Friday 30 October 2009

Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Crochet Cynth

Today's Misi Crafter is Cynthia from Crochet Cynth.




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

I started messing about with a crochet hook and some yarn 3 years ago when a couple of friends announced that they were going to have a baby boy. I thought it'd be nice if I could make something for the baby. Hence, I did the most basic double crochet baby blanket ever. I did it, but I thought to myself I didn't have the talent for it, so I packed it up and focused on my knitting.

A few months ago, I noticed that my downstairs neighbour Penny has been crocheting all day long. I found it fascinating, and thought to myself 'Perhaps Penny can teach me how to crochet' So with her help, I blew off the dust on my crochet hook and gave it another go. This time, I got completely hooked on to it. It also helps when almost everyone around me is either having or expecting babies. I've got myself enough target audience to test my techniques and try out a few patterns here and there. Before I know, I got custom orders lined up to the point that my hook's smoking!


Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
Negative aspects
There are actually a few. It's sooo addictive that once I've started, I'd forget all about eating, drinking or any other basic needs. I'd sit there for long hours to the point when my lower back is killing me. Then there's the darning the yarn. I trust that most fellow knitters and crocheters would agree that it is one of the most essential yet tedious and boring task to do to complete the project. When I use a very fine hook, I get cramps in my hand.

How do I get round them
My loving other half would make sure that I've got cups of tea regularly. I do try to stand and stretch every now and then. We have invested in an inversion table, so that would help stretch my back after long hours of sitting and crocheting. Darning the yarn, unless some of you are willing to let me outsource it, I'm stuck with it. However, I do find it more enjoyable when I do it along the way instead of leaving it all to do at the very end of my crochet project. Sometimes I vary the projects I do, so that I don't always get cramps by using finer hooks.


What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
I personally recommend watching some YouTube videos to start with. The following linke gives you a good collection of videos: the recordings, her instructions and explanations are clear, and most of her demonstration comes in slow motion as well.
http://www.youtube.com/user/tjw1963#play/user/E13D21C2E1F58CD7/14/11Wh7IOT9BI

Good starting point for beginners: 4mm - 4.5mmm crochet hook and double-knit yarn
Best to start with something none-fluffy, because even the more experienced crocheter would find it annoying or difficult to crochet fluffy yarns.
Choose a project you love, so you can enjoy it more while you learn how to crochet.


How did you find Misi?
Crafting friends have always recommended I set up a shop on Etsy. I have my concerns as American competitors can get a wider variety of yarns at a lower cost. Hence, I was looking for a UK-based Etsy-equivalent, and I found Misi on a directory of online craft shops.


What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
Marshmallow Deluxe line of baby blankets. I love making them as the yarn is deliciously soft and I can vary the colours to make each one of them unique.


What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
I have most certainly hearted quite a number of shops, but the one that I keep looking at frequently, is PebbleRox. The sparkle, the bright colours and the beautiful designs caught my attention from day one.



Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite way to travel?
Any form of transport that would just allow me to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery along the way.


What is your favourite chocolate?
Definitely dark chocolate, especially truffles and those with nuts.


What is your favourite drink?
A nice cup of Chinese tea. I can't choose between the following: Pu'er, Tie Guan Yin, Oolong and Bi Luo Chun


What is your favourite place that you have lived?
Among the places that I've lived, I like Bristol the best. It is a city that has so much to offer that I can always find something new to do and somewhere new to visit. I love its great balance of the buzz of city life and serene greenary. Ballets, plays and concerts at Hippodrome, Colston Hall and the Academy; jazz gigs at Old Duke and Folk House; restaurants at Welsh Back, Whiteladies Road and all lovely ones dotted around the city that serve a wide variety of cuisine; quiet stroll by the river or up Leigh Woods; shopping at Cabot Circus ... the list just goes on.


What is your all-time favourite movie?
I am a movie buff, so it's hard to choose from all the wonderful movies that I've seen. Top of my list would be:
- Shawshank Redemption
- Pursuit of Happyness
- Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
- Miracle at St. Anna


What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
Now this is an easy question to answer! Jason Statham for sure. Ok ... maybe Denzil Washington too? :D um... Adrian Lester isn't bad either ....



