Perfect Patchwork: September 2011

Friday 30 September 2011

An Interview with Mosaic Tree

Hi again,
my interview today is a lovely lady from Folksy - Mosaic Tree, I hope you enjoy her answers to my questions

1. What is your business name, and why did you chose that name?

Mosaic Tree is the name. The name was at the back of my mind, long before the business came along so I already felt an affinity to it and it seemed the perfect choice when Mosaic Tree was created.

2. When did you start creating, and when did you start selling your creations?

I’ve always enjoyed crafting but never focused on it until about 18 months ago when I started knitting and set up my online Folksy shop 6 months after.

3. Who/what inspired you to follow the type of craft that you do?

A child’s set of knitting needles, a ball of acrylic wool and a ‘how to knit’ book – all borrowed from my then 8 year old daughter! My inspiration was a strong desire to be creative – much of my working life has been in the voluntary/public sector, often office based, so this been a real difference for me and very rewarding for that very reason.

4. And where does the inspiration for specific items come from?

Colours are my inspiration – I tend to almost think in colour – autumn hedgerows, sunsets, even the colour scheme at a holiday cottage!

Mobile phone covers were in the ‘how to knit’ book. Variations to the basic design soon followed such as cable twist and additional details such as the knitted heart and the spiral. New lines evolve for different reasons; I’ll try something new as a present for someone or in response to a commission.

Where do you sell your items from?

Online shop – www.folksy.com/shops/MosaicTree

Craft fairs – keep in touch via www.facebook.com/MosaicTree for upcoming events.

Coming soon – http://www.love-somerset.co.uk/ – a site to buy all things sourced locally in Somerset.

Word of mouth

5. What are your favourite pieces and why? (links would be great then I can promote them for you)

One of my favourites are the Mosaic Tree tassel necklaces, particularly the sari accent ones. They’re unusual so attract compliments, I love the colour combinations and so light weight, I forget I’m wearing one.

6. Where do you do your crafts? i.e. do you have a studio, sewing room etc

Anywhere and everywhere! Knitting is the ultimate craft in terms of portability – you may catch me knitting waiting for the train, in the car, drinking coffee (taking care not to spill the coffee of course!), in my lunch hour……

7. What are your favourite websites and why?

http://www.craftpimp.co.uk/ – the forum on here is always a friendly place to hang out with other crafters, well worth a visit.

http://www.knittinghelp.com/ – a bit like a global knitting club. Its where I go when I need knitting advice.

http://www.love-somerset.co.uk/ – supporting local indie businesses in Somerset. Soon to stock Mosaic Tree items. I’m clearly biased being a local gal myself!

8. Do you have any plans/dreams for your future to do with your crafts?
Having the time and budget to devote to trying out new types of crafts. On a realistic level, more time to develop new product lines would be fab. My ultimate dream of home-work life balance is to be home based for crafting and earn a living wage from it…better stop nattering and get back to my knitting needles if I want to make that one happen!

9. Keep in touch with Mosaic Tree

Twitter – www.twitter.com/#!/MosaicTree

Blog – http://www.mosaictree.blogspot.com/

Facebook – www.facebook.com/MosaicTree

On line shop – www.folksy.com/shops/MosaicTree.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Mosaic Tree, do go and visit her shop as she has some truly lovely items.
Signing off for today
F xx

Thursday 29 September 2011

A Trip in the Woods

Welcome back, today’s blog follows the theme of trees, specifically items for sale which feature either a tree, or lots of trees – Enjoy.

Tree Christmas Tree Decoration Diomo Glass Gifts

Rainbow Tree PAINTBOX1110

Tree bronze earrings Roxy`s jewels

christmas tree Fragile Heart by Gill Pinkney

Tree Advent Calendar Perfect Patchwork

Tree of Life Hanger - purple and green TamiRocks

Tree Candy Bookmark JellyGiraffe Handmade Jewellery

golden tree card JazzleDazzle

Tree at sunset 10" by 10" CASIMIRA'S QUIRKY ART

2 engraved tree flutes Charlie's Corner

Hope you've enjoyed my selection for today

Signing off

F xx

Wednesday 28 September 2011

An Interview with Elegant Craft

Good Morning, today's blog features Elegant Craft, check out her Folksy shop, she has many beautiful items for you to browse.

My shop name is ElegantCraft and I actually "borrowed" it from my sister as she had it for a while after a very brief flirtation with selling card toppers on Ebay. I really liked the name and when I decided to try out selling online I couldn't think of something else that encapsulated my work in a nutshell. I wanted something short and memorable but also slightly intriguing as I couldn't decide which of my crafts I wanted to stick with and so didn't want to become stuck with a generic name that limited me to one craft.

