How To Be a Better Listener - Blick Shared Studios

- - `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 💙 💙

- - BLICK APRIL CREATIVE TALK WITH 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 Freelance 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.

You can find out more about Lauren on her website https://laurenkelso.uk/ and Instagram @laurenkelsoillustrator

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): April 9, 2025
Event Time: 7pm-8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB

For more info & to book your fre ticket visit our website link in profi

Mar 11

- - BLICK APRIL CREATIVE TALK WITH 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 Freelance 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.

You can find out more about Lauren on her website https://laurenkelso.uk/ and Instagram @laurenkelsoillustrator

EVENT DETAILS:
Event Date(s): April 9, 2025
Event Time: 7pm-8pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB

For more info & to book your fre ticket visit our website link in profi

We have a great new interview on our blog 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!
Here is part 1 of the interview, or you can read the whole interview on our blog on our website link below and in profile ✨️ 🌟

You can also sign up to hear Juliette share her story in person!

https://blickstudios.org/blog/12476/

Mar 10

Last year was super busy and a huge year of change for us here at Blick, leaving our Malone studios after 15 years and moving into our lovely new Great Northern Street studios! We are finally now starting to catch up with ourselves and we thought it would be a good time to update new followers on what we do and why. Starting with our main service, our studios.

- - OUR STUDIOS - -

When we started Blick back in 2008, our ambition was to create beautiful but affordable spaces for creatives to work in alongside other like-minded creatives.

We started with just one building, our Malone Studios in South Belfast, then took on two others in the Cathedral Quarter, our Hill Street studios and Cotton Court studios. Then last year we had to leave our beautiful Malone studios, but were super fortunate to find our gorgeous new Great Northern Street studios instead. All our studios provide a mix of private studio spaces and shared workspace with dedicated desks and storage.

- - HILL ST - -

Our Hill St studios are our biggest providing workspace to over 25 creatives within an open plan loft space with high ceilings and original features close to Belfast School of Art right in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter. Our Hill St studios can also be used as a virtual office for creatives who want a professional city centre address for their business.

- - COTTON COURT - -

Our Cotton Court studios are our most affordable studios providing both shared and private workspace to over 10 creatives in a building full of different creatives in the Cathedral Quarter.

- - GREAT NORTHERN STREET - -

Our Great Northern Street studios provide shared and private workspace to over 15 creatives and are located just off the Lisburn Road in a modern glass fronted building nestled between traditional red brick Belfast terrace houses.

Our spaces are all fully serviced, flexible and affordable, with prices from £125 per month. All our prices include rent, rates, utilities and broadband. Taking a space at Blick is more than just a physical space; it`s about meeting and working alongside like-minded people, collaborating, learning, and sharing experiences.

Visit our website for more info

Mar 10

Last year was super busy and a huge year of change for us here at Blick, leaving our Malone studios after 15 years and moving into our lovely new Great Northern Street studios! We are finally now starting to catch up with ourselves and we thought it would be a good time to update new followers on what we do and why. Starting with our main service, our studios.

- - OUR STUDIOS - -

When we started Blick back in 2008, our ambition was to create beautiful but affordable spaces for creatives to work in alongside other like-minded creatives.

We started with just one building, our Malone Studios in South Belfast, then took on two others in the Cathedral Quarter, our Hill Street studios and Cotton Court studios. Then last year we had to leave our beautiful Malone studios, but were super fortunate to find our gorgeous new Great Northern Street studios instead. All our studios provide a mix of private studio spaces and shared workspace with dedicated desks and storage.

- - HILL ST - -

Our Hill St studios are our biggest providing workspace to over 25 creatives within an open plan loft space with high ceilings and original features close to Belfast School of Art right in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter. Our Hill St studios can also be used as a virtual office for creatives who want a professional city centre address for their business.

- - COTTON COURT - -

Our Cotton Court studios are our most affordable studios providing both shared and private workspace to over 10 creatives in a building full of different creatives in the Cathedral Quarter.

- - GREAT NORTHERN STREET - -

Our Great Northern Street studios provide shared and private workspace to over 15 creatives and are located just off the Lisburn Road in a modern glass fronted building nestled between traditional red brick Belfast terrace houses.

Our spaces are all fully serviced, flexible and affordable, with prices from £125 per month. All our prices include rent, rates, utilities and broadband. Taking a space at Blick is more than just a physical space; it's about meeting and working alongside like-minded people, collaborating, learning, and sharing experiences.

Visit our website for more info