Monthly Archives: November 2010
Featured Interview: Charlotte Macey Textiles
Meet:
How long have you been designing textiles and how did it all begin?
I studied textile design at university, and then did a bit of traveling whilst also working freelance. Starting my own business was a very gradual progress, one day I made an egg cosy, and I decided to make more and more things, using the style of illustrative stitch that I developed during my degree, I did a few fairs in the build-up to Christmas last year, and here I am!
What processes and techniques do you use in your work?
I sew each of my designs using free machine stitch; it is very organic and ensures that no two of my items are the same, which is quite unique.
What are you inspired by?
I am inspired by everything from my surroundings, to everyday activities and past times, and also objects. I love quirky vintage jars and pottery, so I think my inspiration comes from everything that I love.
Do you have a work space or studio? What is it like?
I am currently working from home, in a tiny little studio area. It’s small but perfectly formed as they say, I make sure that I utilise every little bit of space!
Where can people buy your work?
My work is available to buy on my website, www.charlottemacey.co.uk, where my Christmas range was recently launched. I also sell on sites such as Folksy, Swanky Maison, and Out of Love. I also have about twenty-five stockists around the 
How do you promote your work?
I do a lot of tweeting these days, posting on my blog and my facebook fan page, and updating my website and other sites as often as I can. I also send a monthly (ish) newsletter, updating people about anything new and exciting, new products, any press, and things I like to write about!
What goals do you have for the future?
To continue doing what I’m doing, to hopefully get more stockists, and for Charlotte Macey Textiles to grow, that would be amazing. I would also love a bigger studio at some point… hopefully onwards and upwards!
What advice would you offer to someone thinking about turning their craft/art into a business?
To prepare for a fairly steep learning curve I guess, and to work all hours! My days are pretty long, and at the moment weekends don’t really exist, but I love what I am doing, and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Favourite colour: eggshell
Favourite animal: ducks
Favourite season: I love Summer, Autumn, and Winter, all for different reasons… it’s too hard to pick a favourite!
Favourite person: Ooh, far too many to name!
Favourite food: rice
Favourite website: From
I’m sure you will agree that Charlotte’s textile work is stunning. I am a huge admirer! To find out more about Charlotte and her work please visit her website, read her blog, follow her on Twitter, and become a fan on Facebook.
DIY Nature Wreaths
My Ceramic Buttons in use
Surface Decoration
Featured Interview: Ali’s Craft Studio
Name & Business Name:
I am Alison Lloyd and my company is called Ali’s Craft Studio
How long have you been making your work and how did it all begin?
I began making peelable decorations way back in the 1990s starting with small designs on tealight holders (when tealights and candles were the most popular thing in the world!) but was constantly asked to make the designs on their own in larger size, so I began to make the individual designs which customers can use in their homes as a replacement to traditional stained glass which, lets face it, is outside many budgets right now. In the early days, my crafting was very much part time – I did a couple of shows a year near where I lived and my parents sold some bits and pieces on my behalf up in Yorkshire as they both had crafting businesses after taking early retirement from teaching. My business started as a full time venture in early 2008 following the passing of my Dad in September 2007 when I had to question what I was doing with my life – working very long hours for good money but not having any fun.
The peelable designs I make and sell are created using high quality, non-toxic paints which contain very highly concentrated pigments to get the bright, jewelled colours. The outline is done first and this is much like piping a cake. It is left to dry overnight to become a solid line. The colours are then added and blended to create the shading and graduated effects – this is then left to dry overnight. Once dry the whole piece becomes a static, peelable design which can be used on any shiny surface. As there is no glue added, the designs are completely removable and reusable any number of times.
I also now make and sell keyrings and my ‘Design your own’ keyrings which feature photos of the peelable designs so customers can pick and choose what they would like and carry the designs with them have become very popular! I spend some time photographing and working on the photos to reproduce the colours as much as possible (very difficult!) I spent three days printing and cutting up the inserts for the design your own keyrings with my most popular designs featured and ended up with a bruise on my thumb from the scissors!! My normal working week is : Monday to Thursday, creating new designs, replacing stock and fulfilling customer orders; Friday – packaging, photographing and entering new designs onto my database, updating signs, etc. and Saturday/Sunday – working hard at a craft fair somewhere with my wonderful husband, Phil.
What are you inspired by?
I am inspired by creativity and the wonderful crafters and customers I meet at fairs throughout the year. I am always looking for new subject matters and customers are brilliant at letting me know what they think would be popular which is great to get the creative juices flowing! I am very lucky to live in the beautiful
Do you have a work space or studio? What is it like?
I am very lucky to have a work space at home where I can make a mess and keep everything together – although I do still spread out onto the dining room table during packaging day! It is lovingly known as my studio but perhaps that is a litle grand… Sadly, the mess in there at the moment would probably break my camera so no photos folks!
Where can people buy your work?
I can be found at craft fairs in the South East of England most weekends from February/March through to December and a full list of when and where is available on my website. You can also purchase all the designs I make online atwww.studiocrafts.net or by contacting me directly by phone, post or e-mail. All designs are available as I make them to order to ensure they are never ‘out of stock’.
How do you promote your work?
I promote fiercely when I am on the road at fairs as well as online with my website and blog. My car has magnetic signs promoting my products and website – I would love to know how many people have visited after being stuck behind us in traffic! I have also been trying to promote the concept of handmade peelable decorations to parents of young children (they are ideal as they can be changed as the kids grow up) and have an article coming out in ABC magazine shortly.
