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Interview: Layla Amber

Posted on April 26th, 2011 by

26 Apr

Layla of Layla Amber was good enough to answer some questions for us, so that you can learn a little more about her work, her aspirations and why she makes what she makes! She is one of our new stallholders who joined us for the first time at the Festive Street Fair. Luckily for you guys she’s already signed up to do the summer market so if you can save your pennies til then you buy Layla’s beautiful work on Sunday 26th June. Here are the answers to her questions to get your juices flowing…

Why did you start your business? And how?

I started making jewellery just for myself and friends on a really small scale, and I didn’t really intend for it to become a business. It got to the point where I was making so much that I thought I would have a go at selling it. I chose my brand name (which is my first and middle name) and designed myself a logo and some packaging. I did graphic design at art school and it was great to design something just for me! I started doing stalls with my friend and fellow jewellery designer Cannybelle. I remember being really nervous as I had no idea what the response to my jewellery would be! Thankfully I had a really positive response which spurred me on to continue developing my designs. There aren’t enough hours in the day for all the things I want to make! At the beginning of this year I started to get interest from shops wanting to sell my products and so I was faced with the challenge of having to understand the business side of it all a little better. I’m an arty person and definitely not a businessy person, so I got loads of advice from people I knew who had started their own businesses and that helped me so much.

Do you have a theme that runs through all your work?

All of my designs feature my own illustrations and paintings. Another common theme seems to be wildlife, as well as all things cute! 

How long have you been selling your work?

I’ve been making things for as long as I can remember but I’ve only been selling at stalls and online for a few months, so I’m a real beginner! I feel like I’ve learnt so much already and met such amazing people!


Do you sell online/in shops or both? Any you’d like to name check?
I currently have my work in two beautiful shops, Hannah Zakari in Edinburgh and Cherry Cherry in Norwich. I’m hoping to branch out into more shops this year. And of course you can buy my work from Etsy too!

If you could do any other job other than make your products professionally what would it be?

Hmmm, I think I would love to be either an interior designer or an architect (although I’m not clever enough for either of them!) I’m really interested in houses and design so I think I would love one of those jobs! I can’t wait to have my own place one day (My boyfriend and I still live with our parents!) so I can let my creativity run wild!

Is there a product you’d love to make but just don’t have the facilities/equipment?

Yes! If I had endless space and money, I would have a dream studio with the facilities to make whatever I wanted! I think at the moment I would most like to try screen printing and silver smithing, I would also love a laser cutter!


Who have you been most inspired by?

This may sound very cheesy but I think my biggest inspirations are the people who I’m closest to. My mum, my boyfriend George (who is just so supportive and helpful), and my boss who is an artist and has her own art gallery (where I work), she really is a very inspirational lady. I’m also very inspired by all of the people I’ve mentioned below…

Who is your favourite crafter/maker?

Rob Ryan, Donna Wilson, Bonbi Forest, Cannybelle, Cuppa Tea and Cake and Hello Jeniune. (I have quite a few!)


 

Interview: Shelley of Dizzy Jewellery

Posted on April 14th, 2011 by

14 Apr

We asked Shelley Watts of Dizzy Jewellery some not so probing questions, but we hope it gives you a little insight into why she runs Dizzy Jewellery and what inspires her to make her work. Shelley often has a stall at I Make Fun Stuff markets and she also has a website where you can browse her beautiful jewellery.

How long have you been selling your work for?

I have been selling my work now for about 2 -3 years. I had been making and selling with my friend, but she has decided not to continue so I am now flying solo, which is both exciting and daunting.

Do you make/sell your work as a part time side project or as a profit making business?

We started selling as a part time project, then I was made redundant and so I bit the bullet and decided to see if I could make it a real business. So far it is going well – hard work, but rewarding.

Why did you start your business? And how?

About 4 years ago, on a whim, my friend and I decided to go to an evening class in Silversmithing. We were enthralled, had a fantastic time and really enjoyed the hands on experience of creating something unique. We couldn’t get enough! We bought a few tools and got carried away with making and ended up with too many pieces to wear so thought we would try and sell them. We then had a go at Art Clay just to see if we preferred this, but we didn’t. We enrolled in beading and wiring workshops and finally spent time with a Silversmith in his workshop.

Do you sell online/in shops or both? Any you’d like to name check?

I have just set up a website www.dizzydizzigns.co.uk not to sell directly. I think people like to touch and feel things before they buy, but if they have bought before, or, know what I sell then they can call me and I will sell that way. I don’t sell in shops at the moment but am willing to.

If you could do any other job other than make your products professionally what would It be?

There is nothing that I would rather be doing as it’s taken me 30 years to find it. All I wish is that I had found that I could design and create jewellery 30 years ago.

Is there a product you’d love to make but just don’t have the facilities/equipment?

There is still machinery that I would like in order to create different effects such as a Rolling Mill and Barrelling Machine. I would also like to go back to the Silversmith’s workshop and learn to make silver boxes.

Do you have your own studio?

I have a small workshop in a spare room but no studio as yet; I guess that would be the ultimate ‘want’.

Who is your favourite crafter/maker?

I can’t say that I have a favourite crafter/maker as whenever I go to an event I find that I love nearly everything I see, I have to hold myself back so as not to spend all my profits! If it’s hand crafted and made with love then I usually think it’s fab.

Interview: Jess of Jucie Handmade

Posted on April 10th, 2010 by

10 Apr

In the first of our regular interview series we have spoken to Jess of Jucie Handmade, who is a regular at I Make Fun Stuff markets and lots of others in the local area.

Do you have a theme that runs through all your work?
Bright colours, vintage mainly floral fabrics, music, upcycling.

Do you sell online/in shops or both? Any you’d like to name check?
Mainly @ craft markets at the moment along with Loveone in St .Peters St, Ipswich who stocks our Jucie Handmade goodies. We are hoping to find more stockists & are looking into setting up some sort of online shop – keep an eye on our blog www.juciehandmade.blogspot.com.

What is your favourite material to make products from?
Vintage fabric.

If you could do any other job other than make your products professionally what would it be?
Renovating/upcycling old furniture & upholstery or run an arty cafe.


What would be the first piece of equipment you would buy if you had the money to buy anything?
A proper studio with enough space to do everything! and house printing equiptment to create make my own fabrics.

Who have you been most inspired by?
Patti Smith for her art & words, Joe Strummer for his do it yourself attitude. Tracey Emin for her blankets.

Why did you start your business? And how?
I have always been collecting & making things for as long as i can remember.  I used a lot of textiles for my art degree, and always wanted to do something like this. It wasn’t until I had my daughter last year & stopped working full time that I actually found more time to be constructive & inspired along with appreciating a bit of extra pocket money! It was about his time last year that my friend Lucie (The other half of Jucie handmade) & I were chatting about how we would love to be able to sell all the lovely things we were creating, So we basically spurred each other on to create Jucie handmade (a name which came about from Jess & Lucie!) & applied for our first market in March with the wonderful I Make Fun Stuff.

Who is your favourite crafter/maker?
I have always followed Lee May Foster of Bonbi Forest, and recently found Nina In Vorm who prints onto old ceramics, I also love Zoe Murphy’s upcycled furniture. Not forgetting of course my partner in crime Lucie Green & other lovely local ladies such as Kluck, Focused bags & Cuppa Tea & cake!