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This is a very quick update because I'm meant to be packing. My son and I are heading up to Scotland this evening to visit my folks.

Firstly, the talk went well on Thursday. I was quite pleased with the Powerpoint that I put together - only having a week to master the software made for a bit of a steep learning curve and a lot of late nights but I managed to put a simple presentation together. The talk itself was very well attended & the organiser said there was a good response to it. I think that I did OK, although my mouth was so dry from nerves that I got through two bottles of water in quick succession! But apparently I didn't look or sound too nervous, which was good. I had practised at home a lot, which definitely helped. I also watched this long but fantastic video by Garr Reynolds on how to structure Powerpoint & do presentations, which helped immensely. If you've got a talk coming up, I thoroughly recommend watching it - it'll be time well spent.

There was so much that I wanted to put in but had to leave out - 20-30 minutes isn't nearly long enough to give a good overview of blogging - so I may do some basic intro posts about the subject in the next week or two.

Secondly, I'm taking my laptop up to Scotland with the aim of writing 5 blog posts. I want to take my blogging up to the next level this year and my first priority is increasing the frequency of my blogging. I've been blogging 'hand to mouth' for far too long. I need to get a good backlog of posts written so that my blogging is not dependant on my dodgy health. So, if you've got any burning issues that you'd like to see me address, please let me know and I'll try to write about it. On a related note, if there's anything that drives you nuts about my site, please do let me know and I'll see if it can be fixed.

Lastly, congratulations to Gwen from Murphy Grace Home who won the Gary Vaynerchuk Crush It! giveaway. Thanks to everyone who commented. I wish you could all have won.

Right, I must go and pack, I'm just procrastinating now!

Edited to add:
Oops, I forgot this bit of news. I've changed a whole bunch of my photos over to the Creative Commons license. I'm retaining full copyright on my art photos but the more documentary ones are now available to use. The only restriction is that you can't take them and sell them. I would appreciate a Flickr comment if you do use them but it's not obligatory.

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Awesome sauce - I got a paid speaking gig. Apparently the University Of The Arts in London think I'm some kind of blogging expert. I tried to tell the nice lady on the phone that I wasn't really but she said lots of lovely things about my articles page and how they were looking for an artist who blogs and I guess I qualify on the later.

Did I mention that the speaking gig is next week and I have to learn Powerpoint between now and next Thursday? And right after I said I was going to be taking things easy too - ha, the Universe does like its little jokes. But I'm certainly not complaining; it'll be cool and this could be the start of an actual income stream for me. Fortunately I'm feeling significantly better I was than last week. I've been doing lots of pacing and listening to my body, so I should be fine.

The event is all booked up but they're going to be taping it and putting it out as a podcast, I'll let you know when that comes out.

Waiting For Seeds
Kirsty Hall: Waiting For Seeds, April 2009

Other cool things have been happening - without very much effort on my part, I might add. It's slightly odd that I decided to stop pushing and just let things come to me and they promptly started doing exactly that.

I've started guest blogging over at the wonderful Make & Meaning blog. I was hugely flattered to be asked to be part of a venture that includes such incredible bloggers as Dudecraft; Craftypod; Kim Werker; Craftivism; Meet Me At Mike's and Futuregirl. To begin with we're going to be reposting some relevant posts from this blog but I'm planning to write some original content for them soon. Just as soon as I've got this speaking engagement out of the way!

I've also joined the brand new Third Tribe initiative, which I'm enjoying a lot. It's the first time I've joined a subscription site like this but so far it's definitely value for money as the calibre of bloggers involved is just awe-inspiring, plus you get monthly seminars and other exclusive content. It's half price at the moment but the price goes up at 6 pm Central US Time today (that's Friday 5th Feb) from $27 to $47 USD a month. If you join today, your subscription price will remain at the lower rate for as long as you're a member, which is great because otherwise I couldn't afford to do it.

