Designer Feature- Snapdragon Beads

Alice from Snapdragon Beads has been making beaded jewellery for over 12 years. However her career path started off from an entirely different point - she had originally intended on going to art college but ended up studying Engineering and Mathematics at Trinity College in Dublin, from where she graduated in 2002 with a First in Computer Engineering.

Until recently, Alice beaded in her spare time, usually only selling at a single Christmas craft fair in Dublin. Now with a new baby, she’s decided to devote more time to her beading endeavours.

Alice’s personal website/blog is http://www.theoddsock.com

Her jewellery website/blog is http://www.snapdragonbeads.com

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I'm based out of a very cluttered back bedroom - which over flows at times into the dining and sometimes living room - of my home in Biggleswade in Bedfordshire.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
Probably around the age of 7 or so when I discovered my mother's copy of the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlecrafts; it is nearly as old as me and I have it still.

Having grown up in a house where there was always a quilt or embroidery on the go it was inevitable really ;-)

GREATEST INFLUENCES?
My mother; she got me hooked on crafts of all kinds (apart from knitting which she could never get the hang of herself). She was a consummate skip raider and always managed to find great fabric sample books - she now gets given them... she's a bit old for jumping into skips now ;-). She also has a huge collection of craft related books and seems to acquire more every time I go home.

Historial costume books - I spent so many happy hours as a child and older pouring over fashion plates and making Rococco and Regency style clothes for my Barbie dolls.

In terms of colour I really find myself drawn to the works of Klimt and Schiller as well as Degas and Monet.

Since I make jewellery I am not influenced so much by other jewellers or their work (well I do try not to be) but instead take inspiration more from textiles and nature as you can do so much more with beads than just stringing them and so experiment more with 3 dimensional forms.

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?
I'm still working on my sales patter - I'm very shy and in the past had my mother's help at craft fairs.

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Well at the moment, Amelia but she isn't for sale ;-)

I am particularly pleased with the wavy herringbone stitch bracelets. Once I hit on the stripes which are very much inspired by florentine stitch as well as Kaffe Fassett sweaters
they really have come together.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?
Don't be shy, engage people by chatting to them - you sometimes need to be shameless (or at least feel like you are)... for me this is very difficult as I am very shy, but start with making sure you are smiling and laughing and people will be drawn over and then you can get to work on them ;-)

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?
Gustav Klimt; my favourite artist, and he liked cats ;-)

Jean Lanvin; when her marriage broke up she supported herself and her daughter by founding a fashion house based on the clothes she designed and made for them. Truly, she is to me at least, the patron saint of many etsy-moms.

Alan Coren; I love his short stories - so completely off the wall at times.

Erte; I love his Art Deco drawings

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
My baby Amelia

WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
uh-oh ;-) its a bit of a mess in fact ;-) A notebook, a lamp, a darning needle, pencil, about 5 different types of handcream (I'm a martyr to painfully dry hands)

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?
Conscientious and nicely eccentric

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
New York, for the shopping

FERRARI OR MINI?
Well I don't drive, but if I had to I'd go for the Mini as there is no mention of a hunter green 1970's MG ;-)

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
Neither - I'm more a Radio 4/7 girl

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Why must I choose?

IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?
Wikipedia - I just love picking up useless bits of trivia
Flickr - so I could put my pictures somewhere
Etsy - So I could attempt to sell some of my pieces (of course PayPal might be handy too ;-) )

Designer Feature- Angharad

Being a mother of two under-fives certainly hasn’t stopped Helen from Angharad from creating some fabulous bags and purses and accessories

Her love of fabric has led her to open a shop on etsy - she has a great ability to mix vintage and contemporary to give stunning results! Helen’s creative process usually begins with her falling in love with a particular fabric after which, she spends hours draping and arranging and thinking before hitting on the idea for the perfect project and cuts into the fabric for the first time.

