Artisan of the Week, Beth of StarPixie

Morning all! Today I'd like to introduce you all to one of my favourite artisan on the planet. Beth of StarPixie has sold so many varied things in her shop, but every one is made with love, care and most of all talent. This lady seems to have unending talents. Whatever she tries she seems to master. Beth is not only a talented crafts person but she is also a very good hooper and poi spinner. Add to all that she is one of the kindest people I've ever met and you have the perfect package!

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
I'm a student studying Photography. When I'm not taking photographs I'm making something or other. I don't specialise in any one particular craft, instead I like to have a go at as many different things as I can! I love to work with fabric and wire the most although I'm yet to combine the two so maybe that's a future project.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
Craft has always been a part of me. My childhood was spent drawing and creating and I never really stopped. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 5 years ago and it has meant that I have had to fill a lot of my time with low energy hobbies that I can do in the comfort of my living room. It gave me a kick to learn new things. Because of my illness, I have not been able to maintain a conventional job so in the past few years I have started using crafting to fund my way through university.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
Learning new things! I get bored easily so I love to come up with new ideas and make new things all the time. I like to challenge myself and learning new crafts and techniques. There is something really satisfying about creating something beautiful out of simple materials.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
The business side of things! I really need to motivate myself to list things online and promote my shop. I have piles of unlisted stuff in my 'finished' box. Despite knowing that it's the most important part of selling my things, I have little drive to do it. It's the boring part of crafting!

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
A year away from finishing my photography degree and being a few steps closer to making a living from my creativity. I already sell some of my goods in one shop in Bristol (http://www.fireworksjewellery.com/ ), I would love to have expanded on that. I also want to have learnt silk screen printing and do more mixed media work.

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Happiness is far more important than money


7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
katwise on Etsy is amazing. I adore her up-cycled clothing and continue to be inspired by her. Kreativlink makes the most amazing journals, I especially like the painted fabric ones, they are really worth checking out.
8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
In a magical world where I'm not intolerant to wheat, dairy, sesame and yeast it would be Mozzarella, Tahiti and Marmite on granary bread mmmm

Thanks for joining in with the blog this week Beth. I truly am stunned each time you turn your hand do a new craft and your first sample attempt is better than most of the goods I see for sale. You are a most talented person! Readers if you want to keep up with Beth's latest creations you can see what she is up to on her website. I'm loving her latest creation of harem pants. They aren't on the website or in her shop yet, but I'm going to be begging her to make me a pair.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Artisan of the Week, Diane of Cymberrain

Morning all! Sunday has come around again and that means I get to show you another amazing artisans work and give them a chance to tell you a little bit about themselves and their work. Today I'm very happy to introduce you to Diane of Cymbarrain. This ladies talents are so apparent when you look at her work. Her colour sense and her obvious delight for fabrics and textures shine out. I was mainly attracted by the bright colours, but the more I looked the more the details grabbed my attention. Let me hand over to Diane so she can tell you about it all.

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
I am a former reweaver who had my own reweaving business in down town Seattle for over ten years. It was an extremely exhausting job. I closed my shop and moved to France two years ago when I met and fell in love with my husband who is French. I now spend my days doing what I have been wanting to do for years, my art. I am especially interested in pencil art, fiber arts and dyeing. I also dabble in glass painting, acrylics and needle felting among other things. I am particularly drawn to bright vibrant colors and things of a celestial theme.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
I have always been interested in fabrics and sewing. My mother bought me a tiny sewing machine when I was just a young girl and I spent many an hour making doll clothes on it. I have also always been interested in fine arts. My sister taught me to draw in church when I was little to keep me occupied. I went on to take graphic arts in the vocational high school in my area and then onto college for fine arts. Life caught up with me though and I put art on hold for a long time.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
I love spending my evenings stitching. Nothing better than working some wonderful thread into cloth, creating something beautiful from bits and pieces. Actually I enjoy any creating process, drawing a picture or painting one, forming a shape with felt, anything using my hands.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
Well, I used to love photography but since I started to sell online I have found it to be an unwelcome task. It's not the same as taking photos for fun that's for sure. Also the tediousness of listing items. Anything business related drags me down quickly.

