Interview - Handsome and Lace

Dotted with Hearts interviewed Handsome&Lace!

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and Handsome & Lace:

Handsome&Lace started with the reconstruction of ties. I have always loved neck ties so to reconstruct them into beautiful things for women makes me feel productive and excited! I have made things such as hairbands, necklaces, earrings and more all from preserved ties! I have been dabbling in some other upcycled accessories... all with a very classic feel to them. My favourite era's are the 30's and 40's and tend to bring these elements into my designs.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I'm based out of my home in Toronto, ON. Canada has shown me some really universal styles that make it very easy for me to create very unique things without being frowned upon. There are so many talented people in this city so you have to be on top of your game or you will end up blending in. That challenge for me is a great one! It keeps me innovative and on my toes at all times.

Q. What made you get into crafting?

I have always been creative and was nurtured as a kid by my mom's side of the family...They are all neurotic but creative. It kind of goes hand in hand.lol I started redesigning neck ties in 2007 and still find new ways to reconstruct them!; ) I have so many ties in my home that they take up about 30% of the space in here! It's very exciting to look at them every day. Very motivating...I can tell these ties are not happy as ties and make promises to get to all of them eventually.


Q. What are your favourite items to make? Do you make custom pieces?

I LOVE making hairbands in particular...I started with hairbands as one of my first accessory projects. I ended up selling 10 the day after making a few and knew that I had a market. Something about a good hairband really makes someone stand out as confident and for the most part you have to be when wearing Handsome&Lace. It is one of my personal missions to help women gain confidence in any way I can. I also LOVE challenges so custom orders are my pride and joy. I recently just make 10 velvet bowties for a woman's wedding and she loved them! There is always that worry that they get rejected.lol


Q. What are your most popular items?

Hairbands are number #1 with Handsome&Lace right now. I would love to be the IT place to shop for hairbands...eventually...I also get a lot of sales on my tiny tie earrings which I haven't made in a few months...I guess I should get on that! I also see that my newly designed guitar straps are becoming very popular with bands! Tokyo Police Club and Oh No Oh My have been known to wear Handsome&Lace reversible guitar straps..also made from neck ties!


Q. Do you wear your pieces yourself?

ALWAYS! I wouldn't sell something if I didn't love it myself. My hope is to stay true to the uniqueness and quality of my pieces while keeping them true Handsome&Lace originals. I also feel super cute when wearing my designs. Why not feel good when you can, right?


Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

Silverscreen movies play a HUGE role in my designs. I love the strong black and white ensembles that say 'classy'. I actually came up with my collar necklaces from watching The Three Stooges...I love this show plus love manipulating what the stooges are wearing by coming up with the feminine version for modern times is really fun!

Q. Where would you like to see yourself in five years time? I'd love to have my own little boutiue, and sell all around the world. I don't need to be rich or wealthy. Just a leader in unique accessories : )

Please add any links you would like included :-)

Website: http://handsomeandlace.ca/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/HandsomeAndLace?ref=ts
Handmade Gift Guide: http://www.thehandmadegiftguide.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/HandsmAndLace
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandsomeAndLace

Interview - Lily's Emporium

Interview with Lily of Lily's Emporium!

Q. Tell us a little about you and Lily's Emporium

I myself am Lily, a girl that doesn't take anything seriously! I established Lily's Emporium in January 2010 when I finally plucked up the courage to spread my work across the web. I make anything! Jewellery, hats, cuffs, pillows, paintings, cosplay costumes and accessories... people ask me to make stuff and I try to make it for them!

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I'm based in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. I'm a city girl!

Q. What made you start crafting and making jewellery?

I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. When I was really young I'd rip up my Barbie's old clothes then sew parts together and make them new outfits. I only recently started making jewellery this year, but I've been sewing and knitting since as far back as I can remember. I love it, it's something I can get lost in and just forget about the world for a while.

Q. What are your favourite pieces to make?

I love making jewellery that I've always wanted to see! I can remember searching everywhere for a Pokemon necklace and when I started the Emporium I was like, "you know what, I'll make it for myself!!". Necklaces are my favourite items to make, although I love making new rings and hats too!

Q. What are your most popular items on your website?

My pikachu hats! They're cheap, good quality and are SO comfortable, I've just sold my last one again; this is the third batch of them! Another thing I've always wanted yet never found one I liked until I made it!

