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Meet Our Community: Malone Resident Alanna Offield Seaside Books

Published: July 5, 2022

I love reading and I love books, I also like to support local creatives and buy local and independent, so I was very excited this week to get to chat with our newest Blick resident Alanna to find out more about her business Seaside Books.  Seaside Books is an independent online and travelling bookshop stocking books from Irish authors and/ or published by Irish publishers. They have loads of great books on their website as well as recommendations which I love as it gives you the confidence to try something new.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your business?

I’m Alanna, the owner of Seaside Books. I moved to Ireland from New Mexico five years ago, looking for a change in career after years of working as a social justice campaigner. I write poetry and have always loved reading. When I became disabled in 2018, books and reading were an escape from long days in bed and trips to the hospital. As a bookworm, I had always dreamed of owning a bookshop, so I decided to give it a go during the pandemic.

Seaside Books is an independent online and traveling bookshop stocking books from Irish authors and/ or published by Irish publishers. We travel to markets and community events across the country. We also offer writing workshops and help authors prepare their books to be published.

Any projects you’re currently working on?

Seaside Books recently turned a year old. I’ve got a long list of ideas for things we could do to celebrate all the fantastic writing happening across Ireland. Currently, we are planning to start a magazine to highlight emerging writers from underrepresented communities. We have been working with local authors and lovers of excellent writing to bring it to life. We are still in the very early stages, but I’m excited to move forward.

What was the biggest hurdle for you starting out and how did you overcome it?

The learning curve for starting a bookshop was steep. I didn’t have anyone who had experience starting a business in my life, so I had to do lots of research to know where to start. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing (I still feel that way sometimes). I started planning Seaside Books during the pandemic, which was sometimes isolating. Finding a community of other folks who were starting businesses was a lifesaver.

How do you stay creative/inspired?

I get inspiration from being around people, hearing their stories, and finding connections between us. I’ve always believed that there is power in showing up. I try to attend writing and poetry events whenever I can to support local authors and hear their work. I love meeting people at markets and workshops and chatting about books and writing. And I do a lot of reading. We read everything we stock to ensure it’s a story we feel confident in recommending to our customers. It all inspires me to keep going and gives me ideas to incorporate into my poetry.

What piece of software/ tool/ equipment would you struggle to run your business without?

I can’t think of anything specific, but I was given the advice early on to invest in systems that will allow me to focus on the parts of running a business that feels fun. For example, getting an accounting program has been life-changing. Getting an expert to help set up the online shop was also a huge weight lifted and so worth the investment. It frees up so much more time to focus on the creative parts of Seaside Books that I enjoy.

What’s your top tip/piece of advice for anyone wanting to work for themselves/ start their own creative business?

Find a community of folks who have similar goals. Running a business can be challenging and isolating. Having people you can turn to when you need help solving a problem or need to vent about something is so valuable. And be clear about the why and how of what you want to do. Trying to please everyone all the time can be tempting, but that will never be as satisfying as sticking to what feels authentic to you.

Where can people find you online?

You can find Seaside Books at seasidebooksni.com and on Instagram @seasidebooksni

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Ahead of sharing some new goal-setting resources next week, we are looking back on our strategic goal-setting workshop with Stephanie Heckman. By sharing some pics that we ran out of time for earlier this year.

It was such a great workshop, provoking great insights and reflections as well as providing practical actions to help attendees move towards future goals.

Aug 1

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18516336139050628
Ahead of sharing some new goal-setting resources next week, we are looking back on our strategic goal-setting workshop with Stephanie Heckman. By sharing some pics that we ran out of time for earlier this year.

It was such a great workshop, provoking great insights and reflections as well as providing practical actions to help attendees move towards future goals.

Loving these summer evenings in our South Belfast Studios 🌞 ☀️ 🌤

Jul 29

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Loving these summer evenings in our South Belfast Studios 🌞 ☀️ 🌤

Late afternoon sun 🌞 ☀️ 🌤

Jul 28

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Late afternoon sun 🌞 ☀️ 🌤

New Hill Street Sunday Art Market right outside our Hill Street Studios from 10am - 3pm each week!

Jul 27

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New Hill Street Sunday Art Market right outside our Hill Street Studios from 10am - 3pm each week!

