I’m Shortlisted for a BIB Award- Best Art, Craft and Design Blog (thank you so much!)

BeckyBlogging is a funny old thing. To non-bloggers, or people who don’t read blogs full stop, they can seem like a load of self-indulgent waffle. Lots of writing about stuff that might not interest the majority. A hell of a lot of time spent on writing posts, and taking photos, that not many people may read nor see. People may question why someone would bother spending all those hours on such a thing. 

I often asked myself the same things in moments of self-doubt when I first started this blog 2 and half years ago. Whilst I hugely enjoyed the chance to be creative as a then-stay at home mum, I had less than a hundred hits a day for quite a while, no one commented and I often wondered why I was writing, creating and photo taking, seemingly to an internet wilderness!

So what changed? I started to be involved in the blog community, avidly reading and commenting on blog posts that I liked. I joined linkies initially to get to know people more, some of which I still participate in now. I got braver- putting myself out there and approaching brands and companies I thought might, just might like my blog, and I started to get some reviews, and some paid work. People actually started to read it!

Kitchen Makeover

As time went on my blog morphed from solely crafts for little ones, into family, style, photography, grown up crafts and creations, and my main passion, interior design posts. I started really, really enjoying the process of making these posts- from sharing our own home renovation, to creating and styling posts especially for the blog, to commenting on interior design trends (or not- avocado bathrooms anyone?!). I would, and still do, spend hours planning, writing and photographing these posts around two small children, and nearly all my posts have been with busy parents in mind. 

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Once kids come along, unless you’re well-off, you just don’t have the time, energy or cash to spend a fortune on creating your dream space, so I have always really tried to show that the majority of our makeovers, or room designs can be done on a relative budget. I adore working with brands, and reviewing and styling their homeware. Not to necessarily keep what I receive (we are fit-to-bursting so I tend to pass some things on!) but to excitedly show what can be achieved when styling homeware on the high street and beyond. I get giddy going to house and home events such as Grand Designs, and Ideal Home, and sharing what I’ve seen with my readers. I am passionate about thrifting (or car booting if we’re being less US hipster blog, and more SE London reality 😉 ) and also making the most of what you have. I love thinking about the seasonal home, and how little changes to match the time of year can be made relatively cheaply to bring new life into your home. I enjoy snapping any new mid-century homeware items from my Etsy store, and writing about them and their history.

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At the end of last year, I couldn’t believe my luck when I was approached to appear on Channel 4’s ‘Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas’, styling festive tables, because the production team liked my blog. I was terrified (a telly career does not beckon me thinks!), but I spent hours planning, sourcing, creating and photographing my table before filming (with my long-suffering mum as my sounding board!). Firstly, because I wanted to be prepared, but also because in true interiors-blogger form, I knew I wanted to share what I had done on the blog, to tell people where to get cheap items from, and how to easily prepare each little festive aspect without spending as much time on doing so as I did. When I won, it was a real ‘pinch me’ moment, that never would have happened without blogging. What I loved most of all, is being told by Kirstie that the reason I won was because they loved how my ideas were achievable for the average person (I think that was a compliment!), which in turn helped me validate what I do blogging-wise, and why I do it: I want others to feel that a nice home isn’t unattainable, even with a toddler clinging to your ankles and you haven’t slept in god knows how long.

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Almost all bloggers spend a long time writing, and often photographing for posts, but arts, crafts and design bloggers spend literally an age preparing them- from the pipe cleaner people for preschoolers, to getting the right angle on your bathroom makeover shot so it shows it off to the max-  the end result has to look great for people to carry on reading and to bother trying things out themselves, and we spend so long trying to get it just so, so you don’t have to.

When I first went to Britmums and the BIBS as a new blogger in summer 2014, I could never have imagined actually being shortlisted for an award for being good at blogging, and now this year I actually get a chance to make the final, thanks to Britmums and/or all you lovely people who voted for me. I am over the moon to be shortlisted, but I would LOVE my name to mentioned among the finalists on the 25th June. It really does make the sweat and tears all worth while!

If you would like to vote for me, please do click on badge below, scroll down to category 12 (or vote for some other amazing blogs in the other categories first). I am up against some amazing, very well-established ‘Goliaths’ of the crafting/design blogging world, so every vote counts for this little ‘David’ here! 

Once again, I really appreciate your support, and am so chuffed to be shortlisted- something I never could have dreamed of two years ago.

Thank you a million!

 
PS The top photo is me celebrating my shortlisting with a gin and tonic the size of my head on Friday night, which was also Adam’s birthday- double whammy! 
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6 Comments

  1. Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely
    May 2, 2016 / 10:13 pm

    I was overjoyed to see your name on the list. You absolutely and thoroughly deserve it. My only problem is that you’re there with my other favourite, Caro!!! My husband and I are dividing are votes so you get one each. I’d love to see you both listed as Finalists on the night xxx

    • May 3, 2016 / 10:17 am

      Ah thanks Rachel! I’ve had the same dilemma with a few categories and have got Adam to do the same, I don’t feel guilty then! x

  2. mummyofboygirltwins
    May 3, 2016 / 10:38 am

    ALL the good luck – I too was made up to see your name there. You throughly deserve it and your blog is always one of my go-to blogs, I love everything you do. Congrats on making such a cool shortlist!!! xx

  3. May 3, 2016 / 11:05 am

    CONGRATULATIONS lady! Well deserved, massive luck for the final hon! xxx

  4. Lisa Bourne
    May 3, 2016 / 7:37 pm

    Well done, you deserve it!!!

  5. May 3, 2016 / 8:58 pm

    I am so happy to see you there too Becky, thoroughly deserved and love this post! Good luck! xx

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