Featured Crafter: Wood Tattoos

Today’s featured crafter is Si, read on to hear what he does, where it all started and what he hopes to achieve in the future.

If you hover over each company name, it is ‘clickable’ which will take you directly to their website.

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1. Who are you and what is the name of your business?

I’m Simon Easton and my business is called Wood Tattoos.

2. What is your craft and how did you first become involved/interested in crafting?

I decorate wooden gifts using the art of pyrography. I’ve always studied creative subjects from an early age and graduated with a degree in Three-Dimensional Design from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2000. I started doing pyrography in 2007 and a hobby quickly turned into a more serious project!

3. Where do you find your inspiration for your work?

I’ve always enjoyed decorating surfaces and I’m fascinated by both texture and pattern, whether manmade or completely natural and accidental.

4. What made/inspired you to start your crafts business? What did you do before?

I joined the UK Crafts Forum in 2007 to get advice on how to sell my designs. Since joining, my business has really developed due to the support and advice of fellow crafters. I enjoy creating in my spare time to give me a break from the day job!

5. Can your customers have something personal created by you? Or are your items “stock only”?

The majority of my designs are created as commissions for customers. I enjoy working with people to create something that is special and unique to them. I do have a range of stock items but they can also be personalised on request.

6. Do you have a favourite item/range out of all your crafted items?

I love working on small items such as keyrings and the like, but I really enjoy creating the larger commissions such as chessboards, picture frames and plates.

7. Where/how do you sell your items? Do you have a website/blog where we can see your work?

I sell through my website at >Wood Tattoos< and my work can also be seen at >Facebook< or >Flickr<.

8. If you could change one thing about your crafts business, what would it be?

I’d try and create a 37-hour day so I had enough time for all the projects that bounce around inside my head.

9. What are your plans for your future within the crafting world?

I’m looking forward to the release of my book on pyrography, “Woodturning with Style”, which is published by Fox Chapel in mid-2010. It’s been a real labour of love and the finished product looks stunning. I can’t wait to hold a copy in my hands, or see it in a bookshop. I also have some other projects in the pipeline… watch this space!

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Thank you Si for taking the time to join us in our Featured Crafter section and may we wish you all the best with the release of your new book and also your future in pyrography. So exciting to say we are friends with a published author… don’t forget us mere mortals when you ‘make it big’!!

2010 Events

Cards & Candles For All Occasions are currently working towards booking stalls at various craft fairs and events throughout the year, details of which will be updated on our website >here<.

So far this year we have a few events booked but are looking for a few more… so watch this space for details!! The events we have confirmed we will be attending are:

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Saturday 13th March 2010

Open from 11:00am until 4:00pm

Mothers Day Craft Market
Ivy Church Centre
Barlow Moor Road
Didsbury
Manchester
M20 2GP

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Saturday 17th April 2010

Open from 11:00am until 4:00pm

The Crafty Market
All Saints Church
Vicarage Road
Hoole
Chester
CH2 3HZ

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Monday 3rd May 2010 (bank holiday)

Open from 1:00pm until 5:00pm

Blackshaw Moor First School Summer Fayre
Buxton Road
Blackshaw Moor
Near Leek
Staffordshire
ST13 8TW

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Saturday 22nd May 2010

Open from 10:00am until 3:30pm

The Crafty Market
Heswall Hall
111 Telegraph Road
Heswall
Wirral
CH60 0AF

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Sunday 13th June 2010

Times to be confirmed

Edale Country Day
Edale
Hope Valley
Derbyshire

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Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st October 2010

Opening times to be confirmed

Medieval Fair with Craft Stalls
Tutbury Castle
Castle Street
Tutbury
Staffordshire
DE13 9JF

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Sunday 28th November 2010

Opening times to be confirmed

1st Stockton Brook Brownies
Stockton Brook Scout & Guide HQ
Moss Hill
Stockton Brook
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire

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Further details of any events we will be attending will be upgdated on our website as they become available.

