Archive for the Member news Category

Candy Conversations : Debbie Carlisle

By Dilys Treacle Treasures on January 7, 2011
This entry is filed under Candy Conversations, Design, Member news and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . | 1 Comment

Welcome back to Candy Conversations…the first one of 2011! Read on to find out all about one of the newest members of the group, Debbie Carlisle. Debbie creates the most amazing wedding bouquets and accessories, the sort that make me really wish I was getting married!

Candy Stats

  • Name : Debbie Carlisle
  • Hometown : Sheffield
  • Craft : I make wedding bouquets and accessories using vintage jewellery and buttons
  • Company Name : Debbie Carlisle Bouquets
  • Likes : I’m a magpie and love shiny sparkly things and I also have a major obsession with vintage buttons. Oh, and I also love tea – especially Betty’s Tearoom Blend. I’m also rather fond of monkeys.
  • Dislikes : Coathangers. A necessary evil, but I can’t stand the tangly blighters!

Debbie Carlisle

Candy Conversation

  • Hello Debbie! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live in Sheffield with my husband and work from my spare room – my little haven of vintage loveliness!

  • Have you always been creative?

I’ve always enjoyed making and creating things – although I have no official training in anything craft-related, only what my Mum and Grandma taught me when I was little! Some things stuck, like being able to sew and my attention to detail, others didn’t – I never really got the hang of knitting!

  • What is your craft exactly? Please tell us about what you do, and how you got started with it.

I make bespoke wedding bouquets and accessories using vintage jewellery and buttons, diamantes, crystal and pearl beads and luxe materials like satin, silk, lace and velvet.

Ivory satin corsage posy bouquet

I made my first vintage jewellery bouquet for my own wedding in September 2009. I had never done anything like it before and, after a few false starts, I came up with the teardrop shower jewellery design. For my bridesmaids I created satin rose corsage posies – I made the roses by hand to match the dark ivory sashes on their black dresses and added vintage buttons along with pearls and tiny satin flowers. I am completely self-taught and just came up with the designs through trial and error. The teardrop style started as a round posy and just kind of grew of its own accord into what has become my favourite – and my most popular – bouquet shape!

After my wedding I still had all these other ideas for bouquets swirling around in my head that I really wanted to make – and so I decided to see if I could make some more. Once I had a good selection of bouquets I set up a store on Etsy selling pre-made designs and also offering to make bespoke designs. Soon after I set up my own website and Debbie Carlisle Bouquets was born!

As I make my bouquets to order, every design is a bespoke one-off creation so my work is constantly evolving. I moved into making headpieces and buttonholes after a number of brides asked me to design matching pieces to go with their bouquets. Now I have a specific range of accessories which brides can order – or they can ask me to create a bespoke piece specifically to match their bouquet, dress or other accessories.

Teardrop shower jewellery bouquet

  • Where do you sell your products, and how do you go about promoting your business?

I make most of my sales through my website www.dcbouquets.co.uk and I also have Folksy and Etsy stores – both called dcbouquets, and a selection of my headpieces are stocked by Choola bridal boutique on Ecclesall Road, Sheffield.

I have promoted my work through wedding and craft fairs – including Craft Candy – and already have a really busy diary of events for next year:

  • February 27, Vintage Wedding Fair, midday to 5pm at the St George Hotel, 1 Ripon Road, Harrogate, HG1 2SY. www.discovervintage.co.uk
  • April 10, Vintage Wedding Fair, 10.30am to 4pm, The Assembly, Spencer Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV31 3NF. www.discovervintage.co.uk.

  • September 18, Vintage Wedding Fair, midday to 5pm at the St George Hotel, 1 Ripon Road, Harrogate HG1 2SY. www.discovervintage.co.uk

I have a Facebook fan page which is great way of quickly updating people about what I’m up to or sharing links that my followers might be interested in. I also have a Twitter account which was probably the best thing I have done since setting up Debbie Carlisle Bouquets. I decided to get a Twitter account because it is a quick and easy alternative to blogging – and within 24 hours of signing up, my work was featured on a blog for the first time. Since then I have had lots of publicity – in wedding blogs and magazines – that I would never have got without it. It has also been an invaluable source of advice, support and friendship – I have met many talented people through Twitter who I now consider to be very good friends.

  • Tell us about the commissioned pieces you can make for brides, and what is involved if somebody is interested in buying a bespoke bouquet, or other jewelled accessories for their big day.

I work entirely on commission, working closely with brides to come up with a bespoke design in a style, theme and colour that perfectly mirrors their taste and personality as well as their look on the day. To do this I suggest they send me photographs of their dress, as well as anything else that sums up their theme. I can design their bouquet or headpiece to suit embellishment on their dress, shoes or an item of jewellery they plan to wear.

'Ava' vintage dress clip brooch and button beaded feather headpiece

I source my own materials and I can also wire in sentimental items of the bride’s own to create a personalised memory bouquet so they can carry a reminder of a lost loved one with them on their wedding day. I can also work ‘something blue’ into a bouquet.

'Grace' diamante headband

People can contact me by emailing debbie@dcbouquets.co.uk or by using the contact form on my website which allows them to attach photographs.

While I am happy to take last minute orders if I have availability, to be sure of a booking, I recommend that clients contact me at least six months before their wedding – sooner if possible – so I have plenty of time to source the perfect vintage pieces to use in their bespoke design.

'Bijoux' medium diamante vintage brooch headpiece

  • Who or what inspires you, and how does this come through in your work?

My main influence and source of inspiration is the bride I am designing for. I usually work from a photograph of the bride’s wedding dress as well as any accessories, bridesmaid dresses, and other themes that they think sum up the look of their day, to come up with a design idea.

I also keep an eye on bridal and current catwalk fashion trends for inspiration. For example, feather headpieces have been popular on the High Street – so I’ve translated that into my own collection, using ivory feather bases topped with vintage jewellery, crystals, pearls and diamante beading. The headpieces are really popular with brides who don’t want to wear a traditional tiara and veil, and especially those choosing a vintage or old-style Hollywood glamour theme for their wedding.

Vintage brooch feather headpiece, and small jewellery bouquet

  • Which of your contemporaries do you admire?

As I’m deeply immersed in all things wedding, my list of admired contemporaries is quite bridal and also rather vintage!

I love the work of wedding stationer Lucy Ledger, she’s a Sheffield-based designer who makes beautiful bespoke vintage scrapbook-inspired stationary. She’s always coming up with wonderful new designs – each better than the one before!

www.lucyledger.com

I also love Vintage Twee, a lovely little company which makes gorgeous vintage-inspired favours and decorations which are ideal for a vintage bride.

www.vintagetwee.com

I’m also a fan of Imogen’s Imagination, another Sheffield-based company and occasional collaborative partner.  Sophie from Imogen’s Imagination makes fabulous headpieces, hats and fascinators and has a real eye for burlesque style. We have worked together on a number of occasions with Sophie creating the perfect birdcage veil for my bespoke bridal headpieces.

www.imogensimagination.com

  • What do you love most about being so creative?

I love the act of physically creating something new – and I especially love giving new life to ‘forgotten’ pieces of jewellery with their own history and old style glamour. I get a real buzz when I’ve completed a piece – and an even bigger buzz when I hear back from an excited bride who loves their bouquet! After the wedding my brides often send me wedding photos – and I love scrolling through their pictures and seeing my work in action.

It’s also good to go to fairs or shows with your work – I love it when someone is heading towards my stand and I see their face light up when they see my bouquets sparkling, it makes all the late nights and sore fingers worthwhile!

'Vivian' headpiece

  • Of all the things that you have made and sold, which has been your favourite?

It would probably be my Teardrop Shower Jewellery Bouquet design, which is the bouquet style I made for my own wedding and is also my most popular design. My absolute favourite bouquet is the Jewel Brights Bouquet – but I haven’t sold it. I did put it up in my Etsy store briefly but I quickly took it down again when I realised I was too attached to it to sell it!

Jewel Brights teardrop jewellery bouquet

Instead I keep it to take to shows and fairs. it has also been on a couple of photo shoots, and has even had pride of place in a window display at the Choola bridal boutique on Ecclesall Road. While the original Jewel Brights Bouquet may not be for sale I am happy to make similar bouquets to order – which I promise I will hand over!

  • What are your other hobbies or interests besides your craft work?

I have a full time (day) job and so making my bouquets and accessories takes up almost all of my spare time which means I have to make a real effort to do anything else. To relax away from the world of weddings I like watching films and reading – although I don’t get to do the latter very often as it’s such a solitary occupation and I like to try and spend time with family and friends when I’m not working. I also love scuba diving – but I don’t get to do that as often as I’d like either as I have no wish to brave the cold and dark UK waters. I confine myself to holidays abroad where the sea is blue and as warm as bath water!

  • What’s the best thing about belonging to Craft Candy?

I love being a part of Craft Candy because it’s packed with friendly and talented people – which makes me feel very proud to have been accepted as a member. It’s great to be part of a group of people facing similar challenges and experiencing the highs and lows of running their own business, however big or small.

  • And finally…what are your plans for the future of DCBouquets?

I would like Debbie Carlisle Bouquets to be bigger and better this year – and I’ve got lots of plans and projects on the go to try and make it happen – including joining some incredible suppliers and bloggers at the Designer Vintage Bridal show in Birmingham and also having a stand at the UK’s largest wedding event, the National Wedding Show at Birmingham NEC in March. I would also love to have my pieces stocked in more bridal boutiques.

Vintage shower bouquet and jewelled headpiece

  • The very best of luck for all the wedding shows, and for the future of DCBouquets! Thank you for taking the time to talk to us Debbie, it was lovely finding out more about your work!

Large ivory vintage button posy bouquet


A taste of things to come

By Dilys Treacle Treasures on January 5, 2011
This entry is filed under Craft Candy, Member news and tagged , , , , , , , , , .

Hey everyone!