Thank you for that fabulously informative interview Cyn, I think I want to take up crotcheting after reading that. Visit Crochet Cynth and have a look at Cynthia's beautiful creations ~ she does custom orders too.


Helen
xxx

Friday 23 October 2009

Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Ciren's Call

Today's fabulous Misi Crafter is Ciren's Call. Amy creates some really unique items with wire that I really wish I had the patience to learn to do.



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

I've been making jewellery for about six months now, and it all started one night after talking to a friend of mine who also has a dog from Many Tears (the rescue that I got Peaches from). We were trying to work out a way to raise funds for them, and jewellery making was suggested. The following morning, it still seemed like a good idea, so I started looking around the web, and mentioned it on a number of the CKCS forums I'm signed up to, and one of the ladies on there -rosiesmum - offered to send me some bits and pieces that she had lying around from when she's given it a try. When the two massive packages arrived a few days later, I was stunned, and I can't thank her enough for getting me started.


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

Although not entirely part of the craft itself - now that I'm trying to sell the things I make, the biggest pain for me is the photography side of things - I'm always having to steal my hubby's phone to take the pictures, and I'm always having problems with getting the lighting right - although after the recent Misi meet in Bristol, I now have a couple of ideas on getting that sorted :D


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

If you're planning on selling what you make - get a Misi shop ASAP ;)


How did you find Misi?

Google - it really is your friend :D


What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?

Depends what day it is - I love all the things I make..


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

I really can't pick one - they're all great in their own right.



Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite colour?

Blue


What is your favourite food?

Chicken


What is your favourite season?

Spring - I love the feeling that the world is waking up :D


What is your favourite time of day?

Around 6pm - which just happens to be when hubby arrives home from work


What is your favourite website (besides Misi)?

Facebook - I probably spend waaaay too much time on there!


What is your favourite TV programme?

Open all hours - an oldie, but definately a goodie.



Thank you for answering all my nosy questions, Amy. Please visit Ciren's Call and take a peek at her lovely creations.



Helen
xxx

Friday 16 October 2009

Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ My Funny Bunny

Happy Friday, hope you are having a good one.
Please welcome this week's Misi crafter... Monica from My Funny Bunny.



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

Well, hard to say when I started exactly as it's been in my life since forever! I have been sewing by hand since I was little! My aunt was a high society seamstress in her time, my grandma & her mother were professional embroiderers and my other grandma worked as a seamstress in a factory and crochets! My mum dabbles in all crochet, sewing, clay, jewellery making, knitting, you name it!

My mum did a lot of knitting while she was pregnant with me and she used to rest her arms on her belly while knitting so apparently as a baby I had a habit of "knitting" with my fingers lol! Pity now I can't knit to save my life!

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
Negative... I don't like to think there are any, just the need for space to do what I do but then again I took over the not so spare room! Lol

What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
What you don't know ask! Google helps too there are a lot of tutorials on the Internet including on YouTube.

How did you find Misi?
Recommended to me through another seller which in turn was contacted by Emma! Yay for Emma!

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
My favourite item is probably my giant toy felt die! It took ages to make but I loved the end result... Lots of people like it too but no one has bought it yet :(

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
Without money restraints I would buy Pebble Rox whole shop!!!! Hehehe but there are loads of other shops I love there too!



Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite place to eat?
My mums house, where I can be found often! He he he

What is your favourite chocolate?
Snickers, lindt & any truffles!!!

What is your favourite time of day?
Depends but generally early afternoon.

What is your favourite place that you have lived?
Portugal.... Ohhh the heat, the sun!

What is your favourite colour?
Umm... Bright colours in general but right now I have a thing for orange!

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
Ooooo shouldn't say this as I am a married woman!!!
Many! Hehehe but Brad Pitt, zack Effron or whatever his name is... Isn't that weird I wouldn't kick him out of bed yet I'm not sure if his name is right?! Hehehe

Don't forget to visit my blog! www.myfunnybunny.com



Thank you for talking to us Monica. Pop along to My Funny Bunny to see some lovely creations and I believe she is also running a great Mum & Baby Giveaway on her blog right now...


