Featuring... Bread and Jam

Afternoon lovelies!

I mentioned these wonderful people recently and am now pleased to introduce them in full... Bread and Jam!

Ok, so let’s start with a little bit about you, how did Bread and Jam come to life?

We've been working for ourselves for getting close to 14 years now. I've (Jamie) been working mainly in the commercial interior design field, working on projects for the likes of Virgin, Nike, Speedo and plenty of other large multinational brands. Catherine has been working creatively for herself for the same amount of time, mainly producing lovely pieces to sell to top up the bank balance. Catherine, one day, posed the question "why don't we work together" and a month later Bread & Jam was formed. It's not everyone's idea of a healthy partnership, seen as we spend 24 hours a day with each other, but we work really well together, especially when the chips are down and we're up against it. In truth, we'd never even printed anything in anger, just a few things at art college but you wouldn't say we had experience. We're quite impulsive as a couple and we do like a challenge.

Notebooks for all your noting needs

It’s an interesting name, what’s the thinking behind it?

Now you may just have opened up a can of worms with that question. Ella, our eldest daughter, swears blind it was her idea but I can't quite place that conversation. Having said that, my brain is getting a little fuzzy as I get older so I must concede and give her that one. The name is quite simple really, we take a really good quality basic (the bread) and sweeten it up with a nice topping (the jam aka our designs). It also works as my name is Jamie (Mr Jam) and bread is rhyming slang for wife (bread knife). A bit tenuous but it does make us smile.

 

Cute prints to jazz up your walls

I received my first order from you recently (read about it here) and was so excited when it came through the door…  Where do you get your inspiration?

Yes, we must thank you wholeheartedly for your purchase; we may just have another Bread & Jam convert on our hands! In terms of inspiration, it comes from many varied sources but we do have a constant theme running through most of our work and that is pattern and design from mid 20th Century, whether that's fabric patterns, ceramics or wallpaper. We also have a real soft spot for Scandinavian design and we have many examples littered about our house. Our girls also are a constant source of ideas too, I love the honesty in their drawings and stories, I think that's where some of our phrase based pieces originate from. Not directly, but they do make us think about things in the simplest and purest of ways, which I think everyone can relate to if the complexities of adult life are stripped away.

I want their mugs!!

And which is your favourite design at the moment?

We are really excited about starting to screen print onto fabric pieces. It's just cotton tote bags at the moment but we've got grand plans to move into all sorts of areas with this. The tote bags are a new addition we bought through in time for Christmas but we will be doing a few more patterns next year. We've also re-launched our wooden pencil boxes too with brighter and bolder prints. We think these will go really well at Christmas too, they're great little stocking fillers for kids and grownups alike.

T'is the season to be jolly with these bags

 
There is a lot of buzz around you facebook page and I’ve just found you on pinterest (I’m not stalking I promise!), it’s great to see the community amongst crafters, if you could give one piece of advice to a crafter looking to make the leap into starting a business what would it be?

Stalk away Amanda, it's not something we haven't done ourselves! Advice, it's a tricky one because everyone's situation and style are different but one thing which has really kept us going up to now is a huge passion for what we do. I can't say every day is a bucket full of syrup but you've really got to love what you do and really ignore the naysayers. There's plenty of people out there who will tell you that you're doing the wrong thing or that's not the way you should do it, ignore them and press on (unless of course it's the bank manager then try not ignore them). It's your business, you're in control otherwise what's the point, you may as well be working for the man.

Back to school with these pencil boxes

 What exciting things does the rest of 2013 hold for you?

Well there's plenty going on that's for sure. We've just packed off our first order destined for Anthropologie in the States so we're keen to see how that goes for them and we're excited and nervous in equal measures on that front. We've got a whole bunch of new products which we've been Launching over the last few weeks plus some more to come. The most exciting thing happening in the very near future is that we're moving into new studios. We've been working from home since we started 18 months ago and to be honest we ran out of space about 6 months ago. We're moving into some space above a disused hotel, not very glamorous but we're really excited to put our own stamp on the place and we've been gathering various pieces of vintage furniture and bits and bobs over the last few months. The very first thing we bought was an essential piece of kit which we've needed for a while, an old biscuit tin!

Tote bags

So, if you had any spare time and could try and craft in the world, what would you want to learn next or do more of?