Hope you all had a good Christmas? So, 2011 is here…lets hope its a happy and successful year for everybody in the world of craft-land! I wonder what it will bring? Well, I know of two things for sure. The first is an interview with the lovely Debbie Carlisle of DCBouquets, which will be right here on the blog for you to read this very Friday coming. Debbie is one of the newest members of Craft Candy. She creates beautiful one-off vintage-themed jewelled wedding bouquets and other accessories. Perfect if you are planning a wedding this year, or know of anybody who is. Debbie is definitely the girl you need to know – so don’t forget to come back on Friday to read all about her work!

And the second thing is the Spring Fling, which is taking place on Saturday 26th March. We are accepting applications right now, so if you are a maker of beautiful handmade things and would like the chance to sell your stuff at our next fair, then please visit the fairs page on the website, and get your application in as soon as possible.

CLOSING DATE IS 16th JANUARY! So hurry!

Debbie hard at work on her stall at a Barnsley craft fair in 2010

Happy New Year to everyone! Xx

Candy Conversations : Sian Hughes

By Dilys Treacle Treasures on November 19, 2010
This entry is filed under Candy Conversations, Craft Candy, Member news and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . | 2 Comments

Welcome back to Candy Conversations! It’s time to meet Sian, of Siansburys, and chat about monkeys!

Candy Stats

  • Name : Sian Hughes
  • Hometown : Sheffield
  • Craft : Sewing (Sock Monkeys)
  • Company Name : Siansburys
  • Likes : Monkeys, Otters, Badgers, Foxes, animals, wildlife, trees, plants, walking on the moors, drawing, painting and pottering.
  • Dislikes : Spiders, enclosed spaces, public speaking, rude people, drizzle. If you combined all these things into one event I would probably self-destruct!

Sian Hughes

Candy Conversation

  • Hello Sian! Welcome to Candy Conversations. Thanks for chatting to us!

Hello, thanks for having me!

  • So…tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m 33 and live in Sheffield with Andy, my partner of many, many years, our cat Mia and some fish. After school, I went to Sheffield College to study my Art Foundation before realising I wasn’t competitive enough to ever make any money at it, so went on to study Geography at the University of Derby. I specialised in Landscape Ecology, which mostly involved going out into the countryside with ranging poles and looking at trees. I’m not sure how I thought I’d make any money with that either, but that’s what happened.

  • Have you always been creative though, or is it something you rediscovered again later on?

I know everyone says this, but I have always been creative. I remember sitting round my grandparent’s kitchen table and being taught how to draw stars using two triangles, and then showing off my skills to my new friends at infant school, only much later realising I’d drawn the second triangle sideways rather than upside down. Actually, that probably shows how artistically inept I was, but creative, right?

Little Sian drawing with her Granddad

My Dad is an architect (or was, he’s recently retired) and has always been a major influence. He had a drawing board at home so my siblings and I had unlimited access to paper and art materials, as well as his expertise of course! I remember ‘helping’ him with posters for the rugby club and being allowed to sit next to him and draw while he worked. My Mum likes to deny that she’s creative, but she sculpts, carves, knits and sews, and both of her parents painted, so it’s definitely in the blood. Every Christmas we would get drawing paper and pens as well as whatever it was we’d asked for, so I think you could say we were encouraged!

I always really enjoyed art as a subject at school but don’t feel like I ever found my ‘style’, or if I did it wasn’t necessarily encouraged. I was definitely pushed in a certain direction at A’ Level and at College, which is why I lost interest for a few years, as it wasn’t a direction I was comfortable with.

In terms of ‘craft’, I was in the knitting club at junior school (first rule of knit club… etc) I think I knitted a snowman. I made a teddy bear at junior school as well, though I don’t know what I did with that either. Later, I received an excellent report for Home Economics, and considered it a huge joke because I was also quite academic. However, since leaving school I’ve had to thread a sewing machine and cook potatoes about a thousand times, and I have never needed to know the molecular structure of… well… anything, so thank you Home Economics teacher!

  • So, what is your craft exactly? Will you tell us about what you do, and how you started off?

I make sock monkeys, which basically involves taking a perfectly good pair of socks, cutting them up, and stitching them back together again in the shape of a monkey. The craft itself started off in Depression-era America, where wives would take their husbands worn out work socks and make them into toys for their kids.

Ruby

I started making sock monkeys after a few things conspired towards it. Firstly, I have always loved monkeys. My favourite programmes when I was little were ‘Monkey’, various documentaries about wildlife and ‘Animal Magic’ with Johnny Morris.

Scrumpy

Second, I was given the gift of a book called ‘Sock Monkeys (200 Out of 1, 863)’ by Arne Svenson and Ron Warren, which contains black and white portrait photos of vintage red-heeled sock monkeys, with their life ‘histories’ written by American authors.

Chef

Third, I discovered Myspace and a whole community of people making stuff, and selling on Etsy.

Jimbo

Fourth, we went to visit my sister and her husband in Michigan, and I was enamoured with the culture of homemade, which is so much more prevalent over there. I also picked up a copy of ‘Stupid Sock Creatures’ by John Murphy at a gift shop in Chicago, which must have been a turning point. After making a few sock creatures inspired by John’s designs, I did a couple of trades with my contacts on Myspace, and didn’t think anything more of it until I got made redundant from BTCV (an environmental conservation charity).

Punk

So finally (sorry, this is turning into my life story), I got made redundant and needed some income. I started selling my creatures on Ebay to make a few pennies while I looked for other work. Soon I discovered a lovely community of UK makers on Etsy, where I had intended to sell all my crafts: paintings, prints, greetings cards etc, and sock creatures were just a sideline. However, the monkeys were an immediate success, and all of my other crafts dropped to the bottom of my listings, so I gradually admitted defeat and removed them. My ‘Super’ sock monkeys started as a result of the UK Etsy Challenge theme of ‘clouds’, for which I made ‘Monkey’ monkey. I took some (what I thought were) emotive photos of him riding his pink cloud, and was absolutely over the moon to actually win the challenge, and sell the monkey! The rest of my custom orders were off the back of that really.

Monkey Magic

  • Where do you currently sell your monkeys, and how do you go about self-promoting your work?

I sell on Etsy and at Craft Candy fairs – I will be at the next one: Candy Cane at the Millennium Galleries on November 27th which I’m really excited about, and I’m looking forward to doing my Christmas shopping!

I have a Facebook Page and a profile on almost every social network, but find Flickr is probably the best place for getting your work seen by people who wouldn’t otherwise have found you. Twitter is great for chatting to people and staying sane, particularly when you work from home and don’t have any workmates! I don’t tend to promote too much except on my Facebook page, as that’s what that was set up for – I don’t want to annoy people too much with links to my shop!

I also have a blog, and everything is linked together, so people who are interested can click their way though a maze of technology to find me all over the web! I think I’ve had sales through all my profiles, either by people finding my Etsy page or by sending me a message, so it’s all good.

  • Are you able to produce one off commissioned pieces for people who would like their own personalised monkey?

Yes, I am usually working on two or three custom orders at any time. I’m happy to say that I am booked up for Christmas now, but am open to more commissions for the New Year. The best way for people to contact me is to see my website, where I set out the basic process, and you can see examples of my previous work. Then you can email me at siansburys@gmail.com with your ideas!

Jack Sparrow

Clint

  • Do you work from home, or have a studio space?

I work from home in the spare bedroom and it’s an absolute tip, which really annoys me. I love to be tidy and organised, but I have a habit of dragging everything out at once and then being too overwhelmed to put it away. I tend to find its easier then to pick up the essentials and move to the sofa, and keep on bringing more and more stuff down until practically my whole room is on the sofa. We’ve just got our own place after ten years of renting, so I’m hoping that getting permanent shelving in a permanent space will sort my messiness out. I doubt it though!

  • Is monkey-making your main job, or do you have a day job too?

I have worked as an animal care worker, as a rocking horse painter and restorer, as a volunteer and as a project officer for BTCV. I currently work for a rocking horse maker, my main responsibility being managing their Sheffield toy shop. I have worked for the company since I graduated in 2001, but have been in my current role since about 2008. I work part time and my hours can be fairly flexible, which usually works quite well as it gives me time for crafting, but obviously it’s tricky that both of my ‘jobs’ get busy at the same time in the run-up to Christmas! My job doesn’t relate to my craft as much as you’d think, because although my monkeys look like toys, they are intended as works of art (in the least pretentious way possible!) and collectors items. My craft does however draw heavily on childhood, nostalgia and play, so it’s quite a good combination in a lot of ways!

  • Who or what inspires you, and how do you think this comes through in your work?

Oh gosh, I find inspiration in everything. I love colour and line. Some of my all-time favourite artists are Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt, Van Gogh, and many children’s book illustrators including EH Shepard, Alexis Deacon, and Lane Smith.

Yellow Submarine and anything produced by Jim Henson’s monster factory and Pixar. Movies and music from the 80s (mainly thanks to my Dad’s VHS, without which I would have missed most of it); Watership Down, The Muppets, The Kenny Everett Show, Tom & Jerry and The Goodies. Most of these influences come through in the stories I write for my monkeys, and in the ‘Superstar’ monkeys that I make.

Above all I’m a country-girl, I adore the bleak, sweeping moors that surround the south west of the city, and the plants and creatures that inhabit them, I find them endlessly fascinating and beautiful. Does that make me sound odd? Probably, but I’m okay with that!

Shaak ti

  • Which of your contemporaries do you admire?

Becky Gould of Scrumptious Delight – I discovered Becky through the Etsy Plush Team, of which we are both members. Her work is brilliant and hilarious, she made a plush Chopper for goodness sakes! I love the look of surprise on his face, and the fact that he has a face. I want to go and live in her head; I imagine it’s like the Chocolate Room in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I can’t omit to mention the rest of the Plush Team here, as they are all unbelievably talented people! You can peruse their work at http://plushteam.com

Plush chopper - by Scrumptious Delight

Joey Ramone of Joey’s Dream Garden – I met Joey through Craft Candy and saw her work at one of the fairs. She is such a lovely person, and her stitching is simply sublime! I have bought a few of her things for friends, but I’d like to think that one day one of her ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’ sets (a collaboration with artist Claire Hoey) will adorn that highly organised, opulently-shelved work-room I’m dreaming about.

