Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Vintage Beadery

Let's meet Ley from Vintage Beadery...




How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
I started beading after finding a book on brick stitch in the library where I work, I had a collection of beads, vintage ones m,ostly which I didn'tknow what to do with, I've never really liked more traditional beaded jewellery, or at least never fancied making any, but this book had some beautiful designs, particularly the paisley shapes on the front cover. I made a necklace using some of the beads I'd hoarded, and started looking for other books. That's when I discovered beading with cabochons by Jamie Cloud Eakin. This was the breakthrough, her work is beautifula and I wanted to make some of that. I started with a few glass cabochons bought cheaply from a local craft shop, having also bought some much smaller beads and proper beading needles. The first piece sold to a friend at work and led to 3 more sales. I'd also been collecting beach or sea glass for a while and suddenly I got a flash of inspiration and put the two things together. I suppose I've been doing this for nearly 3 years now.

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
One of the big negatives is the time it takes, it's a very slow process. Also I insist on using very small beads and I'm getting quite old. The first one has no real way round it I and the second involves lots of light and a magnifying glass round my neck.

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
Don't! Seriously make sure you have a lot of patience and are prepared to do a fair bit of undoing what you've done, when I finish this I have some of that to do on my current piece.

How did you find Misi?
I did a lot of searches for things like selling crafts online etc and eventually found Misi, I think I found Etsy first but was a bit put off because they insisted on you having a credit card which I didn't have.

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
At the moment my favourite is the Peacock's Eye pendant, I'll probably like something else next week. I'm very pleased with the thing I'm working on at the moment.

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
JoJo jewellery, she's really got the hang of that silver stuff!




Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite time of day?
Around 6.00clock in the evening when I get home from work and have a cup of tea.

If you could go anywhere in the world, money no object ~ where would you go?
Oh all over ,but I'd love to visit Japan

What was your favourite Christmas present this last Christmas?
A beautiful photograph taken on her travels by our daughter Zoe, You can see it on Flikr it's a lovely picture of a lake with turquoise blue boats and she calls herself zoesoldout. I think it's in Nepal

What is your favourite animal?
Cat, or giraffe

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
Johnny Depp!



Thank you Ley. If you would like to see more examples of Ley's gorgeous beadwork, then visit Vintage Beadery on Misi.


Helen
xxx

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Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ CM Crafts

Let's meet Clare from CM Crafts...



How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
Let me just say first I am dyslexic and I am proud of it I have had to work hard but I have always loved art because it is the one thing I can do with out the worry of spelling and getting it wrong but I did not get into making the cards I do today about 9 years ago even then they were only very simple but i have grown over the last year to doing more different and harder cards which I love doing.

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
The blocks I get when I sit down and I cant see the card in my mind I get over it by getting all my books and I have started to take photos of my cards so I can always look back on them.

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
Come over to my house and have a play with all the bits and bobs I have
then go and have good look around a craft store and talk to the ladies there and also come to on to Misi to talk to the lovely people on the site.

How did you find Misi?
My sister in law told me about the site a year before I plucked up the courage to come on and I did not know how to spell it I had to ask her about 5 times and each time when I got to the computer it had gone.

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
It would have been my hand bags cards in a box but i have sold all the ones i have made so i am picking a hand bag charm called pretty in pink and purple

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
I love them all but i love Expressorize and also her new shop Expressorizesale.




Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite month and why?
June as its my birthday and it only 6 months to Christmas

Confess one secret that no-one knows about you?
I am a secret barbara cartland reader I have just over 200 of her books I think this comes from the dyslexia they are easy books to read and easy to follow.

What is your favourite chocolate ?
I love most of them

What is your favourite animal?
I love most of them cats and my favourite

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
That's a hard one I guess it would be Harrison Ford but when he was in star wars and the indiana jones films.



Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us Clare. You can find CM Crafts on Misi and see more of her lovely items.

Helen
xxx

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Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Pixie Doodle

Let's meet Emma aka Pixie Doodle...




How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?

I have been Needle Felting for about 2 years now, after trying various other crafts such as card making and jewellery making which i still do from time to time. I started needle felting after finding a blog by a lady called Kay Petal, who makes the most amazing characters.

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?

The only things are sticking a very sharp needle in your finger when not looking what you are doing, which i do a lot! I just need to pay more attention! The other problem I have is my cats are addicted to my felt beads and balls and keep running off with them! I have to get a box with a tough to remove lid and problem solved!!

