Monthly Archives: December 2010
Featured Interview – Little Birdy Designs
Meet: Lindsay Atkinson – Little Birdy Designs
How long have you been making your work and how did it all begin?
I set up my shop on Folksy just over a year ago in Aug 2009, I had six card designs which I had sent to various publishers with positive comments but no actual takers, this was a pattern that had been repeating since I graduated from my surface pattern design msc in 2005. I was happy with these designs and having stumbled across folksy – I can’t for the life of me remember how, decided it was time to bite the bullet and start producing the cards myself in the hope that I would be ‘spotted’ and gain some commissions out of it if nothing else.
What processes & techniques do you use in your work?
All my designs are created digitally, I started off during my art A level using traditional techniques of watercolours and acrylic paints and had a particular fondness for chalk pastels which I used to create landscapes of my then local Northumberland to sell in the gift shop I worked at. I then came to York to study fine art and then digressed to textiles as I thought there were more career opportunities in this area. In our final year we were introduced to designing digitally by scanning in our artwork and manipulating on the screen.
I have always found it difficult to know where to start creatively as I have so many ideas swimming around in my head that I found the constraints of technology and the discipline of sitting at a screen actually helped me find more creative solutions and I fell in love with the idea of putting my designs into repeat so they could be applied to all sorts of objects around the home. I continued this method of working studying for an msc at Huddersfield uni where I was able to print my designs onto various fabrics and experiment with all kinds of things like the possibility of double sided printing and it’s possible uses.
Now, most of my artwork is created digitally either from photographs or drawn straight onto the screen with my graphics pen. Unfortunately not having a huge fabric printer at home I have had to find ways of getting my designs onto a wider range which again has been part of the fun or the creative process.
What are you inspired by? My main inspiration comes from my allotment which I started renting with my partner in 2007, when we took it on it was given to us free as it was so overgrown with brambles and weeds, it’s now completely unrecognisable, we have built a shed, patio, extensive pond, all done ourselves and with recycled materials. It’s our little haven to escape to after a busy week at work. I also love watching garden birds and love how they add quirkiness and movement to a design. I particularly admire the work of Charley Harper whose illustrations while cartoonish are still recognisable as a particular species and that is what I aim for in my drawings.
Do you have a work space or studio? What is it like? I recently invested in a new pc rather than a laptop which means all my designing is done at the same place, in my favourite room of the house, the dining room. It’s light and spacious and has a view of my bird table in the garden outside. All my making is done at the table in the same room. I work full time so am mainly here on an evening with Radcliffe and Maconie keeping me company on the radio.
Where can people buy your work?
You can buy my work from my folksy shop www.littlebirdydesigns.folksy.com and also now from the gift gallery York which has just opened on the shambles.
How do you promote your work? I don’t have as much time as I would like for promotion but I participate in the folksy forums whenever I can, I have a facebook page and group and you can follow my tweets @littlebirdyhere. I also have a blog www.littlebirdydesigns.blogspot.com but am terrible at updating it.
What goals do you have for the future? My main goal at the moment is to expand my product range by printing on fabric again and creating cushions and tea towels so I have enough products to try a craft fair before Christmas. My ultimate goal is to pack in the day job and make a go of things full time which I aim to do in Spring of next year, my thinking is that I may as well give it go now when I have few commitments and plenty of drive for it.
What advice would you offer to someone thinking about turning their craft/art into a business? I probably need some advice myself, but I would say, start small and give yourself realistic goals, and do plenty of research, there is loads of information out there on crafting forums and it’s all free advice! I have achieved more than I thought possible in my first year and it’s given me the confidence to go even further. A few of your favourites (just for fun)…. Colour: mint green Animal: birdies! My favourites are long tailed tits Season: Autumn, bare trees and tingly toes Food: roast chicken dinner with homegrown veg Website: www.printpattern.blogspot.com and Folksy of course! Thank you for sharing your work with us Lindsay! I am a huge fan of your birdy designs and have had my eye on a few things for a while now…
Merry Christmas!
Homemade Festive Treats!