Tototl, Minoo, mandolin & boat - a collaboration between Joey Ramone of Joeys Dream Garden, and Claire Hoey of The Pin Factory.

Louise Evans aka Felt Mistress – This is a new one on me, but her (or their – ‘creature maker’ Louise works with her partner, illustrator Jonathan Edwards) work is mind-boggling. You can find Felt Mistress designs at Selfridges in London up to Christmas – she even has her own window display, which is not only awesome in itself, but is a brilliant boost for other Plush makers across the UK.

At home with the Treeps - by Felt Mistress

The spectacular Felt Mistress window at Selfridges

  • What’s your favourite thing about being creative?

It helps me relax definitely (although the opposite is also true at busy times), but the freedom of being able to earn money selling things I have made, or at least having the skills to make something out of nothing (physically or notionally), is definitely a big part of it. And just being able to find fun in almost anything – I’m easily entertained!

  • Of all the sock monkeys you have made and sold, which has been your favourite?

My favourite monkey was Braveheart – I made him as a custom order for a brilliant couple over in the USA. It took ages and ages, but the photos still make me laugh every time I see them. I took the photos at one of my most favourite places in the world, so it’s also close to my heart for that reason.

Braveheart

  • And do you have a favourite craft item that you have bought?

The very first thing I bought on Etsy has to be my favourite – Peaches the sock creature by Kittypinkstars. She’s got so much character and she always makes me smile! And the sock creature’s pretty special too… hahah ;)

Peaches sock creature by Kittypinkstars

I bought Peaches in about 2003 and then bought one for most of my friends! I would definitely recommend Kittypinkstars as a maker – she is amazing, and has enough creativity and positivity for possibly everyone else in the world ever. My sister recently bought me a ‘custom doodle’ by Kitty for my birthday, which is really cute.

Crow Folk - by Deb Champion

I’ve also got the original of a beautiful painting called ‘Crowfolk’ by Deb Champion, and a big print of ‘Why People Never Visit’ by Siobhian Carroll which reminds me of the village where I grew up! These two ladies are both absolutely fantastic in every way too. Apologies for harping on about how lovely everyone is but I have met so many wonderful, talented people through crafting, its impossible not to!

Why people never visit - by Siobhian Carroll

  • Besides crafting and monkey-making, do you have any other hobbies or interests?

Sock monkeys are definitely my main pastime, but more than anything I love to draw and paint. I’ve recently begun drawing again and have started a blog – http://sianhughes.blogspot.com to try to make myself keep up with it. I’ve been going to Sketchcrawls – http://www.sketchcrawl.com/ round Sheffield, and have just started going to an art class this week for the first time in ten years. I also enjoy taking photographs but I am fairly rubbish at it as I haven’t got the patience for the technicalities of it at all. When I was a teenager I was heavily into horse-riding (I even had my own pony – I still can’t believe how lucky I was) so um, yes, I used to go to Pony Club! I would love to get back into riding one day too but for now I’ll just stick to the arts and crafts!

  • What do you like about being a Craft Candy member, and how do you feel you benefit from being in the group?

I think I’ve been a member of Craft Candy for about 2 years, having found out about it through Sarah on Etsy. I joined mainly for the social side of things and I think (I hope!) I’ve made a few good friends along the way!

Craft Candy monkey mascot!

In my first year I made the gigantic step of doing my first ever craft fair, and it was made such and easy and friendly experience by the team that I’ve applied for every one since. I haven’t yet taken advantage of the workshops, as for a long time I was working every Saturday, but hopefully I’ll be able to join in with those soon.

Sian and her Dad Bryn disappearing under a pile of monkeys, on their shared stall at the Candy Floss fair. They will be sharing a stall again at Candy Cane on 27th Nov.

  • Last but not least, what are your hopes and dreams for the future?

I’m hoping to build my Etsy store back up and restock my Folksy shop in the New Year. I would love to eventually have my own online store to sell directly through my website, but that’s a while off yet! I’d also like to be an amazing artist and photographer. Hey, you said I could dream!

  • Thank you for chatting Sian!

No, no – thank you! :-)

And finally - a sock monkey crossed with a lobster!



Candy Conversations : Kay Guccione

By Dilys Treacle Treasures on October 29, 2010
This entry is filed under Candy Conversations, Craft Candy, Member news and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . | 3 Comments

Hi everyone, this week we’re meeting Kay, of ‘lilidrawspictures’ fame. So without further ado…it’s over to Mrs. Guccione herself!

Candy Stats

  • Name : Kay Guccione
  • Hometown : Sheffield
  • Craft : Accessories from Recycled Textiles
  • Company Name : lilidrawspictures
  • Likes : reclaimed fabric, Star Trek, recycling paper, ballet, found objects, lists, ribbon, exaggerating, tape measures, musical theatre, graph paper, gymnastics, notebooks (terrible costly fetish) vintage comics, stationery, vintage buttons, string, ink, badges and champagne
  • Dislikes : sitting still, waiting, chocolate, noisy eaters and bows on bras

Kay Guccione

Candy Conversation

  • Hi Kay! Tell us a bit about yourself…

I’ve lived in Sheffield all my life, including my seven years as a student, studying Zoology & Genetics, and then my PhD in molecular DNA repair pathways. I now work for the University of Sheffield, as does my husband Ed who is the lilidrawspictures website wunderkind.

Being at the University for so long has afforded me the opportunity to take up a new hobby every year, something I hope to maintain into old age. I sing with Singsoc (The Singers’ Society at Sheffield Uni), and spend a lot of time at the Lantern Theatre.

I turned 30 this year, and I absolutely wasn’t dreading it. I like to surprise people who think they’re talking to a 12 year old!

  • Have you always been creative?

After a lifetime of watching my Mum sew, I suddenly got the point and flung myself fabricwards! It started with the desire to make things for myself. Altering, upcycling, and customizing clothing; making one of a kind dresses from vintage bed linens; having something recycled and original. I enjoyed the designing and creating process so much that I started making things for friends and family, for Christmas. And it was only a small step further to open a shop.

  • Can you explain your craft in a bit more detail?

At lilidrawspictures we design and produce original mod-ish clothing, super-strong book bags, brooches, clutch purses and notebooks. Work stuff and school stuff. We do so without sweatshop labour, and with environmental kindness, using old favourite materials.

lilidrawspictures book bag

  • Where can we buy lilidrawspictures stuff?

I sell through Etsy and Folksy (new stock coming in v. v. soon), and also at a selected handful of fairs each year – mainly our Craft Candy Fairs, but I’m also doing the Reet Sweet Event in Leeds Corn Exchange on the 7th November. I supply the 20-21 Gallery in Lincolnshire, and also Salford Museums gallery. In the USA, I supply Southern Fried Comics with my upcycled comic book accessories and notebooks.

Upcycled Comic Book badges

  • How do you go about promoting lilidrawspictures?

My Facebook page is a great way to promote my work, with a good few commissioned pieces resulting form the showcasing I can do there. My main neglected creative outlet is my blog – MUSEROUND which, although very popular, has been static since February, as I’ve been too busy to do it proper justice since changing jobs. Blogging will recommence in the next couple of weeks though now I am settled in and ready to go!

  • Are you available to produce commissioned pieces and one-offs?

Absolutely I am – I love to make something especially to suit a particular person or event. A clutch bag to match a dress, something in a specific fabric, or a custom size of shopping bag. Just let me know what you’d like – you can email me at enquiries@lilidrawspictures.com

Ridicule is nothing to be scared of!

  • What is your workspace like? Do you work from home, or have a studio?

I work from my tiny studio (dining table) at home in Shalesmoor, Sheffield. I am anally tidy – I can’t work in a mess at all. That’s possibly my scientific training coming through, but in a small apartment like ours, needs must! I would love to have a tiny dedicated studio space one day. Somewhere to go to be creative and somewhere to leave behind when it’s time for dinner!

Home studio space

  • Can you tell us more about your day job?

Following my PhD, I worked for four years in scientific research, working in Plant Molecular Science, on a project to increase food-security in sub Saharan Africa. I now work as a Training and Development Advisor, creating and co-ordinating professional development training systems for The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health. I run lilidrawspictures in my evenings and weekends.

  • Who or what inspires you?

Everything inspires me! I’m short (5’ nearly 1”) and petite, and so I get a lot of inspiration altering shop bought and second hand clothes to fit me, and re-designing them. I take a lot of photos, draw things I’ve seen, and browse a lot of websites and blogs. I catalogue all the pictures, with annotations in a series of small scrap books, and whenever I need inspiration, I make a cup of tea and browse back through my collections. I also love to make lists, lists of dresses I want to make, lists of fabrics I want to find. That way I always have something on the go.

I get something like 130 different RSS blog feeds on a daily basis. Largely they are craft based blogs, all the usual suspects, but I also love Design Sponge, they produce a mean before-and-after style interior design blog. Also to mention are We Are What We Do, and World Sweet World amongst other ‘green’ blogs. And have you seen ‘My cardboard Life’?

Yellow Birds clutch

  • Which of your contemporaries do you admire?

My list of favourite artists is extensive, and I like to have a favourite for each mood and whim. Roy Lichtenstein overall I think. Dresses are my thing too. I pore over any shop on Etsy selling handmade frocks.

I love…

Parsimony

Joodito

SohoMode

and…

Heidi & Seek

  • What is your favourite thing about being creative?

Always having a matching bag and dress. Made from curtains!

  • What’s your favourite thing you’ve made and then sold?

I love all my clutch bags. I only make bags that I’d want to use myself, but it’s not really a good business strategy to keep them all! They’re all original, I don’t like to have duplicates. My favourite is a piece called ‘Yee Har’ that was featured on a lot of blogs/Folksy Fridays etc, but sold almost immediately. It’s a recycled wool skirt with cowgirls and bows.

'Out tonight' clutch by lilidrawspictures

  • And what is your favourite craft related item that you’ve bought?

It has to be my sewing machine Brother BM2600 – it’s the thing I’d save first in the event of a fire (after Ed of course, maybe…). It’s from Woodseats Sewing Machines. I really recommend that shop, they are very good at helping you to get what you need, not what they need to flog.