What goals do you have for the future?
At the risk of stating the obvious… I would love to see my business and customer base build and the online side grow so that I can relax a little more when the mortgage is due!
What advice would you offer to someone thinking about turning their craft/art into a business?
Go for it! Life is too short to wonder ‘what if…’ But be realistic and know that you are unlikely to see any profit on your business for a few years so try to plan ahead, don’t go mad on purchasing in the early days and try to have a bit of financial security to see you through the first year or so. Try a couple of fairs to see what the reaction is to your product – there is nothing more thrilling than seeing people appreciate your work and love what you do enough to part with their hard earned cash and you will learn so much from doing a fair it will help start on the right path.
A few of your favourites (just for fun)…. Colour: Blue and/or Purple (it changes). Perhaps I should say ‘Rainbow’ and cheat…. Animal: All of them! (OK, I’m rubbish at this bit – but I genuinely love all animals and would be happiest with an animal park in the back garden – Noah is my hero!) Season: Summer – but can I steal the Christmas part of Winter? I love Christmas but prefer being warm. Person: My husband – corny, I know but he is my best friend and the one I always turn to first for advice. Food: Ribs! Yummy – I do tend to end up wearing most of my food but I won’t waste anything on a plate of ribs! Now I’m hungry… Website: Well after my own of course… (sorry!) I love being a member of the Craft Forum (www.craftsforum.co.uk). There are so many talented people there who are more than willing to share their skills and knowledge to help out others and promote handmade crafts. Addictive but brill! Thank you for sharing this little taster into your life and work Ali, it has been a pleasure to get to know you more. If like me you are amazed at the fun, vibrant and energetic designs from Ali’s Craft Studio, be sure to check out her website and blog for loads more!
Winter Walk
I think I’ll wait a couple of weeks when all the hectic days are over with, then I’ll be able to relax and put the Christmas decorations up, which I am itching to do!
Hanging Decorations
My work at ‘Gifted’ Exhibition
Featured Interview – Strawberry Annie’s Boutique
How long have you been making your work and how did it all begin?
Strawberry Annie’s only began trading in July 2010, but before this I ran a fairy based business, part of which involved designing and making fairy wings and tutus. During the three years that I did this I was able to develop my skills and gain inspiration of how to improve my products.
What processes & techniques do you use in your work?
The majority of my products are fabric based, so I obviously work mainly through sewing. I have taught myself to sew, so I don’t necessarily go about my projects in a traditional way and I hate following paper patterns. The current fashion for instructions listed step by step, with lots of photographs are much better. Whenever possible I work without patterns as I much prefer this, and it makes the products unique to Strawberry Annie’s. I really hated sewing when I was younger so it has come as a great surprise to find that I really love it now and it is not as difficult as I originally thought.
What are you inspired by?
Gorgeous scrummy fabrics and ribbons in dazzling colours. Every time I look at my ribbon stash I want to make yet more bows. My tutus are inspired by the different colour combinations, that are nearly endless, and the sheer cuteness of each one, I love trying to make the tutus different from others that are available. I have worked hard to create my own style of sewn tutu, and have developed a tutu with a cotton funky waistband which I love.
Do you have a work space or studio? What is it like?
I am lucky enough to have my own room to create in. I would love to call it my studio but that sounds a little grand for my enterprise, I originally used our study so that name stuck but I have now taken over my oldest daughter’s bedroom (she blagged the dining room!) and it is now referred to as my workroom.
I painted it a blank white as I am prone to clutter and in my old study I couldn’t think straight as everywhere you looked there were fairy wings, half finished creations and bits and bobs. I am now trying so hard to keep it organised so I have space to work and to be inspired. I have to admit though it’s a losing battle!
Where can people buy your work?
My work can be purchased from my website www.strawberryannies.co.uk and I also have a folksy shop www.folksy.com/strawberryannies
How do you promote your work?
I have spent the summer trading at music festivals, and have handed a business card to every single person who has expressed an interest in my products and of course all my customers. I am now concentrating on using social media to promote Strawberry Annie’s to more people, I have set up a facebook page, a twitter account and of course I have my blog www.strawberryannies.blogspot.com
What goals do you have for the future?
* To wholesale my products to retail shops.
I have booked a stall at the Spring Fair, which is a massive trade fair at the NEC next February. At the moment I am putting a system in place which would allow me to do that properly, sorting out terms and conditions/retail packaging/finding the retailers etc.
* I also aim to increase sales via my online presence, to a viable level to pay myself a realistic wage.
What advice would you offer to someone thinking about turning their craft/art into a business?
Don’t be put off by the doubters…anyone can talk themselves out of it but if you have an idea and have an opportunity to try, than it’s worth a go.
A few of your favourites (just for fun)….
Colour: Purple
Animal: Dog (although I do have a soft spot for the Zebra)
Season: Summer definitely.
Person: I couldn’t pick one, it would have to be all three of my children and of course my husband.
Food: Cake… I’m loving the current trend for cupcakes.
Website: Well obviously mine but on a less self indulgent note, I visit loads of blogs and craft sites but I do really like http://vickislittleworld.blogspot.com/, it’s a lovely mix of craft, vintage finds and general day to day life.
Thank you for sharing your fun, vibrant and energetic work with us Kerry!
As well as her blog, website, and Folksy shop, Kerry can also be found on Twitter and Facebook. I hope you have enjoyed her photographs as much as I have!
Coasters for ‘Make’ Exhibition
Hello from Molly
Up-cycled Journal
