Meet the Maker - Katie Beeke

Tell us a little bit about you.

I'm Katie, I'm 33, originally from Wales, I have lived in Cambridge for 11 years, i live in a busy neighbourhood with my husband, 2 kids, 2 cats and 3 chickens.

Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?

I studied fashion at uni but ended up working happily as a graphic designer for years, however I craved something creative that didn't involve a computer screen. I have always loved fabric and have a large stash after years of foraging in charity/vintage shops so thought I'd better get to work and make use of it! I love escaping to my sewing room and creating away, it reminds me of spending hours in my bedroom as a child, drawing and making.

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?

I am constantly inspired and impressed by the huge online presence of women with such full, busy lives but still managing to remain creative and crafty. I love the Australian online community of crafters and their vibe. I also love all things Scandinavian from folklore art and textiles to modern stuff. One of my biggest influences is also my kids, their drawings and imagination and their response to my work is always spot on!

What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Cambridge?

Inkling Prints textiles look right up my street, the prints look really fresh so I'll look forward to seeing them in the flesh. Poor Robin's colourful buttons are beautiful too.

What is your favourite piece?

Probably my collection of owls, they are all different but each has the softest organic cotton fleece back, very tactile. Also my patchwork christmas stockings, very festive without being too twee!

Are there any specific pieces you fancy that will be at Handm@de Cambridge?

I'm craving The Print Tree's purses -gorgeous colours and fabric choices.

Meet the Maker - Bethany Kelman

Tell us a little bit about you.

My name is Bethany Kelman, I am 27 years old and I live in Cambridge. I love vintage glamour, but I often found it hard to find vintage pieces that fit well so I started making my own dresses from vintage patterns. People liked them and often asked me where they could buy them, so I decided to start making dresses for sale & Jezebelles Boutique was born! I now make bags and accessories as well as clothing.

Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?

I come from an artistic background as my Mum is very crafty - she worked as a dressmaker when I was little and is now a jewellery maker, so I was encouraged to be artistic from an early age and art was always my favourite subject. I studied Fine Art at University & spent most of my time making sculptural dresses from unusual materials. After graduation I decided to embrace my inner seamstress!

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?

All sorts of things inspire me and influence my work, including 1950s style, burlesque, the punk rock & psychobilly music scene, Vivienne Westwood and Japanese street style.

What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Cambridge?

I am really looking forward to seeing all the other exhibitors work as there's such a diverse range of artists. I am especially excited about sharing a table with PinkAppleJam!

What is your favourite piece?

I am most excited about the new 1950s style evening bags I'm making in a range of different colours and fabrics. I'm also working on some vintage style pyjama sets which I think will make nice Christmas gifts. http://www.jezebellesboutique.co.uk/pyjamas.htm

Are there any specific pieces you fancy that will be at Handm@de Cambridge?

I had the pleasure of seeing PinkAppleJam creating some tote bags with hand-drawn characters on them and I already have my eye on one of them in particular! http://pics.livejournal.com/pinkapplejam/pic/002p6rdf I am also very keen on Trash Chic's aprons! http://www.trashchic.co.uk/apronfull.htm And these Little Button Nose Notelets: http://www.littlebuttonnose.co.uk/notelets.html & all of Yunisacs purses! http://www.etsy.com/shop/yunisacs

Find out more about Bethany and her work at her website: http://www.jezebellesboutique.co.uk

Meet the Maker - Cat Hylton

This week we talk to Cat Hylton...

Tell us a little bit about you.

Hi I'm Cat, I'm from Norfolk . I'm currently a mature student re-taking some A Levels before going back to university to study veterinary medicine. I will be exhibiting my polymer clay creations and handmade goats' milk soaps.

Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?

My mother, who will be exhibiting alongside me, instilled me with her crafting spirit. So crafting is something I've always been into. I've had a go at everything from dress making to lino printing and back again. I'm also a keen photographer, who exhibits work as regularly as possible.

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?

My mother and grandmother are my main influences, both taught me, encouraged me and supported me in all my crafty exploits. A lot of my clay work is inspired by Christi Friesen.

What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Cambridge?