  • What other hobbies and interests do you have?

Singing and dancing.  Sometimes both together. I have just been involved as assistant director with an excellent production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, at the Lantern Theatre in Nether Edge. I have been part of this theatre group since I was 15 (exactly half my life) and this as my first venture into directing. I’m normally up there on the stage, having been in ‘Be My Baby’, ‘Ladies Day’ and ‘Players Angels’ in the last couple of years.

  • How long have you been a member of Craft Candy, and what do you love best about being part of the group?

I joined in 2008 after receiving an invitation to attend the first Spring Fling fair at The Workstation. Since then I have been on the committee, helping to organise events and members. This summer I joined the management committee as Secretary, and I absolutely love being part of something so well organised and successful as Craft Candy. We’re going from strength to strength – great kudos. I think we’re really going to grow this year, and I can’t wait to put all our great ideas into practise and kick on with the world domination!

Recycled tape measures!

  • And what are your plans for the future?

Short term: To survive the Christmas rush. To get back on with regular curator blogs on MUSEROUND. To accept invitations from a couple more galleries. To grow Craft Candy. To visit more fairs, especially ‘Zine’ fairs. To develop the recycled paper/stationery side of the business. And to enjoy my crafting.

Long term: to do an Architecture degree.

  • Thank you Kay for the insight into your world, it’s been lovely finding out more about you and what you do!

Yee Har! clutch

Candy Conversations : Julia Crossland

By Dilys Treacle Treasures on October 22, 2010
This entry is filed under Candy Conversations, Craft Candy, Member news and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . | 3 Comments

Hello! Welcome to Candy Conversations. This weeks chat is with illustrator and artist, Julia Crossland…

Candy Stats

Name : Julia Crossland

Hometown : Sheffield

Craft : Artist & Illustrator

Company Name : Julia Crossland Art

Website : www.juliacrossland.co.uk

Blog : juliacrossland.blogspot.com/

Etsy : http://www.etsy.com/shop/juliasart

Folksy : http://www.folksy.com/shops/Jool

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julia-Crossland-Art/14294553611?ref=ts

Flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/32380972@N03/

Likes : painting, crochet, walking, camping, cooking, travel, wool shops, the sea, lighthouses, islands, hares, birds, yoga and sea swimming

Dislikes : spiders, fat on bacon, bad manners, slugs and foggy days

Julia Crossland

Candy Conversation

  • Hello Julia! Please tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m 37, I live in a village called Deepcar just north of Sheffield, and I studied Interior Design at the University of Plymouth. I live with my partner of 10 years, and our daughter who is three.

  • Have you always been a creative person, or have you discovered you have a creative side more recently?

I was a creative child yes, and I was lucky to have a very creative Mum and Nan.  My Grandad was also a cartographer and my Mum definitely inherited his artistic ability, which I guess I must have inherited off the pair of them!

I once entered a competition with a friend that was run by Sheffield Museums (around 1989), to design a bedroom, which we did in a large cardboard box.  It had a castaway island theme, and we spent hours on it!! It actually won and we were featured in The Star. It was great fun, I think that was when I first developed an interest in interior design!

I also had a fabulous job whilst living and studying in Devon, I was asked to paint a mural in a 400 year old Inn near Torquay harbour – it took four weeks and was fantastic fun – it’s no longer there sadly, it got painted over a few years back when the new landlord moved in!

I’ve always enjoyed drawing and painting, but it was just a couple of years ago that I discovered a new passion for wool and crochet work.  I taught myself during a weeks holiday at my sisters home in Suffolk, and haven’t stopped hooking since!  I’m really glad I took it up, I think perhaps I was subconsciously inspired by my late Nan, who crocheted throughout my childhood but despite her best intentions to teach me, I was never interested as a child.  Looking back I wish I’d taken the time to learn from her, it would have been lovely.

Julia's crochet work

  • Tell us a bit more about your crafts…

I’m mainly an artist and illustrator, and I’ve enjoyed it for as long as I can remember.  I paint from my imagination, or from scenes I’ve captured in my sketchbook on my travels.  I have always naturally been drawn towards painting, and acrylics are my favourite medium, although I do enjoy vivid watercolour work too!

I paint and sell originals, and create open and limited edition prints & cards.  I’m looking forward to receiving my first commission as a children’s book illustrator since being taken on by the Elizabeth Roy Literary Agency.  It is a long standing dream of mine to illustrate a book!

My work is mainly of an illustrative nature, the sea is a favourite subject matter but I also enjoy character work and you can see examples of these on my website.

I have my own business, which is called Julia Crossland Art.

Alongside this, I have made crocheted and sewn items, which seem to sell well at fairs, but I do think of myself as an artist and these are enjoyable sidelines to my main business.

'A Moonlight Adventure'

  • Where do you sell your work, and how do you promote your business?

I sell my work through my website, and my Folksy and Etsy shops.  I have also taken part in Craft Candy fairs, and prior to that I did a few fairs in Derbyshire and West Yorkshire.  I am not currently lined up to do any fairs this year, as life art-wise is pretty full right now, but hopefully I would like to give them a whirl again next year.

I have a Facebook page, and a blog, both of which I’ve found to be wonderful at promoting my work and encouraging new custom.  I have had enquiries from people who have seen my work on Flickr too.

Any work that I sell is sent out with a flyer and a business card; that way it gives the buyer something to remember me by!

My blog is something that I try and write at least once a week.  I have quite a nice amount of followers and subscribers who visit regularly and I really enjoy doing it.  It’s a nice way to share what’s new with your audience and also give them a little insight into who you are as a person.  I have recently introduced a newsletter which people can subscribe to, this includes subscriber only offers, goodies and freebies – its only been running since September and the interest has been fabulous with new sign ups every week!  Im really excited about it!

  • Do you produce commissioned pieces?

Yes I do.  I always welcome enquiries of this kind, and if anyone is interested they are very welcome to email me.  I also have a page on my website which explains a bit more about my commission work, how I work, prices and so on.

In the past, I have had commission work from a customer in Australia who had previously bought two original paintings and wanted to enhance her collection with two more! These were very illustrative and were of little sailing boats on a moonlit sea – they were mixed media works that were enhanced with iridescent inks.  At the opposite end of the scale I have painted a gentleman’s grandfather working with his old Suffolk Punch plough horses, a real country scene.  This was quite a large piece and is now at the collectors home in Bury St Edmunds.

  • Do you have a studio or special work space?

I currently work from home, my ‘studio’ doubles as our dining table and when we’re not eating at it, it’s very often strewn with palettes of paint, tubes of paint, sketch books, crayons, my table easel and jam jars of paint brushes!  It’s an organised mess, but it has to be packed away at the end of my working day which is the downside of not having a special room to work in!  I would love my own studio, and I envisage having a bright and airy one in the not so distant future!

Julia's workspace - the dining room table!

  • Is Julia Crossland Art your main business, or do you also have a day job?

My main job at the moment is being Mum to my 3 year old daughter, and my art work is very much a part-time thing at the moment.  It’s a great job though as it means I get the best of both worlds, time well spent with the Little One, and being able to work from home without worrying about childminders etc.  It fits in well around her busy schedule (she has a better social life than I do!) and I think she has benefitted from having me at home too – I do realise how lucky I am not to have had to go back to work after having her though.

I’ve been self employed since 2000, but the first five of those years I worked as a freelance signwriter!  I decided to take the leap and begin working as an artist in 2005 or thereabouts, supplementing it with signwriting work here and there, and did this until I had my daughter in 2007.

My daughter is a little well of inspiration, and enhances my work no end.  She has been the subject of several characters Ive created in the past; without her they wouldn’t have been born in my imagination and the agency wouldn’t have found me (as it was those works they spotted) I have a lot to thank her for and I feel very lucky to be Mum to such a vibrant and creative little soul who is already showing huge potential of her own. She is drawing and painting pretty much every day and has quite a talent!

'Can we come too?'

  • Who, or what inspires you?

Well, aside from my daughter, I am inspired by other artists and illustrators; Brenda King, Andrea Stokes, Pam Smy, Martin Proctor and Mabel Lucie Attwell (just a few from a ridiculously long list!) I also love the work of printmaker Penny Bhadresa, textile artist Poppy Treffry and designer maker Kirsty Elson.

Artists and Crafters blogs I like to visit are:

  • Attic24 : Lucy is an absolute crochet sensation and has a very appealing blog presence.
  • Love Stitching Red – a very talented mixed media textile artist based in St Ives, her blog is utter heaven!

I often buy Artists and Illustrators magazine to keep me up to date with things, as well as Carousel (a children’s book illustrators magazine). As well as this, I find Country Living and Coast magazines have endless inspiration amongst their pages!

I think I draw influences from all of the above mentioned.  Sometimes it’s the layout of a piece that catches my eye, other times it’s colour schemes.  I also like to see how other artists create certain techniques or textures within their work, and then have a go at creating it in my own style.

  • What do you like best about being creative?

Being creative really helps me switch off, I totally lose myself when I’m working, to the point that I forget to eat (strange but true!). The hours fly by, and I always feel really good after a day painting.

It’s also a wonderful feeling when someone gets in touch to say they want to purchase something you have created – to sell a piece of work and know that someone has it in their home is very gratifying.  Making money from it is a bonus.

  • Do you have a favourite piece that you have created, and then sold?

I can’t think of a favourite, oh…and I find my originals hard to let go of at times!! I’m happy that they have found a lovely new home, but I do miss them when they go!! I have to be very strict with myself :D   I have kept a couple of works that I’ve done, and they’re hanging in my home.

  • Do you have a favourite piece of art that you have bought?

I feel quite lucky to have some nice bits and pieces of art and craft in my home.  A favourite of mine is a limited edition framed linocut print, which I bought from Penny Bhadresa at Blackthorpe Barns Christmas Market last year in Bury St Edmunds.  Penny is very talented and her print work has a wonderful energy and movement to it.  I would definately recommend her work.  The piece we chose is called ‘Remembering Scalpaigh’, and for me it evokes wonderful memories of the coast – every time I look at it gives me a really nice feeling and it’s hanging in our dining room.

