An interview with...Sarah's Card Creations

This week's interview is with Sarah from Sarah's Card Creations!

  
What is your business called and how did you you choose the name?

My business is called Sarah's Card Creations. My name, Sarah, what I make, cards, and then creations as I am creating them. It just sounded good and made sense.

  

What do you make and where do you sell it?

 
I make handmade cards for all occasions, canvas clocks, shabby chic paper albums, chipboard keepsake albums, note-a-balls and mini trinket boxes.

I sell online on Facebook and through my website www.Sarahscardcreations.co.uk. I have a page at Wowthankyou. I attend local school and craft fairs.
I supply It's A Wrap Cornwal, with chocolate themed cards exclusively made for them.




Where do you find inspiration to make what you sell?

I use my imagination a lot, but also have many papercraft magazines and books that I will go through to find inspiration.
I have my own little book which holds sketches of many of my card layouts I have done. I keep a photo record of all of my creations and sometimes just going through these helps.
I have been on some paper craft courses at Scrapangels, which is in St Anges Cornwall and these have helped me move on from just cards to other crafts.



If you could teach any craft to someone who would it be and what would you teach?

I would love to teach anyone who is willing to learn any of the skills that I have.
I did use to hold a crafting group at my old house in Cornwall, where I would teach the girls how to make different styles of cards.
Failing that I would love to teach Tom Welling to make a canvas clock.

 

Name a few of your favourite shops/businesses that sell handmade items.

Angelcrafts ~ Helen is aways so friendly and helpful
Handmade With Love ~ Lou takes care in what she makes
Nappy Cakes Cornwall ~ Kerry makes beautiful nappy cakes

   

If you had unlimited time and creativity, what would you like to make, even if its something you haven't tried before?

I would love to make a scrapbook of my life so far and one of my little boy.



How did you find Crafters Showcase and what would you like to see us do to help you promote your business?
 

I found you on facebook while I was finding ways to promote my business. I love the weekly showcases and getting to see everyones talents. You do a great job.
Maybe do a charity auction, where everyone on your page could donate something to it?

An interview with...Pixie Doodles

This week's interview is with Emma from Pixie Doodles!



What is your business called and how did you you choose the name?

My business is called Pixie Doodles! Its named about my gorgeous cat also called Pixie Doodles. I thought it was a really cute name and idea for the things I make.

 

What do you make and where do you sell it?

I am a needle felting artist. I create things using wool tops and a barbed needle. The wool is stabbed thousands of times, creating a firm and felted item. I make teddies, dogs, all kinds of characters, keyrings, jewellery, wedding corsages, flower brooches. I try to have a go at almost anything.
I sell online on Facebook and my website www.pixiedoodles.co.uk. Also Misi and Folksy. I occasionally to craft and vintage fairs too.

 

 

Where do you find inspiration to make what you sell?

I get inspiration from other needle felters such as Kay Petal of Felt Alive and Casey from Tanglewood Thicket, both amazingly talented ladies.

I also use my imagination a lot, sometimes things will start out as something and end up being completely different. As I dont work to a pattern, I can change my mind half way through! 

If you could teach any craft to someone who would it be and what would you teach?

Hmmm, a really hard one! I would love to teach needle felting to the children I work with and encorporate it in my Forest school and outdoor learning work.

Failing that Jeffery Dean Morgan or Johnny Depp!! 

 

Name a few of your favourite shops/businesses that sell handmade items.

I love Wedding Toppers and her sister shop Joleans

Also my inspirations Tanglewood Thicket and of course Kay Petal
There are so many more I admire- I could fill you blog for weeks- there are so many amazingly talented people out there!



If you had unlimited time and creativity, what would you like to make, even if its something you haven't tried before?
I would love to be able to have my own Alpacas and sheep and create my own wools tops!

I would also like to make larger items than the miniatures I currently make- I would love to make things cuddle size!! I'd also like to learn to crochet and knit! 

 
How did you find Crafters Showcase and what would you like to see us do to help you promote your business?

I found Crafters Showcase on Facebook and I love the idea of weekly showcases and promotions. I find it really inspiring and would love to see more businesses!
 

An interview with...Jewellery Made With Love

This week's interview is with Emma from Jewellery Made With Love.

 

What is your business name and contact details?

 
JEWELLERYMADEWITHLOVE CAN BE FOUND ON FACEBOOK, WOW THANK YOU OR BY EMAIL AT JMWL@LIVE.CO.UK - WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION :)

What do you make to sell?

