04 Nov

#shoutoutrevolution – Just Sew Helen

Who are you and what do you do? 
I’m Helen & by day I’m a midwife working with high risk pregnancies. I have a small textile art business ranging from dressmaking to embroidery and fabric ornaments.

When did you begin embroidering? 
I have been sewing all of my life, well as long as I can remember, as Mom taught me as a little girl.  She worked from home as a dress maker in the 1970’s and I made little dresses for my dolls and teddies whilst she took in orders.  Over the years, I have undertaken many different projects and returned to needlework & embroidery in 2015 when I started creating remembrance pictures.

What inspired you to create your beautiful pictures and keepsakes?
Sadly, after a very short illness in 2015, my mom died from Ovarian Cancer (OC) and I wanted to use the skills Mom taught me to raise money for an OC charity.  At the same time, two friends also lost their Moms to cancer and I created each of them a picture in memory of their Mom using applique and embroidery.  Over time I researched the handmade market and joined Etsy and finally created my own website and launched my small business in 2016.  My most popular items are Angel Baby Remembrance pictures and I’ve been privileged to create some very personal keepsakes.

What is your one essential tool that you cannot live without (for your art)?
As with any craft, many tools are required to complete a job – some vital and some just to help overall process.  However, I think my most essential tool would have to be my sewing machine as many of my items involve additional construction rather than just decorative hand embroidery.

Where can I find you on the web? 
I can be found in lots of places and would love you to come and say ‘hi’ –

justsewhelen.com
twitter.com/justsewhelen
instagram.com/justsewhelen
facebook.com/justsewhelen
justsewhelen.etsy.com
pinterest.com/JustSewHelen

What do you like to do when you are not creating? 
I procrastinate very well and can get lost on the laptop on Pinterest etc but I’m usually researching projects or techniques and so actually spend a lot of time creating in one way or another.

Our family is expanding, now with 5 grandchildren, elderly parents and our two boys at home are still at school, so spare time is precious.  We enjoy spending time as a family at our holiday home in Wales  – such a beautiful country and I can sit and embroider to my heart’s content.

Have you got any pets? 
We have two 15 year old ginger cats,  a boy Tigger and a girl Winnie.  Tigger is showing his age and is slowing down but is perfectly content to plonk himself on top of me and my laptop. His sister is a bit more particular often enjoying her own company.

What is your favourite art book?
My go to craft book is The Embroidery Stitch Bible by Betty Barnden and although I research a lot online nothing beats being able to flick through pages for inspiration. I also have a nice collection of vintage sewing & embroidery books that I inherited from my mom and I love flicking through and reminiscing my childhood and memories of Mom using these books for her crafts.

28 Oct

Christmas is a time for giving….

 

But if you think this post is going to be all sell, sell, sell, you’re wrong.

You know where I am, you know what I do and I am ready to talk when you are.

Until then, let me tell you about a charity that has touched my heart.  I heard the founder of Bloody Good Period talk on Reni Eddo-Lodge’s amazing podcast “About Race” (a bloody good listen, and I strongly recommend her book as well (affiliate link to book).

The podcast episode featuring Bloody Good Period really struck a chord with me.  As someone who has had to rely on charity before, I loved that Bloody Good found it important to listen to what people actually wanted and needed rather than just handing out products that were cheap, uncomfortable or just not practical to use for many displaced women.

I’ve now bought a reusable cup which is great for me, but many women have neither the confidence nor the privacy to use these products.  I have lived with shared mixed gender bathrooms and communal eating and cooking facilities and this is not the kind of environment that reusables are suitable for.

Bloody Good Period ask women what they want and provide it.  This alone is revolutionary for providers of support services for vulnerable women. It made me feel very happy that there are good people out there who will listen and not judge.

So, this Christmas, for every sale, I hereby pledge to buy something from the Bloody Good Period’s Amazon wishlist.

Even if you don’t fancy buying anything I sell, you can get involved and make a difference by buying a one-off gift for people who can’t afford period supplies or even subscribing and donating something on a regular basis. Check their how to donate page.

So instead of buying cards that use trees and end up in the recycling bin two weeks later, why not use that cash to help ladies be a bit more comfortable this festive season?

Please?

 

22 Sep

#shoutoutrevolution – @ffinlaysonart

**WildBunny asks that you please view this blog post on a laptop/pc, and click on the images to make them bigger.  Because the animals look amazing on a phone screen, but when I viewed them on a bigger screen, I was blown away.  So beautiful.**

Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Fiona, I live in Scotland and I make needle felted animals.

When did you begin painting?
I have always painted since I can remember, all through school and graduated from Edinburgh College of Art. always liked creating more 3D work which has made needle felting such a great craft for me although I do still paint.

What inspired you to create needle felted animals?
Last year I saw an advert for a class to learn how to needle felt and then have never stopped!

