Makers Month: Let's Meet... East Wick

This month we thought it was about time that we sat down for a little chat with Roxi from the duo who make up East Wick (Hello Em!)  East Wick make Scented Soy Candles all handmade in East London and so perfect for our Makers Month and also considering Sammy has one in pretty much every scent, it is pretty much a firm favourite with us.

Anyway down to business!

Let's Meet: London Craft Club

This month we got to have a little chat with Sonia from London Craft Club.  We are going to a Friday Late at London Transport Museum next month where she will be making your Oyster card holder look extra special for their late night opening event.  But mostly London Craft club runs workshops and meet-ups around London and their new venue - see below.  They will also be at The Handmade fair, so plenty of places to find them.  So let's hear what Sonia has to say about our random questions!

Let's Meet: Lucy Alice Designs

This month we got chatting to another Bust Craftacular stall holder in the shape of Lucy Alice Designs.  She does the cutest little animal necklaces, we both ended up walking away with one, H an owl and Sammy a cat necklace, of course!  So let's get down to having a chat and a cuppa I think!

Let's meet: Frilly Industries

This month we are having a chat with another master duo, Frilly Industries.  We met these girls at Craftacular and even after their busy morning prepping and unpacking, were on form to have Sammy buy one of their scissor necklaces.

Let's hear what this dynamic duo have to say to our questions.

Let's Meet: Oh Squirrel

This month we had a little chat with Katie from Oh Squirrel.  After admiring her work for ages we eventually plucked up the courage to ask her if she would be interviewed by us and she said yes!  In between Renegade and Craftacular and making many many sashes for the Wedding season of course!

So let's have a look at what she has to say and look at all the gorgeous things she has to offer of course too!

Let's Meet: Floss & Mischief

Hello there everyone, and how are we?  Loving the sunshine I hope. It's time for our Let's meet series of course and so time for a cuppa and a sit down to look at some gorgeous work from Genevieve at Floss & Mischief.

Let's meet: hello DODO

This month's Let's meet is hello DODO, now if you have never heard of them, they do the most amazing screen prints on posters, T-shirts, badges and bags, phew.  So we had a little chat with Ali and Jam, the team behind hello DODO.

Let's meet... Wolf & Moon

This month we had a chat with Wolf & Moon who make the most amazing Jewellery!  H has a few of their necklaces and shared the love with Sammy for Christmas with a pair of earrings, so it must be good!  We sat down for a chat with Hannah to find out a bit more about her.

Let's meet... The Sewing Directory

We thought we would start off the year with a fresh start to our interview series with a new name and some new faces to learn more about.  So get yourself a cup of tea and a biscuit and lets meet Fiona from The Sewing Directory.

Who's Who: Ragged Life + Review

A couple of weeks ago we were asked along to a workshop at Tea and Crafting with Ragged Life.  We jumped at the chance to play with some fabric on a dreary Sunday morning and to find out more about what Ragged Life is all about.

Firstly we had a chat with Elsie who runs Ragged Life and so that brings us onto this month's Who's who.

Who are you?

Hi everyone, I'm Elspeth Jackson, rag rug designer, maker, teacher and fabric hoarder at Ragged Life.

What do you do?

I design and make rag rug homeware, fashion and art under the "Ragged Life" brand as well as running rag rug workshops in London and Hertfordshire. "Ragged Life" is all about being rough around the edges and unique so every piece I create is handmade using materials sustainably sourced from local charity shops and I love trying our different quirky designs. Over the years I've made everything from traditional rugs, festive Christmas wreaths and bold & bright cushions to rag rug photo frames, handbags and decorative letters - I even rag rugged up a tissue box once!

How did you start?

Every year my school used to put on a recycled fashion show for arts students to take part in. My mum had been making rag rugs for as long as I could remember so one year I bit the bullet and asked her to teach me so I could make a rag rug costume. It took weeks to make and weighed a tonne but I ended up winning a prize, so all was not in vain. From there I just kept on rag rugging and here I am today!

What's Next?

With Christmas coming up I've been keeping myself busy with Rag Rug Wreath workshops and Christmas present commissions. Our large rag rug letters have been really popular so I'll be rag rugging my way through the alphabet over the next few weeks. Longer term I'd really love to get together a whole load of people to embark on a World Record Attempt for the largest rag rug in the world. I just think it would look absolutely stunning. Watch this space!

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to the beginning?

Think big and act small. All your small actions will get you there in the end.

After our little chat we were able to get down to the fun of the workshop and start rag rugging ourselves. If you have never been down to the Tea and Crafting workshop space, we definitely recommend a visit.

