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!!