  • What other hobbies or interests do you have?

I have to admit that painting is my main hobby, although I do love sewing and textile art, not to mention crochet!  As well as this I like escaping to the sea as often as possible and walking by the coast – since moving back to Sheffield from Devon several years ago I do get that land locked feeling, so we dash off to Whitby for the day for a bit of sea air!  I also find the coast an invaluable place for finding inspiration for my paintings, and I love to wander around with my camera taking photographs.  It’s also on my ‘To Do’ list to learn how to take really good pictures, and become a better photographer!

Cicada

  • How have you benefitted from being a member of Craft Candy, and what do you like best about being in the group?

Craft Candy is an amazing group of people, there are so many talented individuals involved. It’s a pleasure to have got to know some of these over the last couple of years, and to be able to call them friends.  As time goes on, Craft Candy is getting much wider recognition, and I feel very glad to be a part of such a popular group.

I did two craft fairs with the group last year and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. It’s a lovely way to connect directly with your customers, as well as see first-hand the talent and work of the other artists and makers.

From being a member of Craft Candy, I was featured in an interview with Lucia Kempsey last Christmas which was printed in The Star newspaper. It was all about creating your own home made decorations, being thrifty, that kind of thing.  It was great fun.

Julia's stall at Craft Candy

  • Finally Julia, what plans do you have for the future?

My big dream is to illustrate a children’s book, my second is to illustrate another!  I would also love to have a range of greetings cards published – I think secretly I would love to see myself with the same success as Emma Ball!

I would also (eventually) like to start working full-time on my art again – when the Little One is older and at school and I have more time on my hands!  I think this is when I will be able to dedicate more time to growing my business.

  • Thanks Julia, it’s been really lovely talking to you and finding out more about your work!

'Sailing Day' textile canvas

Candy Conversations : Vyctoria Hart

By Dilys Treacle Treasures on October 15, 2010
This entry is filed under Candy Conversations, Craft Candy, Member news and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . | 1 Comment

Welcome to Candy Conversations! This week we’re chatting with Vyctoria of Phantoms Siren.

Candy Stats

Name : Vyctoria Hart

Hometown : Rotherham

Craft : Graphic Design

Company Name : Phantoms Siren

Website : http://www.phantoms-siren.com

Deviantart : http://phantoms-siren.deviantart.com

Blog : http://phantomssiren.livejournal.com

Etsy : http://phantomssiren.etsy.com

Likes : Coffee by the pint and chocolate by the crate. Music with cogs and art with gears. Tales of daring airship shenanigans and books of science fantasy. Steampunk and dieselgoth and the goggle wearing crowd. People who know their history but aren’t afraid to play fast and loose with it. Comedy with bite and humour with brains. Yoga that doesn’t take itself too seriously and meditation without the incense.

Dislikes : Hipsters, fashionistas and scene snobs. Celery. Hatred, intolerance and misplaced self importance. Tea. The feeling that you’ve forgotten to do something really important.

Vyctoria Hart

Candy Conversation

  • Hi Vycotoria, welcome to Candy Conversations. Tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m 27 and I currently live on the outskirts of Rotherham (someone has to!) with my fiance David. I followed him to The University of York in 2001 where I studied The History of Art at degree level. It was a terribly difficult course, requiring a whole four hours of lectures a week and a free international holiday… ahem.. I mean an intensive overseas studies session every year. I graduated in 2004 with a 2:1 BA Hons and the feeling that I should have studied harder. I had intended to study Medievalism in the Victorian Era to Masters level but went into the world of work instead.

The dreaded Vyctoria!

David and I have been together for ten years and plan to get married in 2012. We’re planning a steampunk wedding with a theme loosely based on the Jim Henson movie Labyrinth, with almost everything coming from the local arts and crafts community. We currently share our home with a six month old black kitten named Du and our garden is occupied by a growing number of ornamental Koi carp.

  • Have you always been creative?

I’ve been artistic for as long as I can remember. When I was small Tony Hart was something of a hero to me, not least because of the shared surname, and I watched HartBeat religiously every week after school. It was my dearest ambition to have a picture featured in The Gallery. Whilst I never achieved this aim, I did get two out of my three Blue Peter badges for art work.

Sadly I had a number of problems when it came to GCSE and A-Level art classes as I found the insistence on following other artistic styles to be stifling. As a result I didn’t speak to my GCSE art teacher for over a year of that course. Whilst I tried to abandon my own style during my A-Levels I wasn’t successful in emulating the approved styles and gained only a grade D. As a result I gave up on visual art and didn’t draw a thing for over a year.

Vyctoria portraits

Whilst I was at University I discovered a love of concert photography and spent a number of years following a band called The Cruxshadows all over Europe and into the US. Gradually, through the people and friends I met along the way, I found my way back to the pen. During that period I also happened upon knitting, crochet, costume design, spinning, origami, baking and a bit of hair dressing.  Whilst my focus these days is mostly on digital art, I still love to indulge in my other loves whenever I have the time.

Concert photography by Vyctoria Hart

  • Tell us more about your craft…

I have two main crafts. The first and foremost is digital design. This involves a huge amount of time tied to a computer and a graphics tablet. A graphics tablet is a wonderful invention that allows you to draw straight into a computer program with a pen, rather than scanning from paper or struggling with an unwieldy mouse. I work almost exclusively in Photoshop, though I am trained in Illustrator and GIMP I just feel most comfortable in Photoshop.

Some of my designs have been created for one specific product, such as a calendar, tattoo or magazine cover, whilst others are created for the sheer joy of it and are subsequently translated into greeting cards and prints.

My second craft is spinning yarn. I find the process very relaxing and rewarding as yarn can be surprisingly artistic and complex. Whilst I own a spinning wheel I often prefer to spin with a rather low tech drop spindle as its quieter and easier to transport. As I only spin art yarn, the lengths and the weights of the product can vary widely from piece to piece and each piece is completely unique and cannot be repeated. This is a huge contrast for me creatively from the digital art which can be printed and duplicated ad infinitum.

Passiflora yarn

Rose tag stitch set

Made for you, with love

  • Where do you sell your products, and how do you promote your work?

Currently most of my sales are through my DeviantArt website, though I have recently set up an Etsy shop.

The benefit of DeviantArt is that the art is printed on demand and shipped directly from the printer to the buyer. As DeviantArt is primarily an art site I have received a number of commissions as a result of customers using their search functions to find specific types of artist. The wider DeviantArt community system also makes it easier to find artists to collaborate with and provides a wide range of contests and challenges that can bring your work to a wider audience.

I have had a stall at a Craft Candy fair on two occasions now and received my most exciting commission to date as a result of my art being displayed there. In October 2009 I was fortunate enough to be asked to create the cover for issue 2 of Irregular Magazine.

Irregular Magazine artwork

I am extremely fortunate to have my work displayed at the Davenport and Winkleperry Art Gallery in Pittsboro, North Carolina. This is one of the major advantages of working digitally – I can paint work here, and have it printed at a gallery on the other side of the Atlantic in minutes rather than waiting weeks for shipping.

  • So are you currently available for commissions?

I’m happy to consider any kind of commission, from custom portraits and tattoos, to advertisements and logo design.

I work on a sliding scale of basic prices depending on the complexity of the finished piece. Something like a small tattoo design can cost very little, whilst a 4 foot by 6 foot hugely complex art nouveau piece can cost a great deal more. My current commission prices are outlined on my website, but I am also open to trades and collaborations.

This piece, ‘Iola’, (see below) was created for a friends wedding, the bride is a fellow fan of Alphonse Mucha, so I used his style, whilst the gladioli in the girls hand is a symbol of the groom’s love of The Smiths/Morrissey. All the other flowers were specifically chosen for their meaning in relation to the bridal bouquets.

Iola

  • Do you work from home or do you have a studio? What is your work space like?

I have two work spaces in my home. The first is my desk in the living room, this holds my iMac, scanner, graphics tablet, a massive collection of art magazines and stock discs, and usually an excessive number of mugs and chocolate wrappers. I spend at least 3 hours a day here, and when I’m on a creative roll I can be staring at this screen for 14 hours or more. As such, I try to keep it tidy enough to work, but when I’m concentrating on the art the mess becomes invisible.

My second workspace is my custom built craft room. It was the first room I decorated when we moved into this house, the walls are a lurid mix of hot pink and brilliant aqua with lots of functional white storage and work surfaces. This is a huge contrast to the rest of our home, which is rather darker and more gothic. However I adore the energising feel of this space, it is perfect for sewing, spinning and all the other noisy or messy art processes. Also its much easier to find wayward pins on white surfaces than it is on black!

Whilst I like the idea of having a studio elsewhere I prefer to be able to work and spend time with my partner at the same time. Also I tend to get inspired at 2am in the morning, and I prefer not to have to travel far to translate that inspiration into reality.

Craft room

  • Who or what inspires you, and how does this come through in your work?

Artistically, the majority of my work is inspired by the work of Alphonse Mucha and the wider Art Nouveau movement. My work has always been reliant on linework for its structure, and as I’ve progressed, the combination of Steampunk and Art Nouveau has been a natural one. I’ve always admired his use of framing devices and flowing fabrics. Art Nouveau also represented a move towards advertising as a form of artist expression and the concept that one could have as much selling impact with images as with words. This is a concept I’ve experimented with, as in this poster I created for the Clockwork Cabaret radio show www.clockworkcabaret.com

Clockwork Cabaret

In terms of the content, my art is frequently inspired by music, literature, film and television. In my gallery you’ll find pieces inspired by The War of the Worlds, Blade Runner, Doctor Who, the author Neil Gaiman and the music of Abney Park to name but a few.

This set of examples (below) shows a selection of works inspired by musicals – a crocheted version of the evil Audrey II plant from Little Shop of Horrors, a yarn inspired by Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and a poster created to advertise a live version of REPO! The Genetic Opera.

Musical Inspirations

  • Which of your contemporaries do you admire?

