Konnie Kapow!

THIS BLOG HAS MOVED!

2011-03-31T01:12:00.000+01:00

Please click on the link below to visit Konnie Kapow's current blog!

Konnie Kapow Relaunch!

2010-09-22T23:14:00.000+01:00

I am pleased to announce that my new website is now live!

http://www.konniekapow.co.uk/

Furthermore, I have moved my blog which can now be found here.

I would appreciate it if any regular followers would pop over and 'follow' the new blog.

Details of the relaunch and celebratory offers etc will be posted to the new blog.

Woah there Nelly!

2010-09-20T15:52:00.000+01:00

It is both a strength and a weakness in my personality that if I often have a million and one things on the go at once but I am having to admit, for this month at least, that I have bitten off more than I can chew. I'm starting to feel a bit like an actress playing the part of myself and that's not a good sign!

Without boring anyone with the dreary details, I am taking a wee rest for the next few weeks from my day job and also a few of the other regular commitments I have.

The shop will still be open and I am still planning my relaunch however it will be at my own pace and I will not be setting myself any deadlines.

I have taken a short break from my Folksy Blog Column however will be back soon with my next article on Sock Creatures! I will continue to post to my own blog and that of Granny Would Be Loud but again this will be at my own pace.

Phew, I feel better already!

Konnie Kapow's First Birthday!

2010-09-14T13:07:00.000+01:00

I'm pretty slow on the uptake sometimes so it won't suprise many of my friends that it is more than one year to the day that I opened my shop on Folksy. The 10th of September passed by without even an inkling that it was my Superhero alter ego's birthday. In fact, I spent the day waiting in for the delivery of a tractor window (for my Dad obviously who lives 100 miles away!) and then flyering and promoting our new venture Granny Would Be Loud with Mr Kapow and the delectable Granny Fred!

In light of this omission I have decided to celebrate Konnie Kapow's First Birthday on the anniversary of my first Folksy sale which occured on September 24th and wasn't even to my mum!

I mentioned a few months ago that my dear friend Joe Snow was working on a new logo for me, he's been very busy with other work but has managed to get it finished and I am ecstatic to say that it was WELL WORTH THE WAIT!

Therefore, I will be using Friday 24th September not only to celebrate Konnie's birthday but to relaunch my shop using the new logo and hopefully a revamped website!!!!!!!!

As if this were not exciting enough, Friday 24th of September is also the second date for our new club night Granny Would Be Loud! in Glasgow's West End, always one to bite off more than I can chew I hope to somehow involve Granny too!?

So here are the facts:
Konnie Kapow's first birthday and relaunch will be Friday 24th September
Granny Would Be Loud's second outing will be Friday 24th September
I will announce details tomorrow of a relaunch style giveaway!
This week's Folksy Friday on my blog will be replaced by a celebration of the amazing people I have met on my Folksy journey this year!

Adios amigos! I'm off to shut myself in a darkened room while I think about how I'm going to pull this off!?

The Kapowder Room Secrets :: Psychobilly

2010-09-07T12:18:00.000+01:00

The fourth in my Kapowder Room Secrets series is up today on Psychobilly!

I'm really loving writing these articles! There are just so many wonderful themes and topics on Folksy to explore along with such talented makers!

Why not pop on over and have a read? It sure would mean a lot to me if you would...

The Kapowder Room Secrets :: Psychobilly

Furthermore, should anyone have an idea for something they would like to see covered or like to contribute in some way to a topic (even those already covered can be revisited at another time) then please feel free to get in touch with me (konniekapow@gmail.com).

I can't promise to include everyone but I can promise to try!

So far the topics covered have been:

Steampunk
Kawaii
Burlesque
Psychobilly

My next topic will be Sock Creatures!

On my 'to do list' are:
Goth / Emo
Punk
Shabby Chic
Retro
Kitsch
Geek
Fantasy
Hippy / New Age
Zines

Famous Birthdays Folksy Friday :: 3rd September

2010-09-03T14:54:00.001+01:00

Hank Thompson

Honky Tonk Country artist Hank Thompson was still recording and performing well into his 80s but passed away in 2007.

Howdy! Cowboy Hat Earrings by Girl of the 80s!

Sally Benson

Screenwriter Sally Benson who wrote Meet Me in St Louis died in 1972.

Musical Heart Resin Pendant by Just K Jewellery and Gifts

Kitty Carlisle

American actress, singer and regular gameshow panelist Kitty Carlisle passed away in 2007 aged 96.

Hello Kitty face necklace by Heroine Industries

Fearne Cotton

The er... apparently omnipotent Tv Presenter Fearne Cotton is 29 today. Yup, I prefer Holly as does Mr Kapow!

Cotton betty Scarflette by Silky Prudence

Steve Jones

Of Sex Pistols fame, not the Welsh T4 presenter (who I've met in real life and has a disproportionately large head compared with his body).

Nevermind the Buzzcocks, this stamp (punk) rocks - Hand carved Rubber Stamp by Skull and Cross Buns

Eric Bell

Northern Irish Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell was also in the last incarnation of Van Morrison's band Them. He's 63 today.

The Horse of Rock Necklace by Cherry Loco

Charlie Sheen

Aka Carlos Estevez is 45 today. Funnily enough we just watched Hot Shots t'other day and then that Bond film with his ex wife Denise Richards was on the next night too!

Digger Bedroom door plaque by MiaZak Designs

Konnie Kapow's "And you thought you were special" celebrity birthday cards can be made to order for any date and personalised too!

Granny Would be LOUD!

2010-08-31T00:00:00.001+01:00

A few months back I interviewed the lovely Fred who runs the superb Glasgow Vintage and Craft Fair Granny Would Be Proud!

Since then, Fred and Jamie have been swapping youtube videos of French Pop and Northern Soul like nobody's business! And from this beautiful exchange has been born Granny Would Be Loud!

The West End's Premier Club Night!

It's gonna be a belter I tell thee! There will be a prize for the best dancers, Vintage Photo Booth, awesome tunes of course (Mr Kapow's DJ) and a whole host of other treats!

Don't be misled either by the venue, this is not a student night (although students are most welcome!) it's for one and all, young and old, brand new and decrepit!

The first night will be Saturday 11th September (not the 5th which I have been telling people! Whoops! Sorry!)

Speaking of the 5th, Granny Would Be Proud Vintage and Craft Fair is the 5th! At Hillhead Bookclub just off Byres Road! Konnie Kapow will have a stall as will Lucy loves... and loads and loads of other fabulous stallholders! Come get a Strawberry Mojito and browse!

Here are some lovely pics from Granny Would Be Proud in July (at Hillhead Library) wot Mr Kapow took on his lovely old Pentax...

Crafting Adventures :: Dolly faces the music

2010-08-30T00:00:00.001+01:00

Last week I blogged about my new friend Dolly Kapow whom you may recall has no face. Quite a few people commented that she should be left faceless as it kinda worked and I must say I did agree. However, I just bash on with things mostly without really thinking them through so Dolly was given a face for a few reasons:

I have lots and lots of buttons and I never ever use them because I love them and if I used them then I wouldn't have them anymore. In an attempt to break my habit of collecting and not using buttons I thought I could sew some to Dolly's face.

When I was making my Dolly at The Life Craft, my teacher and friend Vonnie talked about Waldorf Dolls which originally had no faces in order to encourage children to use their imagination. This was a swell idea n'all but it reminded me of a terrible experience I had recently.... I was on holiday with Mr Kapow and the in-laws in Northumberland and MIL and I went into one of these nice little shops where there's not a lot of stuff for practical use but everything's so pretty where we had fun getting her to pose for a picture while unknowingly standing under a mobile that said "Grumpy Old Woman." (he he, see?)

I turned around and saw in the corner about 20 enormous rag dolls about the size of a 6 year old, they were all standing facing into the corner Blair Witch Project style and they gave me a fright because they looked like real children to begin with. I went over and turned one round to aleviate my initial fear and IT HAD NO FACE! Oh God! Cue horror movie soundtrack!

Lastly, because...well...it turns out that Dolly and Mr Kapow have been having an affair. I'm obviously shocked and horrified by this relevation but Mr Kapow and I have talked it through and we're going to give things another go. Dolly too is very sorry and I've decided that she can still live with us but I'm giving her a face so that Mr Kapow won't be attracted to her anymore. (No jokes about his liking plain women please, I shant laugh as my pride is still hurt).

Disclaimer: Not all Dollies made at The Life Craft's Doll Making Classes are Slaggy Dolls, don't let this put you off.

So without further ado, I reveal Dolly's new face:

Where the boys are :: Bumpo

2010-08-28T20:43:00.002+01:00

Name: Robert Jones (known to some as Bumpo)

Age: 29
From: Just outside North London

Favourite band: *long low whistle* this is impossible to answer, i got hold of an advance copy of the new Stornoway album the other day and the first song 'Zorbing' really stands out,the Band Of Skulls album just got better & better with every listen, love Blood Red Shoes,the Drums EP was great, been listening to alot of Otis Redding recently - Legend, The XX album was amazing, The Joy Formidable are a great little band or Bromheads Jacket! great band, or Manchester Orchestras second album is amazing, early Fleetwood Mac will always be very important to me, The Black Keys! absolutely brilliant...what was the question?

Favourite movie: Escape To Victory - Best.Film.Ever.

Favourite book: *long low whistle* here we go again, pretty much anything by Terry Pratchett, Tolstoys War & Peace is amazing but that shouldn't really be a surprise, Crime & Punishment and The Idiot, Dostoyevsky's brilliant, Louis de Bernieres books are great, specially that trilogy, Senor Vivo And The Coca Lords? they were stunning, The Illiad is amazing but you have to get the right translation, Mike Mignolas a genius, H.P.Lovecraft - what a storyteller, i don't think Stephen King gets the credit he deserves for being a genuinely good writer, I loved Don Quixote till the end, Book Of Lost Things, that was interesting, Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk, Jonathen Strange & Mr.Norrell, that was a great debut book, Catcher In The Rye!...Pick One? *sigh* Catch 22, it's genius. There's loads more though!

How did you learn your craft?
I just started doin it! I've always been creative but never had much natural talent (my GCSE art exam 'Man Eating Burger' lives on in infamy) I bought Banksy's book 'Wall & Piece' and in it he tells a story about how he nearly got caught by the police because his friends were a lot faster spraying their graffiti designs than he was, so he started using stencils because they were quicker. It sounds fairly apocryphal but it's literally what inspired me to start, it gave me an avenue to be creative and i've spread out into all sorts of other areas since. It's not a term I use often but Banksy really is a hero of mine.

Your eureka moment - tell us about your favourite thing you have ever made?
Probably the first tshirt I ever printed, it was a Tottenham Hotspur tshirt, it said Park Lane (the stand I sit in) with the Spurs Cockeral between the words, it came out better than I ever expected and i was off.

Your "D'oh!" moment - tell us about you biggest crafting disaster.
Oh there's been loads! i'm a nightmare for experimenting with bleach but it's probably anything I ever made for my ex girlfriend, I always messed those up! i'm afraid the more I like you the less likely you are to get something nice!

Is crafting what you do full time or do you have a Clark Kent style alter-ego?
I've actually just been made redundant, thanks for bringing that up! I was a warehouse manger, before that i've done allsorts, demolition crew, electricians mate, warehouses, warehouses, warehouses, nothing even remotely creative, to do it for a living? that'd be a dream.

Where do you do your crafting?
all over the place but i will invariably end up working on the floor at some point.

Tell us a bit about your crafting philosophy
Keep challenging yourself. Some people think i'm too tough on myself or I lack confidence but it's that that makes me better, the things I do now are way better that what I was doing last year and I wanna say that next year too. Don't ask yourself 'is that good enough?' ask 'Can it be better?'.

Tell us why you think there are far more female than male crafters?
I think it comes down through grandmothers and mothers for a lot of women, it's just something they grow up with. It's largely seen as a womens preserve and as a man you can feel unwelcome sometimes. From the male point of view I think there's a lack of understanding, people know I craft and they don't try and make fun of it but they don't talk about it either, it's like they can't process it, they just don't know what to do with the information.

Tell us something suprising about yourself (non craft related)?
I had to sign the Official Secrets Act but I can't tell you why...

What's the manliest thing you make?
An elephant plushie with hearts on her stomach and ears! I dunno really, I make robots outta soda cans...you could cut your finger...hmmm, stuggling here, i'm gunna go with leather cord wristbands.

What's the least manly thing you make?
I've handsewn a Hello Kitty bag for my niece's birthday...

What would you say to encourage more men to craft?
hmmm, just try it i spose, through crafting i've met some amazing people, people who've inspired me and changed my life, i've ended up with work being displayed in galleries, there are people on the other side of the world wearing tshirts i've designed! how cool is that?! just the fact that people are wearing tshirts i've made makes me smile. And there's still so much to learn, crafting encompasses so much, that really, you're just missing out.

Folksy Celebrities :: Strawberry Anarchy

2010-08-21T00:00:00.001+01:00

Name: Miquette Breitenbach
From: Originally from Dundee , Living in Edinburgh
Occupation: Now a full time pregnant crafter
Favourite colour: Blue
Favourite animal: Tarsier
Favourite band: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Favourite book: Pictoplasma

Shop / Business name:
Strawberry Anarchy

What you make:
Kawaii Snow Globe Necklaces & Kitsch Jewellery (occasionally felt dolls, rubbers/ erasers, graphics and other miscellaneous items)

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I have always been encouraged to do art since I was a little girl, My mum is an artist and my dad is a musician so creativity was always important in my house and I was surrounded by good music and art. I've always really enjoyed making things since I was small and I have always been more creative than academic.

What was the first thing you ever made?
I remember two things, not sure what came first but one of them was a really sweet little pond I made out of a plastic container I built land around it with mushrooms and real flowers on the grass and made little lilly pads out of leaves to float on the water with frogs to sit at the side on rocks. it was so cute! Another was a mansion made out of Lego with a revolving book shelf that led you into a secret passage around the house I was so proud of it I think I kept it built up for about a year. Lego was my most favourite toy in the world. I still love it.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
My mum taught me a lot of what I know I have watched her make things and she has helped with tips and problem solving over the years with various projects. I have also taught myself a lot and I went to uni to study Computer Arts, where I learned to do Graphic design, films and animation too.

How did your craft business come about?
I finished uni after 3rd year, I still got my degree but I made myself so ill in fourth year with stress that the doctor signed me off and advised me to take a break. I was planning on going back the following year. However I was dying to put all the skills I had learned into my own projects without having to do essays which are the area that I struggle in (The whole dissertation was the thing that sent me ill with stress) Someone told me about Etsy and I thought I would give it a go, I started making banners for people and selling jewellery. I got better but decided to just stay away from uni in the fear it would make me really ill again.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
I do my crafting at weird times, I never quite managed to get into a routine so I do it when I have the urge. I normally sit on the living room floor to make things I have tried to do it at a desk but I can't fit everything on a desk and spread everything out properly (basically make a mess is what I'm trying to say here)

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I have a collection of 7,000 rubbers/erasers which I have had since I was 9.

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
I have always loved jenmaestre, I think her work is very unique and it just really appeals to me. I like the way she uses pencils :)

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
It keeps me going and makes me happier because I feel like I have achieved something when I make a piece I'm really proud of and especially when someone buys it and they love it too.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
I think it's always been hot and will never fail to be hot, craftiness is the only way!

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Because I have all these cute new bags, note paper and stickers to use for my packaging and they are so cute you will love opening your order and once you buy something from me you get a special code for money off your next order. I am also saving money to buy the wee girl in my belly some things too.

OK you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
You can find me here...
Etsy ($)
Folksy (£)
Facebook

Crafting Adventures :: A day in the life of Dolly Kapow!

2010-08-19T14:06:00.001+01:00

I had the pleasure of attending a doll making class last night at The Life Craft, a new shop opened up on Glasgow's Great Western Road by my dear friend Vonnie and her husband Bob. A few months ago Vonnie and sewing machine driver extraordinaire Jenny came over to our house and my friends and I were the first to test drive their Tote Bag Making Class and so I had high hopes and expectations for the Doll Making!

As you may have noticed from my Domestic Anti-Goddess antics, I have my 'less able' moments when crafting so the fact that I made the doll so well is testament to The Life Craft!