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
Hopefully somewhere doing what I love near the one I love. I want to keep exploring new avenues of manipulating fiber and grow as an artist. I plan on expanding my dyeing and make it a major part of my business, while continuing to make my fiber pieces. One of the great things about what I do is, I can pick up and go anywhere on earth and continue it. My husband and I are both great lovers of travel and plan to see much more of this world in the future. As long as I'm with him I don't really care where we end up!

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Two things I think. Chose happiness over money and always follow your heart.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
Oh my! I know so many talented people out there. Two of my absolute favorites are Arlee Barr and Karen Ruane.
Arlee is a wonderful fiber artist living in Canada who does the most amazing things with cloth.
Karen lives in England and embroiders the most beautiful pieces.

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
How can a person have just ONE favorite? Hmmm, The Blue Heron in Seattle makes these wonderful sandwiches with hot turkey, bacon and avocado that are divine. Perhaps they are my favorite...

Thank you Diane for Joining in with our blog. I love your work so much. It has inspired me to have a go at embroidery myself. The Small World, Sleeping Moon piece in your Flickr account is one of my favourite of your pieces. I love the whole feel of the sun. It is so joyful and exuberant. Although I think I more associate myself with the sleeping moon, I've been so tired lately. Dear readers, if you want to see more of Diane's beautiful work do visit her flickr account and you can keep up to date with her world on her blog.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Artisan of the Week, Helen of The Beading Lady

This weeks Artisan is the lovely Helen of The Beading Lady shops. She has her main shop on Misi and 2 others on Folksy and Etsy. She quite obviously has a love of beads and all things shiny and uses that love to the maximum in her shop. I'll let her tell you a bit more about herself and her work.

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
Hi, I'm Helen ~ The Beading Lady. I make beaded jewellery and accessories. I work mainly with silver plated findings and glass beads but am getting more and more adventurous as time goes by.

I started my jewellery crafting with memory wire bracelets 2 years ago but about 6 months ago I decided to begin combining my lovely memory wire bracelets with a card. My hubby's suggestion at 11pm one night ~ which of course kept me up all night thinking how it could be done. When I started actually selling the Beaded Bracelet Cards I thought perhaps there were other types of jewellery and accessories that I might be able to make and perhaps sell. I started listing on the Misi site in November / December 2008 and haven't looked back since.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
I went to a jewellery making party at a friend's house and really enjoyed making the memory wire beaded bracelet. A few days later I started looking at where I could buy the equipment from and what I would need. To begin with it was relatively simple but as I've become more and more creative, I find myself needing more and more tools and beads. Hubby is not amused but as some of my sales paid for a few of the kiddies Christmas presents, he can't complain too much.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
I love to just sit with a pile of beads and see what they become. I can sit down thinking I will make a bracelet with this little pile and suddenly it becomes 2 handbag charms instead. I also love to show my daughter ~ she's my biggest supporter and is always quick to point out any mistakes I may have made in patterned jewellery.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
The hardest part for me is knowing when to stop. I am a Mum to two children and I am also a Virtual Assistant working from home. It's so tempting to sit down with my beads once I've dropped the children at school instead of getting on with some typing work or doing the housework.

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
In one year's time I would love to still be sitting at my crafting table making beaded jewellery but the difference would be that I wouldn't be as worried about money as my jewellery would be selling like hotcakes.

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Not to give up. It's so tempting to say "oh that didn't work, I'll not bother" but I've found that whenever I'm tempted to give up, I have a fantastic, supportive hubby who gives me a gentle push. If something doesn't work the first time, try again but in a slightly different way.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
I think Misi has the most amazing crafters listed there. Mostly UK based they are all so gifted and also really supportive on the forum too. I'm not actually sure I could name just one.

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
My favourite sandwich filling is chicken mayonnaise but not just any chicken mayonnaise. There is this little teashop on the other side of our village run by this tremendously grumpy man but he makes the best chicken mayonnaise sandwiches I have ever tasted. It's a "Mummy" treat to go there with a few friends while the children are at school.

Thank you Helen for taking part in our blog. I hope that you get your wish for a years time and that you have lots of success. I agree with you that there is a lot of talented crafts people selling on Misi. the site is well worth a visit and a search around. Dear readers if you'd like to check out more of The beading Lady's shops and her blog take a visit.