Time to relax…
Featured Interview – Funky Fused Glass
How long have you been making your work and how did it all begin?
Since 2006. As with some of my greatest ideas it came to me in a sunny pub garden, with a chilled glass of vino in my hand, chatting ‘life’ over with my lovely big bro. Back then I had quite a bit of free time on my hands so I was getting a little bored. I needed a hobby. I’ve always enjoyed learning new skills and being creative so it was a case of narrowing down a list of options. We talked various crafty things over and I said I’d always admired fused glass – the tactile nature, the ‘magpie appeal’ to its shiny surface & it being something a little different to the norm. I decided to go for it, so I booked myself on a weekend course. Vast investments in tools, supplies, self-taught know-how, experimentation and A LOT of time later, that hobby has turned into a successful business… and obsession!
What processes & techniques do you use in your work?
I kiln-form glass, known as ‘warm glass’ or ‘glass fusing’. This involves lots of planning and preparation (a lot of it on paper), cutting glass with specialist tools & cleaning each piece, then lots of patience as the kiln is loaded and ‘cooks’ the glass over a period of many hours (oh the agony of waiting for the first peek!). Sometimes the glass is ‘cold-worked’ with grinders and the like outside the kiln and I occassionally use glass paints to embelish a creation. Some pieces I make require a few kiln firings to be ready, such as my bowls and handmade rings.
A huge part of my inspiration comes from nature and everyday environments. I’m a visual person so always have my eyes open. I tend to notice the detail in things, such as interesting colour combinations and patterns. I’m a ‘culture sponge’, loving museums, galleries, craft fairs, architecture and travel. I always have my sketchbook to hand to scribble down ideas that come to me at the strangest of times.
It might come as a surprise to many that my studio is on the tiny side! I’ve been asked in the past if I teach but as you’ll see that is a no-go, though I would like to pass on my glassy knowledge. Currently my studio is a bit chaotic as I’ve been working out lots of new ideas. There are glass and tools all over the place! I’d like to describe it as ‘a hive of creative activity’ (others might describe it as ‘a mess’!). Whatever it is, it works! I’ve created some great glassy goodies in this space.
My work is for sale in my shop and I also sell on etsy, as well as folksy. I’ve just supplied Makers Online with a selection of my work which is a new venture for me. I look forward to seeing my work in a new place. The best place to buy my work is from me directly as every glassy goody I come up with goes for sale in my shop, whereas other sites only get a pick of items.
What goals do you have for the future?
To make many, many more glassy goodies! I am forever expanding my range, coming up with new ideas to realise – whenever I find the time. I am always busy so sometimes things don’t get made a reality for a while. My next goal on the agenda is to get making solid glass bangles. I’ve had the kit a while but I’m plucking up the courage to teach myself something new. I am mainly self-taught so I know I’ll do it. I can see them being a real hit once I get going, as well as addictive to create! Keep your eyes peeled.
Research, budget, keep on top of your accounting, promote! promote! promote!, keep a sketchbook to hand & plan things on paper (cheaper than a costly mistake!), make notes on the ideas you’ll repeat (trust me, you will forget how you did it!), experiment, and most importantly be innovative & unique and… DO IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT!
A few of your favourites (just for fun)….Colour: pink
Animal: gecko
Season: autumn, but spring’s a close second!
Steph has some amazing images of her work on Flickr – please have a look.
Person: my family. We’re a close bunch! Aww.
Food: seafood
Stocking Fillers
Featured Interview – Pants and Paper
What are you inspired by?
www.etsy.com/shop/pantsandpaper
www.notonthehighstreet.com/pantsandpaper
I am also in various shops and galleries around the country.
Season – Autumn, I love crisp mornings and the beautiful colours
Person – Johnny Depp
Food – Paella, although I only have it about once a year for some reason.
Website – Got to say Folksy, its where it all started for me and I love it.
Something broken into something new
Christmas Mood Board
Someone enjoying her advent calender!
Fresh from the Kiln in December
Featured Interview – O’Blue
Meet: Nat – O’Blue