I hope to give dolly a face soon (although mouse still has no ears, or face!) so will post the progress of that however Dolly stayed at home today with Mr Kapow and Uncle Android and this is what she got up to...

After a nice long lie Dolly gets up to find Mr Kapow and Uncle Android!

Then she puts on her make up, ooh you look lovely dolly! Perhaps a spot of rouge?

Dolly then tries her hand at the crossword. "Give us a clue dolly! No? You want to do it yourself? Ok then."

Dolly does a spot of laundry which is terribly helpful. Thanks Dolly, you can leave Mr Kapow's socks for me if you want though, they're a bit smelly.

What are you having for lunch Dolly? Be careful with that knife it's sharp!

Dolly's manning the Konnie Kapow shop today, any orders yet Dolly?

Dolly then like to have a wee relax with her knitting. Watcha making Dolly? A scarf?

I like to play dress up and so does Dolly it would seem, isn't she pretty?!

The dishes too?! excellent work Dolly!

Aw, all tired out!

Domestic Anti Goddess :: Soap Flakes

2010-08-17T00:00:00.003+01:00

I've recently been having fun documenting my domestic (and crafting) efforts and general mishaps in a wee column called Domestic Anti-Goddess and hope to continue this on a semi regular basis. I've spent some time this evening making this here badge for it, hope you like it!

After lamenting the trials and tribulations of 'felting my mouse' a few weeks ago and how difficult it was to find Soap Flakes, Sod's Law dictates that I should now find them wherever I go!

I was on Skye a few days after posting the original article and lo and behold - there they were in the supermarket!

Then! After specifically mentioning Boots as a place where one can not purchase soap flakes, I find these!

Needless to say, I am now the proud owner of a box of soap flakes but I am yet to attempt eny more felting. In fact, closer inspection has shown that my poor drowned and deaf mouse is in fact only partially felted. His belly remains quite distinctly knitted. Perhaps I should chuck him in the washing machine (I have one that works now!) or maybe I'll just go ahead as is.

I will be posting the finished mouse as soon as I get round to stuffing the blighter!

The A Team!

2010-08-16T00:00:00.007+01:00

I remember around the end of March seeing a thread on the Folksy forums about a Listings Club which would involve listing a new item every day. At the time it seemed a bit ambitious to me as I couldn't see where on earth I would find the time!

I watched with interest though as several folksy sellers joined in and seemed to be bringing in impressive number of sales. First there was the April foolers, then the May Listing Club, June Loons and the July Jesters... they all seemed to be doing really well and something I really noticed was the warm and fuzzy atmosphere created by everyone proting each other and listing together. (I'm a sucker for fuzziness!)

My own shop was feeling a bit neglected so I decided to join in! I have listed an item a day so far apart from er.....today! Oh yeah! So far I've sold 13 items which is almost one per day!

N.B. today is actually Saturday 14th, like Jools Holland, my blog's 'recorded' in advance so this will be published on Monday 16th but I'm writing it on Saturday 14th, how confusing!

It's a personal challenge so there aren't any real rules, you just list something every day if possible and then find the thread in the forums to show everyone and there's a sales tally which is pretty impressive so far! Then you promote, promote, promote!

So I'd like to show you some of my favourite listings from the A Team so far, it's really hard though as there are SO MANY to choose from!

And here are my own listings so far (managed to get today's (or is it?!) done after all!)

Where the boys are:: Mother's Ruin

2010-08-15T00:00:00.011+01:00

Mark Sabine aka Mother’s Ruin

Name:
Age: 24
From: Middlesex
Favourite colour: Green
Favourite animal: I’m a huuuuuge animal lover, but I guess if I had to choose it would be dogs. My pooches are my world!
Favourite band: I don’t really listen to any bands. However, I am (somewhat controversially these days!) Whitney Houston’s BIGGEST fan!!! Is that a little tragic?
Favourite movie: Ermm… tonnes. Anything with Jodie Foster, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore……. And ‘The Bodyguard’ for Whitney. Of course.
Favourite book: ‘The Hours’ by Michael Cunningham. It’s a beautiful, yet strangely (exquisitely) painful read.

How did you learn your craft?
Which one?! I seem to have picked up quite a few now! My ‘almost’ Mother-In-Law (who funnily enough runs her own Indie dyeing business at artisanthreads.co.uk) taught me to knit when I was staying with her over Christmas a few years back. Indeed, several months later she showed me the basic crochet stitches too. Most is self-taught though. Once I have the basics I’m pretty happy to research everything else on my own. I have a voracious appetite for books and often (am I supposed to say this?) I enjoy reading about crafting more than the crafting itself, so it becomes pretty easy to pick things up. My latest craft is sewing and I am definitely a newbie in that particular arena!

Your eureka moment - tell us about your favourite thing you have ever made?
You know, I don’t think I have a favourite. I always have a totally different relationship with each item I make! Funnily enough, my interest in knitting and crochet originally developed through a desire to make my own clothes, but I never really got around to making anything for me!

While I was honing my skills I tended to make small gifts for other people (that’s before I stumbled across Folksy, of course, and the opportunity to make some pocket money!). I do have one ongoing project (it may well outlive me!) which is a crocheted blanket of hexagon motifs. I am using up lots of leftovers from other projects, so it will be a nice trip down memory lane when it’s all finished. I think, in time, it could become a favourite, simply because of the associations it will have with my crafting history and the fact that I am actually going to keep it for myself!!!

Your "D'oh!" moment - tell us about your biggest crafting disaster
Oh, I have these all the time! You must understand – I’m not a professional! As I said before, I’m largely self-taught, so I frequently find myself going about things in a totally illogical way! I’m pretty tenacious though, and have found that making mistakes is a much better way to learn in the long run.

I’m currently working on several menswear designs that have caused me all sorts of problems! It can be hard to balance disaster and success though. I mean, I love the Victorian lace collar that is on my Folksy shop right now but that would never have existed if I had not completely messed up the original project (a headscarf/band type thing!) and decided to utilize some other materials and turn it into something new. There are other times, though, when it is better for your own sanity to just admit defeat, rip back the stitches and start again!

Is crafting what you do full-time or do you have a Clark Kent style alter-ego?
Nothing quite as glamorous as Clark Kent, unfortunately! I have a day job that pays the bills (just!), but I’d love nothing more than to craft full-time. That said, I already find myself neglecting friends and family in order to spend time crafting so it’s probably best that I am forced out of the house for a few hours every day!

Where do you do your crafting?
I’d love to be able to give you a really exciting answer to this but, alas, I’m the conventional armchair crafter! There’s nothing better on a cold autumnal evening than slipping into some comfortable clothes, pouring a glass of red wine and stitching away while watching a favourite film or listening to music. (Yes, I am 24, not 84, before you flick back to check!) I occasionally take projects into the office with me so that I can get a quick fix during lunch. Sometimes, reading about all these people that take their knitting projects on the bus or train makes me wish that I had a proper commute to work, but I only have a 20 minute car journey and my driving skills are already under-developed to say the least, let alone with needles in hand!

Tell us a bit about your crafting philosophy (e.g. environmental, heritage, family, therapy!)
I don’t know that I have one! I notice that you mention ‘therapy’ as possible crafting motivation, but I always find this to be a laughable misconception (on a personal level, at least). I’m sure there are thousands of knitters out there that would be able to expound the virtues of knitting for relaxation, but I find it to be anything but therapeutic! Almost as soon as I begin one project or design I find myself thinking of the next one. In the end, the actual making process just becomes a marathon rush to finish! I’m all about the end product!

Tell us why you think there are far more female than male crafters?
I think there is still a stigma attached to crafting. Certainly, knitting was always synonymous with little old ladies in rocking chairs and shawls around their shoulders. I think until recently this perception was enough to put even women off of the craft, let alone men. Not only that, but (and I’m getting on my favourite topic here!) there are SO FEW knitting/crochet/sewing patterns available for men. Furthermore, those that do get published demonstrate such an enormous lack of imagination that they become, frankly, insulting. Why, oh why, I ask myself almost every day, do the knitting faculty assume that men only want cabled jumpers in various shades of beige, black and brown?! Take a look at the publications you have laying around, or online, and I can assure you that cables and stocking stitch are all you will find available for men. Admittedly, I have a relatively flamboyant personal style – many of the things I would like to wear would not appeal to ‘the majority’. Nonetheless – please, designers, let’s have some colour, some asymmetrical detailing, some interesting collars or closures! Another boxy v-neck jumper with 2x2 ribbing and I swear I’ll gouge my own eyes out with a crochet hook…. That’s why I am currently working on some of my own designs (you’ll have to be patient though – I get distracted easily!).

Tell us something surprising about yourself (non craft related)?
Oh God! If you knew me better then I doubt much would be considered surprising, but I guess if you want something really, really stupid then I suppose I could confess to having an almost preternatural ability to break vacuum cleaners! I’m on my fourth this year (and no, they aren’t cheap ones and my house isn’t that dirty!).

What's the manliest thing you make?
Right now – nothing! As I said, I’ve been compelled to start designing my own menswear clothing but prior to that I’ve tended to focus on women’s accessories. I like quick return projects and struggle to commit to anything that takes longer than a few weeks (goodness, I have a fabulous work ethic!). Furthermore, I’ve always been attracted to vintage styling and it distresses me (I guess ‘distress’ could be overstating the matter, but still!) that we seem to have lost the glamour of previous eras. If it were up to me we’d all still dress for dinner and hats/veils/wraps and corsets would be compulsory – not something that I anticipate being of much interest to men though! This is the dilemma I currently find myself in – do I make the items that genuinely appeal to me, or give in to the indignation that I feel about men being under-represented in the crafting community?!

What's the least manly thing you make?
All of it! Even the men’s items that I am working on now are really designed the bridge the gap between outright masculinity and outright femininity. I’m fighting the perception that plain clothes are ‘manly’. They’re not – they’re just dull! (Am I turning this interview into a personal rant?!)

What would you say to encourage more men to craft?
Go for it. You cannot comprehend the joy that it can bring to your life. There is a great crafting community too – I’ve met tonnes of lovely people along the way and I’m only really at the beginning of my journey! I really don’t know what else to say (for once!).

Where can we read more about you?
Feel free to check out my blog. I love my blogging space as it is a great way of organizing my thoughts and keeping a record of my work, not to mention a perfect opportunity to get in contact with likeminded individuals! Mind you, I could be doing myself a major disservice here as I run the risk of exposing myself as wholly unqualified to have answered the questions in this interview!

This has been fun – let’s all get together again sometime?

Folksy Celebrities - Amy Orange Juice!

2010-08-14T15:24:00.002+01:00

Next in my series of Folksy Celebrities is the talented Amy Orange Juice! Not only is her glass art fab (so fab I bought some while searching for images to use!) but she's also a tremendous writer and fellow columnist for the Folksy Blog!

Name: Amy McCarthy
From: Exeter, via Norwich and London
Occupation: I am a glass artist and mixed media artist
Favourite colour: oh no, you cant ask a glass artist that! I like them all, but I cant wear yellow, makes me look ill.
Favourite animal: giraffe
Favourite band: today its 2 Door Cinema Club, yesterday it was Mumford and Sons, tomorrow, who knows!
Favourite book: To Kill a Mocking Bird

Shop / Business name:
amyorangejuice

What you make:
stained glass windows, panels and window decorations readymade and for commission

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
Prolific out put of art in all mediums since I could hold a pen!

What was the first thing you ever made?
No idea, I did have a full collection of Sindy clothes very early on though.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
Yes I have an A level in Textiles, an Art degree and 2 years stained glass techniques training.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
I work around my young family, so often 6am-9am and 6pm until I drop and all weekend ......but as of September I am going to employ a childminder as I have reached the point I need to have a couple of days without disruptions and my business is expanding faster than my family is growing up!

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I have so many cuts on my finger tips from glass that I would find itvery hard to get through USA border controls finger print screening

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
Rockrose jewellery, Lynwood crafts and Beargraphics, sorry I cant get it down to just the one!

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I find that I am just miserable if I am not making and creating, so it is essential to my emotional well being. On a wider scale I really want people to buy less good quality stuff than the endless cheap throw away rubbish. For the good of the environment, aesthetics and maintaining the British tradition of high quality products.......I could go on all night!

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Because I make beautiful pieces of affordable art which will last a lifetime and make you smile!

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Folksy
Etsy

Folksy Friday :: Famous Birthdays 13th July

2010-08-13T13:35:00.001+01:00

Alas this week's Folksy Friday is pretty short n' sweet due to an epic to do list!

Annie Oakley

Cowgirl Make up case by Rachel Elizabeth

John Logie Baird

Retro TVs original framed artwork by wall envy art

Alfred Hitchcock

'Betsy' shower cap by Hatsy

Fidel Castro

Driving around in circles print by Violet May

Bernard Manning

Shopping with mother ladybird book badges by Kakes Makes

Konnie Kapow's "And you thought you were special" famous birthday cards can be made for any date you like,

all cards are currently 2 for £5!

Folksy Celebrities - Eyelove

2010-08-07T21:13:00.000+01:00

Name: David Oswald
From: I’ve been living in Nottingham for the past 6 years but my hometown is the ‘dear green place’- Glasgow!
Occupation: I don’t have a regular day job as such, I do the odd bit of graphic design (mainly for print).
Favourite colour: I’m drawn to blues
Favourite animal: I love all animals, but particularly rabbits and cats!
Favourite band: I’m not really into bands as much, whatever music makes me want to dance- French dance music, and early disco! I do like Nine Inch Nails and Madonna- so my musical tastes are a bit eclectic!
Favourite book: Stories by H.P Lovecraft

Shop / Business name:
Eye Love

What you make: I make items of jewellery, mainly in resin.

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I was always drawing and colouring in as a child, I distinctly remember copying pictures out of books and then being able to draw them from memory; I don’t think I was conscious of being artistic, just doing what I enjoyed doing. I also remember feeling frustrated at not having double sided sticky tape so I guess that might have been an early indication of an artistic temperament!

What was the first thing you ever made?
The first big project as a 5 year old, was a cat puppet- it was basically a cat head shape that my mum helped me to sew (from black fabric) then I stuck buttons on for eyes- I think I got bored half way as I don’t remember it having a body, so it was just a head on a wooden spoon!
I also remember trying to make a different puppet using an egg carton, it was then I found out that UHU glue and polystyrene do not work (I have also just realised what kind of parent gives their child strong glue without supervision!?!)

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
I haven’t had any kind of training- I’m a great believer in jumping right in and learning from experimenting and making mistakes.

How did your craft business come about?
I used to make and sell resin pendants to a shop in Glasgow’s west end, many years ago (17 years in fact) I gave it up after a while and then ventured into making lucky hoodoo dolls (hoodoo is a type of practical magik, that I used to dabble in!), but they weren’t that lucky- as they didn’t sell!
It was only a year and a half ago that I decided to get back into working with resin and sell online rather than in a bricks and mortar shop.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
For me it is all about the right frame of mind, there’s no point in forcing yourself to create and make something if your heart’s not in it. I like to work at my own pace than set deadlines for myself; because of the fumes from the resin and the mess I make, I tend to use my kitchen- it isn’t the most ideal or practical of places, as the area I work at is approx a 3ft x 2ft area above the cat litter box (so it isn’t just the fumes from the resin that I have to deal with!)

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I used to make short films and videos, one of which appeared on a Channel 4 documentary as it was a bit provocative, enough said!

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
I am not a huge consumer of things- I do see things that I like, but I always ask myself, do I really need that? Will I use that? So I end up putting myself off; in this day and age, it’s probably quite a green attitude to have, but it actually stems from not having a lot of money and being careful on how you spend! That, and the inability to make decisions!
These are a few shops that I have favourited on Folksy as I really like their work.

I do also have a liking for odd looking plushy creatures:
Monster Magic
Mamf’s Creations
I love the way this shop has used the photos and the descriptions for the products- Tiny Oyster Designs

I like the creations of:
SpoiltPig
Beautiful Skin
Come Day Go Day
Chiyo
Larios

I also like the glass work of:
Tias Glass
Glass Primitif
AmyOrangeJuice

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
In the general sense, handmade is important because it is supporting production at a grass roots level and not giving money to huge companies who only care about profits; and who are more than likely to be wasting resources or exploiting people.
If and when I am in a large high street store, it disturbs me when I see masses of cheap jewellery and accessories that will serve it’s purpose for a brief moment, then it will be binned or forgotten about; and I think- this is just the one store out the x amount in the UK.