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?

Just buy some merino wool, a couple of needles and give it a go. Its very addictive once you realise the amazing things you can make with a bit of roving!!

How did you find Misi?

I think it was recommended on another forum I visit regularly, had a look and loved it and over a year later I still here!

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?

My favourite thing has to be Doodles the Turtle, I think he is so adorable!

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?

Can I have two faves please? I really love Mornie G Jewellery and Little Scruffs! Both gorgeous shops with amazing items.




Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite time of day?

Im a morning kind of girl, but I also love snuggling up in my bed at night.

What is your favourite colour?

Pink

How many DVDs do you have?

About 300 hundred with my hubby and kids! I love all types of films, but not keen on war type ones.

What is your favourite animal?

Pigs or tigers. Not much difference there lol!

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
My man of the moment is Gerald Butler- funny, sexy and very handsome!





Thank you Emma. Please stop by Pixie Doodle on Misi for some lovely creations.


Helen
xxx

Apologies about the photos ~ having a sizing issue at the moment. xx

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Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Neate Crafts

Please welcome Susan from Neate Crafts...



How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
It seems like I have always been making something!
I trained as a Fine artist but taught myself all my crafts - Pyrography, knitting, sewing, crocheting, glass painting, silk painting, jewellery, macrame, patchwork...the list goes on.
I am addicted to trying new crafts. I just love it!

Are there any negative aspects?
Housework goes out of the window but I Always put my family first.
Never enough hours in a day. My husband bought me a peg loom for Christmas but I haven't had time - yet to sort it out.
I have too many ideas for the amount of time I have to put them into practice.

How do you get round them?
I try and spend a few hours early in the morning doing all the housework.
I am also trying to be patient, and in fact got told only the other day that I was a very chilled, easy-going person!
I also bought myself a shed and put it at the bottom of the garden and that is where I work from. (except when it is very cold and wet, so I then work from the house as I always have some project here).

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your particular craft?
Just have a go. There's no right or wrong way in creating. Sometimes it's the 'mistakes' that make it work!

How did you find MISI?
Misi found me. Emmas husband had been on my website and asked if I would be interested in joining. THANK YOU so much for asking!

What is your favourite item in your shop right now?
I think it has to be my Monkey hat as it turned out exactly as I visualised it when I designed it!
But, I also like my Lizard Point, Cornwall painting, it brings back such happy holiday memories. Also the sea is so dramatic there.
It is also one of the first of my paintings where I used a more relaxed style instead of the rather formal style I also do. I really enjoyed painting it!

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION!
I have found something in every shop on Misi that I like.
But if I have to choose one I do love 'Impsandthings'. The tree sprite is my favourite it has such character. I just wish I could afford to buy him!



Random Facts about you:

Favourite Chocolate?
I have two - Lavender Chocolate so subtle and scented, smooth and relaxing.
- Chilli Chocolate- the hotter the better. They both give different moods and experiences.
I love trying new ones all the time, and if I had time I would love to be a Chocolatier too!

Favourite place you have visited?
I have so many favourites but I just love Cornwall. It has a quality to it that I can't put my finger on. It may have something to do with the fact that I recently found out that some of my ancestors came from there.
Of course I love where I live now not only because my family is here but it is so beautiful and dramatic at any time of the year, and the scenery is so varied.

Favourite movie?
I can't choose just one. It depends what mood I am in.
I love 'Hot Fuzz' - so funny, but also because my husband is a Special Constable in Cumbria Police.
Chocolat- I love chocolate and Johnny Depp.
Bridget Jones Diary- so funny.
Kingdom of Heaven- Brilliant film based on historical events with the Knights Templars( which I am fascinated by).
Ridley Scott is such a great director, O'h and Orlando Bloom is in it too!




Thank you Susan, it was lovely hearing about you. To see more of Susan's talent, visit Neate Crafts on Misi.


Helen
xxx

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Guest Blogger ~ Sunrise Cards

A few years ago my friend asked me to make a card for a relative who had just lost her sight , at first I didn't know where to start but then thought about all the different textures we could use to make it as tactile as possible.
I wanted to make it so that she could get as much enjoyment out of feeling the card as a sighted person would by looking at it.
I also managed to find a site that taught me about braille so that I could include that on my cards.
We sell our braille cards in an online shop set up by a man who lost his sight and does a lot of fundraising work.
http://sightzone.webs.com
he gave us a braille labeller to start us off and helps us to sell our cards
I have attached the three cards that we have made for my friends relative over the last three years.