I'm a big fan of turned wood - I love the way it feels so I'm pretty excited about seeing Louise and Robert of 'Turned and Twisted'. I'm loving the quirky creations of Fabric Friends - I think one of those might have to come home with me! Hodge Podge Arts has some amazing, unique pieces, which are certainly worth a look. Little Molly the Lamb might just be the cutest thing I've ever seen - I'm a big lamb fan having spent a faie bit of time lambing.

What is your favourite piece?

Probably my little steampunk hedgepig. There will be a variety of steampunk animals available.

Are there any specific pieces you fancy that will be at Handm@de Cambridge?

I think there's likely to be a bit of a fight over those adorable mice by Nat's Nest - everybody seems to love them! I want a GlowBox Lantern for Christmas too!

Meet the Maker - Gemma with a G

This week we meet Gemma of Gemma with a G

Tell us a little bit about you.

I'm Gemma Hadley, I'm 26 years old and I live in a beautiful little cottage in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?

For as long as I can remember I've always had some sort of crafty project on the go. I trained as a graphic designer and while I love computers, there's nothing quite as satisfying as sitting down with some paper, glue and a craft knife and seeing what you can create with your hands.

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?

I've always been hugely influenced by nature and colour. I also love rummaging through local markets and car boots and am often inspired by the unusual papers and treasures I find.

What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Cambridge?

So many! I keep on noticing a new exhibitor I didn't see at first and am hugely looking forward to seeing them all! To name a couple though, Bread of Many's illustrations are beautiful and I love the look of Emma Passey's ceramics. I'm a huge teacup fan!

What is your favourite piece?

My butterfly cards were my first design so they'll always be special to me because of that. They take a while to cut out but they look lovely sat on a mantelpiece. They're one of my more detailed cards and people usually react very positively towards them which is a great feeling :) I'm also very busy working on some Christmas designs at the moment!

Are there any specific pieces you fancy that will be at Handm@de Cambridge?

The Print Tree's blossom print clutches look beautiful, I'm a huge fan of Japanese style prints and am definitely looking forward to seeing them!

Meet the Maker - Kiran Ravilious

This week our featured seller is Kiran of Inkling Prints

Tell us a little bit about you.

I'm Kiran. I'm from Singapore. I moved to England 5 years ago. I now live in Leicester with my husband Ben, our two year old daughter Jill and my seven months old border terrier puppy Daisy.

Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?

I've always liked art. I trained as a graphic designer. I've always enjoyed illustrating and painting. I was inspired to get into printmaking when I met my husband whose grandparents were both printmakers. It was only recently though, that I started printing on fabric.

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?

I think I am influenced by nature and things I see all the time. I love botanical illustrations and the works of artist Alois Auer. I also find folk art very inspiring.

What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Cambridge?

I'm excited about seeing Yunisacs and also The Print Tree. Looking forward to popping round and getting myself a lovely purse or two!

What is your favourite piece?

My favourite piece has to be my napkins. I've printed 4 different designs to be sold as a set of 4. I like them because I think they are colouful and fun!

Are there any specific pieces you fancy that will be at Handm@de Cambridge?

I'm interested in Trash Chic's cushions And also Bread of Many I love the style of illustration!

You can follow Kiran and her work on her blog http://blog.inklingprints.co.uk/

Meet the Maker - Emma Passey

This week our featured seller is Emma Passey

Tell us a little bit about you.

I'm Emma Passey a 25 year old Ceramic Designer /Maker.

My ceramic studio is based in Newport South Wales, I was once asked to particapte in the auditions for the BBC's Dragons Den show, I didnt think I could pitch for bags of clay and glaze somehow.

Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?

I've never thought of myself as always being creative, I certainly took a more designer maker approach during and after University. But sometimes looking back at my school years I guess I was. I remember in one DT class we had to produce an insect, I produced a stuffed Woodlice, while the other girls made pretty insects, it was certainly thinking outside the box although slightly strange.

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?

This is something which constantly changes, at the moment Im looking at Leeds Pottery old drawing sheets and tranfers from the victorian era. In terms of artists Im particulary interested in the ceramic designer Maxium Velcosky, he produces fun high quality ceramic items which often have a story behind them.

What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Cambridge?

