Shop of the Week w/c 08/09/14 - Uniquely Your Digi Art

This week's shop of the week is the fabulous Uniquely Your Digi Art run by the fabulous Linda  

Hi Linda tell us a little bit about who are you and what you do?I'm Linda, a wife mother and grandmother who loves to create.

What inspires you in your work?Everything I see inspires me, a shape, a colour, anything.

Why do you do what you do?I started out by selling my crochet work, which I still do in another shop.I like a challenge though and started writing down my own designs, then trying other crafts.  I love words and art so putting the two together was an easy step to take. Then my imagination took flight and I started doing the word art shapes. From basic simple heart and other shapes, I have pushed the boundaries and branched out into more imaginative shapes like a sailing ship, the statue of liberty, different breeds of dogs and so on.  I find them enjoyable and challenging.  When something different is suggested or commissioned I take my time to look about for pictures of my subject and will look through hundreds sometimes to get an idea for the shape. I might even take a picture I see and then alter it to what I want it to be.I don't think I have a dream project exactly, probably because each new piece I do is the dream project at that time.

Tell us about your workspace.Whenever I start to tidy up or sort out to get rid of things it seems to fire my creativity and I end up making it more untidy as I start on something new.  I also find that if I clear a space, it doesn`t stay that way for long.  I really love what I do, it`s an ongoing passion I never tire if as it constantly changes and evolves.

What do you like about your work?I love the challenge in this new line of work, being able to constantly push the boundaries and people`s amazement when it works and looks good.

Professionally, what’s your goal?Where do I want to be professionally... hmmm.. successful I suppose and by successful mean earning enough to count as a wage. That and having people think of me first when they want something innovative and different, truly unique to give as a gift, whether to others or themselves.My workspace? It`s a mixture of things. It`s our spare room that has become a computer/craft room. It`s generally untidy but it`s an orderly mess.

Treasury Challenge w/c 01/09/2014

Each week as a team we run a treasury challenge where we all make a treasury and try to get the most views on it.  The treasury with the most views is deemed the winner and the following week's treasuries must all feature the person who won.

This week Shirl from Zana Crafts won with the following treasury!!

View from the end of the Pier.....

I simply can't understand Why swimsuits are in such demand They're soggy and damp, Bind like a clamp, And hold about three pounds of sand! ~D.R. Benson Featuring members of the Handmade Promo Team and other guests. 

Brighton Pier Wave, Glass Ornament, Glass Art, Kiln-fused glass made in Brighton aLittleBeachBoutique £50.00	Keyring Lampwork Bead Union Jack Lentil GlitteringprizeGlass £5.00	Girls Anchor button handmade fabric button necklace and ring set. This all comes in a max,ollie and me gift jewellery bag maxollieandme £11.00	Blue peyote beaded bead necklace BramalfieBeadsetc £7.50
Keep calm and Have A Cuppa Happy Birthday Greeting Card - Best Wishes ZwKaHandCrafts £2.00	Recycled/Up-cycled Flat Clear Limoncello Bottle, Cheese Board PaladinGlass £9.00	Sterling Silver 'Ocean Wave' Rectangular Pendant - Choice of Necklace with Turquoise Cabochon SilverbirdDesignsUK £34.00	Upcycled - Repurposed - Paperclip Bicycle Necklace - Pendant - Orange SquintyStuff £6.00
All Occasion card, 'Celebrate Today' red, white and blue stepper card with cute girly image OOAK AmethystLilyDesigns £4.00	OOAK Statement blue gemstone slab necklace and earrings set BexMadeMe £20.00	Boat T-shirt / Boys Tee Shirt / Baby Shirt / Children's Clothes WithHugsandKisses $12.99	Lampwork Sea Blooms necklace CornishDragon £20.00
Vintage Vesta Case Brighton Necklace TheTinTrunk £38.00	Navy Pier Swing Carnival Ride Chicago - Black and White Fine Art Photography 8x12 inthisinstance $28.00	Notebook/Journal Handmade - Green with Purple & White and Butterflies, with Bookmark and Button Closure. Gift Idea, Stationery, UniquelyYourDesigns £7.50	ON SALE Brighton Stick Of Rock Necklace BakedMemes £7.79

Powered By Toastie Studio - Etsy Tools

Shop of the Week w/c 01/09/2014 - Max Ollie and Me

This week's shop of the week is the fabulous Max Ollie and Me run by Kirri.

 Hi Kirri tell us a little more about who are you and what you do...

Hello my name is Kirri and I am the owner and designer maker at Max, Ollie and me. Max, Ollie and me is a home grown business that started when I was in my teenage years, as I recovered from a long childhood illness. 

What inspires you in your work?

I live and breath everything creative and it rules my life, everywhere I go I found new inspiration and my mind is always whirling with colours and textures! 

 

What themes do you pursue?

I love to work with the themes of nostalgia, memories and childhood. These themes are always drawn into my work, even if I try to move away from the theme. 

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

A big memorable response I've had to my work which made me proud was when the principal of the art college I attended bought my show piece, from my final major project. This piece was a ceramic corset and full layered paper an mulberry bark skirt, with machine stitching and dried flowers stitched into the skirt. I couldn't believe out of all the work the principal saw every day, she chose to buy my work.

 

What work do you most enjoying doing?

I am never happier than when I am sat sewing at my retro, full metal, Bernina sewing machine. Her name is actually Bella, she may be old, but i just can't work with any other machine! 