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

I take inspiration from everything, mostly things I loved during my childhood. I get epiphanies when I'm talking to people and I'll say, "hold on, I just had a great idea...". Even whilst writing this I just had an amazing idea for a set of necklaces! I'm a total geek so I get inspiration from all the geeky little things I like. My main inspirations are my two passions in life: science and animals! I love the Japanese pop culture too, a lot of stuff inspired by these things are coming soon!

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

I'd like to be a bit more established in the crafting industry. As much as I love it, I never want it to be a full time job, it would take all the fun out of it. I want to be a scientist, but I'd never give up crafting for the world! It earns me some extra money during the summer and keeps me occupied when I'm bored! I love what my little hobby has become and I can't wait for it to grow, I want people to adore my jewellery and anticipate new creations from me. My greatest ambition for Lily's Emporium would be to have cute little high street boutiques stocking my jewellery or maybe even a shop of my own, but a girl can dream for the time being right?

You can find Lily's Emporium at...
Myspace - www.myspace.com/LilysEmporium
Etsy - www.lilysemporium.etsy.com
Blog - www.lilysemporiumofficial.blogspot.com
Bebo - www.bebo.com/LilysEmporium
Twitter - www.twitter.com/Lily_Lestrange

Interview - Vintage Princess

Interview with Laura of Vintage Princess!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and Vintage Princess

Okay, well I'm Laura and I'm 22. I graduated from university last year and since then I've been crafting more and more! I've always been creative, and making and reworking pieces of clothing or jewellery has always been something I've loved to do- knowing you are wearing something unique, that no-one else in the world has is very exciting! That's why I set up Vintage Princess. I sell one off items with a vintage, girly, unique and utterly gorgeous style!


Q. Where in the world are you based?

I'm based in a little village just outside of Durham, in the North East of England.


Q. What made you get into crafting?

I started jewellery making a long time ago. I've always been pretty creative, I love making things, drawing, painting, reworking and customising clothing and jewellery anything like that really. Being a girly girl who loves anything sparkly, pink, girly and pretty I absolutely loved jewellery making. I also love the idea of wearing something unique and individual which is something the high-street did certainly not offer! So I made my own :)



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

I really do love making all my works. I'm always so excited making the pieces and then seeing people's reactions to them. I love thinking that people out there are making something I have made- especially the one off pieces.

I don't really have a preferred material. I like to use everything and anything in my jewellery!



Q. What are your most popular items?

My Lady Vintage cameo necklaces, my peach lace bangles or my custom charm bracelets. They are very popular as I customise them for every customer, therefore no two are ever the same. I also allow the customer to choose the charms they would like on their bracelets, so its even more personal to them and I think people appreciate that :)



Q. Do you wear the jewelery/ accessories yourself?

Oh yes definitely! I love wearing pieces of jewellery that I know are one-offs and that no one else in the world are wearing. I have lots of accessories though, I'm a complete sucker for them! I also wear lots of pieces made by my lovely crafting friends :)




Q. Where can people buy your pieces? Do you make custom pieces?

My collection is available to buy online, on my Folksy site, or through my shop facebook account and page.

I certainly do make custom pieces! I love it! Its so much fun when a customer comes to me asking for something and I get my thinking cap on and come up with ideas for them. The most exciting commission I've had so far has to be being commissioned to make a necklace for a customer to wear to her wedding. Its such a magical thing to be asked and for her to be wearing it on such a special day makes me practically giddy with excitement!


Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

I don't really have a set person who is my inspiration. My inspiration is really the pieces I find to rework! Each piece I come across inspires me to make something out of it and that drives me to create things rather than following a trend or

Anyone who knows me knows I'm ultra girly and a sucker for anything pink, flowery, sparkly and just generally beautiful and gorgeous, so my works are more themed than based on an individuals style...


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

I'd absolutely love to have my own pretty little shop! I know exactly how I'd like to decorate it, in an old-world-y style with lots of pretty handmade accessories, pink and flowers everywhere! Oh it would be beautiful!
I really do hope to still be crafting and selling my jewellery because I love it so much. I really can't imagine myself doing anything else!


Facebook profile (VintagePrincess Laura)- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001163910523

Facebook page (Vintage Princess Accessories)- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001163910523#!/pages/Vintage-Princess-Accessories/134512006566227?ref=ts

Folksy shop site- www.folksy.com/shops/VintagePrincess

Interview - Must Destroy Jewellery

Dotted With Hearts interview with Must Destroy Jewellery

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and Must Destroy Jewellery.

I'm Clare and I run MustDestroyJewellery. The company is a one women affair and I run it alongside my full time job in a nursery.

All my time is spent working, although I sometimes take time off to cover myself in more tattoos!