Written by Lynne of Pirate Pixie Crew and Hyperloop Hoops

Artisan of the Week, Irena of Ginger's Garden

I don't know about you, but for me this week has been a bit of a hard slog and I could do with a bit of pampering and a soak in a hot bath, so I went in search of some handmade bath and beauty products and came across a wonderful site. You can pretty much get all you need in toiletries from it, so lets all get cleaned up this Sunday with Irena of Ginger's Garden.


1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
I am Irena and I own a business called Ginger's Garden. I was born in the Czech Republic and came to the US as a teen in 1969. I am an Aromatherapist and a third generation Herbalist, Soap maker and Skin Care Manufacturer. I am also a Licensed Esthetician. I make handmade artisan soaps, lotions, creams, lip care and body care. I also sell gift baskets, custom Aromatherapy Blends, Perfumes and Sculpted Soap Flowers.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
My mother and grandmother made soaps, herbal potions, balms and salves. I am following in their footsteps. As a child I remember grandma making soap outside in a big kettle over an open fire. The lye was made by pouring ashes over rain water which my grandma collected during the rainy season. When she had enough lye, she would suspend an egg to see if the lye was strong enough. If the egg sank, the lye was too strong. If the egg just barely floated on the top of the water, the lye wasn't strong enough. But, if the egg submerged just half way, the lye was just right. She collected grease drippings in the kitchen in an empty coffee can. This soap was mostly used to wash laundry and dirty dishes. Our clothes were washed in a tin tub with a wooden washboard.


3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
I enjoy the formulating of recipes and making the actual products. I get a lot of ideas from nature; the bark of a tree, the color of a flower, the blue of the ocean, the sky at sunset.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
All the paperwork that this business entails.

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
I hope to enlighten more people that handmade soap is better for you and properly made handcrafted lotions have therapeutic ingredients and many skin care benefits. I hope to convert more people to buy my quality products.

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Don't skimp on quality ingredients. Have the best products and best customer service.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
WAHDesign on Etsy.

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Turkey with cranberry jelly.

Thank you Irena for taking part in our blog. I agree with the advice "Don't skimp on quality ingredients. Have the best products and best customer service." Although I work in yarn and make hula hoops this advice still holds true. Quality is what keeps bringing people back, but even if you have the best quality, bad customer service will drive people away. I'm hankering for some quality pampering so I'm off to look through your site for the perfect product. Dear readers I would urge you all to do the same. Pamper yourselves!

Written by Lynne of Pirate Pixie Crew and Hyperloop Hoops

Artisan of the Week, Diana of Frolic n' Fibers

It's Sunday again! Where did this week go? I Swear it should only be Thursday... Anyway, I'm happy to say that this weeks Artisan of the Week's craft is one that I totally adore... Yes you guessed it, Diana is a Fibre artist. No only does she dye and spin her own yarn, she farms the llamas and angora goats that the fibres in her yarn come from. She sells the resultant yarn and goods made from the fibres both on Etsy and Artfire under the name of Frolic 'n Fibers. I found her shop, by chance in a search for goats on Google (long story not worth telling) and fell in love with one of her goats.

Mr T the goat is a hansom dude!

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
My name is Diana Rasmusson and I own Frolic ‘n Fibers, a home based fiber arts business. We have a small farm in Sams Valley, Oregon where we have 5 llamas, 3 angora goats, 7 chickens, 2 dogs and a cat. I raise the animals, shear them, process the fiber, spin and hand dye the yarn. It pays for the hay.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
We had owned the llamas for a couple of years, and I had always meant to learn how to spin their fiber. Our neighbors were moving back into “town” and asked if we would adopt their angora goats. My husband said, “No more animals unless you quit your job”…so I did. Boy was he surprised! Anyway, I still had to pay for the hay, hence the fiber arts business.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
I sell at the local Growers and Crafters Markets, and I think that is my favorite part of the business. I take my equipment with me and get to share all the details of my craft, from carding to spinning. The children like to come and watch also. The girls love to see pictures of my animals, and the boys always want to know how the wheel works!

4. Which part do you find hardest?
Shearing llamas, hands down.

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
I’m hoping to be giving farm tours and fiber arts lessons from our home.

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Two things. First “Do what you love” and second, “Every fiber has something that it wants to be…don’t try to make it into something it isn’t”.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
Steel My Art, Wood I Kid You? and Threads of Magique, all are on Etsy and Artfire

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Peanut Butter, straight up…no jelly, just the good stuff.