Finally, for no particular reason that I could see, the lovely people at Vaynermedia sent me a second copy of Gary Vaynerchuk's fantastic book, Crush It. I hope they meant to because I'm about to give it away! You can read my review of Crush It here.

If you'd like a chance to win this great little book, leave a comment on this post telling me what your passion is. I'll draw a winner on Wednesday 10th February.

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Broken Bauble
Kirsty Hall: Broken Bauble, January 2010

Last October I took Alyson Stanfield's excellent Blast Off course. This course was a life-changing experience for me - amongst other things, I realised that I need to find more sustainable ways to manage my health & my art before I can develop my career further.

Basically, I've been trying to build my house on sand. I've been constantly draining myself by doing more than my health allows. Because I'm pig awkward that way.

Last November's arts trail was a good case in point. I've only just been back to take down 3 Score & 10 because I got sick immediately after the trail, then my host fell ill, then there was Christmas & snow. I finally managed to take the work down last Monday but completely exhausted myself in the process and I've been in a proper CFS crash ever since. I'm not quite on bed rest but it's pretty close.

This is clearly absolutely unsustainable; I cannot continue to do shows if it knocks me out for months afterwards.

Now obviously I don't want to give up doing shows: I love exhibiting my work - it's one of my favourite parts of being an artist. Since I want to continue to make art and exhibit it, it's clear to me that I need to do everything in my power to recover from my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

That's a tough call because no one knows what causes it or how to fix it but even if I can't find a permanent cure, I want to get to a healthier place. So I've been working on my pacing and my chronic insomnia. I also took a scary step and in November I joined Slimming World. I've lost 18.5 pounds so far and my goal is lose a further 3 stone by Christmas 2010, something I'm well on track to do. Losing weight is unlikely to be a miracle cure - I was unwell before I put on weight - but I know that being overweight can't be helping. Slimming World is awesome, btw - I won't bang on about it here but email if you'd like to know more about my experiences with it.

Even though I currently feel like Wile E. Coyote after he's been squashed flat by an anvil, I'm taking the long view here. This is definitely NOT me giving up, it's me refocusing and working on the basics. I do still have an art career, I'm just taking the scenic route: there will lots of tea breaks, picnics on the side of the road and photographs of sheep but I'll get there eventually!

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Foggy Morning
Kirsty Hall: Winter Fog, Jan 2010

As you may have heard, Britain is in the grip of some cold weather and things have ground to a halt because alas, alack, white stuff has fallen from the sky - hey, who knew that could happen in the winter?

Winter Day
Kirsty Hall: Snowy Branch, Jan 2010

The snow has come as quite a relief to me. I'm still recovering from The Virus Of Doom. I'm having a couple of weeks where I deliberately don't make art but I've still not been resting enough, so a couple of enforced snow days are just what I needed.

Of course, my idea of what constitutes resting is somewhat suspect. I didn't get as much contemplative time as I planned in the last week of 2009, so I've spent the couple of days mindmapping, writing lists and drawing colourful diagrams of the coming year.

Oh, and I've moved my bedroom around to make room for a dedicated 'thinking space' where I can update my sketchbook and work on my visual journal. I've been horribly neglecting the former and I've been doing the later in bed but it's bad for my back and there's always the worry that I'll get gesso and paint on the sheets.

Although experts say that the bedroom should just be for sleeping, I find that it's my best thinking space and I also do quite a lot of drawing in there. One of my aims for this year is to 'meet myself where I am'. In other words, to deal with my actual truth rather than what I think should be true. So instead of denying that I use my bedroom this way and feeling guilty that I don't go upstairs to my studio instead, I've decided to honour what actually is and next week I'm going shopping for a desk, preferably an old rolltop one so that everything can be hidden away when not in use.

Having some introspective time is even easier when the streets are so quiet. There are very few cars about, instead there are giggly people making snow beings, including this rather fabulous creation - in my 42 years on this planet, this is the first time I've seen a snow duck!