On a personal level, it is an outlet for my creativity and it is nice feeling when you have made something that another individual appreciates, which for me is a bit more important than the financial aspect- we all want to be loved! Also knowing that the person will value that object more than an item that is mass-produced.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
No it’s not just you, it is hot!
I know crafting has been around for years but it seems to have taken off big time. I think it may be down to the fact that more people enjoy the individuality and choice of handmade items and with the availability of materials and information now, it’s easier for people to give crafting a go.
I noticed in a recent issue of Vogue, there were a couple of feature adverts that were craft related, one was for The Bead Shop in Nottingham, one was for handmade children’s craft aprons and another was for handmade jewellery- so it must be hot if it's came to the attention of Vogue!

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Buy something from me and you would be buying a handmade piece of interesting jewellery, it could even be called wearable art! It would be creative, unique, a talking point, and it would be something that a lot of heart went into making!
(and also because I have four cats to support and they have a catnip habit!)

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
You can find me on Folksy
And Facebook
I’m afraid I don’t tweet and my blogs are collecting dust!

Folksy Friday :: Famous Birthdays 6th August

2010-08-06T12:34:00.000+01:00

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Hand Marbled Notebook A6 size by Books n Boxes

Poet Laureate during the reign of Queen Victoria, I studied The Charge of the Light Brigade many times at school and then at Uni. He was a big fan of onomatopoeia, alliteration and assonance - try saying that 3 times fast! Should he be alive today, Alf would be 201!

Sir Alexander Fleming

Desktop friendly bacteria by Haggis Home

Famous for discovering penicillin on account of being a bit of a minger. I wonder what I've 'discovered' during my lifetime!?

Lucille Ball

Rubber Ducky Soaps by Lucy loves...

Star of I Love Lucy, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy, actress and Pinup Girl Lucille Ball would have been 99 today

Robert Mitchum

Catching some Zzzzs pillowcase by Sixes and Sevens

Star of Film Noir and Westerns, Robert Mitchum was everyone's favourite 'Anti-Hero'.

Andy Warhol

Zombie Pop Art Horror Mug by Mugnifique!

Like, probably the most famous of the Pop Artists, in fact, leader of the Pop Art Movement? You don't really need me to tell you anything about Andy Warhol now do you?

Barbara Windsor

3 English tarts by Treaclezoo

The first of today's Folksy Friday Celebs to be not dead. Babs won't mind me illustrating her with pictures of tarts will she? I've seen about 10 minutes of a Carry On film! She's 73 today.

Michelle Yeoh

Embroidered ninja fabric notebook cover by fiona t.

Voted by rottentomatoes.com as the Greatest Action Heroine of all time, Michelle's pretty awesome (and also alive)! She starred in Tomorrow Never Dies and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and does all of her own stunts. She's 48 today.

Charles Ingram

It's all gone pear shaped brooch by Strawberry Anarchy

Famous for cheating on Who wants to be a Millionaire and then going on Big Brother or summink? I'm a Celebrity...whatever.

M. Night Shyamalan

Discombobulated Bob Cat Plushie by Cute Designs

Director of very confusing but kinda good and some brilliant (but mostly confusing) films with twist endings. He's 40 today.

Geri Halliwell

Marguerite Rag Doll by Maisy Muffin Rag Dolls

Ginger Spice herself is 38 today.

Melissa George

Imperfect Angel by Harriets Imaginations

Remember when she played Angel on Home and Away, who got married to Shane and then...did Shane die? I fancied him, he was called Dieter Brummer... Anyhoo, Melissa George is quite a famous actress now, she was in Mulholland Drive and The Amityville Horror remake.

And you thought you were special

Konnie Kapow's Famous Birthday cards are available for any date. Currently free postage!

Folksy Celebrities - Haptree

2010-07-31T00:00:00.001+01:00

Name: Hilary
From: North Wales originally but now in Hertfordshire
Occupation: Mother and Writer
Favourite colour: green
Favourite animal: horse
Favourite band: too fickle to have one
Favourite book: Phillip Pullmen His dark materials - No shadow of a doubt, would have called my daughter Lyra but wasn't allowed to :( by her dad.

Shop / Business name:
haptree

What you make:
purses and bead kits

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I think it's something that's really apparent from an early age. I couldn't give you a moment in time.

What was the first thing you ever made?
As an adult, rather than as a child / student the first thing I made was a knitted bag (I think)

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
I have a degree in architecture which gives you a really good grounding in design in general.

How did your craft business come about?
I found etsy!

Where and when do you do your crafting?
Not too much at the moment, I'm really enjoying the course I'm doing, I've paid for this so it has to take priority (I should be working on it now!) I've also just been employed by Folksy to look after their blog (please visit) and I also write blogging tips at Craft Blog UK and maintain a directory of bloggers. I have plans to develop into an all singing all dancing website soon as it's really growing very quickly. I still have a huge stash of fabric that I drool over occasionally and I have been commisioned to make another jewellery roll recently by a fellow folksy seller.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I can shear a sheep and have done on many occasions.

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
My favourite shops vary and I have masses that I love but I recently got given a bunny from Anna at The Warren and that is now most definitely my favourite shop. (she didn't bribe me with a bunny to say that!)

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
It's a great way to get a kick, making something from scratch - the whole design process through to the finished piece and pat on the back from family, friends or buyers via feedback.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
There's definitely a surge in appreciation across the media but I think people have been happily making stuff for ever, they just never had twitter before.

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
You tell me why you shouldn't!?

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
http://haptree.folksy.com is a good place to start.

Folksy Friday - Famous Birthdays 30th July

2010-07-30T10:07:00.001+01:00

I've said it before but I think this might be my favourite date so far! Here are today's celebrity birthdays in Folksy Friday style!

Emily Bronte

Author of Wuthering Heights and middle sis' of Charlotte and Anne. Quite dead though (she'd be 192 if she weren't!). She was only 33 when she died from TB.

OOAK Victorian inspired Autumn wig by fairytales

Lisa Kudrow

Everyone's favourite Friend apart from those who preferred the other ones. My favourite Phoebe moment is when she thought she was changing the channel on the tv by blinking.

Phoebe the Penguin by Pink Sherbet

Kate Bush

Whaddaya know! First Emily Bronte and now Kate Bush! Who would thunk it?! I love Kate because she's a very very odd lady. Sometimes her singing makes me very happy and sometimes it makes me want to run away but nevertheless she has a special place in my heart and reminds me of my friend Ruth who is also quite odd but very lovable!

Clay babooshka by vintage twist

Henry Ford

Founder of the ford motor vehicle company and revolutioniser of motor vehicles with his Model T automobile! He was always inventing stuff and was awarded 161 patents. Gosh. Dead. Also.

BOBTAIL Woodland Touring Cobeyance Art Print by WonkyWorks

Clive Sinclair

Speaking of inventors, Clive Sinclair is 70 today - what did he invent? ONLY THE POCKET CALCULATOR!

Jazzed up jotters by The Border Tart

Tom Green

Hmm, I watched Freddy Got Fingered and I must say I wasn't very impressed. Saying that, comedian Tom Green has his moments. He was married to Drew Barrimore I believe?

"Wooly Hands" travel finger knitting kit by Rachel Henderson

Jean Reno

French actor Jean, star of Leon is 62 today. I like Jean but often confuse him with whatsisname...Peter Stormare! Does this happen to anyone else or is it just me? I know who they both are but for some reason they're interchangable in my mind (other examples include Kevin Costner and Harrison Ford)

Pierre - the French bear by Rosie Plumpton

Daley Thompson

Yay! My Mum fancies you Daley Thompson! Why don't they make Start anymore? He's 52 today.

Black Moustache Disguise by Lupin

Laurence Fishburne

Or Orpheus as he's better known to me! Which is wrong because the character he plays in The Matrix is Morpheus! He's not very good in CSI but i still like him. He's 49 today.

Pocket pal fish and starfish by miadesign

Hilary Swank

I watched a film starring Hilary not that long ago called Reaper, it was rubbish but I still like Hilary. She seems smart y'know? She's 36 today!

Illustrated Boxer Puppy Greetings Card by Illustrated Cards

Simon Baker

The Mentalist star Simon Baker is 41 today. Is he Australian? Wikipedia says yes! Funnily enough I also watched a film (well, the first few mins) with him in the other day....it had zombies in it!

Kangaroo Family of Three by Niftyknits

Jurgen Klinsmann

According to Mr Kapow! Jurgen Klinsmann is a good Footerer. I looked him up and he has a nice face. He's 46 today!

Fitba Daft Keyring by Much Too Fun!

"And you thought you were special" celebrity birthday cards available for any date from Konnie Kapow!

Coal for Cats!

2010-07-29T00:00:00.000+01:00

For a wee change I thought I'd share these snaps my mum sent of my puss Feef. Sadly I couldn't take him with me to Glasgow when I moved here in 2001 as he's too used to the farm so he stayed with Mum and Dad.

Feef (named by my then 5 year old sister Fifi until we realised he was a bloke!) is not a cuddly cat...oh no! He generally hates people and will think nothing of taking a swipe at you if your not careful! He gets on ok with my mum (when he's not trying to psych her out or trip her down the stairs) but he's my baby really. He'll let me pick him up and snuggle him but that's not to say he won't bite or scratch me a while later!

Anyway, I'm not painting him in a very friendly light - precisely for the reason that he's not very friendly! He's my best boy though and I love him a pathetic amount!

Some of his hobbies include; playing football with eggs and smashing them on the floor, coming on long walks, chasing balls round as if he were a kitten (he's 15 but doesn't look it) and.....

...sleeping in the coal bag!

Domestic Anti-Goddess:: The Carrot Cake

2010-07-28T09:00:00.000+01:00

A number of my extended family are descending on the Isle of Skye this weekend or rather, are already on the Isle of Skye but Mr Kapow and I plus my sister Kath Kapow and her boyfriend Dave will be joining them tomorrow for the weekend. Dave's actually from Skye so he's more going home than away for the weekend and well, actually, my blog's pretty much scheduled for a week in advance so by the time you read this it will have been at least last weekend if not the one before!

If you're still with me, my dear Auntie Christine was an English teacher in Germany 'back in the day' where she became friends with a tremendous lady called Irma and they've been the best of friends for years and years and years. Irma and her husband Gerd have a daughter Leonie who is a few months older than me and my cousin Emma. They used to come and visit us on the Isle of Seil roughly every second Summer with Irma's sister Ursula and her boys Moritz and Johannes, and stay at my uncle's holiday chalets next to my parents' farm. Back in those days my Granny was still alive and she lived in the next village so Seil was very much the epicentre of my family (the MacKapow side anyway). Needless to say, 'The Germans*' became very much like part of the family.

*We're not supposed to call them 'The Germans' but sadly it's a habit we find quite hard to shake and is meant with the deepest affection!

So anyway, what's this got to do with a flippin carrot cake?! Well, the thing is Mr Kapow and I are a bit low on cash right now and while there's room in the rented holiday accommodation for us, we didn't want to turn up empty handed but didn't have any money to bring a whole lotta supplies.

"I shall make a cake!" I exclaimed to Mr Kapow! "I have this here Hummingbird Bakery book, what better gift than a home baked one!" I have made the lemon cupcakes from this book a few times before with good success so I decided I would make them plus a real cake sized cake. Carrot? Yes! Carrot!

Ok, then I forgot I was going to bake a cake until it was about 8 o'clock whereupon I composed a list of required ingredients and rushed off accross the road to Morrisons with Mr Kapow in tow (trying to get me to buy him sweeties I suspect!).

I got home and by the time I was ready to start it was almost 9 o'clock.

Right! What does it say then? "...preheat bla bla...Gas 3..bla...put sugar, eggs and oil in a freestanding electric mixer with paddle attachment". Ok! I have a bowl, that'll do...get the sugar out of the cupboard - what kind of sugar? Uh...300g soft light brown. Right, don't have any of that.

"What do you mean?! We've just been to the shop!" exclaims Mr Kapow! "I thought you wrote a list!" I did write a list.

I phone my mum, "Mum, I'm baking a cake right, and I have all of the ingredients ("That's a lie!" bellows Mr K from the other side of the room) except the recipe says 300g soft light brown sugar and I only have 100g of light muscovado sugar, will that do?" Mum doesn't know but she does tell me the rather exciting news that she's on the front page of The Oban Times and in several National papers having found a "Monster Egg" in her hen house! "Right Mum, what I'm going to do is put in 100g of muscovado and the rest caster sugar" I say. Mum agrees that this is what she would do in my position.

I bash on, in goes the sugar, the eggs and the oil and now I must...whisk. I look around for my electric hand whisk then it dawns on me - Kath Kapow borrowed it! Flip! I phone her but she's not in. Dave says she's in the pub and he can't drive over with it as he's had a couple himself. Flip! I knock on every door in my building to see if anyone can lend me one - not a soul's in!

Undeterred I tip the mixture into my food processor, an engagement present from my Mum a few years ago and hook up it's 'whisky bits'. I'm back in business....except I'm not. It starts making a funny noise. The mixture is so thick that I can see the flimsy plastic 'whiskers' bending instead of going round, then they just pop out of their holes! Arghhh!

I throw caution to the wind and chuck in the rest of the ingredients and shove it in a cake tin and in the oven. 20-25 mins! Thank heavens!

And since the kitchen's a terrible mess anyway I decide to make the icing now too. In goes the icing sugar and the butter and I get the old hand whisk contraption out of the drawer - well I shriek "where is it!?" until Mr Kapow finds it for me!

Soon the entire kitchen is coated in a thin layer of white dust but I'm getting somewhere as Mr Kapow struggles to cover the kettle and toaster from the 'plague' of icing sugar. Once the cream cheese goes in however I'm simply not strong enough to wind the handle on the whisk so Mr Kapow must take over.

Wind Mr Kapow wind!

At long last it's done. "Are you sure this is enough icing?" I ask, I don't see how this is going to cover the cake plus be enough to go in the middle too!?"

That's when I realise, I was meant to make 3 thin cakes to layer on top of one another... I've just made one MASSIVE cake! Um, do you think this will impact the cooking time?...................

That was 2 hours ago!

"Mr Kapow" I sigh, "I refuse to make lemon cupcakes now." "Good" he says, "can I lick the whisk?"

Folksy Celebrities - Mirribeads

2010-07-27T00:00:00.001+01:00

Name: Mirjam van vonderen
From: Worthington, Leicestershire
Occupation: Full time mother, full time bead artist, full time tired
Favourite colour: The rainbow
Favourite animal: The sloth
Favourite band: Quite a few: Belle and Sebastian, Asian dub foundation, Fatal Flowers, Kitty Daisy and Lewis,The left Banke, Ian Dury, to name a few
Favourite book: At the moment the book Thief

Shop / Business name:
Mirribeads

What you make:
Jewellery, handbags, hairclips, anything I can bling up

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I didn’t. I was told from an early age and it seemed to make sense. I’ve always been drawn to colours and shiny things. Must be the magpie in me. As a child I used to sit in my bedroom window overlooking the art studio of our next door neighbour and wonder what she was painting there. It always smelled of roses and oil paints and the light coming out of the windows was glowing bright. Enough for me to dream away.

What was the first thing you ever made?
In this incarnation, as a bead artist, I destroyed one of my mother’s old necklaces, which had some of the most amazing dark green square beads with beautiful dark swirls inside. I took those and restrung them with black glass pony beads that I had left from my teenage years. I still love this necklace and wear it to all my craft fairs.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
Since I’m rubbish at formal, training or otherwise, I taught myself, from a few books and a lot of experimenting. Every new design I make I’ll learn more and develop further.