Thank you Diana for letting us know a little bit more about yourself and your work. I delight in the colours of the yarns you make and the very special texture you spin into them. I also love the way your listings introduce us to the source of some of those fibres. I think your llamas and goats are great! My dream is to join you in the world of small hold farming and spinning, but for me it would be Bluefaced Leicester sheep and maybe a few goats... because they are adorable! If you are a knitter, crocheter or weaver check out Diana's shops and blog regularly to get your hands on some beautiful yarn.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Artisan of the Week, Peter of Celtsmith

I'm so excited to share the work of our artisan of the week with you. I loved so many pieces in Peter of Celtsmith Artfire, Dawanda and Etsy shops that it took me an age to whittle it down to five, so be sure to visit all his shops to see much more of Peters work. His work is truly beautiful. Now whilst you read this I'll be figuring out which one piece I'd like to give a home to, as I'm pretty much banned from shopping this month, but one pretty torc wouldn't hurt would it Mr Bank Manager?

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
O.K. I will come clean from the start. I am an old guy, I have been making jewellery out of old cutlery and wire of all sorts since the 1960's. Back when I had kids to feed I made whatever the people were buying whether I liked it of not. Bracelets, brooches, anklets tiaras etc etc. anything to keep house and home together. Now the kids all have lives of their own I can make what I like, not what I have to.
That's why I love Artfire and Etsy. Because of them I can go into my studio and make whatever I feel moved to do then find a buyer. Where its at for me right now, is channelling the work of my ancient European ancestors, the Celts

2. What led you to take up your craft?
Once a long long time ago I saw someone make jump rings by winding a wire round a rod and cutting the rings off. It sounds so simple but it opened a door and I went in.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
The exciting part is experimenting with techniques to work out how those clever ancestors got results. They had the most basic equipment but produced works of art. Asking the question, then solving the problem, that's what I like.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
The rare occasion when I have to make a lot of things all the same.


5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year's time?
In my studio

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Sleep on it. That is to say don't shoot from the hip, think first.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
I never log on to Artfire or Etsy without touring some shops. There are endless surprises and starting points.

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Baked beans, yes yucky I know but whenever, as a kid, I complained about the endless Cheese sandwiches in my lunch box my mum would put in baked beans the next day. Back to cheese after that. So bean always lift my spirits.

Thank you for being part of our blog Peter. Your work is stunningly gorgeous. I love the unique recycled cutlery pieces... Dear reader if you see one of the cutlery pieces you like be sure to snap it up fast as many are one off and would be almost impossible to replicate, so don't miss out... and as the daughter of a Welsh man the celtic influences on your work appeal to me greatly. It's great to see the flashes from the long gone past in your work. Check out his shops dear reader, you're in for a treat!

Written by Lynne of the PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Artisan of the Week, Leslie of Comfortable Shoes

Yippee it's Sunday and I get to introduce you to another fabulous artisan of the week. This week we are going all book worm on you with Leslie of Comfortable Shoes. This lady has been creating handmade books and journals for over 10 years and really knows what she is doing. Her Artfire and Etsy shops are full of fantastic goods and I wanted to find out a bit more about the lady that created them so I invited Leslie to join in with the blog.

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
Hi my name is Leslie and I make books. I make books out of old advertising posters that are hard to recycle in traditional methods. They make great tough books covers though! I call it UPcycling! I've been making books for close to 10 years now. I also make some traditional leather covered books in the style of Moleskines.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
I used to be into 'zines so I think my interest is a direct result of the bindings I saw in 'zines. BUT I taught myself how to make books after looking for a sketchbook with just the right paper for a decent price and I couldn't find one. So I picked up a bunch of books on the subject and started in. I love making books.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
I've been able to see a few of my customers in person. The look of joy when they open their notebook or journal is pretty great. I also really enjoy it when I pull a book out of the press for the first time and feel the leather and see a well crafted product.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
Finding enough time in the day/ week to do what I love.

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
Hmm. I hope to still be making books in my spare time.

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Keep on keepin' on. Stick to it, work hard and keep doing the things you enjoy.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
Of course. I love a lot of them. Girlscantell makes great screen printed stuff, abitabite for funny cat toys (NSFW), MyHandBoundBooks , GoodKarma, Brainscan for good coffee and 'zines!