There was a group of us crafters/blogging types to learn the skill of Rag Rugging and Elsie gave us a wreath or cushion to make and so we chose one of each to get us started.  Rag rugging is very simple as all you need is Hessian, spare bits of fabric and a latch hook.

First, Elsie showed us the Looped method.  Using long strips of fabric, roughly around 2cm wide, you hook the tail end to the front of the hessian and push it back and loop it at the front, hence the looped method.

Then it was over to the Shaggy method.  This is more of the traditional method that you see more often and involves smaller strips of fabric.  The handy gauge that Elsie gave us means that you can get all your strips about the same length and get more cut in half the time too.

This method is about getting the fabric hooked through a hole in the hessian, so that it has the two ends of the fabric loose at the front of the fabric.

Both of these methods are very simple and the looped method is more used for particular patterns and the shaggy method good for large expanses and wreaths for example.

Sammy and a few of the other ladies decided to do wreaths, it coming up to Christmas and all and went for the shaggy method.  What's great about this is that it is quicker and you can add all sorts of fabric to make something really striking, you can also use sweet wrappers to get some sparkle! Sammy chose her colours with her Christmas decoration theme in mind, so just wait for that.

A couple of us went for the cushion and I decided to try the looped method on mine, which appeals to my more ordered side!  I wanted to make a pattern in the centre of the cushion and so I decided on an anchor and using blue fabrics - of course!  I may use the shaggy method around the outside of my anchor, but not yet decided.

We had loads of fun at the workshop and met some new crafters, which is always nice.  We are both going to be finishing off our pieces soon and so I am sure we will share them over on our Twitter and Instagram feeds soon, so watch out for that.

Elsie also sells kits so that you can do your rag rugging at home or give it as a present, if going to a workshop isn't your thing, or you are further away from the classes.

The kits include: Latch hook, Hemmed Hessian, Wooden Rag Rug Gauge, Instruction Booklet, Instructional CD with Videos and a Pen.  They cost £9.99 and can be bought in her shop and will shortly be available from Sew Crafty too.

But for those who love a good workshop and are stuck for a present idea then just book yourselves on one of the workshops below: 

Thursday 20th November 2014 – Rag Rug Wreath Introductory Class – 19:00-21:30 @ Tea & Crafting, Camden, London. To book please head over to Tea and Crafting

Sunday 23rd November 2014 – Rag Rug Introductory Class – 10:00-12:30 @ The Coach House, Great Wymondley, Hertfordshire, SG47ER. To book please email raggedlifedesigns@gmail.com

Saturday 6th December 2014 – Rag Rug Introductory Class – 10:00-12:30 @ The Coach House, Great Wymondley, Hertfordshire, SG47ER. To book please email raggedlifedesigns@gmail.com

Sunday 7th December 2014 – Rag Rug Masterclass – 10:00-16:00 @ The Coach House, Great Wymondley, Hertfordshire, SG47ER. To book please email raggedlifedesigns@gmail.com

Wednesday 4th Feb 2015 – Rag Rug Introductory Class – 19:00-21:30 @ Tea & Crafting, Camden, London. To book please head over to Tea and Crafting

Phew, that's alot of information!  We loved our morning with Elsie and have definitely got the rag rugging bug.  Such a great way to use up some fabric supplies and as it uses smaller bits, you can really use up all those tiny bits and pieces that you have left over from projects, especially for the shaggy method.  Elsie recommended keeping old clothes and scouring charity shops for pattern and colours - we can imagine her place is full of fabric!

The patterns and styles that Elsie comes up with our amazing and really help to dispel that myth that rag rugging is for older people and just a bit, well, old fashioned.  Go check out Elsie's work and you can even commission her too!

H


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Who's Who: The Fox in the Attic

It's back to normal this month with our Who's who, but that doesn't mean it is any less fun!  This month we are talking to Michelle from The Fox in the Attic, a great company that we first came across at Renegade last year.  Let's see what Michelle has to say.

Who are you?

I am Michelle Kreussel from The Fox in the Attic.

What do you do?

I make hand-embroidered soft-toy animals, cushions, pincushions, decorative items and printed tote bags.

How did you start?

As a child my grandmother taught me embroidery, and on a spontaneous whim one day a few years ago, I decided to start sewing and embroidering. I found I loved it, and quickly became more than adept at it.

What’s next?

I am currently working on a new range of printed characters that will coincide with the children's book my husband is writing.

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to the beginning?

Stop stressing so much! Everything works out in the end if you work hard and you love what you are doing.

The cushions are so cute, right! much more fun than the normal square ones and would look just as great in an adult room as a child's!

They make you smile just by looking at them.

