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ISSUE 17

JUNE 2012CREATIVE

interviews Projects featuresYour items

You are busy with your business,

Working hard we know.

You deserve a little trophy,

An accolade to show.

‘The Green Grass Girls’

Coming on Thursday 14th

June to a Twitter account

Fabulous, UniqueBadges to be won

every week!Collect all three

and receive the specialHerd Award!

#COW

www.cow-awards.com

www.facebook.com/TheCowAwardswww.twitter.com/#!/CowAwards

So here we are to help you,

Three ladies of the grass.

Creative, zany and of course,

we have a little class.

So tweet us with your item/site,

We will check them out and see.

Then award a little cameo,

Yes, of the girls we three.

If your business is creative,

Daisy is the one for you.

She really is artistic,

And so good with colour too.

Then there is me, I am Cow Pat

And I am just a loon.

Yes, it is true, that was me who

jumped over the moon

I go for the unusual ,the zany and

bizarre,

So I will check out all your details

I really am a star.

We know it is a little silly

But let’s just have some fun

Then you can tell your friends

and neighbours

Yes, it is a cow I have won!

Now Bessie is outstanding and prim

and proper, so,

If your business is quite classy

She is the way to go.

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Your Creative Team

~ Raising the profile of the crafting community ~

www.creative-crafting.com

www.creative-connections.ning.com

AvAnna

Publications

CREATIVE

We always love to hear ofyour crafting experiences andread your feedback forCreative Crafting.Email us at:articles@creative-crafting.com

Get in touch!Visit our site using yourmobile QR APP!

Organisers of

Tina - In the Garden

Tracey - Wowthankyou

Claire - Elderberry Arts

Jim- James Kath Guitars

Sally - The Bead Bounty

Jamie - Mr X Stitch

thecrystallady@creative-crafting.com

Technical Editor - Avril(Sprinkles Sparkles)

sprinks@creative-crafting.com

FEATURE WRITERS

Editor and Ad Sales - Anna(The Crystal Lady)

THE TEAM

Silvia - SlowLane Handmade

Proof Reading- Martina(Sparrow Primitives)

Flick - Perfect Patchwork

Samantha - Vintage Rose

Angie - Chez Hippo

Kerri-Ann - Imagine Design Create

Anna - Editor Avril - TechnicalEditor

Welcome to our June 2012 Issue.Issue 17! It will be our 3rd Birthday in October! So much to look forward to.The Diamond Jubilee is almost upon us, what crafty fun that has been toprepare for. Not forgetting the Olympic Games in London during July. What abusiness year it is proving to be.

The fourth CRAFTfest event will be happening from 9th - 16th June so don’tmiss out on that one. It is the biggest one yet with 181 virtual craft stalls open24 hours a day for an entire week.

This issue welcomes back some of our regular favourites and introduces us tosome new writers who will be joining us for future issues. We welcome Flickfrom Perfect Patchwork who will be providing us with some wonderfulneedlework projects and Sally-Jo from The Bead Bounty who is our newestjewellery project writer. Jim, Tracey, Jamie, Claire, Silvia and Tina are ofcourse with us again.

We are also announcing the fabulous new Cow Awards! Yes, you heard meright! You can win a cow! 3 in fact, every week from 14th June. Visit the CowAwards website for more information about #COW.

Remember, if you would like a hard copy of this issue, look out for the links onour website. It is paid for by the page, but worth it if you would like to holdonto and read a hard copy! The magazine is printed by HP Magcloud.

If you would like to submit an article, get in touch atarticles@creative-crafting.com. We would love to hear from you!

The Creative Crafting Team

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CREATIVE

8 A Year in Sante Fe PartCheck in with James and Maritza and find out howlife has been treating them in Sante Fe

7 Crystal MagicThe Crystal Lady discovers some beautifulhandcrafted Garnet creations.

2 There’s a new herd in town!The Crafting Worlds answer to #SBS has arrived!!It’s time to Win a COW! #COW

11 Twittering on and on and onTracey from Wow Thank You asks a selection ofcrafters their opinions on using the Twitter SocialNetwork.

16 Coin Pearl & Seed Bead Necklace andEarrings with Crystal RondellesSally-Jo from The Bead Bounty has a beautifulproject for us.

‘Perfect’ Creations designed for youFlick from Perfect Patchwork starts her regularfeature with an Embellished Book Cover project.

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An Interview with The Bead BountyIt’s time to meet Sally-Jo and find out whatmakes inspires her to create her beautiful beads.

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28 An Interview with Oakwood SoaperieCeri introduces us to the fascinating world of SoapMaking.

34 Little Hippo Presents …Crafts can sell - Just add a Hippo!

36 Tina in the GardenTina is back with us in the Garden and is welcomingsome warm weather.

31 Millie-Mae and Mummy make ….A Recycled CD Disco Ball Sun Catcher

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Recipes from the SlowlaneSilvia is with us again. This issue she shares herrecipe for Rhubarb Chutney.

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42 A Very Berry Charm BraceletAnother fabulous beading project by Claire fromElderberry Arts

45 An Interview with Lazy Daisy GlassMeet award winning Kat and her craft business.

40 In the spotlight with Mr X StitchThis issue Jamie is introducing Marshall Thompson.

50 Vintage RoseFind out about a ‘crafty’ little idea of ‘Rent a shelf’.

52 Inspiring the next generation to get creativeGet crafting with your children with the help of‘Imagine, Design, Create’.

54 Crafters Directory

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Creative Connectionsis sponsored bywww.creative-connections.ning.com

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suppliers.

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thecrystallady@mysticearth.co.uk

http://www.mysticearth.co.ukor visit Crystal Magic

If you would like more information about Crystal HealingJewellery, you can contact The Crystal Lady at:

Garnet was the stone of heroes who had to dealwith difficult tasks and trials to prove theircourage. Warriors in the Middle Ages had garnetset in their shields and sword hilts to protectthemselves and bring luck, wealth and blessings.

● Mentally - Stone of Crisis, self-confidence,strength of character.

● Physically - works with: the immune systemand circulation. Regeneration in the body.

● Chakra: Base, Heart, purifies and energizesall.

Garnet Sterling Silver EarringsGlitzy Gecko

www.folksy.com/shops/GlitzyGecko

Garnet Promise RingFernandoJewelry

www.etsy.com/shop/FernandoJewelry

Victorian Steampunk Necklace Garnet SterlingSilver PendantWiresculptress

www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/Wiresculptress

Green Garnet LuxuryIandFDesigns

www.etsy.com/shop/IandFDesigns

$330

£12.00

£214.97

$52

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A Year in Sante FePart 5

For those who may not have readour previous articles, we moved to

our final resting place, so to speak, inSanta Fe, New Mexico. New Mexico isNOT a part of the country of Mexico,but if you were blindfolded anddropped here, you probably wouldn’tknow the difference. In fact, so manypeople even in the United States, thinkthat New Mexico is part of Old Mexicothat they had to put “USA” on thelicense plates here. We’re not a highlyeducated bunch.

This series of articles is about ourexperiences of moving to Santa Fe totry to make a living being artists.People in Santa Fe fall into threecategories: Native born Santa Fean,Old hippie with no place left to live thehippie style and burned-out ex-corporate employees. We are thelatter. After thirty years as acorporate computer programmer, mybrain looks like a mixture of cottagecheese and spam, so the only obviouschoice was to move to Santa Fe andmake guitars for a living.

My wife, Maritza, is a jeweler and hasbecome quite a skilled silversmith.She makes southwest jewelry withsilver and turquoise as well as folk artjewelry in the “Day Of The Dead”style, which, if you aren’t familiar, isfrom Mexico (the Old one not the newone. I know, it gets confusing).

In the last issue I explained how wejust rented a new storefront. Thefront room of this three-room buildingis where Maritza has put a gallery withher jewelry and art from other localartists. The back two rooms arewhere I make and restore fine guitars.

We also purchased a house at thesame time we were opening the storebecause we just didn’t have enoughstress and chaos in our lives. So nowI think you’re up to date with ourprogress.

