Wednesday 24 February 2010

Meet the lady that bought you the Minifelts!

It's that time again folks.. this week lets say a HUGE hello to the lovely Eve x

How would you introduce yourself?
My name is Eve I’m 24, I’m from the Isle of Wight, and I make Minifelts.

You draw, sew and make furniture, what do you enjoy doing the most and why?
Ooh that’s a tough decision, but I’d say I enjoy sewing the most, especially because it’s Winter as I like snuggling up with my sewing by the fire or in a nice warm bed, gets really cold working outside making driftwood furniture! I love how versatile sewing is, you can make all sorts of things using a few stitches and some fabric.

When and how did you get into crafting?
Only a few months ago, I randomly stumbled across Folksy and Etsy one day whilst browsing the internet and discovered all these wonderful things that people were making. I felt really inspired and wanted to have a go myself, so I found a sewing tutorial online and taught myself some stitches, drew up some templates and I was away!

Do you come from a crafting family?
My Mum’s been a big inspiration, she paints and does origami, she also runs small art and crafts classes on the Isle of Wight and has a huge collection of craft supplies, so I’m often stealing bits of fabric and buttons and things off of her! My boyfriends mum is also very creative, she is always full of ideas and has a textiles degree and knits and makes lots of lovely things inspired by the sea, as she lives literally right on the beach.

What inspired the creation of the minifelt?
Basically I just love cute things! My first sewing project was a little chicken just so that I could get the hang of a few stitches. I really liked the shape and size of my first creation, so I started designing other pocket sized animals.

You have studied music and play the drums, are you in a band or hoping to follow a music career?
When I lived in London I was in a band called Lion O’Brien (if you have a minute you should have a listen, they’re very feel good!), and am looking to start a new band at the moment. I’m really hoping to make music my career either in a successful band or as a drum teacher/session musician but it’s very hard to make money at it. A lot like turning a crafting hobby into a full time business, which is something else I’d love to do!

Where can we buy your creations?
I have my own website and also I sell on Folksy

Do you have a blog and what is the address?
Yes I do, I’ve only just started blogging and I love it and am trying to keep it updated regularly. http://www.minifelts.blogspot.com/

In terms of minifelts what are your plans for the future?
To try and spread the word about Minifelts to anyone that’ll listen! I’m also trying to adapt the designs to make more “practical” minifelts, such as iPod covers, pictures, badges, keyrings, bags etc. Maybe even a range of bigger Megafelts!

If you could meet anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
Probably Bill Bailey as I just love his surreal sense of humor.

Big Dipper or Saucers?
Big dipper


Chips or Cake?
Ooh definitely cake. Mmmm






What is your favorite season of the year and why?
Summer, because my Birthday is in July and I love the beach and a nice barbeque in the sunshine, you can’t beat it!

Lastly tell us something we would not know about you.
I played drums in front of thousands of people at the Isle of Wight Festival.
It was very scary!


Thanks Eve, remember us when you're famous.. !!

Wouldn't catch me eating cake and then going on a big dipper.... Ooooh no! x

Monday 22 February 2010

And Breathe .......

I have spent many a happy hour over the last month or so making a large order for Clare who is opening Calladoodles Handmade gift shop in Carshalton High Street on 1st March. I am very pleased to say that I finally finished her order at the weekend and I took it down to Clare this morning.

Clare was in the middle of painting and I must admit to being enormously jealous. She has got a large shop in a great location, I love Carshalton anyway as I used to live there... The shop is looking great already and I just know is going to be a huge success. She asked me if I would hold a jewellery making course there to which of course I said yes!

Here is a picture of some of the packaging I came up with for Clare's stock.



I must admit - it hit me like a tonnes of bricks that this is what I want to do. I studied at college to be a secretary, I hated it but my mum told me that it was a steady career. I have managed over the years to move away from that path and I am now a civil servant, I do like my job and I do believe i'm good at it but I can't say its my chosen career or that it makes me happy.

When I was younger I never aspired to become anything ... over the years I've often said that I wanted to start a business but I had no idea what in and my sister told me that I would just stumble across it one day and she was right ...I did stumble across my jewellery making by accident in 2008 and I love it. I also love Handmade and I know oodles of crafty people now too. SO I want a shop, I want to do what I love, I want to work for myself! So... I am making myself a pact, that over the next few years I am going to work towards my dream. I can do it and I will x

Monday 15 February 2010

Say Hello to Pam..