H & Sammy

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Makers Month: Who's Who: Sarah Waterhouse

This is the last of our Who's Who's for Makers Month and we have Sarah Waterhouse this time.  We have admired her work for such a long time and so it is great to be able to have a chat with her.

Who are you?

Hello I'm Sarah Waterhouse. I'm a designer and screen printer. I'm 33 years old and I'm from Sheffield, Yorkshire.  I share my life with my husband Owen, who is also a designer, and our rescue Pug Etty.  When I'm not working I'm knitting, sewing, reading or working in the garden.

What do you do?

Since 2007 I've run a sustainable fabric print and design company in Sheffield called SarahWaterhouse.  We specialise in sustainably printed fabrics for crafts, interiors and upholstery.  All of our designs are created and printed from our studio at Yorkshire Artspace in the heart of Sheffield and we print on organic cotton, hemp and linen fabrics and print using organic inks.  Our fabrics are bold, colourful and a little unusual.

How did you start?

I had ideas to start my own business making accessories when I graduated from university but I could never find the right printed fabrics to make things with so I decided to design my own. I loved lino printing at college but had never learnt how to screen print so I taught myself using books and picking up tips from the internet.  I started printing from home back in 2006 and then moved to my first studio at Yorkshire Artspace in 2009.  I then decided to concentrate on my fabric designs as they were proving so popular so I stopped making accessories and just concentrated on the fabrics. Since then I've expanded the business, moved studio 3 times and have grown from a tiny printing table that was less than a metre wide to an 8.5m professional print table capable of printing fabrics by the metre.

What's Next?

We're currently working on our new base cloth project which involves printing on a specially woven British sustainable cloth.  The experience has been brilliant and we hope to launch more British woven cloths in the future.  We will launch the new fabric with new colour ways of our Botany collection in September. We're also working with an upholsterer to start making some custom printed bespoke furniture pieces.

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to the beginning?

I would definitely tell myself to go back to university and do a fabric print and design course. I've learnt so much teaching myself but it's taken a lot longer that way!

How amazing is Sarah's work!  Love the prints the patterns.  Wouldn't you just love to go visit her studio!

That is it for our Who's Who's this month, but check back in next month for our usual monthly instalment.

H & Sammy

Please Note: All pictures are owned by the interviewee and so should not be copied without permission.

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Makers Month: Who's Who: Claireabellemakes

Up next in our Who's who series for Makers Month is the one and only Claire from Claireabellemakes.  We have been lucky enough to meet her at various events and so can say she is a thouroghly nice person too!  Let's see what makes Claire into Claireabellemakes.

Who are you?

I'm Claire aka Claireabellemakes and I live in Cambridge, UK. I spend my life riding bicycles and making jewellery and accessories, as well as crocheting and knitting. I have a huge stationery obsession and adore sending snail mail. I am also a crazy cat lady which I'm really not ashamed of.

What do you do?

By day I'm a PA for science professors, but I run an Etsy store alongside the day job. All the items I sell are inspired by my home city of Cambridge such as bicycle jewellery (the bracelets have been a massive hit!) and Scrabble creations (Cambridge is the biggest word geek out there). I also write a Blog, Claireabellemakes, which is updated 3 times a week with DIYs, giveaways and general handmade chit chat! 

How did you start?

For me, the blog was a natural place to begin alongside Twitter. I built up my network of crafty friends and began to write about my handmade life. A couple of months after the blog was established I started the Etsy store and managed sales even before I opened! I've always been a creative person, but in 2012 I felt it was the right point for me to start my passion having just finished my graduate studies. I found myself with all this time I previously spent studying, so what better way to fill it that with crochet Totoro's and Etsy makes?!

What's Next?

Claireabellemakes had a SUPER busy summer with the Tour De France as people went nuts for the bicycle jewellery!! Now the focus has moved onto Scrabble Wall Art and making custom pieces for customers to display in their homes or gift as gifts. I've also been working on a makeover for my craft studio so will be sharing this on the blog very soon.

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to the beginning?

Take a refresher photography course right away, don't wait 2 years! Beautiful images get you a long way in the creative world. 

Isn't it all beautiful! Loving all the Bicycle's and scrabble pieces.  Go check out Claire's blog too, for she has always got a new tutorial to show you.

H & Sammy

Please Note: All pictures are owned by the interviewee and so should not be copied without permission.

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Makers Month: Who's Who: Corby Tindersticks

As you know we are in Makers Month here at Live it. Love it. Make it and so we couldn't leave out one of our favourite features, the Who's who.  We have a bumper crop for you this month and so we start with Corby Tindersticks.  Let's find out all about them.

Who are you?
Hello! I'm Carly Joleene Gledhill, designer, maker and chief Martini stirrer at Corby Tindersticks!

