Setting up 18 studios, Long Eaton, Nottingham

10 days to go and my house is a building site. I have to be realistic: my home will be 'work in progess' when the Southwell Open Studios take place. At least the stairs are well on the way and provide a much better access than the loft ladder.

We are also busy with the other Open Studios at HMS at the end of the month. It's amazing what you can achieve for a tenner. That's how much each artist has contributed towards the event. This will pay for 1100 invites and a 6ft x 2ft banner which we will stick outside the building. The money left over will go in the bank. Bruton Knowles are sponsors and will be paying for the buffet and drinks at the preview evening on the 24th. Erewash Council are sorting a banner for the island just a few hundred yards away, so I am hopeful of a good turn-out.

People have been ringing me for the past 2 days. Apparently, the local news reported that £3,000,000 lottery funding is available to small businesses in Long Eaton, specifically the Lace Mills. Imagine what we could do with some serious money when we can achieve so much on a shoestring?

My appointment for the results is looming next week.

I was a bit nervous that Flore might be disappointed when she saw the Exhibition Space. I picked her up from East Midlands airport this morning. She had travelled from Avignon which is a million miles away from the industrial town of Long Eaton. However, we hit it off immediately and she really liked the space. She was relieved it wasn't as polished as some commercial spaces and the lace factory is a very appropriate setting for her work. She will be returning for her performance on the preview evening of the Open Studios, but I also think it will be the start of a long distance friendship.

The staircase is half ready but Mark is waiting for the access to be lengthened before he can complete. There are no lights upstairs either and some walls aren't ready yet… so it's cutting it a bit fine for the Southwell Open Studios in a fortnight's time. Mmmm.