Pattern Challenge at Handmade Cooperative

Over the last month I have become addicted to making felt animal masks for the kids!

As part of the Handmade Cooperative pattern challenge for 2016, I chose to take on the animal mask patterns designed by Donna over at Ebony Shae Designs. The patterns up for trial were the elephant and the koala.

I made the elephant first and loved the way that all of the pleats were incorporated to make a very life-like mask. Miss 5 even wore the mask to the Melbourne Zoo!

Next, I tackled the koala mask. This is so cute and is very simple to sew to, a perfect mask for beginners to tackle.

These were the two patterns that were part of the challenge, but I loved sewing them so much that I wanted to make more. So I made the snowy owl. This was by far my most favourite pattern to sew, and I loved the way that it had lots of felt layers to make the mask more shaped and robust.

Finally, I decided to challenge myself and sew the dragonfly. This one was quite tricky, getting the gauzy ribbon sandwiched between the layers of felt, but it turned out to be very, very pretty (and glittery).

Search the hashtag #hcpatternchallenge on Facebook and Instagram to see what other projects the other Handmade Cooperative members took on!

Madeit Blog Editor

This week I am a Blog Editor at Madeit.

The Madeit Blog features a collection of eight items curated by a Madeit Seller. Since it's spring, my brain is all full of the garden. What better than 'Plant It' finds?

Hanging pod by The Coloured Knot

Planter set by Urban Decor

Moss ball by Nuno and Green

Air plant vase by Fleurieu Gifts

Planter trio by RAW Design Co

Plant cosy by Dot & Dash

Terrarium brooch by Apooki

Planter by Just Add Salt

Check out the full selection.

Handmade Cooperative

My alter ego is as the editor and manager of an exclusive collection of handmade businesses who make kids clothes and gifts. My role in this group, Handmade Cooperative, is to coordinate the release and promotion of our regular blog posts, as well as to lead our community of independent businesses. I offer these business owners the chance to participate in digital and print marketing opportunities, professional photo shoots, creative challenges, business advice and more.

Today is the last day of our annual membership drive, the only time of the year where we accept new members. If you are a small business owner who wants to join a supportive community of like-minded people and really build your handmade store, please do come on over and join me - it's loads of fun!

Pattern Challenge at Handmade Cooperative

The great part of being part of Handmade Cooperative is the opportunity to take part in activities that I wouldn't usually do. Over August, we each chose a pattern to sew as part of the Coop pattern challenge. I was trying out the Old Mac Donald Finger Puppet Set by my friend Donna of Ebony Shae Designs.

Now, my inability to follow recipes extends to following patterns, so you will be unsurprised to learn that I took some creative license. The set is meant to look like this:

I used different colours to those specified and added in a pig from one of Donna's other patterns for good measure. I also didn't add the detail on the farmer with textas, but instead added the features with felt and embroidery.

I really love these finger puppets, particularly the pig. You need to be an experienced sewer for these, as Donna is TOTALLY not afraid of using tiny pieces, which I love and makes for the cutest little designs. Miss 4 has been putting on puppet shows with her other finger puppets (as you can see), although she would also like a horse, and Master 1 has been sneaking around with a sheep on his hand saying "Baaaaaah!".

Search the hashtag #hcpatternchallenge on Facebook and Instagram to see the other projects.
Grab your own Old Mac Donald Finger Puppet Set patterns right here.

tickle tour at Handmade Cooperative

13 months ago, I took over as editor at Handmade Cooperative, a select group of 70 small independent businesses who handmake gifts and clothing for kids. I have had an incredible year leading this group and have thoroughly enjoyed exploring these awesome businesses and sourcing and negotiating exposure for them. In some ways, my schedule with the Coop has meant less time for my own business ~ as evidenced by the reduction in blog posts, for example ~ however I believe that the professionalism of kaetoo, as well as my skills in blogging and online community management have blossomed.

A big part of Handmade Cooperative is the fun activities with like-minded artisans. Our most recent task, which took place last week, was a tickle tour. We each chose a project from the most recent edition of the creative lifestyle magazine, tickle the imagination, and shared our "real world" interpretations in a loop tour on Facebook.

If you know me, you know that (1) I can't follow a recipe and (2) I'm not brilliant at cooking sweet food. But my husband does love chocolate cake! So, with Miss 4 and Master 1 helping out, I set to work to bake the cake. It's meant to look like this:

It took two days.