Yep its that time again folks, i’ve been out and about with my little notepad causing mischief amongst the folksy folk and today I want to introduce you to Pam. Lets sit back with a cuppa and cake (Pam would) and find out about the lady behind Averilpam.


How would you introduce yourself
I'm Pam Southernwood, aka averilpam

You make jewellery, bags and scarves, what do you enjoy making the most and why?
Well I could answer that question differently from time to time. at the moment I'm loving jewellery making and am feeling inspired to continue experimenting with different techniques etc. But spinning will always be a favourite, weaving is a way to use the lovely yarns that result - I'm pretty useless at knitting and crochet.

How would you describe your style?
That's a tricky one, I've found inspiration from many styles and eras. I think most of my jewellery is fairly classic but I'm starting to get a little more experimental and modern.
You've been interested in crafts all your life, how did you first get interested?
My mum used to make me clothes and I learnt to sew on her treadle sewing machine, making clothes for myself - mini skirts in the '60s! Sadly when she moved from her house into a granny flat with my sister, I didn't have room to take it. All through school art was my favourite subject and I did a year at art college age 17.

What was the very first craft you tried?
I learnt to weave when I lived, very briefly, with friends in a small crofters cottage in Scotland. A friend was a weaver and I used to go and watch her thread up her large floor loom and she taught me the basics. I obtained a small frame, and some wool and started doing some tapestry weaving. Several years later I was taught to spin and bought my first wheel. At one point I did have a large floor loom, but I moved around a lot and had to give it up. Since then I've stuck to small table looms.

Where can we buy your goodies?
I have a Folksy shop and a website too, I did set it up as a shop but wasn't selling anything so when sales started to take off on Folksy I moved all the stock from there to Folksy, now it just has a gallery with a selection of items, as well as a page about me, contact details, links etc.

When and where did you first start selling your goodies?
I used to sell to friends, and also made to order for friends, then I started to do some stalls with varying amounts of success. Then just over a year ago I found out about sites like Folksy and decided to set up shop. I had several shops to begin with but I just couldn't make enough stuff to stock them all adequately so I eventually decided to stick with Folksy. Mainly because it's British, and because it's well organised and the forums are so friendly. That's a big part for me, interacting with other craftspeople/artists is so important.

Do you have a blog we can follow you on?
Sadly no. I'd love to but I wouldn't want to do it unless I could do it justice and make it interesting which would involve a fair bit of time and energy. I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and my energy is very limited. I need most of it for making things!

Any tips for those just learning to weave?
Mainly start simply - maybe make a small frame (or use an old picture frame without any glass.) Just wind wool round tightly to make a warp then experiment. Get some books out of the library, look online for tutorials then decide if you want to invest in a proper loom and decide what you want to be able to make in order to decide what size to get. The loom I use the most is an Ashford Knitters Loom - it's called that because you can use fairly thick wool in it - I use it for my homespun which I usually make too thick for the other loom I have - and it makes good scarves.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not crafting?
I love photography and my garden and I love to combine the two with visits to open gardens in the spring and summer. I love to meet up with friends for tea and cake in the afternoon!

What is your happiest memory?
Probably seeing each of my grandchildren for the first time would probably be the two happiest moments.

If you could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be and why?
I think it would have to be Jane Austen - I just love her books!




If you could have one wish what would it be?
To see my grandchildren grow up and become a great-granny!

What is your favourite place and why?
This is something that keeps changing. My daughter lives in the USA, so wherever she lives becomes my favourite place!

Favourite movie?
Picnic at hanging rock.

You enjoy photography, what is your favourite photograph and why?
I have a few but I think my most favourite is one I took in Oregon, it's of the Columbia River Gorge from a lovely viewpoint. The mountains in the distance are in Washington State on the other side of the river. It was my first visit to the USA and we did lots of sightseeing, I fell in love with Oregon.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I was never sure, but just knew that I loved art and wanted to do art or photography.

And Finally.........


Tell us one thing we would not know about you?



Up until a few years ago I always had at least one dog, at one point two dogs and a cat and I really miss them.


Thanks Pam x
That's me signing out until Next Time..

Sunday 14 February 2010

What a talented bunch folksy folk are!

On Thursday I won a gorgeous crochet heart by Pipistrelle Crochet Designs.