A Snow Duck
Kirsty Hall: Snow Duck, Jan 2010

However, not everyone is enjoying the snow - the chickens are distinctly unimpressed...

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Hooray, I've finally finished the second report from last month's Front Room art trail. It would have been done sooner but I've been down with The Never-Ending Virus Of Doom.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

As well as doing the Red Thread performance piece, I decided to listen to the voices of reason (aka Dave Devereux and Cat Vincent) and NOT make another sculptural piece at such short notice. Instead, I installed 3 Score & 10, an existing sculpture which was completed in 2005 but which had only been shown twice before.

It was a wise choice. Not only was it a lot less stress but it looked stunning in the space. It was also hugely popular with visitors - sitting at the top of the stairs, I would often hear people exclaiming in wonder as they came up the staircase.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

3 Score & 10 is part of an ongoing series of work exploring the meaning and measurement of time. It comprises 70 long pieces of string, each containing 365 hand-tied knots. The knots represent the number of days (including leap days) that you would experience if you lived to your biblically allotted 70 years. It contains 25,568 knots and took just under two years to complete.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

This piece is different every time it's installed. The first time, it fell neatly to the floor. The second time, it was shown in a tangle. And this third time, people were able to actually walk through the piece, which was very successful as it gave them a different visual experience from every angle.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

I was fortunate enough to have many intense conversations with visitors about the meaning of time. One thing I noticed was that the majority were fascinated by how long the piece had taken to make and the fact that I'd done all the knotting myself. It confirmed my recent realisation that there is an intangible value in making these sort of pieces myself, even though it's undoubtedly slow and inefficient.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

One conversation that really moved me was with a model ship builder who was initially rather sceptical about my work until he suddenly connected it with the intricacy, repetition and length of time it took him to make his models, at which point he completely switched around and 'got' what I was doing. It's these sort of moments that make showing art so worthwhile for me. I just love the generous way people open up to me and share their thoughts and ideas about what my work is about - it's a huge privilege.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

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Here's the first of two reports on the work I showed at the Front Room art trail in November.

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The statement I wrote for this piece:
Red Thread
2009
Red thread, white dress, gag, chair, table, plasters, scissors, pincushion, needles.

Red Thread is a brand new piece being performed for the first time at Front Room.

This piece is so new that even I’m not entirely sure what it’s about but part of the inspiration came from Snow White:

"Oh, how I wish that I had a daughter that had skin white as snow, lips red as blood, and hair black as ebony".

Red thread has great magical significance in many cultures and is often used to make talismans or protective embroidery on clothes. It is usually associated with luck, protection or fertility. There is a particularly beautiful Chinese myth that an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet - in that case, the entire world must be completely criss-crossed with invisible red lines.

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I don't usually like photos of myself but I like the intensity of this one.
Red Thread 02
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

Wow, I really should have ironed that sheet! But I put it up at the last minute to hide a corridor and didn't have access to an iron - it's always these little things that catch you out. Apart from that, my preparation for this show was very good.
Red Thread 07
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

Cutting the knotted thread - many visitors noticed that both my pieces contained knots.
Red Thread 05
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

I enjoyed the way the thread spread over me like a virus. Someone said it reminded them of mushroom spores.
Red Thread 10
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

Doing the arms was tricky - I had to use my teeth to tie the knots.
Red Thread 08
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

The little stool that I completely covered in medical plasters - a process that amused my Twitter followers for several days.
Plaster Table 02

Sigh, I love my cute little bird scissors.
Scissors
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

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Overall this performance went well, although I discovered fairly quickly that being gagged didn't work because people on art trails really want to talk to the artists and I needed to be available for that. So I abandoned that part for the duration. That's one of the joyous things about performances, you can react instantly to things; it's scary yet freeing. If I ever get the chance to repeat this piece in a more formal setting, I think the gag could still work.

