Interview - Black Sunshine

Dotted with Hearts got to interview Amz of Black Sunshine

Q. So tell us a little about yourself and Black Sunshine

I'm Amz, I started Black Sunshine in 2004 as a goth/alt clothing retailer with a shop in Newport on the Isle of Wight. Sadly I'm closing the shop down at the end of October but will still be running online. And I plan to add more to my etsy store, concentrating more on the handmade side of Black Sunshine.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

Isle of Wight, UK

Q. What made you get into the alternative scene?

Ive been into the alternative scene for as long as I remember! I listened to Alice Cooper growing up and its always stuck with me. It was never a phase with me. The Dr Marten boots at school didn't go down to well though :p

Q. How did you get into crafting?

Ive always loved drawing and making little hair clips and things for myself, so it all came from there really. I love creating new and interesting things!
About 5 years ago I started making dreads and I love it!

Q. What are your most popular items?

Dreads most definitely! I love making custom orders for people :)

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

Music and films! The weirder the better usually. Films from horror to anime influence me in what I create and what I order in to sell in my shop.

Q. Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time?

I would love to have a bigger range of clothing available on the Black Sunshine website! And also have a bigger range of handmade items on my etsy!

You can find Black Sunshine on the following sites

Main website http://www.blacksunshineiow.com/

BigCartel http://www.blacksunshineiow.bigcartel.com/

Etsy http://www.blacksunshineiow.etsy.com/
Twitter www.twitter.com/blacksunshineiw

Facebook www.facebook.com/blacksunshineiow

Interview - VelvetVolcano

Dotted with Hearts got to interview new jewellery designer - VelvetVolcano

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and VelvetVolcano

My names Tamsyn (also known as Velvet), I'm 20 years old and have been running VelvetVolcano since November 2009.
I make crystal encrusted jewellery and accessories.


Q. Where in the world are you based?

Cornwall, U.K


Q. What made you get into crafting?

It's in my blood, all the women in my family are all crafty in their own ways - ranging from crochet / knitting, drawing and painting to graphic design.

I've been creating since I was little and I've always been artistic, being brought up in a creative environment is definitely a big part of that.



Q. What are your favourite pieces to make? What materials do you most like to use?

I love making commissions and custom orders for my customers, its so personal and I always love a challenge :).

Creating something unique for someone is really nice, especially as there is so much mass-production in the fashion world.


Q. What are your most popular items?

The Super Mario Shrooms, Cherry Necklaces and the 'Tied In a Bow' necklaces.



Q. Do you wear the jewelery/ accessories yourself?

Absolutely!

My products are definitely all my style and I always wear them out, I wouldn't ever sell a product I wouldn't be happy to wear myself. :)



Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

I'm very inspired by the human body, the inner workings and the outer 'coating' as such.

I started out making anatomical pendants which then progressed into exploring how people 'accessorise' themselves, from body modification to good old personal style.

I'm very inspired by Rockabilly/Psychobilly and Punk styles too.



Q. Do you have any new projects coming up?

I'm hoping to branch out a lot with VV, there's a lot of exciting stuff in the pipeline :).



Q. Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time?

I hope that my products will make it into some shops, that I will have stalls frequently and that VV will be bigger and better :).


Official Facebook Page:
Http://www.facebook.com/velvetvolcano.jewellery

Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/velvetvolcano

Blog:
http://velvetvolcano.blogspot.com

Interview- C-Unique

Dotted with Hearts gave an interview to C-unique!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and C-Unique

A. Well I've always loved making things and watching my mum sew as a child. Then when I was 15 and going through a slightly Gothic phase, I decide I wanted a long black skirt for school to wear with my Docs, but I couldn't find one in any shops. So, I went to the local fabric shop, bought some fabric and went home and made one. After that I was hooked, I made weird and random things for my friends so that we looked different to everyone else. After what seemed like years of making clothing for myself and close friends, interest started to grow and I started to make clothes on a more professional level. As time has gone by, I am now very busy with a large range of ladies clothing and accessories, including hand bags and jewellery.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

A. I am based in Worcester, England.

Q. What made you get into crafting/ clothes making?

A. I've grown up making anything and everything! It's so satisfying to see the end result of something you've worked hard on. I remember being about 8 years old and selling friendship bracelets I had made, in the playground.