How did your craft business come about?
I found my old beads from when I was a teenager in a box in the attic. I discovered that I was old enough now to call those beads vintage and picked up where I left of all those years ago. I started with my mum’s old necklace and went on from there. People seemed to like what I was making, so I had a go at selling, first at small dues, then onto a toe curling cringe worthy first big fair, where I quickly learnt how not to sell (though I did learn an awful lot about non disposable nappies and how to clean them, mind you maybe a baby fair wasn’t the right place for a budding jewellery artist). I did manage to turn that around on subsequent occasions and now manage to have fun and earn a bit to boot.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
At home in my front room or at the kitchen table, where ever I can find a space and a bit of peace and quiet.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I grow mushrooms in my cellar (actually not that surprising since if you want to grow button mushrooms a dark moist cellar is the best place for them)

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
That’s not fair! There are so many lovely shops on Folksy and I just need a few killer sales to start plundering them. I’ll give you one of the more unusual ones though: Audreys Cat, love the way she uses the vintage fabrics.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
It keeps me sane when the world around me is going bonkers. (or the other way round, either way it helps separate the madness from me)

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
Oh it’s definitely not just you! I think there are some fabulous people making fabulous things out there at the moment. People who have real pride in what they are making and there is a growing demand for individual pieces made with love and attention. Combine the two and you’ve got a booming business. Even though jewellery is one of the toughest to be in at the moment, there’s still room for the right pieces at the right prices.

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Because you’ll find truly unique pieces made with care and attention in any shape or form you could wish for and because above all they’re made to have fun with, to enjoy.

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
You can find my shop on folksy or find my fanpage or follow me on twitter.

Folksy Celebrities - Bonnita Graphics

2010-07-26T14:40:00.000+01:00

Name: Bonnita Moaby
From: Tunbridge Wells
Occupation: Freelance graphic designer
Favourite colour: Blue
Favourite animal: Eagle
Favourite band: Metallica
Favourite book: The Cottage

Shop / Business name:
It's all about the graphics/Three Generations and Juicimoon

What you make:
Stunning graphics, Handmade journals and jewellery

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I have always loved making things and drawing

What was the first thing you ever made?
I am too old to remember!

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
I have a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design

How did your craft business come about?
By accident! I got so many nice comments about my banner I thought I would offer the service and it grew from there

Where and when do you do your crafting?
At home, whenever I can!

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I am a published poet

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
Mum4Beads

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
Because it takes me back to my roots, and makes me appreciate what I have more

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
It most cert is, it annoys me that high street stores have got it all for stupid money and mass produced though! support your local crafters

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Because I can offer you something different

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
http://www.folksy.com/shops/bonnitagraphics
http://www.folksy.com/shops/mootiemomo
http://www.folksy.com/shops/Juicimoon

Where the boys are - Prototyper

2010-07-25T00:00:00.002+01:00

Name: Jamie Brind
Age: 48
From: Canterbury in Kent, but work in Ashford.
Shop Name: Glowbiles. I use the name Prototyper on Facebook, and the UK Craft Forum, but have to use the name Glowbile on twitter as Prototyper had already gone.
Favourite colour / Favourite animal: I am a proper bloke so don't have a favourite colour or animal, but if you had to hold me down and listen to Celine Dion until I gave you an answer, I would choose Blue and Penguin respectively.
Favourite band: there are two, The Jam and The Clash (ask your mother kids).
Favourite film: has to be Gladiator ("At my signal, Unleash Hell"). Favourite book possibly "Catch 22" or "1984" (obviously a numbers thing). However, be distrustful of people who read things meant for 12 year olds- Harry Potter etc!

How did you learn your craft?
I'm afraid that my "craft" doesn't really fall into the accepted craft credo. In fact I was pooh poohed from one particular craft site for not being a real crafter. Our particular items are Glow-In-The-Dark hanging mobiles, which have to be made from injection moulded plastic for reasons I won't bore you with. However, they have been designed and assembled by me/us, and every single one is unique.Thus my craft was learned from my actual job, which is Prototyping (hence the name) and plastic moulding, something I have been doing since 1986 ( although I was actually trained as a Laboratory Technician and have an HNC in Chemistry).

Your eureka moment - tell us about your favourite thing you have ever made?
My favourite thing made was when we got our first glowbile made, assembled and tested and found that it actually worked.

Your "D'oh!" moment - tell us about you biggest crafting disaster
Because the idea is slightly different to some, it isn't like making, say, a necklace (not that I am denigrating anyone who makes jewellery, far from it), where you can undo it if you don't like it, it has to do what it supposed to do, and if it didn't glow through the night, then we had just wasted 2 years of our lives. That said, we had more than our share of ups and downs along the way. One particular time springs to mind. I was experimenting with different colours and knew that we could only put in a hint of colour or else it would swamp the Glow material. All was going well until I tried the merest soupcon of red. It was honestly too small to measure accurately. We had a small batch made and absolutely nothing. The red colour not only completely nullifies the Glow-In-The-Dark properties, but because it was there in such a small percentage, it looked disgusting. Imagine a yellow/green colour with an anaemic amount of red added. Attractive you'll agree.

Where do you do your crafting?
As you can now ascertain, my crafting duties only happen when we have no work on. So although its nice to make them, it usually means that my paying job is not going so well, so it is a double edged sword. Although we can't do the injection moulding on site ( it is a very specialised process), the actual Glowbiles are made up on site. We say that every mobile is unique, because there is no set formula to make these up. The beads are added as we see fit, and each birth stone is different from the next one.

Tell us a bit about your crafting philosophy
The philosophy is simple. Everything that we can do, we do. If certain parts have to be made outside the workshop, we get them done as locally as possible. They are the best quality, locally sourced, British made but best value for money that can be achieved. They are unique. Our biggest problem is to try and differentiate ourselves from the "Glow In The Dark" stickers you buy that disappear after 20mins. This product genuinely lasts a full 8 hours and has no external power requirement except for 15 mins of recharge using any light source.

Tell us why you think there are far more female than male crafters?
Normally crafters are women because they tend to be more creative than men. Traditionally men are the hunter gatherers, who provide the food etc, whereas women are the nest builders that make the home nicer and are therefore more creative. I believe this to be a genetic thing rather than a made up in my mind thing. At the sake of making a sweeping generalisation, many of the men who do crafting are a certain type, and not the traditional tub thumping male.

Tell us something surprising about yourself (non craft related)?
A surprising thing about myself, apart from being as atypical a crafting person as you could find, is that I have actually rung the New Year in using Church Bells ( back in 1978) and have run marathons and took part in the first ever London Triathlon, where an old gentleman on a push bike went steaming past me (it later transpired that he was Britain's fastest triathlete pensioner). If you saw me now, you would realise just how surprising that is.

What's the manliest thing you make?
Unfortunately I don't really make anything that is either manly or otherwise (I believe the term is gender neutral). If it were possible to make a man listen (being one I appreciate how unlikely that is), I would encourage them to take up crafting as it is an ideal way to not only relax, but make something that you can look at and think that I did that. I guess that the word "craft" is associated with more "feminine" past times, whereas if you were to encourage the increase of woodworking, metalworking, blacksmithing etc, more "manly"stuff, you might have more chance.

What would you say to encourage more men to craft?
Well having probably alienated both sexes, I'd better get back to work. I'm afraid that I haven't really checked the spelling and grammar properly. If you have further questions or comments, feel free to ask. If something hasn't come across right, I can happily reword it. Sometimes things sound right in your head, and when you read them back, they sound the same, but someone else reading them, they sound offensive. I hope I haven't done that. If I have it wasn't meant.

Folksy Celebrities - Sixes and Sevens

2010-07-24T00:00:00.002+01:00

Name: Charlotte Brooks
From: Sixes & Sevens
Occupation: Full time mum to 3. My daughter starts nursery in September so I’m looking forward to having more time to craft!
Favourite colour: Blue
Favourite animal: Penguin
Favourite band: Natty
Favourite book: Small Island by Andrea Levy

Shop / Business name:
Sixes and Sevens

What you make:
Handmade and hand-painted textiles, mostly cushions at the moment.

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I’ve always enjoyed drawing and painting but at secondary school I chose the academic subjects rather than art or design. I did nothing arty/crafty for a long time until around 4/5 years ago.

What was the first thing you ever made?
I’ve been making cards for family for about 12 years, textile wise I made myself a draught excluder, I’ve still got it and it still looks pretty good!

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
I’ve had no formal training at all. I didn’t even do art GCSE! It was just something I’ve always done for pleasure. The sewing part has been taught to me by my Mum, who bought me my first sewing machine, showed me how to use it and is still on the end of the phone every time I need to know something!

How did your craft business come about?
I had done a couple of craft fairs selling paintings but people were more interested in the hand painted tote bags I was keeping my stuff in! Then I entered a competition to redesign a plain black T shirt. I only entered for fun, but I won and the company said that despite hundreds of entries form textile design students mine was the best design and the best sewing. They couldn’t believe I had taken the t shirt apart and re-sewn it by hand because I didn’t have a machine. After that I thought, hmmm I could be onto something here, and started to combine my designs with the textiles and it seems to work well.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
A corner of my dining room! I have my machine set up on a table. It’s organised chaos most of the time! I have been promised a studio in the cellar once we get it sorted.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
My lucky number isn’t 7.

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
She draws on Folksy. Her style is fantastic, her items make me smile and her things are very recognisable.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
On a personal side there is nothing more rewarding than knowing that others are prepared to spend their money on something you have designed and made. In general I think that moving away from cheap, mass produced throw away items and investing in a quality handmade item instead is something everybody should be doing.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
It is, and I’d like to think it’s not just a trend or fad. Websites like Folksy and Etsy have really opened up the market for people who would have struggled to get their handmade work seen before.

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Because my cushions and pillowcase are like little pieces of art you can sit on, lie on, throw around, hit each other with and then chuck in the washing machine! And because you won’t find these designs anywhere else!

Ok you’ve got me convinced!
Where can I find you? In my Folksy shop
Or my facebook page

Famous Birthdays Folksy Friday 23rd July

2010-07-23T00:00:00.002+01:00

A shorter / quicker Folksy Friday post this week as Mr Kapow and I are off to visit family and friends on the Isle of Skye this weekend!

So I'll just get stuck right in with today's famous birthdays:

Tony Joe White

Mr Kapow and I went to see Swamp Rock hero Toy Joe White, writer of such brilliant songs as "Polk Salad Annie," "Steamy Windows" and "Rainy Night in Georgia" at Glasgow's King Tuts a couple of years ago and we sure weren't disappointed!

Waterproof polka dot rain hat by CharlieBear Costumes

David Essex

The 70s star is 63 today!

Set of 5 lakes greeting crads by Careford Creations

Daniel Radcliffe

Harry Potter actor Daniel is 21 today, happy birthday n' all that Dan but hands up if you prefer Ron!?

I love Rupert Grint tote by Kleine Maus

Philip Seymore Hoffman

Very good Hollywood actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman is 43 today.

Never judge a book by its movie scrabble tile pendant by Pendant Pixie

Woody Harrelson

Oh Woody! Another of my crushes no one understands! I do love Woody!

paper bird - woodpecker by Rae Welch

Monica Lewinksi

A very unfortunate photograph was taken when I was in High School in which I looked just like Monica Lewinski. Needless to say it took rather a while to shake that one!

*Disclaimer* This is not Monica Lewsinski's blue dress! Ms Lewinski aint' got this much style!

Blue summer dress by Suzanne Porter Boutique

Michelle Williams

Of Destiny's Child, rather than the actress who used to go out with Heath Ledger. Michelle is 30 today which confused me a lot as I can't do maths and somehow got it into my head I was older than her even though I was staring at her date of birth!

You know how to find out about your own destiny though right? Ask Master Yoda!

Ask Master Yoda by Bertie

Alison Krauss

Alison Krauss is one of my heroines! Sometimes I listen to her for hours and days and weeks on end and it makes Mr Kapow very grumpy indeed.

Not because he doesn't like Alison though, because he thinks that she's what you hear when you're dead.

Sleeping Angel by gingerlillytea

Martin Gore

Depeche Mode guitarist, songwriter (Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, I Feel You) and sometimes lead vocalist Martin Gore is 49 today.

Wall plaque by Adien Crafts

Saul Hudson

Also known as Slash!

Musicians set of 3 knitted firgure photo cards by cakeyvoice

Well that sure rounds up this Friday's Famous Birthdays!

"And you thought you were special" celebrity birthday cards available for any date from Konnie Kapow!

Folksy Celebrities - Kokokelli

2010-07-22T00:00:00.003+01:00

Name: Kelly Johnson (aka Womble)

From: Oldbury, West Midlands UK

Occupation: Currently seeking work after being made redundant at the end of March 2010. I would love to craft as my job but I just don’t make enough money to be able to do so.

Favourite colour: I love Rainbow but I also love Turquoise/Teal too

Favourite animal: Womble! Haha! I used to love pigs when I was younger but I love most animals they’re all lovely and cute. I wanted to steal my boyfs sisters puppies when we had to dog sit last year cos they were soooooooo tiny and adorable (British Bulldogs) but I didn’t cos I’m a good girl plus they pooped for England! Haha!

Favourite band: There’s too many to choose from! I love Prodigy, Spacehog, Scissor Sisters, Pendulum, Sneaker Pimps, Kelli Ali, Coppe’, Goldfrapp, Glitterbug, Green Day, Kasabian, Kula Shaker, Mika, Spinal Tap, Pitchshifter and all the old stuff my folks brought me up on when I was a baby like The Beatles, Chicago, The Beach Boys, Electric Light Orchestra, Supertramp, Steely Dan, Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Yes, Brian Eno, The Cars, Cream, David Bowie……. God there’s loads I can’t think off lol plus all the motown style stuff and loads from 50’s/60’s/70’s/80’s.

Favourite book: When I was younger I used to love ‘My Naughty Little Sister’ and ‘The Worst Witch’ but I don’t really read much now, I did love ‘The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ series and I recently got into the ‘Dexter’ books too after watching the TV series.

Shop / Business name:
Kokokelli

What you make:
Handmade Jewellery & Greeting Cards (but I may start doing some other stuff soon)

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I’ve been creative in everything I’ve done ever since I was a child really. I was always good at Art, Drama & Music at Junior School and usually ended up in most of the school plays and the school choir. I then took Art at High, School which I loved and was always making and drawing things at home too. My mom always used to laugh at the cards I used to make for our family which usually consisted of a piece of paper folded up with a picture drawn on the front and a dodgy rhyming poem in the inside and I used to right ‘Kelly’s Killers’ on the back as my name heheheh.

What was the first thing you ever made?
Hmmmm the first piece of jewellery I made was a Necklace, Bracelet & Earring Set I made for my best friends birthday in January 2010 (I kinda used her as a guinea pig I guess) but she loved it and the card I made for her too.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
I’ve had no training wotsoever! I saw some stuff that a friend had made and thought to myself “yeh I could do summet like that!”. So I bought a cheap jewellery making set off ebay and bought some beads and went from there really. There was just a piece of paper in with it showing you how to attach calottes and how to make earrings but that was about it. Like I said earlier I’m just naturally creative in everything I do.

How did your craft business come about?
I would’nt really class it as a business really (even tho I am selling stuff ) cos its just summet I do on the side in my spare time. I only have a lot of time at the moment cos of not being able to find a new job. Once I do find a new job I’ll only really have time to craft of a night or of a weekend. I started off making things for friends and family for birthdays and for people to give as gifts and then they said “Y’know you might be able to make some money from this you’re really good!” so I tried selling a few things on ebay and some did sell but I was paying out more in listings and fee’s than I was actually making :o( then a friend told me about Folksy and how much cheaper it was to list on there so I opened a shop there and took all my stuff off ebay.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
I do my crafting at home in my parents house in my bedroom and sometimes in my parents office downstairs. Usually do a few bits in the week and some of a weekend.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I’m completely insane!!! Haha!
Although that’s no surprise you only have to look at my parents! I met Bobby Charlton once at junior school doing a football thing and had my photo in the local paper. I also kinda have a 6th Sense and am abit psychic (yes that’s psychic and not psycho haha!) I can feel spirits presences sometimes although I’ve never actually seen one ‘in the flesh’ so to speak. I also am sort of a Wise Old Woman (even tho I’m only 29) as in people always come to me for a shoulder to cry on and to ask for advice and wombles words of wisdom even tho I’m great at sorting other peoples problems out I’m rubbish at sorting my own haha!!