My cake turned out to be a triple chocolate cream nougat cake made with 70% cocoa dark chocolate - it's chocolate pastry filled with chocolate tart, covered with chocolate ganache, covered with cream nougat. It looks nothing like it was meant to.

But it was SO GOOD! Nougat is better than meringue anyway...

Search the hashtag #tickletour on Facebook and Instagram to see the other projects.
Grab the recipe and your own copy of tickle (digital or in print) right here.

And, yeah, if you're missing the blog posts, I will try to do better. You can always stalk me through 
Facebook and Instagram to see what the kids and I are up to.

Madeit Blog Editor

This week I am a Blog Editor at Madeit.

The Madeit Blog features a collection of eight items curated by a Madeit Seller. I love a colour theme and selected some gorgeous black and white finds.

Very sophisticated.

Zipper pouch by One Busy Sloth eye candies for practical souls
Onesie by OneString beautiful things, handmade
Wall décor by Chatterbox City bringing you and your children quality fun handmade items
Coasters by Studio Astratta home decor to add colour and style to your home
Planter set by Urban Decor a range of concrete urban décor pieces and typography prints to compliment the authentic industrial décor and vintage style
Magnets $12.50 by Badge Bliss badges, magnets and more
Plate by The China Hutch hand painted porcelain with a difference
Overalls by Ted and Toot quality children's clothing, bags and hats

Check out the full selection.

StArt Up: Top Arts 2015

Each year I make an annual Easter-ish trip with my husband and mother to see the best artwork from Victorians who have just completed year 12. This is a great chance to see some inspirational pieces for free, plus we've combined the visit with an annual meal at Chocolate Buddah and where there's food involved, I'm there! It's been really interesting to go to this exhibit each year and see the trends coming and going through the artworks. This year there was far more digital art than in previous years and far less in the way of photography and classical paintings and drawings.

StArt Up: TopArts 2015 is again being held at the National Gallery of Victoria in the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square. There are 42 exhibiting artists this year and if you follow me on Instagram, you already know which pieces were my favourites. Let's step through some of the highlights...

Untitled by Sophia Kons

This untitled piece is chalk pen on bark. I loved how intricate and natural the drawing was and also was very impressed with the effect of the white on wood.

Carnage by Olivia Gardiner

This spectacular dress is entitled Carnage and is actually made up of feathers, shells, fur, bones and skulls, all scavenged from beaches and road kill. There were quite a few people there freaking out about the morbidity of the piece, but it really is quite a spectacular work of art and very intricate. This one earned my mother's vote for favourite.

Recursion by Andrew Hannah

Recursion, exploring a fractal, was my husband's favourite piece. He is an engineer and sees the beauty in mathematics. The colours and the final effect are quite lovely.

Tyler Oakley by Ashleigh Newman

Miss 4 was very impressed by Tyler Oakley and the other drawings by Ashleigh Newman. This artist accompanied her pencil drawings with a video of her doing the artworks and it was fascinating to watch her method unfold. Ashleigh's method of drawing is quite different to my own, as I always start with the eyes and she stars with the hair.

Unified symmetry by Callum Croker

And the piece that got my vote for the best was Unified symmetry, a series of intricate laser cut cardboard pieces. Just stunning.

Master 1 expressed no real opinion about his favourite piece of student work, although he was very fond of the bats in the foyer and also of the car exhibit in NGV. StArt Up is on until June 28, so if you're hanging around Melbourne, do go and check it out.

(I failed to blog about our 2014 outing last year - I blame the new baby - but you can catch up on my experience of the 2013 exhibit here and read what my mother thought of our 2015, 2014 and 2013 outings.)

Materials and Techniques - 2014

Every fortnight I chat with a designer in the handmade world about how they do what they do. These interviews focus on the materials and techniques that each artist uses in their craft, with tips and advice.

Below are the most popular interviews in the series from 2014. Refresh your mind about what all of these talented crafters do, visit their online stores to see their full range, and catch up on those interviews that you missed.

1. Yummy play food at Felt Like Sweets.

2. Gorgeous photo props at Birthday Blocks by Get Crafty Creations.

3. Warm baby clothing at Babywear By Babs.

4. Everything for wrapping up your little one at Swaddle Me Snugly.

5. Bright and quirky homewares at Made By LT.

6. Adorable accessories for little people at Dainty & Divine.

7. Handmade toys at Wildflower Innocence.

8. Costume jewellery at Jewel Divas.

9. Personalised custom made homewares at it's My Room!.

10. Women's fashion at Redressd.

All images from the talented designers above.