Since the last article things have beensort of quiet. In terms of running abusiness “sort of quiet” is NOT a goodthing. My guitar business andMaritza’s jewelry business, aside fromthe obvious, are completely differentanimals. The jewelry business is allabout people wandering off the streetwith pockets full of money and makingspontaneous purchases for things theywant or plan to give as gifts. Sopassersby are essential for Maritza’sside of the business. For the guitarbusiness, nobody is going tospontaneously wander in and buy asix-thousand-dollar guitar. Myclientele is more intentional andresponds to advertisements inmagazines, online or they see the signon the building and remember mewhen they need something fixed.

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The problem we’re having is thataccess to my shop is through Maritza’sgallery. Imagine this scenario: as achild you beg and beg for a pony.Finally one day your father walksthrough the front door with a pony intow. You go crazy with excitementthat you finally got your pony. Butthen he just passes through the roominto the backyard and has the ponystart plowing a garden. No pony foryou. That’s how Maritza feels at leastsix times a day. People walk in, sayhello to her, then pass right throughinto my shop. She said she feels likemy receptionist. I feel sorry for herbut….

Tourist season hasn’t really kicked inyet; we have about three more weeks.From what we’ve been told the touristswill be swarming like bees in no timeand we won’t be able to keep up withthem. I have some doubts about thisphenomenon but have faith that Godwon’t let us go broke, which, by theway is pretty darn close to happening.

On a side note, we just drained ourbank account remodeling thebathroom of our new house. Thepeople that lived here before wereboth in wheelchairs, so the bathroomshower was large enough to park aLondon taxi and there was no bathtubat all, just the shower. Maritza, as domost women, she assures me, needsto soak in a bathtub from time to timein order to keep from getting cranky.That was good enough reason for meso we hired two guys to gut thebathroom and rebuild it.

Well, I’m not supposed to use cursewords in these articles so I won’t, but Iwould if I could. Four weeks. FOURWEEKS and four thousand dollars laterwe have a bathroom. Of course wehad to fire/sack them two weeks intothe project because it was obviousthey had no clue what they weredoing. But they were very good attaking money. Maritza and I justfinished the past two weeks tiling,grouting, painting and grumblingabout having to do work that we paidsomeone else to do. I’m not a totallyidiot, just a partial one, so I didn’t paythem the full amount, but it still cost

over four-thousand dollars. Last nightwe got to soak in the tub for the firsttime. I still feel cranky, guess itdoesn’t work for men.

Back to the store. So the old adage“Location Location Location” is quitetrue. The store we rent is right on theperiphery of the art district here; theequivalent of the top row of seats inthe coliseum. We figured that we maynot have the best seats, but at leastwe’re in the stadium. We’ll spend anentire Saturday with not one personwalking into the store, but when wedrive half a mile into town it is litteredwith pedestrians shopping like crazy;it’s like we’re invisible. We have somany signs in front of the store thatwe’re starting to look like a cheap

circus. People can see that we’rethere, but they must hate us orsomething. I promise we showerevery day, so it’s not that. Don’t knowwhat it is. I think I need to buy one ofthose huge hooks they used to use inVaudeville to pull acts off of the stageand I’ll swipe tourists from thesidewalk. Hmmm, not a bad idea.

On the guitar side of things I’ve beendoing really well with repairs andrestorations. However, we movedhere so that I can make guitars, notjust fix them. But I’m appreciative ofthe business and hope that at leastsome of the repair customers buy aguitar from me sooner or later. ButI’m really hoping for sooner becausethe rent needs to be paid!

James K

ath Gu

itars

jim@kathguitars.commaritza@lalunaranchwear.com

Seriously we WANT you to email us, so do it! Do it now!!!!

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into the spotlight with

www.cow-awards.com

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How can you make social networking work for you?Are you on Twitter? Do you follow celebrities on

Twitter? Or do you just use Twitter to rave at the world?No matter what you might think of Twitter, it is nowuniversally acknowledged as a brilliant marketing tool.Although it cannot use embedded images, Twitter has thesimple ability to promote a message succinctly andefficiently within just 140 characters. There are some whotweet about what they have had for dinner or what theirjourney home from work was like, but obviously Twitter isworth a lot more than that and as a direct marketingapplication it can be very effective. There are somecompanies who use Twitter in an automated fashion withapplications such as HootSuite to promote their brands orsend out newsfeeds, but simple repetition of ‘buy brand Xhere’ just simply does not cut it anymore and tweets haveto be more sophisticated or offer some added value.Examples of this are personalities tweeting fromexhibitions or craft fairs about their experiences and prizedraw competitions.Many WowThankYou sellers make use of Twitter in theirmarketing and here we look at their experiences.

Susan Bonnar of Dottie Designs is a real Twitteraficionado and swears by it. She has recently attained the‘Sunday Small Business’ award, which is a scheme run byTheo Paphitis of Dragons’ Den fame, giving recognition toa few lucky small businesses who tweet him on Sundayevenings using the #SBS hash tag. Susan maintains thatthis is a wonderful networking tool and she has made ahuge number of contacts by her messages being re-tweeted and the subsequent media attention. Susanexplained “

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”Laura of Laura Felicity has had similar experiences withTwitter and reckons it is a great tool for contactingpotential customers and journalists. Laura says “

” She believes it is also a great wayof making friends and sharing experiences and advice asbeing a small designer maker can be quite a lonelyexistence. She added “

”

Kelly Giles of Crafts from the Heath agrees with Laurain that Twitter has introduced her to some fantasticfriends and also some useful contacts for her business. Ifshe ever needs advice onaspects of business ormarketing she always feelsshe can tweet some trustedfriends. Kelly says “

”

Jan Gibson of Quirky Quartz has only been on Twitterfor about six months and already prefers it to Facebookas she finds it more receptive with better feedback andmore users willing to re-tweet and share words andimages. Jan told us, “

”

Claire Ogden of Claire Ogden Designs simply adoresTwitter and could not dowithout it in her new role asthe ‘wedding guru’. “

”

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If you have missed any of Traceys regular articles in ourmagazines you can browse our back issues on our site.www.creative-crafting.com

Val Williams of SlickSilver Jewellery uses Twitter onlyfor business purposes to raise her profile and followgalleries, designers and other crafters who might beinterested in her products. She likes the camaraderie ofthe Twitterati and sees them as a virtual set of colleaguesthat she can bounce ideas off. Val explains “

” Val also warns againstthe use of preset tweets, which although useful are easilyfound out. “

” Val’s final advice isto keep tweets chatty and don’t get hung up on the hardsell as Twitter people don’t like it and see far too much ofit on Twitter. By keeping the tweets light and chatty shehas had lots of sales to followers.

Tracy Griffin and Sandra Dowse of Pickle Pie Creations have seen the other side of Twitter when it can all go horriblywrong. They were gradually building up followers and feeding their Facebook updates through to Twitter. Havingreached about 300 followers a customer offered them the use of a service to instantly find them 1,000 followers inexchange for one of their prints. Unfortunately this did not work out quite as expected and resulted in their Twitteraccount being blocked for aggressive following. Be warned. There are companies on the Internet that will offer youinstant followers but Twitter is wise to this and will suspend your account, sometimes permanently. For Tracy andSandra there was a happy ending. Twitter did eventually relent and unblock their account but they are now justcollecting followers in an organic natural fashion and making it work for them too. Tracy says, “

”

Twitter can be a great marketing tool and fun as well. You get to talk to loads of new people with different ideas andexperience in addition to spreading the word about your work. It is all about building followers and trust there are noshort cuts here you definitely need to put the hours in. Giving everyone the hard sell all the time is just a big turn off onTwitter; I know this for a fact as I have ‘ghost written’ tweets for some companies who just load them up on HootSuiteand expect the earth. Twitter is personal and although short automated campaigns are useful you need to be there torespond and re-tweet to get the best out of it.

