Blog Interview with Flutterbies

Today's interview is with Katherine from Flutterbies - let's see what she has to say...

1. Tell me a little bit about your craft(s)

I work with beads, making jewellery, tiaras and other accessories. I love working with beads and wire, they have so many possibilities!

2. What inspired you to get started with this?

I've always loved craft - I love creating something that didn't exist before, and over the years have tried everything from silk painting to pyrography, but there's just something about the beauty of beads that made me keep coming back to them time after time.

3. What do you think about the level of British craft & design talent around at the moment?

I think it's just amazing! Every time I go to a craft fair or browse on the many internet sites promoting it I'm just wowed by the standard of work out there.

4. What are your hopes for 2010? Is there a specific goal you want to reach?

I'm doing a lot this year - I'm getting married (congratulations!!!), moving house and job, so as far as my craft goes I'm just trying to keep it going. My main aim is to get to a couple of craft fairs throughout the year and try and promote my jewellery that way.

5. Do you get out and about to craft fairs? What do you think to the general standard of fairs at the moment?

I do try to, they're a great way to meet other crafters and to talk to your customers face to face. The standard is amazing, as is the range of products you can buy!

6. What do you think is the best / worst / most unusual thing you have ever made?

I went through a phase where I made lots and lots of miniature purses. They're really really cute as ornamental items, but there's not a lot else to do with them... I still have a bag full at home as they don't sell that well, but I don't mind because they're just so pretty!

7. Which other designer makers work do you admire?

There are a number of shops on folksy that I just keep going back to because their work is so gorgeous. My favourites at the moment are Fleur des Perles and Driftwood Boat Builders, they're both really unusual shops selling things you don't see everyday.

8. Do you have any pets? If so what are they, and what are they called?

I have an adorable dog called Genie, and a ginger cat called Pippin, they mostly get on!

9. Do you listen to music when you're working, and if so, what kind of music do you like?

I love listening to music, mostly indie and soft rock, but when I'm crafting more often than not I listen to the talkie shows on the radio!

Thanks Katherine for answering my questions! Here's a small selections of Katherines jewellery which can be found in her Folksy Shop

Folksy Friday

I'm loving all things pretty and 'fairytale' at the moment, so I've picked a selection of what I think are very pretty and slighty whimsical goodies this week!

Dog Collar by Very Vintage

Fairy Crown by EllaBellaFairy

Purrfect Nights Artwork by ArtByJan

Wooden Seed Pods wall hanging by Pavlova

Little Lost Bear print by Hide n Seek

Blog interview with Jewelbox

Today's blog interview is with Zoe from Jewelbox

Tell me a little bit about your craft(s)

I make jewellery! Primarily necklaces, but I am just starting to try different designs in earrings and bracelets, and have made a few spectacle holders for some of my mums friends which were fun.

What inspired you to get started with this?

I absolutely love jewellery and like to have a lot of choice in what I wear. I got really fed up of seeing basically the same designs in every shop I went in, except for the shops that sold handmade items! A light bulb went off above my head, and I decided to give it a try myself.

What do you think about the level of British craft & design talent around at the moment?

I think we have got a huge amount of talent in Britain, but I don't think we make the best of it. Call it the British reserve, but I think we should be proud of our accomplishments and should shout it out in the streets. (I agree!!)

What are your hopes for 2010? Is there a specific goal you want to reach?

My hopes are to continue with my jewellery making, and possibly to branch out into other crafts. My goal would be to be able to give up my day job, and craft full time, but I think that may be a little while yet!

Do you get out and about to craft fairs? What do you think to the general standard of fairs at the moment?

I only attend craft fairs as a customer, not a seller. I think craft fairs are great, but again, not advertised well enough. I believe craft fairs/websites etc. could all do with a Nationwide campaign to bring them to peoples attention.

What do you think is the best / worst / most unusual thing you have ever made? (plus photos if possible!) The best thing I have made recently is my Chrysocolla necklace (see it on the Jewelbox blog ) The worst things I have made were when I first started making necklaces, and wasn't very good at crimping, so as soon as I put a necklace on, it fell apart! I learnt very quickly from that one!!!

Which other designer makers work do you admire?

I love your designs! (Awww thank you!) and on Folksy I think Cinnamon Jewellery has some really great items.

Do you have any pets? If so what are they, and what are they called?

I have a miniature daschund called Rose. She is 15 now, bless her. There is a photo of her on my blog!

Do you listen to music when you're working, and if so, what kind of music do you like?

I don't really listen to music, but my favourite way to make jewellery is to have a tray on my lap whislt watching telly.

Thanks to Zoe for answering my questions, Zoe makes lovely jewellery, which can be found on her Folksy shop