Corryvreckan's Button cufflinks particulary caught my eye, I'm looking forward to seeing that stand.

What is your favourite piece?

At the moment Ive been working on some flocked work called 100% Flocked, reusing old ceramic ornaments and plates which otherwise would be discarded and applying brightly coloured flocks too.

Check out Emma's beautiful and unusual work ahead of the show at her website http://www.emmapasseydesign.co.uk

Meet the Maker - QHere

This week we hear from another new exhibitor with Handm@de Cambridge; Ruth of QHere.

Tell us a little bit about you.

My name is Ruth Schmid. I'm 47 and I am from Switzerland. Seven years ago I moved with my husband, our son and daughter to Cambridge.

Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?

I have always loved creating things and working with with my hands. I studied sociology but never felt really happy working in this field. Here in Cambridge, I grasped the opportunity to do what I always deamt of doing: to be creative. I started to design and make very colourful bags made from coated fabrics and recycled advertising banners.

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?

Coming from Switzerland, I have been influenced by the famous bag makers Freitag, who make bags from recycled lorry banners. I especially like the idea of recycling materials that otherwise would be disposed of in landfills.

What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Cambridge?

I am excited to see the range of recycled clothes and accesories from TrashChic.

What is your favourite piece?

My favourite piece is the very useful and practical shopping bag that I make from new coated fabrics but also from banners. I very much like making bags and accessories from recycled materials because they are all unique and very special.

Are there any specific pieces you fancy that will be at Handm@de Cambridge?

I will show my new range of shoulder bags with animal print (faux fur) like zebra, giraffe or leopard.

Meet the Maker - Nat's Nest

This week our featured seller is Natalie of Nat's nest...

Tell us a little bit about you.

Hello! My name is Natalie, I'm 23 and currently living in Leicestershire. This is the first craft show I've ever done so I'm a bit nervous but using all my spare time to just sew, sew, sew!

Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?

Last year I finished a degree in fashion, but although I love to make clothes I can't afford it, as fabrics can be so expensive! So after about 8 months of not being creative at all, I came up with an idea for fabric mice dressed in minuture clothes and hats. The bunnies came along after the mice. I have always loved being arty though and spent most of my time at school drawing all over my notebooks.

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?

I have always loved the work of photographer Tim Walker, as he creates such dreamy images with almost sunbleached colours, another reality to escape into! Also I spent some time in London this year and did a bit of work for Camille Roman of Le Tour de Force, and her headpieces are fantastic. She is also such a creative person with loads of enthusiasm, that was very inspiring.

What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Cambridge?

I'm excited about seeing everyone else! I'm hoping to have some time to shop too for christmas presents! I'm looking forward to seeing Claire Hurd design for her cute embroidered and appliqued cards and accessories.

What is your favourite piece?

I'm fond of all the mice and buns as they all seem to have their own personalities and its difficult to part with them! I have a soft spot for the pirate mice though as they were some of the first.

Right now I'm working on some christmas themed ones!

Meet the Maker - Land Cuckoo

Tell us a little bit about you...

Hi, my name is Sarah, I frequently forget how old I am but I have gone past 30! My postal address is in rural Bedfordshire but I live in my own little world called Land Cuckoo!

Have you always been crafty, or is something that you've picked up more recently?

I have always enjoyed making things, as a child it was usually from items found in the garden or out on walks (I still pick things up and carry them home in my pockets!). Whilst my friends played with their Barbie dolls I used to design and make the gardens for them, that is when we were not attempting to make the longest daisy chain in the world.

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists or events?

Colour is my main influence but can be so hard to choose which to use as I just like colour in general! Daily walking in the countryside gives me the chance to absorb nature's palette.

What other artists are you excited about seeing at Handm@de Cambridge?

Looking forward to seeing Poor Robin's work in the flesh as I find it so appealing online, same with Snapdragon's actually. I am very intrigued by Emma Passey Design from what I have seen of her work on her website and Claire Hurd has some lovely products which I think I would like to own!

What is your favourite piece?