If you happen to be online on Sunday evenings, don’t forget to send your #sbs tweet to @theopaphitis – for the sakeof a moment of your time you could be one his chosen small businesses to re-tweet and you’ll gain lots of newfollowers! Also, keep your eyes open for other networking/brand-building opportunities on Twitter – a celebrityendorsement, or even a reply from one generates positive attention; and also keep your eyes peeled closer to home tooas there’s a rumour that a new, fun, twitter-based networking venture is soon to be launched. A new mooover in themarket - you herd it here first!

Happy Tweeting! x

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Written By The Bead Bounty

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2 x 60 inches of thin strong fishing line (make sure that 4 strandswill go through your coin pearls as the holes on pearls are oftenquite small)22 x 6mm Crystal Rondelles12 x 12mm Coin Pearl10g of size 11 seed beads2 x calottes with loop for attaching claspToggle Clasp2 x 2.5 inch Head Pin (make sure that they will fit through thehole of the coin pearls)2 x Shepherds Hook Earring WireI have added 2 x 4mm jump rings to the picture in case thecalottes you are using have a closed loop. If the calottes are thesame as the ones I have used, the jump rings are not required.Clear Nail Varnish or Glue

Flat Nosed PliersRound Nosed PliersSide Cutter Pliers

Creating the Necklace

Step 1. Thread both strands offishing line through a seedbead and tie it at the centre sothat you have 4 equal lengthsof thread to work with.

Step 2. Thread the four strands through the Calotte and close it overthe seed bead securing it in place.

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Step 3. Thread 20 seed beadson each individual strand

Step 4. Bring all 4 strandstogether and thread on aCrystal Rondelle and a CoinPearl. Divide the threads intotwo and tie a knot.

Step 5. Add the next CrystalRondelle and repeat steps 3 and4 until you have added 10 CoinPearls

Step 6. Add the last CrystalRondelle and thread 20 SeedBeads onto each strand andthread them through the 2nd

Calotte.

Step 7. Take 2 strands, add a Seed Bead and tie a knot to secure theCalotte. Now add a dab of Glue or Nail Varnish to the knot for extrastrength. Close the Calotte and trim off excess thread with SideCutter Pliers.

Step 8. Add the Toggle Clasp

To create the plaited effect, start at one end of thenecklace, make a gap in the Seed Bead strands, 2 strandsat either side and pass the Toggle through the gap, twice,first plait.

Going in the same direction each time, repeat the processuntil you reach the other end of the necklace.

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Creating the Earrings

Step 1. Take a Head Pin andthread on 1 x Seed Bead, 1 xCoin Pearl, 1 x Crystal Rondelleand 10 x Seed Beads

Step 2. Using a pair of FlatNosed Pliers, bend the wire toa right angle and cut it toapproximately 6 – 8 mm.

Step 3. Take the Round NosedPliers and turn a loop for theearring to hang from theShepherds hook

Step 4. Open the loop side-ways and add it to the hook

Step 5. Repeat points 1 – 4 forthe second earring

MOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

#COW

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Tell us about the lady behind TheBead Bounty

Hello, my name is Sally-Jo and I live inthe beautiful North East of England ina seaside town close to the North YorkMoors National Park.I have just celebrated my big 50 andhave been happily married to mygorgeous husband Ian, for 27 years.We have two extremely talentedchildren.Christopher, our son, is 25 and a musicproducer. He also teaches musictechnology at a local College.Our daughter, Sarah-Jo, is 24, hasbeen married for nearly 2 years to herlovely husband Tim and is in her finalyear doing a costume design degree.She also doubles as a Legal Secretarybut is going on to do teacher trainingafter Uni.I was born in the North East ofEngland but spent many years of mychildhood in Nigeria, West Africa,travelling back and forth to boarding

schools in Scarborough andFolkestone.I finally left school and went toCatering College in Birmingham, whereI qualified as a Chef and went on torun a very successful catering businessuntil an aggressive take over saw itoff.I am a practicing Christian and belongto a Bible believing church in Redcar,where I live.

When did you first start creatingyour designs and why

Over the years I have tried just aboutevery craft going, from crochet to cakedecorating and cross-stitch to cardmaking. I even had a potteryworkshop at one point.

I spent years stringing beads andusing all kinds of jewellery suppliesfrom Wire to Thread and every kind ofBead from Semi-Precious to Glass.

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When I launched The Bead Bounty 4years ago, I started by selling seedbeads and other jewellery andjewellery making supplies for people tolearn the craft themselves.I also designed pieces for which Iwrote the patterns and produced thekits and taught Bead weaving andjewellery making techniques to agroup of ladies in my hometown.After about 3 years I discovered theArt of Lamp work and have not lookedback.There are many mass produced beadsavailable so to be able to produce myown, one off creations, is a neverending source of joy and pleasure tome.

Other than your crafting, whatelse do you like to do?

I love to write worship songs with myhusband. We have written manysongs over the years and it iswonderful to hear them being sung bythe Congregation of the Church weattend.My husband plays the guitar and Ising. Our Son and Daughter are alsopart of the Worship team. Chris playsBass Guitar and Sarah-Jo sings.We sometimes refer to ourselves as“The Von Trapps” and as I went to aConvent Boarding School and the Nunsnever knew what to do with me, youcould say there are similarities toMaria. OOH! I feel a song coming on.‘What are we going to do about’, I amsure they changed the name to Mariaso I could not sue, Lol.

If you had to choose yourfavourite from your creationswhich one would it be?

I have two actually, is that allowed?And strangely enough neither of theminclude my Lamp Work beads. Thatone is number three and I think Iwould be pushing my luckThe first, I like to call my “CatherineTate” moment.A lady came to my stall asking if Imade Tiara’sI had done a lot of Wire Work in thepast, but never a Tiara, so I said“I can do that”

For those of you who are familiar withCatherine Tate, I am referring to thesketch where she offers to do thingsfor which she has no credentialsThe upshot was, that seventeen and ahalf hours later, some very sore fingersand a new skill to add to myrepertoire, I had created a goldcoloured, three and a half inch tallTiara, adorned with Pearls andSwarovski Crystals fit for a Queen.The customer was delighted with itand, as I am sure you will understand,so was I.

The Second, I like to call my “GobSmacked Moment”I used to attend a Local Craft Fairwhere I sold my Seed Beads andJewellery.I always like to work at my stall as itinspires conversation and confidencefrom the customer.I was making a Christmas Baublecover to turn into a kit for people tomake themselves.Week after week a lady would come tothe stall and ask me to make her oneand I would explain that it would be akit that she could purchase once I hadwritten the pattern and Photographedthe finished item.I finally had the kit for sale and shecame again to ask me to make herone.I sold her two of the kits that came inat £12 each because of the amount ofbeads supplied.Having bought the kits she askedagain if I would make her one.I said “No” because it would be anoutrageous price.She asked how much (now bear inmind, these things take two days tomake and to be honest I was allBaubled out) I said “£75”Her response was immediate ………”Will you make me one?”

I told her that as she had bought thekits I would do it for £60Her response……….”Brilliant, can youdo me two, no, do me three.”

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If you could change one thingabout what you do, what would itbe?

People’s perception of what I do.Often folk do not realise that I makethe beads from scratch using fire andglass.

Where does your inspiration comefrom?

There are so many things that inspireme really. It could be a plant, a colour,a picture, a feeling.I adore the beauty of God’s Creation,the Sky the Sea, flowers. There isinspiration everywhere you look andliving where I live, I am spoilt withincredible scenery to get the creativejuices flowing.I also often have a look at the endlesstutorials on “you tube” as I find themextremely helpful.Recently I had a creative block and thelovely Lorraine, from Lorraine DowdleCreations, was a great help to me,thanks Lorraine.

What is it that you enjoy about your work?

The thing I love most about what I do is when I have made abespoke piece of jewellery and the customer’s face lights up whenthey see it, or when someone buys my beads to make their ownjewellery and I get to see the finished piece.There is nothing like it.To be given the order in the first place is an honour but then tosee the joy it brings, well, that is priceless.I was given an order from a guy who wanted to surprise his wifewith some jewellery to go with the dress he had bought her for theprom. He sent me a small picture of the fabric and I made anecklace and bracelet in the colours. She was delighted with them.Another lady was head of the Yellow team at work and asked meto make her a bracelet that she could wear on team day. Onceagain, a very happy customer.I do love the fact that I am not restricted and can turn my hand tomost of the jewellery that my customers ask me for.