I learnt to knit and crochet as a child and dabbled with it briefly over the years. I got into papercrafting about 6 years ago when handmade cards were a novelty and have dabbled with various other crafts since then. I dabbled in the online market about 4 years ago after working with a direct selling company for a while and thinking I would rather put this much effort into promoting my own stuff and making some money for myself. That didn't pan out too well but I have always wanted to try harder with it. I have been with Folksy since February and am really enjoying it. www.folksy.com/shops/elegantcraft

Knitting and crochet is my biggest passion and I credit that to my Mum who showed me how to start and was always making something. I have a blog post dedicated to her http://elegantcraft.wordpress.com/?blogsub=confirming#subscribe-blog titled "Inspiration". I love looking around at things that people have made and am addicted to leafing through magazines, surfing the web or finding TV programmes looking for exciting things I wonder if I could make.

I love looking around at things that people have made and am addicted to leafing through magazines, surfing the web or finding TV programmes looking for exciting things I wonder if I could make. Generally I go for a theme depending on the time of year and look around for interesting patterns, books or other items on the highstreet or craft sites and see what grabs my attention.

My main selling outlet is Folksy and my page is www.elegantcraft.folksy.com I have been caught up in the Facebook revolution so I also have listings on there which can be found at www.facebook.com/elegantcraft.

My favourite pieces have to be the dolls and bears. I try and create character whilst knitting them up and there is just something about a doll or a teddy bear that makes them special in some way. I have started a range of themed bears which are currently listed on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.221285351260214.61811.156342757754474 although they will be coming over to Folksy soon. I am also hoping to complete some fashion dolls in the near future too.

I have tried a few other crafts in the past and would really like to add them to my selling repertoire. I have a selection of cards on Facebook at the present time.

I think it's more a case of where don't I at present. As knitting/crochet is my primary obsession it is quite a portable craft and easy to fit into my schedule. My place of choice is in the living room so I can be sociable or watch TV whilst I craft. I try and take projects with me if I am out and usually take something when visiting my Mum and have become something of a feature in the Dentists waiting room. I travel on the train a fair bit so it certainly helps while away the time there too. Paper crafts and salt dough etc are usually squeezed onto the dining room table when the children are at school or in bed.

I love trying out new crafts and anything that is tactile really grabs me.
I have dabbled with candles and sewing soft toys which are two areas I am keen to work with more and hopefully sell successfully. I love working with felt and have made a few projects which I hope to add also. Similarly I aim to rediscover cross stitch and start a range of cards and embellished items. I also tried out working with salt dough and have a listing on Folksy currently http://www.folksy.com/items/1868405-Personalised-Cherub-Engagement-Gift?shop=yes although I hope to add more items in this medium in the future.

Folksy of course is a great site full of wonderful items and lovely friendly crafters a real homely community. I really enjoy www.Ravelry.com as a source of inspiration. I have various other wool craft sites I like to browse although www.lionbrand.com and www.lilysugarandcream are my most frequented. www.stumbleupon.com is a rather addicting browse but I have found some great inspiration on there.

My fairytale fantasy would be to have a retail shop selling a wide variety of my handmade items. I would love to be able to craft fulltime and make this my occupation if possible in the future so will have to keep plugging away and see where it goes.

Check out my craft shop www.folksy.com/shops/elegantcraft
for cards and gifts for all occasions.

http://about.me/elegantcraft

Thank you so much for the interview Elegant Craft, and I hope you have all enjoyed reading it

Signing off
F xx

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Art on The Hill

Welcome back,

This weekend I am exhibiting at the Art on the Hill Art Trail in Bristol, and would love to see any of you that are in the area. I am including details for you so that you can see what the trail is all about; and I have selected information on a few of the artists that will be exhibiting alongside me.

Art on the Hill 2011

1st - 2nd October 12pm -6pm

The trail takes place in Windmill Hill and Victoria Park in South Bristol next weekend and includes a varied mix of art plus performances, workshops, a parade and a concert.

Look out for a trail brochure in the public spaces around South Bristol and beyond and the pubs in Windmill Hill, they will also be available directly from trail venues and the information point in the Windmill Hill Community Centre during the trail.

There will be events and workshops taking place, so lots to do for all the family

Events

Saturday 1st

Performance by 'Fools on the Hill'
3.00pm at St Michael's Chruch, Vivian Street.
Free Admission.

'The Fools on the Hill' are a local band playing a selection of songs for your pleasure. Some are well known covers, some are our their compositions.

Performance by 'Notabene'
between 2.00pm and 4.00pm at Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip Street. Free Admission.

'Notabene' is a dynamic Bristol-based ensemble performing lively and captivating songs in sophisticated harmony. Their repertoire ranges from Monteverdi to Monty Python.

The Butterfield Lecture
6.30pm at St Michael's Chruch, Vivian Street.
Free Admission.