Some great insights from our May Creative Talk with artist and illustrator @dannisimpsonart

Jul 25

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Some great insights from our May Creative Talk with artist and illustrator @dannisimpsonart

Looking back to our May Creative Talk with artist and illustrator @dannisimpsonart

Jul 23

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Looking back to our May Creative Talk with artist and illustrator @dannisimpsonart

- - AVAILABLE WORKSPACE - BLICK SHARED STUDIOS, SOUTH BELFAST - -

We have one dedicated deskspace in our shared creative coworking space available:

– South Belfast location just off the Lisburn Road with lots of shops, coffee shops and bars within walking distance

– £150 per dedicated desk with allocated storage all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband) no VAT

– 24 hour access

– Breakout area

– 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 for more info (Link below and in profile)
https://blickstudios.org/locations/great-northern-street/

Jul 21

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17985823823698745
- - AVAILABLE WORKSPACE - BLICK SHARED STUDIOS, SOUTH BELFAST - -

We have one dedicated deskspace in our shared creative coworking space available:

– South Belfast location just off the Lisburn Road with lots of shops, coffee shops and bars within walking distance

– £150 per dedicated desk with allocated storage all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities, broadband) no VAT

– 24 hour access

– Breakout area

– 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 for more info (Link below and in profile)
https://blickstudios.org/locations/great-northern-street/

Our latest roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives

 01. Cathedral Quarter Art Market

Applications are now open for the Cathedral Quarter Art Market – a new Sunday market celebrating handmade and independently designed work, set in the heart of Belfast’s most creative district.
Event Details:
Location: Hill Street, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
Time: 10am – 3pm
Pitch Fee: £60 (includes your gazebo and trading licence)
Dates: Every Sunday from 27 July – 28 September
Spaces: Strictly limited to 24 traders per week

 
02. Tools for Togetherness – Tender Opportunity

Tools for Togetherness seeks to commission a series of pilot projects based around the concept of an ‘Artist-led Library of interventions; as shared Citizen Resource’. They are excited to empower creatives to create thoughtful interventions which align with fostering community togetherness in public spaces.
Closing date: Friday 22 August 2025 at 12 noon

 
03. Hawk’s Well Theatre Artist in Residence 2025

Project Lighthouse is a 12-month cross-border, cross-community peacebuilding project. You’ll work with young adults (aged 18–25) to co-create a powerful performance and legacy work in two border locations:
• Sligo (ROI)
• Derry/Londonderry (NI)
Delivery Period: September 2025 – September 2026
What to Submit:
A quotation and proposal
A budget breakdown (quotes considered, max €20,000 + VAT)
Contact: director@hawkswell.ie
Deadline: August 1st 2025, 5pm

 
04. Northern Ireland Screen – Camera Trainee (CINE Programme) 

Location: Various production locations across Northern Ireland
Salary: £12.60 per hour (Real Living Wage)
Contract: Fixed-term training placements (non-continuous)
Hours: 40–60 hours per week, depending on production schedule
Closing Date: Friday 25th July 2025 at 1pm

 
05. Bring Your Own Art Art Show

This weekend in the Black Box Belfast and there’s still time to register and submit your work
Date: 20th July
Location: Black Box Belfast

Full listings including links on our website: https://blickstudios.org/blog/12766/

Jul 18

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18100113277582049
Our latest roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives 

 01. Cathedral Quarter Art Market 

Applications are now open for the Cathedral Quarter Art Market – a new Sunday market celebrating handmade and independently designed work, set in the heart of Belfast’s most creative district.
Event Details:
Location: Hill Street, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
Time: 10am – 3pm
Pitch Fee: £60 (includes your gazebo and trading licence)
Dates: Every Sunday from 27 July – 28 September
Spaces: Strictly limited to 24 traders per week 

 
02. Tools for Togetherness – Tender Opportunity 

Tools for Togetherness seeks to commission a series of pilot projects based around the concept of an ‘Artist-led Library of interventions; as shared Citizen Resource’. They are excited to empower creatives to create thoughtful interventions which align with fostering community togetherness in public spaces. 
Closing date: Friday 22 August 2025 at 12 noon 