Laura xx

Featured Crafted: dizaTIARAS

Today’s featured crafter is Diane, read on to hear what she does, where it all started and what she hopes to achieve in the future.

If you hover over each company name, it is ‘clickable’ which will take you directly to their website.

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1. Who are you and what is the name of your business?

My name is Diana Hunter and my business name is dizaTIARAS. Di is the first 2 letters of Diana and the za is the first 2 letters of my Polish maiden surname which is Zak. Diza is also a Hebrew girls name meaning Joy.

2. What is your craft and how did you first become involved/interested in crafting?

I hand make tiaras, jewellery, wire wrapped jewellery, rosary beads and fascinators. I have always been interested in arts and crafts but family life prevented me from exploring what I really wanted to do.

3. Where do you find your inspiration for your work?

My family are my inspiration especially my sister. They have more confidence in my abilities than I do and are always telling me I can do it. Often they have ideas for me to try out and sometimes when I don’t feel inspired by what I am making I seek their approval of my designs.

4. What made/inspired you to start your crafts business? What did you do before?

Again I have to say my family. My niece was getting married and we were looking for tiaras for her. Because I had done a 2 year florist’s course starting in 1992 I knew how to manipulate wires. My sister told me to look closely at the tiaras to see how they were constructed and then try and make one at home. For the first few tiaras and combs that I made, I used fashion beads. Although the designs were nice I quickly realised that they lacked the wow factor that Swarovski crystals could give so I purchased some and that’s how it started. Before that I was a stay at home mum to 3 children as well as helping my sister to care for my mum who has suffered from many illnesses during her life. And before that I was a clerical officer in the civil service.

5. Can your customers have something personal created by you? Or are your items “stock only”?

I don’t have stock as such. I have samples for my customers to try on but I do have some items of jewellery i.e. wire wrap pendants available for sale but mostly everything I make is made to order. I am happy for my customers to change and alter all my styles to suit them be it by design or colour.

6. Do you have a favourite item/range out of all your crafted items?

My absolute favourite have to be my wire wrapped jewellery. I feel I am still learning with this art as I often surf wire wrapped jewellery websites and marvel at how a piece was made. I always feel like I have lost a piece of myself when I sell my wire wrapped pendants.

7. Where/how do you sell your items? Do you have a website/blog where we can see your work?

I sell my items on my website dizaTIARAS.

I also have a page on Scottish-Crafts.

I sometimes show my new items on my blog before I put them on my website. My blog can be seen HERE.

I also do wedding exhibitions.

8. If you could change one thing about your crafts business, what would it be?

I wish I had a room that was separate from my home, like a studio that I could use for my business as I feel that my family put up with a lot when I have customers coming to our home.

9. What are your plans for your future within the crafting world?

At the moment my craft/business is very much a hobby because of my responsibilities as a carer. Often my business dies a death from the end of October to the end of January – I would like the work to be steady rather than seasonal. I would also like to get more tuition in the art of wire wrapped jewellery. And maybe somewhere way into the future I would like a wee studio so that I can keep my home life separate from my hobby business.

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Thank you Diane for taking the time to take part in our Featured Crafter article and for your very personal and informative replies

My hubby… the man of many talents

As you know Gordon has many crafty talents… handcrafted candles, sketching and drawing, handcrafted dreamcatchers to name a few… there are also loads more art and craft type things he’d like to try too!!

Over the last couple of years he has been developing his interest in photography, he isn’t very confident in his skills at the moment though has the determination and drive to work at the different techniques and improving his “shots” but I thought it was about time we shared some of my favourite photographs that he has taken over the last couple of years.

Some of his photographs go back to June 2007 when we first purchased the camera we’ve been using since then… a Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd >reviewed here< but eventually he’d like to upgrade to a higher spec camera.

I’ve added a few of his photos to a photo album (click here) on our website and we’d love to hear your views.

Gord would also love to hear any hint, tips or techniques you think may be useful in improving his skills.