It is wonderful.

What is your biggest craftingachievement, and why?

I had a call from a local museumone day asking if I could provide somejewellery for a new cabinet that theywere soon to be taking delivery of.They asked if I could take along aselection of my pieces for them tohave a look at.I gathered up about 15 pieces ofjewellery that I had made with boughtin products and as a last minutethought as I was leaving the house, Igrabbed a bracelet that I had madewith my own Lamp Work beads. Thebracelet had already been sold but Ithought it would give them an idea ofwhat I could offer.The lady in the shop went through allof the jewellery and dismissed them allone after another as not her cup of teauntil all that was left for her to look atwas my lamp work bracelet.At this point I was not holding out anyhope.She opened the box and said, “This isit, I want this. Can you make a wholerange of jewellery like this for a weekon Thursday?”I had yet another Catherine Tatemoment and announced, “I can dothat”As it turned out, there had been aSaxon Princess’s grave found in a digin a town just up the road from us (theonly Saxon Royalty to be found in

England to date) and the exhibitionwas to open on the Thursday inquestion. The bracelet was a perfectmatch for the colour of the main piecein the exhibition, a Gold and Garnetpendant.I called the jewellery “The PrincessCollection” as my name meansPrincess from the Hebrew Sarah.

When they get that, they oftenbecome really animated about myproducts because they then realisethat they are getting a one off originalthat no one else can own.I remember being at a Swanky Craftevent once and spent ages explainingto a lady how the beads were made towhich she finally responded

“So, do you make the beads yourselfthen”

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Has any person helped orsupported you more than anyother?

This is such an easy question toanswer. My lovely husband Ian hasbeen a rock to me all of our marriedlife. He has always supported mycraft endeavours, of which therehave been many over the past 27years (I even had a potteryworkshop in the garage at onepoint, with pots at various stages ofproduction all over the house, so hetruly has put up with me and is areal blessing). At present, I couldnot run The Bead Bounty withouthim, as he does all bookkeeping forme (something I am not good at)He also puts up with me when itcomes to doing stuff on thecomputer as I think it is quitepossible that I could break theWorld Wide Web without his help.I can also say that my family hasbeen a great support to me as well.My kids and my sister have helpedme a great deal and my mum anddad are always willing to step upwhen I need a hand - be it for liftsor simply flying The Bead BountyBanner.I must also give Anna form CreativeConnections a mention here becauseshe puts up with all sorts ofcomputer abuse from me. ThanksAnna and the rest of the CC team.My friend Dei has also been therewhen I have needed her too.

Tell us a random fact aboutyourself!

I am a fainter

There I have said it.

It is not something I plan, or amproud of and it is usually when Ihave had a shock of some sort, butall the same, it can be veryinconvenient yet mildly amusing.I remember when I was about 15.I had just had a bath and was aboutto sit at my dressing table mirror todo my hair. I pulled the chairforward to get closer (when I say itwas a chair it was actually awashing basket with a hinged lid)My finger went under the lid by thehinge and I sat down with my fullweight, squashing my finger flat.Of course I fainted! You would have.It hurt!………………a lot.

Do you have a favouritewebsite?

On a recent trip to South Africa, Iwas privileged to spend the day withLamp work Bead Artist Johan deLange from glass and fire inPretoria.http://www.glassandfire.co.za

I love revisiting their web site, notonly for inspiration but also toremind myself of the awesome timeI had watching a master at work.The idea was that Johan wouldmake a bead and then I would makethe same bead with him giving meinstruction. I made the first twobeads and was very pleased with

http://www.gmcgee-photography.com/ Greg McGee Photography

the results and he seemed to be too(though he had to be as that washis job, wink, wink)I, however, had different ideas andasked him if he would allow me justto observe.It was amazing to see his skill and Iam sure I learned more by allowinghim just to do his thing, as he usedtechniques that I am sure he wouldnot have used otherwise.

Feeling rather sorry for myself whenI came to, I went down the stairs totell my Dad that I had sat on myfinger and fainted.

I can still hear him laughing now.

I do have many stories I could tellyou about my fainting episodes andone in particular is epic but you willhave to keep your eye on my Blogfor them.

www.thebeadbounty.blogspot.com

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This can to be used to cover any book, such as a diary, addressbook, note book etc, but it is best to choose a book with a

slightly rigid cover. Designed to fit a standard A5 book.

Lightweight fabric for insideLightweight wadding/battingPretty Fabric for inside and pocketsRandom scraps of coordinating fabricsBeads (optional)Embroidery ThreadsSmall embellishments (optional)Ribbon (optional)General sewing thread¼ inch bias bindingPiece of fabric to coordinate with top and lining fabrics.

Perfectcreations designed for you’

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Step 1 .Take a large sheet of paper, open out book and draw around it,allowing an extra ½ inch at top and bottom of book, and ¾ inch at frontand back edges. (Seam allowance allowed = ¼ inch; allow slightly moreif you prefer a larger seam allowance.)

Step 2. Once you have your basic rectangle randomly draw diagonallines across it, or copy the picture from here. Make sure all the lines arestraight (not curved) otherwise you will struggle later on. It is a goodidea to number them in the order they will be used.

Step 3. Take a piece of Bondaweb, place over your drawing andtrace the shapes and number to match. Once traced, cut themout to make pattern pieces (be aware that the pattern on thefinished item will be in reverse). Select a number of coordinatingscraps and lay them out in an order that is pleasing to the eye.Iron the pattern pieces to the REVERSE of the scrap fabrics andcut them out.

Step 4. Cut a piece of lightweight fabric and lightweightwadding/batting to the same measurements as your finisheddrawing.

Step 5. Layer these. They can be pinned, tacked or bastedusing basting spray (my preferred method). With the fabric rightside up, peel off the backing from the Bondaweb pieces andarrange in order.Iron in place.

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Step 6. Cover each fabric join in bias tape (starting with the shortest lines, so that raw edges are covered) andbaste, or iron if using self adhesive type; machine or hand sew in place. It is better to do these one at a time toensure they don’t move.

Step 7. Embroider and embellish as desired.

Step 8. Cut a piece of the pretty fabric the same sizeas your drawing for the inside; baste to thewadding/batting (this hides all the underneath stitching)

Step 9. Measure the cover of your book, add 1/2inchto measurements, and cut 2 pieces of fabric to thosemeasurements; fold in half and press.

Add these to the ends of the 3 piece layer (on theinside), with the fold towards the centre.

Step 10. Cut 2 pieces of fabric 2 inch wide and thesame length as the drawing, and 2 pieces of fabric 2inch wide and 1.5 inch wider than the drawing, press inhalf width ways.

Step 11. Match raw edges of longer narrow strip to topand bottom of embellished piece and machine in place;fold towards the inside and stitch down by hand.

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Step 12. Baste length of ribbon to centre of the inside of the embellished piece (to act as book mark) – optionalMatch raw edges of narrow strip to last 2 sides of the embellished piece, leaving ¾ inch at each end machine inplace; fold over ends and hand stitch in place.

Step 13. Slide book cover into pockets, and hey prestoa boring book has become very pretty!

This pattern is designed for personal use only, andnot for resale either as a pattern or finished item.

©PerfectPatchwork 2012 all rights reserved.

Written By Perfect Patchwork

Perfectcreations designed for you’ Kits are available to purchase from

www.perfectpatchwork.co.uk

28

Meet the lady behind the Oakwood Soaperie and discover her inspirations and love for her craft.

