Tag: About Me

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Featured Artist!

It is well known that many artists and crafts people often struggle with self- esteem and find it difficult to acknowledge their own talent. It can be daunting to put your work out in the public domain. When there is so much time and passion invested in carefully crafted pieces, it can feel as if you are baring your soul for scrutiny.

 

If, like me, you have no formal artistic training and are completely self taught, feeling your way, experimenting and exploring techniques as you go, it is easy to feel a bit like a fraud amongst other talented makers and artists.  

 

It takes time to build confidence and just one positive comment can make you feel ten feet tall.  

 

So it was in a bit of a mad moment that I applied to be a featured artist with World of Wool. I didn’t really give myself time to talk myself out of it, I just filled out my details and sent off the form!

 

The site regularly features a variety of makers and their gallery is full of seriously talented textile artists, including the fabulous Moy Mackay.

 

Imagine my surprise when I received an email two days later telling me they would like to feature me in their latest monthly blog and newsletter! 

 

I was beyond excited and thrilled to think that an organization was interested in my work and prepared to feature it and share it with thousands of their subscribers.

 

This morning when I opened my email, there it was!  A copy of the article and my  face staring back at me from the World of Wool newsletter.  It feels amazing to have my work acknowledged and it has given me such a confidence boost, just when I needed it.

 

I started to get feedback on my social media pages almost instantly, lots of congratulations and support from followers and fellow artisans.  There was one comment, however, that really made my day, from a lady I hadn’t heard from before and this is what she wrote:

 

‘And that’s how I came across you. You’re work is beautiful and inspiring. I had lost my mojo a bit with felting even though had just recieved a big order from world of wool. You’ve made me want to get felting again ❤️’

 

 

What a wonderful, uplifting comment, how fantastic that someone would take time out of their day to say that in response to my post.  She had read the article from her inbox first thing and by the time I had shared the article on social media, she had already looked me up and was engaging with my thread. It was incredible to think that my work had helped to reignite another artist’s passion. 

 

So thank you World of Wool for accepting my application, thank you Andrew Novotny for such a great write up and thank you to each and every one of you who read the article and left some feedback on my social media pages, it really means a great deal.  

 

Please continue to support small business where you can, it’s hard work to find recognition but I am delighted to tell you that I did a little happy dance all the way to my studio this morning! 

 

If you woud like to read the article , please visit: 

https://www.worldofwool.co.uk/apps/base/blog/featured-artist-louise-hancox

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Winter is slowing creeping away as Spring gathers pace

I have to confess the weather of  late has been confusing, from a cloud burst of snow one afternoon, clear blue skies followed less than 24 hours later, chasing its tail the howling gales and flash floods across the country, it’s cold enough to be winter, but the bright blue skies suggest a different story. 
So what plants, bulbs, or seedlings can you realistically look at panting whilst the weather is so up and down? 

To answer this question it does also depend on a many other factors, including but not limited too the PH levels of your soil, whether you live in a sheltered area or are fully exposed on a cliff top , availability of a greenhouse or somewhere light warm and airy, essentially draught free to give a few answers. 
February gardening is all about getting the seeds planted, so get out your old planters and scrape off the top layer of compost and replace with fresh. Seed wise you can sow lettuces in readiness for fresh leaves in May June time, but do ensure they are protected, varieties such as Winter Gem, and Valdor are good winter hardy types but do make sure you plant under cloches

As a general rule, bulbs can be planted out as well, but do remember they tend to prefer light well draining soil, if they are left in wet, heavy soil they are unlikely to thrive. So you can consider broad beans, carrots, parsnips, beetroot, cabbages. 
If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse herb seeds, tomatoes, cucumber can get a good start. 

I have started to list a few deeper, larger metal garden planters, these were specifically designed to enable the rooftop or patio gardener to have access to deeper soil thus enabling root vegetables to be sown. grown and eaten from the single metal garden planter. So if you fancy one do let me know! 
Fi

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Meet the Sellers x 3!

 

Team TBCH South East Cornwall Meetup – meet Halyey, Buffy & Chris

 

Written by Buffy…who is The Twisted Felter

So earlier today I met up for brunch with the lovely Hayley aka The Northern Smuggler and Chris The Chris Artist. Chris paints beautiful artwork from the surrounding areas and Hayley creates fabulous Resin artwork and jewellery inspired by the local Cornish Coast. Luckily Chris had chosen the best café (award winning @olivecocafe thankyou…delish!) and so I turned up to meet 2 complete strangers thinking I should have worn a rose in my lapel?! Sadly I was lapel-less so I took a chance and sidled up to a random man sitting on his own who fortunately turned out to be Chris and Hayley joined us soon after.