Read the whole series of interviews here. I'm on the lookout for new people to interview for 2015, so if you'd like to share your story, do let me know.

Materials and Techniques - The Climbing Tree

Handmade comes in so many different shapes and sizes. Each fortnight I chat with another crafter about how they make their creations. Today, for the last materials and techniques interview of the year, I am talking to Margo from The Climbing Tree. Margo is based in Brisbane, Queensland and is a fellow member of Handmade Cooperative.

Please tell us a little about yourself.

For the first 20+ years of my working career I worked in the charitable and government sector mostly in the aged and disabled care arena. Two events happened though that changed this course of events.

The first event happened in Easter 2006, when I and my partner (now hubby) were out walking at 6 am on an Easter Sunday and a drunk driver decided that the footpath was the road – pedestrian V car is never a good scenario. The second even came 2 1/2 years later Paul and I had our first and only child. Sometime life events happen and you decide that there is more to life than an executive level income and the associated stress of that lifestyle.

So why get into the handmade / sewing business? Well, when I went to high school (many years ago) I’d done what was then know in NSW as Textiles and Design for my HSC so I decided it was time to pick up the sewing machine and fabrics again and it all grew from there. There was no grand business plan or strategy – just a slow and gradual (with the odd hiccup) process of iterative development.

 
What materials and techniques do you like to use?

I have two main products and my first material choice is stretchy fabrics to make children’s underwear – yes undies, knickers, smalls – call them what you will – those things you put your bottom! For some reason a lot of people are afraid to sew stretch fabric but like anything it a skill that can be learnt and mastered. There are some fabulous Craftsy classes on sewing with knits so have a go – and if you want quality fabrics you can head over to my sister store Zebra Fabrics to buy the fabrics I use in my handmade business.

The second product I made is wrap conversion bags. Woven wraps are they extraordinarily long pieces of often handwoven fabric that mama’s around the world use to secure baby to their body – often to their back. It's an awesome way to hold your baby close while remaining hands free. Often once mums have stopped wearing they want to keep their wrap so I convert them into a nice big bag for them. The wraps are somewhat challenging to work with as they are often a looser weave fabric and are a narrow width – so have a tendency to fray and distort out of shape. I have drafted all the patterns for my bags over time and like any new fabric or technique it takes time and practice to learn how to manage the wrap.

 
What challenges have you faced in the creative process?

I think the biggest challenge for any business is finding your niche. For the first 2+ years of my business I felt as though I was lost within the crowd. It was hard to get seen and get consistency in sales of products I was then making. The hand crafted market place has almost never been busier with online collaborative marketplaces (such as Madeit and Etsy), physical markets (such as BrisStyle), and more recently retails spaces with items from multiple makers such as The Collaborative Store at Wynnum. So within this space you often see lots of the same or similar items and you need to find a way to differentiate yourself from the crowd – whether it through your product, style, branding – or a combination of all of these.

 
What drives you to create?

"Necessity is the mother of invention" My business name represents the philosophy behind my business – things that are suitable for climbing trees! Or other adventurous activities. So when I look at making a garment or designing a bag it needs to be practical, functional, easy to move with, wear and use as well as easy to care for. So in many ways my core products found me rather than me having some grand business plan and strategy with hours of research. I started making knickers for my daughter who would constantly complain about her undies going up her bottom – especially when in the car seat. So I made her some, posted on my FB page and it grew from there. Wrap conversion bags was similar, when a colleague asked if I was able to sew with a challenging wrap fabric and sew it grew. So listen to your customers – find out what their needs are and find a way to meet them!

What is coming up next?

Neat year I hope to expand my range - can’t tell you quite yet but stay tuned!

The Climbing Tree

The Climbing Tree Facebook

Been loving the series. Read more in the archive.
Do you have a story that you'd like to share? Please do get in contact. 

Materials and Techniques - Ted and Toot

There is are so many people doing so many wonderful things in the creative world. Each fortnight, I chat to another designer about how they make their products. Today my guest is the amazing Larnie from Ted and Toot. Larnie makes absolutely beautiful clothing for children. She is based in Perth and is a fellow member of Handmade Cooperative.

Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Larnie and I am Australian, born and bred. I have three adorable, active and high spirited children who love to challenge and delight me and my husband every day. I began designing and sewing evening dresses when I was 15, this began my journey in the fashion/sewing world until University chewed up all my time, prevented me from creating. My beloved sewing machine was packed away until I had my second child in 2010. As a stay home mum, I saw an opportunity to get out my long lost sewing machine and re-acquaint myself with the hobby I once loved so much. I began sewing for my children and before I knew it, family and friends were asking to buy my clothing. In 2013, I decided to open my online children’s clothing store, called Ted and Toot.

 
What materials and techniques do you like to use?

Cotton, Cotton, Cotton!! I love sewing with cotton…it breathes, it is sturdy enough to give a nice shape, while maintaining a lovely drape. Best of all, the range of designs and colours available is mind-blowing. I can see why people, like myself, get addicted to buying fabric. It is hard not to be inspired by the huge range available. I have a little weakness for interfacing too. It adds so much more definition and structure to a garment, which really allows the design, colours and details to shine. I can’t say I have a favourite sewing technique. I like to learn every technique I can. That is part of the fun, learning and exploring new tricks of the trade.

What challenges have you faced in the creative process?

For me the biggest challenge was sizing. I began my business using store bought or online PDF patterns and I found the sizes varied so widely. It became very clear to me that most of the patterns did not conform to Australian Standard Sizes. I soon realised how important it was to understand pattern drafting so I could modify and create patterns myself. I took some time away from my business to learn pattern drafting and it was the best thing I could have done. I was able to design and make anything I desired and I knew I could confidently say my garments were made to Australian sizes. I would encourage any talented creative person out there to find that technique or skill they are weakest in and set some time aside to learn a new skill…brush up on something which makes you doubt yourself or your product.

What drives you to create?

Hmmm, this one is hard for me to answer. I am one of those crazy people that goes from the minute I wake to the minute I sleep. If anything, I need my family to say STOP….Take a day off!! I don’t struggle with drive but I do have too many ideas at once and find I want to make everything ha ha. Fabric definitely inspires me. Fabric patterns jump out at me and I know almost instantly what I want to make with it. If I don’t have a pattern to bring my vision to life, I make one, which is time consuming but very rewarding. I love creating something different and I hope my clothing and bag range reflects that. I love that my range can evolve and change continually over time and I enjoy the fact that my clothing range can be as fun, unique and as different as my own creativity will allow.

What is coming up next?

Shhhh don’t tell anyone, but I am planning on launching my new sewing pattern business next year – Patterns in Australian Standard Sizes of course ;) I also have some new special occasion dresses which will be one of our new products at Ted and Toot next year….I promise they will be amazing!!!

Ted and Toot

Ted and Toot Facebook

Ted and Toot Pinterest

Ted and Toot Twitter

Ted and Toot Google+

Ted and Toot Instagram

Want to read more lovely creative stories? Catch up on the archive.
Do you want to share your creative story? Do get in contact.

Materials and Techniques: Skaapie

The creative world is full of talented people doing amazing crafts. Every fortnight I talk with another designer about how they make their creations. Today's guest is Cathryn, a South African living in Jersey in the Channel Islands. Cathryn has the handmade store Skaapie and she makes felted, beautiful toys, blankets and accessories. Cathryn is a fellow member of EtsyKids.

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I'm Cathryn, a South African living in Jersey in the Channel Islands with my husband and 2 beautiful daughters. I started up Skaapie (which means little sheep in Afrikaans) 7 years ago in Cape Town after my first daughter was born. I taught women from underprivileged backgrounds to felt and sew, and designed a range of children's toys, blankets and accessories which I sold at markets and in boutique shops. This wholesale business is still running in Cape Town, while I now concentrate on coming up with new ideas and designs and selling online in the UK.

What materials and techniques do you like to use?

I use 100% wool tops, mainly merino to make felt using wet felting and nuno techniques. I experiment a little with needle felting too. I think it's safe to say, my favourite material has to be wool felt, it's versatility is endless! I also dye my own felt.

What challenges have you faced in the creative process?

My biggest challenge apart from trying to balance family life and house work with being creative and productive is probably the pricing and marketing. It's not easy trying to sell your own product, especially online, with millions of choices and about 800,000 sellers on Etsy alone. My products aren't cheap to make and many people don't realise the process involved in making one toy from raw wool to the finished product. Trying to compete with a higher than average retail price and no marketing budget can feel very daunting. Not sure what advice I can offer, but what's worked for me is having faith in my product and going ahead in trust and following where the creative process leads. Everyone's journey is different, so believe in yours rather than try follow someone else's.