HANDCRAFTED JEWELLERY AND BESPOKE PIECES.  ABLE TO DO ACCESSORIES AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS AS WELL AS WEDDING FAVOURS
 
 
Where do you sell your items?
 
CURRENTLY ONLY ON FACEBOOK BUT WILL HAVE A WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING IN THE NEAR FUTURE
 

 
When did you start your business and what was the reason?
 
STARTED IN FEB 2011 BECAUSE I LOVE JEWELLERY AND AS A SINGLE MUM I AM ONLY ABLE TO WORK PART TIME.  I DECIDED I NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING I ENJOYED AND HELPED ME RELAX AND AFTER A FEW LOVELY COMMENTS I DECIDED TO SHOWCASE MY WORK ONLINE.  THANKFULLY IT TOOK OFF AND I LOVE BEING ABLE TO CREATE



What is your favourite craft, even if you don't do it yourself and why?

I LOVE ALL THE WOODEN CRAFTS THAT ARE SEEN ON FACEBOOK.  I DON'T HAVE THE SKILL OR PATIENCE TO DO THEM BUT WOULD HAVE A HOUSE PACKED IF I COULD!!

Can you name a few of your favourite businesses that sell handmade items on Facebook, not including your own?
 
SOME OF MY FAVOURITES JUST NOW ARE WINDOW LICKING GOOD, MARY-BETH ORIGINALS, ANG'S ATTIC FOR SUPPLIES

 



How did you find Crafters Showcase and what would you like to see us do to help you promote your business?

 
I CANT REMEMBER HOW I FOUND YOU (MEMORY LIKE A SIEVE) BUT I'M GLAD I DID!!  I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SHOW OFF MY WORK IN AN ALBUM AND POSSIBLY BE SUGGESTED IF YOU SEE ANYONE LOOKING FOR JEWELLERY :)

An interview with...Jewellery By Kris

This week's interview is with Kris from Jewellery By Kris

 

What is your business name and contact details?
 
Jewellery by Kris
I can be contacted via facebook on my private profile: Kris Sciascia or email kris_sciascia@yahoo.com

What do you make to sell?

I make jewellery items for (mostly) girls and ladies.  Recently made my first ring and have also delved into hair accessories too.

Where do you sell your items?

My items are on sale in a local hairdressers.  I sell through my facebook page and also local selling pages.  Most purchases made so far have been word of mouth and local.




When did you start your business and what was the reason?

I started up just before christmas as I wanted to make my 4 daughters some stocking fillers.  I soon found out just how relaxing and theraputic, even on the bad days when my fingers don't want to work, it can be.  After having my fourth daughter I got PND which turned to depression and anxiety and my crafting comforts me.  It also gives me something to keep busy as my hubby is off on a 6 month deployment end of May this year.

What are your inpirations and motivations for your work?

My inspiration is definately my girls when it comes to kids jewellery but ladies I seem to head more towards a very girly and flowery theme that isn't really me but I love seeing that I do have a girly side buried somewhere.




What is your favourite craft, even if you don't do it yourself and why?

Sewing, I would really love to be able to make lovely clothes for my girls and their dolls.  Or a cosy one off footmuff for my buggy.  I even bought myself a small sewing machine but havn't even had it out the box yet!

 

Can you name a few of your favourite businesses that sell handmade items on Facebook, not including your own?

I most recently purchased 4 sock monkeys from Munkeyin' Around, absolutely gorgeous.

Chloe Creations Created For You makes some really lovely footmuffs that I admire everytime they show up on my newsfeed.

Pirate Swag makes the most detailed, beautiful jewellery and leaves me in awe.





How did you find Crafters Showcase and what would you like to see us do to help you promote your business?

Ohhh dear lol! I saw another page had posted on the Crafters Showcase wall ( don't remember who - sorry) and thought I'd pop along and say hi too.

I love the idea of having a page where we can show off our work and hope others like it.  Even if it inspires someone else then the page has worked and done well :-)

An interview with... Sutton Soap

 Sutton Soap who has been chosen to be the first proper interview on Crafters Showcase.  Pop over to her website or Facebook page and see her amazing soaps!

What is your business name and contact details?

Sutton Soap

www.suttonsoap.co.uk

www.facebook.com/suttonsoaps

Phone numbers   0151 339 2098 Office

                        07928 041863  Mobile

What do you make to sell?