Tracy and Paul ~ Sunrise Cards

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Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Expressorize Ur Self

Today's Misi crafter is Clare from Expressorize Ure Self...




How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
I have always been completely fascinated with jewellery & I first started by hosting jewellery & handbag parties, it was also something I could fit around looking after my youngest at home before she started school.
I have always been crafty, I have done hairdressing, floristry, card making , I started jewellery making & that is when I knew where the passion lay.
I started hand making my jewellery about 4 years ago & the excitement of the process is still as strong if not stronger. From hunting the supplies down to receiving them in the post , then to creating ….the whole process I love it!!!

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?

Mmmmm it can be very time consuming. I try & get the balance as right as I can!
Also it can be costly. The idea of sell some then use that to buy new supplies kind of goes out the window for me. I see gorgeous beads & just must have them there & then no matter what!!

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
Magazines & books are a great way to learn, start with cheaper supplies so if mistakes are made its not with more expensive materials. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials & have fun!!

How did you find Misi?
Emma from Misi sent me an email, she must have found my website I had at the time & she asked if I would be interested in joining Misi.
I am so thankful she did, it is a lovely friendly community!

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
This butterfly.

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
This shop is amazing, I would love the imp I would put it in my porch (if I had one)





Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite television programme?
I love house makeover programs & similar like location location & 60 minute makeover


What is your ideal vacation?
I have always dreamed of a cruise around the med

Where were you born?
In Lancashire, Billinge hospital to be precise

What is your favourite sandwich filling?
A toss between tuna mayo & egg mayo I think (can you tell I am indecisive!!)

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Yummy!!!!)



Thank you Clare. For more fine examples of Clare's work, visit Expresserize Ure Self on Misi...


Helen
xxx

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Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Victoria Burnett Designs

This week's crafter is Camilla from Victoria Burnett Designs ~ a shop she runs with her sister, Claire...



How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
The idea for our business really came from our grandmother, who decided to create some wooden mice characters for her daughter (our mother’s) wall. Mum really loved them and decided to take the idea and run with it, setting up a small business that she ran from home. She created a whole range of characters including foxes, pheasants and frogs, and was a regular, along with our father, on the charity fair circuit. Her work was enormously popular, and she was featured in a couple of magazines as well as on the local news. One of her mice even took up residence in Buckingham Palace! This was all achieved with absolutely no advertising and no access to a computer, so no internet, no Facebook, Twitter, or even MISI, just plain old word of mouth.
Very sadly, Mum was diagnosed with cancer, and after a remarkable 6 year battle, we lost her in 2003. In the meantime, I was (and still am) working full time as a scientist in London (studying ageing) but realized that this was not the ultimate career for me. I wondered about the practicality of restarting Mum’s business, and discussed the possibility with my sister, Claire, who is based in Wiltshire and who was also looking for a creative output. Together we decided that we would see if we could replicate Mum’s work. This turned out to be a steep learning curve, as although we had grown up surrounded by these pieces, we had absolutely no idea what techniques she used to make them! Consequently we had to start from the beginning and learn firstly to use a fret-saw in order to hand-cut each piece, then work out what types of varnish to use, in what combination and how many layers, and then see if we could create an antique finish. After a lot of trial and error, we felt that we had a product that we were happy with, and launched the business in October 2009, making us the third generation in our family to produce these pieces. We named the business Victoria Burnett Designs in honour and remembrance of our mother, and in acknowledgement that at the moment we are using her original designs (although we are working on new ones to add to the collection as we go).

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
One difficulty is sourcing the wood for the pieces as we buy in 8x4 foot 6mm birch-faced plywood. This varies a lot in quality from piece to piece, as one piece may have a perfectly usable face, whilst the next may have knots, plug-holes and random discolouration, making it useless for our purposes. This means that when we go to the wood suppliers, we have to go through their entire stack of plywood to pull out maybe one or two sheets that we can use. As you can imagine, this is not always a popular request as more often than not the 6mm ply happens to be stacked right near the ceiling, so it can take a while, is dirty work, and requires one or two strapping young men to help (ok, so maybe that’s not altogether a negative aspect…)!

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
Make sure you have a lot of space, time and patience!