Q. What are your favourite pieces to make? What materials do you most like to use?

A. I'd say hand bags are my favourite things to make, although I always want to keep them all! I like to work with cotton the most, it's easy to use and gives a good structured end result to my clothing.

Q. What are your most popular items?

A. My most popular items are the 'Marilyn' and the 'Gypsy' tops. The 'Gypsy' top suits any shape or size and comes in many different colours and fabrics!

Q. Do you wear the jewelery/ clothing yourself?

A. Absolutely! Being tall and slim, I find it hard to get alternative clothes to fit. I started out making stuff just for myself, It never occurred to me that the items I had made to satisfy my tastes would prove so popular with friends and people I have never met! It always makes me feel good inside when a stranger compliments me on something I'm wearing that I've made.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

A. My inspiration can come from really random everyday things, but I'd probably say that music is my biggest inspiration. Different genres produce different outcomes for my designs. The 1950's and tattoo culture plays a huge part in my most recent ranges, I love combining the two and getting a 50's look with an edge.

Q. Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time?

A. I'd like my creations to be available in more shops, not just in the UK, but worldwide. It's a slow process, but I'm sure I'll get there.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/c-unique

www.facebook.com/c.uniqueclothing

www.c-unique.co.uk

Interview - Extacy Photographic

Dotted With Hearts were lucky enough to get an interview with the very talented photographer Tara of Extacy Photographic

Tell us a bit about yourself and Extacy Photographic?

Well, I’m Tara. I’m 19 years old, a goth in denial and I’m a bit of a geek who’s besotted with Japan and anything shiny ;D I started Extacy Photographic in late 2007- I originally started it as a hobby but it has pursued into a business and I love it!

Where in the world are you based?

I’m currently based in Bedfordshire in the UK. I’m a keen traveller so I often end up in far off countries!



What got you interested in the world of photography?

Studying Art and Design throughout school and college got me really exploring all aspects of art and materials, but apart from drawing, there was nothing that I really loved to do apart from photography. I used my mums simple point and shoot camera, starting with scenery and after getting a starter SLR camera (a Nikon D40) for Christmas in 2007 I started taking pictures of my friends and then professional models. I have now progressed to a Nikon D300s with various lenses and I haven’t looked back!



Do you prefer studio or location?

I love both, but at the moment I really enjoy studio work. My personal project this year is happening at Switch Photography Studios down in Sussex. My last personal project was on location so it’ll be good to see how they compare to one another!



What do you look for in a model?

I enjoy working with models who love what they do and will give 100% at a shoot, but also someone who isn’t afraid to have fun! Look wise, I’m quite picky when it comes to models, preferably I like them to have a quirky look, clear skin and a lean body (please note that I didn’t say skinny, I LOVE curves!) If I have a personal project though, I have a clear idea of what I’d like the model to look like, or who I want the model to be.



Do you have any favourite models or themes you like to shoot?

My all time favourite model is Lily Cole. I’d love to be able to have the opportunity to photograph her in the future! My more alternative side though adores Mosh. I was meant to work with her in September, 2008, but unfortunately she couldn't get a visa for the UK. My favourite models to work with are Ulorin Vex, Sohui, Ruby True and Paradisaea Decora- I always have a brilliant shoot when I work with them, always fun and the pictures are always amazing. Theme wise, I don’t really have a favourite, though at the moment I’m obsessed with anything editorial. I have some amazing shoots booked in August, one being ‘The Albino Queen’ for a book- Watch this space!



Who or what is your inspiration?