What drives you to create?

It's hard to say where inspiration comes from, but when it's there, you know it and have to run with it. I am a very outdoor person and don't think anyone could not get inspired by nature! I'm inspired by my children, by my amazing creative friends and family, by island life, by children's books and pinterest and dreams. And of course Africa and my inspiring childhood.

 
What is coming up next?

 I'm hoping to start working on a children's book soon, something I've wanted to do for a long time, mixing my felt creations with illustration. Can't say too much about it yet, but am very excited. Am hoping this will take me in a new direction.

 

Skaapie

Skaapie Facebook (UK) Facebook (SA)

Skaapie Instagram

Skaapie Pinterest

If you enjoyed finding out all about how Cathryn makes her products, you can read more interviews in the archive. Do get in contact if you would like to share your handmade story.

Materials and Techniques: Wildflower Innocence

I am a big fan of handmade, so each fortnight I have a chat to another artist about how they go about making their products. Today I am talking to Suzanne, who makes dolls for her store Wildflower Innocence. Suzanne is a fellow EtsyKids team member and is based in Northern California in the US.

 
Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Suzanne, and I am the owner, designer, and creator behind Wildflower Innocence. We are located in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Mountains in Northern California, USA.

For as long as I can remember, I have been surrounded by creativity. My father is a toy maker, and the owner of Elves and Angels and my mother was always creating some beautiful doll for myself or one of my many siblings. My parents both have an amazing gift for creativity, and toys were something that we always had a great abundance of... and not the Made in China garbage that you find at Walmart and Toys R Us... most of our toys were lovingly handmade by my parents or an older sibling.

I have always loved working with my hands and making toys and clothing for my own 3 daughters. Last year however, I decided to launch Wildflower Innocence. I was driven by my love of beautiful, simple toys. There is something different about a toy made by hand and a toy that is mass produced in some far away factory... it is like meeting the farmer who grows your food... or better yet, growing your own. Being able to have something of meaning to share with future children and grandchildren links the past and their future. In today's world of tech products and over the top toys, it is my hope to bring a little simplicity and innocence back to childhood.

What materials and techniques do you like to use?

I work with felt and cotton designer fabric the most. Cotton and wool yarn are also used a lot. There is something to be said for a toy that can truly be felt... the softness of the wool felt, or the different textures and colors make creating each doll a joy. Every little wing and cap, hand cut and hand stitched... and with each step you watch someones new little playmate come to life.

What challenges have you faced in the creative process?

I would say that for me, the biggest challenge would be marketing. I was never the most tech savvy person, so in the beginning it was all a bit overwhelming. This last year I have spent a lot of time researching and learning and I can honestly say it has paid off. I now have active Etsy, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Blog pages as well as my website. Things really seem to be coming together.

What drives you to create?

My daughters, my childhood... so many things... I rarely have a hard time coming up with ideas. Most often I have to get myself to stop coming up with new dolls so that I can continue producing inventory of the dolls I already have! I also do a lot of custom orders and have received some wonderful ideas from customers.

What is coming up next?

More dolls! I am hoping to continue growing my business and adding to my line of Storybook Dolls. I'm also planing on adding dolls of different ethnic background to my dollhouse family sets, and I am hoping to add fairy houses within the next year. To me, the possibilities are endless!

Wildflower Innocence

Wildflower Innocence Etsy

Wildflower Innocence Blog

Wildflower Innocence Facebook

Wildflower Innocence Google+

Wildflower Innocence Instagram

Wildflower Innocence Pinterest

Wildflower Innocence Twitter

Do you love reading about materials and techniques? Read more in the archive. If you'd like to share your story, just drop me a line.

Materials and Techniques: DeeDeeDeesigns

I'm a big fan of the handmade world and I love finding out about the different ways in which artists create. Each fortnight, I chat with a different designer about how their products come about. Today I am talking to Dawn from Ballarat in Victoria, Australia. She is a practicing artist working in ceramics who has the online store DeeDeeDeesigns

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I have been a practicing artist for about twenty years and also teach in my studio, community centres, schools and anywhere that wants me! I have travelled overseas on artist residencies and to exhibit, and have also exhibited widely in Australia. I also enjoy writing about art and have had a few articles published here and there. I am new to Madeit, though I joined a while ago, I only started the store a few months ago. The work I have listed in the store is mainly functional domestic ware, as most of my artwork would be too big and heavy to list in terms of postage costs. Having said that people can place a custom order via my shop for a sculptural or art piece and have the cost of the art absorb the postage.