Tell us about the lady behindOakwood Soaperie

I’m Ceri, I’m 38 and live with myHubby and rescue cat in the NorthEast of England...and I LOVE to makesoap.I’ve always been creative and Art andTextiles were my most favouriteclasses at school...I was actually theONLY person in my year who tooktextiles at A ‘Level, fortunately myteacher was equally as passionate sodecided to run the class anyway eventhough there was only me. I went onto do a foundation Degree in Art anda BA Honours degree in FashionDesign at Newcastle Polytechnic (as itwas then – now Northumbria

University). After qualifying I foundemployment at local bookshops andworked my way up the ranks. Ienjoyed this work but it never reallysatisfied me as I had little creativeoutlet, so I started making customclub wear and corsets for local designled boutique’s and I held stalls atmusic festivals selling my clothing. Idabbled with this for a few years thenmoved on to making bathing productsand moisturising balms for friends andfamily.I have always loved Lush, even fromthe very early ‘Cosmetics to Go’ daysand loved to read their catalogues. Ibecame fascinated with their productwrite ups and descriptions of hownatural ingredients benefited the skin

as well as one’s well being. I boughtsome basic aromatherapy books andread them from cover to cover. It wasaround this time that I decided I reallywanted to develop my own businessincorporating natural ingredients,making them all myself. The more Iwas reading, the more I found Iwanted to learn so I decided toundertake a distance learning Diplomain the study of essential oils. Icompleted this after about a year orso, whilst working full time.After that I spend a LONG timeresearching, developing recipes andtesting them out on myself and willingfriends and family. Meanwhile I wasalso researching the legal andbusiness side of my venture too,

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reading up on EU Cosmetic labelling,Cosmetic Safety Assessments andTrading Standards guidelinesregarding natural cosmetics andsoaps. I also took a series of BusinessLink workshops to build a foundationfor my business to grow from.I finally launched Oakwood Soaperiein October 2010. I now sell via myown website(www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.uk) mytwo Internet shops on Folksy(http://folksy.com/shops/OakwoodSoaperie) and WowThankyou(http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/oakwood-soaperie/) and also from TheHandmade Emporium(http://www.thehandmadeemporium.com/) as well as at local craft fairsaround the North East.I’m delighted to have just secured myfirst retail outlet at The AllendaleForge Studio’s gift shop.(http://www.allendaleforgestudios.co.uk/) This is situated right in ruralNorthumberland in a small village witha very art and craft focused clientele,it’s very exciting times and I’mabsolutely delighted to be given theopportunity to be amongst such awonderful community of artists.

When did first begin creatingyour designs, and why?

I am constantly having new ideas andmy range changes all the time, Ibegan designing my core range of100% Natural ingredient soaps backin the Spring of 2010. I wanted tohave a solid range of 10 or so puresoaps fragranced with essential oilsonly and coloured with roots, herbs,spices and natural extracts. I felt thiswould be the backbone to my fullrange. While I keep all my soaps verynatural, I do sometimes get drawnaway in a magpie like fashion bycosmetic grade colours and fragranceoils..I’m sure many a natural soaperwould confess the same ;) There areso many endless combinations and itis sooo fun to play...

What is it that you enjoy aboutyour work?

If I confess, I see it more as feedingan addiction rather than work. I feel abit lost if I’m not making a new batchor placing an order for ingredients, orstanding behind my stall at a marketchatting to customers about my soapsand bath products… it feel right and itmakes me very happy. There isnothing better than someone comingback to me to say how much theyhave enjoyed using something I havemade, or how happy someone was toreceive some as a gift from them.

What is your biggest craftingachievement, and why?

Up until a week or so ago, I’d havesaid becoming a featured seller onboth Folksy and Wowthankyou. Now,it has to be having my first permanentretail space at Allendale ForgeStudios. It may only be 2m high by1m wide but it is full of my productsthat are selling directly to the public ina beautiful gift shop attached to anartist’s studios.

Other than your crafting, whatelse do you like to do?

I love photography too. We are luckyenough to live very close to ruralNorthumbria… a quick car journey andwe can be up on the moorlands andhills or out along the dramatic NorthEast coastline, the camera is never faraway.I also love to go mountain biking withmy hubby at the weekends. He used tobe very adventurous and ride up hilland down dale all over the North East

and Scotland but one too many brokenbones later, he’s quite happy to trundlealong at my slower pace out along theriverside for a good long stretch.

If you had to choose yourfavourite from your creationswhich one would it be?

Ohh that’s difficult… it’s changing allthe time. I’d say it’s usually my latestcreation… until I have another newidea.

Where does your inspiration comefrom?

I get a lot of inspiration from mysurroundings and also from theproperties of oils or botanicals I choseto include. Sometimes a beautifulcolour combination will give me someinspiration, sometimes it will comefrom discovering a new pouringmethod for soap or a new combinationof ingredients I’m trying out. Basicallyit can come from anywhere, I just haveto keep my eyes and my mind open tonew ideas.

Peppermint & Rosemary Salt Bar

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If you could change one thingabout what you do, what would itbe?

I’d like to have more confidence,sometimes this holds me back fromtaking a leap into something new andreally going for it. Apart from that, I’dsay I was ten times happier now than5 years ago before I was doing whatI’m doing now.

Do you have a favourite website?

Apart from Folksy and Wowthankyou(and my own of course) it has to be‘From Nature with Love’.(http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/). This website is packed withinformation about all kinds of naturalingredients from around the World. Ithas loads of recipe ideas, a blog, abookshop, workshops, basicallyeverything a soap making addict couldwant.

Has any person helped orsupported you more than anyother?

Ohh, this has to be my hubby, Phil andmy Mum and Dad.. He and my mumhelp out at my craft stalls. He helpswith IT issues, keeps my caffeinelevels up and generally keepsencouraging me in everything I do. Hewill soon be building me a rather fabwire soap cutter so I can save timewith cutting up my soap loaves.My Mum and Dad are always full ofencouragement and are vigilantfollowers of my blog… sometimes it’sthe only way then know what’shappening around here I’ve so littlefree time.

Tell us a random fact aboutyourself!

I used to be a shoemaker’s apprenticein a cottage in the wilds ofAberdeenshire.

www.oakwoodsoaperie.co.ukwww.folksy.com/shops/OakwoodSoaperiewww.wowthankyou.co.uk/oakwood-soaperiewww.oakwoodsoaperie.blogspot.comTweet @oakwoodsoaperiewww.facebook.com/OakwoodSoaperie#!/pages/Oakwood-Soaperie/179777858722194

It was during my Fashion Designdegree, I was on work placement for 6months at Paul Harnden Shoemaker’s.(http://agnautacouture.com/2012/02/05/paul-harnden-shoemakers). Paul’sdesigns are veryhistoricallyinfluenced, he usesno modernmachinery, makingeverything by hand in limited numbers.At the time his shoes and boots wereselling in New York, Milan etc forbetween £6oo -£800, they are nowgoing for around £1500 I believe.The cottage was on a bleak hillsidewith pine forests all around. I sleptabove the workshop and listened towild cats prowling around the cottagemost nights.This was a time I’ll never forget as itmade me realise that if you arepassionate about what you love to do,others will be too. Convention isyesterday’s news, always follow yourheart… rewards will come in time.

Hearth Spring Fair 2011 Lemongrass salt and BlackPepper Spa Bar

Buttered Rose Heart Soaps

Black Cafe Butter Bar Today’s Creations! Today’s Creations!

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Millie-Mae&

Mummy Makes …… Recycled CD Disco Ball Sun catcher!

This issue we decided to makesomething that makes full use of the

gorgeous springtime sun.

Unfortunately we haven’t seen muchof the sun this year, but we live in

hope!

Millie-Mae is 5½ years old and thedaughter of Tracey Kifford, founder of

www.wowthankyou.co.uk

Written By WowThankYou

32

Balls – we used polystyrene craft ones and anold toy ballClear-drying Glue and glue sticksScissorsStringOld CDs/DVDsSilver foilAn egg cupSmall eyelet hooksBowl of hot water

Step 1. –place 2-3 old CDs/DVDs into a bowl ofvery hot water and leave to soak andsoften while you make preparations.

Start by dabbing a little glue on theend of an eyelet hook and pierce intothe ball.

Step 2. Then, tightly wrap the ball insilver foil. This works especially wellwhen making with children as anygaps between the silver ‘mirror’shards will go undetected. Once fullycovered in foil, place on an egg cup tostabilise.