Ooo thats a tough one, I like the first time I use a new fabric and see what it looks like once it is completed. These memo boards are so bright and jolly, a good dose of red should be had everyday. The scent inside these hearts is just wonderful and it gives me a good reason to play around with a number of different fabrics and buttons. Sorting the lavender is probably one of the more tedious jobs I have to do but I am so relaxed by the end of it, nothing matters! Just have to make sure it is the last job of the day or I'd not manage to do anything else!

Are there any specific pieces you fancy that will be at Handm@ede Cambridge?

Strawberries and cream from Poor Robin

Just good enough to eat! Love the colours.

Emma Passey's 'Good Cup of Tea Teapot'

This is something I would like to have a closer look at.

You can keep up to date with Sarah and her work on her blog: http://landcuckoo.blogspot.com

Meet the Maker - Claire Hurd

Tell us a little bit about yourself...

Hi, I'm Claire and I have been working as a Textile Designer since graduating from University in 2001. I am currently working freelance and running my own Textile Design business based in Hampshire. I create unique handmade embroidered textile artworks, illustrations and accessories for high street retailers and my own online stores.

Have you always been crafty, or is it something that you've picked up more recently?

I have always been crafty, busy making things and altering and adding to shop bought clothes and textiles. I was awarded two RSA bursary prizes in 2000 which really kick-started my career working with high street retailers. In the last year, with much encouragement from friends, I have also set up my own website and online stores selling the embroidered textile goodies that I had been creating as presents for them.

Have you been particularly influenced by any other artists?

I have a keen interest in embroidered illustration and love the work of Belinda Downes and Clare Beaton. I also admire the delicate work of Caroline Zoob. With over 8 years of experience in designing for the interior textiles market I also have many designers I admire in that field such as Tricia Guild, Orla Kiely and Cath Kidston.

What is your favourite piece?

My favourite pieces are my framed embroidered artworks - in particular my Boating Artwork. The small scale motifs take a lot of care and attention to make so I can lose myself in a textiley world as I create them. The design also makes me think of my many lovely childhood holidays spent on the Dorset coast - very special times.

Are there any specific pieces you fancy that will be at Handm@de Cambridge?

I look forward to seeing what beautiful papers Gemma with a G has found recently and being able to see her cut-out butterfly cards first hand.

You can follow what Claire is working on via her site: http://www.clairehurd.co.uk/

Meet the Maker - Paperleaf

"I've always loved pretty stationery, and after designing and making the invitations for my wedding last year I decided to start Paperleaf as a creative outlet from my day "job" as a PhD student.

All of my cards are screenprinted using a Gocco machine, a crazy Japanese invention that has a cult-like following in the craft world! It's very important to me to use recycled and environmentally-friendly materials - all of my paper/card supplies are recycled and even my bags are biodegradable and compostable. Some of my designs are even double-recycled such as my notepads which I make from scrap paper from my office's recycling bin!

I currently sell my goodies on Etsy and Folksy and I have recently launched my own shop, Paperleaf Studio at - http://paperleafstudio.co.uk/shop

http://folksy.com/shops/paperleaf
http://www.paperleaf.etsy.com

Meet the Maker - Fabric Nation

Fabric Nation is a designer maker with a love of fabric and vintage craft books. She mainly works with vintage fabrics which are recycled into a parade of cats, dogs, accessories and homewares. She has shops on Etsy and Folksy and exhibits at Brighton and London Artists Open Houses.

www.fabricnation.folksy.com and www.fabricnationuk.etsy.com

Why make stuff?

I was lucky to grow up at a time when education was project based and about discovery through hands-on making and doing. As a teenager without much money, the only way to make an entrance was to make your clothes yourself, so many a brightly printed curtain ended up as a skirt, top or dress (Eithne Farry sums this up really well in her intro to ‘Yeah, I made it myself’). My friends inspired me in this respect too as well as the whole DIY ethos of just getting on and making stuff in your kitchen or front room with what ever you had. I also got a lot of satisfaction from recycling fabrics I found from jumble sales and seeing how much I could create from other people’s unwanted stuff.

What’s your favourite fabric?

I have always loved vintage prints, particularly barkcloth fabrics of the 1950s and 60s and began using these to make clothes which I sold on my stall as a teenager (no dull Saturday job for me!). I like the coarseness of the fabric and the wonderful array of patterns. No fragment goes unused as I am only too aware that it's amazing that this fabric has survived 50 years or more. I love the distinctive 50s atomic designs as well as the more pop-style flowers and swirls.

