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!
Thank you for the feature, Charlotte. I am honoured to be included on your wonderful blog.
Ali x