Handmade Natural and Organic Soap

Where do you sell your items? 

Craft Fairs, Charity events and Online 

When did you start your business and what was the reason?

My late Father in law worked at our local soap makers and showed me how to make my own soap over 30 years ago. Then in 2009, I was recovering from an operation and was unable to work for a couple of months so revived my old hobby of soap making to keep me occupied. The doctors told me to use only a gentle soap during my recovery period, so I looked at making my own from natural ingredients.

What are your inpirations and motivations for your work?

I love natural products particularly organic, we also grow a large selection of herbs and lavender so thought it would be a good use of them.  Now my motivation is the will to provide good natural products at a fair price and made with ethically and locally sourced ingredients. It would also be good to be able to make a small profit in the next few months as we have invested quite a lot in time, insurance, cosmetic assessments, equipment and supplies.

What is your favourite craft, even if you don't do it yourself and why?

I love the skill that some of my fellow crafters have, some of the artists I see are fantastic, I think it is a wonderful skill, I love seeing nature pictures at craft and art shows.

Can you name a few of your favourite businesses that sell handmade items on Facebook, not including your own?

Violet Haze

Touched By Nature

Made by Lisa (with love) Hairclips

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_168120946578641  is a group that I have set up for local crafters to share information about local events

How did you find Crafters Showcase and what would you like to see us do to help you promote your business?

I found the showcase whilst searching for craft fair details on Facebook, and saw a lot of links to you on other people’s pages. I think you are doing a good job at the moment, I would just like for us all to gain more exposure and for more people to source local craft products similar to the way people seem to be using the farmers markets for food products.

Interview with... Kims Colourway

For the first interview I am making myself an example...

What is your business name and contact details?

Kims Colourway

www.kimscolourway.com

www.facebook.com/kimscolourway

www.kimscolourway.blogspot.com

What do you make to sell?

I specialise in crochet items but also do a few other crafts such as making items from felt.  I crochet a wide variety of items such as hats, scarves, ponchos, baby blankets, photography props, Easter and Christmas decorations...the list goes on.  Most of my items are custom made.

Where do you sell your items? 

I sell on Facebook a lot as well as eBay and Folksy (occasionally). 

Yummy calorie free cakes

When did you start your business and what was the reason?

I started my business in 2008 when I rediscovered how to crochet. I got a big custom order for some wedding baskets and then a few hats which made me think it could be a proper business. I was right and here I am still crocheting 3 years later.

What are your inpirations and motivations for your work?

I find inspiration in so many places wherever I go, seeing what people are wearing and what is sold in the shops.  Also magazines, websites and seeing other people's work sometimes sparks ideas in my head. My motivation is to keep doing something I love, which is crocheting and making people happy with what I make. I love getting lovely messages from my customers and that makes it all worth the hard work!

A hat and scarf set

What is your favourite craft, even if you don't do it yourself and why?

Obviously I love to crochet but I think felting and scrapbooking is amazing. If only I had enough free time I would start doing that again. And painting!

Can you name a few of your favourite businesses that sell handmade items on Facebook, not including your own?

I do love the big flowers from Polka http://facebook.dj/polka/

and everything at Bella's Crafts  https://www.facebook.com/Bellas.crafts2010

A Roselette top with matching beanie hat

How did you find Crafters Showcase and what would you like to see us do to help you promote your business?

I started up Crafters Showcase and I would love to get some feedback on what to do to help other handmade businesses.

A chilli pepper baby cocoon

What is Crafters Showcase?

I love anything to do with crafts so thought why not start a page/blog where all the amazing crafty businesses can together to promote themselves?  I have learnt so much and met good friends through networking. 

If we had somewhere to showcase the crafts in one place then it would be easier to find things, like if you are looking for a specific item come over to Crafters Showcase on Facebook and have a look through the pictures.

Then I thought, don't stop there, lets get to know the people behind the business too. So hopefully (if there is enough interest of course), I will have a short interview with a crafty business each week on this blog. All you need to do is send me an email, I will reply with the interview questions and you send it back with a few photos of your work. I do keep stressing to make sure your pictures are watermarked with your business name to safeguard yourself, unless you are happy for it to be used without one. I can watermark the pictures for you if you aren't sure how to do it.

I hope Crafters Showcase will be successful in helping other businesses to promote themselves and network with each other which in turn will reach more customers.

Email me at :  craftersshowcase@hotmail.co.uk