What handmade stuff do you have your eyes on?

I’ve been writing about many of the makers who will be at Handmade Cambridge on my blog (http://fabricnationadventures.blogspot.com/) so I can’t wait to meet these lovely designers and see all of their amazing work for real. I find I keep returning to Pennydog as I love her use of ephemera and nature in her resin work and I also like the mix of illustration in Helena Carrington’s work. There are too many to mention, but I also recently discovered Corryvreckan’s silverwork and can’t help but be impressed by someone who gives her pieces names like ‘Holkam Plover’ and ‘Bladder Wrack’. I am also a big fan of Xtina Lamb’s print work who has a fine line in seaweed too as well as gocco bunting!

http://www.xtinalamb.co.uk/

http://www.helenacarrington.co.uk/

http://www.penny-dog.co.uk/

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6257272

Meet the Maker - Strikk

Cosy homewares, beautiful colours and wonderful craftsmanship are all available from our new meet the maker interviewee - Tanya from Strikk.

What made you start crafting?
My grandmother taught me to knit when i was young and one of my first creations was an aran jersey which my then boyfriend very kindly wore even though it was two sizes too big for him. Luckily things have improved since then and I've knitted on and off throughout my life but it was not until moving to London about three years ago from my home town of cape town that I started knitting seriously again.
Oh, and this of course was helped by stumbling across a little website called Etsy in december 2007!

I knit constantly! the only thing that frustrates me is that only have two hands and I have a full-time job in the city. Fortunately knitting is pretty portable, so I knit everywhere. I've gotten used to people staring at me on tubes and buses. I am trying to figure out how to knit and cycle but I think that is a step too far!"

Tanya mainly uses yarns that come from South Africa which have been hand dyed and hand spun by ladies in job creation projects - "I find the colours and textures both vibrant and incredibly soft."

Besides being on Etsy (http://www.strikk.etsy.com) you can also find Strikk via notonthehighstreet - http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/strikk).
"I have a little blog that I use to update and also showcase other amazing knitters http://strikkstrikk.blogspot.com"

Meet the Maker - Yunisacs

Today we are meeting Stacy of Yunisacs - a bright and beautiful shop filled with gorgeous purses in wonderful fabrics.

"Sewing has always been a part of my life, whether helping my mum back at home when I was much younger, or taking part in the craft projects at school. I cannot remember a time I wasn’t holding a piece of string and a needle! "

I love to be able to pick fabric I adore and spend money on purse frames, zippers and all kinds of supplies. Who doesn’t like a bit of shopping? I also like the freedom to try new shapes and create new designs that people will appreciate. "

Stacy's work is available on Etsy and Folksy, and of course at Handm@de Cambridge!
www.yunisacs.etsy.com

www.yunisacs.folksy.com

Meet the Maker - Perfect Little Purses

Today we are featuring Joy from Perfect Little Purses, she makes gorgeous, colourful handbags from unique fabrics.

"I have always been crafty in some way. I remember making a barrel shape pencil case complete with hand sewn zip when I was about seven. I have knitted, cross-stitched and papercrafted my way through life."

"I made my first bag for myself. A cute little basket style bag with bamboo handles, and then several more as Christmas presents. The following January, I set up my etsy shop. `Perfect Little Purse Company`. To my delight, the sales did happen . These days, most of my work is custom work and selling at fairs.

Making bags is a varied and never tedious journey as my one of a kind ethos makes every one different and transforming a brief into reality is indeed a voyage of discovery."

More recently I have begun making and selling knitted animals which are under the name of `Perfect Little Friends`. These have been so popular I have been franticly knitting to order but have a few of the little treasures to bring to Cambridge. I hope to combine my loves at some point and offer knitted bags also."

Joy will be sharing her stall with her daughter Emma, you can find Emma's interview on this blog under her shop name 'Dings Insanity.'

You can find Perfect Little Purses on Etsy -
www.perfectlittlepurses.etsy.com

We can't wait to meet the 'Perfect Little Friends' at the fair!