Artisan of the Week, Leahkl

This week we are bringing back the Artisan of the Week feature and we are starting out with an Australian resident who makes the most cute items from vintage chenille, Leah of LeahKL. Her shop is stuffed full of goodies made from her ever growing vintage bedspread collection. I remember as a child my sister and I having matching bright orange chenille bedspreads on our bunkbeds (what can I say it was the early 70's and orange was very fashionable back then). I loved how soft they were and often used to curl a corner of the bedspread over my finger and rub the tip of my nose with it whilst I curled up in bed to listen to my big sister reading me a story. Ahhh, happy days! When I saw Leah's shop it just reminded me of a time gone by and made me smile, so I asked her to come and be featured on Autonomous Artisan and she agreed!

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
My name is Leah I live in a very small country town in Australia and I have an etsy store that I love, filled with handmade creations from the mountain of vintage chenille bedspreads that I am collecting.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
I am currently a stay at home mum of 4 small children. I have always loved to create. Our first 3 children are boys, our 4 is a girl. When our baby girl arrived, I was inspired to create. After stumbling across a vintage chenille patchwork quilt on the internet, I just had to have one, so I began the costly process of collecting old chenille bedspreads, I love them, and some of the stories connected to them. Chenille bedspreads are taking over our home, my kids love them, so I keep creating with them, I save every little scrap!

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
Collecting the chenille and networking on places such as the Etsy forums, I can spend hours checking out blogs etc, while I sit here feeding my baby!

4. Which part do you find hardest?
Sewing with 4 small children, getting out of bed after I have been sewing into the early hours of the morning!

5.Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
As long as I'm happy and my family are too, I'm not too fussed. I'd love to be making steady sales on Etsy!

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Nothing is impossible!

7. Name other artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
Made By Maisie - Blog & Etsy shop
Cupboard Scraps - Etsy shop
Annie Design - Etsy shop
Alaiyna B. Designs - Etsy shop
This is my blog

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Cheese, lettuce and tomato, boring I know, but I love fresh bread!

Thank you for joining in with the blog Leah. I love your beautiful goods and am sure that your sales will go from strength to strength as more people come across your shop. Recycling at it's best!

As always dear readers if you like the items you see just click on the photo and you will be taken to that item in Leah's shop. I would urge you to have a look around at all the gorgeous items you can find there. They truly are fabulous!

Written by Lynne of Hyperloop Hoops and Pirate Pixie Crew