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
I haven’t got a particular favourite at the moment cos I’ve only been on Folksy since June but I’ve seen a lot of nice things featured by NofkantsCurios, Adien Crafts, Cheerymishmash, StrawberryAnarchy and JAustenJewellery to name but a few.
Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
I suppose its kinda important to me cos obviously the things I’ve made are designed and handmade by my fair hands (even though I buy in supplies from ebay and other sites) and it gives you such a wonderful feeling when someone else looks at your work and loves it and then ends up paying money for it! I think you also become a lot more respectful of other crafters work when you know yourself how much time and effort goes into creating something beautiful. I think a lot of people want something for nothing these days so they sometimes pull a face at some folks prices (even though they’ll willingly fork out a shedload of money for ‘named’ items which probably cost less to make than my stuff does. At the end of the day if everyone stopped making stuff we’d have nothing to buy.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
I’m not sure about that cos a lot of sales seem to be quite low at the moment, I’m hoping things will pick up closer towards Autumn/Winter. I haven’t done too bad so far I joined beginning of June and have had 13 sales so far obviously more would be nice tho haha!!!

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
You should buy something from Kokokelli because a lot of my items are weird and wonderful, fun and quirky and even my friend said the other day that “you don’t find stuff like this in the shops”. Plus the other day I had a celebrity buy something from my shop!! The lovely Kelli Ali (Kelli Dayton ex Sneaker Pimps) bought my ‘Vintage Gold Cross’ Necklace and Earring Set!!! I was a happy bunny believe me!!!!

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
You can visit my Kokokelli Shop on Folksy you can also join my Kokokelli Facebook Group you can follow me on Twitter and you can join my Kokokelli blog if all else fails you can probably find me down a local pub!

Domestic Anti-Goddess:: My felting adventure!

2010-07-21T11:00:00.001+01:00

I've had this great book that my sister gave me for ages and keep meaning to give one of the cute patterns in it a try, in particular the knitted dinosaur! I know just who to knit that for!

However I have piles and piles of patterns and magazines I want to try out, not to mention a whole shelf of knitting books but I'll get there some day!

I finally had some spare time to myself recently and elected to try the simplest pattern in the book for wee mice! I had the perfect wool remnants and bought a bag of toy stuffing on Ebay, I was ready to rock, first the mouse - next the world!

In true domestic anti-goddess style however, I hadn't really considered the word 'felted' in the title! Felting to me has long seemed like some sort of black magic knitting technique that only really skilled people can do. I doubted very much that I would be able to pull it off since I'm not even very good at washing my own clothes. Downhearted, I gave up for a while.

But I couldn't get my wee mouse out of my mind! He's so cute! (I imagined) What the heck, I'll give it a bash! So I knitted his wee body......see?

Right! There's no stopping me now!

What do I need now - soap flakes! Not washing powder, actual soap. Ok! I'll get them next time I'm at the Supermarket I thunk, cept I wouldn't. Nor would I get them at the 4 other supermarkets I tried. A cry for help on twitter was met with the suggestion of buying them online but I was too impatient, I wanted to felt my mouse now!

Someone else on twitter suggested Boots, really? I guess they do have a kind of cleaning section so I went to the massive Boots on two floors near my work at lunchtime. The first girl I asked was about 18, she took me over to the bars of 'Pears' and hand soap. I tried to explain that it was more like a detergent for washing clothes. "I want to felt my knitting" I said, she just stared at me so I wandered off to look myself. I tried the baby section (I don't know! I don't have a baby!) to no avail and then spent some time looking for a memeber of staff who happened to be an old lady - out of luck.

As always in situations like this (and you'd be surprised) I call my best friend Lucy loves... "Oi!" I purr, "you know what soap flakes are right?! I'm not losing my mind?!"
"Yes" she says, "like Granny's soap flakes?" (notice Lucy's use of the word like for it's true purpose!) "YES! where do you get them?!" I demanded. Lucy said Tesco but I had already tried there, I was giving up. "But Con," she says, "why don't I just give you some soap shavings? You know, coz I make soaps n'that?"................. I never thought of that!

So finally I am armed with some 'soap flakes' well they're more like 'soap gratings' but soap nevertheless! I spend the next week or so making lewd faces at Mr Kapow while asking if he wants to help "felt my mouse" which he politely declines (I think he doesn't believe there really is a mouse).

I guess I'm on my own.

So I go back to my book - you will need a bowl / basin of boiling soapy water - by accident I put all of my soap in!

check!

a bowl of really cold water with ice cubes in

check!

some rubber gloves so you don't scald your hands

check! (kind of)*

*I bought new thick gloves specifically for this purpose but couldn't find them, turns out they were in something called a drawer. So I ended up with two mismatched random old gloves, both left hands so had to wear one backwards. I really wouldn't recommend this for felting mouses, and yes I scalded my hand!

Righty-ho!

Get your mousie and put him in the hot water and agitate the fabric (that means rub right?) for a while then put it in the cold and do the same. Keep alternating until the desired feltedness is achieved.

At this stage it occurs to me that I think I heard somewhere that only wool with a high wool content will felt. Hm... I have no idea what this wool is as I lost the label. It seems wooly though!

The dye came out quite a lot but before too long I had what I considered to be a sufficiently felted mouse! Yippee!

Very pleased with myself I rinsed him and put him on my pulley to dry. He's still not dry. Come on! Is he dry yet?! No? Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffft.

While I'm wating I read over the book again wondering how to sew him up....wait a minute.....what ears? I didn't felt his ears! I didn't make him ears!

Aw pants! I've none of that wool left and I used all my soap.

Folksy Celebrities - Christmas Cottage Crafts

2010-07-20T00:00:00.000+01:00

Name: Pen
From: Lincolnshire
Day job: was accounts admin but now crafting
Favourite colour: So hard to pick a fav colour! Ive always loved black (although not technically a colour)
Favourite animal : cat, but I love all animals.
Fav band: mmmmm difficult, my ipod has music from the 50's to now, its too diverse to list!
Fav book: Anything by Tom Sharpe, he's funny and naughty

Shop Name:
Christmas Cottage Crafts

What do you make?
Very diverse, from canvas painting to pin cusions

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I've always been crafty - its always been inside me

What was the first thing you ever made?
First thing I ever made was a Father Christmas made out of a loo roll (I was about 6) and it still comes out each year!

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
No training whatsoever

How did your craft business come about?
My business came about when I decided i'd had quite enough of the 9 to 5 routine, I should have done it years ago, working for people who you dont like doesnt help!!

Where and when do you do your crafting?
I do my crafting in my study or on the dining room table, wherever theres room! I have a website under construction and I cant wait to get started.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
Something surprising? - When I lived in London I got Al Pacino's autograph, I went to see a play he was in in the Duke of Yorks theatre, you could say I was gobsmaked!!

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
Favourite Folksy shop - oh come on you cant have favourites!! Everyone is talented in their own way.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
Handmade is important, it makes you feel good about yourself, proud even, it was your idea and you made it, when someone buys an item and gives you great feedback what can be better than that. Its one of the best confidence boosters I know. Of course handmade is better than shopmade anytime!!

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
Crafting is hot - many of us want more than the day job - we all need to express our talents - if its crafting even better.

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Well you would have something unique, made with love (sweat and maybe even tears!) and of course it would put a big smile on my face!

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
You can find me at the above shop or take a peek at my blog, I like to keep that lighthearted and different.

Folksy Celebrities - Lemonade and Lamingtons

2010-07-19T00:00:00.001+01:00

Name: Lisa Hafey
From: South-East London, but originally Australia (would the last person to leave Australia please turn out the lights and lock the door?!)
Occupation: (as in, day job if you have one or are you a full time crafter?) Wife, Mother, Chief-Cook-And-Bottle-Washer...otherwise I work one hour a week proofreading and typing for a little old man up the street...I very occasionally teach crochet...I guess that makes me a full-time crafter!
Favourite colour: Purple
Favourite animal: Do birds count? I love swifts!
Favourite band: No bands, but I'm an avid fan of David Bowie
Favourite book: Varies, right now I'm cruising through as many Jeeves and Wooster books as I can. PG Wodehouse Rocks!

Shop / Business name:
I have three shops on Folksy - Lemonade and Lamingtons, "Hats Outrageous" and "Lisa de Stash". I tend to concentrate mostly on "Lemonade and Lamingtons" though.

What you make:
A bit of everything! I've not yet found my niche! Right now I'm paddling in the ocean that is jewellery-making, but crochet is my true love, so come the cooler weather you'll really see I'm hot stuff when it comes to hats and scarves and gloves, and all things wooly!

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I don't think I've ever not known! I have very clear memories of being able to draw a perfectly oval "Humpty Dumpty" in Year 1, ie. aged 6. I *always* drew, and sang, and painted, and made *stuff*.

What was the first thing you ever made?
Ooh that's a very hard question! The first thing I can *remember* making (apart from Humpty) was a 5-sided granny square I made when I first learned to crochet, back when I was 10.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
I went to art school about 3,000 years ago. I learned nothing there apart from developing a deep appreciation of Film Noir. Oh, I made lots of friends though. My art teacher in secondary school, Miss Kerry Langford, taught me to be myself. She's since died, but she remained true to herself right up to the end. Everything else arty I reckon I've learned on my own, either from books or online or just plain experimentation.

How did your craft business come about?
My Hubby was out of work for 16 months, during that time I decided I'd best do something with my skills, and so I started crocheting wooly hats and scarves and selling them to everyone I know. I didn't make much (I charged a fiver a piece) but it was enough to keep us in bread and milk and so on.
My sister-in-law and Hubby gave me a sewing mahcine for my 40th (eep!) birthday last year (double eep!) and I was in seventh heaven! I stepped into the heady waters of crafting and set up a stall at my kids' school's Summer Fair last year - and cleared £75! I was flabbergasted! People wanted my things! That I'd made! Me! I just kept making things, and then I did another stall at the Christmas Fair - people flocked to me and bought just about everything I had - I was selling hats and scarves and gloves for the same fiver, but I got brave and also sold sets for £12. Nobody questioned this...I could have probably put my prices up, but my natural reticence stopped me. I cleared £90 that time.
Come March I decided I'd dive right in, and I opened my first shop (Hats Outrageous) on Folksy. Once I discovered the Folksy Forums I opened Lemonade and Lamingtons and I've not looked back!

Where and when do you do your crafting?
I have four children, with the youngest one still at nursery (until January - yay!), so I mostly work around his hours, so I do most of my crafting between 9.30 and 12. I have a studio in the back garden which is ostenstibly where my stuff goes on, but because I've been making a lot of jewellery, that's been going on at the kitchen table. The kids eat outdoors...

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I trained for three years as a classical singer!

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
The Little Bead Box - a very dangerous place.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
Handmade is important to me because it's making use of skills that otherwise would remain dormant. To me, to be making means that my brain is kept active; I can never be bored if I have some craft to get on with. Handmade denotes quality, we need to get it across to the wider public that handmade doesn't mean cheap, and that it's in no way to be compared to the stuff one can buy on the high street, because most of the time it's a one-off, never-to-be-repeated item. Handmade does not equal cookie-cutter.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
Crafting's always been hot, at least in Australia. It's nice to see it becoming massive over here. Long may that be the case!

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Apart from the fact that you'll be getting something truly fabulous in return for your hard-earned, you'll also be helping my daughter raise enough money to fund her trip to the 22nd World Scouting Jamboree, which is going to be in Sweden next year.

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
At Folksy, On Facebook, On Twitter, And my Blog

Where the boys are - Dig the Earth

2010-07-18T00:00:00.023+01:00

I had started doing a series of interviews for website Indie Smiles on crafty men however life got the way and I have realised that I don't have time to work on articles for Indie Smiles, the Folksy Blog and my own blog while running Konnie Kapow and having a full time job!

Consequently, I still have the interviews I did with some of Folksy's finest male sellers! It seems a shame not to use them somehow so I'll be posting one every Sunday on my blog until they run out!

So without further ado - I give you Dig the Earth!

Name: Kevin Connell
Age: 42
From: West Yorkshire, UK
Favourite colour: Probably black which goes against every piece of work I've ever designed!
Favourite animal: Anything apart from cats (I'm highly allergic to them). I'd probably have to say elephants. I washed one called Lakshmi in a river in Sri Lanka on honeymoon. Magical!
Favourite band: Radiohead. NOTHING compares - I'm such a sad fan boy!
Favourite movie: Oh way too many to have one favourite: any Tarantino, Star Wars, Shawshank Redemption, I love Withnail and I, Terry Gilliam, Fifth Element…the list gets longer!
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Absolutely stunning book!

How did you learn your craft?
I studied Graphic Design and Advertising in Leeds in the 80's, what I'm doing now is just a continuation of that.

Your eureka moment - tell us about your favourite thing you have ever made?
I really love 'Concentricity' one of my hand drawn mirror designs, it was one of the first things that I put on Folksy last year. It was incredibly time consuming, thankfully it didn't sell (!) so it now hangs at home. I know that everyone wants their work to sell, but there's usually at least one thing that you want to keep yourself!

Your "D'oh!" moment - tell us about you biggest crafting disaster
Probably getting a large-ish amount of greetings cards printed. In my 'wisdom', I decided to break from my print to order set-up and had some designs professionally printed. It was a mistake! I haven't had massive sales and my house has boxes dotted all around! You may be seeing them in my shop for quite a while to come! A lesson to all of us, don't run before you can walk!

Is crafting what you do full time or do you have a Clark Kent style alter-ego?
Like most people, I'd love to be self-sufficient and work from home. But…I have a 'proper job' in the daytime, I work for an advertising and marketing agency. I run the artwork studio (creating artwork for print) so although I work in a creative environment, I'm more of a builder than a creator if that makes sense. The work that I sell online is my creative outlet.

Where do you do your crafting?
The majority of what I do is created on an iMac, so I'm usually found at home with my head in the computer cupboard. All my trimming and packing happens at the kitchen table. I don't have a dedicated space, so unfortunately I have piles of packing materials dotted about! It's the one thing that I really need to sort out!

Tell us a bit about your crafting philosophy
I really pride myself that all my cards are eco-friendly and created using 100% recycled stock and packed in biodegradable bags – none of that nasty plastic! I'm also working towards my giclée prints being printed on recycled stock too. I want to be as green as I possibly can.

Tell us why you think there are far more female than male crafters?
I really have no idea – I hope that as the handmade movement grows, more men will discover it and join in!

Tell us something suprising about yourself (non craft related)?
I once turned round from being served at a bar and found myself face to face with Ewan McGregor (literally a foot away from his face) whereupon I said VERY loudly "F*cking hell, it's Ewan McGregor!"

I have no cool points…I'm so rubbish! LOL

What's the manliest thing you make?

I would have to say my Pop! card maybe? Maybe not!
What's the least manly thing you make?
Definitely my Butterflies print, very feminine, or maybe my Button Heart prints? Most of my work is designed with women in mind, so it's a real added bonus for me if a man likes it and buys it!

What would you say to encourage more men to craft?
Just do it. Surprise your missus by buying yourself a cross-stitch kit this weekend. LOL!

Steampunk Saturday!

2010-07-17T13:04:00.001+01:00

Some exciting news from me is that I have recently become a columnist of the Folksy Blog which is run by the marvelous Hilary of Haptree (watch this space for her Folksy Celebrities interview!).

My column will be every second Saturday alternating with my co-conspirator Amy Orange Juice! Amy makes fantastic stained glass artwork and is a great writer, her column is called Inspiring Creativity and explores the variety of crafts and wealth of knowledge available on Folksy. So far she has covered Pottery and Millinery.

My column is called the Kapowder Room Secrets and will centre around the various themes and trends appearing on folksy. It will showcase the work of many talented individuals and hopefully go some way to introducing and exploring some of the lesser known themes.

My first article on Steampunk went up today! I'd sure appreciate some comments (blushes).

Anyway, it's pourin outside on this long weekend of mine so I'm off to sort out my button box!

Famous Birthdays Folksy Friday 16th July!

2010-07-16T10:00:00.002+01:00

Goodness me is it Friday again already?! I'm not complaining but technically I had my Friday yesterday as this weekend is the historical "Glasgow Fair" which means most people have a long weekend!

So anyway let's get to the old celebrations eh? Today's famous birthdays and their tentative Folksy connections:

(P.S. This is my favourite one so far!)