Catherine has been tinkering with crochet and I know she's got some projects on the go but she's always so busy she never seems to be able to finish anything. I'm sure they will look truly marvellous once they're complete, she's a clever sausage that one. As for me, I'm a keen amateur photographer and I try to get out and about if the weather and workload permit. I've been taking pictures for a good few years now but there's always so much to learn and new techniques to try.

 

More pencil boxes

 And finally, where would your dream holiday be?

We've been fortunate enough to travel a bit in our time; we've just come back from a trip to Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand in February this year. We're just in the throes of organising our next big adventure and it's a landmark birthday for someone not too far away from me right now. The options are Costa Rica or India. Costa Rica looks an amazingly diverse country, rainforests, beaches and volcanoes but India has always been high up on the list. If I were to put money on it, I think we'll end up in India. we've got plans to travel with the girls from North to South and back again, taking in all that it can offer. We like to organise things ourselves as much possible so we'll probably be booking flights in about 6 months. We're hugely excited by the potential adventure, fingers crossed we sell enough stuff to pay for it!

 

Just add tea to these lovely mugs!

Wow sounds amazing, thank you so much for taking part in our blog.  So lovely people, if you'd like to explore the world of Bread and Jam more then you can find them here.....

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Website

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Pinterest

Until next time...

Amanda xx

Featuring... The Little Honey Bee Company

Hi everyone,

Am just loving this weather at the moment, I hope it lasts!

This is a featured interview that I have been meaning to post for a while and things got a bit too hectic.  I find this crafter fascinating, so without further ado, here is The Little Honey Bee Company....

Ok, so let’s start with a little bit about you…

What inspired you to start The Little Honey Bee Company?

The Little Honey Bee Company came about by accident quite literally.  A few years ago I had a bad accident and was housebound for the best part of a year.  To suddenly find myself stuck in a second floor flat when I was used to being out and about was a bit tough.  I decided that I could either sit and be miserable or I could do something.   

I had always wanted to have a go at making soaps, salves etc and as honey and beeswax was something I had plenty of I decided to see how many different products I could make for Christmas presents.  I was really pleased how everyone enjoyed their presents and the lovely comments I got so I just carried on making from there.  I thought selling a few honey and beeswax soaps would be an ideal way to pay for my beekeeping hobby so I had my products safety assessed so I could sell them.   

The Little Honey Bee Company grew out of that hobby.

What does a typical day look like for you?

There's no such thing as a typical day for me!  Weekends I usually have events and so I'm up at silly o'clock to load the car and drive to events – I do love getting out and meeting people at events.

Weekdays always start with a nice long dog walk, a quick check on the beehives and feed the chickens.  Then it really depends what needs doing.  Some days it will be making more products, other days I might have talks to give or candle rolling sessions to host, or I may be trying out some new products, or I might have a large candle order for a wedding, .  

During the summer there's always the checks on the bees to be done and sometimes swarms to collect.  You never know when you might get a call to go and collect a swarm so that's always fun.  Late summer there's the honey to extract and jar, then autumn is very busy for me once everyone starts buying their Christmas gifts.   

After Christmas its cleaning and preparing beekeeping equipment ready for the year ahead.  This year I used the quieter months to set up my website.  Because there's always something different to be done I never get chance to be bored.

It’s amazing how many products can be created from honey and beeswax, what’s your personal favourite?

I love all the products I make and its difficult to choose a favourite, but I think it would have to be the soap.  I love making the soap using the traditional cold process method.  As this creates a long lasting bar of soap that lathers and retains the naturally produced glycerin and the moisturising properties of the oils used it can also be used for shaving with and as a shampoo bar (with no need for a conditioner) so one bar replaces lots of products for my family.

Honey and soap - what a great combination

What are the benefits from using these natural products?

Honey has been referred to as “nature's golden healer” for its many benefits.  Both honey and beeswax have antiseptic and antibactieral properties.   As honey is hygroscopic it draws moisture from the atmosphere, making it a great moisuriser.  Beeswax is waterproof and will help to create a barrier locking moisture in.  Mother nature really knew what she was doing when she gave us beeswax and honey.

Am I right in thinking that there is a decline in the number of honey bees?  What can we do to help them?

