Interview - Miss Genki

Interview with the lovely Tanaz of Miss Genki!

Q. Please tell us a little about your self and Miss Genki:/Q. What made you start making jewellery?

My name is Tanaz and my life has always lacked creative energy. I have been learning jewellery making and always know trends. I just Love it. It just never occurred to me to actually start my own Jewellery so I did. I just think you should follow your heart and just do what makes you happy. OK here is a little more about me: I lived half my life in Iran, the other half in Cardiff Wales. Then one day I realised how I needed more and I should experience one other culture. I have always had a love for Japan. But I was too scared to go alone, in the end I believe Japan chose me as the job as an English teacher came my way and before I knew it I was in training and getting ready. The second I got on the plane it hit me I was going to Japan and it was scary, but mostly exciting. It was the best think i ever did. Took the chance to the pursuit of happiness and I know myself much more because of it. It was there that I discovered my love for Japanese fashion and there the seed of the idea for Miss Genki was planted.

Miss Genki is based on the wacky, fun, cute and uniqueness of Japanese fashion. It was so inspiring to see people dress in what made them happy and it was all so much fun. I felt free. So I wanted to share that with others. As well as wanting my ideas and my creativity to be seen. For the first time in my life I was doing things based on what made ME happy and not all the things I was always meant to be. I feel free and happy when I am buying new items looking for new idea and just everything to do with Miss Genki. This is why I named it Miss Genki, which reflects all this. Genki means happy, joyful, being OK and the word Genki itself is the exact way I felt. I truly know what Genki means now and before Japan I was never truly happy. So you could say I have finally found myself and let myself feel the good things in life. Life is too short and what counts is how happy you are and seeing all the good you are blessed with not concentrating on the bad or things you are not give.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I live in Cardiff, Wales.

Q. What are your favourite pieces to make?

My favourite pieces at the moment are Owls and recently have elephant necklaces too. I don't know why but absolutely love Owls, they are just so pretty. I also love "Love" necklaces and earrings. Anything that's romantic based, even red lips (which I have recently got). Oh the romantic stuff does not at all reflect my own life. I just think Loving yourself first before anyone else is most important. There are a lot I don't like about myself, but think as women we are too quick to judge ourselves. I do it all the time myself mainly how i have gained weight or how i want to be back to my smaller size. I just like to have something that reminds me of who I am and that I like myself regardless of all the other things I think I should be. Its a nice feeling.

Q. What are your best sellers?

I think the owl necklaces have been most popular and the camera. I guess because they are different and they are things you can't find most places. Most of my items are quite popular as they are all quite unique.

Q. Do you wear your jewellery yourself?

Yes. I buy what I like. My favourite pieces at the moment are Owl and elephants. I absolutely love owls not sure why as they do seem creepy, but in jewellery I like their roundness and big eyes.
I have this one owl that I adore and don't wanna part with it. I know the whole idea is to sell it but I just love most things so always have an extra for myself because once I don't I remember how pretty it was and wish I had one for me, lol.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

My main inspiration is Tokyo's fashion scene. I just notice everyday things and as I buy from all kinds of places, I just go through pictures and buy what I like. I just think what would I like to wear to make me happy or put a smile on my face. I love pearls, but also like anything funky and fun. I just think fashion should be fun. As we grow up we just seem to forget how to have fun, so we have to do so in most things we do. In what we wear (I don't mean looking silly, just to dress for ourselves), what we do and surround ourselves with good vibes.

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

This is more of of a fantasy, but my big dream would be for Miss Genki to be a brand and to sell in big shops under my own name. Then as my biggest inspiration has been Tokyo would like to have a little boutique either in Harajuku (which has the funkiest boutiques) or in the most famous department store in Shibuya called 109. These were places I would shop at and I think if I ever make it that far, I know I have done something very right. As for me I see myself in 5years making/selling jewellery as a full-time career and being more creative with my life. Hopefully also have time to take breaks and not be how I am now which is work full time and Miss Genki in all the free time I get.

You can find Miss. Genki on Facebook
www.facebook.com/missgenkijewellery

And http://www.missgenki.com/ will be coming soon!

Interview - Kokokelli

Dotted with hearts interview Kelly of Kokokelli :-)

Q. Please tell us a little about yourself and Kokokelli

My name is Kelly 'Womble' Johnson and I'm 29 years old. Kokokelli is my crafting name and I started making handmade jewellery & greeting cards in January 2010.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I'm from Oldbury in the West Midlands (not far from Birmingham/Dudley/West Bromwich/Smethwick)

Q. What made you get into jewellery and card making?

I've always been very arty farty and praised highly for my creative talents. I saw some jewellery that a friend had made at a jewellery workshop run at the Birmingham Bead Shop (http://www.thebirminghambeadshop.co.uk/) and just thought to myself "yeah I could do that!" so I bought a small starter kit with the tools and findings off eBay and it went from there really. I used my best friend as a kind of guinea pig as it was her birthday the end of January lol so I made her a handmade birthday card and made her a necklace, bracelet & earring set which she absolutely loved!!