Step 3.fish out the CDs and

with a sharp pair of scissors, snipthem into small pieces. Even havingsoaked the CDs they are still veryhard to cut, so be careful.

Step 4. Starting at the top of the ball,dab a little glue on the matt side ofthe shard, taking care not to get glueon the mirror side. Mosaic the shardsaround the ball, placing them as closeto the others as possible.

Step 5. Once half the ball has been covered leave overnight to dry/set.The following day, carefully turn the ball upside down and reposition over theegg cup. Repeat yesterday’s procedure and cover the remaining ball. Whendone, leave again – overnight preferably – to dry.Take some string, cut it and thread it through the eyelet.

NB: For best results, the disco ball sun catchers take several days to complete as the glue needs todry fully.

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Step 6. Gather a collection of differently-sized disco balls and hang them wherethe sun can catch them. Then wait for an amazing natural light show!

We were lucky enough to complete our sun catchers on a rare sunny day – the disco light effectthat filled the room was incredible! Very very effective! You must try it!

34

From the making shed at the bottom of the garden Angeand Paul looked at the presents they had made for

friends and family, and thought ‘what if we tried to sellsome too?’.

So, in July 2011 Chez Hippo appeared in the craft world.

The web sales kept picking up, customer feedback wasalways good and they began getting requests for morepieces.When Ange’s teaching contract finished in December theydecided to really have a go at making a business out oftheir idea, but realised it wouldn’t be that simple.

Many businesses, especially craft businesses, start and failall the time. There are many fabulously talented peoplethat have struggled to make their work pay so theyrealised they needed to look at it slightly differently.

A cunning plan was hatched - Little Hippo Presents wastaking shape. The idea was simple, open a shop but askother local makers to come in with them. As a formercommunity worker Ange was used to setting up socialenterprises and charities and the intention is that LittleHippo Presents will eventually gain charitable status tocontinue trading as a not for profit shop.

Crafts can sell – just add a Hippo!

35

This doesn’t mean the sellers don’t get paid for what they sell, itjust means the shop as a whole doesn’t make a profit.

The other local crafters selling at the shop have now becomeHippo-ettes and their numbers are growing all the time. Thesense of support and community they bring with them has beenso valuable in shaping Little Hippo. One of the clauses in theHippo-ette sellers agreement is that you must agree to drink teaand natter on the porch while crafting which gives you an idea oftheir ethos!

Another thing that Ange and Paul are very committed to iskeeping crafting alive and evolving. It is very difficult to find retailoutlets to sell handcrafted work and this is why they decided to doit themselves. What they would love to do in time is set up LittleHippos around the country, bringing together artists and craftersto create their own place on the High Street.

If you would like to get involved or pop along to the Purple Shedyou can find the Hippos at www.chezhippo.co.uk or you can emailange@chezhippo.co.uk. They are not saying it will be easy, butcrafters have to start somewhere and this is the first step onhopefully a long journey with lots of Hippo-ettes and new friends!

36

Tina inTina in the Garden the Garden

Hi! I’m Tina,

Welcome to The Garden. My, it’s a little chilly and wettoday. Come in. Leave the umbrella in that urn thing Ihave by the door and hang your macs on the hooksthere.The kettle has boiled so let’s enjoy our tea and maybea biscuit. There should be some in the tin on the tableand I will bring you up to date on what has beenhappening in The Garden.I arrived back from the U.S. and spring had come, ormaybe it was summer - it was so glorious. But it wasso dry the poor plants just dried up and the beautifulspring bulbs did not last long at all. The camellias didnot last long either.Then boy, it turned cold! I was wishing for some of theFlorida weather I had taken for granted. The winds inthe garden were really cold and very strong. A tree fellin the wood leaving my better half with yet anotherjob. The cold wind burnt some of the blossoms andturned them brown.

37

But as always in nature when the rain came, and it didcome, the stream was full to overflowing, and thegarden became lovely and green. We had a few odddays of sun and it looks wonderful again. Just look atall the new growth around the seat! I will have a jobto squeeze on to take a rest.

The flowers, especially the bluebells, are beautifulagain, although there are not as many as last yearbecause it was so dry earlier. I know that you arefamiliar with them from previous years, the Iris too,but these photographs show them from a differentangle, along with the wallflowers.

Just look at this beautiful Spurge! There areso many shades of green in one flower theyare one of my favourites. They just self seedand grow anywhere, although they are verygood at placing themselves in goodpositions - better than I could, I’m sure.

The wild flowers are making themselves at home in the wood and theyhave also made a good job of arranging themselves.

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As for the bog - I think it looks rather good, don’t you? All new and crisp.

Here is a tester. What do you think is under this part ofthe garden? I don’t imagine you could guess. Thoughmaybe you could. It’s a septic tank, yes really! Whenwe arrived at the house, the previous owner had justhad a new tank fitted. No, we do not have regulardrains, but that’s just fine. They had dug a very largehole in order to install it, leaving a very large pile ofearth and stones which did not look too good.However, if you plant the type of plants which we havein The Garden, they just multiply and over the years

this is the end result. Well maybe there was rather a lot ofdigging and planting in the beginning as my better half justpointed out, but it sure was worth it!Here is a nice sunny photo of the woodland. It really cheersyou up on a grey day.

39

Oh yes, I nearly forgot to tell you about the pond. I have not done anything with it at the moment as the water actuallyappears to be clearing and I do not want to disturb any little creatures which may be in there, although I am not toohopeful on that score, but you just never know.

Here are photos of a few of the flowers performing now in The Garden, and more appear every day. Remember thesilver plant from last year? It made it yet again through the winter! It is longest living annual I have ever had, long mayit continue to return.

Periwinkle Rhododendron Aquilegia Silver Plant

The rain does appear to have stopped, but it is stillvery wet outside and my plants do tend to hang overthe paths and soak you a little. Perhaps next time wecan actually be in The Garden and not just look atphotographs and view it through the windows.Thank you for visiting with me in The Garden onceagain. I do so enjoy your visits and I am so happyand grateful to be home in this wonderful garden.Bye for now and see you in the next issue.Your green fingered friend,

P.S. I have cows too!#COW

A view with a Moo and the Moo has a view!

Tina

#COW

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In the Spotlightwith

mr x stitch

mrxstitch.com

This issue we meet:

Marshall Thompson

Name: Marshall Thompson

Medium: Cross stitch and woodworking

What’s your story?

I am a self-taught problem solver with an art background. I wasfortunate in college to be surrounded by challenging artist friends. Weall motivated each other to keep pushing ourselves. In school Itrained in many mediums, and I experimented applying techniques orapproaches from one medium to another. My first stitch piece,Good/Bye, was back in 2000 as a sentimental piece in a final show forthe art collective I was in, Good/Bad Art Collective. In 2008 I still hadmy original materials, and I was given my mother-in-law’s old crossstitch materials, so I began really stitching after seeing on old collegefriend, Johnny Murder, was embroidering (Manbroidering) in hisdrawing style. I was stitching for a few months before I found the SCSand Phat Quarter groups on Flickr. I found like-minded stitchy peopleon line and made new friends. My stitching work has progressedsimilar to my earlier art by pulling in elements or techniques from

41

unrelated mediums. I began making my own frames to save oncosts and not to be bound by the size you can buy. Then Irealized I can do whatever I want with the frame style or shapeand that is when the frames began to play a bigger part in thestitch design. I like and enjoy the limitations of "the grid" incross stitch that are not found in free form embroidery. Thoselimitations help to keep me creative and keep cross stitchingfun.

What’s your favourite piece of work thus far?

A piece based on an illustration by my friend, Elisa Sassi(www.elisasassi.com). It was fun taking the movement in theimage and applying it to the mat and frame.

What do you find challenging?

Composition. Having a well-balanced design. Making my ownframes can help to complete that or open new designpossibilities.

Any advice for newbies?

When you find you have made a mistake, do not settle and livewith it. Fix it to make yourself happy. You will learn and growfrom undoing and redoing your work.

