Meet: Sam Sargeant ~ PantsandPaper
How Long have you been making your work and how did it all begin?
I started at a very young age, when I would spend a lot of time with my Grandma. She had so much patience, teaching me to sew and knit. I used to get so excited to see what she had saved for me in her little scrap bag. I would spend hours making purses and dolls cloths on her old Singer Machine.
My first love has always been painting and mixed media collage and a couple of years ago I was lucky to be offered a space at a local art exhibition, where I sold five in one day. It really did my confidence good and opened my eyes to think that perhaps I could make a business out of craft.
I only really started again, last year when searching the internet and came across Folksy. I signed up and started my business.
What Processes and techniques to you use in your work?
I usually begin with a lot of jumpers from charity shops, that I then felt. This is where the basis of my brooches and needlebooks etc begin. Transfer play a big role in my work and I am always searching for lovely images and new ways to transfer to fabrics.
Do you have a Workspace? What is it like?
I work in a corner of the lounge. At my previous house I had a summer house which was at the end of the garden. Now we have moved I have a table in the corner and recently some new shelves. I am slowly taking over and hope it wont be too long before I am in the way and I get a lovely new summer house.
What are you inspired by?
Usually it is a new image that I discover or a small piece of trim that I find. Sometimes it can be a creamy vintage button thats send me to my sewing machine.
Where can people buy your work?
www.pantsandpaper.folksy.com
www.etsy.com/shop/pantsandpaper
www.notonthehighstreet.com/pantsandpaper
www.etsy.com/shop/pantsandpaper
www.notonthehighstreet.com/pantsandpaper
I am also in various shops and galleries around the country.
How do you promote your work?
I spend too much time promoting on Twitter and Facebook.
What goals do you have for the future?
My goal for this year was to be stocked on 10 shops, so far I have made it to 6 so I am getting there. I would also love at some point in the future to publish my own craft book.
What advice would you offer someone thinking about turning their craft/art into a business?
Make sure you price properly. I certainly did not do this when I first started out. Read all the advice on forums etc that you can. There is such great advice to be had and I am continually learning new things every day.
A few of your Favourites (just for fun)…
Colour – Pink or Purple
Animal – Wolf, always facinated me.
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.
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.
Sam also has a blog where she shares the latest items she has made, and her thoughts on the results.
Great piece Charlotte. Pantsandpaper is my favourite shop on folksy. I could buy everything!!