Ginger Rogers

Renowned dancing partner and movie love interest of Fred Astaire. Apparently she was also one of the first women to enlist in the Marine Corps!

Tap Dancing Collage Print by Violet May

Desmond Dekker

The first Reggae/Ska artist to have a number one hit in the UK. Unfortunately the song "Israelites" will always no matter how hard I try make me think of that advert for Vitalite!(go on, click it!)

Two tone patch by Skullduggery

Corin Redgrave

The late actor passed away in April of this year. His best known roles were i n A Man for All Seasons Excalibur, In the Name of the Father, Persuasion and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Wedding Bunnies by Nats Nest

Michael Flatley

To quote Chandler Bing, "His feet move as if independent of his body!"
Riverdance and Lord of the Dance creator Michael Flatley frightens me a bit like the child-catcher did! Nevertheless, he is 52 today. Spring! Spring! Boing! Tappy-tapp-tapp-Spring! Boing!

Hugh a handmade Liberty puppet doll by Rose Lullaby Dolls

Phoebe Cates

I wanted to be Drop Dead Fred and Gremlins star Phoebe Cates when I was little, I thought she was the most beautiful actress in the world!
I really, really, really wanted to find a hand stitched Drop Dead Fred on Folksy however it wasn't meant to be and I don't have time to make one but almost as important I imagine would be to have some umbrellas to hand! - Don't let them get wet!!!!!!!!!!

Umbrella Sun Catchers by Diomo Glass

Will Ferrell

I try to only watch Elf once a year (can you guess when) but I succumbed quite recently when in need of a good laugh and was not disappointed! A colleague at work has an electronic stapler due to arthritis and I love running between his and mine stapling and shouting "thank you!""thank you!"....

....ok, I'll call you in FIVE MINUTES!

Large Elf by Northfield Primitives

Johnny Vaughan

Former host of the Big Breakfast with an intriguing chin. He spent 25 months in jail aged 21 for sort of drug dealing or summink which is quite naughty really. Yep.

Fry-Up Breakfast Pin-Badge by Nikki Made

Larry Sanger

Co-founder of Wikipedia Larry Sanger. Um... I don't know anything else about him except I imagine he quite likes computers? No?

Geek resin bracelet by Spoilt Pig

Corey Feldman

Star of three of my favourite films EVER The Goonies, Stand By Me and The Lost Boys, Corey Feldman's 39 today! Wow! He also did the voice for Donatello in two of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies.

The Goonies Truffle Shuffle Cuff Links by White Dove Jewellery

Chris Pontius

Jackass Jackass Chris "Party Boy" Pontius is 36 today.

Silky Donkey by Wooden Wool

Jayma Mays

I've lost count of the number of folks who've asked me whether I watch Glee. I've never seen it but I will some day! It always takes me years to catch up with tv, I'm currently on 24 and Prison Break and series 2 of Heroes so I have Glee earmarked for 2015.

Black Bow Brooch by Lottie Loves

Phew!

"And you thought you were special" celebrity birthday cards available for any date from Konnie Kapow!

Folksy Celebrities - Iyobo Design

2010-07-15T10:00:00.002+01:00

Name: Beata
From: Hungary, living in Birmingham
Occupation: Work from home mum as jewellery designer
Favourite colour: pink and orange, the best if the 2 is together
Favourite animal: Lion
Favourite band: don't think I have any
Favourite book: Maybe Da Vinci code

Shop / Business name:
Iyobo Design

What you make:
Polymer clay and fine silver jewellery

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I always enjoyed creating something myself, tried many different things, but I think it's jewellery making which I love the best. : )

What was the first thing you ever made?
When I was a child I was knitting, and sewing (with hand) clothes for my dolly

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
I'm self taught in all crafts I tried.

How did your craft business come about?
I wanted to stay at home with my baby. And though I tried to find a job, but because I was not successful, decided to turn my newest hobby into a proper business.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
At home, and whenever my daughter lets me do it, mostly when she is asleep.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
wow, that's tough, can't think of anything surprising!

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
I can only talk aboutFolksy... Have loads of favourites, some of them are: Cheerymishmash, Mochalulu, Blue Fish Handmade.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
I don't like the mass produced low quality items all over the shops, would love to find a way how to introduce handmade, unique items to all consumers.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
Yes, it is! : )

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Because my items are unique and were all made with love. They are colourful, sparkling and very pretty : )

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
http://www.iyobodesign.co.uk/
http://iyobodesign.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/IyoboDesign

Folksy Celebrities - Booties by Dannie

2010-07-14T10:00:00.000+01:00

Name: Danielle (Dannie)
From: Essex
Favourite colour: British racing green
Favourite band: Muse
Favourite book: The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams

Shop / Business name:
Booties By Dannie

What you make:
I crochet baby items. Mainly booties that look like name brands as well as fun hats and hair accessories.

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I got it from my mother. I learned to crochet when I was 10. My mom tried to teach me to knit but being left-handed it just never worked!

What was the first thing you ever made?
I can't recall the first thing that I ever made (being that it was nearly 19 years ago) but I assume that it would have been something simple like a scarf or some granny squares for a blanket.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
Nope, I learned at home. My mom was taught by her mom and her mom by her mom etc etc.

How did your craft business come about?
I was making things for my son and showed them to some online friends who loved them so I started to make them to order.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
I do my crocheting whenever I get the chance – mainly when my son is asleep!

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
Although I am left-handed all of my craft is done right-handed but not completely by choice!

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
I honestly love so many shops on Folksy. The shop that I love right now is http://www.folksy.com/shops/DiomoGlass. There are quite a few things in her shop that I have in mind for Christmas.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
For me it is such a relaxing outlet to be creative. The options are endless in what I can make and that excites me.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
I think that there will always be a want for handmade as there are always people who appreciate it, thankfully!

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
If you love the adorableness of handmade clothes on babies then I am your shop! Everything I make is customizable to colours, sizes and tastes. Oh, and it all comes beautifully wrapped so you can give it as a gift!

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
You can find me on Folksy, my own website
and on Facebook

Folksy Celebrities - Maxine Veronica

2010-07-13T10:00:00.002+01:00

Name: Maxine Pring

From: Llantrisant, South Wales

Occupation: Payroll Manager and part time crafter

Favourite colour: Green

Favourite animal: My (my daughters really, but you’d never know lol!) Guinea Pig Ophelia or FiFi to her friends (bearing lettuce)

Favourite band: My Sons Band Pandamonium - this is Sam my little drummer boy

Favourite book: The Island by Victoria Hislop

Shop / Business name:

Maxine Veronica

What you make:

Jewellery, one off unique designs, especially with polymer clay

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?

Forever, since I was tiny, my Nickname at work is “Blue Peter”and I had the best dressed Sindy ever!

What was the first thing you ever made?

This is the first item of jewellery I made which is a sculpted rose I made from polymer clay and use as my avatar. But I also made my wedding dress (and no I can’t get into it now, well it was over 20 years ago! Lol)

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?

No formal training as such except an O’Level in Art and Design. My Gran who sadly died in 1987 taught me how to knit and sew when I was tiny and I was hooked, been making things ever since, from baby clothes when my two were tiny and now jewellery.

How did your craft business come about?

My daughter bought me a jewellery kit for my birthday last August and it has now become my passion as well as a hobby.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
At home mostly at the weekend or at my caravan in Broadhaven, West Wales, it’s so restful there and a beautiful part of the country.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I can roller skate, and I have a yellow belt in Judo!

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
Sian Bostwick on Folksy her jewellery is amazing. I just love the simplicity and elegance of her work. This is my current favourite in her shop.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
I think that handmade is very important, especially the love and care that goes into making an item from scratch. We live in a world where mass produced rules. I don’t want to be a clone I’m an individual and I like it that way and I hope my jewellery helps others to feel that way too!

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
Crafting is Definitely hot right now. I think it’s a combination of things happening in the world right now, such as the credit crunch which I think has helped people to focus and take control of their lives by standing up and saying I am an individual, a survivor and I’m fed up with big companies telling me what I want, need or must have!
Crafting is also, in my mind a person’s way of fighting the ‘machine’ and making a statement by being individual and making things that show the world that. It’s also about finding ‘lost’ skills and celebrating our uniqueness as creative beings (or is that a bit too deep!)
Tell me why I should buy something from you!
I love my work as a designer and jewellery maker, I absolutely love (and be scared at the same time) making commissions for people, I listen to what people say, ask them to draw me a picture of what they want if I can and try my best to make beautiful items that they want to wear and will cherish and I pride myself on providing unique items, with quality and value for money.

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
You can find me here:- http://www.folksy.com/shops/maxineveronica13

Folksy Celebrities - Quite Contrary Crafts

2010-07-12T10:00:00.002+01:00

Name: Mary
From: Lancashire
Occupation: Currently on the job hunt (being able to do my craft all day for the minute is brilliant, but proving a serious distraction to getting bill money in!)
Favourite colour: turquoise / deep green
Favourite animal: Red Squirrel
Favourite band: Take That
Favourite book: Anything by Jasper Fford, they’re so quirky, witty, and very cleverly written

Shop / Business name:
Quite Contrary Crafts

What you make:
Hand Cut personalised cards, Framed Papercuts and now some mugs!

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
Probably as soon as I started drawing on anything I could get my hands on from an early age, sorry mum! Kept winning the art prizes at Primary school too, teehee!

What was the first thing you ever made?
As in when I was a mini-me? I bet it was either a toilet roll person, or a slightly squiffy version of Tracey Island. Oh, and lots of home drawn cards (may require LOTS of imagination from Mummy & Daddy…) All grown up, I got back into it after Uni, when I realised I really missed the creative me. I made a special personalised canvas for my brother and a card – and there you have it!

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
Nope, no cutting knife training at all – loose woman with a lethal weapon here! Taught myself, and am still learning, with a few accidental trimmings of my nails here and there… I did Art up to A-Level though and tried to do something creative for birthdays after that, keep those creative juices a-flowin’!

How did your craft business come about?
I’ve always made cards for my family, from whatever materials I happened to find, and then struck upon cutting out a Christmas star in the centre of a card (kind of like those ones you saw on Blue Peter with something dangling in the middle of it…just a bit less technical minus the hanging bit, and more delicate!), then did one for a Birthday, and someone at work saw it and wanted to have one too…and the rest is history ;0)

Where and when do you do your crafting?
I’ve just re-located back to the North from London, so have upgraded from taking over the dining table (my poor flatmates must have heaved a sigh of relief when I left!), and now have a rather snazzy big desk thanks to Ikea. Also being on the job hunt means more time for cutting (I know, it should be applications 24/7…), so I’m all set up in a little office I share with my boyfriend, in his little cottage in the country. Aw.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I flashed my knickers on BBC News - Northwest Tonight when I was 4. Stuart Miles was reporting from Southport Flowershow and I obviously got bored. Unfortunately the videotape got recorded over by Baba…

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
Oo, there’s so many! At the minute, I love looking at TerrorDome’s framed butterflies, they’re just so beautiful and delicate. And also funny as one’s from the pages of a Mills & Boon!

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
It’s one of the few practises which comes straight from the heart; the item you’ve bought from that crafter was made just by them and is unique, not some factory in China where they make 20,000 each day of what your holding. Handmade items have a personality too, and some are just so awe-inspiring when you know they’ve been made by someone, not a machine!

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
Totally! I’m loving it – long live Folksy, Etsy and everywhere like that, let’s get handmade treasures even bigger!! It’s massive in the US – can’t wait ‘til it’s like that here!

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Buy something from me because they’re pretty darn funky, special, unique, and take a lot of love and time to create – definitely a keepsake! Oh, and I pretty much do any request too – ranging from a swan and dragon card, to a pineapple wearing a party hat. Honest! I love days like that!

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
My main shop is Folksy

and for any oversees customers, check out my Etsy shop

Plus I have a lovely little blog, featuring a give-away at the minute!

And like to tweet too

Folksy Celebrities - Pussy Galore

2010-07-11T10:00:00.001+01:00

Name: Shirley-Ann Dick
From: Berkshire, UK
Occupation: I’m currently the Lead Designer (Software Development) for Avis, looking after the design and usability of Avis’ European websites.
Favourite colour: Orange
Favourite animal: Cats, obviously ;-)
Favourite band: That’s a really tough one as music is a huge part of my life. Of all time, probably The Rolling Stones – though as a teenager it was The Cult.
Favourite book: The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose. Scientific textbook.

Shop / Business name:
Pussy Galore Sock Cats

What you make:
Beautifully handcrafted sock cats and kittens.

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
From a very young age. As I child all I wanted for my birthday or Christmas was pencils and paper, Lego, or scraps of fabric. 40 years on I would rather buy a new pen than new shoes!
What was the first thing you ever made?
Back in the 70’s I used to make my own doll’s clothes from felt or fabrics my gran would pick up from second-hand shops. I had a “Pippa” doll (which is like a miniature Cindy/Barbie) and I’d make skirts and tops and big floppy hats.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
No, no formal training whatsoever. Most of my career has centred around IT and design of one kind or another. I paint, draw and illustrate as well – it’s how I relax.

How did your craft business come about?
I started out with Feltique last year, making covered books and decorations. Sock-creature making happened by accident and has been very successful for me.

Where and when do you do your crafting?
Having a day job it can be difficult to fit everything in. I do admin in the mornings, and planning at lunchtime. Most evenings involve craft and/or marketing. I’m most productive when I make large batches of sock cats and kittens over a weekend, and can list them gradually over a week.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I’m doing a distance-learning degree in Astronomy. If I could do my life over, I would have been a scientist.

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
Pants and Paper. I adore Sam’s creations and have bought many things from her either for myself or as gifts for friends and family.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
On a personal level I love having hobbies, and having a hobby I can make money from is great. There’s also the satisfaction of knowing how much pleasure the sock cats bring to others – if I can make someone else happy, then I’m happy! From the consumer perspective I get fed up with the lack of creativity and innovation on the high street. If I’m buying a gift, then handmade is always my first port of call.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
You’re right, it is hot! I think men are harder to convince about buying handmade, and I think that as more and more men start to make and sell handmade themselves, we will see yet another consumer revolution.

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
All of my sock cats and kittens are designed to be absolutely unique. Even if 2 cats are made from the same style of sock, the detail will differ in style or colour. Every cat and kitten is uniquely named and customers have the option to change the name and personalise for the recipient. I take pride in the presentation too, and my customers often comment on how nicely the packages look and smell when they arrive.

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
My primary shop is on Folksy and I’m just starting to dip my toes in Etsy’s waters.
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
My personal design blog – for anyone interested in my other creative activities – is http://www.missweblash.com/

The Life Craft

2010-07-10T10:00:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago I did a blog about a sewing class we had chez kapow from Vonnie and Jenny of The Life Craft. I got to know Vonnie through twitter and we've quickly become good friends, ah the wonders of modern technology eh?

I wanted to tell you a bit about The Life Craft which Vonnie and her husband Bob started up. To quote directly from her blog:

The Life Craft has been a concept in the making since 2007. Quite simply we wanted to create a fun, modern and vibrant environment where likeminded crafters of all skill levels (from none-at-all to Vivienne Westwood-esque) could get together.

To my sheer delight they are going to open up a bricks and mortar shop in Glasgow and if their website's anything to go by, I can't flippin' wait!

Their web store is currently stocking:
The full range of MillaMia yarn which has colours to die for, in particular the brights!
MilliMia patterns and kits (I really want the baby blanket one to make for my friend who just had a baby girl)

And stunning sewing patterns by Colette and hotpatterns which are so fabulous I reckon I might need some more sewing lessons!

Check out The Life Craft's web store

Blog

Follow them on twitter

Furthermore, look out for my interview with Vonnie which will be on the blog next week!

Famous Birthdays Folksy Friday 9th July

2010-07-09T09:37:00.001+01:00

Barbara Cartland

Born almost 100 years ago (1901), the original chick-lit author and Queen of Romance in her trademark pink outfits! Barbara Cartland passed away in 2000.

Vinyl Wallet - Recycled Romance by Bookity

Mervyn Peake

Best known as the author of the Gormenghast books and as illustrator of Alice in Wonderland, my Dad had a book of the drawings of Mervyn Peake when I was little and it disturbed me so much that I had nightmares!