Elisa Sassi

42

Very Berry

Charm Bracelet

Written By Elderberry Arts

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60 x 4 mm silver plated jump rings56 x 6 mm green aluminium jump ringsSilver plated lobster clasp and tag14 x Berry beads in light and dark pink7 x glass leavesSilver plated head pins14 x 6 mm silver jump rings

If you can buy the 4 mm ready closed then it will save you time closing them all later.

Step 1. Open a green ring andadd 4 sliver rings. Close thegreen ring.

Step 2. Now double the greenring by threading anotherthrough the 4 silver rings.

Step 3. Add 2 silver rings to athird green ring.Put this ringthrough 2 silver rings on thepreviously doubled green ringsand close.

Step 4. Double the green ringas in step 2.

Step 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 untill chain measures 7 incheslong.

Step 6. Using two single 4mmrings attach the clasp and clasptag.

Step 7. Using the headpin create charms with the berry beads. The loopsneed to be big enough to attach to the double green rings of the chain.Step 8. Open the loops in the berry charms and attach them to the chain.

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Step 10. Attach the leaves usingthe remaining 6 mm jump rings.

Attach the first on the secondring from one end of the braceletand then every four rings after.The final leaf attaches two ringsfrom the other end of the brace-let.

Step 9. Attach a 6 mm jumpring to each of the leaves.

www.elderberryarts.co.uk

The home of unusual and unique hand

crafted jewellery designs. Specialising in

creating one of a kind silver, glass and

gemstone designs.

Elderberry Arts is also home to an

exclusive range of gay/lesbian and

bisexual pride accessories.

45

Tell us about the lady behind Lazy

Daisy Glass

I run my business from my ownpurpose built studio in ruralBanffshire, Scotland and I'mself-taught in the technique of kilnformed glass (often referred to asfused glass). My career had been inoffice administration, working as aPA to company directors, firstly inCornwall (my homeland), moving toLondon in 1998 and finally toScotland in 2003.On moving to Scotland I found alocal stained glass course andcontinued for one year, until I wasconfident enough to start my hobbyfrom home.I had a job as PA in localgovernment here in Moray, butdecided to give up the 'office job'when I had our daughter in 2007. Iwas a mature mother, and wantedto spend as much time with mydaughter as possible and watch her

Awarded Young Business of the Year 2011 by the Highlands Business Women’s Club.Lazy Daisy Glass was also commissioned to make the Awards.

growing up. I also found that Ineeded a hobby! I thought I mightgo slightly mad living in a very ruralarea if I didn't have anything else todo. I invested my maternity moneyin my first kiln, bought some booksand started experimenting. Andthat's how it all started!

When did you first begin creating

your designs, and why?

I have always been involved in somesort of craft, whether it be cardmaking, glass painting etc. I alwayshad an interest in stained glass, butmy main passion was fused glass. Itook a 2 hour workshop as anintroduction to the craft and juststarted experimenting at home. Ihad some books which helped withinitial designs and projects, while Igained the confidence working withglass. Now, I find I create a lot ofwave forms and use various blueshades I think this may stem frommy childhood. Being a Cornish lass,

46

the sea seems to live within me, hencemy wave ideas. I just love the sea andbeach!

What is it that you enjoy about your

work?

I am self-employed and work fromhome - I have the flexibility of lookingafter my daughter as well as runningmy business. It is the perfectcombination. Also having my studioseparate from the house allows me toleave it in a mess (which it often is),shut the door and not have to worryabout it. I can open the door thefollowing day and just get back in tomaking and creating. Working in thecreative industry doesn't feel like it is ajob (I'm still trying to convince myBusiness Bank Manager of that onethough - he doesn't share the sameview!). I just love what I make and doand have a huge sense of achievementwhen I hear people comment on howthey like my creations. I also get totravel around a little with my job,selling at different shows. I have takenpart in Country Living in Glasgow, theRoyal Cornwall Show, British Craft

Trade Show in Harrogate and morelocal Scottish events. I get to meet ahuge array of talented makers and it'sgreat to exchange knowledge and tips.

What is your biggest crafting

achievement, and why?

Last year, I was approached by ateacher to attend a local Spring Show.One thing lead to another and before Irealised it, I was talking about workingwith the school on an art project.Between us, we came up with the ideaof asking the school children (includingthe nursery) to draw their own designsto be created in glass. The brief was tothink of their local area and draw whatthe village meant to them. A judgingday was organised and designs werechosen from the different classes. Ithen had to take the final designs backto my studio and translate what wason paper in to four glass wall artpieces. The school then organised anevening with local council officials andcouncillor to unveil the art. It was agreat project and very honoured tohave been involved with it. I offeredmy time free of charge and the PTA

paid for all materials used. From abusiness point of view, it gave me lotsof publicity and a community projectto add to my CV. More recently, I waschosen to represent Creative Scotlandand Craft Scotland at the Visit ScotlandTourism Expo in Edinburgh. I had tosubmit a tender of what I planned todemonstrate at the event and waslucky enough to have been chosen,along with another maker. It gave mea chance to showcase my glass to awider audience and share what I do tothem too. It was a great experience.

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Other than your crafting, what else do

you like to do?

Being self-employed, I work my hoursin and around my daughter. I workmany more hours now than when I didin the 'office job', but wouldn't changeit! I have to say I do not have a lot of'spare' time, but like to take mydaughter to the park and go on localday trips to the beach. I find it difficulthaving that life/work balance andprobably do not have enough 'me'time. However, once my daughterstarts school in August, this will freeup my days and then I'm hoping it willallow the evenings to be spent on non-work things.

If you had to choose your favourite

from your creations which one would it

be?

A difficult question. Sometimes I willreally like a piece of art for a while,then one day (being very critical ofmyself), I will look at the piece in adifferent light and decide not to like it.I don't know why, it just happens. Myfavourite at the moment is my newscreen printed designs - theHummingbird Curve is a currentfavourite. I learnt the technique ofscreen printing in recent months andjust love it. It allows me to add a newdimension to my work. I have alsorecently created some whisky themeditems and these were launched at theVisit Scotland Tourism Expo inEdinburgh last month. I really likethese designs as they are so different.

Where does your inspiration come

from?

Initially, I would have said projectbooks, just to gain experience, butnow ideas just pop in to my head. Ican often be sitting at a craft event,then have to sketch ideas down beforeI forget them. Sometimes they work,other times not. As stated earlier, Ithink my inspiration comes from mychildhood, being brought up inCornwall, having spent so much timeat the beach and in the sea.I now live in a very rural area and justhave to look out of my studio door andsee lots of rolling hills and countryside- this is great for just staring at. It isamazing what can pop in to your headwhen there is nothing more than hillsand forest around you. It definitelyhelps my mind and creative thoughts.

If you could change one thing about

what you do, what would it be?

There is not a lot I would change,because I'm proud of the business Ihave created, but in the early days Ishould have gone to the likes ofBusiness Gateway and soughtprofessional business advice. I hadnever run my own business before andthere are things I could have donedifferently, and more cost effectively!

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Do you have a favourite website?

Working in the creative industry, I amalways looking at so many websitesand there are so many gifted makersout there. It's great to view other sitesfor market research, even if it's to gaintrend information. I try and keep aneye on market trends and readmonthly trade magazines for thispurpose. One maker I have comeacross recently is Johanna Basford, anillustrator working with pens and inksbased in Aberdeen. She createsabsolutely amazing work and just loveher designs.

Has any person helped or supported

you more than any other?

On a business level, Business Gatewaygave me a grant two years ago, so Icould attend the British Craft TradeFair in Harrogate. It was a hugeamount of money for the stand andthey were very supportive of mybusiness. They have also passed mydetails on to The Executive magazine,where I had a really good write upabout my business.On a more personal one, my husbandhas been such a great help.Whenever, I attend large shows, itoften means I'm away from home fora few days at a time. This means hehas to take care of our daughter suchas organising the nursery/childmindertrips. Luckily he is also self-employed,otherwise I don't think I would be ableto do what I do. He used to comealong to the large shows and help setup. We used to make it a familyweekend away (great for themenjoying themselves, I was alwaysworking!). I owe a lot to my husband.

