Valeasc Designer Feature:

About Valeasc:

My name is Valentina Asciutti and my artistic alter ego is valeasc. I am Italian but I have been living in London for six years now. As Valentina, I have devoted my entire life to the study of the ancient world, as valeasc, I immerse myself into colours, fabric and funky shapes.
valeasc is a colourful and cheerful stationery shop devoted to unique greeting cards and funky paper goods. valeasc was born a little over a year ago, it started offering hand-made cards decorated with fabric and with time the range has expanded. The products are all simple, yet sophisticated, traditional but with a modern touch.

Inspirations:

Valeasc inspiration comes from the bustling everyday life in the ever so vibrant and beautiful London. The variety of colours, shapes, materials and techniques reflect the diversity of people and taste in such a multi-ethnic city. valeasc products offer a combination of modern and old.

Best Sellers:

My most popular item is my *butterflies cards*, a set of four A6 folded cards with matching C6 envelopes of different shades of pink and purple. Each card is embellished with three butterflies made of designer and vintage fabrics. The butterflies are meticulously hand-cut and fused onto the card.





We Make Summer Fair:

At the moment valeasc offers the following products:
* fabric decorated cards
* flat, alcohol-free, digitally printed cards with original valeasc designs
* cards embellished with paper doilies
* gift tags with digitally printed valeasc designs
* gift tags made of crocheted doilies

I am currently working to expand the range of products. The following items will be available to buy especially at the fair:
* 100% hand-made tote bags with hand-made doilies and vintage buttons
* wrapping paper with original valeasc patterns
* letterpress cards




Websites:

Valeasc products are available to buy online at http://valeasc.etsy.com

Alternatively, shops in London (UK), Pescara and Senigallia (Italy) all carry valeasc products.

For a complete list of valeasc stockists please see http://valeasc.blogspot.com (valeasc often offers giveaways on its blog http://valeasc.blogspot.com so make sure to check it regularly!)

Please, see more of valeasc products on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeasc/

valeasc is a proud member of colorsartz.com http://www.colorsartz.com/asciutti_valentina.html

Heart Zeena Designer Feature:

About Heart Zeena:

I am a textile designer from little old london and i love cutting, sticking, printing, collecting, knitting, sewing and making. i graduated with a degree in printed textile design from chelsea college of art and design in 2007 and have since been working for other lovely designers before deciding to design and make my own heart zeena collection of printed treats!

Inspirations:

I am inspired by everything from a squashed old leaf on the ground to a car boot sale treasure but especially by my collections as I love to hoard all sorts of rubbish and will soon run out of space to keep everything in!

Best Sellers:

A cushion called fred is everyone’s favourite heart zeena treat, he was also my very first doodle! I heart birdies and hearts! I wanted to make him just as interesting on the back too with my little crosses screen print and vintage button closure he is super cute!

We Make Summer Fair:

I will have a selection of my hand screen printed treats including a new cushion called clive my favourite little owl, some cards called bob and an apple a day called Audrey. I will also be bringing along some limited edition prints and items from my new patchwork collection that is on the way very soon!

Websites:

you can find out more about me and my printed treats here…

www.heartzeena.blogspot.com

www.heartzeena.etsy.com

www.folksy.com/shops/heartzeena

Designer Spotlight- Chalk Hill Studio

Karen has always loved drawing, from an early age she has been making cards and pictures. Crafting is a way of life for Karen, not a hobby. Karen studied Illustarion and graphic design at college.

Karen also has a passion for books. She loves reading them, making them and designing art that may one day be featured in them.

‘I started making wedding stationery for a living as I had friends who were getting married and my brother helped me set up my first website. I was asked a lot for wedding albums to match the stationery so learned proper bookbinding. I’ve since left the weddings behind to focus on my own artwork but I still make the books. They’ve proved a hit with other artists as I can custom make them with their favourite paper.’

Karen uses simple techniques and spends hours on each design choosing the right colours and textures to create a story. Her paintings are a mix of acrylic paint, textured collage and image transfers.

Karen ’s business is two fold. She is an artist first and foremost and her website

www.karenjinks.co.uk is full of art and illustrations . This works as an online portfolio. Then she has her selling website www.chalkhillstudio.co.uk for my cards, books, prints and other pretties.

‘ I am trying to merge my skills more though and have recently returned to my design roots by creating patterns and designs that I print onto fabric that go onto my book covers. This is the most exciting thing I am doing right now. Trying to source unusual papers and fabrics has been the most difficult part of my job. By designing my own not only does this simplify the business side of things it also allows me to solidify my identity and become completely unique. From an artist’s point of view this is invaluable.’

