An Q+A with me :)

What was the first handmade item you ever made?

I honestly couldn't tell you this! I've been making things since I was very young, they've just evolved slowly in better and bigger (and smaller again!) However one thing that sticks in my memory was a patchwork quilt I started at about 12 or 13. It had alot of materials cut from things... dolls clothes, my own clothes, my 'best' male friends boxer shorts...... and alot of other 'hmmmm' bits. I never finished it, but last week my mum cut it up to add to her own quilt...so it did get somewhere in the end! 

What inspired you to make dolls? What sparked the ideas for the other products, like the star baby, the peapods, etc?

Ever since I was a little girl I've just loved dolls. I  grew up in a tiny village allowed me to be a child a lot longer than most nowadays, even with friends who grew up faster we found new ways to develop games involving dolls mimicking adult life. I don't know if I ever actually grew out of them because I still fall in love with every doll I make now! I went from playing with them, to making them, starting with rag dolls for quite a while. More recently I discovered waldorf dolls and I just love them, they've got such characters and there is so much more play value than modern dolls which are full of batteries and sounds.

Having girls it plays a big part, it was actually when I was attempting a larger doll's hands/arms that my oldest came to me and said 'is that a teeny tiny baby doll mummy?' and then the bundle babies came to life, they have evolved and got bigger, got smaller, got hands, hands disapeared, gone from painted faces to embroidered as well as getting new outfits and arms and legs, new fabrics, and they're always changing as I learn and perfect techniques, or simplify. (see picture for earlier dolls) Other ideas just come to me, through a fun idea or just need, and I'll trial them and they just take off! I know Ros from Silverwood Handmade Jewellery laughs at me as I never thought the peapods would sell! and they've been the most popular so far with the decorations. 

When do you craft?

Any spare moment! currently My oldest is at preschool 3 days a week, but as I have a nine month old,  I'm still limited to mostly evenings, even that can be broken into slots where the baby is awake. Also if you're adding in husband times it really does shrink my time down! generally how it works is that we'll watch a program or film together in the evening and I'll sew then, as nearly everything is hand done, its easy to do alongside watching something or having a conversation. 

How did it feel to have the honour of making the guardian angel peapod? ♥

Emotional pieces are always such an honour. always. I'm a very emotional person in general, that particular piece was very hard - both me and Ros wanted it to be perfect and initially I couldn't get it right, and couldn't 'see' it. On top of that, the heartbreaking story behind it, where I'm looking at my two children and thanking God for my life and being allowed to watch them grow up - because that could have been me after my second was born. 

My heart goes out to the man who now has responsibility for those three babies and although my little decoration is insignificant in his huge journey for the future, its made with a lot of love, from me and from Ros who designed it and sent it forward.  All the money bar the postage for it was donated to the family fund because paying for someone to help hold and love those babies is worth more than anything the money would have been spent on here!

I've had quite a few pieces I've been asked to make from Angel parents and they too are very emotional, but although the pieces are sad, and I truly wish there was no need for them, I feel happy to make them with love. I know from experience, having someone who acknowledges the loss of a baby through miscarriage and stillbirth, at whatever stage, helps it to feel 'real'. Sometimes when there is nothing to hold,and nothing to keep, you just need something that is physical that is there, as a reminder that it happened, when it feels like everyone has forgotten. Being asked to make pieces like this is so special - a huge honour, as I know how important they are to the person choosing me to make them. And the more baby loss is talked about, the more support and love there is for families experiencing it.

Do you have a specific craft area in your house or do you pull it all out on the dining table then clear up after each session?

ha I wish!! our house is the size of a mouse hole. all of my doll making bits live in a box next to my sofa, and get taken out every evening. 

How old were you when you got your first sewing machine?

I was 18 :o) I used to borrow my mums before that though!

How did you first learn to craft? Are you self taught, did your mum/grandma/someone special teach you?

I come from a crafty arty background - my mum has always made things for forever, so I would have to say firstly that my mum initially taught me a lot of things, including crochet over the phone while I lived in Spain. I've also taught myself a lot of things,and learnt a lot using the internet, and people I've met through it, and I also did 3 years of college and a year of Uni studying art. I'm still learning though! I don't think it ever stops!

How are you finding it running your own business and any top tips?

I really love it but I don't think I've been doing it long enough to give out any tips yet! I've found it quite overwhelming, not only the tax and legal part which I'm all registered for and keeping books for yet still haven't got a clue what happens when it comes to the end of the year, Also the CE marking which is ongoing,   I just have a few questions for my TS man when he gets back from holiday, on which the answer will either be, get fabric tested, or go ahead as planned. I'm hoping for the go ahead as planned! 

I think the toughest part for me is pricing, as I'm not making much, if any, money on my pieces, and now the postage is sky high its even harder to price things correctly so that I'm not losing out. everything I make takes a good deal of time, and so I couldn't possibly charge by the hour/for my time or no one would buy anything! I hope I find a balance soon!

I'm excited for the future of making happy customers.. I love that part! 

thats all the questions answered for now! Thanks for taking part!!