Things have been a bit tough for bees in general, and honey bees suffered with the wet summer and the long winter just like the rest of us.  From speaking to other local beekeepers colony losses this winter have been a lot higher than usual which is a worry.  However, as bees have been around longer than we have I'm optimistic that all will be well.  One of the best things that people can do for all bees is to plant plenty of bee friendly plants in their gardens, allotments, balconies etc, especially those that are available to bees earlier or later in the year, such as crocuses which provide lots of early pollen.  Lots of people have heard that bees can be fed a sugar syrup and ask me about leaving out either sugar syrup or honey for bees – please don't.  This could help spread disease.

Gorgeous handmade beeswax candles

I find myself drawn to so many crafts, are there any crafts that you would like to have a go at doing?

I'd love to be able to sew.  I've made the odd cushion cover or two, but I've seen some gorgeous things on some of the craft pages I'd love to able to make.  I love handmade rag dolls and teddy bears as well as patchwork quilts.

What does 2013 hold for The Little Honey Bee Company?

Oh I've got lots and lots of events booked for this year which I'm looking forward to.  I've also got lots of ideas for new products that I'd like to make, but mostly I'm looking forward to lots of time spent beekeeping over the summer months.

Add some buzz to your bath!

And finally, where in the world would your dream holiday be?

The only time I've ever been abroad is a school exchange trip to France and a couple of day trips!  I can't really say I have a yearning to go anywhere in particular.  However, if my dream holiday involved anything I wanted I think I'd like to visit beekeepers in other countries and see how beekeeping differs there, the different seasons and climates and the different styles of hives.

So there you have it, who would have thought that you could get so much from those cute bees!  To find out more and to buy some of these gorgeous products you can visit The Little Honey Bee Company via the following:

• Facebook page
• *** new website***

Featuring... "We Love Craft" sellers

Me again!

So you may have seen that we are attending the "We Love Craft" fair in Enfield on Saturday 13th July so I thought it would be a good idea to showcase some of the very talented crafters I will be selling alongside.

Little Owl Boutique

Beautiful sewing and paper crafts

Home Sweet Home by Little Owl Boutique

Craftee Fox

More beautifully sewn items, including some fun sock monkeys!! 

Oscar the sock monkey by Craftee Fox

CJ Creations

Intricate beaded jewellery

Bracelet by CJ Creations

Henna Sparkles

Stunning henna inspired decorated homeware

Decorated candles by Henna Sparkles

Les Anglaise Provencale

Unique home accessories including handamde Provencal lavender accessories

Lavender pounces by Les Anglaise Provencale

The Candle Cellar

Irresistible fragranced candles

Rose container candle by The Candle Cellar

Sparkling Bits

Lovely crochet accessories

Sweet baby booties from Sparkling Bits

That's all of them for now, as you can see there are some fantastic sellers attending!  For more details on the event please visit the facebook event.  This event is run monthly so if you can't visit in July then there will be plenty of other opportunities.

If I hear of any other sellers (as I think there are about 25 of us at the event) I will add them to this post.

Hope to see you there.

Until next time...

Amanda xx

Featuring... The Polished Button

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I've featured anyone and I am excited to introduce you to the fabulous Ruth from the Polished Button...

What bought you into the world of vintage sewing goodies?

I originally trained in theatre design at university, and from there went on to work as both a designer and costume maker. 20th Century fashion has always interested me, and I eventually ended up dealing in vintage clothing and started a masters degree in fashion. However, at the same time I had the opportunity to open a theatrical costume hire company, so I took the leap (the masters is still waiting to be finished!) I ran Costumia for a number of years, before moving into lecturing and taking on freelance work. After working for a vintage clothing company for the past year as the in-house seamstress, I rekindled my love for vintage clothing, and more specifically the nuts and bolts (or fabric and buttons!) of how they work, and this was how The Polished Button began! My dual love of costumes and vintage clothing is satisfied when I am surrounded by beautiful fabrics and haberdashery, topped off with a bit of sewing for my blog!


Which is your favourite vintage era?

For textiles and buttons, it has to be 1920’s – 1930’s - the prints are so pretty and unique, and the quality is always so good. I love finding a little Art Deco button, hand carved in glass or shell! For myself, I like to wear 40’s/50’s styles if I am dressing up, or a simpler 1960’s style in the day.

