On the day...

Crowd Shot, originally uploaded by All Those Threes.

was a lot of fun. More information and pictures to follow.

Thanks Allthosethrees for the photo

Its Here!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by and taking an interest on We Make London. The day has come around and we hope to see you all there.

First ten people through the doors get a free wemake tote!

See you soon!

Designer Feature- Beadz and baublez

Dinah’s shop is a new addition to the etsy family. Here she reveals a little about life, crafting and stuff….

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
Brentwood, Essex

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
25 Years ago when I visited Cannes, we came across one of the many tiny market squares off the Rue d’Antibes full of specialist stalls. Some with 100’s of different cheeses other with beautiful linen and lace of every kind. Just at the end, beside the road was an old lady with a little yellow formica table which was covered in dozens of jam jars of all different shapes and sizes which were full of tiny brightly coloured beads in every shade. Ladies of all ages were cluster around taking small spoons of beads and sealing them up in tiny cellophane bags. Well I just had to buy some. I can remember my dad saying what are you going to do with them? To be honest I had no idea at the time but they where just so beautiful.

I never have used those particular beads, but from that day on I was hooked and to this day I still sell embroidery beads from beautiful glass jars by the spoonful.

GREATEST INFLUENCES?
Walking around the West End, Magazines from abroad and Italian trade shows

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?
Sourcing original and different beads and products from abroad to keep ahead of trend in the UK.

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
The bespoke pieces made to match someone’s dress that they have been hunting for, for ages.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?
Always make sure you build in a proper profit so you are not working for nothing! Just because it’s handmade doesn’t make it cheap, people need to realise that one off pieces take time and cost money.

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?
My best friend Pat(and Paul) –As we never get to meet up anymore

My Dad(died 22years ago) – Just to say Hello

Hugh Grant – Not the worst person to spend an evening with if you know what I mean

Jack Dee – The funniest guy!

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
My Grand-daughter Rosie.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
Current reading, A bridal accessories book, A book on FengShui, Glass of water, Hand Cream and my Venetian Glass earrings (of course)

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?

To the Point. My best friend often says that she would never ask me a question unless she was prepared for the truth!

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
Barbados

FERRARI OR MINI?
Mini

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
Eastenders

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Chocolate every time

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

Flickr, Etsy and Numerous Bead sites, so not just three really! Oops

Designer Feature- Greygoat

Kate Fletcher;s love of lingerie in all shapes and colours made it inevitable that she’d start making her own! Her first memorable underwear was a top and pants set she made when she was 10 which made from printed cotton with a pattern of little piglets. 'I wore it till even I had to admit it was too small!'

Kate has been sewing for as long as she can remember and credits her mother, who taught her to sew and who continues to make beautiful things. She instilled in Kate a love of fabrics and fashion which, naturally enough, has led to Kate making clothes for herself and for sale. Ever since she was old enough to appreciate the value of fancy underpinnings, she been obsessed with beautiful underwear. There is a lack of sexy and luxurious lingerie in a reasonable price range, especially in sizes above a UK 10, and her continuing mission is to address that!

Kate hand makes all the Greygoat items from her home in Chester whilst working full-time in the corporate world. She treat its as a hobby, but one that she takes seriously and thoroughly enjoys. However, her plans for the line do involve taking over the world, one pair of knickers at a time.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
Historic Chester

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
I always have been! Luckily my parents have always been interested in crafts and craftsmanship, whether it was my dad building cars from scratch or my mum making clothes. I remember making dolls clothes years and years ago. I also remember making my first tailored, lined wool jacket on my ancient hand-cranked Singer machine and being very proud. I only switched properly to electric machines when I turned 21!


GREATEST INFLUENCES?
My biggest influences are probably magazines and books. We’re bombarded by so many different things, so much choice, the great ideas really stand out and things like a beautiful photograph of a glossy green leaf or a beautiful piece of dyeing on an antique kimono really spark my imagination. I’ve been keeping scrapbooks for years too, so if I ever feel uninspired, I can always find something there.

