Sutton Vintage Fair

Sutton Vintage fair will be held on Sunday the 17th of October at Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham.
This fair is aiming to offer a great mix of Vintage, reworked homewares whilst highlighting local Brummy based Crafters & Artists.

For more info on what you will find there you can visit the Sutton Vintage Fair page on Facebook, just click HERE.

Interview - Frock on Vintage

Dotted With Hearts interview Pam from Frock on Vintage!

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and Frock on Vintage

My name is Pam Cheema and I am stylist and Director of Frock On Vintage. Frock On Vintage specialises in affordable, high quality and all-round fabulous vintage items for all fun-loving fashionista's. From Avant Garde sequin tops and leather jackets; to kitsch dresses and statement bags, the brand offers something for everyone!


Q. Where in the world are you based?

I am based in Birmingham but travel all over the UK with Frock On Vintage.


Q. What made you start this label?

Spending time out in Kenya doing charity work with the Masai inspired me to set up Frock On Vintage. I supported street children, AIDS and HIV sufferers and taught English in local schools. I learnt so much from the experience that when I returned to the UK I decided that it was time to pursue my real dream. I began my new venture by juggling my full time job as a TV researcher with running a stall selling vintage clothes every Saturday at The Custard Factory in Digbeth. The feedback I was getting from customers was amazing so I decided that it was only natural progression to set up my own website. I launched www.frockonvintage.co.uk in August 2010 and its going great so far :-)


Q. What are your most popular items?

The gorgeous vintage sequin garments I sell are really popular! They are so beautifully made and the designs are to die for! Every girls likes a bit of sparkle in her wardrobe for parties, weddings, events etc. Aside from that vintage bags also go down really well with my customers as do the fur coats....especially now with winter slowly looming!


Q. Do you wear vintage clothing yourself? Whats your favourite style?

I adore vintage clothing and wear it all the time, hence me setting up Frock On Vintage! I just love the fact that vintage clothing is totally unique and that you know that you wont see 101 other girls wearing the same. I tend to mix Vintage pieces with those off the High street for a modern but edgy look. I don't have a specific style as such, its always evolving and what I wear often depends on how I'm feeling on a certain day! If i did have to to choose my favourite style it would definitely be rock chick/Gothic Glam! I love silver and black and cant go anywhere without my cropped leather jacket!


Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

This sounds massively soppy but its my friends and family are the ones who truly inspire and motivate me. The love and support of my nearest and dearest is so special and nothing beats that. I am also inspired by the people who are not afraid to make a statement with what that they wear and are fashion slaves! Most of these people are the ones who wear vintage and are not afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to embracing their own personal style.


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

I would love Frock On Vintage to become a household name and own my own shop in Birmingham. I think the city has very little to offer vintage fashionista's and for that reason I would want to bring them something really special! I already have a mental image of what the shop would like...crazy but true lol! Aside from this what I ultimately what I do is continue putting smiles on people's faces and providing them with amazing Frock On Vintage garments!


You can find Frock on Vintage on the following sites...

website: www.frockonvintage.co.uk

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49946478717&ref=ts

Sutton Arts and Vintage Fair (Midlands), 17th October 1-5pm : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sutton-Vintage-Arts-Fair/132825093424878

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 - 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 - 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 Amanda Norman

Dotted with Hearts interviewed photographer -Amanda Norman

Q. Please tell us a little about you and your website

I love Gothic and horror photography, which can be seen on my website at http://www.amandanorman.com/.
I’ve been described by those who don’t know me as morbid and a bloody weirdo for my love of photographing cemeteries and taking dark portraits, but I just find humanity amusing sometimes. Don’t you?
I have a passion for the ‘dark side of life’. I love to feed my thirst for knowledge and I don’t believe that anyone should stop learning things in life, especially those things that are unknown. I like how the unknown scares the mundane amongst us.
I love to do Tarot readings for friends and I have a strong interest in vampires, but I hate Twilight.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I’m based in the land of the Cheshire cat in a town called Warrington, which is in the North West of England.

Q. What made you become a photographer?

I’m not a professional photographer yet, but I hope to be one day. I just love trying to capture the dark atmosphere of places I see.

Q. Your photography focus's on the Dark side of
things, has this always been your main focus?

It’s ALWAYS been my focus as I have a love of old Gothic Horror films like Hammer Horror that inspires my work. I’ve also witnessed true horror in my lifetime and perhaps that’s why I see things differently, but the challenge is getting the atmosphere right so that viewers of my photography can see it as well.

Q. Whats you favourite thing to photograph?

It has to be cemeteries as I could spend all day in some of these places, especially the old Victorian ones. It’s a shame, but as the years roll by and the stone work crumbles and there’s no living relatives left to pay for the upkeep of these grand tombs, we will lose these places and all that will remain is the odd cemetery and lots of photographs.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

I love Simon Marsden’s photography and as I said earlier, other inspiration comes from watching Hammer Horror, Amicus and Universal Horror to name but a few.

Q. Do you have any future projects coming up or new additions to your shop?

I’m currently working on an exciting project at the moment with zombie portrait artist @ChrisZenga. He’s given me his ideas for the sketches he wants to do and I will take the photographs for him to work with.

In regards to additions to my shop, I’m always coming up with new prints at http://www.amandanorman.com/cart and there’s currently an offer on of a free button badge when purchasing a print.

All greeting cards, business cards and invitations that can be fully personalised can be found at my Zazzle store at http://www.zazzle.com/mandy_norman

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/