Waiting for We Make Christmas:
Karen will be bringing some of her favorite books. This is one of her favorites made from Indian cotton rag it was the first book Kala made.

For We Make Christmas Karen is producing a new range of Christmas designs; cards and gift tags as well as a new range of books with their smart new fabric covers.

Can’t For We Make Christmas:
For a beautiful range of Karen ’s cards and books take a look at her online shop www.chalkhillstudio.co.uk

To see her stunning online portfolio of art and illustrations take a look at her website www.karenjinks.co.uk

Desiger Spotlight- Storeyshop

Storeyshop is made up from Helen’s Beautiful hand cut personalised greeting cards, sock monkeys and Rebecca’s paper covered frames and hand painted cards. Helen’s freelance graphic design also is a big part of Storey shop.

‘I design magazines and other print graphics from home which is great as it means I can sew handmade monkeys or cut personalised greetings cards too. I love it when a card order comes through and I can stop designing for an hour or two and get scalpelling!’

Helen loves bright colours and loves the contrast of white against bright colours. Helens designs are neat and intricate; she spends along time on each one making sure they are perfect.

Helen’s love for bright colours also shows in her sock monkeys each one made to perfection.

Waiting For We Make Christmas:
For We Make Christmas Helen will be bringing a fabulous range of her sock monkeys. They are just waiting for a new home for Christmas.

Helen will also have her wonderful personalised cards. Each one has a special message and meaning.

‘I think people like the fact that they can choose their message and create a completely unique card made specifically for their friend or relative. They also make nice keepsakes for the future, especially the new baby cards with the new arrival's name and date of birth.’

Helen is also working on a brand new range of little jewellery boxes.

Can’t Wait For We Make Christmas:
Storeyshops online shop www.storeyshop.etsy.com is full of cards, bags, boxes, frames and sock monkeys.

Designer Spotlight- Fur Will Fly

Claire’s plush creations are a result of her passion for cuddly toys and her inspiration from science.
Claire loves taken unusual things and turning them into cuddly creatures.

‘I’m inspired by everything that isn’t already plush. I always think that you can make a plush version of practically anything, and love seeing all the crazy things other people have made. I’ve always been fascinated with Science, biology and anatomy in particular, so I use that in my creations rather a lot.’

Claire’s science inspired items are a big hit with science students and scientist. Her ‘undead’ range is also loved by Buffy fans.

Fur Will Fly’s range also includes Acrylic coaster and greeting card. Both of these have brightly coloured images of her plush creations.

Waiting For We Make Christmas:
For We Make Christmas Claire will be bringing some of her best selling items. Including plush creations, cards, notebooks and coaters.

Clair has also been working on a new range of Christmas stockings, decorations and an exclusive range of Christmas plushes which will also be available as Christmas cards.

Can’t Wait For We Make Christmas:
Check out Fur Will Fly’s online shop www.furwillfly.etsy.com it is full of wonderful creations. Gifts for every occasion. Claire’s blog www.furwillfly.blogspot.com is also full of fun and exciting things.

Designer Spotlight- Justlikegrandma

Danny’s passion for art and animals shows in her stunning paintings. Working as a zoologist provides Danny with the opportunity to studied animals in great depth. Specialising in personalised pet portraits Danny thrills her customers with her life like pictures.

‘People love their pets so much; it’s really satisfying when you can give them a unique picture of their animal.’

Danny pays attention to every little detail of the pet, using pencil, pastels and watercolours to achieve the right effect for each portrait.

‘I use good quality coloured pencils and occasionally mix them with pastels and watercolours. Watercolours are also used in creating the “pop art” style pictures. These are a lot of fun to create; it’s refreshing to be able to use bright bold colours and geometric patterns – something you can’t really do with realistic animal pictures. ‘

Waiting For We Make Christmas?
Danny also has a passion for knitting. Her passion for animals can also been seen in her knitted dogs. Danny will have a range of these at We Make Christmas.

For We Make Christmas Danny will also be making Christmas cards with her pop art painting on them, along with some new designs exclusively for the fair.

Can’t Wait for We Make Christmas?
Just Like Grandma’s Etsy justlikegrandma.etsy.com shop plays host to Danny’s knitted items and prints. If you would like that extra special gift of a special pet then check out Danny’s website www.youranimalportraits.co.uk. The examples of work on there are just truly stunning.