It was just so lovely to open the package and the smell of lavender was just beautiful! Thank you so much Debs for this lovely giveaway! I feel very lucky x

On Friday I received my Valentines Swop from Sugarmice. A beautiful heart made with felt! Thank you so much Sarah x

Talking of Valentines.. Today is the Day! I woke up this morning and hubby and I swapped valentines Cards and gifts... most of which were bought from fellow folksy folk! Apart from his ferrero rocher (yum yum) .. xx

This card was made by Dig the Earth and was made with the words I asked for, great service and absolutely fab card, hubby-pants loved it!


Hubby bought my card from Mollimoo, I just love Hilary's cards! It is so much nicer to have gorgeous cards lovingly handmade than to buy cards made in bulk by people who don't take anytime over them!

We then did gifts, Hubby bought me these earrings and bracelet from Tracy at Cinnamon Jewellery. How lovely are these! I wore them today. I cannot stress how beautifully made these are and the attention to detail is second to none. Thanks Tracy x


Aren't I a lucky girl! Hubby got lots and lots of his favourite chocs x



We went to the cinema to see Valentines Day, such a great film with tonnes of stars in it including Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher and Jennifer Garner. We then had a lovely meal, came home lit our real fire and I put one of SweetScentedSoy's lovely scented melts in the oil burner..


What a lovely days its been... Happy Valentines Day everyone, what's left of it xx

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Are you always on time?

This is a possible new design of watch for me, I would really appreciate your views. This one is made with beautiful vintage buttons.



Monday 8 February 2010

Lets say hello to Mollimoo

As you know i'm currently moonlighting as a roving reporter (Shhh don't tell anyone) and interviewing fellow folksy folk!

Here is my second interview.. with the lovely Tina Peacock.. but we all know her as Mollimoo the lady who makes the gorgeous buttons.


How would you introduce yourself?
My name is Tina Peacock & my shop name is Mollimoo.

Tell us what you make..
I make fabric cover buttons, felt brooches & knitted lovelies!


How long have you been knitting and sewing?
I learnt to knit & sew when I was about 9 years old, though I only picked up sticks again over the last couple of years.

What made you start?
My mum taught me but what really re-ignited my crafting passion was discovering the fabulous knitting tent at Camp Bestival. It is a 3 day family festival in Dorset & the I Knit team from London were hosting the knitting tent. I realised how much fun it is, as well as being very cool!

What made you start to design buttons?
I have no idea! It's such a fiddly job, I often wonder why I do it! ha ha!


What inspires your designs?
The thrill of the chase, hunting for new, different & exciting fabric! The seasons have a strong influence. I have just listed some new designs with a very Spring like theme in delicate florals. I also love some of the Kawaii Japanese prints, they are so cute. I try to have a good variety with something for all tastes.

Where does your love of vintage come from?
I grew up in a cottage in Cornwall & my mum filled it with antiques & vintage loveliness. I must have inherited the love of it. I love vintage toys too. I spend lots of time around charity shops & flea markets. I guess they just don't make things like they used to. I love to imagine the history of an item, where it's lived before I found it.


What made you decide to sell your work?
It started as a hobby for me & then I realised I can't possibly keep everything. Hubby would go mad!

Where can we buy your goodies?
I sell online in my Folksy Shop & I also have an Etsy shop.

Can we follow you on a blog?
Ooh, I love my little blog, please do visit! http://mollimoo.blogspot.com/


Has your work ever been featured anywhere such as in a magazine?
Not a magazine, though it has been featured on Cuteable.com & by various fellow bloggers.

Do you have any tips to share with people just starting to learn knitting or sewing?
See if there is a local Stitch'n'Bitch group in your area. Ravelry is an excellent online knitting community that can help you to do this. There are such talented knitters & crafters around, online & in the 'real' world. Iwould say don't try to run before you can walk & stay focused on what you are learning instead of trying to learn everything at once (like I did!).

What are you doing when you are not crafting?
I'm running around after my 6 & 3 year old children. I'm a busy mum & I also go in to help my husband with our business in the motor trade. We also love camping, cycling & the beach.


If you could learn another craft what would it be and why?
Art. My dad is an artist & I know I could paint if I tried but would love to learn at an Art class.

What is your happiest memory?
Growing up in Falmouth, Cornwall in the Hotel my parents ran. Long summer days on the beach & hiring boats up the Helford Passage.

I'm jealous that you live in beautiful Dorset, what is the best thing about living where you do?The rolling countryside & lovely coast. There is enough nightlife to have a good night out in Bournemouth, as well as peace & quiet in the countryside. The best of both worlds!