Some of the gorgeous products available from The Polished Button

So, we know that I love your fabric and buttons but how do you find all these great products?  

Aha, the magic question! I have always had a stash of vintage haberdashery - people always hand me bags of bits and pieces as they know I love it! But I suppose when I ran Costumia we had lots of donations which meant my collection grew and grew. Now I find things everywhere, and always have an eye on auctions, charity shops and antiques fairs, as well as scouring my wholesalers for new vintage style products.


I’d find it hard to part with some of those fabrics, do you do much sewing?

I love to sew, although it’s been on the back burner a bit recently as I have a young daughter so not much time! However, I do have a stash of fabrics which are just for me, and regularly raid the button collection if I am working on a project! I have a little pile of patterns on my desk just waiting to be turned into something lovely!


What does your typical working day look like?

Once I have been corralled out of bed by the toddler, I drink a gallon of coffee, get myself and her washed and dressed (my husband sorts himself out haha!) and drop her off at my Mum’s house. I then head to the post office to send any orders out (I parcel them up the night before) and either do a quick scour of the shops for vintage gems, or head back to check on emails. I try and fit in a bit of social media networking - twitter, facebook updates or reading and commenting on relevant blogs. I then photograph any new products ready for the website, and spend the afternoon editing and uploading these to the website. If I have time I will start or finish any projects I am working on, and get them onto the blog too. Before I know it is time to collect my daughter and get dinner on! I often work in the evenings too - anything from a bit of sewing, to sorting out one of the many boxes of buttons into sets to sell, to checking and ironing vintage patterns before they go on sale!

More of the gorgeous products available from The Polished Button

Random question… Where would your dream holiday be?

Oh gosh - somewhere with sunshine, good food, beautiful coast line and a good dollop of history! We spent part of our honeymoon in Dubrovnik and it's just stunning, so maybe an island hopping trip along the Croatian coast line.  In fact, can I go now?

And finally, what does 2013 hold for the Polished Button?

So many exciting things! The new website has launched, and hopefully by the time you read this we will have been featured in a few magazines too. I have so many amazing products just waiting to make it onto the website - my work room is stuffed to the gills! I have lots of projects to feature on the blog, as well as making connections with all the clever bloggers out there. I just hope people find The Polished Button as much of a treasure trove as I do - I am passionate about fashion, sewing and the past and want to find others to share it with!


Thank you Ruth, definitely go and check out the new website for fantastic sewing goodies, but you can also stay up to date by visiting her Facebook page or by following on Twitter


Until next time...

Amanda xx

Featuring... The Sherbet Patch

Wow, do I have another talented crafter for you today…. The “Sherbet Patch” is someone I came across on the good old Book of Face.  I just love her creations and can see one of them winging their way to someone this Christmas, either that or I will just be treating myself!

So, drum roll please……  Here is “The Sherbet Patch”…..

Q.  Let’s start with a little bit about you…

Hello!  My name is Sarah, and my craft site is called ‘’The Sherbet Patch,’’ The Sherbet Patch sells quirky, handmade fabric items, with a definite leaning towards owls.

I have always been interested in textile design and crafts, and one of my earliest crafting memories is making mini dolls, by stuffing old nylon tights with bits of rag. My grandma was a painter, a sewer and an embroiderer and my mum was a keen knitter for as long as I can remember,  

I studied textile design in the 80’s at Horsham School of Art, but was never as focused as I should have been. I was distracted by dreams of travel and took a year out, where I fell in love with Kibbutz and Israel, and never continued on to university. 

Over the past 25 years I have continually dabbled with various crafts, both as a hobby and selling through local craft fairs. However, it wasn’t until last year that circumstances intervened and what used to be a ‘’hobby job’’ has become my primary source of income; I love what I do.  I miss the guaranteed paycheque at the end of each month, but my quality of life is better.

Q.  Your fabric items are adorable, I especially love the owl cushion and that they all have their own character.  How do you name them and where do you get your inspiration from?

Thank you! The owl cushion was the first item I designed for The Sherbet Patch.  My very first owl remains nameless to this day, but has pride of place on a chair in my front room.  He has paisley wings on a fleecy body and will be named Hector from this day forth.