All of Helen’s patterns are hand-drawn by her

Shop http://angharad.etsy.com

Blog: http://angharadhandmade.blogspot.com

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I’m based in Burnham near Slough in the South East of England, though I’m originally from Wales.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
I’ve been making things (and making a mess!) as long as I can remember. Every Christmas as a child I would get a craft kit of some variety – including pyrography, weaving, quilling and lots of others. My first love has always been needlework though, both knitting and sewing.

GREATEST INFLUENCES?
My mum is probably wholly responsible for my crafting mania, as she sewed and knitted a lot of our clothes as children, and started me off with both at a young age. She’s a fantastic seamstress and even made my wedding dress just a week before I got married!

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?
The greatest problem I come into contact with is lack of time as a stay at home mum of a 2 and 4 year old. At the moment free time is a rare commodity, so I sew in the evenings while they’re asleep or at weekends when my husband is on daddy-duty!

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I was so pleased with a quilt that I made recently for sale in my etsy shop. I used up almost the last of a pretty turquoise and pink bird print fabric on this, which I loved and it’s unfortunately sold out everywhere now. The quilt sold within a few days of listing and I was really sorry to see it go as I’d been secretly hoping it would languish in my shop so that I could keep it!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?
I’m not sure that I have any useful advice as I sort of haphazardly fell into my shop and it evolved as I went along. I would say that etsy is a great site if you’re looking to start selling as there are minimal fees to pay for listing your items so you can get a feel for what will and won’t sell without risking too much along the way.

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?
Weekend guests? What are they? Whoever they were, they’d have to be prepared to put up with a sewing machine in the middle of the dining table and having their clothes covered in loose threads.

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
I just kissed my children goodnight.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
A stack of sewing books, my glasses and a box of buttons.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?
They would probably say I had some kind of obsessive crafting disorder!

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
I would have said New York, but since having children I suddenly really get the idea of a holiday where you laze on the beach in a hammock.

FERRARI OR MINI?
Definitely a mini!

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
Eastenders.

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Champagne!

IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?
Flickr, etsy and googlemail (not necessarily in that order!).

Designer Feature- Birch Tree

1. WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

Harrow on the outskirts of London.

2. WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?

I have always been a crafty kind of person so it is difficult to pin down a particular point. I would say that it was probably about four or five years ago that I started making my own clothes and jewellery but I have always been a scissors-paper-glue type person.

3. GREATEST INFLUENCES?

I am influenced by so much. Many of the beautiful, creative people I know will inspire me, as will iconic designers such as Mary Quant and Vivienne Westwood. I love discovering new fabrics, or beads, or techniques and trying them out.

4. GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?

I am not technically a very good crafter! It sounds silly but my sewing and art work (both digitally and on paper) doesn’t have as much technical brilliance as I would like it to. I rely on my creativity to get me through!

5. WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

I always seem to be proudest of my latest piece of work. At the moment my favourite pieces are the ‘Boleyn’ set of dresses I have designed recently. They have a very flattering fit which is perfect for me at the moment as I have just had a baby!

6. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?

Decide on your goals straight away, and be realistic. If you are making to make money then get both business and market advise and identify your target audience. If you are making beautiful things because you enjoy making beautiful things always keep that in mind. So many people forget how much they love to make once they start selling. If the joy of making is your goal, don’t let the lack of sales put you off.

7. WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?

Frida Khalo, George Orwell, and Billy Bragg to talk Art, Politics, Music, and Literature and to rant about the state of the world. Then I’d add someone like Joseph Fiennes or David Tennant to flirt with when I got bored.

8. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?

Either my husband or my daughter, if it was anyone else I wouldn’t admit it anyway!

9. WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?

Digital Clock, nightlight, big light, Heat magazine, glass of water, nurofen (just in case)

10. HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?

I would like to think they thought I was kind, clever, and hard working. But no, my bets would be on amusing, grumpy, and individual.

11. NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?

New York Baby!

12. FERRARI OR MINI?

I don’t drive so basing everything on aesthetics I would go for the mini and it’s sixties charm.

13. EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?

Eastenders. Always.

14. CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?

Chocolate

15. IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?

I am on the internet all the time and use it for everything. Being indoors with a baby it is my link to shopping, knowledge, and contact with friends so only three sites ever is cruelty!

I would choose Google, Yahoo, and Facebook.

Deasigner Feature: Urbanknit

London-based Dolapo designs fun and funky fashion accessories for people who want to express their individuality and style. Her gorgeous products include beautiful clutch bags made with geometric design fabrics, funky tote bags that turn your grocery shopping into a fashion statement and knitted ribbed scarves that are so yummy, you’ll want to wear them whatever the weather!

Here’s Dolapo’s Q&A answers:

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
London

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
When I was about 7 or 8 years old

GREATEST INFLUENCES?
Way too many but a few are art, colour, architecture, TV, travelling and animation.

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?
Milk-free ice cream that actually tastes good. Not that I created it but whoever did is a star in my books.

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
The hint clutch and the button scarflette

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?
Each day, experience, event good or bad are all learning opportunities.

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?
Jaydee- just because.

Samuel L Jackson- sesems like he'll be funny and interesting

Chris Rock- to see if comedians are normal in real life

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
hmm

WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
Half read books

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?

Oh dear, errmm...giggly, short, silly, a bit loopy

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
NY NY NY NY NY!!

FERRARI OR MINI?
Ferrari....never. Mini...yes!

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
Eastenders

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Chocolate

IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?
cnn.com
etsy.com
urbanknit.com

Designer Feature- Dainty Pretty Things

Mary McDermott (the face behind Dainty Pretty Things) offers a wide range of handmade jewellery and tiaras as well as a bespoke jewellery making service. This gives customers the freedom to design their own individual piece of jewellery and have it made especially for them.

Mary enjoys designing and creating elegant, feminine jewellery. Her beautifully stylish collections are handcrafted and affordable. They are created using a wide range of gemstones, Swarovski crystal and pearls.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

Dagenham, Essex


WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?

5 years ago


GREATEST INFLUENCES?

Current jewellery trends, nature, natural forms


GREATEST PROBLEM YOU'VE OVERCOME?

?

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

My pieces I did for my City and Guilds Jewellery Course


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?

Keep at it through the good and bad times but most importantly, enjoy what you do

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS ? AND WHY?

?

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?

My lovely boyfriend, Tony

WHAT'S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?

Lamp, Alarm clock

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?

Fun, friendly, caring, helpful (I hope, lol)

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?

Barbados, without a doubt

FERRARI OR MINI?

Mini

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?

Hollyoaks for sure

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?

Champagne

IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?

Etsy,

Aol.....cant live without my emails, lol

paypal ....need to see my money, lol

Designer Feature- Millimoomi

Zoe (millimoomi) has always lived in a crafty home and her love of all things handmade has grown over the years. She particularly loves Japanese crafts and vintage fabrics.

Her favourite colours are red, pink, lilac, olive green and these colours are reflected in her fun and bright designs.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

Beside the Seaside in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex


WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?

Always. My mum has owned a bead shop since I was two so crafts have always been a big part of my life. I studied Art and Design at college and went onto Uni to study jewellery but found it too constricting being limited to only metal. Once I had my little girl Rosie I discovered a new love in knitting and sewing since being achild and I started millimoomi


GREATEST INFLUENCES?

My greatest influence has to be Flickr. I often think to myself what was life like without it! Followed closely by Japanese craft books and magazines. They have such a clean but cute feel that I can help but love them.
The Japanese seem to have a totally different outlook on craft to the UK which I love.


GREATEST PROBLEM YOU'VE OVERCOME?

Working on my crafts whilst having children, something I still am overcoming but getting better all the time!


WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

My Sock Creatures are probably my favourite, people seem to love them and can't help but pick them up and give them a squidge. They all have an individual character and I love that about them.


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?

If you believe in what you are making, persevere! People can be rude and make stupid comments but keep with it. Lots of people said people wouldn't buy felt food and cupcakes, but they do, you just have to find your market.


WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?

I guess it would have to be my all time favourite bloggers, and for no other reason than I would love to meet them in person get to know them better. They would be Amanda Soule, Alica Paulson, Elsie Flannigan

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?

My newest addition to the Parsons Family, Little Lily!


WHAT'S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?

Lots and Lots of Stuff as it not just my beside table, but my craft alcove too. So some new goodies for We Make London, my embroidery hoop (with work in progress), a bottle of Evian and several small plastic fairies (courtesy of Rosie)


HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?

You would have to ask them, but I expect eclectic, crafty, mum, housewife would all be used!


NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?

New York of course, I have never been and is on my top 10 list of places to go!


FERRARI OR MINI?

Mini, but an old classic one, not a new huge one.


CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?

Chocolate please!


IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?

Flickr.com of course

Etsy.com

soulemama.typepad.com

Designer Feature- Hedgewitch

Steph creates beautiful gifts inspired by Mother Earth. Her beautiful works include ceramic leaf pendants and brooches, greetings cards featuring original nature photography, gemstone jewellery and knitted accessories.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

London

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?

I’ve been ‘making’ since I was a very tiny person! My mum kept a box with egg boxes, loo rolls, coloured paper, crayons, ribbons, fabrics, and anything you could think of and she would spread out a big plastic sheet and sit the box and me (wearing one of my dad shirts backwards as an apron) on it.

Making things has always been a way to relax and switch off from whatever else is going on in life. About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with ME, and found myself with lots of time on my hands at home. A friend picked up a wonderful 70s book on clay art from a charity shop, hoping to divert me, and I just had to get some clay and have a go! There’s something really earthy and natural about massaging and shaping the clay. I also began learning about herbs and odd little pots on windowsills soon became a full-blown herb and veg garden on the roof. Again that contact with the soil and being out in the fresh air are so therapeutic for me.

 

GREATEST INFLUENCES?

Definitely my mum (see above!). She did a lot of knitting and dressmaking, so taught me lots and we still swap patterns and yarn and compare projects and go to craft shows together. We each others’ greatest fans!

 

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?

Crafting with the ME can be frustrating .. I can’t knit as much as I would like as it can make my arms very stiff and painful… which is why I like to do a range of crafts, I always have several different things on the go.

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

Ooh, that’s hard to say! I think this Rue brooch is one of my favourites.

My ceramic pieces take on a life of their own during creation.. and I’m never entirely sure what the final piece will look like until the paint and varnish are completely dry - sometimes I’m surprised and amazed with the outcome, as in this case!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?

Believe in yourself and go for it! Someone out there is going to LOVE what you do, you just need to find them. Its well worth taking some time early on to think about who your potential customers are .. what sort of person will your work appeal to ? Where do those people shop and how much money do they have to spend? Target this audience as much as you can.

Also, listen to feedback and road test your products by giving prototypes to family and friends – I have had LOADS of invaluable information from doing this. You will find out if the particular clasp you use on your jewellery is strong enough to sustain daily wear over time, for example. You will find which items actually get worn or used regularly, and which draw admiring comments from others. I got lots of handy practical tips such as making sliding knots on my thong necklaces, and leaving the backs of ceramic pieces unvarnished.

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?

Harry Hill …… to make me laugh

Carol Klein ……….. to help me with my propagation

Sir Ian McKellan ………… to read Shakespeare with me

and my little sister (who cooks a mean curry!)

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?

My fab husband

WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?

A towering stack of about 20 paperbacks (I am someone who must be within reaching distance of a good book at all times!)

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?

They would probably be stuck for words.

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?

New York

FERRARI OR MINI?

Mini

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?

Eastenders

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?

Chocolate, silly!

IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?

Experiencing mild panic attack .. what sort of existence would that be!!!

Transport for London (impossible to exist in London without their journey planner)

Facebook (impossible to get through the day without throw cake or ninja hugs at some unsuspecting friends)

ETSY … of course!!