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

Promote yourself

Please just click on the little box below to show of your latest handmade items! :)

Interview - Ghoulish Gary

Dotted With Hearts were lucky enough to get an interview with the very talented graphic designer - Gary Pullin!

Q. Tell us a little about yourself?

Well, I'm a monster-loving graphic designer and illustrator. I'm the art director at Rue Morgue Magazine and I've devoted my life to the genre I love most... horror!


Q. Where in the world are you based?

Toronto, Onterrible Canada.


Q. What made you get into graphic design?

I've always had an interest in art. It was a hobby for many years until I went to art school, then I took a three year graphic design course, graduated and found work in the big city.


Q. Your main focus is horror, has it always been a love of yours?

Very much so! As far back as I can remember.


Q. What have been your favourite pieces to design?

The Pray for the Monster's series was a lot fun to do. It's sort of where I'm at spiritually. Monsters are my religion!


Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

There are lots of artist that inspire me, but Basil Gogos, Charles Burns, Robert Crumb... the list goes on and on. Music is also a big inspiration. If I wasn't doing art, I would probably be doing music in some form or another.


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

Doing what I do now, drawing monsters!





You can find Gary's artwork at the follow sites...

My Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GhoulishGary
My website: http://www.ghoulishgary.com/





Artwork © Gary Pullin. Posted with Permission.

Interview -Cinder's Creations

Dotted with Hearts interviewed Cinder's Creations!

Q. Tell us a little about you and Cinder's Creations

I'm a 20 year old female from a small town who is absolutely unhappy with where my life is. I started creating jewelry out of boredom and realized that I actually really liked making it and that some of it was super cute. The stuff started to build up around my house, I brought some to work and people started buying the necklaces I was making. I then decided, hey why not start building this as an online business and I realized that maybe I would like to do this in the future. Cinder's Creations was just the outcome of that.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I am based in a small boring town in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Q. What made you start crafting?

Boredom to be honest, I've always been artsy fartsy, but in such a small town there is nothing to do so I started crafting when found the other artsy things I did weren't for me.

Q. What are your favourite pieces to make?

I like making necklaces, especially colorful ones. Rainbows make my heart happy.

Q. What are your most popular items?

Butterfly necklaces seem to be the favorite.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

I don't really have an inspiration, to be totally honest it's out of sheer boredom that I decided to start making jewelry.

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

I'm not really sure where I would like to see myself tomorrow. To answer that question is impossible for me. I would like to try making soap sometime, that would be cool.

You can find Cinder's Creations at...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Port-Hawkesbury-NS/Cinders-Creations/115148571867545?ref=ts&__a=9&ajaxpipe=1
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/omgitsniki

Interview - Uma Jewellery

Dotted with Hearts Interview with 'elegantly funky'

Uma Jewellery

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and Uma Jewellery

I'm third culture gal, Thai by blood with a mix of this and that. I lived in Chicago, Melbourne, now Bangkok, and I'm sure there will be more cities in the future! ;) My Jewelry line is named after my mom 'Uma.' We design the pieces together, so its a mother daughter collaboration. My mothers style is more elegant, where mine is more funky. therefore I like describe Uma Jewelry as 'Elegantly Funky' Our pieces are unique, bold, and give a statement. We want to make ladies of all ages feel more beautiful and confident with our pieces. It gives off a lot of energy!


Q. Where in the world are you based?

Right now I'm based in Bangkok, Thailand! I plan on going to Canada or back to Australia in the next year or two!

Q. What made you get into making jewellery?

My mother originally was a full time jeweler. She stopped after she got sick. Now that shes all better, i thought why not start design and making pieces with her again. Art has always been in my heart, and I love to make pretty shinny things! Ladies love that!

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

i love making necklaces! They are more striking then earrings or bracelets. I love to use colorful stones. I've now discovered crystals which I also love!

Q. What are your most popular items?

My necklace called the 'twist' is the most popular selling one now!

Q. Do you wear the jewelery/ accessories yourself?

Definitely! Gotta promote promote! Plus it always funks up an outfit!

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

People, places, food, anything really!


Q. Do you have any new projects coming up?

Yep, we will be teaching Jewelry making in Bangkok soon, so I'm very excited bout that!

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

I successful Jeweler and Photographer. Also I'm gonna get my yoga teaching certificate and teach Yoga as well!


Uma Jewelry Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DianePIroon

Photography shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/umaart

My photography: www.dianepiroon.wordpress.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EtsyDiane

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

New items from Vicki Death

New items from horror/tattoo artist Vicki Death!

Check out the Vicki Death etsy store for these items & more!

http://www.vickideath.etsy.com/

New items from Lipstattoo

From Lipstattoo

Some unique, handmade cards featuring your IT crowd favourites!