Dr Geof Banyard, the genius behind the Fetishman comicbooks and a glorious range of deviously steampunk designs at the islandofdoctorgeof.co.uk, many of which feature squid, tea or zeppelins, sometimes all in the same image. If I could work with even 50% of Geof’s wit, range and teainess I’d be 50% more successful! *WARNING: THESE MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR UNDER 18s*!

Ida Mary Walker Larsen, a hugely talented digital manipulator in her own right, Ida is one of my preferred sources of stock photography. The amount of work that she puts into the costumes and poses results in source images of amazing quality. A number of my images have been inspired directly by her stock.

Steph Gorin, who sells spinning supplies as Loop, is the reason I spin at all, her beautiful spinning batts are artworks in their own right. Sometimes I feel guilty turning these wonderful creations into yarn, they’re almost too good to use.

  • What is your favourite craft item that you have made and sold?

It’s hard to choose a favorite but the piece I’m currently most proud of is “The Frost Fairy” which was created as my 2008 Christmas/Yule/Winter Holiday greetings card.

Frost Fairy

  • And what’s your favourite hand crafted item that you’ve bought?

It’s hard to choose a favorite item, but I’d have to say the custom monkey made by Siansburys is my current favorite. I’d wanted a custom monkey for a long time and this one is absolutely perfect. He’s based on Alan Cumming’s character Glitch in the Sci-Fi Channel series Tin Man, which is a retelling of the Wizard of Oz. The amount of detail on this monkey is amazing, from the stitching on the waistcoat and the tears in his jacket, to the curled wool dreadlocks and perfect handstitched felt zipper on his head. I’d love to have a shelf full of monkeys!

Glitch Monkey, handcrafted by Siansburys

  • What do you love about belonging to Craft Candy, and how do you feel you have benefitted from being a member of the group?

I originally found Craft Candy via Ravelry, the knitting website and I volunteered to join the group without knowing too much about it. I was hooked from the first meeting, the other members of the group create a wonderful atmosphere and it’s so easy to relax.

Vyctoria on her stall at the Craft Candy fair in March 2009

Vyctoria's stall at

I’ve attended a few of the workshops and there is always a friendly face to chat with whilst you craft. So far I’ve had a stall at two of the craft fairs and I’ve always done my best to help out on the welcome desk at the other fairs.

Vyctoria, with Kati, on the welcome desk, at Candy Floss 2010

As the overall style of the group is very different to my own, I created this logo (below) based on Victorian candy tins last year, so I can advertise the group on my website without compromising the aesthetics.

Craft Candy tin - alternative Craft Candy logo

  • Finally, what are your plans for the future?

I want to create art that helps people in some way, and as I already do a lot of work for charity, I’d love to find away to combine the two. For the last few years I’ve been involved in art contests in aid of Lupus research, and recently I designed a logo for LARP-AID, a group that runs live-action roleplay events in aid of charity. I’d love the opportunity to do more like that.

Vyctoria's work for Lupus research

  • Thank you for chatting Vyctoria, it’s been good to find out more about your work!

Phantoms Siren in York, by Margrethe Aas Johnsen


Candy Conversations : Louise Broomhead

By Dilys Treacle Treasures on October 9, 2010
This entry is filed under Candy Conversations, Craft Candy, Member news and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Hello and welcome! This is the third in the series of Candy Conversations, where we’re catching up with a different member of Craft Candy each week, to find out more about them, and what they do! This week, say hello to Louise Broomhead!

Candy Stats

  • Name : Louise Elizabeth
  • Hometown : Sheffield
  • Craft : Textile Design – Print & Embroidery
  • Company Name : Louise Broomhead Textile Designs
  • Likes :  taking photographs, reminiscing, vinyl records, reading, dancing, interior decoration, brainstorming, rose gardens, orchards, water gardens, childhood memories, nature, woods, tree houses, fields, cherry blossom trees, animals, friendship, fashion, yoga, ice skating, creative & visual thinking, holistic therapy, and psychology.

Louise Broomhead

Candy Conversation

Hi Louise, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I am 34 years old and my birthday is in December, so my star sign is Saggitarius. I live in a rented apartment on the border of Sheffield and Derbyshire and I love it. I’m single at the present time with no children.

I first went to Leeds Metropolitan University and gained a B.Ed (Hons) degree in Design & Technology Education (Early Years), in 1999. Then in 2007 I went back to studying, and gained a BA (Hons) degree in Textile Design – Print/Embroidery, from Derby University, that was kindly sponsored by Madeira Threads and Art Van Go.

I was brought up in the 70s/80s with my younger sister and my 2 younger brothers (one brother has now sadly passed away, as has my mum.)  We loved to make our own fancy dress costumes and do childhood things like fill up old Fairy liquid bottles and have water fights! The good times!!

I have no pets at present, but I used to have 2 rabbits as a child. One was called Misty and the other Smokey (they were both grey as you’ve probably guessed). When I laid on the floor, Smokey would jump onto my back! Also my next- door neighbour had a terrapin and my siblings and I were fascinated by it!

My Y6 school teacher was fantastic with me because he knew that I preferred to draw and paint as a way of expressing myself, so he always let me do so after I had finished my class ‘work’. It was a time of break dancing and disco and I spent a lot of my time disco dancing in my friend’s garage whilst he DJ’d with a mix tape!! I also watched other friends break dancing.

Some of Louise's degree show work

  • Were you always creative from an early age?

I’ve always been artistic and creative since childhood.  One of my earliest memories is of when I was aged about 4 years old, and I was painting using lots of bright colours. I have since re-discovered this love for colour as an adult. With my friends, I could always be found outside exploring nature with the girls or painting stones bright colours and making rose perfume! Plus climbing fences and trees with the boys! I was very adventurous!

My parents encouraged me to enter colouring and art competitions at school and in the Sheffield Star newspaper. I won a lot of things from what was considered the best toyshop in Sheffield at the time, Redgates, on Furnival Gate! Janet and Bernie ran the competitions, and I still have the letters and certificates from them. I also won vouchers to buy Brownie items from the Scout Shop, and prizes in The Lord Mayor’s painting Competition, which involved having a reception with the Lord Mayor himself! Very exciting as a child!

My dad painted using oils when I was a child and he has recently re-discovered that too. When I was a youngster we had one of his paintings on our wall that was a large silhoutte of a boat in black, with an orange sunset behind. Our kitchen was furnished in similar colours, with swirly brown and orange 70s patterned curtains. Even my clothes were similar colours – see pic! ;) My mum had some of the best ideas for us to use within our own artwork but didn’t  physically create art herself.

Little Louise

At Secondary School I won the school prize for Textile Arts for my GCSE Coursework, and I am still in touch with two of the teachers from school as I also studied for an A Level in the Sixth Form. The teachers have been extremely supportive ever since I left school and that is 16 years ago! Now I do sound old! Ha ha! They even came to my Craft Candy stall at last year’s Spring Fling!

I did my Education degree first, and then wished I’d studied Textile Design too, so I went back to university and gained my second degree – it’s never too late I say!

  • What is your craft exactly Louise? Tell us what you do and how you got started.

I studied Textile Design, and my craft is hand screen printing/hand embroidery, encompassing textile art/design/craft. I draw and paint by hand and also create designs on Photoshop which are then translated into digitally printed textiles. I am currently selling these as fabric at Spoonflower with my greetings cards being available through Etsy, and at Created Gallery in Chesterfield.

Initially I brainstorm themes, and choose a specific one after conducting research of new trends and visual/market research. Then I brainstorm again by writing down subject ideas for my drawings, and collect pictures on a theme to inspire me. I also go and take photographs of possible ideas of subjects to draw (for example for my degree work I visited a Hindu temple in Bradford.)

Speculative enquiries mainly come through my blog site comment form, for opportunities such as craft fairs, magazine and blog features. As I focus on my fabric collections I don’t offer commissions unfortunately.  I use business cards at fairs but will also soon be getting flyers printed with the help of SENTA Business Support in Sheffield.

My work is featured on the Arts Derbyshire/Creative Greenhouse and UK Handmade websites. I love to blog as regularly as I can and my followers are growing steadily. I have made some fabulous friends online who have helped me to move forwards with confidence.

Cherry Lips fabric

  • What is your work space like, do you work from home?

I work at home in my living room, spare room and bedroom! If I am designing, I get out all of the tools and materials that I need, and it becomes very messy! Then I have a big tidy up at the end of the day. I am aiming to brighten up my spare room and buy a large art table and more storage units in the near future.

A selection of Louise's work, displayed in her home

  • Is your textile work your main job, or do you have regular employment aswell?

I am a part time Primary School Supply Teacher which works really well as I choose to work on a day to day basis so that I can organise my time around both professions. I initially trained to teach as it was an active and creative job and I had done a period of work experience at a local school that I thoroughly enjoyed.

However once I was qualified I began to miss my textile work so I also trained as a Textile Designer and now I design and teach. I have been a Primary School Supply Teacher for 8 years. I am a specialist D&T teacher qualified to teach any age, but I choose to teach in the Early Years currently as this was my main degree focus.

'Blossom' fabric

  • Who or what inspires you?

I adore the textile design work of the graduates from Cleveland College of Art and Design as they frequently design combinations of both print and embroidery and use the traditional methods alongside more groundbreaking technology. I love to read Embroidery and Selvedge journals and a lot of my Textile Design dissertation was based around research from these.

I use all of the colours of the spectrum in my designs but I particularly like soft or bright reds, pinks, greens, turquoises, purples and blues. When it comes to yellow and orange I prefer to use gentler shades. I love to print and embroider onto natural fabrics.

My favourite periods for fashion and textiles are the 20’s/50’s and Contemporary Styles. I also love Medieval costumes and representations of nature within textiles including animals such as horses/birds/elephants and woodland creatures. Currently my inspirations vary and include Cosplay, Japan & China, Kawaii, Burlesque and Pin Up. The type of films that I love to bits are Pride and Prejudice, Miss Potter and Alice In Wonderland, basically anything with period style costumes.

'Rose Garden'

  • Which of your contemporaries do you admire?