Can you give me a small insight into the process of needle felting?
For full bobby animals you first build a very simple wire armature, wrap this in pipe cleaners then build up core wool , wrapping and stabbing with a felting needle.  When you have a basic shape you start to add colour and eyes.

What is your one essential tool that you cannot live without (for your art)?
Probably the wire as it allows such better results than without although I would be lost without a needle too!

Where can I find you on the web?
Instagram @ffinlaysonart
twitter @ffinlaysonart
Facebook Fiona Finlayson Art
and website http://ffinlayson.com

What do you like to do when you are not creating?
Gardening, tv, walking my dog and have a vintage crockery addiction!

Have you got any pets?
Yes, Dexter a yellow Labrador who is 2 who I adore

What reading at the moment?
The book I am reading at the moment is Island of Dreams by Dan Boothbyabout a man who lives in Gavin Maxwells old home – I love otters.

29 Jul

#shoutoutrevolution – Lauren C. Waterworth

Who are you and what do you do? 

I am an illustrator working in the U.K. and I create hand painted designs that I put together as downloadable/ printable clipart or Scrapbooking kits.

These kits will include a series of individual illustrations, patterned background papers, frames and a hand painted alphabet.

Customers who buy my kits use them to make digital scrapbooks, hand made cards, party crafts and much much more!

All my kits come with a limited commercial licence – this means that you can sell things you have made using my artwork as long as it’s a physical item (such as a card for example) but nothing that can be downloaded as that’s what I sell!

When did you begin making your incredible art?

I was hired by a company called Serif who are based in Nottingham, England to work for their DaisyTrail Brand – they specialised in creating ‘Digikits’ (Digital craft kits) that were sold to be used with Serif’s CraftArtist Software.

Prior to this I created a lot of different things, mainly acrylic and mixed media paintings, but I also created models out of polymer clay as well as many other things – I love being creative and trying out new mediums!

When I was asked If I’d be interested in applying for the job at Serif I didn’t have much experience working with watercolour but I picked it up quickly, now that is my primary medium.

What inspired you to create your form of art?

The joy of making digital craft kit is seeing customers use my artwork for their own designs – my creativity lets other people to be creative too!

Sadly the DaisyTrail brand was closed in 2017 but I enjoyed making the kits so much that I decided to continue making them under my own brand.

The versatility of creating matching sets of artwork means that I can then turn my illustrations into designs for other means – I also make Printable card making kits to sell through CraftsUPrint.com using the same images I’ve painted for my craft kits – I love having new opportunities to be creative with the artwork I have already created!

What is your one essential tool that you cannot live without (for your art)?

Probably my drawing tablet. I could create the kits in any medium but I couldn’t translate them to the computer screen within my tablet.

Where can I find you on the web?

I sell my work through a couple of sites:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LCWaterworth

https://www.e-scapeandscrap.net/boutique/

https://www.craftsuprint.com/lcwaterworth/

You can also follow me on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/LaurenCWaterworth

Or Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lcwaterworth/

What do you like to do when you are not creating?

I’m a mum to a very independent little boy! This is a whole new challenge that often means very limited time for creating art but I love him to bits and wouldn’t change him for the world, he is my masterpiece 😉

Have you got any pets?

We have a grumpy tuxedo cat called Neko.

What is your favourite book?

That’s a hard question – between working and looking after my little boy I don’t get much time to read but I’m always looking on Pinterest for art that inspires me!

I’m a big fan of Terry Pratchett and that includes the artwork of Paul Kirby who has done a lot of illustration work for the Discworld series.

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20 May

#shoutoutrevolution – MTMT Designs

A massive shout out to another shoe artist here:

Who are you and what do you do? 
I’m Maggie, a proud Malaysian, graduated university with a business degree and I like to call myself as a creative person as I am one with many roles. My day job is managing food and beverage marketing for 10 different outlets; I am also working part time for a beauty company on affiliate marketing; and I leave my free time for my passion – art. Other freelance roles include emceeing, dancing, and copywriting.

When did you begin your art journey?
My parents signed me up for art classes when I was about 7 years old. I won a couple of art competitions in school and actually thought of pursuing art for my tertiary education, but was turned down by my parents because they don’t think it will be a career. The actual art journey began during my university days where it started off as a gift giving gesture for a friend’s birthday, my work then became a topic on social media and were increasingly demanded among my friends, so I eventually decided to turn my artwork into a customised shoe painting business back in the year 2010, I was 19 then. I name the business MTMT designs, it represent the initials of my full name. Till date, as paint works evolved into different mediums as well, I have clients from close to 12 countries globally, about 10 pieces of public murals in Malaysia and taught close to a 100 students for workshops. Services provided include customized shoe painting, canvas painting, mural works, painting workshops and also CSR projects.