What materials and techniques do you like to use?

The materials I use in my Madeit store at this stage are only clay - mostly wheelthrown, though there are a few hand built pieces listed. Within my wider art practice I use almost everything and anything. A lot of my sculpture is mixed media - I love scrounging for rusty found objects and combining them with the organic qualities of clay.

What challenges have you faced in the creative process?

Challenges can range from anything from physical to financial! It was a physical challenge, for example, that initiated me into making ceramic jewellery. I chopped off my finger a couple of years ago while preparing work for a pit firing (firing ceramics in the ground) and couldn't make any large work for a long time, so began making beads and pendants and various small trinkets. And of course financially it is always difficult being an artist, especially if you don't want to work in a conventional job at the same time - which I don't as I find you then have no energy for art. So I do a lot of teaching and workshops to supplement that side of the equation.

What drives you to create?

Most of my artwork is inspired by natural textures, colours and shapes - I live in a regional part of Australia, so finding this inspiration is easy. In term of getting started.... that is not too much of an issue for me because, as mentioned earlier, I don't work outside of my arts practice, so there is nothing else distracting me or filling my head except my art practice.

What is coming up next?

A little while ago I wrote a book titled Pit Firing Ceramics: Modern Methods, Ancient Techniques. The book has officially launched in July in Australia in the town where I live at the Gallery of Ballarat. It was being accompanied by an exhibition of pit fired works by a range of international artists. After that I was involved in a group exhibition in August and a solo show in September - both local to where I live. Apart from that I'll just keep making stuff!!

DeeDeeDeesigns Etsy

DeeDeeDeesigns Madeit

DeeDeeDeesigns Blog 

DeeDeeDeesigns Facebook

DeeDeeDeesigns Google+ 

DeeDeeDeesigns Pinterest

DeeDeeDeesigns Twitter

Don't you just love finding out about how artists create? Find out more through the archive of materials and techniques interviews. If you'd like to contribute your story, leave a comment. 

Materials and Techniques: Gorgeous - Jewellery By Carly

Exploring different crafts is so interesting. There are loads of new skills to learn and people to meet. Each fortnight I speak with a creative about the materials and techniques that they use in the creation of their products. Today I am talking to Carly from New South Wales. She makes jewellery for her label, Gorgeous – Jewellery by Carly.

 Please tell us a little about yourself.

Hi my name is Carly and I live in Northern NSW with my husband, 1 and a half year old daughter Scarlett and our Beagle named Ala. I’m the owner and designer of Gorgeous – Jewellery by Carly. I love all things handmade which inspired me to start a local handmade boutique market in our town, where I showcase my work with other local artists and indie designers.

What materials and techniques do you like to use?

I started out using handmade porcelain beads made by my aunty in Adelaide, since then I’ve expanded into other avenues, experimenting with resin, fabric and wood. I love finding and learning new techniques. I don’t really have a favourite material to use as I enjoy each one, and I go through stages of what I’m into at the time.

What challenges have you faced in the creative process?

I’d say the main challenge is getting your name and products out there. For me now a stay at home mum, this is my source of income to help support my family. The way I look at it is if I do a market or even a showcase market on Facebook and don’t make a lot of sales it’s still getting my business recognised. It also helps to network with other handmade businesses. A lot of my regular customers are fellow handmaidens that appreciate the time and love put into each unique creation.

 What drives you to create?

Some days I wake up with fresh ideas and just want to get stuck into it. I get inspired by lots of things, usually when I start cleaning up my work space I find something and start creating again.

What is coming up next?

Being a hairdresser by trade I’ve dabbled into hair pieces of late, my focus is bridal. I love all things pretty and vintage, so I’m really enjoying experimenting with and working alongside brides to create a unique piece for their special day. Since expanding into different avenues I’m working towards a new logo and simplify my name to “Gorgeous”.

Gorgeous - Jewellery by Carly Madeit Store

Gorgeous - Jewellery by Carly Facebook

Gorgeous - Jewellery by Carly Instagram

Materials and techniques interviews are over a year old, so there are plenty more interviews on all sorts of crafts for you to enjoy. Want to be featured? Leave a comment below.