Q. Where in the world are you based?

MustDestroyJewellery is a home run business, we're based in a little Essex town called Grays.


Q. What started your love of making unique jewellery?

I started making the jewellery after I got fed up with not being able to find anything I liked in shops - and when I could find something I liked it would cost an arm and a leg.

I decided to have a go myself and made a few bits for myself and for friends and family a gifts.

I started getting lots of requests for different designs and it then dawned on me to have a go at setting up an online shop....the rest is history!


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

My favourite pieces are the anchorsm I love that they can be personalised with a name or word of the customers choice - they look really simple and effective.
My favourite materials are acrylic and plastic - you can do more with them than you'd think!


Q. What are your most popular items?

My most popular items are the anchors - I think this is due to the ability to personalise them - it means the customer is getting something unique and special to them.


Q. Do you wear the jewelery/ accessories yourself?

I don't really wear much jewellery - which must sound really odd for someone that makes and sells it.
I pretty much just have the jewellery that I was pierced with in, my husband hates it as it means gift buying is a nightmare - no fallback gifts of jewellery!
I will occasionally make myself a hair clip to wear, my favourite is the skeleton hand clip I wore for my birthday this year.


Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

I love the art work by Sailor Jerry and Vice Ray.

My late nan was also a huge inspiration,she was always offering praise and encouragement. She also paid for my first piercing so she's probably responsible for my obsession with piercings and tattoos etc


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

I'd love to relocate to somewhere like Brighton and have a little shop by the sea....but if that doesn't happen then I'll be happy to still be plodding along with lots of happy customers.

You can find Must Destroy Jewelery on the following sites:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mdestroyj
Bigcartel: www.mustdestroyjewellery.bigcarte.com

Interview with Little Miss Delicious

A yummy interview with Little Miss Delicious!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and 'Little Miss Delicious'

Hi! I'm Maxine, and I single handedly run a business called Little Miss Delicious, selling handmade jewellery and accessories. When I'm not painting cakes and cutting out felt cookies, I'm studying hard towards a law degree at university (people always find it funny that I refer to my degree as my backup!). I love creativity and it shows in all aspects of my life. Crafting is a huge passion of mine, so most of my free time is spent making things or thinking about making things!

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I'm from Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, but I live in London for university. They're such diverse places but I love them both!

Q. Have you always been into crafting? How did you get started?

I've been crafting since I was about 12 and couldn't find any bracelets I liked. It started with simply stringing beads together but then I found polymer clay and it was love at first sight! I started just by making things a few things for myself and friends, but it ended up getting put aside for a while due to studying for A levels. Once I got to university I realised that I missed having a creative release and dug out all my old supplies. Once my room in halls began to fill with little clay donuts and ice creams, a friend suggested that it might be time to start selling some of it! Once I set up an Etsy shop I had my first sale on the same day, and since then I've been able to attend various fairs around the country and open up my own online shop.

Q. What are your favourite pieces to make?

I really don't think I can pick a favourite. I just love taking a heap of clay or fabric and watching it become the item I've been picturing in my mind. It's great to have that level of freedom and it means all my work is exactly how I want it, so I guess they are all my favourites!

Q. What are your most popular items?

Currently the breakfast range of necklaces are really popular. I've been craving a full english breakfast for weeks now, so making them out of clay helped keep the cravings down. Well, for a while at least! I'm a completely useless cook, so whenever I tend to crave food it just ends up becoming jewellery instead; clay seems to be the only thing I don't set fire to!


Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

Everything! I can get inspired by the smallest things, like a colour combination I see or a pretty cake in a shop. Usually, as I said above, I tend to create whatever food I'm wanting at the time. Making the cookie themed jewellery was definitely the most fun; I couldn't get the colour right so obviously I HAD to buy 10 cookies in the name of "research". Yum.

Q. Do you have any new ideas or projects coming up?

I have lots of exciting ideas and plans coming up in the next few months, but you'll just have to wait and see!

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

I'd love to have a proper shop with a candy strip pattern on the walls, frosting on the windows and a giant ice cream sculpture outside, but something tells me that may not happen within 5 years! In a less ideal world where I don't suddenly inherit vast amounts of money, I would just like to see myself as happy as I am now and still doing what I love.

You can find Little Miss Delicious on the following sites

http://www.littlemissdelicious.com/
http://www.littlemissdelicious.etsy.com/
http://www.twitter.com/delicious_shop
http://www.facebook.com/littlemissdelicious
http://www.littlemissdelicious.blogspot.com/