Tell us a random fact about yourself!

When I lived in London, I met TomCruise, he was delightful (andgorgeous), oh, and I love Marmite.

www.lazydaisyglass.co.uk

www.facebook.com/lazydaisyglass

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RhubarbChutney

The Slow Lane is getting ready for celebrations.

This year, June is of course, the Jubilee Month and therewill be plenty of celebrations throughout the country and

not all of them will be Tea parties.

With Father’s Day also this month there surely will be lotsof Barbeques (if the weather allows).

Do you take a gift for the Host/hostess?

If you are invited to a BBQ, or having one yourself, whynot try my Rhubarb Chutney as an accompaniment? It is

great with Red Meats and Sausages.

RecipesFr

om the

Slowlane

450 g Rhubarb350 g Onions175 g Raisins775 g Demarera Sugar½ Liter Cider Vinegar1 tbls Salt1 tsp Cinnamon1 tsp ground Ginger½ tsp ground cloves1 Pinch Cayenne pepper

Step 1. Clean and chop the Rhubarb into chunks, slice theonions.

Step 2. Add all the Ingredients to a large Pot and slowlybring to the boil.

Step 3. Stir continuously until the Sugar is completelydissolved. Simmer for 2 -3 hours stirring occasionally.

Step 4. When done immediately fill into warm sterilizedJars.

The Chutney can be eaten as soon as it cooled but Irecommend you keep it for a while so the flavours candevelop fully.

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"What a great start to a new venture. We all should be proud of our

British heritage and our handmade crafts, Vintage Rose is a great place

to find both!"

On the 28th April , Vintage Rose,Selby,launched their ‘rent a shelf scheme’ with

a fun filled party to welcome their first set of‘renters’.Vintage Rose is a little cave of prettytreasures from 1940’s bed spreads tohandmade baby toys and it has one aim- tobrighten people’s day.

Opened last year by a mother, Cheryl, andher two daughters, Sam, 26, and Sarah, 21-Vintage Rose is always full of colourful andfun pieces to make you smile.

By opening such a lively shop in Selby, it hasproved challenging to keep the shelvesstocked with unique pieces. Cheryl restoresfurniture and hand makes products, Sarahkeeps the business in order and Sam runs theevents and fairs as well as looking after her 6month old daughter.

“I hated having to buy in generic stock fromsuppliers” said Sarah. “It wasn’t what Iwanted Vintage Rose to be about. I came up

with the idea to rent space to other craftersas a way to keep a constant stream of uniqueproducts but also to give small and onlinebusinesses a chance to see their loving madepieces in a real shop.”

The difference with renting a shelf is that thecrafters keep their profits, they have a spacefor advertising and they can take orders forbespoke pieces.“We wanted this scheme to be more than just‘selling other’s stock’. We have created arenter’s club where the crafters help oneanother out with ideas, leafleting, social shoutouts and fairs.”

Most of the renters are Mummies who createtheir lovely pieces in their spare-time butwant their hard work to be seen by the public.Sam, who organises Vintage Rose’s eventssays that “with times being hard, especiallyfor little shops, it’s essential that we all pulltogether to keep British handmade productsin production.”

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Vintage Rose put out their first ‘rent a shelf’advert on Twitter at the beginning of Apriland by the 28th they had  seven renterssigned up, with beautiful displays and a partyto celebrate their work. Vintage Rose was ‘fullto the brim’ with renters, customers and localbusinesses enjoying delicious cakes fromwww.treaclescakes.co.uk and face paintingfor the children by Ade- The Face PaintingFairy.

The first set of renters includes:

This is Not A Spoon- ‘Hippy, Happy,Hoppy’

http://www.facebook.com/notaspoon

Floandgrace- ‘Tweets and Hearts’www.florenceandgrace.co.uk

Agathajane ‘Retro Nursery’www.agathajane.co.uk

Lucy Clayton’s Cushions ‘ColouringBook’

order through Vintage Rose

Twink Craft- ‘Wonderland jewels’ flowerearrings and button bracelets

http://www.facebook.com/twinkcrafts

Ade - The Face Painting Fairy ‘Facepainting, wooden bespoke hearts and

more’http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ade-the-

Face-Painting-Fairy/212559035432262

Baby Mu- ‘Vintage Baby’www.babymu.co.uk

This is Not A Spoon

FloandgraceAgathajane

Lucy Clayton’s Cushions

Twink Craft AdeBaby Mu

Vintage Rose, YO8 4PT

Gallery Launch 28th April 2012

www.vintageroseselby.co.uk

52

Creative crafting is a big passion of mine, not only is it my businessbut it’s my hobby too. I’ve always been creative. I think I got it from

my Nanna Sylvia who used to teach me how to knit and let me use herrose petals from the garden to make pretty pictures. I was lucky thatmy Nanna had the time and space to let me get creative at her house,as I know being a parent myself, it can sometimes be difficult forparents to enable this sort of thing at home for reasons such as space,time & cost of some arts & crafts equipment.

This is why I have decided to make inspiring & encouraging children toget creative a new part of my ‘Imagine Design Create’ business. I’veteamed up with a local play cafe called Shakees in my home town ofTaunton, Somerset UK to offer creative workshops and birthday partiesfor children of all ages and abilities. I’ll be doing all sorts of crafts fromsimple things like collages & painting to jewellery making, cupcakedecorating, sewing & model making.There are lots of great mess free, creative things you can do at hometoo. Why not try this great summertime creative activity at home withyour children? All you need is a piece of paper (although this can be anycolour you, have I find white works best) & a little tub.

You don’t need to use glue or anything as it is fun to keep changing thepictures. When you have finished playing with the pieces they ca bepopped into the compost bin & you can save your paper for next time!If you have children and would like to attend one of these new creativeclasses in Taunton or would like more cheap creative ideas for doing athome, please visit www.imaginedesigncreate.org.uk

1. Take your child into your garden or to a local park tocollect up little sticks, leaves & petals.

2. Grab your piece of paper & your tubs of bits andpieces. Sit outside in your garden or even still at thepark and have fun creating different pictures. Youcould ask the children to make specific things like ‘aflower’ ‘a boat’ or let them experiment with shapesand patterns.

Written by Kerri-Ann Lloyd

My son Reuben, 16months old having fun with paint >

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54

For The Home

Arts and Crafts

www.neatecrafts.co.uk

www.folksy.com/shops/Cajame

www.shimmyliciousjewellery.co.uk

Creative craftingDirectory of Crafters

Jewellery

www.elderberryarts.co.uk

www.sprinklessparkles.co.uk

www.llittlecraftybeaders.co.uk

Beautiful Jewellery to helpyou through life!

MYSTIC EARTH

www.mysticearth.co.uk

www.folksy.com/shops/damselflygemma

www.folksy.com/shops/BodkinandBead

www.wowthankyou.co.uk/minxtures

Love YourHomewww.perfectpatchwork.co.uk

www.lorrainedowdle.com

www.imaginedesigncreate.org.uk

www.etsy.com/shop/tashascreation

TreatYourself

www.craftfest-events.com

MOOOOOOOOOO!

55

Creative craftingDirectory of Crafters

Gifts

www.etsy.com/shop/RockyMountainSounds

www.zibbet.com/allaboutthebuttons

www.sparrowprimitives.co.uk/

www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk

Baby and Child

www.colourmefun.co.ukSupplies

www.scrapbookerry.com

www.theverysmallcompany.co.uk

Other

www.slowlanemade.me.uk

ADVERTISE YOURSTORE HERE

www.creative-crafting.com/advertise.html

Prices start at just £3.50 foryour banner to be addedwith an interactive link forthe online version of the

magazine.

www.littlescruffs.co.uk

www.thebeadbounty.weebly.com

www.chezhippo.co.uk

www.berrynicecushions.co.uk

56

Don’t miss our

SUMMER

issue Out on

1st august 2012

More projects, more interviews, more crafting possibilities.

Don’t forget that you can embed our magazine reader into your blogs andwebsites.

www.creative-crafting.com

View all ofour issues

FREEonline!