 
03. Hawk’s Well Theatre Artist in Residence 2025 

Project Lighthouse is a 12-month cross-border, cross-community peacebuilding project. You’ll work with young adults (aged 18–25) to co-create a powerful performance and legacy work in two border locations:
• Sligo (ROI)
• Derry/Londonderry (NI)
Delivery Period: September 2025 – September 2026
What to Submit:
A quotation and proposal
A budget breakdown (quotes considered, max €20,000 + VAT)
Contact: director@hawkswell.ie
Deadline: August 1st 2025, 5pm 

 
04. Northern Ireland Screen – Camera Trainee (CINE Programme)  

Location: Various production locations across Northern Ireland
Salary: £12.60 per hour (Real Living Wage)
Contract: Fixed-term training placements (non-continuous)
Hours: 40–60 hours per week, depending on production schedule
Closing Date: Friday 25th July 2025 at 1pm 

 
05. Bring Your Own Art Art Show 

This weekend in the Black Box Belfast and there’s still time to register and submit your work
Date: 20th July
Location: Black Box Belfast 

Full listings including links on our website: https://blickstudios.org/blog/12766/

To celebrate the end of our Nurture Creative Incubation programme and its participants we have put together a small exhibition of the interviews they did for us and some examples of their work in our Great Northern Street studios!

Jul 16

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17956103561969387
To celebrate the end of our Nurture Creative Incubation programme and its participants we have put together a small exhibition of the interviews they did for us and some examples of their work in our Great Northern Street studios!

As we enter this quieter holiday period, today we are looking back to May, a fantastic busy month for us at Blick that included a creative talk with artist and illustrator Danni Simpson, conversations and catchups around Belfast Design Week. 2 fun-filled bank holidays and the end of our Nurture Programme and its final activities which included a fieldtrip visit to Maven and Bag of Bees design studio on the Lisburn Road, as well as a celebratory lunch (we forgot to take pics) and an exhibition and creative talks to celebrate the programme and its participants!

Jul 9

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18074553514935733
As we enter this quieter holiday period, today we are looking back to May, a fantastic busy month for us at Blick that included a creative talk with artist and illustrator Danni Simpson, conversations and catchups around Belfast Design Week. 2 fun-filled bank holidays and the end of our Nurture Programme and its final activities which included a fieldtrip visit to Maven and Bag of Bees design studio on the Lisburn Road, as well as a celebratory lunch (we forgot to take pics) and an exhibition and creative talks to celebrate the programme and its participants!

Working from our lovely Great Northern Street Studios breakout space this evening on some plans for the rest of 2025. Lots of exciting things to come after the summer!

Jul 8

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Working from our lovely Great Northern Street Studios breakout space this evening on some plans for the rest of 2025. Lots of exciting things to come after the summer!

Looking back to some of my favourite bits from our Nurture Creative Incubation Programme which ran from October last year to the end of May. Including:

The end of programme talks and exhibition

Our group weekly peer mentoring sessions

Our group fieldtrip to Maven

Interviews with the participants Bethany Millican @bethanysmillican , Vera Hylands @verahylands and Grainne Mullan @point_angel_

A pic of us all together at the end of the programme!

I had such a great time working with all the participants at our weekly peer mentoring and monthly one-on-one sessions and at the monthly workshops with different creatives (such a good time I mostly forgot to get pics) and look forward to keeping in touch and seeing how they progress!

Jul 4

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17923769171980570
Looking back to some of my favourite bits from our Nurture Creative Incubation Programme which ran from October last year to the end of May. Including:

The end of programme talks and exhibition

Our group weekly peer mentoring sessions

Our group fieldtrip to Maven

Interviews with the participants Bethany Millican @bethanysmillican , Vera Hylands @verahylands  and Grainne Mullan @point_angel_

A pic of us all together at the end of the programme!

I had such a great time working with all the participants at our weekly peer mentoring and monthly one-on-one sessions and at the monthly workshops with different creatives (such a good time I mostly forgot to get pics) and look forward to keeping in touch and seeing how they progress!

Evening light ✨️

Jul 2

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Evening light ✨️

Putting together our new ‘Nurture Programme’ exhibition in our South Belfast studios last month!

Jul 2

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Putting together our new ‘Nurture Programme’ exhibition in our South Belfast studios last month!

