Journal of a Back Pain Sufferer Wednesay 24th January 2024
After two terrible nights with my neck pain and coughing I decided to pop to see my GP yesterday to check the lung infection had cleared as I had finished my two lots of antibiotics.
My lungs were clear :) :) :) I just had an upper raspiratory tract infection which he said could take some time to clear.
I did another walk and did not get into difficulty this time which was an absolute bonus and was making me feel much better. So, I decided I would get out my paint by numbers and have a little play.
In my first journal post on this blog I wrote about Giselle Boxer, who had been on Dragons Den pitching for her business Acu Seeds which I was left keen to try. Well, since then the press has been full of her business and some of it not for the good.
The Daily Mail wrote Dragons' Den entrepreneur at centre of 'fakery' storm changes name of her 'Acu Seeds' ear therapy firm and brings in Steven Bartlett's brother as a director. It now appears the company changed its name and has Steven Bartlett's brother listed as a director instead of him.
The appointment of Jason Bartlett as a director was then made on January 19, 2024, says The Mail. And, The ME association has reported Acu Seeds to the Advertising Standards Agency and written to the BBC and chairman of the Commons culture, media and sport committee and chairman of the health and social care committee !!
The Standard Newspaper wrote that the pitch proved controversial, with Dr Charles Shepard of the ME Association saying the show had been used to promote an "unproven treatment".
He said: "People with ME/CFS are fed up with the way in which products like this are regularly being promoted when there is no sound evidence from proper placebo-controlled clinical trials to confirm that they are safe and effective."
Most of the other newspapers have covered the same story and I cannot help to feel at bit sorry for Giselle. If these seeds really did work for her ( and she has no reason to lie) then I'm sure most of us in the same situation would want to persue something that helped us with our health. Acupuncture does not work for some and yet it does for others so why is that? Some complimentary therapies work for some and not for others but if just one us of can find relief from pain and discomfort then surely its worth a try before they completely slate her. What do you think?
Back to my paint by numbers. I took this up during lockdown when I was sent an adult kit to sample and try and I was absolutely hooked. My first one took me ages with all the flowers on it but when I had finished it I felt a real feeling of pride and soon had it up on my wall in prize position for everyone to see.
For my second one I decided to go for a beach scene so there would be less small areas to work on and enjoyed it just as much.
Apologies for the reflextion from the window but I cannot seem to find my original photo of this one. Anyway I digress. After finishing the second one my family suggested I tried to sell the finished artwork to fund my next project as I was starting to run of out places to hang them in the house.
The trouble is how do you cost something like this when it took hours and hours and hours of painting plus the frame which can cost between £10-£15?
I decided to give them a try on Ebay to post or to pick up for £20 including the frame. Very quickly a lady bought them both and another lady asked me to keep her posted if I did another flower portrait as she loved the basket one I had done.
I was really chuffed with my sales and they well and truly covered the cost of the product and the frame.
As I had enjoyed the beach scene one I decided to look for another one similar to that and found one from my favourite artist of whom I have a few of his in the house, Jack Vettriano, Singing Butler Romantic Couple Dance.
This one is hanging on my kitchen wall. You are safe to sell ones like these as long as you detail that it is what it is 'a print by numbers' kit with the full name of original artist etc.
I had a few problems with this paint by numbers kit as I felt the sky was not the same colour as the picture they send with the kit. They seemed to agree with me as I was sent another kit so I did it all again but the colours are still the same so I have put one on Ebay to sell ( no takers so far).
I then decided to do another flower paint by numbers and picked something blue as this is my accessory colour in my lounge. You can actually spend hours and hours looking for paint by number kits but I look for deals and have found some on Amazon and Etsy. There are so many now available that I would suggest you think of what you would like to paint to put into the seach box and go for the smaller one for your first try at it.
I have only just finished my latest flower one and it is hanging on the wall but also on Ebay to help fund my next project. I have another I am doing which is a family portrait but I am keeping this a secret for now.
Paint by Numbers kits makes painting very easy, even by amateurs of all ages. You don't need any experience of equipment. It comes with everything including your paint brushes but I would suggest you trim one for the small parts.
As you start collecting them you will end up like me with quite a number of paint brushes and lots of left over paint. I entend to use the leftover acrylic paint on some adult colouring book pictures a friend has bought me for Christmas.
If you don't want to do a piece of art already made up you can always do a custom print paint by numbers where you send your photo to a company and they send that back with a paint by numbers kit for you. This is my next project. Again there are many companies out there to buy them from. I purchased mine from Amazon.
Painting is a great way to keep your mind occupied and away from your pain. This is well known, researched and proven by experts that painting calms the mind and opens new horizons for it. Whatever you decide to do as long as you enjoy it then its a great hobby to get into.
Source: The Daily Mail Back Pain Blog The Standard Ebay Ebay Etsy Amazon