What wouldn’t you do without?

Well it would have to be Bella, but I also adore buttons and I will never have enough! My eyes are always peeled, wherever I go for buttons, new or vintage. I love them all!

Treasury Challenge w/c 25/08/2014

Each week as a team we run a treasury challenge where we all make a treasury and try to get the most views on it.  The treasury with the most views is deemed the winner and the following week's treasuries must all feature the person who won.

This week Shirl from Zana Crafts won with the following treasury!!

What good is the warmth of summer.......

"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness."
-- John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America
Featuring members of the Handmade Promo Team and other guests.

OOAK polymer clay and moonstone rain cloud pendant necklace BexMadeMe £22.00	blue cotton wreath embellished with a handmade mouse brooch maxollieandme £49.00	Notebook. Journal. Ribbon and lace detail. Machine embroidered. A4. Hardback book with removable Linen Cover. michellecorbindesign £15.00	Dragonfly Art / Children's Bug Canvas / Boys / Girls Nursery Decor WithHugsandKisses $24.99
Sterling Silver Glass bead earrings - pretty blue, turquoise PaladinGlass £12.00	Cloud Felt Coaster set with punched rain detail - 100% 4mm grey thick wool felt, set of 4 PygmyCloud £12.50	Lampwork Glass Focal Bead Aqua Blue Butterfly UK GlitteringprizeGlass £4.90	Polymer clay pendant green flower shaped BramalfieBeadsetc £15.00
Unique needle felted brown mouse in mini blue teacup! Cute gift or decoration. OldLadyMoth £15.00	Vintage Sterling Silver Turquoise Butterfly/Dragonfly Brooch/Pendant LisaBrownDesigns $850.00	White Kawaii Cloud Pillow - Embroidered smiley face cushion scavengerannie £22.00	Copper and Silver Butterfly Pendant with Turquoise Cabochons SilverbirdDesignsUK £24.00
Blue notebook Fabric cover Dragonflies pattern Lace romantic travel journal covered recycled paper notebook 30 pages chezviolette €15.00	Patterned Hanging Heart - Decoration, home decor ZwKaHandCrafts £3.00	Lace Scarf hand knit in 100% Mulberry Silk naturally dyed with indigo for Spring/Summer MountainMasche $185.00	Natty Buttons - Pattern Clouds NattyDeco £5.00

Powered By Toastie Studio - Etsy Tools

Shop of the Week w/c 25/08/2014 - With Hugs and Kisses

This week's shop of the week is the lovely With Hugs and Kisses run by Laura.

Hi Laura who are you and what do you do? 
With Hugs and Kisses sells handmade babies and children's and gifts. Many of which can be personalised.

What inspires you in your work? 
My work is inspired by everyday events, a walk in the woods, a trip to the park.. I love nature and animals so these feature heavily in my work and are probably my biggest inspiration..

Why do you do what you do? 
I do what i do because I love creating. I love to see the process of how something as simply as a few materials can create something beautiful and unique.

What’s your background? 
After studying textile design at college I worked as a freelance textile designer. After a few years I then got a job designing greeting cards, which I loved. After my son was born, I was looking for unique toys for him and found I was unable to find anything. which is when I started making my own and with Hugs and Kisses came about.

How has your practice changed over time? 
I began by making baby shoes and finger puppets. Gradually over time I have added new products and now produce a range of items for baby's and children.

What art do you most identify with? 
I love children's art and illustrations. I love the bright colours and the sense of fun it has to it.

What work do you most enjoying doing? 
I love to sew and paint and at the moment I am really enjoying combining these two techniques.

What themes do you pursue? 
I love nature and animals. Much of my work is inspired by nature and animals. I also really like pattern and texture.

What’s your favourite art work? 
I love the whimsical style of Stewart Moskowitz. His use of colour and themes is something that greatly appeals to me.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist? 
I used to work in retail when I was in my teens. It wasn't something I found majorly exciting but it provided me with some retail experience that has come in quite useful now I have my own Etsy shop and it paid my college fees. Other then that I have been very lucky and have managed to work in design based jobs all my life.

What memorable responses have you had to your work? 
My biggest critiques are my kids. You can always trust a kid to be honest. So my best responses are always when my kids like something. My favourite I think being when my then 5 year old boy saw a space clock I had made and asked if he could have one. He then went onto ask for a door sign and a whole space bedroom. Which is where my space collection comes from.

What do you like about your work? 
I love the freedom my work gives me. It allows me to create and do what I love doing best.

What research to you do? 
I like to research popular colours, themes, new techniques

What is your dream project? 
I think I'm currently doing my dream job. I get to do what I love doing best every day. Other then that I would love to be a baker and make lovely cakes, but I'm the worst cook so that will never happen.

Favourite or most inspirational place? 
One of my favourite places to be is Cornwall. the landscape there is so beautiful and I'm constantly inspired from my trips there.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? 
I have 3 children, 2 of them under 5, so sometimes life can be hectic. The best advice I ever received was to do little and often.

Professionally, what’s your goal? 
I would like to continue to expand my product ranges and develop my shop. 

What wouldn’t you do without? 
I couldn't do without my sewing machine. I've had it since I was 16. 

Tell us about your workspace. 
My workspace consists of two corners of my house. One which I use for sewing and the other for painting. I'd like to say its nice and tidy with beautiful fabrics like you see in the magazines. But its actually a bit of a mess with fabrics and materials every where, but that seems to be how I work best.