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?
Time is my biggest problem and I’m not sure I’ve overcome it yet! I work full time and it’s often hard to find the time and energy to cut new patterns and try out new designs. The spirit is willing, but other things get in the way.


WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
It’s usually whatever I made last! I don’t have much time to create some of the dramatic, over-the-top pieces I have sketched out, but I’d love to, just for fun.


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?
Make lots – don’t make one item to ‘try it out’ or test the water – people love choice. Make at least five, in different colours, and get lots of inventory together.


WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?
Muhammad Yunus (I’d love to find out his views on Etsy - I recommend his books about micro credit)

Eddie Izzard (because he’s well travelled and would be great fun)

Andrew Marr (good on a debate and I love his History of Britain series)

Bill Murray (because he’s great)


WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
My husband, naturellement


WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
Lamp, clock, books, lemon lipbalm by beadartandbubbles.etsy.com, notebook with midnight scribbles


HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?
Busy, probably!


NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
New York…but I’ve never been to either.


FERRARI OR MINI?
Mini


EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
Bleurgh! Neither.


CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Chocolate


IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?
Apart from the obvious (Etsy, BBC news, email), I spend lots of time on these sites:

igoogle.com - I use their feed reader to keps tabs on loads of amazing blogs, like knickersblog.com and thesartorialist.blogspot.com

immortalgeisha.com - an invaluable source for kimono enthusiasts

Flickr.com - especially the Wardrobe Remix group, where people share their outfits for inspiration and discussion

Designer Feature- Notes

Australian-born Diane Leyman (notes…) aims to create practical and durable bags, accessories and home furnishings, and to provide an alternative to high-street, mass-made products.

Made with care and attention to detail, notes’… designs are simple and unique. With bundles of buttons and colourful fabrics, all notes… items are machine stitched, but also include a hand-sewn element.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I am originally from Brisbane, Australia, but am now based by the seaside in Hove, East Sussex. I’ve been living in the UK for three years.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
My mum was always sewing and making things when I was young, so I’ve always been around crafts of some sort. I suppose I started becoming more interested in crafts when I was in my late teens though, partly so I could have some kind of creative outlet, partly because I believe in the do-it-yourself ethos that anyone can do it, and partly as a way of making something unique, in an attempt to move away from high-street, mainstream shopping culture. Joining Etsy and attempting to sell my wares has been more of a recent development.

GREATEST INFLUENCES?
Well I guess it’s my mum for trying to teach me to sew! I also take inspiration from patterns, textiles, interiors, design, books, music, art, photography, friends… these are the things that make me happy.

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?
Having no time to get anything done, and no space to do it in (although I’m not quite sure I’ve overcome these problems just yet – I one day dream of the ever illusive ‘craft room’!).

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I love the cushions I made for our couch (out of some lovely Joel Dewberry fabric), but that’s just because they’re pretty more than anything else. I don’t think there is one piece of work I’m most proud of. Every time I finally finish sewing something I always feel a little bit proud!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?
As a self-proclaimed list writer, I think it’s a good idea to sit down and write a list before you start. Decide how much time and effort you want to put into your craft making and selling. Decide how you’re going to organise things. Aside from the actual craft making, there is a lot to think about that might not seem obvious at first, such as storing your wares, photographing them, uploading and resizing photos, writing descriptions, branding your shop, making labels, tags, and business cards… There’s a lot to think about and it’s all quite time consuming. I’m definitely still learning and trying to get my head around everything!

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?
I’m way too indecisive for hypothetical questions! But anyway, at this moment in time, my unintelligent answer is: Joaquin Phoenix, because he is lovely; Irvine Welsh, because I like his books; Jeffery Brown, because I love his graphic novels; and the Flight of the Concords, because they make me laugh (I know they are technically two people, but they come as a package deal!).

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
Adam (my boyfriend).

WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
A lamp, a clock and a book. Very simple and uncluttered compared to the rest of my bedroom!

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?
I’d like to think they’d describe me as creative, friendly, funny and intelligent, but to be honest they’d probably just say I was a bit of a grump!

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
New York. It’s on my ‘travel list’ for next year, if anyone has any good New York suggestions or tips?!

FERRARI OR MINI?
I know nothing about cars, but I’m going to say Mini, purely because they’re little.

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
Shamefully, it’s Hollyoaks. English people seem to love terrible Australian soaps, so I figure I’m allowed one English soap-watching guilty pleasure in return!

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Chocolate!

IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?
Oh dear, another hypothetical question! Eek! I’m going to go with Etsy (of course); printpattern.blogspot.com, for inspiration; and… maybe vegweb.com, for yummy recipes. What a geek!

Designer Feature- Lovealittle

Lovealittle was born out of Jane Lloyd’s love of Art and Craft and sells her range of tiny dolls and finger puppets at local craft fayres, besides which she helps to fundraise for the children's Junior School and Cancer Charities.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I’m based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
I was taught and encouraged by my Mother and Grandma; learning to sew buttons at the age of 3 and slip hemming at 7!!

GREATEST INFLUENCES?
I am greatly influenced by any new course or technique I come across. I love to explore texture and am steaming to heat set fabrics at the moment.

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?
A lack of hours in the day…I’m still working on overcoming that one!

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I am most proud of the piece I made to raffle in aid of Grove House Hospice in memory of a dear friend.
http://www.grove-house.org.uk/index.php?sID=1140100155205

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?
Keep a sense of humour, remembering that the customer is always right!
http://www.mumandworking.co.uk/Career-Focus/handmade-cards

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?
Kim and Aggie to sort out the house. Trinny and Susannah to sort out my wardrobe. Together they can sort out each other whilst I cook lunch!

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
My husband.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
Rather a lot of books and a glass of water.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?
Busy, untidy, creative and kind…hopefully.

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
Barbados.

FERRARI OR MINI?
Mini although I wouldn’t be able to drive it!

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
I don’t watch either but am addicted to both Neighbours and Casualty!

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Both!

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

Times Educational Supplement.co.uk

Flickr.com

Designer Feature- Elin Thomas

Elin Thomas is a visual artist and jewellery maker who creates some of the most beautiful and unique pieces of jewellery.

Although primarily a painter, she has always created objects - from 3D graffiti art to fashion accessories. She adores making pieces which stretch both her creative imagination and making capabilities. A great deal of time goes into putting together the colours, creating contrast and the overall impact of each piece.

Elin’s approach to felt jewellery is to try to innovate in the field, ensuring her jewellery is both eye-catching and a talking point for the wearer. She gets a real buzz when people say “that’s amazing! How is it made? Where did you get it?”

Her attention to detail is the key to her success. She uses the best quality felt and findings available, and Elin ensures that everything possible is done to make the jewellery as durable as it can be. Each ELINtm item is beautifully packaged in linen gift boxes, hand-lined with linen and includes a signed insert that certifies the originality of your chosen piece.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
Bristol in the Southwest

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
Like most people I’ve been crafting since primary school and have tried out most things…I’m going to make bird boxes next!

GREATEST INFLUENCES?
Kandinsky, Punk, 90’s abstract art, my partner David, Japanese prints, all kinds of stuff. I have an eclectic nature!

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU'VE OVERCOME?
I smoked for 15 years, a packet of tobacco every day. It brought me to my knees.

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
That’s a hard a question to answer. Whatever I’m working on at the moment?

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?
Use rational means to determine your prices.

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS ? AND WHY?
Vivienne Westwood, John Peel, Tashiki Murakami and Oscar Wilde.

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
My partner, David.

WHAT'S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
Crime novel, lipbalm, aspirins, Valentines card from this year.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?
Cool, clever…….control freak!

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
New York every time...it’s a truly awesome city.

