I'm back in my box room nest with a mug of freshly brewed coffee, while the autumn wind shakes the Sycamore tree outside the window. I've been in that edgy, change of seasons mood lately; not sleeping well, writing whole novels in my head in the small hours, only to forget that perfect opening sentence and the motivation to capture it,  as soon as I'm properly awake. An owl has been calling in the branch right outside the bedroom and I imagine that it could look in through the arrow slit windows and see me, sleepless and lost in a world of memories, half baked plans and good intentions. I hear it screeching "terrrr-wit" and wait for the answering whispery "hoooo" that sounds as if it could be coming from right next to me, perched on the headboard like in Mr Magnolia by Quentin Blake.The fells seemed to turn burnt umber overnight, the air is spicy with autumn scents and my favourite time of year in the Lake District has begun. The only thing I'm missing is the long days that meant there was time to swim after work; as it is we are wondering how long we will be brave enough to brave the cold water (or more importantly the cold wind on the shore as you try to struggle out of your wetsuit in a polite but speedy manner, stumbling about, bent double,often hobbled at the ankles by skin tight neoprene.) It's ok once you're in though and I've become a big fan of swimming in the rain when the water becomes spiky and textured like sparkling Artex and the raindrops momentarily stay on the surface like little pearls.  I want to be able to paint it, or film it or capture it somehow so I can show you.Back in the "studio"  I've been busy getting things ready for a couple of exhibitions. Unsold work has been returned safely and sold work has been invoiced, allowing me to realise that I have made the basic error of royally ripping myself off by paying too much for framing and not charging enough to allow for gallery commission - which in some cases is over 50%. One piece which sold for £175 actually earned me £6 after all expenses!  I am not a businesswoman obsessed with making a fortune but I'm learning the hard way and after discussing this over and over again with other artists and makers the conclusion is always the same... just because we can't afford the art/craft we love, it doesn't mean we should devalue our own. A good friend of mine makes beautiful mosaic birds...she cuts the wooden bird silhouette, uses hand picked and cut fragments (often rare glass with precious metals), grouts, seals and adds hanging hooks. Each bird is beautiful, unique and  takes at least a day and a half to make... what is a fair price? We are so used to things being "affordable" by which we usually mean mass produced by low paid workers in other countries, that even in the gift shop where I work I regularly hear people muttering that something is too expensive when it is really a very fairly priced item, mass produced in England! We seem to have lost sight of "value" in anything other than monetary terms. I'm not sure what the answer is.Well I do apologise for getting on my soap box as usual, I could tie myself in knots and, being over sensitive and ridiculously passionate I'm likely to slip on the soap and fall flat on my face.  Better to keep stitching and muddling through.Well, its almost time to go hunting in the kitchen for supper and in the hope that Rupert has decided to bake something fabulous to fatten us up for winter. The oven fused all the house electrics last week so we spent last night on the floor with our heads in the oven, fitting a new element and feeling pretty smug about being able to mend stuff. It took two people though, not like the instruction video on Youtube and I felt as though I was channeling Sylvia Plath at one point but honestly, how did people ever know how to do anything before the internet?I've just found out about an exhibition inspired by Alan Garner's "the Owl Service" book and had just listed this cushion called "She wants to be flowers" in my Etsy shop. It is definitely one of my very favourite books, written in the year I was born, so I'll be making every effort to visit the exhibition as well as Blackden House. Thanks to Natalie for the information.Until next time, a belated happy autumn equinox to you all where ever you may be. x