I started naming the owls a few months ago, as each one has a different character depending on the fabric used.  I think of the owls as quite retro in design, with a 70’s influence. I was inspired by a 1970’s floral Humpty~Dumpty that my mum made me.

To compliment the retro feel I went for old fashioned, traditional names, like Humphrey and Douglas. Many of the floral owls have a vintage feel to them, so I took inspiration from traditional flowers and herbs, such as Basil, Petunia and Blossom.

Q.  Can you describe your typical working day?

My typical working day....

On a typical working day I would get up at 8.30am and work through the morning. I use the afternoon to catch up on day to day activities, then start sewing again in the evening.  I have been known to work through till daylight if I get carried away, but I’m trying to curb that habit as I make mistakes.

Working from home is something I have struggled with. It is very difficult to have structure when I am distracted by the kettle, the computer, the television. It is too easy to stay too long in bed when there is no need for an alarm clock.  I struggled with defining the boundaries between work and home, still do, but I am improving.

Q.  And what’s your favourite item you’ve made so far?

My favourite item is constantly changing, but my current favourite is Amaryllis, (pictured below).  Amaryllis is an owl cushion made using a vibrant, Amy Butler print fabric called ‘’Disco Flowers’’ that I fell instantly in love with. I think she has a very 70’s feel to her.

 

Q.  If someone was starting out in the craft business world, what piece of advice would you give them?

Never underestimate the cost of making an item. It is very easy to underestimate the real cost of craft items, particularly when you factor in postage, packing, etc.

Q.  How can people get in touch with you?

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TheSherbetPatch

Twitter – @eves_sarah

Email – seves19@btinternet.com

Phone – 01792 390014

Q.  Other than textiles, are there any other crafts you dabble in or would love to have a go at?

Mosaics.  I used to mosaic mirrors for the garden, and paving slabs with old china.      There is something very satisfying about taking a hammer to a pillowcase of china. Teapot lids look particularly good as the focal point in a paisley.

Q.  So, time for the random question…. What would be your dream holiday?

Looking out at the rainy welsh drought, I would say anywhere hot!  I have always wanted to go to India. I love photography, and the vibrancy, the colours, the contrast between dusty, crowded cities and rural villages appeals to me.

Q.  And finally, what does 2012 hold for you? 

2012. I am hoping to have a website up and running, to continue to develop “The Sherbet Patch” and maybe – just maybe – a holiday!

Thank you so much, it has been a pleasure hearing a bit about the world of “The Sherbet Patch” (great name by the way!) and I hope you get to go on holiday soon!

I think you should all pop over to The Sherbet Patch’s Facebook page and say hello and have a look at the other creations, remember to say where you were sent from!

Until next time…

Amanda x

Featuring... Sue Bulmer, Artist

So here we are again with another talented person I have come across in my crafting journey, this time it is Sue Bulmer, an artist I came across on a LinkedIn group (have to love social networking!) and I thought her designs were absolutely stunning.  So without further ado....

Q.  Let’s start with a little bit about you…

Well, my name is Sue Bulmer and I’m an artist from the North East of England but living in Nottinghamshire in a little cottage with my lovely husband and dog. Originally I trained in Pharmacy but came back to my artistic roots in 2007 when I embarked on a part time Foundation Course in Art and Design. Since then I have been exploring working in many different media, print, paint, textiles, to name but a few, developing my style and ideas.

I took part in a Creative Business course in 2010 where I got to work with an amazing group of designers and from there my idea for my creative business took shape. I began to concentrate on my ink illustrations and have been building up my portfolio and stockists since the beginning of 2011. I’ve taken part in several exhibitions in the UK and I launched my current collection at BCTF in April 2012.

I love working part time for myself, it’s extremely rewarding, hard work but fulfilling and I wouldn’t swap it for the world.

Q.  Your designs are stunning, where do you draw your inspiration from?

I got my original inspiration for my bird illustrations from the chickens my parents own, when I was sat sketching them one day. Ideas developed and grew and became what is my current collection ‘Birds of a Feather’. I also get inspired from getting out and about and always take a sketchbook or camera with me to record what I see. From topiary trees to my own garden, and even inside in my kitchen, I’m always on the look out for interesting things to draw, and ideas seem to stem from initial sketches. I love the creative process and looking back to see how ideas develop and grow organically into the final product or piece.