I also managed to persuade a few people to join me in sewing. Even without the gag they were quite reluctant, possibly partly because of fears of blocking a narrow space but also, I think, because it's a strangely intimate act.

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Hi everyone, sorry for being so quiet. Unfortunately I was so exhausted after the Front Room art trail that I collapsed in a heap for several days and then promptly caught a virus (possibly the mild version of Swine Flu) from my son. So I've spent most of the last two weeks in bed with a pile of books.

I'm hoping to do a proper art trail update in the next few days but since my muscles still feel like lead, I'm not making any promises.

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Oh dear, I'm hopelessly late in getting this out here. But if you're anywhere close to Bristol, I’m showing in the Front Room art trail this weekend and I'd love to see you.

FR09

I’m at 105 Oxford Street, Bristol, BS3 4RL where I’ll be showing some sculpture and premiering a brand new performance piece. It’s the first year that I’ve taken part in the trail, so I’m pretty excited.

The opening is on Friday 20th from 6 – 9pm and then the trail is open from 12 – 6pm on both Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd November.

Front Room aka The Totterdown Art Trail is the longest running art trail in Bristol. People in Totterdown kindly open their houses up as venues, so not only can you see lots of fantastic local art but you also get to have a good nose at other people’s decorating choices! If you’re in or near Bristol, it’s an excellent day out with lots going on including workshops for kids and a street party on the Saturday. The Front Room website has more details and maps.

Check out the beautiful staircase I've got - it's a very 'Kirsty' sort of space, all greys and whites with fantastic light streaming in from a huge skylight on the top landing.

Stairs 01
Kirsty Hall: Totterdown Staircase, Sept 2009

Stairs 04
Kirsty Hall: Totterdown Staircase, Sept 2009

I'll be performing in the space where that pile of books is.
Stairs 06
Kirsty Hall: Totterdown Staircase, Sept 2009

I'm doing a new performance piece called Red Thread where I'll be sewing red thread to a white dress whilst I'm wearing it. In a deliberate contrast to my Pin Ritual story-telling performances, I'll be gagged so that I can only communicate with my hands and eyes and I'll be encouraging people to sew bits of thread to me. It should be... interesting! It's a piece that I've been working out in my head for a couple of years, so I'm pleased to finally be bringing it to fruition.

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Palimpsest 02
Kirsty Hall: Palimpsest, 2004
Click here for more information on this piece.

A lot of blogging advice tells you to do things like have a tight focus, develop a recognisable style, keep to a schedule, always use a photograph, make your posts a certain length and do lots of guest posting.

This is probably excellent advice.

I mostly ignore it.

I am not a strategic blogger. I try to blog at least twice a week but I often fail, especially if I'm unwell or busy. I don't blog at the times that'll get me the most readers because it never occurs to me to do so. I don't promote my blog as well as I could. I don’t stick rigidly to one style; I’ll often have a serious post one day followed by a slew of what I call 'eye candy' posts. This is partly deliberate – I think it’s boring to have all my content the same and I like to mix things up a bit. But mostly it’s because I post whatever I feel like posting, whenever I feel like posting it. My posting style is largely dependant on my mood and whatever is bubbling up in my brain at that given moment. Like I said, not very strategic!

However, although they may seem random, my posts do have a common thread. I deliberately focus fairly tightly on art. So I don't talk about lots of personal stuff unless it has a bearing on my art - with the occasional foray into chickens!

I’m also very picky with my posts, which is partly why I don't post more often. I edit rigorously because I like my posts to be highly crafted with correct spelling and hopefully half-way decent grammar. I'll spend hours writing the longer, more serious posts and I repeatedly read them aloud to see if they make sense. The ‘eye candy’ posts are quicker but still involve meticulously selecting the right photos and then moving them around to get the visual flow just so. I've tried to blog in a quicker, less obsessive fashion but I just can't do it.

My blogging style reflects who I am – an anal perfectionist with an undisciplined and impulsive thread running through me.