Check out the Lipstattoo etsy store for these cards and more unqiue hand made items!

http://www.lipstattoo.etsy.com/

Interview - Lipstattoo

Dotted with Hearts were very honored to get to interview Rachel of Lipstatto!

Q. So tell us a little about you and your etsy store

Well I'm Rachel aka Lipstattoo ( so called because I have the rocky horror picture show lips tattooed on my stomach.) I have always been interested in art since I can remember and
as my love for all things horror it just seemed the sensible thing to merge the two loves and start creating the items that I myself would like you buy, but couldn't find. I have art degrees but it's more about learning on the job, finding what works and what doesn’t. My etsy store is just a reflection of all my loves, retro, horror, music and the macabre. it's just a bonus to me that people seem to really dig what I'm doing.


Q. Where in the world are you based?

I'm currently based in Wiltshire, which is near Stonehenge, but I actually hail from Slough in the south of England, you know, where the Uk comedy show The Office is based.


Q. What made you start creating horror inspired items?

It just came from a love of that genre of films and culture really, plus as I started to become more involved with the horror scene I was aware of how little horror themed accessories there were out there, so
it just seemed to make sense that I would start making my own. as I did people asked me where I got them or if I would make something for them and it just snowballed from there. I also make the official merchandise for the death rock and rollers
Devilish Presley which were received really well and got the Lipstattoo brand out to the very people I was trying to reach. Those guys really helped me out.


Q. You've had a great success with your 'human centipede' necklaces - what made you design this piece?

It was actually just to satisfy my childish nature, I just thought it would be funny, then I tweeted the picture ( on twitter as lipstattoo666 ) and the orders and requests just came pouring in. It's pretty much with thanks to a chap on twitter ( V_for_vienetta ) who showed the picture to Nick Frost of Shaun of the dead fame and he wanted one and then Rt'ed the link to my store and it just went mental, it's currently have 60,00 views, 37 hearts and I’ve actually lost count of how many I have sold. I was also really happy when I received a message from the head of the centipede Akihiro Kitamura who also praised my necklace as did the Human Centipede official UK twitter feed. I'm currently selling a full sequence necklace on my etsy ready for when the second film comes out!

Q. Have you always been into art and craft?
Always, more crafting than painting to start with, I would always get art materials for birthdays and Christmas and loved clays and poly clay to sculpt with, but as I got older and when to school and then college I focused more on my drawing and painting skills, so I now feel I'm a good at most artistic trades, but designing jewellery and painting portraits is what I think I'm best at, but I'm always open to trying and learning new skills.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?
Horror in any form, music, art, films, actors anything I feel I have a strong connection with is a catalyst for me to create. I'm currently getting back involved with the Rocky horror show and will be making bits of costumes and accessories for that.

Q. What do enjoy creating the most?
I Love painting portraits of people who interest or inspire me, and working with shrinkies as its so versatile.

Q. Do you have any new projects coming up?

Devilish Presley have a new album coming out so I will be working on a new range of merchandise for them, they have a new song called Horror movie head, which is conjuring up all kinds of wicked delights for me to get designing. I'm also hoping to trade at more craft shows. I'm also going to start a new range on my etsy store, but you'll just have to keep your eyes open for that =)

You can find Lipstatto on the following site

Etsy: http://www.lipstattoo.etsy.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=541286878#!/profile.php?id=541286878
Myspace: www.myspace.com/lipstattoodesigns
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lipstattoo666

Interview - Sacre Coeur

Dotted with Hearts got to interview the very talented Tea of Sacre Coeur!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and Sacre Coeur

Well, my name is Tea and I am an artist, designer, taxidermist and occasional model. I own and single-handedly run Sacré Coeur full-time from my home studio. Sacré Coeur was born from my inability to find the sort of accessories I wanted for myself either in the shops or online. What initially seemed like the perfect way to accessorise my own wardrobe soon became a business idea when people started showing an interest in my work with a view to buying it for themselves. So, it was officially created in 2006 and catered for contacts and friends offline originally while I studied for my degree... then in 2008 I launched it online and it has been going from strength to strength ever since!


Q. Where in the world are you based?

I am based in Hertfordshire, UK. Conveniently, I am only 25 minutes away from central London so that works rather well!


Q. What made you start creating jewelery & wearable art?

As I mentioned, I had difficulty finding the sorts of accessories I wanted for myself initially. I think a lot of designers would admit that this was a driving force behind their endeavours! I like to have something a bit different and I like to be able to accessorise my outfits according to my mood. Most of what I make is black so I'm not sure what that says about my and my mood really!! Basically, I wanted to bring something a bit different to the table and try my hand at new techniques that I wouldn't usually use in my art. I view my life as one big experiment really... I like to try new things and play with them until I find something that works. Most of the things I do that I am most passionate about are self-taught. So, to sum up, gaps in my wardrobe and my insatiable desire to learn are probably what started it all off!