I also get inspiration from my family, and the relationships I have with the nearest and dearest in my life have influenced my recent work. Song lyrics, phrases and sayings also help to shape my work, and sometimes the titles of my illustrations can be as important as the actual image.

Q.  Can you describe your typical working day?

Thursdays and Fridays are my two studio days and they are the days in the week I look forward to the most. I usually plan what I need to do after I finish my day job on Wednesday evening so I know what I need to get done in the next two days. I find that having less time to spend running a creative business definitely makes me be more focused, I need to make the most of my time and having my task list really does help.

Ideally I’d get up about 7.30am and take my dog for a walk or a run and then be in the studio by about 9.00ish with a cup of tea and my iPod, as I love listening to music or the radio while I’m in the studio. I’d check through my emails first thing to make sure I’m up to date with my communications and then start to tackle the list of jobs for the day. These could range from paperwork and accounts, to collecting work from the framers, ordering supplies (although I try to get these jobs done in evenings during the week), putting orders together, researching new galleries, fairs and shows, filling applications in and sending them off etc. I thought I would spend all of my days drawing and sketching but the reality at the moment is that I only spend about 40% of my time doing that at the moment as I’ve been catching up with post-trade fair orders.

I usually break for lunch around 1ish although sometimes I get that carried away I don’t end up realising I’m hungry until tea time and I will spend the afternoon working on commissions, orders, doing a bit of social networking as well, and usually having a creative catch up with my sister over the phone at some point during the day.

I’ve recently been lucky enough to have been chosen to take part in a pilot Mentoring Scheme through Design Factory so I’ll be spending some of my time over the next six months working with a mentor and developing my work. I had my first meeting last week and I’m feeling very inspired, positive and enthused about taking my business forward. It’s a great opportunity and I want to make sure I make the most of it so watch this space…

Q.  And what’s your favourite design you’ve done so far?

I think my favourite design I’ve done so far would have to be Truly, Madly, Deeply. I got the initial idea of the topiary when I was out for the day with my mam at Thorpe Perrow in Yorkshire, I saw these funky chunky unusual trees and thought ‘they just have to feature in my next piece’. Also the title for the design is taken from one of my favourite films, it makes me cry every time but I just love it, Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson singing ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’… just lovely!

Q.  You did a great series of blog posts about exhibiting at a trade show (visit by clicking here)  What was the key piece of advice you were given when you first started out as an artist?

Oh blimey, good question. I can’t remember!! I can’t really remember anyone giving me advice when I decided to take my art up again, as I think everyone thought I was just pursuing it as a hobby, until it grew into something a bit more. I do recall someone saying that if it made me happy then I should give it go. If I had to give someone one piece of advice it would be that if you believe in yourself and your work you really can make things happen with a bit of grit and determination.

Q.  How can people get in touch with you?

Facebook – www.facebook.com/suebulmer

Twitter – @sooziebee71

Website – www.suebulmer.co.uk

Email –  info@suebulmer.co.uk

Store – http://folksy.com/shops/sooziebee

Q.  Other than your art, illustrations and textiles, are there any other crafts you dabble in or would love to have a go at?

I definitely want to do some screen printing this year, my parents bought me a screen printing day as a present for my last birthday so I need to get that booked soon. I’m looking forward to printing some of my images in colour so this should be an ideal way of making that happen. I also want to do some mono printing as well, after a fab sketchbook peeks interview on my blog inspired me to get my inks out. And I’m also working on developing a range of kitchen ware this summer, so watch this space… it’s coming soon!!

Q.  So, time for the random question…. What would be your dream holiday?

My ideal holiday would be to spend time with my husband and dog somewhere quiet, fairly isolated, peaceful, dog-friendly, and sunny with good walking, breath-taking scenery and a beach or two thrown in for good measure (and a pic-nic!)… the west coast of Scotland without the midges!

Q.  And finally, what does 2012 hold for you?

Well, it’s been great so far with my first trade fair and new stockists to add to my list, so I’m hoping for more of the same. I want to steadily grow my business with the help of the mentoring scheme, show my work at a couple of the bigger selling shows (you can see me at Melbourne Arts Festival in September) and just continue to love what I do and be happy!!



That's great, thank you Sue.  I think you should all go and take a peek at her work! 

Until next time...

Amanda x