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Sheesh this is a hard one for me... I like sandwiches... right now it's tuna salad with fuji apple and dried cranbarried with pecans and just a dash of dill... hmm no it's chicken salad with grapes and celery... no Italian cold cuts or or or a really good grilled cheese. Yeah that's it. Washed down with an icy glass of sweet tea.

Thank you Leslie for coming on to our blog. I adore your books. They are so individual and well made. So readers if you have been inspired by this interview to get your hands on one of Leslie's books check out both her shops and her blog to keep up with what's going on in the Comfortable Shoes world.

Artisan of the week, April of Bijoux Designs for You

It's Sunday again and time to meet another fabulous artisan of the week. This week's is April of Bijoux Designs for You. As you will see later April doesn't work alone, but I'll let her tell you about that. They run shops on Artfire and Etsy and they also have supply shops on both Artfire and Etsy too. Take a look through all the shops, you're sure to find something that takes your fancy.

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
My name is April and together with my mom, Glenda we are Bijoux Designs For You. Our love for beads also spawned a second shop for supplies Rouge River Beads.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
My mother has been creating something my entire life. She initially learned how to sew as a teen so she could make her own clothes. Over the years we have been involved in the craft show circuit and our products have grown and changed. Almost a year ago we thought we joined the online community! We both have the crafting “fever” and its great to be able to share in this journey together.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
I love coming up with ideas and then seeing them as a finished product. When someone, in turn, purchases that product it gives me great enjoyment to share it with them. I also love to do craft shows and home parties. It’s so much fun to chat with other artists and customers who share the love of handmade goodies.
4. Which part do you find hardest?
Time! There never seems to be enough of it. Just creating is one thing but then also finding the time (and energy) to take pictures, write descriptions, work on craft show displays and promote your business is something else entirely! It can be difficult to stay focused, especially when the weather is nice!

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
We hope to see our business continue to grow, both our jewelry and gift items and our supplies shops. We are also hoping within the next year or two to have a space where we can offer classes and beaded birthday parties and perhaps have visits from other types of artisans to share their crafts.

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses. That’s actually a saying I think but nevertheless a very important one. We all get so busy in our daily lives, especially when trying to get a business up and running, that we sometimes forget to enjoy the little things in life.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
There are so many talented artisans out there that it is hard to pick my favorites, although I do have a fairly extensive wish list! Of course I am partial myself to Etsy and Artfire so I would absolutely recommend visiting there.

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Egg salad! It’s so smelly so sooooo yummy!

Thank you April for joining in with our blog. I think your plans for running classes is a great idea. There are lots of very artistic people out there that just need a few lessons to point them on a new direction with their creativity. I wish you luck in setting them up. There are such a wide variety of goods and style in April and her mums shop that they are all worth a visit. Have fun surfing through all the listings.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Artisan of the week, Veryan of Beady Pool

Today has turned out to be another rainy Sunday here in Wales, but fear not, we have an Artisan to share with you today that makes such beautiful pieces from lampwork beads that it will brighten up your day. Veryan of Beady Pool is passionate about her work and you can see it in each piece she creates. Lets hear what Veryan has to say about her craft.

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
Hi, I'm Veryan and I make all the jewellery at Beady Pool. I especially love using artisan lampwork beads, silver, gemstones and quality glass. All Beady Pool designs are unique one of a kind items, so you won't see anyone else wearing the same as you. The use of lampwork beads makes each piece even more unique as quite often the lampworkers only make one set of each design. I also have a diffusion range called "the treasure chest", for this I have used more readily available beads. Again, most items are unique but due to the beads used I can replicate designs if they are popular.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
I've been making jewellery on and off for about 15 yrs and am mainly self taught. Every few years I would pick up my pliers again and have another go. I started out as Beady Pool when I had my son. I decided I wanted to stay at home and look after him, but still wanted to do something that was for me. So, the pliers came out of the cupboard again after probably a three year break. As I decided I was going to sell my jewellery this time rather than just making for friends and family, I decided to take my jewellery up a level and to only use silver rather than silver plate beads and findings. This has added an extra cost, but in my mind it is worth it.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
Buying beads. I am forever on the internet browsing websites for new stock. I also love seeing what the lampwork artists are designing. I try not to get too tempted but sometimes i just can't help myself.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
Resisting buying beads! Sometimes there is just too much temptation, usually when I have no pennies in the bank. Plus I could do with about 3 more hours in everyday. Beady Pool fits in around looking after my son and running the house... sometimes, it is hard to find some spare time.