Helen
xxx

Happy 1st Birthday MISI!

Wow! One year today, MISI was born.


Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear MISI,
Happy Birthday to you!



I am planning a little party between 8pm - 10pm in the Staffroom of the forum, if anyone would like to stop by for Cheese & Wine.

Helen
xxx

Friday 9 October 2009

Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ The Crystal Lady

Please welcome Anna ~ The Crystal Lady who makes beautiful creations with healing crystals too.



How did you get started in your particular craft and how long have you been doing it?
Before I became pregnant with my youngest son I worked as a Pearl and Beadery Stringer. The work was fun, I loved opening all of the various boxes that arrived every morning from jewellers around the country. There was far too much pearl knotting for my liking though, very tough on the fingers. After I began my maternity leave I started looking around for something to do so that I could stay at home after he was born to look after him and his brother. I originally started making just Swarovski Crystal Jewellery as I love sparkly things. A few months later my mother asked me to make her a special necklace and chose various gemstones to put into it. Purely by accident I discovered that the stones were all supposed to have healing properties. This was fascinating and the necklace when it was finished was beautiful. Following this, I took a home study course in Crystal Healing and taught myself how to build websites. Now, here I am with two websites, a social network and various other online stores. Helping people with my jewellery is always the best bit though.

Are there any negative aspects to doing your craft and if there are how do you work around them?
I find it difficult to actually create my jewellery during the day while my son is still small but other than that even niggly things are a pleasure when it comes to my business.
What tips would you give to anyone thinking of starting your craft?
Try and stay organised. It involves lots of small bits and pieces and you will work faster if you know where they all are!

How did you find Misi?
I met my good friend Tasha (Madam Salami) on Twitter and she pointed me in the direction of Misi.

What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?
I love my chunky carnelian Bracelet. I’m making a necklace in the same style in Tanzanite for my mum.

What is your favourite shop on Misi (besides your own)?
That’s tough, they are all great. I have to say that I have spent a lot of time on the shop of Jezebel Charms. I love her jewellery.




Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite way to travel?
Walking on a beautiful spring day.

What is your favourite chocolate?
Cadburys Whole Nut (The bigger the better!)

What is your favourite colour?
Blood Red

What is your favourite place that you have lived?
I used to live in a big house by the sea. I still miss it.

What is your all-time favourite movie?
Still Crazy. The acting is fantastic and so is the music.

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

How many DVDs do you have?
Far too many to count. lol



Thank you for sharing with us Anna. Stop by The Crystal Lady and I'm sure you'll find that Anna has the perfect item for you.


Helen
xxx

Friday 2 October 2009

Fabulous Friday... The Interview ~ Peggy's Knits

Today's fabulous crafter is Diane from Peggy's knits. Love her little knitted bags...


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

I have been knitting since I was very young, my nanny taught me to knit, her name was Peggy and she influenced the name behind Peggy's Knits.

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

The only negative aspects really is the time, I never have enough time as everything is one of a kind and hand knitted, but I try and be organised to get round this problem.

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

Just have fun, get some big needles and some good quality wool to start with, local knitting shops if you have one are great for advice and someone to chat to one on one.

How did you find Misi?

Through a knitting forum I go on.


What is your favourite item in your own Misi shop?

The pleated wrap, because it is so versatile and anyone could wear one.


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

Sprinkles Sparkles, I have bought lots of her items and they are such good quality and packaged beautifully.



Random Facts about you:

What is your favourite place to eat?
Pizza Hut

What is your favourite chocolate?
Milk chocolate


What is your favourite time of day?
When the children go to bed and I can sit down in the peace with my knitting.


What is your favourite place that you have lived?
Norfolk where I am now

What is your all-time favourite movie?
The Chronicles of Riddick

What actor/actress would you NOT kick out of bed?
Vin Diesel




Thank you for chatting to us Diane. Take a look at Peggy's knits for some beautifully knitted items.


Helen
xxx