Our latest roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives

01. £550,000 in funding available to support 5G-driven innovation in local industries

Organisations can apply for grants of between £50,000 and £100,000 for projects that make innovative use of 5G and other types of advanced wireless connectivity to deliver economic, social, and environmental impacts.

02. Cluster Acceleration Programme

Phase One Feasibility Study: Offers up to £55,000 to SME led networks consisting of a minimum of 8-10 SMEs, to scope out innovative collaborative projects with the potential to increase business competitiveness

Deadline: 15:00 on Friday, 25 July 2025.

03. National Lottery Major Individual Artist Awards (SIAP)

Major Individual Artist Awards are intended to create the circumstances in which established artists with national / international recognition may develop extended or ambitious work.
Four awards of up to £15,000 each are being offered in 2025/26.
Deadline: Friday 11th July, 2025, 12:00PM

04. Upscale Applications are Now Open!

Designed to accelerate your next stage of growth, Upscale offers direct access to insight, connections, and community you need to scale with confidence. As part of the nationally recognised cohort, you’ll also unlock lifetime access to an influential network of fellow founders and top-tier investors.

05. Technation Creo Applications Now Open!

Creo is for disabled founders and entrepreneurs innovating around disability. If you’re a founder who self-identifies as disabled or neurodiverse, or your company is innovating around disability or neurodiversity then apply now.

Full listings including links on the blog on our website (link in profile)

Jul 1

Open post by blickstudios with ID 17942439990001048
Our latest roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives

01. £550,000 in funding available to support 5G-driven innovation in local industries

Organisations can apply for grants of between £50,000 and £100,000 for projects that make innovative use of 5G and other types of advanced wireless connectivity to deliver economic, social, and environmental impacts.

02. Cluster Acceleration Programme

Phase One Feasibility Study: Offers up to £55,000 to SME led networks consisting of a minimum of 8-10 SMEs, to scope out innovative collaborative projects with the potential to increase business competitiveness

Deadline: 15:00 on Friday, 25 July 2025.

03. National Lottery Major Individual Artist Awards (SIAP)

Major Individual Artist Awards are intended to create the circumstances in which established artists with national / international recognition may develop extended or ambitious work. 
Four awards of up to £15,000 each are being offered in 2025/26.
Deadline: Friday 11th July, 2025, 12:00PM

04. Upscale Applications are Now Open!

Designed to accelerate your next stage of growth, Upscale offers direct access to insight, connections, and community you need to scale with confidence. As part of the nationally recognised cohort, you’ll also unlock lifetime access to an influential network of fellow founders and top-tier investors.

05. Technation Creo Applications Now Open!

Creo is for disabled founders and entrepreneurs innovating around disability. If you’re a founder who self-identifies as disabled or neurodiverse, or your company is innovating around disability or neurodiversity then apply now.

Full listings including links on the blog on our website (link in profile)

Our next Blick `Meet the Team` video all about how the Blick team sisters Christine and Rosy find working together!

Jun 27

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Our next Blick 'Meet the Team' video all about how the Blick team sisters Christine and Rosy find working together!

In our latest `Meet the Resident Interview` we get to know Sarah Baecher @art_by_sarebear an artist from the U.S. and one of our latest residents in our Cotton Court studios!

You can read her full interview on our website link below and in profile: https://blickstudios.org/blog/12724/

Jun 26

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In our latest 'Meet the Resident Interview' we get to know Sarah Baecher @art_by_sarebear an artist from the U.S. and one of our latest residents in our Cotton Court studios!

You can read her full interview on our website link below and in profile: https://blickstudios.org/blog/12724/

Our latest roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives

01. FutureStage XR: XR Training for the Performing Arts
What participants will gain:
- A clear understanding of XR technology and its creative possibilities
- Foundational skills in Unity for XR development
- Insight into crafting compelling stories in immersive media
- A practical roadmap for applying XR to new or existing projects

Participants who complete the course will also be eligible to apply for the Future Foundation Technical Mentorship Programme. This opportunity pairs artists with XR experts to develop and test a creative concept. The programme includes:
- Access to XR equipment and facilities
- A training support grant of £1500
- A chance to showcase work in progress.
Further details about the technical mentorship programme will be announced later in the year.