Q. What are your favourite pieces to make?

It's hard to choose! I love sewing, so fabric and leather collars are my favourites out of all I think. I do love messing about with old watches though... I go into mad scientist mode when I've got loads of watches to play with, I can usually be found hunched over my desk with lamps and magnifiers, tweezers and clamps etc all over my desk, painstakingly dissecting tiny mechanisms and piecing them back together like some sort of little clockwork Frankenstein! Saying that, my cameo designs have been a labour of love for the last few months so I love making those too as it's so satisfying seeing my own hand carved designs translated into resin and applied to cute necklaces, rings and other bits and pieces!


Q. What are your most popular items?

To date I would say the most popular items were my pocket watch collage pendants. They sold out earlier this year and I am still on the lookout for suitable old timepieces with which to make a new run of them. The cameo stuff is catching up quick though!

Q. As detailed on your website, you trained as a taxidermist, what interested you in this subject?

Well, having always been fascinated by animals and nature, I was fixated by taxidermy from a very young age. I am lucky enough to live very close to Tring Zoological Museum which houses an enormous collection of specimens from the Victorian era onwards. I imagine it was probably something to do with the fact that I could get close enough to animals like lions, tigers, rhinos and weird and wonderful birds and fish to properly inspect their every last detail without it either running away or killing me! The fascination remained and when I was studying biology at uni, I decided to start learning. I found a master taxidermist in Wales who was willing to teach me, went and spent a few days with him and his wife and came back with enough of a foundation to continue teaching myself. I'm still very much a beginner now in my opinion... it'll take many many years of working consistently to even come close to matching some of the work I've seen over the years. It takes incredible skill and patience to realistically recreate a living creature.


Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

My main inspirations are the natural world, history and, to an extent, the occult. Whereas the former two are quite evident in my work, I would say the latter inspires me very subtly, I think you'd be hard pressed to find any signs or symbols of occultism in any of my work to date... I draw mainly from the symbolism of certain animals and colours etc.


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

Definitely still running Sacré Coeur full-time, earning a decent living from it and developing my skills in taxidermy further. My long term ambition is to eke out a career for myself as an artist/designer and continue along that path for the rest of my life.


Links:

Official Website: http://www.sacre-coeur.co.uk/
Bigcartel Shop: http://www.sacrecoeur.bigcartel.com/
Etsy Shop: http://www.sacrecoeur.etsy.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/paradisaea
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacre-Coeur-Jewellery-AdornmentsParadisaea-Decora/116737658354001?ref=ts&v=info

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/

Interview with Vicki Death

Dotted with hearts was lucky enough to interview the amazing horror artist - Vicki Death!




Q. Tell us a little about you and your etsy shop.

I’m an independent artist based in the North West of England. My Etsy store is aimed at selling original horror and tattoo inspired art for affordable prices. I’ve sold art on and off over the years through various means, but finally opened my Etsy store in Novemeber last year. You can also find various other items featuring my art at my store, including; bookmarks, jewellery boxes, ceramic items, greeting cards and gift tags.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I’m currently based in Warrington, UK. You can find my online store here: www.vickideath.etsy.com.

Q. What made you get into painting? Have you always painted horror themes?

I’ve been painting for as far back as I can remember. As soon as I was able to grasp a crayon I was scribbling and doodling. It evolved from there. I’ve always found art my way to express myself, vent anger and as a means of relaxation. It’s like my therapy. My favourite cartoons as a child was Count Duckula and The Real Ghostbusters, so I was always drawing vampires and ghosts as a kid. My grandmother would always let me watch classic horror films at her place, which led me to drawing the characters from them also.

Q. What do you enjoy creating/painting most?
It depends what mood I’m in. Some days I’ll be wanting to draw a monster, the next it’ll be a classic pin-up girl. I always have fun creating zombies, there are just so many ways you can paint them, and they’re also a great subject to use for experimenting art techniques.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?
I have a variety of inspiration, mainly classic and b-movie horror, traditional western tattoos, pin-up and hotrod art as well as the music I listen to; Horrorpunk, rock‘n’roll, psychobilly and punk bands. And not forgetting the artists who I adore. Tattoo artists such as Allan Graves, Jeff Rassier, Bob Tyrrell and Dan Smith. Plus Lowbrow artists including Vince Ray, Johnny Ace/Kali Verra and KRNPX. The list in endless.


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

After many inquiries and requests, I’m hoping to get some prints made by the end of the year. As well, as starting to plan a project to release an art book. I’m also hoping to getting some of my work shown in galleries too!

You can find Vicki Death on the following sites:

Etsy: http://www.vickideath.etsy.com/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/VickiDeath

Blog: http://www.vickideath.blogspot.com/