My brain is a busy one so I had brought along a list of things I wanted to ask (I feel like a bit of a duffer with the whole online selling and social media stuff as I’m new to the game) and was pleasantly surprised that they too had the same questions and doubts. As Hayley put it ‘Fake it ’til you Make it’. Although Hayley was not giving herself credit as she had lots of  great media tips and advice and has her own professional branding which looks fab. Chris is already self employed so gave me good advice around tax returns, a boring but necessary part of it all. It was sound advice…pay an accountant!!

We chatted about The British Craft House website and how we were finding navigating our way around. We wondered when Dottie (our Illustrious Leader, advice giver, encouragement officer and all round good egg) EVER SLEEPS?!? She seems to be sending encouraging posts in the middle of the night!

We talked about how isolating working alone and from home can be sometimes and how fab it was to meet up with the real people behind our sellers names. We shared contacts for work in the local area, craft initiatives,the best Apps, training days, ideas for display and presentation, photography and we laughed at ourselves a fair bit. We talked about the insecurities of seeing the imperfections in our work and whether they are good enough to sell, the vulnerability of putting your work out there in front of people, the difficulty of feeling comfortable promoting (non-stop!) yourself online. And we arranged to meet again of course.

So this is my first blog. I’ve no idea whether it’s good. Or not. But I’m venturing right out of my comfort zone writing it AND putting a photo of myself online. That’s how rock and roll I am today. I’m a blogger. Boom!

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Traditional V Digital Sculpture techniques?

I’ve been a traditional sculptor for more than 30 years. I enjoy the relationship I have with the medium I use, and also the close interaction with the reference materials I choose, both of which combine to help me create the sculptures I produce.

Close up of a Hare sculpture created using traditional sculpting techniques
Close up of my Harriet Hare sculpture created using traditional sculpting techniques

I am rather resistant to change, and have tended to view ‘digital’ sculpting as… cheating! Well, to some degree any way! However, a figurine designing company recently contacted me after they began following me on Instagram and they commented that they were impressed by my ‘sensational fur sculpting skills’! (?) They went on to ask me to sculpt a type of Tiger for them, even though they employ several digital sculptors. It seems that perhaps fur can’t easily be replicated using a computer and that the hand and eye of a traditional sculptor might still be useful in this digital age! 

I was thinking about how I was going to approach this project and I had an idea about how to incorporate working ‘with’ digital sculptors which would save the company time and money and still produce the finish on the sculpture which they came to me for.

I admit to feeling slightly apprehensive when I emailed them my idea… I know nothing about digital sculpting or 3D printing and was expecting my idea to be shot down in flames, but… the reply came back almost immediately hailing me as ‘innovative’ and a ‘genius’! (?) They also believe that they might have quite a bit of ‘traditional’ sculpting work for me in the future! 

So, traditional V Digital Sculpture techniques? You’ll have noticed that I haven’t spilled the beans on exactly ‘what’ my brilliant idea is (it isn’t always a good idea to give your best ideas away!), but I’m so pleased that after my resistance to digital sculpting I have found a way to combine it with the way I work to the mutual benefit of both me and the customer in a faster and ultimately a more satisfactory way. 

Hare sculpture created using traditional sculpting techniques
My Harriet Hare sculpture created in wax using traditional sculpting techniques
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How It Started – Meet JoSara

Me, Jo from JoSara

Hi, I’m Jo, thanks for popping in. Where did it start? Well, I was looking for a decorative and practical bird bath for my own garden and I couldn’t find any that fitted the bill. I had seen a few mosaic style designs on my search and I thought, I could have a go at that. So, I researched garden suitable materials, taught myself how to mosaic, and made my own unique pattern Moroccan pool style bird bath (a design that is still one I have in my shop today, and the bird bath is still going strong in my garden). That started me on a train of thought where lots of different mosaic designs I could create were popping into my head.

handmade mosaic birdbath with unique hedgehog design
  Rainbow Hedgehog bird bath

Those train of thought designs included something to help our hedgehogs, because it was around that time that I became aware of the plight they were in with their numbers plummeting. As I read more on the subject I realised water is key to attracting wildlife to your garden and can be a lifesaver for them, too. So I thought what better? You could have something decorative to look at, while the water it provides is helping keep your garden wildlife healthy and you could also enjoy watching the wildlife that appeared. Seemed a win, win to me.

Mosaic bird bath with a unique handmade design created by josara
     Moroccan Pool bird bath

I have always been quite arty, but never pursued it, I certainly never thought it would become my career. I also have always had a keen interest in the natural world, but never thought of combining the two things until I made that first bird bath and the penny dropped. There must be other people out there that want something a bit more unique for their home and garden too? Fate had it that I was in a position to leave my long term, very dull, admin job and try starting my own business to find out. The timing was perfect with the handmade boom just getting going and lots of information about how to start a handmade business online was appearing on the internet. So my brand, JoSara, was born with my first online shop opening in 2011.