I mainly use acrylic for my painting, and I’m trying to pick up watercolour and chalk to broaden my art capabilities.

MTMT Designs will continue to strive for a better position towards the contribution of Malaysia’s art scene.

What inspired you to create your form of art?
I particularly enjoyed recreating an art piece of an artist, it gives me a sense of achievement of being able to achieve what they created. I’m also slowly moving into a phase where I can create my own style and designs, it’s taking me a while to get there because I am still not having the right confidence with my creations.

What is your one essential tool that you cannot live without (for your art)?
My paint brush! (and paint!) It’s brutal to keep this to ONE haha.

Where can I find you on the web?
I use to have a website but closed it down because I don’t have time to manage it, right now it’s mainly on my social media platforms:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mtmtdesigns
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mtmtdesigns

What do you like to do when you are not creating?
Working out at the gym, playing with my dog, reading, travelling

Have you got any pets?
Yes! A toy poodle with the name Jasper. He’s our first family pet and he’s a bundle of joy. Always bumming around the house looking for snacks and he loves playing fetch in the house.

What is your favourite art book? (or, what are you reading at the moment, your choice)
No particular favourite art book, I’m reading “Blue Ocean Strategy” at the moment.

05 May

#shoutoutrevolution Twotone Art

Introducing Twotone Art:

Who are you and what do you do?
Hello, my name is Clare and I am an Artist. It took me a while to admit that I was one, I never felt good enough within myself. But I’m there now, even though my family and friends are rolling their eyes as if to say “Well, duh, we told you that ages ago! So it’s all good!

My main form of art is drawing in Graphite pencil, although, when I started being more serious with producing art, I used a lot of Black Indian Ink. (Hence, Twotone) I LOVE faces! Drawing faces is my first passion. To be able to capture their essence within a drawing is a true delight. Although now writing this down, I do sound like a dark witch! Hahaha! But its true. If I don’t get their sense of who they are when I draw their eyes, I know it’s not going to come out as good.

I have recently, began to try new things. I’m giving acrylic paints a go. It’s different and I’m enjoying the journey. Colour always frightened me, I never knew what colour went where. Now though, I just go with it. Having fun is a priority, just create! And even if I create more art with colour, Twotone will always be me.

When did you begin making your two toned art? 
I came up with Twotone about 6-7 years ago now I suppose. I was drawing a lot with ink, so it was only natural for me to use it as a logo. I didn’t even pick up a pencil until 2003. I never thought I could draw. It was only when the car was bashed into and had to get repaired that I was stuck on what to do. My husband bought me a watercolour set to keep me busy, I never felt comfortable with that medium, but it gave me the kick I needed and it went on from there.

What inspired you to create your form of art?
Easiness! Hahaha! Or, what I thought was easy. But it never is as plain sailing as you first think. But with all forms of art, you evolve, you change the way you first do things. It’s natural. When I look back at what I did at the beginning, it’s nothing to how I create now. But I don’t see my past drawings and go “Oh my God! How awful.” Because, at that time, it was the best I could create.

Don’t ever think what you create is rubbish, hard I know, because we are our own worse critics. What you create, whatever medium you use, it’s a part of you. You put your time and effort into creating it so don’t demean what you’ve done.

What is your one essential tool that you cannot live without (for your art)?
That would be my mechanical pencil. A close second is a blending stick. My mechanical pencil has drawn many things with me, it’s never failed me.

Where can I find you on the web?
http://Www.twotoneart.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/twotoneart/
https://www.facebook.com/TwotoneUK/
https://twitter.com/twotoneart
I’ve also put some of my art on Redbubble, not too long ago, so things are still fairly limited. Here’s the link if you so desire to pop along. https://www.redbubble.com/people/TwotoneArt

What do you like to do when you are not creating?
Thinking about what I can create! Ideas keep popping up at the oddest of times. I have a notebook with me at all times, even though if someone else reads what I’ve written it’ll look like a weird code as my brain is way to fast for my writing. So, for example, it’ll have “Nebulas, get thingy paint, and scribble down parts.” Very professional as you can see.

I also love gardening. To be out with the plants and trees is just so energy giving. I also love walking around where I live. I have fields all around me, and there’s a beautiful stream nearby, where I love gathering my thoughts… And new ideas for art.

Have you got any pets?
I do! I have a rescue staffy dog named Jazz. She is just coming up 9 and she is a bundle of bounce. There’s also Runner Ducks and I’m hoping soon enough to bring in some rescue hens.

What is your favourite art book/what are you reading at the moment?
I don’t have a specific art book that’s a favourite, but I do love looking at other peoples art.

I swear on my IG, I am scrolling and liking other artists pieces. There’s SO much amazing talent out there. And they need to know that they are supported. My favourite ‘go to’ book though is Jane Eyre. I have read it so much, I don’t really need to read the words!