What do you do?
I design and make a collection of toys, clothing and ace stuff for kids (and grown-ups).  Corby is a brand with a love for childhood obsessions, collecting, making, digging in the mud and making art with pasta! These are all things which inspire the design process. I still get excited with little things that I loved as a child (like cool sticker books and collecting) which is why I try and incorporate all of these aspects into the designs.

How did you start?
I won a colouring competition at a local park at the age of 7 and realised that being creative was my calling. I started Corby as a creative escape from a boring day job. It began as a hobby and sprouted into a little business which soon took over my life and kitchen table.

What's Next?
I have just finished designing the Summer 2015 range which is behind schedule as usual! I'm really excited with the new collection as it has an approach to the previous collections.
I have also collaborated with a good friend of mine Catherine Lobster on a Poco Nido/Corby project (Poco Sticks!) which launched at Playtime Paris this summer.
I'm also a co-founder of the Dot to Dot London trade showroom which took place this July at the V&A Museum of Childhood. We had some ace brands joining us this season and the show is growing so it's really exciting to be part of it! phew!

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to the beginning?
You'll get there in the end!

Sounds like Carly is keeping pretty busy and we just loves the playful nature of Corby Tindersticks. When we get older we often loose the fun of finding out new things and so going back to your childlike state encourages adventure.  Something we definitely like here at Live it. Love it. Make it.

Keep an eye out for next week's Who's Who!
H & Sammy
.

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Who's Who: Crafternoon Caberet Club

Once again, it has come around to the Who's who interview time of the month and this time it's the turn of Hannah who runs Crafternoon Caberet Club, but I won't say too much, as we want you to hear what she has to say.  So, its over to her....

Who are you?

I am Hannah Cox - craft enthusiast, sequin lover, ribbon hoarder.  Thanks for having me on your blog!

What do you do?

I run Crafternoon Cabaret Club which is a London based monthly afternoon of making and watching cabaret acts.  It's basically my perfect afternoon turned into a public event so others can join the fun.  Anyone and everyone is welcome - even if you consider yourself a craft disaster you'll be able to make something from scratch across the afternoon - and if you're a pro there is a fantastic materials table to play with to help you create something amazing.  The craft changes every month and in the past has included jewellery, decorations and garlands, pin cushions, key rings, personalised oyster card covers, ipad covers, fascinators, badges and much, much more!

How did you start?

Back in December 2012 I set myself a challenge to start being more creative and learning new craft skills; I then started my blog to document that challenge.  As I continued my craft journey I realised the best way for me to learn was with lots of friends and a bottle of wine!  I figured there must be others like me and Crafternoon Cabaret Club was born.  It's all about the process and experience; making sure that everyone has an incredible time in a really sociable, lively and energetic setting and that the pressure is taken off the crafting - which normally means people surprise themselves with what they achieve in the time.  The cabaret acts support this ethos - building in breaks where everyone can come back together as an audience, have a pause in their making and start again fresh and energised. 

What's Next?

I'm really excited about where Crafternoon Cabaret Club can go next.  It's been a mad year - we've moved to bigger venues, been featured in Time Out and Emerald Street and won the Creative Idea award in the Mollie Makes Handmade Awards.  From September we'll be holding events in a new venue; The Book Club, as well as our regular home The Hospital Club so I'm hoping to reach a brand new audience.  I'd also really like to take Crafternoon Cabaret Club out to festivals like Latitude, Wilderness, Shambala or Bestival - I think it would work brilliantly with a festival crowd.  And I'm starting to get Hen Party bookings which is really fun!

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to the beginning?

Be confident, be brave and talk to everyone about what you're doing!  Starting an event or business from scratch can be really daunting but there's lots of support out there.  The first venue I used (the lovely Library Pub on Upper Street) got involved after I plucked up the courage to ask them about their upstairs room when I was having a drink there with a friend.  They were really keen and immediately booked in three events.  It's hard to publicise what you do but word of mouth can be really effective so be confident and tell your friends - ask them to help spread the word.  They may even be able to offer other help or advise - one friend gave me some fantastic PR contacts which got me my first piece of press coverage and another artist friend designed my logo (the super talented Flora Bradwell).  

It sounds really exciting and a massive congratulations to Hannah for her Handmade Award from Mollie Makes.  The next few events are on 23rd August at The Hospital Club and so just a few days to get booked up and the next one is on 13th September at The Book Club if you can't make it this week.  You can find out more by visiting the Crafternoon Caberet Club website and of course follow them on twitter @crafternoonclub.  If you pop along, do tell them you read their interview here.

H & Sammy

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