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
I would love for Beady Pool to be more widely known and hopefully for my work to be in some galleries. I would also love to start including more of my own silver work into my designs (I have been having a few lessons) and also maybe one day my own lampwork beads. I recently had a lesson with Laura Sparling and it was fantastic.

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Promote, promote, promote tell everyone and anyone about what you do. I am finding this hard but it does pay off.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
How about some fantastic lampwork artists?
Laura Sparling
Izzy Anderson
Rachel Dawes
These are just three of my favourites, but there are lots of people out there making beads there are more links on my website if you fancy a look.

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Davidstow medium cheddar, lettuce and salad cream - not butter on my homemade bread - yummy.

Thank you for being interviewed Veryan. I love lampwork glass beads and look forward to seeing more of your lampwork pieces. So many of the great Artisans we feature on this blog are mothers fitting their arts and crafts around their children and family commitments. It's astounding that they have the energy to do it all, but I'm so glad they do. You can find more of Veryan's work on her website and in her Folksy shop. You can also keep up to date with the goings on in Veryan's life by checking out her blog or Facebook page.

Written by Lynne of the PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops.

Artisan of the week, Random Granny

Morning all, Sunday has arrived and this week I have a fabulous artisan to share with you. She goes by the name Random Granny and she makes fabric dolls. They are not your regular Pollyanna rag doll. They are fantastically alternative. Random Granny's Hitcher doll (sadly now sold) was the first of her dolls I saw and as a huge fan of The Mighty Boosh I just had to invite this talented lady to be Artisan of the week. I'll let her tell you a little more about herself and her craft.

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
Hello, I am Random Granny and I love to make unusual fabric handmade dolls. I am based in Northampton, UK and sell locally in the old Fishmarket at the ‘Bicycle Basket Bazaar’ and also on Etsy and Coriandr. I have always been creative and studied art many years ago at Goldsmiths College in London. As a fairly new venture, Random Granny currently only sells dolls but due to the randomness of my interests I intend to expand my range. I have previously collaborated with my husband who makes automata so we intend to offer some more unusual items. (keep watching!)

2. What led you to take up your craft?
I have sewn the odd thing since I was young but a year ago a friend set up the local handmade goods bazaar and I went along to support him with only three dolls. They sold so quickly and were so well received I decided to continue and have expanded my collection. This has also lead to commissions for personalised dolls. My main inspiration is my love of reusing things (especially fabric!) and creating slightly different less cutesy items. Although I initially became interested in the Japanese kawaii style amigurumi which I also make, I wanted to create something more British and slightly darker with a hint of humour. I have a huge love of British comedy and our culture and I think that has a great influence on my work.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
Without doubt I love to collect new (old) pieces of fabric and dream up new ideas. Each bit of fabric has endless possibilities and imagining what I am going to do next is wonderful.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
I suppose parting with some of the dolls is probably the hardest thing. They are often limited editions due to the vintage fabric and I fall in love with some of the dolls!

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
I hope to be doing what I do now. Everything I make is handmade by me so I am pretty small scale. If I can continue to enjoy making and selling new creations I will be very happy. Making a living……..well that’s a different thing!

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Never eat yellow snow. Seriously!

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a Visit? I always check out mollychicken to see what she is up to. Her designs are lovely but I also love the way she writes. She is a very funny lady! Everyone who could get to Northampton should check out Bicycle Basket Bazaar and come and visit us. I love Skull a Day definitely worth a look if you like something different.

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
I introduced a friend to a peanut butter and pickled onion sandwich the other day with excellent results but others have expressed stomach turning reactions to this. But I say, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

Thank you for taking part in our blog Random Granny! I often find that people are agog at my choices of sandwich filling combinations, so I'm not knocking peanut butter with pickled onions. I might have to give them a go once I have some pickles. I adore your skeleton dolls. I might have to recruit one for my Pirate Pixie Crew, maybe as a figure head for the Galleon. I'm very excited and eager to see your future creations.

Written by Lynne aka Captain Skulduggery Dug