JoSara in Birds and Blooms magazine
JoSara in Birds and Blooms magazine

Since then it’s been going from strength to strength, including more online shops, a website, and being featured online and in print, with my Three Bees bird bath being in the 5th best selling mag in the home and garden category in the US, Birds and Blooms. And in the US that means a LOT of readers, so that was amazing. My ranges have been expanding, with new designs still popping into my head. And it’s all thanks to the nature and wildlife lovers, and lovers of things a little bit different that were definitely out there.

To follow new designs in progress follow me on Facebook – JoSaraDesign

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About Me & Nature by Day

Hi,

I’m Dee also known as Debz. I make unique handmade silver jewellery which is inspired by Mother Nature’s amazing textures and designs. All my work is made by hand, by me, from Silver Metal Clay which is 99.9% pure silver and is a recycled material, I’ll tell you a little more about this amazing medium below.

How it all started

I started making jewellery several years ago after my twin sister bought me a Metal Clay course for Christmas. I immediately fell in love with this fascinating process and knew this was what I was destined to do.

I’ve always been creative and fascinated by the worlds flora and fauna. I went to Art College way back when, but I failed to follow my creative heart for my career and instead worked in luxury retail for over 25 years. While working with some of the worlds most beautiful luxury products, I always dreamed of one day being able to share my own designs and creations with my own precious customers and now I am through Nature by Day.

My Collection

Mother Nature is the greatest designer of all, nothing a human can create is more beautiful than that of nature and this is why I try to recreate natures designs. Sea shells dominate my collection. I’m passionate about them not only because they are among some of the most remarkable designs found in nature, but also because of their spiritual and magical powers which have been used throughout time all over the world. Shells are linked with the feminine energy, where shells are used to draw the things you desire into your life. Each shell or symbol of a shell brings and possess it’s own bit of magic so my silver shells make the perfect gift for every woman if they need a bit of extra power and magic in their life as well as a beautiful piece of handmade jewellery.

Metal Clay is the perfect medium for capturing every intricate detail that Mother Nature puts into her gorgeous designs. I make every item individually by hand so every piece is unique in it’s own little way. All the findings and other components I use to make my finished pieces are made from Sterling Silver. 

I make your orders in my lovely home in the Herefordshire countryside that I share with my Scottish husband Ken and my little rescue dog, Tahira.

My real passion is creating and making commissions or personalised designs for you, my customers, there is nothing more gratifying and humbling for me than to make that special piece of jewellery that you can treasure forever.

All my jewellery is beautifully gift wrapped in my eco-friendly branded gift boxes tied with ribbon so they make perfect gifts for every occasion or just a treat for yourself! I’m also happy to add a handwritten note if you want me to send something directly to a friend or loved one.

I welcome orders from all over the world.

Commissions

Did you find a shell on a special holiday or on your honeymoon that you’d love made into silver? Does a loved one have a special tree or plant that you’d like a permanent piece of to wear? If so, I’d be delighted to create a customised and personal design for you, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or if you simply have a question about my jewellery please email me at: deeyoung@naturebyday.com.

Silver Metal Clay

Metal Clay is exactly that, silver in clay form, tiny little packets of clay. The clay is made from tiny particles of reclaimed silver mixed with an organic binder and water. You can shape, mould and sculpt the clay like you would with any other type of clay.

The clay is then dried, once dried you can refine it further by sanding, carving, filing etc. until you have the perfect piece. The clay then needs to be fired in a tiny little kiln. 

Once fired you are left with pure Fine Silver which is classed as 99.9% pure verses Sterling Silver which is 92.5% pure.

Once fired you can then use normal silversmithing techniques such as soldering to complete the pieces. 

The last process like with any jewellery is polishing, I use 7 different steps, all done by hand to polish all my pieces to ensure I don’t lose any of the lovely detail.  

Thank you for reading my about page.

Happy browsing and shopping,

Dee. 

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Meet a Good Right Hooker

I’m a 50 something mother of 4 and granny to 6. I have been surrounded by craft of some sort or another all my life, my grandmother was a prolific knitter, my mother is a wonderful embroiderer and seamstress and my father was always fashioning something out of wood.

I was taught to knit and sew at a young age and have always had a project on the go, sometimes useful  ( I made all my children’s clothes when they were small) and sometimes purely decorative. 

 After trying to teach myself to crochet for more years than I’m going to admit here, a very good and patient friend eventually managed to teach me to make the humble granny square and I haven’t looked back since! 

As well as my little crochet business, I have a day job where I’m a housekeeper in a large busy house. No two days are ever the same and I love it. 

When I’m not at work or crocheting you’ll often find me out on my bike in the beautiful Norfolk countryside, last year Mr Good Right Hook bought me a proper road bike so I’m fairly nipping along those lanes now. 