FERRARI OR MINI?
Both. Ferrari for the weekends, Mini for weekdays.

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
Neither

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Chocolate. mmm………

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

We Make Treasury on etsy

We were able to feature some of the wonderful artists and designers who will be showing their work in a few weeks time in an Etsy treasury. This is an interesting part of etsy which allows anyone to create a page in the form of a collage by chosing items from various stores on etsy. It is really fun as it is like being a curator for a mini online gallery.

Please stop by to leave a comment. Thanks!

Designer Feature- ChickP

Jo (ChickP) has always been fascinated with rainbows, and along with this grew a determined desire to make the world a more colourful place. So it’s no surprise to find that Jo’s designs are brightly coloured and extremely eyecatching!

Jo wanted to create a selection of sublimely colourful designs for various products so she set to work her imaginative eye for design and her love for all things surreal. She submerged myself in the wonders of Technicolor, finally embracing all the colours of the rainbow and ChickP was born.

ChickP began with Jo hand painting wooden items with rich colours of fanciful worlds and patterns. The product range is growing all the time as she continues to add new fun items, all priced to suit every budget.

ChickP now has a brand spanking new website check it out : http://www.chickp.co.uk

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
I live in sunny Bournemouth on the delightful south coast, but I spend nearly half my time in London.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
From whenever I can remember I was always making stuff. When I was growing up my mum use to get furious with me for dying fabrics in our bath tub (including staining the bath itself), using her food blender to make paper mache pulp and leaving crisp packets in the oven overnight to shrink. It was an endless creation of mess!

GREATEST INFLUENCES?
My Grandma was, and still is a huge creative influence for me. In her earlier years (she is now 83) she was a painter, and all round creative intellectual. When I was a child she taught me a lot about drawing, I always enjoyed her visits as I would get out my sketchbook and show her my works of art. We would also spend time visiting art exhibitions in London, and still do now!

I was blessed with some very inspiring art teachers at school, and one I still keep in touch with today, Lyneth Howells. I would go into the art room, even on half term breaks to make stuff with her. There were never any boundaries to what we could create, so I used to make some crazy stuff.

Today I have many influences that come from a wide spectrum of things: Retro fabrics and patterns, old interior magazines and books, The Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’ artwork and animated film, the great outdoors, Japanese origami paper and super flat designers, West African fabric, 1970s tiles, kitsch packaging and all the traveling I have done- the world is such a visual treat!

GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?
When I began this ChickP adventure it was really difficult to find good, reliable suppliers. There is no directory to go to find the things you need to produce your products. This was hard, but as you search and make contacts it became easier. Also I was lucky to have some great people I had worked with before that I knew I could rely on to help.

WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I would say my box collection. It is where all this began and I love the designs still so much.

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

Be really positive and determined. Everything takes time and you have to persevere. Don’t give up! Everything you make should look as professional as possible, as handmade stuff should still be good quality.

WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?
Andy Warhol- he’d know how to get the party going and create a great atmosphere with his enigmatic personality.

Bono- so we could discuss the situation Africa, and possibly he could sing a song or two.

Gordon Ramsey- so he could cook us some delicious meals!

Jonathan Ross- he would make us all laugh a lot, I think he’s hilarious!

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
My boyfriend

WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
A messy pile of books and magazines- they tend to build up so I pick and choose depending on what I feel like, I always read before I sleep.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?
Stubborn, creative, chatty.

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
New York is very inspiring and there is so much to do there, but at the moment I am crying out for some sunshine so I would have to say Barbados!

FERRARI OR MINI?
Mini definitely.

EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
Eastenders! I used to be an avid watcher but I can’t keep up anymore. Hollyoaks just irritates me!

CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Oh no! That’s not a fair choice! I’d go with Champagne I guess!

IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?
My own! http://www.chickp.co.uk so I could keep running my online business!

http://printpattern.blogspot.com because it’s the best blog I have found and is extremely up to date and inspiring.

Facebook- sadly I am still addicted!