When I Grow Up
est. 2004
A Creative kind of Life. A blog by Helen Hobden
I still haven’t worked out what to do when I grow up! I’m mainly a writer, an artist, and a fairytale dressmaker with various crafty hobbies! Here (and on YouTube) I share bits of my life, thoughts, and what I’m learning along the way. Let’s find magic and inspiration; join me for this creative living adventure!

 

Blog Archives

Why I’ve decided to turn down work
September 7, 2016
This post is about my Oshun clothing business that you might have heard me mention one or two times, or have spotted the links on the right hand side there! I thought it might give food for thought or be useful for anyone else running a handmade craft business. I have recently turned down the opportunity to make a whole family different Clash of Clans costumes, and have since had two more requests for the Witch character’s costume for Halloween. This is why I said no….
Weekly Wardrobe – New Forest Fairy Festival
August 15, 2016
This the event of the year for my Oshun clothing brand. It is the day after the New Forest Fairy Festival and I am utterly exhausted! It was an amazing weekend; incredibly busy; the sun shone and it was a complete success. Unfortunately it was so busy, I couldn’t leave my stall at all so I only managed to briefly visit one of the people I interviewed before the event. It’s a real shame I didn’t see the others, and that it the only down side of the weekend – other than that, it really couldn’t have been better. Everyone is so friendly and the atmosphere is lovely, so what better place to bring you my weekly wardrobe pictures from! Only one outfit this week as I was too occupied with getting ready for the festival beforehand. I’ll tell you more about the festival in my Monthly Memoir post at the end of the month….
Oshun
Oshun – the story of my clothing brand, and the yellow dress inspired by Beyonce’s in Lemonade
May 13, 2016
I still have the notebook in which I brain-stormed possible names for my clothing business sixteen years ago! I was particularly interested in goddesses at that time and wrote several down, but the name Oshun resonated. When I found out more about her, she seemed perfect to name my brand after. She is a water goddess of love; a deity of the Yoruba people of West Africa and is associated with femininity, sensuality and the power of women. She has come into the news lately because there are rumours that Beyonce wore a dress in Lemonade which specifically represented her….
A day in out in Bath during Fashion Week
May 4, 2016
I don’t need much persuading to go to Bath – it’s a beautiful city and considering how close we are, I really should go more often. It’s the annoyingly slow and windy drive that puts me off I think. Anyway, considering clothing is one of my favourite things, I thought I’d go during Bath in Fashion Week. I chose one paid-for event, which was the talk with Livia Firth on sustainable fashion, and was pleased to see on the website that there were plenty of free things going on that day as well….
Sustainable Fashion – a talk with Livia Firth
April 23, 2016
If money weren’t an issue, I would have been up and down to Bath all through its Fashion Week, and despite entering every competition I could find, I did not win any tickets to the fashion shows. I did however buy a ticket to see this event with Livia Firth in conversation with fashion writer, Avril Groom. As you probably know, I make and sell clothes by recycling/repurposing/reclaiming/upcycling (insert favourite buzz-word here) unwanted fabrics with my clothing label Oshun, so sustainable fashion is something I am very interested in….
Farm Festival review, Bruton, Somerset
October 2, 2014
Oh my goodness – apologies for not posting in absolutely ages! One of the first things I was busy with was Farm Festival  which took place 1st – 2nd August. This review is from a trader’s point of view. We arrived about lunch time the day before the festival opened, and set to work putting together our stall. I don’t know how it took so long to do this, but it managed to take several hours! Although we were ready by nightfall, we quickly realised that the festival wasn’t anywhere near ready….
The Glastonbury bag dress
June 17, 2014
Recycled clothing When you walk through the entrance of Glastonbury festival, this is usually the scenario: You’re pulling some kind of trolley or cart stacked up with camping paraphernalia; it’s wobbling precariously, but so far the bungee cord is holding. The rucksack on your back is killing your shoulders and the bag full of cans of cider and snacks is cutting into your hand. Your hoodie, which you only just remembered is tucked under your arm. Your free hand clutches your ticket and by the time you’ve reached the turnstile you realise you’ve over-packed again. You get through the gates and you’re given your programme, then your fine guide; a policeman offers you a collapsable water bottle; someone else gives you a recycling bin bag and then someone from Yeo Valley hands you a tote bag…..
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