Useful Finance Resources & Links - Blick Shared Studios

Useful Finance Resources & Links

HMRC what does it mean to be self-employed? – https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself
Registering as self-employed – https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader
Registering for VAT if your turnover exceeds £85,000 – https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/when-to-register
Link to a cashflow template – https://www.startuploans.co.uk/cash-flow-forecast-template/
HMRC free payroll software – https://www.gov.uk/basic-paye-tools

Useful Finance Templates

Invoice Template Excel

Excel doc: 13.34 KB

Invoice Template Excel

Download document

Invoice Template PDF

PDF: 27.97 KB

Invoice Template PDF

Download document

Budget & Cashflow Template Excel

Excel doc: 57.89 KB Download document

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

�Some of the great free events we have coming up in Blick this Month!

Wednesday 12th March - Creative Skills Workshop �– How to DIY Your Brand (and the common mistakes to avoid)
7pm - 9pm
�Blick Hill St

�Wednesday 19th March - Creative Talk - ��Juliette El Fouly Founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company
7pm - 8pm�
�Blick Hill St

�Sunday 23rd March - Creative Skills Workshop - Strategic Goal Setting
�10am - 5pm
Blick Hill St

��https://blickstudios.org/events/

Mar 7

The second part of our interview with Laura Whitehouse founder of Might Fine Design @mightyfinedesign who is hosting a sold out branding workshop for us next Wednesday evening!

The full interview is on our website link below and in profile!

https://blickstudios.org/blog/12431/

Mar 7

Really looking forward to our next creative talk with the amazing Juliette founder of Le Contour contemporary candle company @lecontourcandles

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 https://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 6

Looking forward to our sold out Creative Skills Workshop in just 1 week with Laura Whitehouse founder of Mighty Fine Design facilitating a workshop for creatives all about DIYing your own brand!

We also have a fab creative talk the following week with Juliette El Fouly founder of Le Contour contemporary candle company!

Booking link in our profile!

Mar 5

CREATIVE SKILLS WORKSHOP - ADVENTURES IN CHATGPT

Is 2025 the year that AI changes everything? Is AI going to make the work life of creatives easier? Or are you going to be replaced?

What are the differences between ChatGPT and competitor platforms such as Gemini, Claude, Grok, DeepSeek and others?

Many experts in the creative industries are predicting that 2025 will be the year that AI changes everything, with a raft of significant innovations from the major tech companies launched at the end of 2024.

In this workshop session for beginners, Graeme Watson @graeme_theory and Katya Buryakova @stormy_kate will explain some of the major controversies and opportunities around using ChatGPT in your work, while helping you explore some of practical ways creative professionals can integrate it into their work lives.

Graeme Watson and Katya Buryakova are the founders of Homewerk @homewerk.project 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 your free place on our website link below and in profile ✨️

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

Mar 4

Ahead of the now sold out DIY Branding workshop she is hosting for us later this month, we have a brand new interview on our website with Laura Whitehouse founder of @mightyfinedesign

Here`s part 1 of the interview, or you can read the whole thing on our blog on our website ✨️ 🌟

Mar 4

Window exhibition Belfast Design Week Pop-up Sustainable Design Museum in our Great Northern Street Studios

Mar 3

Window exhibition Belfast Design Week Pop-up Sustainable Design Museum in our Great Northern Street Studios

It was a lovely sunny Friday in the Cathedral Quarter, love being able to walk put of our Hill St studios onto such a beautiful cobbled street! Especially in the sun 🌞 ☀️ 🌤 hoping there`s more sunny Fridays to come as we enter a new month and new season!

Feb 28

It was a lovely sunny Friday in the Cathedral Quarter, love being able to walk put of our Hill St studios onto such a beautiful cobbled street! Especially in the sun 🌞 ☀️ 🌤 hoping there's more sunny Fridays to come as we enter a new month and new season!

Weekend Exercise for anyone with a creative business idea/ new creative business or practice!

Following on from yesterday`s exercise about what`s holding you back, this one is all about giving yourself permission and making a personal commitment to yourself and your creative idea and can be really powerful!

Getting to know yourself: Giving Yourself Permission

This exercise will help you to take the first steps to give yourself permission to live the life that you want and make a personal commitment to yourself to do your best to make that life a reality.

�You can find downloadable PDF and Word documents on the creative resources section of our website. Link below and in profile

https://blickstudios.org/resources/giving-yourself-permission/

Feb 28

It`s almost March and we have loads of great things coming up in Blick in March!

Wednesday 12th March - Creative Skills Workshop – How to DIY Your Brand (and the common mistakes to avoid)
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

Wednesday 19th March - Creative Talk - Juliette El Fouly Founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

Sunday 23rd March - Creative Skills Workshop - Strategic Goal Setting
Time: 10am - 5pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

Tuesday 25th March - Womenfolk Peer Mentoring
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Venue: Blick Hill St

Friday 28th March - Creative Hubs Meetup
Time: 11am - 12pm
Venue: Vault Artist Studios & Gallery, Marlborough House

https://blickstudios.org/events/

Feb 27

Our latest exercise for emerging creatives on our website:

Getting To Know Yourself. What`s Holding you Back?

We often hold ourselves back out of fear and limiting beliefs. In this exercise, we will be looking into what holds you back from going for the things that you want in your creative practice. Downloadable Word and PDF documents are available on our website (link below and in profile).

https://blickstudios.org/resources/whats-holding-you-back/

Feb 27