Q. What are your most popular items?

I don't really have any 'best sellers' so to speak but I seem to sell more bracelets more than anything at the moment as they are reasonably priced and different from those you see in the shops (as is everything else I make)

Q.What do you enjoy making the most?

I absolutely love making custom orders for people as each one is unique and one of a kind! It's also a challenge and I love a good challenge! Especially when there's certain things you need to find for a certain piece. I've done some lovely jewellery sets, badge bracelets and a beautiful wedding card which was just a masterpiece in my eyes! lol

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

I get asked this question quite a bit lol I get my inspiration from many things I guess, stuff I like, stuff I've grown up with, people I've known, I even run ideas past my mom sometimes lol. They'll be days when something will just pop in my head or I'll be out and about and I'll see something and it'll just trigger off a huge light bulb in my head lol.

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

I would love nothing more than to have my own proper business from home doing what I do best and making lots of money from it lol (who wouldn't) plus that way I'd be able to start the family I've always wanted and still work at the same time.

Q. What are you doing for Halloween?

To be honest I don't really do the whole Halloween thing anymore. We went trick or treating a couple of times as kids but that's about it. It's not really the same as it used to be now especially round here, sometimes you're scared to answer the door when you've got masked hoodies banging who are only after your money anyway! It may change when I have kids and it would be nice to take them trick or treating while they're young so they can have some fun, we'll just have to wait and see lol.

Kokokelli Shop - http://www.folksy.com/shops/Kokokelli

Kokokelli Fanpage - http://www.facebook.com/Kokokelli

Kokokelli Twitter - http://twitter.com/KokokelliWomble

Kokokelli Blog - http://kokokelli.blogspot.com/

Email - womblej70@hotmail.co.uk

Interview -The Deity Chain

Dotted with Hearts interviewed the lovely Soo of The Deity Chain!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and The Deity Chain

A: My name is Soo, and i am a 44 year old mother of 3. I've always been what you could describe as 'arty'. and i just love making things! whether that be a piece of jewellery, a painting, or as i have done more recently, a bag!
I founded The DeityChain in 2008 and it consists of me and my children..well, when i say children, my boys are men now, lol! They help in lots of ways, with the packaging, marketing, etc...and making me lots of cups of coffee when i am busy making orders!
My daughter is incredibly talented: watch out for some of her work appearing in the 'art' section of The DeityChain website! :)

Q. Where in the world are you based?

A: I am based in the North-West of England, near Manchester.

Q.What made you start making jewellery?

A: about 5 years ago i started making my own cards to send to friends and family: i used to attach little charms and pieces of jewellery to them, and after lots of suggestions to sell them, i started doing just that!...at craft fairs, car boots, etc.... then in 2008 i started The DeityChain: by this point i had already started to make jewellery which was selling faster than the cards(!), and i built a website which i have just recently updated as i thought the old site was looking a bit tired and jaded!

Q. What are your most popular pieces?

A: My bag charms are very popular, understandably(!!), the faerie necklaces and wraparound bracelets have always sold well and the little heart boxes i have just introduced seem to be going down well too!

Q. Do you wear the jewellery you make yourself?

A: of course! promote, promote, promote, lol! ...but seriously, yes, the great thing about being able to make it yourself is you can make exactly what you really like, and change it as often as you like! I also always, always have my bag charms and fabric hearts attached to my handbag.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

A: well now, that is an easy one! F-A-E-R-I-E-S! yeah, i know, I'm a middle-aged woman who is STILL hung up on faeries, but what can i say? i love them! ...i just love the whole romance of them, the idea that they are watching, protecting and causing mischief....yeah, faeries definitely... .....and hearts .....and flowers.... I'm just an old romantic at heart! :)

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

A: gosh...well....i would love love LOVE to be running The DeityChain as a full-time business.
i am certainly happiest fiddling about making pieces of jewellery or painting..
My dream is for The DeityChain to be a recognised name..... a label... something people would know just by looking at it...that would be great!



www.thedeitychain.com
email: soo@thedeitychain.com

Interview - Toxic Cherry

Interview with Toxic Cherry

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and Toxic Cherry Jewellery

I have been designing jewellery since 2009 but never really took it all that seriously. I'm a naturally creative person and a few months back when a friend mentioned she'd love to start a jewellery business, I had that little light bulb moment. I already had all the designs so all I had to do was get down to the practical side. I give credit to my mom for suggesting materials and such lol. Toxic Cherry launched officially as a business at the end of August this year and I appreciate all the support so much.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

Based in Birmingham in the UK but have customers all across the UK and hopefully will expand internationally.

Q. What made you get into crafting?

As I said earlier, I'd always love designing pieces and it was my friend that spurred me on to turning them into solid creations :)

Q. What are your favourite items to make?

I love making all of them. Honestly lol. I would never make an item that I wouldn't love to wear myself so I put a lot of effort into design and making them.

Q. What are your most popular items?

It seems quite equal across the board at the moment. Customers compliment the 'razzle dazzle' pieces the most but I've had a lot of interest in the clay hearts and leopard print bows.