I can’t say just one person or thing inspires me- My inspiration is drawn from all over the place! A big influence comes from my friends though, I have an amazing bunch of talented friends who are models and designers, seeing their work and the drive behind what they do is amazing. If you love something enough, you’ll work hard enough to make it become what you’ve always dreamed of.


Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

I’d love to see myself living away from home in a nice apartment or house with someone I love and where I have enough room for my own fully equipped studio. Of course I’d love to be able to make my main source of income from this business too! But, even if that doesn’t happen, wherever I end up I will always be taking pictures!


Links:
Official Website: http://www.extacy-photographic.co.uk/
deviantArt: http://extac33.deviantart.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Extac33
Model Mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/825236

Interview with Mafalda - Sailorettes Love Rock 'n Roll blog

We are very happy to have an interview with another blogger -

Mafalda writer of 'Sailourettes Love Rock 'n Roll' blog!

Q. So tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog

My name is Mafalda and I'm 21, one year away from graduating from Portuguese & English Language, Literature and Culture undergraduate course. I created Sailorettes, Love & Rock n' Roll just two months ago (17th of May!) and it has a bit of all the things I love, being directed to a young and restless alternative & vintage audience who loves the past but lives towards the future. I update it 2-3 times a week with either sporadic art, party, travel features and giveaways or weekly spotlight interviews to cater to a more diverse audience and keep my followers interested!

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I live in Lisbon, Portugal for the school year, and stay with my family in the Algarve on my holidays providing me the chance to write about different places. I'm currently in London, for academic reasons so it's yet another place to write on!

Q. What made you start your blog?

After a great friend created her portuguese blog on retro & vintage lifestyles (http://backtothepast.blogs.sapo.pt) which she unfortunately doesn't have the oportunity to update as much as I do mine I thought why not? It was only a heartbeat away and I had nothing to lose, only to gain - experience, better writing, new acquaintances. It has had an astonishing success so far, so I am very pleased and thankful!

Q. What has been your favourite piece to feature so far?

Hard question! I love all the businesses I feature (otherwise wouldn't) and they are all so unique in their own way that I'm at a loss trying to pick... I can say that my first feature, on Little Miss Delicious' was a very special one since she was the first to believe in me and the blog enough to contribute at the time and is even donating a strawberry necklace for me to give away when I reach 500 Twitter followers (I'm still on the 100s mark so you can still begin to follow and who knows win it?)

Q. How do people/shops get featured on your blog?

I am actually quite open to suggestions as to features! I have proposed them to many of my favourite shops and people but some of them have found me and initiated contact so it works both ways. If you'd like to be featured, all you need to do is email me at sailorettesloverocknroll@gmail.com and, case I think you fit the website's standard and theme, I'll forward you the questions and necessary information.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

My first and foremost inspiration into starting any project and pursuing my dreams are my parents, who have always showed me I can reach any goal through hard work and self-confidence. In blogging, I can quote Kat from http://www.rocknrollbride.com/, Jessica from http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/ and Gemma from http://www.retrochick.co.uk/ - they are all great ladies who have become landmarks in their blogging niche and whom I admire for their hard work, writing quality, creativity and all around awesomeness!


Q. Do you have any upcoming plans or features for your blog?

Yes, actually I am already working on partnerships to create accessories and maybe even limited clothing items based on my image and branding, as well as blog parties and events so as long as www.sailorettes.com is online it will never be paid, but there will always be alternative ways to provide offline experiences and products. If I am able to make a living off it someday, I can only say I'd be absolutely delighted to although it's not the primary reason I'm developing the project for - I'm just trying to fill in a gap I myself found as a reader!

You can find 'Sailorettes Love Rock 'n Roll' http://www.sailorettes.com/

and...
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sailorettes
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Sailorettes-Love-Rock-n-Roll

Hello & Welcome

I decided to create this little blog to give coverage and exposure to small & independs alternative artists, designers and companies.

I am by no means a journalist but I plan to give my opinion and views on a an array of subjects.

If you are interested in being featured here please feel free to e-mail me at dottedwithhearts@live.co.uk