These days it seems like everyone’s twittering about Twitter, and in this new weekly column we delve behind the stories of some of our favourite Shropshire tweeters to find out how they’re using the popular social networking site.

Our first twitterer this week is contemporary abstract artist @edwardball, who paints to music in his studio in the South Shropshire village of Brampton Bryan.

Edward, who works with canvas and perspex as well as sculpture and multimedia, says using music as a stimulus gives his work a vibrancy and fluidity.

Last year, he finished painting the Rhythm collection, a series of 30 striking pieces which he painted to sounds from a diverse music collection ranging from drum ‘n’ bass artist Goldie to The Beatles and Mozart.

“I love the pace of technology that we’re experiencing at the moment,” says Ed. “I find it really interesting to see how it can change the way we live, work and communicate, so when Twitter came along I had to try it!”

Ed says he’s used the site to build up a community of followers with similar interests, such as art, design and technology, and posts regular facts about famous artists and their work.

“I like to try and add interesting information to my tweets so that people who are following me can also get something informative out of the experience.”

We’ve also been keeping an eye out for the mouthwatering pictures posted by Telford cake maker @emmamackriel, who’s been making delicious cupcakes to order since January.

“When I turned 30, I wanted to order some cupcakes for my birthday but I couldn’t find anyone locally who made them to order,” says Emma. “I’d been decorating cakes as a hobby for a long time, so I decided to set up on my own as Truly Scrumptious.”

Emma now makes wonderful little boxes of beautifully decorated cupcakes for birthdays, weddings and gifts, using organic produce that’s locally produced where possible.”Twitter’s a great source of inspiration,” she says. “I follow other cake makers in London and the States to see what their doing, and I’ve found some great suppliers for some of my decorations.”

Telford computer component firm @Telfordmedia are also keen twitterers, using the site to offer their knowledge and support to existing and potential clients.”

In our industry,” says Telford Media’s Terry Sambrook, “competition is very strong, and to keep up with other major e-tailers, you have to explore every avenue possible.”

“Although Twitter itself has no revenue gains, it gives us a reliable way of promoting our deals, answering people’s questions and discovering resources that might have taken us a long time to find without Twitter.”

One of the most interesting tweeters we’ve encountered on our travels through the Twitterverse is @hypnophil, a hypnotherapist, counsellor and life coach from Manafon, near Welshpool.

Phil Collins, who also lectures part-time, says he doesn’t usually use social networking sites but confesses he’s now addicted to Twitter and checks it every day.

“I use it to meet and chat to people all over the world. I have 1,800 people following me, many of whom I’m in daily contact with through my tweets.

“He also posts links to YouTube videos of some of his presentations, on topics ranging from the effects of alcohol on the human body to the ‘elastic band’ theory of addiction.

Phil says he occasionally uses Twitter to promote his business, including a diploma course he’s running in Clinical Hypnosis, but prefers to use it to interact with and help others.

He’s even hoping to meet up with a group of new friends he’s met through Twitter in the autumn.

“Twitter has opened up my outlook on the world,”says Phil. “It’s just like a big community for people who enjoy making small talk!”

By Lara Page

* Are you a local Twitterer with an interesting story to tell? Whether you’re a business or individual, follow us and get in touch with @ShropStar on Twitter.