His photography is purely a hobby at this stage, but something he would like to work on improving as it’s something that he has a lot of interest in, therefore any comments or constructive criticism are gratefully received.

Thanks for reading.

Laura xxx

Featured Crafter: Wedding Treasures

Today’s featured crafter is Pauline, read on to hear what she does, where it all started and what she hopes to achieve in the future.

If you hover over each company name, it is ‘clickable’ which will take you directly to their website.

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1. Who are you and what is the name of your business?

I’m Pauline and my business name is Wedding Treasures.

2. What is your craft and how did you first become involved/interested in crafting?

I handcraft personalised cake toppers which are custom made to match the complete outfits worn on special days.

3. Where do you find your inspiration for your work?

I picked up a box of clay my husband had around the house when I was bored and the first thing I made was a teddy bear.

4. What made/inspired you to start your crafts business? What did you do before?

I was an office worker and got far more satisfaction from making my cake toppers out of lumps of clay.

5. Can your customers have something personal created by you? Or are your items “stock only”?

My figurines are personalised and unique to each client. I am about to branch out into other wedding treasures such as favours.

6. Do you have a favourite item/range out of all your crafted items?

Nothing is favorite as each one is totally different from the previous one.

7. Where/how do you sell your items? Do you have a website/blog where we can see your work?

I have a website Wedding Treasures which is in need of an update.

8. If you could change one thing about your crafts business, what would it be?

A bigger craft room with more table space.

9. What are your plans for your future within the crafting world?

I would like to expand and bring in other family members to make it more of a family business.

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Thank you Pauline for taking the time to share your story with us… wishing you a very successful 2010 and future

Featured Crafter: Angelic Folk

Today’s featured crafter is Karen, read on to hear what she does, where it all started and what she hopes to achieve in the future.

If you hover over each company name, it is ‘clickable’ which will take you directly to their website.

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1. Who are you and what is the name of your business?

Karen Melville – Angelic Folk

2. What is your craft and how did you first become involved/interested in crafting?

I love making anything where textiles and sewing are involved. When I was a little girls I used to spend my holidays with my great grandmother who had been in service for most of her life. She taught me so many skills, to my eternal shame I have forgotten some them such as the beautiful drawn thread work she used to do but some things have stayed with me and my current passion is for making childrens clothing and accessories.

3. Where do you find your inspiration for your work?

My children are a great source of inspiration to me I think about the things they would like to wear and what I think would look good on them and work from there. Fabrics can be another great source of inspiration I can sometimes find a fabric and immediately just know exactly what to make with it.

4. What made/inspired you to start your crafts business? What did you do before?

My oldest son is autistic and I wanted to find a way of making money for the National Autistic Society, as a full time carer to him and with two other children to take care of finding a job to fit into that senario and also find time to fundraise is difficult. So I started Angelic Folk and donated 20% of my annual profit the remaining money is put back into the company for buying fabrics (yay!!!) and equipment.

5. Can your customers have something personal created by you? Or are your items “stock only”?

I do hold lots of lovely stock items, however, I am very happy to work with a customer to make a piece which is totally unique to their little angel.

6. Do you have a favourite item/range out of all your crafted items?

This was one of those ‘ I found the fabric and just knew what to make with it’ moments! I found some fantastic fabrics with little kawaii cows it was so sweet so I teamed it with some red and white polka dot fabric and made a gilet from it I absolutely love it

7. Where/how do you sell your items? Do you have a website/blog where we can see your work?

I do have my own website which is woefully out of date it will be having a revamp over the next couple of months as I have some exciting new ideas the address is Angelic Folk Website.

I also have an etsy store which is definitely the most up to date >Angelic Folk on Etsy<

I have a misi store which is >Angelic Folk on Misi<

8. If you could change one thing about your crafts business, what would it be?

The price of fabrics in this country is shocking!!