Alice in Wonderland Art Doll by Natasha Morgan

David Hockney

Well known for his photo montages, Pop Artist David Hockney is 73 today.

Polaroid Camera by Print Missprint

O.J. Simpson

We still don't know if he's a murderer but the ex-American football player is currently in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping. 63 today, do you get birthday cake in jail?

Bandit Chicken Doorstop by Swirlyarts

Marc Almond

The Soft Cell and solo artist is 53 today.

Milk, Almond and Oatmeal Facemask by Bits N Bobs

Tom Hanks

A very useful man if you're playing '6 degrees of Kevin Bacon' my favourite Tom Hanks movie will always be Splash!

Vintage Mermaid by mochalulu

Kelly McGillis

Top Gun and Witness star Kelly is 53 today.

Top Gun Aeroplane Necklace by Foundlings Jewellery

Courtney Love

It was very very hard to find something on Folksy to represent everyone's favourite slapper (well, some people's favourite slapper!). She's 46 today.

Cyndi Sparkle Wings Funky Fairy by Arts Desire

Jack White

The White Stripes and Raconteurs guitarist is 35 today.

Blondie-esque Black and White Skirt by Tea at Aunties

Fred Savage

Ah, The Wonder Years and Princess Bride star is 33 today (and still pretty cute!)

The Wonder Years 8x8 print by Natacha's Maria

Konnie Kapow's 'And you thought you were special' birthday cards are available from our folksy shop.

Much Too Fun!

2010-07-08T10:07:00.000+01:00

Name: Mhairi
From: Much Too Fun
Occupation: Graphic and website designer for my own company Mucky Puddle.
Favourite colour: Yellow
Favourite animal: Giant Tortoise
Favourite band: The Pixies
Favourite book: Noisy Nora

Right, let’s get to the craft stuff eh?
Shop / Business name:
Much Too Fun

What you make:
Scottish slang inspired Perspex jewellery and accessories

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
I don’t remember this but apparently when I was still in nappies I totalled my Mum’s make up box and mixed lipsticks, blushers and eyeshadows all over her carpet, bed, wardrobe and dressing table. I think that was me in my pop-art phase.
Sarah has always loved knitting and does a mean pair of leg warmers, she is trying to teach me just now!

What was the first thing you ever made?
A mess.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
Both my grandfathers painted in their spare time and became quite good as they got older, weirdly they also had the same birthdays. I guess being around them was what got me interested in the first place. I was always encouraged to be creative and loved drawing pictures from Smash Hits when I was younger. I went on to study graphic design at the Glasgow Building and Printing college and then finished off my education with a BSc in Multimedia and Graphics at Caley Uni.

How did your craft business come about?
There’s been a huge surge in craft in recent years and we noticed lots more people getting involved. I like to have creative outlets other than graphic design as sometimes being at the computer all the time is a bit of a bind. I set up Much Too fun as an online shop selling handmade bags and vintage charm jewellery last year and then earlier in 2010 my friend Sarah and I met up for a drink and came up with the idea for Bonnie Bling. We woke up with sore heads the next day after sounding out a whole load of Scottish words and phrases and decided to give it a go. The response has been incredible and we haven’t looked back since!

Where and when do you do your crafting?
Sarah and I work from The Hidden Lane in Finnieston one or two evenings a week, we set aside time where we are both together to work on things.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
I cannot stand being around balloons.

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
I adore the beautiful bags on http://www.etsy.com/shop/breagha
Hoping to treat myself soon.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
It gives me a creative outlet that is more hands on and is away from my computer. I really enjoy the time Sarah and I get to spend together making our items and love seeing the faces of people passing our craft stalls and spotting the Scottish Slang.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
It sure is, it used to be tricky to find handmade funky gifts in Glasgow but now there are so many talented people popping up. Shopping local is really important and the talent we have here in Scotland should be shown off to everyone.

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Well because you’re a bit of a Blether! ;-)

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
www.muchtoofun.co.uk

Girl Industries!

2010-07-07T10:50:00.000+01:00

Name: Katy Penman
From: Manchester originally, by way of Edinburgh, Paris, New York and now based in Glasgow and Alloa!

Occupation: I'm an evenings and weekend crafter. In my day job, I work to involve patients and members of the public in deciding national policy on healthcare.
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite animal: Red pandas - after I met Lucy and Desi in the Bronx Zoo when I was younger!
Favourite band: Now there's so much great music around, I find it hard to pick a favourite, but as a teenager I loved the politics and handmade/DIY aesthetic of the Manic Street Preachers.

Favourite book: Oh gosh, my books are like children to me, it's so hard to pick one. I have an MA in French and English Literature (loosely translated as four straight years of lovely lovely reading!), and I ruined my eyesight reading under the covers when I was little. At the moment I'm re-reading Generation X by Douglas Coupland, because I've been keeping all my books in storage over the last two years and unpacking them now we have a bigger house. Next on the list to re-read are Germinal by Emile Zola, America Day by Day by Simone de Beauvoir and A Confederacy of Dunces by J Kennedy Toole. My favourite contemporary author is my friend Colin Ferm. You can read some of his shorter writings and see some of his homemade films at www.spudworks.com My favourite literary characters are Rose Red from the What Katy Did books (for a girl with such a promising name, Katy Carr was a bit of a wet blanket), Lily Bart from The House of Mirth and Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey. I also have an impressive collection of travel books, and I love reading walking tours of Paris and New York when I don't have the time or funds to visit for real.

Right, let’s get to the craft stuff eh?

Shop / Business name:

Girl Industries
What you make:

I make stationery, homewares and accessories using reclaimed or repurposed supplies. My philosophy is to 'make new stuff out of old stuff'. I also do a line in salvaged/upcycled supplies for other creative and eco-minded types.
How did you know you were crafty / artistic?

I'd been making and creating things since I was very little - I blame the Wombles and Blue Peter! When I was at school I was asked to leave art lessons and sit outside because I'd "never be creative" - by the age of 15 I won a national award for designing and selling stationery, and as part of the same company, I was making juggling balls and hair scrunchies from offcuts I sourced from a local textiles mill. I hated the fact that my supposed ability to be creative was written off just because I couldn't produce a photorealistic reproduction of the contents of my mum's fruit bowl, and the words 'you need to...' or 'you can't...' wind me up no end, often with dramatic results!
What was the first thing you ever made?

When I was four I knitted myself a jumper from a pattern, after being shown the basics by my lovely nana.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?

My nana taught me to knit, but apart from that I have no formal training at all. After being kicked out of formal art classes at school, that route was closed off to me. I loved doing summer schools at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, where I grew up, and did some really fun stuff like screenprinting classes. I much prefer the 'apprenticeship' approach than the formal teaching situation, it fits much better with my industrial aesthetic ;-)
How did your craft business come about?

I accumulated too many supplies, and not all of my friends/family 'get' homemade so I couldn't give all my creations away. I was off work with the flu and a friend got me a copy of Craft magazine (now online only as www.craftzine.com) where I saw an ad for Etsy. I realised there was a market and an outlet for what I was doing, and once the lurgy passed, there was no stopping me!
Where and when do you do your crafting?

I just moved house and now have a craft room/study with storage space, a desk and a cutting table. Luxury! I also knit on the move and have been known to hand sew in the passenger seat of my husband's car, or on my lunch break in Glasgow's George Square on sunny days when I have a big deadline coming up!

Tell me something surprising about yourself:

I interned with the team that developed the prototype Blackberry in New York back in 1999. When the dotcom crash came in 2000 it was mothballed for a few years, particularly as research at that time showed that Americans didn't want their phones to do fancy stuff like pick up emails or send texts - they just wanted to make phone calls when they were away from their desks.
Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?

I have a bit of a collection going on of bags and purses by www.madebyhank.etsy.com I love the tough ruffles style and really want a tote from her collection if I'm lucky enough to catch one as it's released. I really admire the way that Katie's line is coherent but varied and ever-developing. The colours she uses fit in with my favourite clothes and shoes. I also admire her skill with the sewing machine, I'm still reacquainting myself with machine sewing and it hasn't been a smooth ride!
Why is handmade / crafting important to you?

I think it should be important to everyone. I try to only give high quality handmade/independent gifts and cards now, unless I'm really disorganised and have to rely on high street shops. I worked in big retail for seven years and eventually left because the more senior my job became, the more exposed I was to the fact that suppliers were being massively ripped off for their time, talent and skills - and that's if their products were actually bought, rather than their designs/ideas stolen. A lot of people equate handmade with poor quality or hobbyists and I hope my gift giving as well as my own products can help to change people's perceptions.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?

The way things are in the UK (and the US) at the moment, buying local, sustainable and interesting has never been so hot. We're seeing a huge change in food retail and I hope this can expand to clothing, homewares and furniture. Down with mass production, big boxes and souless shopping experiences!
Tell me why I should buy something from you!

If you've read this far, you obviously like interviews with crafters... So why not buy a whole zine-ful? I've been collaborating with crafters from near and far on a monthly interview zine, Answers on a Postcard. And even better, if you're a crafter and willing to be interviewed, you get your copy at a discounted rate.

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?

My etsy shop is at www.girlindustries.etsy.com, and you can also buy my zines from my crafty comrade Asking for Trouble at http://shop.askingfortrouble.org/products/answers-on-a-postcard-zine

Famous Birthdays Folksy Friday

2010-07-02T14:57:00.000+01:00

July is turning out to be an awesome month for celebrity birthdays and I'm really pleased with the cards we've come up with in our Famous Birthdays range!

I thought I'd do another Folksy Friday based on the birthdays for today! It gets more and more difficult and you'll forgive my tentative connections and pathetic jokes right? Atta girl/boy!

Murry Wilson

The notoriously tempestuous father of Brian, Dennis and Carl and uncle to Mike Love, Murry Wilson was the original Manager of the Beach Boys. He passed away in 1973.

Hand painted surfer by Nicola Potts Art

Paul Williams

The original lead singer and choreographer of Motown group The Temptations.

'Sweet Temptation' - Box Frame Art by Bonboo

Larry David

Comedian, producer and director Larry David is 63 today. He's the star of Curb Your Enthusiasm and one of the creators of Seinfeld - but I didn't have to tell you that!

TV Set Necklace by Sour Cherry

Pete Briquette

The bassist, guitarist, backing singer and occassional keyboardist for The Boomtown Rats. Apparently he wanted it known that he was from the Irish countryside so his name comes from peat briquettes.

Rats by Minxtures

Jerry Hall

Model but best known for being Mick Jagger's lady for many a year. Hey I saw her in something on telly lately, what was it?!

Blonde Girl Plate by Edwina Simone

Bret "Hit Man" Hart

Remember when WWE was called WWF?! Never been much of a fan myself but I have heard of Bret "Hit Man" Hart. I couldn't find anything on folksy for him though but I much prefer Hulk Hogan's moustache anyway!

'The Hogan' embroidered picture by Stuffed Nonsense

Peter Kay

Funny man Peter Kay is 37 today, he also looks a little bit like this egg? No? Told you these were tentative!

Two-sided eggcup by Lou Peajeux

Lindsay Lohan

Child star and party animal and pop star a bit Lindsay Lohan is 24 today. She knows Herbie!

Cheerleader hair clip by Tootie Fuitie Bowtique

Phew! I'm exhausted now!

Don't forget to check out the famous birthday cards!

Granny Would be Proud

2010-07-01T12:00:00.001+01:00

Granny Would be Proud is a fabulous vintage and craft fair held in Glasgow once a month. I caught up with its fabulous organisor Fred as part of my series of interviews with local crafters...

Name: Granny Proud (Actually Frederique Villain..yes..really :)

From: La Seyne sur mer, France

Favourite colour: All of them

Favourite animal: The cat… It always lands on its feet no matter what!

Favourite band: The Slits (only found out recently what it translated as.!!)

Favourite book: Angela’s Ashes .. Even in the worst of times there is still humour to get you going.

What is Granny would be proud? A vintage and craft fair that takes place every month, it brings a very fashionable Glasgow all under one roof.

How did you get started? Around a cup of tea with friends, chatting about vintage clothing and markets in France. And see how we could spend a day all together having some fun and doing crafts.

Is this what you do full time? Nope, I also work as a receptionist. Not as glamourous but it pays the bills.

How do you choose your vendors/promote? I tend to make sure to stick to the vintage and retro theme. The event is mainly promoted via our Facebook and also word of mouth, but you’ll see me on Byres road or in town chasing after people handing out flyers and also some shop owners are happy to display our poster.

What has been your favourite Granny Proud moment so far? When we opened up for the first time.. I didn’t sleep much the night before, I was so worried that no one would show up! But an hour before we opened up we already had a queue of people waiting to get in!

What are the challenges of organising an event like this? Well you would think that a month is plenty of time to get yourself organised but when you have a full time job on the side and no internet at home then things can get quiet tight. You have to liaise with about 30 sellers, come up with a flyer, design the flyer, do some marketing, manage the facebook, come up with a table plan, make sure all goes well on the day, and make sure you have time to chat to everyone.. I do love every step of it though!

What makes Glasgow the right place for your events? Well there’s not that many markets around and people always look for something fun to do at the week end, something that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.. So here we are!

Tell me something surprising about you: I used to be super shy at school, and I used to be bullied because of my name, (Yep Villain isn’t that great of a name he!?) but that actually helped me to become who I am today. I’m a bit of a clown, I can chat to anyone and I will never judge anyone by their cover.

Konnie and Mr Kapow! will be among the vendors at Granny Would be Proud on 3rd July! See you there!

Miso Funky!

2010-06-30T12:46:00.000+01:00

Next in my series of interviews with local sellers is Miso Funky! I've actually somehow never managed to cross physical paths with Claire however I feel it's only a matter of time!

Name: Claire Brown

From: Craft Vegas! (aka Glasgow's West End)

Occupation: I'm a subtitler for the major UK TV stations as well as running Miso Funky, Stitch Up Designs and being one half of Super Cute Kawaii.

Favourite colour: Green

Favourite animal: Monkeys!

Favourite band: Rocket From The Crypt

Favourite book: Flat Stanley

Shop / Business name: Miso Funky

What you make: Cross-stitched homewares and accessories with a modern twist!

How did you know you were crafty / artistic? I think I have always been creative in one way or another. I learned to cross stitch at primary school – I made a little mat on which I cross-stitched my favourite' pony's name.

What was the first thing you ever made? Some egg carton Christmas decorations with lots of glitter when I was about 2.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know? I have no formal crafty training at all. I learned to cross stitch at primary school and then went back to it on and off. I came back properly about 5 years ago and haven't looked back since!

How did your craft business come about? Myself and a friend decided to relearn to knit and were making scarves, etc for ourselves. People started to ask where they could get one, we did a school Christmas fair and that was that – Miso Funky was born! It's just me now and I now concentrate solely on the cross stitch stuff.

Where and when do you do your crafting? It feels like there's not a minute of the day where I'm not crafting something! I do most of my stitching at home on my big squishy sofa – I'm lucky to have a portable craft. I frame everything in my spare room, which also acts as store room, dispatch room, etc. I have an embroidery machine to do my tea towels which lives there too, which is manned mostly by Mr Miso Funky.

Tell me something surprising about yourself: I used to be a majorette! Also, I've never seen Gremlins. Or the Goonies. Or Star Wars. Or indeed just about any classic film ever.

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of? I love stationery and prints – I have an art wall in my bathroom which I like to add prints and postcards, etc too. I love Lucy Player's Folksy shop and hope to add something from there next.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you? I love the fact that buying handmade means you get something of quality that has a story behind it and is often unique or just for you. It's great knowing that you're supporting a small, indie business too.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now? No, it's not just you! The message that there is an alternative to the mass-produced stuff on the High Street is slowly filtering out to the general public – hurrah!

Tell me why I should buy something from you! Because not only is everything hand-stitched, but it's pretty much guaranteed to raise a smile each time you look at it!

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you? http://www.misofunky.com/

Little Wren Pottery

2010-06-29T12:00:00.002+01:00

I met Victoria aka Little Wren Pottery through Folksy and twitter and am a big fan of her hand thrown pottery, in particular the mugs, I'm gonna get me some of those as soon as I have some spare funds!