If your blog feels like a millstone around your neck, you need to ask yourself why. Are you trying to be someone you’re not? Are you spending hours crafting long posts when you’re naturally more of a micro-blogger? Are you feeling scattered and overwhelmed by a daily posting schedule? Maybe a single, more reflective weekly post would suit you better.

It can also be helpful to work out why you’re blogging and who you’re blogging for.

Are you trying to get a larger audience? Are you trying to get a book deal? Are you trying to attract new collectors for your work? Are you trying to network with other artists? Or are you just interested in keeping a record of your own practice?

Personally I’m trying to help and entertain people, whilst giving myself enough freedom that I stay interested in blogging. If I get a higher art profile or make useful new connections, that's absolutely great and it's certainly part of the reason that I blog but it's not my main motivation for writing. My main motivation is almost always a variation on the thought, 'hey, that would make a great blog post'.

I am rubbish at doing things that don't interest me and I know this about myself, so I try to minimise the amount of boring things I have to do. I know that I could probably get ten times the number of readers if I was more strategic about my blogging but I also know that I have to be careful to nourish the pleasure I take in blogging or I'll burn out.

Anyone can start a blog and keep writing for a few weeks or months but blogging for years takes a bit more stamina. Knowing yourself and what you want or need from your blog will help you to maintain your blogging in the long run.

TIPS FOR KEEPING GOING
...and yes, the irony of posting a list of strategic tips in this post is not lost on me!

Think Ahead
Write and save posts for when you can't be bothered - some posts are time critical but many are not.

If I was really organised, I'd have a dozen posts all ready to go for those weeks when I'm too ill or busy to write. But while I think that's a great theory, I've never quite managed it in practice. What I do have is a slew of unfinished posts that I can sometimes complete with less effort than writing a post from scratch. In fact, this post was one that I started last month.

Keep an ideas file
I have blog notes scattered all over the house and in several places in my computer. One day, I may even get round to organising them properly!

Be Yourself
No one is interested in reading a faker; be genuine and your audience will respond. This goes back to the idea of finding and then respecting your own style.

However, it's OK to decide just how much of yourself you're willing to share. It's a blog, not an internal monologue; keeping some things private is not the same as being a faker. There's also nothing wrong with editing - remember, this is a form of publishing not a personal diary.

Know Your Own Rules
In real life I swear like a sailor but I made the deliberate choice when I started not to swear much on this blog. I have other internal rules. It's not happened yet but if I got an abusive comment, I would delete it - I don't mind constructive criticism but I'm not at home to trolls.

Define your own schedule
I saved the most important tip for last.

Work out when you have the most energy for writing and schedule it in. If you don't write, you won't have posts, it's as simple as that. And if you want your blog to be regularly maintained, then it has to be very high up on your to-do list or it just won't happen. Believe me, I know!

Get more help
If you'd like more information about building your online presence, check out the free resources section.

I am also available for online consulting if you need one-on-one help.


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Back of apron 02
Kirsty Hall: Back of Sequin Apron, Oct 2009

I've been working steadily on my sequin apron and it's coming along; I'm trying to do at least an hour on it every single day and progress is being made but it's just very s-l-o-w. I'm currently on the outside of the pocket and should get that finished this week.

A few weeks ago I completed the inside of the pocket - a masochistic pursuit as it was awkward to sew and seemed to take forever but it was SO worth it.

Apron Pocket 02
Kirsty Hall: Inside of Apron Pocket, Oct 2009

Apron Pocket 01
Kirsty Hall: Inside of Apron Pocket, Oct 2009

I find myself quite fascinated by the patterns the sequins make when they're piled up in my little glass bowl. I especially like it when they form clumps. There may be a piece of work in this at some point.

Sequins 02
Kirsty Hall: Sequins, Oct 2009

Oh, and I made a short video about the sequins. Naturally, it also features the chickens; I swear, these chickens are going to end up more famous than me (which admittedly, wouldn't be hard!)