9. What are your plans for your future within the crafting world?

I really need to work on my branding but I have some great new ideas and plan to put them into action in the early part of this year so keep checking back on me

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Karen has become not only a loyal customer to Cards And Candles For All Occasions, but also a very valued friend and we would like to thank her for her time and taking part in our Featured Crafter article and wish her all the very best for the continued success of her business.

Laura & Gordon xxx

Natural Candle Holders

Our range of candle holders are made using naturally fallen tree branches which are collected in local woodlands when we are walking our dogs.

We use no chemicals or treatments on the wood before or after the candle holder is cut.

Depending on the branch sizes available we can make candle holders holding from single tealights to multiple candles.

These are available to purchase on our Misi webstore >HERE<.

Fancy Candles

Today we have been busy photographing our latest candles and adding them to our >MISI< webshop.

Here is a sneaky look at our candles…

AVailable to purchase >HERE< webshop.

Featured Crafter: Bodrighy Wood

Today’s featured crafter is Pete, read on to hear what he does, where it all started and what he hopes to achieve in the future.

If you hover over each company name, it is ‘clickable’ which will take you directly to their website.

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1. Who are you and what is the name of your business?

My name is Pete and I go under the trade name of Bodrighy Wood.

2. What is your craft and how did you first become involved/interested in crafting?

My specific craft is that of woodturning though I tend to play around at others as well, sometimes incorporating them into the wood work. I am one of those lucky enough to have been brought up doing crafts from rug making to fancy knotwork and so have always played around at some craft or other. Woodturning was something I did in the far distant past at school and then came back to later. Starting of purely as a hobby it has gravitated, partly through choice and partly through necessity into a career.

3. Where do you find your inspiration for your work?

Inspiration comes from a myriad of sources. Obviously other turners but I also research pottery, glassware and other crafts, both ancient and modern. In these I find ideas for design, shape etc. Lately a major influence has been other crafts, specifically fabric crafts as I am more and more finding myself making tools and equipment for other crafters such as the crochet hooks here

4. What made/inspired you to start your crafts business? What did you do before?

From school I was a merchant naval officer and then via various routes ended up as an IT teacher in a college, teaching mainly students with learning difficulties. Woodturning became a career possibility when I was made redundant and found that getting a job was not going to be easy. I was already selling some of my work so it seemed an obvious route to follow

5. Can your customers have something personal created by you? Or are your items “stock only”?

Whilst I do a fair bit of ‘artistic’ work and one off pieces I am increasingly finding that my work load consists of things that are ordered or commissioned. People will see the things that I do on my website and then contact me asking if I can do something for them

6. Do you have a favourite item/range out of all your crafted items?

My personal favourite is the rustic work I do where the tactile quality of the natural wood is blended with the smoothness of the turned wood. These pieces vary from bowls and goblets to purely decorative pieces like the one on the left

7. Where/how do you sell your items? Do you have a website/blog where we can see your work?

I have a website at Bodrighy Wood which is a basically a showcase of my work. I sell through word of mouth and via one of three online shops which are accessible via the website.

8. If you could change one thing about your crafts business, what would it be?

On a personal level it would be my own organisational ability. I am useless at it. Otherwise it would be fantastic if woodturning and woodwork overall had the acceptance in the UK that it has in America and Australia where it is held in high regard as an art form as well as a skilled craft.

9. What are your plans for your future within the crafting world?

To major on the provision of hand made, bespoke crafting supplies and to perhaps get more of a name for myself in the gallery world. Long way to go on the latter.

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Thank you Pete for taking the time to join us in our Featured Crafter section and may we wish you all the best for your future in woodturning.

Busy busy busy!!

As I said in a previous post, it’s been a busy few days here, so this evening we’ve spent updating our blog and Misi online shop… why not have a look and see if there’s anything to suit your needs or get in touch if you’d like something personalised:

>MISI online shop<

>Cards & Candles For All Occasions website<

You can email us directly at laurascardsforalloccasions@yahoo.com

Laura xxx