Name: Victoria Baker
From: Sunderland
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Favourite colour: Red and purple
Favourite animal: Tough question! Birds and squirrels, I’m working on a way of combining the two.
Favourite band: I’m big into my Heavy Metal its difficult to pick just one but I like AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper.
Favourite book: Harry Potter, I’d happily go to Hogwarts School.

Shop / Business name: Little Wren Pottery

What you make: I produce hand thrown stoneware pottery in a rustic style. Stoneware itself is a very rustic material and I try and choose glaze combinations which reflect that – browns, greens and reds.

How did you know you were crafty / artistic? When I was little I used to really love drawing, I’d try my hand at anything and it used to keep me occupied for hours. At one point I wanted to be an artist for Disney but as I got older I got discouraged from my artistic endeavours.
I got interested in craft a few years ago, previously I’d not really been that interested in it but my flatmate at the time suggested I took up knitting. His throw away comment really changed my life for the better!

What was the first thing you ever made? The first pottery pieces I made were kind of crude tubes I passed off as vases. Although when I look back on it now, it was only two years ago, I can see the formation of where I started and how much I’ve progressed.

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know? My Dad has been a craft potter for a number of years and he encouraged me to try it out. He wasn’t keen on teaching me though since he’d never taught anyone himself so I went to a night class to learn the basics.
My Dad does teach me things from time to time though, especially when he’s looking over my shoulder while I’m busy throwing!

How did your craft business come about? I originally started selling as an experiment, I wasn’t sure if my work was good enough to sell yet. I had a shop for about one or two months before I sold my first piece. I was totally thrilled that I’d managed to sell something and its pretty much continued from there.

Where and when do you do your crafting? Since I still have my full time job I do most of my making on a weekend, during the week I do other tasks as and when needed. On a Saturday morning I can throw up to half a bag of clay between 8am and 10am. I then leave the pieces to get leather hard before they’re turned on the Sunday.

Tell me something surprising about yourself: Sometimes I like to casually dress like a pirate.

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of? I really like Moon Raven Designs - what with being a rocker I love the jewellery that she sells. Its all animal skulls, bit morbid I know but I think its cool.

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
Sometimes my job can be quite stressful its important to me to zone out and do something I can focus my mind upon. As the wheel goes round it’s very hypnotic and if you start thinking about other things while your throwing you’ll end up with a wobbly pot. My family have all be en crafters of various disciplines want to carry on that tradition too.

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now? It is! I think there’s a real buzz around crafting however I still think in the UK that there s the old perception of hand crafted items being of a low quality. This kind of cultural shift has been big in America and I don’t think we’ve seen the end of the crafts movement in the UK.

Tell me why I should buy something from you! I like to think that my pieces are functional, attractive and represent the everyday potential of handmade. Our lives are filled with things made by machines that are ergonomically perfect, there’s no variation in perfect.

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
Folksy
Etsy
Dawanda

Lucy loves... ME!

2010-06-28T13:23:00.000+01:00

As some of you may be aware I am doing some interviews with local Folksy sellers along with some other people I've met along the way and next up is my real life bff, Lucy loves...! Lucy and I were flatmates many moons ago having me through a mutual friend, we bonded over a love of red wine and Del Amitri and a common interest in 'old lady' style conversations. We have and will continue to sit for hours at a time in the pub discussing recipes, stain removal technique, Hornblower, which supermarket is the best and bus passenger ettiquette amongst other things!

Ladies and gents I give you - Lucy loves...

Name: Lucy McWilliams
From: Glasgow
Occupation: I am an Events and Marketing Manager for a Glasgow based venue.
Favourite colour: red
Favourite animal: Hippo
Favourite band: Jason Mraz
Favourite book: Probably the Harry Potter books, but I also love the Amelia Peabody murder mysteries by Elizabeth Peters. And I might be ever so slightly becoming a Twi-hard (shhh!)

Shop / Business name: Lucy Loves
What you make: Soaps, bath bombs, bath salts and all sort of lovely wee pampering treats.
How did you know you were crafty / artistic? I didn't! I'm still not sure if I am!
What was the first thing you ever made? For my business? Mini heart shaped soap favours which smelled of yummy cherries. The first thing I ever made? Probably an Igloo with my big sister one snowy day playing in my Gran's back garden!
Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know? I have no formal training, but I find I still get by. The Internet is such a useful tool to speak to people doing similar things and to help develop your ideas into new products.

How did your craft business come about? I decided I would like something different for my wedding favours, so I bought some supplies and made some soaps. I had such a great time doing it that I just haven't wanted to stop!
Where and when do you do your crafting? I have a wee soap kitchen in our spare room. I tend to mostly make things in the evening, but mostly at weekends as I am usually too tired after the day job!
Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of? Konnie Kapow! And not just because we are friends, her cards are just fantastic! All it usually takes is one phonecall to Mr.Kapow with a description of a random picture in my head and BAMB! There is a new card produced that ALWAYS exactly what i was looking for!
I also love Much Too Fun as I just love their stuff! I have an anchor necklace and today i am sporting a Blether necklace!

Why is handmade / crafting important to you? Its just so nice to have someone want to buy something you have made yourself, Its really satisfying! I also love making things as gifts for friends and family! And its a good outlet when I don't want to think about bills, the upcoming wedding or the day job!
Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now? Yeah, totally! And there are many hot ladies out there crafting! (no offence boys, I just find I have only personally met female crafters at the moment!)
Tell me why I should buy something from you! Because its something unique you will get from me! Do you want a coloured soap with a certain fragrance? No bother! Also, all of my products are handmade and not mass produced so you know that nobody else will have quite the same thing as you!

Ok you’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you? Why thank you!
Please hop on over to:
Folksy
Twitter
Facebook
Blog
Or send me a wee email at lucy.loves.soaps@gmail to say hello!

Folksy Friday - Paper Anniversary!

2010-06-25T12:05:00.006+01:00

Coo-ee!
I arrived at work this morning to find my desk all covered in balloons and confetti and my colleagues standing in a line blowing bubbles! How lovely!
Mr Kapow and I are celebrating our First Wedding Anniversary this Sunday! Yay!
So with that in mind I have done a paper themed Folksy Friday...

Oliver the Paper Frog by Polkadot Sundays
- isn't he gorgeous!? I love frogs!
Paper Doily Envelopes by Beau
- what a lovely idea!
Playing Foxes Paper Theatre by Under the Stairs Studio
- utterly delightful!
Cocoa Bunnies Screen Print by PrettySnug
- Mr Kapow loves bunnies!
Card Kit for Kids (and Grown Ups!) by Dottie Designs
- do it yourself!
Upcycled paper bead necklace by Jayfa Jewellery
- bold and fab!

We're pretty broke right now and so decided against getting gifts when all we need is a nice day to ourselves but I couldn't resist the temptation to buy him one of the Emma in Wonderland prints he has been admiring! (naughty Kapow!)

Jen Owens Images

2010-06-23T12:00:00.001+01:00

Since I started attending Craft Fairs this year I have bumped into some truly amazing and talented people in and around Glasgow and Edinburgh so I though I would dedicate some blog posts to them.
I shouldn't just keep them to myself now should I!?

First up is the beautiful and talented Jen Owens. Jen was across from Lucy and I at our first ever ever craft fair at Morningside Makers Market (we'll be back there soon!) and we couldn't help but notice her smiley face. It wasn't long before she came over to say hi and we've kept in touch ever since!

Name:
Jen Owens

From:
Originally Buxton in Derbyshire, now live in Edinburgh

Occupation:
I’m Marketing Officer (Design & Publications) for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, which is great fun and means I get to be creative all day – bodes well for the evenings and weekends when I have time to be crafty!

Favourite colour:
Purple. When my parents moved in to their house in Buxton back in the 70s they said the whole place was painted purple from top to bottom and it took them ages to redecorate it with different colours. Could never understand why – I would love a purple house!

Favourite animal:
Humpback whale – got to see 2 when Mr O and I travelled to Oz in 2008 – first time I’d ever seen whales, was a very exciting moment for me.

(Kapow aside: I have a bizarre and unnatural fear of whales you know! Terrified of them!)

Favourite band:
Hmmm…tough one. I’d have to say The National.

Favourite book:
These questions are too hard! White Teeth by Zadie Smith, but very difficult to choose.

Shop / Business name:
Jen Owens Images

What you make:
Handmade collages using printed photos I’ve taken of landscapes or scenes. I also make greetings cards with real streetnames on them, like ‘John Street’ or ‘Emily Place’ – it’s become a bit of an obsession trying to find new ones. I can’t go anywhere without Google-mapping first!

How did you know you were crafty / artistic?
Sounds a bit cliché, but I’ve always made things, cut up things, stuck things together. My dad’s a silversmith so my sister and I grew up helping out him and my mum on his craft fair stall – I guess I’ve just always been surrounded by craft makers. I’d love wondering around the fairs and seeing all the various stalls.

What was the first thing you ever made?
At nursery I made a Father Christmas out of a toilet roll tube, red tissue paper and cotton wool. It still goes on the Christmas tree every year!

Do you have any formal training or who taught you what you know?
I pretty much taught myself by trial and error. There’ve been many frustrating moments!!

How did your craft business come about?
I made a couple of collages for our walls at home, then progressed to making one of Edinburgh Castle for a close friend’s birthday present. Another friend was round for a cuppa one night, saw it, and decided to commission me to make another as a wedding present for a friend. It kind of continued from there…

Where and when do you do your crafting?
Whenever I can! The weekends get filled very easily, as do most evenings. I find myself sticking a film on the laptop (one that I know really well so that it won’t distract me too much!), settling down at the kitchen table and crafting away.

Tell me something surprising about yourself:
Not many people know that I’ve got Grade 8 cello - my big achievement when I was 18 (along with passing my driving test!)

Which Folksy / Etsy shop can you not get enough of?
Pants and Paper – love the purses.
I’m also a big fan of Konnie Kapow! Many a happy family member there have been thanks to your ‘And you thought you were special’ birthday cards!
(aw thanks Jen!)

Why is handmade / crafting important to you?
So many reasons – I find it very therapeutic: being able to become engrossed in making a collage or batch of cards and the amazing buzz when it all comes together. I get very tetchy if I can’t make time to do creativey-type things (just ask my hubby for proof of this!). And the community – getting along to a craft fairs and meeting new people – everyone’s so nice!

Is it just me or is crafting really hot right now?
It so is! I thought it was just me thinking that! I think there’s a real excitement and accessibility come about from being able to purchase handmade, original goods. Why would you go to Clinton Cards when you could go to a local craft fair?

Tell me why I should buy something from you!
Because you’ll get something a little different and totally unique! A lovely woman at a recent craft fair told me that I “painted with photographs” – it put the biggest smile on my face. Plus the streetname cards – I’ve got so many of them now they’re really hard to market as a group, but if I’ve got your name, it makes for a really special gift card.

Ok! You’ve got me convinced! Where can I find you?
Lots of places!:
Website: http://www.jenowensimages.com/
Blog: http://www.jenowensimages.blogspot.com/

Folksy: www.folksy.com/shops/JenOwensImages

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jen-Owens-Images/239339426558?ref=ts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jenowensimages

Purpose of a convoy is to keep movin'

2010-06-22T12:30:00.007+01:00

I love Kris Kristofferson! I do I do I do!

I love his beard, I love his face, I love his music and I love his films. I would quite happily leave Mr Kapow for dust if Kris asked me out and you know what, Mr Kapow would understand and give us his blessing!

I first 'met' Kris because my mum loves him and she let me watch 'Convoy' with her when I was but a wee thing and ever since then it's been one of my very favourite films - "Piss on you, and piss on your law".

It's Kris' birthday today, he's 74!

But it doesn't stop there! There are other brilliant celeb birthdays today:

Also featuring on today's "And you thought you were special" birthday cards are:

Bank robber John Dillinger
Prunella Scales "Basil!"
Esther Rantzen
Meryl Streep
Cyndi Lauper
Radio 5 Live's Danny Baker
Garry Gary Beers, bassist with INXS
Legendary B-Movie actor Bruce Campbell
The REAL Erin Brockovich
Michael J. Fox's wife actress Tracy Pollan's birthday
Jimmy Somerville's birthday (my mum worries about him)
Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream's birthday
Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page's birthday
author Dan Brown's birthday
AND
Bionic Woman Lindsay Wagner's birthday

Put your stamp on it!

2010-06-21T11:42:00.000+01:00

From my following of Girl Industries fine blog I have discovered The Mayberry Sparrow who makes the most adorable rubber stamps!

I love using rubber stamps and do so in quite a few of my cards so I was even more pleased to discover that she is having a Give Away on her blog to win a gorgeous deer stamp! Enter here! and be quick because it closes at 8pm tonight!

While I'm at it, here are a few of my other favourite stamping finds from Folksy and Etsy:

Happy Father's/Fathers'/Fathers Day Pops!

2010-06-20T20:45:00.000+01:00

I've had such a glorious Sunday! Mr Kapow and I were out trimming the hedge with crappy hand shears and 'gardening' to our hearts' content...well, we digged some garden but we're not really sure what we're doing but it still counts right?

My Daddy and Me and my Grumpy lil sis!

Anyway, I thought since it was fathers day I would dedicate this post to my ole man!

Dad's featured on my blog before in fact, see: Daddy Cool

He's a bit of a strange one, ole Daddio. Until a couple of years ago he was an English teacher at my local high school, he actually taught me in my final year which probably explains a lot!

Apple Stickers by Little Bird Too

Although he was a good teacher, my Dad was simultaneously trying to run a 100 acre farm, no mean feat when you have a full time job!

Farmer No. 1 Poster by James Green - Printworks

Luckily my mum's superhuman and she was able to take care of things during the day in his absence however it was always clear that Dad's heart was at home on his farm with his faithful companion Ben the border collie! (Only joking mum!)

Mucky Pup Greetings Card bySophie Martin Illustration

Finally, Dad was able to achieve his dream and he now spends his days looking after over 3000 hens with my Mum running the Free Range Egg business she started when I was still in school.

Beach Hutchy for 2-4 hens by Little Hutchies

He's somewhat accident prone however is Daddio, often as a child he would have blood blisters on his hands from hitting himself with a hammer or such like, he'd call these his "little friends".

Ltd Edition Hammer Screenprint by Inky Hands

He likes naming things quite a lot. In particular slugs and frogs. All slugs in the world are called Barney according to him...

Adorable snowflake obsidian frog keyring by NOfkants Curios

Dad loves his books though, a passion he passed on to me. We both did the same degree at the same University in Glasgow and often swap books or hot new talent tips!

Literary Quote pinback brooch by Bookity

Other things I inherited from my father:
A love of red wine...

Hand cut 'I Love Wine' card by Quite Contrary Crafts

...and an appreciation for good music

Jimi Hendrix Screen print by By Eilidh

Mr Kapow Art!

2010-06-16T12:40:00.001+01:00

I spent much of last night setting up this website for my favourite artist - darling Mr Kapow!

Mr Kapow Art!

He's going to be making some alterations to it and probably changing some (or most) of the wording however I just though I'd point you in his direction for a wee squiz at his rock n roll portraits and photographs of Glasgow's West End...

Hyndland Road by Mr Kapow Art

Joe Strummer by Mr Kapow Art

Muddy Waters by Mr Kapow Art

Emma Rocks by Mr Kapow Art

...there are loads more to upload so watch this space!

Clever Clogs!

2010-06-14T21:50:00.001+01:00

Konnie Kapow! was very proud to hear this weekend that her youngest sister got an A in her recent History exam! What a clever girl she is!

She had been working extremely hard but doubting herself for a little while there so I'm really proud of her and pleased that she's received the marks she deserved!

Back in my own Uni days I must confess to have been something of a slacker, I always left all of my essays to the last minute claiming to 'need the fear' in order to work well. I guess to some extent that's still my philosophy!

Here are a few new cards we've done in honour of the exam / graduation season:

Where the boys are Part iii - Tree Gems

2010-06-12T20:31:00.000+01:00

The third in my series of interviews for Indie Smiles with male sellers on Folksy has just been published!

Please click the image below to read my interview with Stewart Would aka Tree Gems!

I'd really appreciate it if you could leave comments on the actual Indie Smiles Article and I'm sure Stewart would too!

Don't forget to check out the first two interviews too:

Where the boys are Part I - Nosuch Disco

Where the boys are Part II - Steam Punk Glass