I admire Heidi Turner who is a previous New Designers Award Winner and winner of the Hand and Lock Embroidery prize. I saw her collection at the New Designer’s Exhibition in London.  I also love Tilleke Schwarz’s embroidery work and I own her book. Teresa Cole who is in business as Teresa Green Design was a visiting lecturer when I studied at Derby University and she creates beautiful linear textile prints onto natural fabrics. I own some of Teresa’s postcards and cards.

  • What’s your favourite thing about being creative?

Painting is so powerful for me – it makes me amazingly calm and drawing keeps me focussed and happy. I feel like I do have a niche element to my skills and designs as I combine lots of different mediums in one. I am hoping to develop this further over the next few months. The social side of being a crafter is very important to me and I try to contribute to Craft Candy as often as I can by attending craft fairs, events and get togethers.

  • What is your favourite craft item that you have made and sold?

I made a screen printed picture in a mount which was bought by a lovely lady from a stall that I had with Craft Candy at the Woolfest last year. It was a linear China Blue print including birds onto white fabric. I am pleased that I sold it and that it gives someone as much pleasure to own it as it did for me to create it.  I wouldn’t part with my degree show designs as they are so special to me. However any designs that I make to sell I am pleased to do so as it make me feel good to see the smiles on people’s faces when they like them.

China Blue

  • How long have you been a member of Craft Candy, what do you love most about being in the group, and how does it benefit you?

I joined Craft Candy in Spring 09 and left in January 2010. I took some time away and then rejoined in June 2010 and I am so glad that I have! I was welcomed back by the other members in such a lovely way it was like I had never been gone. I originally found out about the group on the Indie Quarter blog. I have made lots of amazing new friends and being in the group involves getting to know new people all the time.

I had a stall at two Craft Candy fairs in 2009, and also at the Woolfest. I would like to take part in some of the future workshops. I have previously attended workshops in paper making in Stroud and in Machine Embroidery with Karen Woods at Rufford Country Park.  Previously I was responsible for Publicity and Marketing at Craft Candy for a number of months in 2009 which involved me arranging a newspaper article in The Star newspaper.

Louise's stall at Candy Floss 2009

  • Last of all, what are your plans for the future?

I’m hoping to sell my fabrics on my new website, which will be online in Spring 2011. I would also like to undertake more research eventually into Creative and Visual Thinking and an MA in Textile Design, and I would possibly like to lecture in Printed and Embroidered Textiles in Higher and Further Education.

Thank you very much Louise, it’s been lovely talking to you!

Louise



Candy Conversations : Leah Hill

By Dilys Treacle Treasures on October 2, 2010
This entry is filed under Candy Conversations, Craft Candy, Member news and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . | 1 Comment

Hello and welcome to the 2nd Candy Conversation. This week we are chatting with Leah Hill about the wonderful world of crochet!

Candy Stats

  • Name : Leah Hill
  • Hometown : Merthyr Tydfil
  • Craft : Crochet Accessories
  • Company Name : Leah Hill
  • Email : leahhill75@googlemail.com

Leah Hill

Candy Conversation

  • Hi Leah, thanks for chatting to us! Tell us about yourself!

I am 35, and have been married to Olly for 9 years.  We have two dysfunctional dogs with very unique personalities that keep us entertained.

I have been living in Sheffield for the last 5 years or so and love it, we previously lived in Chester.

I went to Nottingham Trent University to study Decorative Arts which covered many mediums, I specialized in ceramics, and set up after I graduated but found that I liked to stay clean and warm, ceramics was just not where my heart was, but great fun.

Crochet hairband

  • Have you always been creative then?

Yes I’ve always been creative.  I used to spend hours with my Gran, she used to try to teach me to knit, and then my mum taught me to crochet, and I think I enjoyed this more.  I still have the crocheted blanket that we made together when I was very small.

I am the only one in my family who is creative, and when giving them hand made gifts as presents, I sometimes think that they would have preferred something from M&S! But I persevere as I love it so much…as long as they say they love it to my face then that’s fine!  My mum and mother-in-law are quite creative and very supportive, so they get more than their fair share of gifts.

Beautiful crochet flower hairbands

  • So, will you tell us more about your crochet accessories, and how you got started with your craft?

I currently crochet accessories from wool.  I started making flower brooches, but soon wanted to expand. I did quite a lot of research and discovered that I could make things similar to the jewellery I loved, in wool.  I love bright colours and very rarely use dark wools.  I like colours that clash and stand out, making a statement on the person who is wearing it.  I think jewellery has come a long way recently and it’s all about making a statement and standing out as an individual.

I have only been making accessories on a regular basis for about one year.  I like the fact that I can create  something anywhere, it’s a portable craft, from sitting on the sofa, to a holiday, I can make something anywhere I want, it’s very convenient.

I’m in the process of setting up a craft room in my spare bedroom, and when that’s complete I’ll be branching out a bit with a few sewing projects.

Multi-coloured crochet wool beads

  • Where do you sell your products, and how do you go about promoting your work?

I love making my pieces and am always coming up with new ideas and variations on what I have, but I’m not the best at promoting or selling them.  I’ve had a few stalls where I have sold the majority of my jewellery though. I have built up a network of contacts over the last year and they come back to me on a regular basis for gifts, I’ve had quite a few commissions through this.

I have set up a Folksy page – www.folksy.com/shops/LeahHill, and I’m updating this on a regular basis as I make new things almost every night. I have so much stuff it’s difficult to showcase it all!

I recently had a craft fair in my garden with a few other crafty people, we invited family and friends, I suppose it was more like a party!  It went down really well and we will definitely be doing it again next year.

Leah's garden party craft fair!

  • So you can produce commissioned pieces for gifts if anyone is interested? (Just thinking ahead to Christmas!)

I have produced quite a lot of commissions for people, it’s difficult to cater for all tastes, so if someone likes something, I can change the colours to their taste. As I have said before I love working in bright colours which sometimes aren’t to everyone’s tastes!

(Have a look at Leah’s Folksy page and if you see anything that you’d like in a different colour to the items listed, you can contact Leah at leahhill75@googlemail.com to discuss other options and colours.)

Crochet wool and wood bracelet

  • What’s your favourite thing about being creative?

I always have ideas that I want to put into practise, I have a scrap book where I keep everything that catches my eye.  I just like to have crafty things around me.  I have so many boxes filled with ribbons, buttons and beads!  I remember when I was growing up, my mum had a tin box filled with buttons and I loved it, I used to play with it for hours, making necklaces and bracelets, I just like having creative things around me.

When I did my first craft fair I was so excited, it was the best feeling when I sold my first piece.  It’s a lovely feeling knowing that someone has bought a piece I have created, I love speaking to the person, and hearing how enthusiastic they are about it, that’s such a great feeling, very addictive.  I think that’s why I love doing craft fairs and not selling through shops, as the contact with the customer and the contact with other craft people is invaluable.

Crochet wool beads

  • What’s your favourite craft item that you’ve bought?

My husband recently bought me a blue ceramic bowl from a local potter, it’s lovely.  I fill it with bright pink flowers. I tend to like a lot of things around me, every spare area in my house is filled with something. I love having things around me, I’m not very good at throwing anything away.

  • Why do you love belonging to Craft Candy, and how have you benefitted from being a member of the group?

I first met Sarah Waterhouse (CC founder) at Woodseats craft fair, where we were both selling our crafts.  I had only just started, and didn’t have that much confidence in my work.  She gave me lots of encouragement, and I then joined Craft Candy.  I was so excited, I hadn’t come across a group like this before.  I love being part of it and enjoy meeting fellow members.  I think that the reputation that CC has built up in such short space of time is amazing and I’m really happy to be a part of it.  I’ve been on a few workshops and learned new skills, and would recommend it to anyone.

  • And what are your plans for the future?

I have just taken over organising the Craft Candy Minis, which will be held on a regular basis at Bungalows and Bears in Sheffield.  Christmas is just around the corner so I’m going to  be making lots of things as gifts, and hopefully doing a few Christmas fairs.  I like to keep this as a hobby at the moment and don’t plan on leaving my job, although that would be the ultimate goal.  I’m more of a ‘slowly but surely’ type of person and like to do things at my own pace.  I love being involved with Craft Candy and selling my things through a few fairs a year.  I am happy with keeping this part time for the moment, but who knows what’s around the corner!

Good Luck for the future Leah, and thank you for taking the time for a chat!

Leah modelling one of her crochet hairbands


Candy Conversations : James Green

By Dilys Treacle Treasures on September 24, 2010
This entry is filed under Candy Conversations, Craft Candy, Member news and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . | 3 Comments

Welcome to the first in the new series of Candy Conversations. Today we meet one of the newest members of Craft Candy, James Green, for a chat about the art of print-making.

Candy Stats

  • Name : James Green
  • Hometown : Sheffield
  • Craft : Print-making
  • Company Name : James Green Printworks
  • Likes : Peanut butter, Erik Satie, North Wales, Camberwick Green & Red Wine
  • Dislikes : Marzipan and proud ignoramuses

James Green

Candy Conversation

  • Hello James! Welcome to Candy Conversations! Please can you tell us a little bit about yourself, and your background?

I’m 37 (I think!),  and I live in Meersbrook in Sheffield.  I went to Sheffield Hallam University (1992-1995), and studied Fine Art, French and Spanish.

I’m married and have a son who is three and a half.  We have a cat called Otto.

  • Have you always been creative?

I loved painting and drawing when I was a child. I have vivid memories of being in primary school, drawing scenes from Ancient history, probably gruesome stuff. My Mum is, and was, a keen painter, and she always encouraged me to be creative.  I also remember making tons of things for my action man with my Grandpa, from cardboard boxes, paint and glue. Great times!

So, I’ve pretty much always been involved with creative projects, however after graduating this did tail off a bit. I hadn’t realised how difficult it would be to get an art-related job after uni, and spent quite a few years in tedious temp jobs, with little time or money for creative endeavours.

About seven years ago I found some lino and some cutting tools and decided to give it a go. I’d never previously tried any printmaking. I loved it! So over the last few years I’ve been creating stuff, and this year decided to sell my work in a ‘proper’ way.

  • So, can you tell us more about what it is that you do?