I’m so excited to be a part of The British Craft House and I cant wait to see where it will take me in the coming months and years. 

Jo x

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My first blog!

Thought I’d tell you a little about myself and then later, in a new blog, take you through my process of making a bridal hair comb.
     
Always interested in detail, innovation and processes I studied Aeronautical Engineering at what was then Hatfield Polytechnic and now University of Hertfordshire, obtaining a BEng degree in 1990. Oh, that seems so long ago now!
     
I then moved to Suffolk and worked in Cambridge as an Aircraft Stress Engineer. Simply put, I was a mathematician who worked out whether any repairs or modifications would be strong enough for safe flight. It involved sorting through paper engineering drawings to find all the relevant details and using hand calculations with complex equations for various scenarios. No computers then and no fancy computer generated models to do all the work, they were just starting to come on the scene when I left work to raise our family.
     
Always handy and craft orientated I found projects large and small to fit around family life but, gravitated towards jewellery making. After having a pair of amber set gold earrings repaired, which then needed repairing again a year later (gold is in fact a soft metal and wears quite easily. A small gold nugget can be hammered into an incredibly thin sheet and used for gilding) I thought I’d source the parts I needed myself. I ordered a catalogue and become inspired by all the wonderful shapes and colours. That enthusiasm and simple pleasure of creating something so complex out of a few individual tiny beads still drives me.
    
Inspiration from the colours and shapes of the materials has gained additional input over the years from a love of trail running with my dogs, which I found a love of when the last of our three children had reached school age and I had a little time for myself. As the seasons change and indeed as the days change there is always something new to catch my eye; nature is such a giver.
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“Tis the season to be jolly ….

‘Tis the Season to be Jolly, I have always loved Carols around a tree, the pretty lights, the anticipation of piles of gifts on Christmas morning,  the buzz of excitement in the air but I will confess as I have got older the magic is fading for me. I see adverts on the television of happy families sat playing games and enjoying themselves but in reality as I read the papers I see a different world one where many families are separated and the older generations are possibly spending the day alone as they don’t want to be burden on relatives, or those families who don’t have money to put food on a table let alone buy gifts, who then have to deal with the question why Santa leaves lots of gifts for some Children but not them.

I read a lovely article in the Telegraph yesterday, saddened slightly by its content, but felt it was also full of Christmas Spirit as it made reference to a school in Blackpool where the Head is opening the school up on Monday to have a Christmas Eve eve party for the children, with Santa and hot food, to ensure that all children had that magical experience and a hot meal over the holidays. I am sure this isn’t first school to do this, and I doubt will be the last. 

For many of the gifts I will be giving this year they are sourced from small businesses not large corporations, I will try and avoid the pressure of the sales post Christmas, and only purchase something if I really need it.  

It is a most wonderful time of the year, but we do shop all year round, not just a Christmas so if you could continue to buy from the small business owner I can hand on heart tell you that really does help put food on the table, and keep a roof over someone’s head. Perhaps you can spare the odd gift for a child who is without, or pop an extra roll of toilet paper, or can of soup in the trolley for the food bank at your local supermarket – you never know the joy that small act of kindness could bring someone. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against the corporates (I am an Amazon Prime Customer ?) , but I am hugely aware that by using them we are feeding anonymous shareholders but by buying from an independent you are helping keep that small business afloat, and that alone does deserve a happy dance ? Merry Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year 

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Welcome!

I just thought whilst I was photographing, listing, measuring and generally sorting what planters and window boxes I have made it would be a nice idea to introduce myself properly. 

This is my world of Metal Garden Planters. 

Welcome, my name is Fiona, I have 2 children (12 and 9) 1 mini dachshund and an OAP Cat who thinks he is a teenager still. I live in the town of Grantham in Lincolnshire, famous for being voted the most boring town in the UK one year, being the birth place of myself, Margaret Thatcher, Doris Stokes and Sir Isaac Newton to name a few. 

The image is of me, no makeup, not having done my hair and dressed for the cold,  about to set off in my VW Flatbed, with some roofing sheets on the back. I sell a variety of Box Profile and Corrugated roofing sheets, and manufacture the flashings to finish the edges in house. It was from the waste I was generating in terms of making the flashings which lead me down the path of making metal boxes. 

I was on the hunt for an office bin one day, and the cost shocked me, let alone the fact they are all fairly boring looking so after some cutting, measuring, and general faffing with the Guilloline (not the kind the Frenchman used to lop off the heads of Aristocracy) but a blade which can cut thin metal sheeting safely, and my bending machine (its clamp with a lever that once lifted puts a fold in a metal sheet in its simplest form) A bright yellow tall, square bin was created, and 6+ years later it is still used daily. 

So thats how I started, if you have any specific questions for future blog posts I would be happy to answer them, in the meantime I will continue selecting troughs, and planters along with a special gardeners gift pack I am pulling together.