 2 dedicated deskspaces coming available in our beautiful Hill St Studios in the Cathedral Quarter

– £165 per desk or £265 for both desks per calendar month all inclusive (rates, utilities, broadband) and no VAT

– 24 hour access

– City centre location in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter

– Minimum 3 months contract then on a rolling monthly contract

– 1 months rent required as a deposit

Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/

Mar 14

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night for our DIY Branding workshop with @mightyfinedesign, who led a wonderful workshop with loads of great insights and tips, alongside beautiful worksheets and resources for emerging creatives to help them with their branding!
We will be sharing Laura`s beautiful worksheets and resources here and on our website over coming weeks so watch this space!

Mar 13

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night for our DIY Branding workshop with @mightyfinedesign, who led a wonderful workshop with loads of great insights and tips, alongside beautiful worksheets and resources for emerging creatives to help them with their branding!
We will be sharing Laura's beautiful worksheets and resources here and on our website over coming weeks so watch this space!

Just 1 week to go until our next creative talk with the amazing Juliette founder of Le Contour contemporary candle company!

About Juliette:

“I began my journey in lockdown of 2020 where, like many of us, I experienced first-hand the importance of being surrounded by things that enrich and encourage us in our day to day lives – namely in our home. This is what prompted the creation of my very first collection, designed to empower women and inclusively celebrate the female form. An ethos I am proud to align my brand to.”

In this talk, Juliette will share her creative story, including the highs and lows and some of the lessons she has learned along the way!

You can find out more about Juliette on her website lecontour.co.uk and follow her on on Instagram at @lecontourcandles

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): March 19, 2025
Event Time: 7pm-8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB�
�Cost: Free

Sign up now for your free ticket link below and in profile!

https://blickstudios.org/events/creative-talk-with-juliette-el-fouly-founder-of-le-contour-contemporary-candle-company/

Mar 12

Really looking forward to this tonight with Laura Whitehouse, founder of @mightyfinedesign

Sadly, there are no tickets left, but we will be sharing workshop resources on our website and social media after for anyone who can`t join us tonight!

Mar 12

Really looking forward to this tonight with Laura Whitehouse, founder of @mightyfinedesign

Sadly, there are no tickets left, but we will be sharing workshop resources on our website and social media after for anyone who can't join us tonight!

Love this space with the light at this time of year. Our Hill Street Studios earlier this evening 💙 💙

Mar 11

Love this space with the light at this time of year. Our Hill Street Studios earlier this evening 💙 💙