Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Lej Jewellery

This week's crafter is Jo from Lej Jewellery...




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

I started jewellery making not long after my daughter was born nearly 3 years ago. I had done other crafts like cross stitch and card making and felt like a change so i decided to give it a go.


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

The only negative aspect is having to wait until my children are in bed before i can start to craft. I used to be able to craft in the day when my daughter had her naps but she no longer has afternoon naps so i have to wait till shes in bed. She is at the age now where she is starting to ask if we can go and make bracelets so i put a stopper bead on some tigertail and give her a box of beads and shes quite happy to sit for half an hour or so. My son isn't really interested and i don't think i could get him to be without beads in the shape of spongebob.


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

To have fun and enjoy playing with all the differnt techniques but to be careful as it can be very very addictive.

How did you find Misi?

I was emailed by Emma when the site had just opened. It took about a month before i decided to set up my shop but i haven't looked back.


What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?

My favourite item is this necklace http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/25896/fall_lampwork_necklace.html. I bought the lampwork beads but they weren't what i was expecting and i wasn't quite sure what to do with them so 6 months later i thought i'd use them and made this necklace. I love the colours.

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

One of my favourite shops (because i have loads) is http://www.misi.co.uk/handmade/Joannalondon.html. I love the teapots also the cups and saucers, i'd love the have a big dresser in my kitchen filled with them all. Kind of reminds me of being at grandmas house.




Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite season and why?

Autumn, i love all the colours when the trees start to change and the cold wind which makes you want to wrap up all snug or curl up on the sofa with a hot cup of tea and thick socks.

What is your favourite food?

My favourite food is sausages with mash and beans, i could eat it everyday. I also have a thing for red onion chutney at the minute and put it on everything.

What is your favourite type of music/singer?

My favourite type of music is something with a guitar in it. My favourite cd at the minute is Ida Maria but i'm a big fan of red hot chili peppers and stereophonic.

How many DVDs do you have?

Not a lot, we used to have loads but they were never watched so i listed them on ebay. The kids have tonnes we have kept most of my sons for my daughter to watch.

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
Josh Hartnett mmmm, or Simon Baker. Can i have two? yes why not :0)





Thank you Jo. Visit Jo's lovely shop, Lej Jewellery, on Misi.


Helen
xxx

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Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Sunrise Cards

This week's crafter is Tracey from Sunrise Cards on Misi.



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

I started three years ago , card making was supposed to be a small hobby to keep me amused as my children were getting older and I was feeling slightly redundant, I enjoyed it as soon as I started and my husband decided to make some as well , within a day we were both hooked and soon realised that we were going to end up making more cards than we would ever need. We decided to try and sell some and since then the cards have just taken on a life of their own. Its worked out well as three years down the line obviously the children are even more off hand with lives of their own and this gives my husband and I a common interest.

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

there are two main negative aspects , firstly we don't have as much time as we would like to spend on our cardmaking as we both work as well but we have to work to get over the second negative aspect which is we spend a fortune on supplies !!!

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

Firstly be aware that it is very addictive and you will end up spending every last penny on great things to put on your cards. I found in the early days ( and even now to be honest ) that I got so many ideas by looking in magazines , online blogs, forums etc , these places really help when you need a bit of inspiration. Also join crafting forums etc and don't be afraid to ask for help and advice, I have found 'crafters' to be the nicest people I have ever met.

How did you find Misi?

there are often posts on the craft forum where I'm a member about Misi so I decided to see what it was all about.

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?

Again due to lack of time I haven't listed as much as I would like in my shop but I think my favourite item at the moment is the takeway card
http://www.misi.co.uk/gifts/40807/takeway_card_.html

I think its fun and I love the bright colours

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

it has got to be cocoapod - I am a chocoholic and everything in their shop looks so nice - there's some great novelty items in it.





Random Facts:


What is your favourite time of day? - My favourite time of day is probably about 8pm as we've usually had dinner and tidied up , the jobs are done and its time to settle down for the evening ( unless we're making cards lol )

What is your ideal vacation? Our dream is to go back to Austria which is where we went on our honeymoon - we've always said we want to go back for our silver wedding anniversary which is next year so fingers crossed.

Where were you born? - I was born in Basildon Essex

What is your favourite animal? - I think it would have to be a penguin !!

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed? - my friends always tease me about this but I quite like Hugh Grant




Thanks for chatting with us Tracey. To see more of Tracey's lovely cards, visit Sunrise Cards on Misi.


Helen
xxx

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Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ The Beading Lady

Yes, it's me, Helen aka The Beading Lady ~ thought I should see if I can answer the questions that I've been torturing everyone else with :-)



How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
I started making memory wire wrap bracelets about 2 years ago at a jewellery-making party and really enjoyed it. I bought a few bits and bobs and then sold a few. I've been learning new techniques and styles on a regular basis and trying to expand my range.

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
Time, I just don't seem to have enough of it. Oh and the mess. Little beadies everywhere!

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
Make sure your tools are fairly decent and start small, find out which style, designs, techniques you enjoy and then you can expand on those.

How did you find Misi?
*blush* I can't remember, isn't that terrible? It was November 2008 and honestly can't remember how, think I may have just stumbled upon it.

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
I think this pendant, really enjoyed making it and love how it turned out.

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
Can't pick one. I'm biased because I quite often enjoy a shop because I like the shopowners. lol



Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite time of day?
First thing in a morning (after the initial "argh, don't wake me") when my kiddies have come for a cuddle.

What was your favourite Christmas present this last Christmas?
My brother came over with this big wrapped up box, and inside were lots of other little wrapped up parcels. Took me ages to unwrap but was totally worth it, inside were loads of different jewellery findings for me to play with :-)

What is your favourite animal?
Always loved dolphins but since losing my baby last year I have a special place in my heart for butterflies, they just became very significant to me for some reason.

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
I have to agree with most of the other crafters who have said ~ Johnny Depp!



So, that's me ~ if you'd like to see any more of my creations, please stop by The Beading Lady.


Helen
xxx

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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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