Q. Do you wear your jewellery & accessories yourself?

Yes all the time. :) Like I said, I would never make anything I didn't love myself or didn't deem 'fit' to wear. Plus, it's a great marketing technique, especially on nights out and people ask where you get your jewellery from :)

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

The general feel of the 'rock' scene in the UK and 'old skool' tattoo designs. I'd say my main demographic is the 'alternative' subculture so I take a lot of inspiration from designs associated with them.

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

Still running Toxic Cherry hopefully. And fingers crossed by then it will have taken off internationally. It is my great passion at the moment. And I'd love it to be a big part of my future.

You can find Toxic Cherry at...
www.facebook.com/toxiccherryjewellery

Sadly Toxic Cherry received some abuse and criticism at the start of her launch, she says ' I would like to point out to your readers and repeat what I have said from the start, I have at no point intentionally 'copied' anyone or any design. My jewellery stems from my ideas and my mothers suggestions. Any likeness to another jeweller is coincidental'.

Interview - Delicious Secrets

Dotted With Hearts got to interview jewellery maker,

Jo, from Delicious Secrets

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and Delicious Secrets

Well my name is Joanne, Jo for short and I am 19 almost 20. Ever since I was young, I have loved anything involving art and making things. I studied art at secondary school and carried it on at college receiving a national award and a national diploma for art and design. Throughout college and school, I managed to get my hands dirty and create things which I loved. Delicious Secrets started earlier on this year. I got the ideas from other jewellery designers. Whenever I have browsed jewellery within shops and online, I also thought it’ll be amazing to be able to create my own. Other people have been my inspiration.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I am based in Kent, United Kingdom. I live at home with my parents and siblings so I create everything from home.

Q. What made you get into crafting?

I’ll say from a young age of enjoying Art and design it is from this that is has progressed from. Inspirations from other jewellers and other pieces have also had a take on this.

Q. What are your favourite items to make?

I really like making the ‘candy’ items the most. Each charm is unique from the one before and the one after this. My favourite charms I’ve made are the gingerbread men and the cookies.

Q. What are your most popular items on Delicious Secrets?

I’ll have to say, the Filigree butterfly which is the Facebook profile image, has become the most popular and has drawn a lot of attention to Delicious Secrets. Also, the mini jar collections have attracted a lot of eyes.

Q. Do you wear your jewellery & accessories yourself?

I wear the belt look bracelets on a daily basis. My favourite ones I wear are the blue and white, together. As for my other items, I haven’t worn any of these yet because I have small stock because I have just started up and I don’t want to little amount of my items in case customers wanted them. I have a few ideas and items coming up and I will defiantly be taking one out for myself of these.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

Anything cute, vintage or girly becomes an inspiration to me. As well as other jewellery designers.

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

Besides jewellery crafting, I also have a passion for photography. I’ll hopefully like to see myself making this more of a career for myself and keeping up with the jewellery designing.

People can contact me through facebook which is http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001417848187&ref=ts

or you can search Deliciious-Secrets Jewellery.

Items can also be purchased from http://www.delicious-secrets.co.uk/

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 - 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 - 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 - Raffles Bizarre

Interview with Raffles Bizarre

Q. What made you get into crafting?

I've tried my hand at most arty/crafty things, I love doing anything creaative, but when I began making jewellery 4 years ago I realised that was wht I love most. It started out as a hobby, and I used to make presents for friends, but now I love being able to sell it to complete strangers who love it too.





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

My favourite pieces are probably those compsed of lots of unusual chains, recycled jewellery and found objects. It's a very natural way of working, I never really have a design, I just see how things fit together.

I also like making pendants from my own illustrations, but a lot more time and effort goes into them so I don't get to make as many.



Q. What are your most popular items?

My plush zombie necklace and my anatomical heart necklace has probably been my most popular overall, but other than that there's no real trend, I sell a bit of everything. This is probably because I have such a diverse range of jewellery. There's something for everyone.




Q. Do you wear the jewelery/ accessories yourself?

I do, but not as much as I should. I try to remember to, and if I'm going out at night I do tend to, but day to day I don't like to wear a huge amount of jewellery. Sometimes a necklace or a ring, but I don't tend to wear bracelets because they get in the way while I work, and I have stretched ears so I don't wear earrings.




Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

I couldn't pinpoint one thing or person, I draw inspiration from everything, and everyone, friends, colleagues, other crafters I have met or whose blogs I follow. I spend a lot of time flicking through fashion magazines and online so I draw inspiration from lots of different places.


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

I would love to be doing my jewellery full time and be able to fully support myself from it, though I also work as a makeup artist and love the fashion and film industries so I would like to still be working in those aswell. I need to dabble with a bit of everything to keep myself satisfied so I'm sure even in 5 years I'll be working in several fields.

I'd love to expand my jewellery ranges and maybe take some courses so I can work in some other mediums and experiment with some other items such as clothing and bags.

I'd love to travel more and maybe work in different countries. I'm absolutely in love with New York City so maybe spend some time there and think about taking RB international.

www.rafflesbizarre.co.uk

www.twitter.com/rafflesbizarre

www.myspace.com/rafflesbizarre

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raffles-Bizarre/13318475771?ref=ts

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/