I mainly do linocut prints. This basically involves creating an image, transferring it to a piece of lino with a pencil, cutting out the ‘white space’ with cutting tools, and then printing the image either with a press or by hand. I love the way that I’m always surprised by the result. The craft is not just my creation, but dictated by the tools, ink and lino. It is unpredictable, but that’s the way I like it!

I also do etchings. This is a similar process, but a lot more complicated (and hazardous). It involves nasty chemicals and other stuff that you can’t get off your fingers. The results are a lot more like drawings or paintings. I tend to do etchings if I want to create quite a detailed image.

I sell my prints framed or unframed, and I also produced posters and greetings cards of my work. A more ‘pocket-money’ line, if you will. I’m in the process of getting together a postcard pack, too.

I always print my work on high quality acid-free paper (so it doesn’t go brown) and use standard printing inks. The posters and cards I create are printed on 100% recycled card too.

'Jo with washing line' etching

  • Where do you currently sell your products, and how do you promote your work?

I sell my work online and also at craft fairs and farmers markets, and at The Old Sweet Shop in Sheffield. I’ve also sold a bit by word-of-mouth.

I have a Folksy shop (www.folksy.com/shops/jamesgreenprintworks) in which I have copies of all my work. This is very useful indeed. I haven’t explored too many other online shops, but might explore this if time allows.

I’ve had stalls at a few fairs/markets in Sheffield, including Craft Candy, Nether Edge Farmers Market and On The Waterfront. I’m planning on doing quite a few more before the end of the year (Chesterfield Craft Fair, Nether Edge, Kelham Island Christmas Fair and maybe others) and I might also venture out of Sheffield to do the Saltaire Christmas Craft Fair!

I use Facebook, Twitter and Flickr to promote my work. I think they work pretty well, though I’m not sure I twitter enough!

I also have a blog which I use to show new work, and link to anyone else who I think is doing interesting stuff, but that’s fairly new. If anyone wants to follow my work, please come along and check out my Facebook/Twitter/Blog.

I also recent had a Sheffield Showcase shop window-front in Sheffield town-centre. I displayed a selection of my work there for a couple of weeks. It didn’t generate any instant sales, but I felt was a good way of showing my work to a much wider audience.

I do have business cards, and these seem to go quicker than anything else on my stall at fairs/markets. I’m hoping people are keeping these for future gift ideas and not just throwing them away!

Prints on display on James' stall at the Craft Candy Spring Fling, March 2010

  • Are you able to produce one-off commission pieces to order?

I’d be happy to consider commissions in the future. I’ve not had that many in the past, though I have produced a fair bit of artwork for record sleeves. I’ve created work for James Yorkston, Pickled Egg Records, Farina, Circle Records, my own group and many others. In 2008 I was commissioned to produce t-shirt designs for Paul Smith Menswear, for their Japanese stores. I wasn’t expecting that one. I basically created linocut designs and adapted them for t-shirt screenprints.

If someone does want to commission me, they can either do this via my Facebook page, or email me at jamesgreen@lineone.net

Folksongs album cover

  • Do you work from home, or do you have a studio?

My studio is currently our kitchen at home. I have a printing press in there, and a section for all my equipment. Luckily it is quite a big kitchen! The natural light is really good in there, and I have a nice view out of the window of plants and such, so I don’t feel too isolated or cooped up. I keep it pretty tidy, although things are beginning to spread to the rest of the house, so I’m thinking maybe at some point I might need a studio.

Lino plates on the kitchen table

  • Is your print-making your main job, or do you also have a day job?

I gave up my full-time job last year (I used to work in admin at Sheffield Uni) to concentrate on printmaking and also my other passion, music. I’ve only been selling my work properly since about January, so it is early days and I think I have a way to go before the business supports me in the way I’d like it to. I love having the time to work on new projects (in the daylight!).

So, apart from printmaking, I am a musician. I’ve been doing this for about ten years now, but recently lots of good opportunities have come my way so this was another reason for dropping the full-time job. I have a group called ’The Big Eyes Family Players’. We play kind of experimental folk/chamber/pop music. It works very well with my craft. I produce all of the artwork for our releases, and often the visual element inspires the song and vice-versa (see ’Donkeys Disturbed By A Meteor Shower’ print and song).

I also run a tiny record label called ‘Early Winter Recordings’, which exists to release limited edition CDs, all with lino-printed sleeves, so yet again the craft fits in well!

'Donkeys disturbed by a meteor shower'

  • Who or what inspires you, and how does this come through in your work?

Art/Design/Craft inspirations : Egon Schiele, Francisco Goya, Max Beckmann, Vaughan Oliver, Rob Ryan, Kid Acne, Jonathan Wilkinson, Elodie Ginsbourg. And anyone who specialises in pugs.

Books : style-wise, old kids books from 1950-70s, and for reading the works of Paul Auster and James Kelman.

Landscapes : interesting old architecture,  especially in Paris, Prague and Barcelona, the hills of North Wales and Sheffield.

Animals/people : all sorts, although I’m rather fascinated by old people.

Photography : Sebastiao Saldago, Martin Parr

Music/film : Rachel’s, Shirley Collins, The Dirty Three, Tindersticks, His Name is Alive, Alasdair Roberts, the films of Mike Leigh and Werner Herzog.

I feel particularly inspired by Mike Leigh. It’s not in an obvious way. His manner with film has a deft touch and a very subtle humour that I feel is somewhat reflected in my work (you may not agree). I try not to take myself that seriously, and check myself if things are getting a bit sophisticated! I’m certainly drawn to the melancholy side of life, as probably displayed by a lot of my inspirations.

  • Which of your contemporaries do you admire and why?

Elodie Ginsbourg – a good friend of mine, and a creative one-of-a kind. She creates fantastic comic books and illustations with very funny personal observations that very much appeal to me. I’ve known her for ages, and have a a fair few of her works. http://elodieg.canalblog.com

Jonathan Wilkinson – another friend, and again, someone who seems to be completely on their own, creatively. No one does what Johnny does (though some do imitate, badly). He creates architectural-esque illustrations of buildings, some still standing, and some not. He is very clever at selecting building that are close to people’s hearts and produces very unsentimental reproductions of them. Great stuff.  www.welivehere.co.uk

Kid Acne – You can’t live in Sheffield without seeing this guy’s work. Graffiti-artist, illustrator and rapper. I love how he has turned the macho sport of graffiti into something much more elegant, and also filled the city with interesting slogans, stuff that actually makes you think. His figures are just so odd. Lord-knows what is going on in his head, but it is all good! http://www.kidacne.com/blog

Neil Woodall – etching guru and all-round good egg. He’s a great artist, based in Sheffield, creating mysterious landscapes and beautiful imagery. He also knows everything you could possibly know about printing. He has taught me an awful lot, and helped me a great deal with my printing too. http://www.neilwoodall.co.uk

Sleep walker poster, James Green

  • What is your favourite thing  about being creative?

It’s all I know! Ok, I do know other things, but I love being creative, and being able to earn money from what you love is great! The freedom aspect is a little daunting sometimes, but you get used to it. Doing this for a living certainly focuses the mind, and I’m a lot busier now thinking up new ideas than when I was a lazy student!

I don’t really think about the competition, though perhaps I should. I feel that if I did, it would interfere with what I do, and I’d end up creating work because people might like it rather than because it felt right.

It’s really good fun selling stuff at fairs, and answering questions from the punters. I’m not too good with the answers, but I’m fascinated by their response to my works. It’s often quite different to mine!

  • What is your favourite item that you have made and sold?

I think my favourite work so far is ‘Tribells, Llandudno’, a linocut of three men outside a ‘legendary’ fish and chip shop in North Wales. I think of it as a classic scene. The three men, probably all in their 60s, are having a chat, putting the world to rights, in their slippers. It says a lot about the place, and makes me laugh when I think of it. I’m not judging them, or the place. I just love the mix of sunday-best, chips, seaside-glamour and slippers.

'Tribells, Llandudno'

  • Do you have any other interests or hobbies?

Apart from printing and music (which doesn’t leave much time), I love spending time with my family. I have a young son who keeps me on my toes. We write songs together, none of which make any sense.

I also like running. I’ve been off the road with an ankle injury for a while now, but am on the mend, so pounding the streets yet again.

I’ve also recently joined Craft Candy, and am a committee member, so am looking forward to getting involved with things!

  • Why do you love belonging to Craft Candy, and how do you think you will benefit from being a member of the group?

Well, it is early days, but it is great to be able to talk to people about their work, their craft, and share ideas and information. I’ve learned a lot already, especially at a recent social I went to! Everyone seems very friendly.

I’m certainly going to help promote the group, and hopefully use some of my ideas to benefit it. It’d be nice to have more men in the group (I am the only one!) and I’ll be thinking up ways of attracting male crafters. I certainly think being involved with Craft Candy will help bring my work to a wider audience.

I have attended one Craft Candy fair previously as a stall-holder and will be having a stall at the next one on 27th November (Candy Cane).

One thing that I am planning on doing through the group (in the new year) is to run a workshop on linocut prints. I’ve never done anything like this before and am looking forward to the challenge!

  • Finally, what are your plans for the future?

To produce more prints, sell more stuff, diversify (bags/t-shirts?), have an exhibition or two, collaborate with others, do more craft fairs and generally keep busy and productive. I’d like to get my work in more shops too (am working on this).

Oh, and I’m trying to get to grips with screen-printing, but not having much luck (it’s a lot harder than it looks!).

  • Thanks for taking the time to share some of your work with us James, it’s been lovely talking to you, and great hearing all about what you do!

Work in progress...flowers

*If you would be interested in taking part in James’ linocutting workshop in the new year then keep your eyes peeled over on the ‘Workshops’ page of the Craft Candy website for more details.


Member News

By Sarah Waterhouse Textiles on May 24, 2010
This entry is filed under Member news.

Spring is here, summer is just around the corner and so is Open Studios.  This is my favourite time of the year, when the nosey folk amongst us get to see what everyone get’s up to in their studios!  One of our Derbyshire based members, Louise Broad is having an Open Studios event this weekend, here is more information about her event.

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