What was your favourite childrens programme when you were growing up?
I used to love Follyfoot, the old 70's series about a horse. I was horse mad & loved riding.


If you could have dinner with one person (anyone dead or alive) who would it be and why? Dick Van Dyke, I think he is wonderful. He would be so much fun & then we could go roller skating afterwards...he loves his rollerskates! lol




If you could have one wish what would it be?
That myself, my husband & children live long, healthy, happy lives! What more could any mum want?

Lastly, tell us one thing we would not know about you..
I'm a qualified Hairdresser.


Thanks Tina that was fun..... xx

So we can all come and see you for a hair cut?!!

Thursday 4 February 2010

A Sunshine Award came my way today!



How chuffed am I to have been awarded the Sunshine Blog Award by Tracy of Folksy shop Cinnamon Jewellery Thank you so much Tracy xx and I am also very lucky to have received one from NattieNoodle.. thank you so much xx

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blog world.

The rules for accepting the Sunshine award ~

Put the logo on your blog or within your post
Pass the award onto 12 bloggers
Link the nominees within your post
Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

Here are my 12 nominees ~




Claire xxx

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Welcome to my very first Folksy interview featuring Sharne69!

This is all very exciting, i've never done an interview before. The plan is to interview a fellow folksy seller every week.

If you're all sitting comfortably lets put the spotlight on Sharne Lyddanam (aka sharne69).

Tell us a little bit about yourself...
I'm a mother of 3 beautiful girls aged 10,8 and 3 years old, i'm 34 and have been with my current partner for 5 years and its all down to him that i sell online, he is also my judge of what goes in the shop and what doesn't.




You've been knitting since you were young who influenced you to start?
My nan, she was and still is in my mind my knitting goddess.

Can you remember the first thing you ever knitted?
It was a very wonky yellow scarf, next came a willy warmer ( thanks nan! lol).

Where can we buy your knitted goodies?
On Folksy on etsy and on misi

Do you have a blog we can follow you on?
http://sharnemainiaknits.blogspot.com/

What inspires your creations?
I would love to prove that anything can be knitted, and that knitting can be useful and fun too.



You've got daughters, do they enjoy knitting?
I have taught my eldest two to knit but at the moment they think it takes too long to get to a finished article, it will be awhile before i try to teach my youngest.
How much time do you devote to your knitting?
I knit for around 4 to 5 hours a day, although mostly that is broken up in to moments.

What excites you about knitting?
I think having an idea in my head and knowing that i can create it through knitting, i'm not very good at following patterns, i tend to make it up as i go along, paul has to remind me at the end to write it down or i'd forget.

You've been knitted for a long time do you have any handy tips or secrets to share?
Empty cushion covers make a great place to hide yet more yarn!, but really as long as you know basic stitches then the worlds your oyster!

Do you come from a craft orientated family?
No not really which is a good thing as they are my biggest customers.

What do you do when you are not knitting?
Promote my shops, yarn shopping and housework, plus making time for my children.


What is your favourite shop on folksy and why?
Oh tough one i have loads of shops on folksy that i love, but at the moment if i had to pick one it would be pantsandpaper because I love her designs but i'm always soo in awe of anybody that can use a sewing machine (long story but lets just say my textile teacher at school put the fear of god into me and i've never got over that fear.

What inspired the cat cup warmers in your shop as I love them!?
They came as a thankyou gift for my sister who did me a huge favour and as she was having her kitchen remodelled and was complaining that the dust was going into her cuppa i made up a mug warmer, i then thought how cute they would look as cats and so the idea was born.




how fab is this!!

What is your most favourite place?
My craft room!

What is your happiest memory?
The birth of my 3 children, plus the look of wonder on my partner pauls face when he felt my youngest kick for the first time.

If you had one wish what would it be?
Either to own a wool shop or to find that one item that would just sell and sell in my shops!.

Last but not least, tell us something fellow folksters would not know about you?
I have 6 piercings and 12 tattoos and I own 2 snakes.




Thanks Sharne - did you keep the Willy Warmer? x x

Monday 1 February 2010

Look what I found browsing folksy tonight..

Just browsing through folksy when I stumbled across this gorgeous knitted bear, I just had to post a picture!
She was knitted by thepinkfairycake, available in her shop are these booties too.. how wonderful xx


Find lots more lovely goodies at: http://www.folksy.com/shops/thepinkfairycake

Night Night xx