Hello and welcome to the 2nd Candy Conversation. This week we are chatting with Leah Hill about the wonderful world of crochet!
Candy Stats
- Hometown : Merthyr Tydfil
- Craft : Crochet Accessories
- 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
Our poor neglected blog, how we’ve missed you! Do you ever find yourself pulled in so many directions that something has to give? Well unfortunately that has been our blog of late, our three resident bloggers (Janine, Sarah and Kay) are Craft Candy volunteers, makers running their own business and all have ‘day jobs’ and our poor blog has suffered. We’re all determined to change that though and get this lovely blog back to it’s former glory.