How did you find Misi?
Through the wonder that is Google.

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
For me it would have to be Poppy or Prudence. I have a particular fondness for them as I have Mum’s originals at home.

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)
I really love the products in Moon Cat – perfect for my next house!





Random facts about you:

What is your favourite season?
Got to be summer – sun, wine and plenty of bar-b-ques.

What is your ideal vacation?
Anywhere that involves the first two items mentioned above, combined with great food and plenty of trashy novels.

What is your favourite food?
Err, what isn’t my favourite food? I must confess to a terrible weakness for gherkins and wine gums.

What is your favourite animal?
Orcas, dugongs and dogs (sorry, that’s three).

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
I have always had a great fondness for Guy Pearce. And as a lover of Gray’s, McSteamy would be welcome to stay…




Thank you so much for chatting with us. Visit Victoria Burnett Designs on Misi to see more of their adorable characters...


Helen
xxx

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The Misi Awards!!

The Misi Awards...
A bit of fun on Misi to find the "Newbie of the Year", "Looniest of the Year", "Cutest Make of the Year" Award, amongst others.

To vote, please read this thread on Misi and find the Admin listed next to the award. Pm the admin with your nomination.



Helen
xxx

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Fabulous Friday... Chelly's Gems

This week's Misi crafter is Michelle from Chelly's Gems... let's get to know her a bit...




How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
I'm generally a crafty bug, I'll try most things, jewellery making seems to have lasted the longest . It started about 4 years ago when I was stuck for an idea for christmas present for my mum. I found a jewellery kit in Ward Graphics and I've been hooked ever since.

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
The only negative thing I can think of is when I get an idea for a piece of jewellery and it looks really good in your mind, but then I try to make it and it doesn't work, I generally go away have a cup of tea and a piece of chocolate and try again a different way.

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
Enjoy your self! I find making jewellery very relaxing and destressing (that's when beads don't fly off the table).

How did you find Misi?
Through Google search

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
Do I have to choose just one? I like every thing in my shop, but if I was pushed to choose just one it would have to be the crystal bracelet, I love the colour and the way it sparkles.

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
I can't decide, but I really do like Artbymimi, I especially love her campervan cards, very funky





Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite time of day?
In the morning when no one else is up.

If you could go anywhere in the world, money no object ~ where would you go?
I would love to go back to Hong Kong, when I went there for my honeymoon I felt very at home there.

What was your favourite Christmas present this last Christmas?
It would have to be my fluffy slipper boots that my two girls brought for me

What is your favourite animal?
Chocolate labrador no competion.

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
Can I have 2? Well I am any way, I would have to say Daniel Craig and David Tennant, I'm all for sharing :))



Thanks Chelly ~ a very enlightening interview. For more examples of Michelle's high quality creations visit Chelly's Gems on Misi.


Helen
xxx

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Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Joyknitt

And today we are meeting Joy from Joyknitt.



How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
I started knitting at age 5, when my mum taught me. that was 56 years ago and I have been knitting on and off ever since. it only occured to me a couple of years ago that I could actually sell my creations and earn some money to buy more yarn.

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
I dont think there are any negatives to the way I do it, these days I knit in the evenings while watching tv so I dont attempt to do anything that requires a great deal of attention. over the years I have done quite a few intricate designs to make clothes for myself or my family, but I dont tackle these to sell, as one tiny mistake could devalue a months worth of work.

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
Start simply and work your way up by learning as you go along.

How did you find Misi?
I saw a link to misi on one of my friends facebook pages and followed it. prior to that I had sold a few items on ebay, but not for anything like what they were really worth

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
This yellow hat

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
This is a really hard one, as there are so many talented craftspeople out there making really lovely stuff, but I guess my favourite is artbymimi, mimi has such a fantasticly unique style



Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite season? spring, after a long few months of short days and cold weather it is lovely to see everything starting to turn green, to see gardens full of yellow daffodils and things bursting into life

What is your ideal vacation? walking in the wonderful lake district (without the rain that usually accompanies this exercise)

What is your favourite food? potatoes in any way, shape or form

What is your favourite animal? I love all animals, but my favourite of the pets I've had has to be barney, the greyhound, a huge great thing but as soft as they come.

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed? robert redford (I think that shows my age!!)




Thank you Joy. Beautiful knitted items found at Joyknitt on Misi.


Helen
xxx

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