Deadline: 1st August

02. Digital Art Studios Residencies
The DAS Home Residency provides four months for you to develop a project of your choice, expanding your skills and practice. Open to artists across Ireland and the UK, we welcome proposals from artists whose work employs digital technologies to challenge artistic boundaries and reimagine the cultural landscape.
Deadline: 27th July at midnight

03. August Craft Month 2025 exhibition, (Un)Bound, is now accepting applications
Craft NI are delighted to welcome applications to take part in the 2025 August Craft Month Exhibition! This exhibition will have a number of prizes aimed at supporting makers at different stages of their careers and will take place during August as part of the August Craft Month celebrations, held in the Craft NI Gallery,
Deadline: 27th June

04. Belfast City Council Business Growth Support – Go Succeed Grow: Creating Video Content on Your Smartphone
Date: 27th June
Time: 10 - 12.30pm
Venue: Innovation Factory

05. Magnetic 4 Artist Residencies
Magnetic is a joint Franco-UK initiative that brings together ten institutions to create a programme of artist residencies of 2 to 3 months each.

Full listings including links on the blog on our website (link below and in profile) https://blickstudios.org/blog/12721/

Jun 24

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18051679085381566
Our latest roundup of local and international funding, support & opportunities for NI creatives

01. FutureStage XR: XR Training for the Performing Arts
What participants will gain:
- A clear understanding of XR technology and its creative possibilities
- Foundational skills in Unity for XR development
- Insight into crafting compelling stories in immersive media
- A practical roadmap for applying XR to new or existing projects

Participants who complete the course will also be eligible to apply for the Future Foundation Technical Mentorship Programme. This opportunity pairs artists with XR experts to develop and test a creative concept. The programme includes:
- Access to XR equipment and facilities
- A training support grant of £1500
- A chance to showcase work in progress.
Further details about the technical mentorship programme will be announced later in the year.

Deadline: 1st August

02. Digital Art Studios Residencies
The DAS Home Residency provides four months for you to develop a project of your choice, expanding your skills and practice. Open to artists across Ireland and the UK, we welcome proposals from artists whose work employs digital technologies to challenge artistic boundaries and reimagine the cultural landscape.
Deadline: 27th July at midnight

03. August Craft Month 2025 exhibition, (Un)Bound, is now accepting applications
Craft NI are delighted to welcome applications to take part in the 2025 August Craft Month Exhibition! This exhibition will have a number of prizes aimed at supporting makers at different stages of their careers and will take place during August as part of the August Craft Month celebrations, held in the Craft NI Gallery,
Deadline: 27th June

04. Belfast City Council Business Growth Support – Go Succeed Grow: Creating Video Content on Your Smartphone
Date: 27th June
Time: 10 - 12.30pm
Venue: Innovation Factory

05. Magnetic 4 Artist Residencies
Magnetic is a joint Franco-UK initiative that brings together ten institutions to create a programme of artist residencies of 2 to 3 months each.

Full listings including links on the blog on our website (link below and in profile) https://blickstudios.org/blog/12721/

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been working with Queen`s and Ulster University on their DesignLink collaborative design sprint project to help us come up with some new ideas for relaunching @belfastdesignwk

For the project emerging designers Hollie and Deirdre came up with some great ideas for us that were showcased on Friday at Queen`s University.

We`re looking forward to seeing what we can do with these ideas next and seeing how we can implement them into @belfastdesignwk

Jun 23

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18064574291514004
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been working with Queen's and Ulster University on their DesignLink collaborative design sprint project to help us come up with some new ideas for relaunching @belfastdesignwk

For the project emerging designers Hollie and Deirdre came up with some great ideas for us that were showcased on Friday at Queen's University. 

We're looking forward to seeing what we can do with these ideas next and seeing how we can implement them into @belfastdesignwk

Our second Blick `Meet the Team` video, all about where the idea for Blick came from!

Jun 18

Open post by blickstudios with ID 18073771507937277
Our second Blick 'Meet the Team' video, all about where the idea for Blick came from!
Our locations:

Blick Shared Studios, Hill Street

46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
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Blick Shared Studios, Cotton Court

30-42 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2ED
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Blick Shared Studios, Great Northern St

65 Great Northern Street, Belfast, BT9 7FL
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info@blickstudios.org
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