Michael Butterfield on Haydn's late masterpiece:
Illustrated talk with demonstrations at the piano.

Sunday 2nd

Creative Kids Children's Parade
Starts at 3.00 (assemble at 2.45pm) Meeting at Windmill Hill Community Centre.

Following on from the Creative Kids Workshop the children's parade will leave from the Community Centre. All are welcome.

Windmill Hill Chorus & Bristol Chamber Orchestra - Haydn's Creation
6.30pm at St Michael's Chruch, Vivian Street.
Free Admission. Donations Welcome

Con tor - Mark Randall, Stephanie Spragg - soprano, Jonathan Toffolo - tenor, Stephen Foulkes - bass.

Workshops

Saturday 1st

Mosaic Workshop
1.00pm - 3.00pm at Windmill Hill Community Centre.
Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first comes first basis, you can call Tanja (0117 3739047) to book a space or turn up on time.

Come and learn how to make a small mosaic using the direct mosaic method to create your own unique piece.
This is a fun activity for people of all ages and this year the mosaics will be suitable for outdoor use such as garden decorations of house numbers. Children under eight years should bring a grown-up to work together.

Pottery Workshop
2.00pm - 5.00pm at The Garden Studio, 23 St John's Crescent.
Contact Norma or Irene: 07952 938735
Participants may drop in throughout this time.

Make and decorate a tile or clay pinchpot. Items will be fired and participants contacted when items are ready for collection. £1.50 contribution required for materials.
Children welcome accompanied by an adult.

Sunday 2nd

Creative Kids Workshop
11.00am - 1.00pm at Windmill Hill Community Centre.
No pre-booking required

Zambian-themed workshop making items out of recycled materials. This workshop will be a chance for children and their families to make items for the children's parade.

Pottery Workshop
2.00pm - 5.00pm at The Garden Studio, 23 St John's Crescent.
Contact Norma or Irene: 07952 938735
Participants may drop in throughout this time.

And now for a sneak preview of a few of the artists, with the address where they will be exhibiting, a little bit about them, and a clickable link to their profile.

34 Merioneth Street

Mr Toodle Media: Printmaking - Illustration - Digital

Mr Toodle creates whimsical images for children and the young at heart. He use a variety of reproduction techniques including digital prints, silk screen and woodcut.

10 Park Avenue

Jill Hutchings Media: Jewellery

I make textile-based brooches inspired by the rich variety of plants and animals found in rock pools. Each piece is unique. They are intended to be intriguing, quirky and fun.

Windmill Hill City Farm

Felicity Howarth Media: Textiles - Patchwork

I have had a keen interest in textiles for over 30 years.
I like using various techniques including patchwork, applique and embroidery to design and make one off pieces

14 Stanbury Road

Samantha Gilraine Media: Mixed Media - Painting - Illustation - Drawing - Photography - Digital

New to the hill, I am a professional artist and wedding photographer.
I will be exhibiting my atmospheric locally inspired artwork that has been created using paint, camera and computer!

26 Paultow Road

Patrick Small Media: Jewellery

This year I will be showing my new jewellery collection: works in silver, crystal, wood and semi-precious stones.

5 Brendon Road

Alec Jackson Media: Printmaking - Illustration - Photography

Experimental Photography

37 Dunkerry Road

Nicoleta Bordea Media: Drawing - Painting - Textiles

I am a new amateur member and I would like to share with others my hobbies.
I will present some drawings, paintings, hand-embroidery and some Romanian style macrame items.

22 Dunkerry Road

Anne Reinsberg Media: Textiles

We live and work on an organic farm in Brandenburg in Germany where we have a flock of 60 sheep. Out of their wool we create e.g. socks, blankets, clothing and felt articles.

12 Alfred Road

Sue Green Media: Textiles

Lovingly created by hand using a combination of vintage and found fabrics, embellished with surface stitch and printing processes, these 'finds' have a contemporary vibe.

77 Quantock Road

Lisa Yardley Media: Sculpture - Mixed Media - Illustration - Textiles - 3D

My work is an assemblage of found frippery from nature and the recycling, mixed together with my own photography to create pieces of magical interest.

I also plan to run a workshop as part of the trail.

I really hope you have enjoyed my preview, and that you will be able to drop in at some point over the weekend.

There are lots more artists than I have been able to feature on this blog; and apologies for making it as long as I have.

Signing off for today

F xx

Monday 26 September 2011

A Faint Reminder of Summer

Welcome back, Today's feature is Dragonflies, such beautiful elegant creatures.

I hope you enjoy the selection I have for you; remember all the items have the link to the creator's Folksy shop, so that you can pop along and see what other lovely items they have to offer.

Happy browsing.

needle felted dragon created by