Meet the Crafters #4

"More  more  moooore, how do you like it? how do you like it?" that's enough singing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCoAFBxUHX4 (just in case you do want to hear more more more)

 Introducing .....................  Eyeshoot Photography

Please give us a little detail about what it is you make?

I'm a photographer and sell high quality prints of my work, which I make myself in my studio, I also have photo blocks, mini zines and greetings cards featuring my work

Have you always done this or did you first start with something else?

There's a question!  I'm a graphic designer by training, I've been a chef, worked in retail, co owned two chocolate shops and a cafe, so I've done plenty of things before turning my long term passion into a career.

What / who inspires you? I love the work of Martin Parr, he sees things in such a unique way and with a great sense of the absurd and a nice touch of irony.

Tell us what we can typically find when visiting your stall? Bright and vibrant pictures from my trips to Morocco and Cuba, lots of graffiti which is a long time obsession of mine, little books hand stitched by me and canvas prints.

Do you have a favourite item? 

This image was shot in Morocco, just an ordinary house on an ordinary street, but I think it's beautiful - the composition, the colour and all the elements work together perfectly and fits my style of photography perfectly.

Do you have a website or somewhere we can have a nosey at / purchase your products? www.eyeshoot.co.uk is a hub to all of my places - blog, shop, galleries and so on (ooo clever, I must find out how she does this)

One last picture before we sign out

Fun" picture - hopefully how I'll feel on the big day!

Thanks for letting us have a peek into your world.
Now I reckon we can fit just one more in before the craft fair on Sunday, look out for Zygote Gifts.

Nik x

Meet The Crafters #3

Continuing on with the 'We are Chorley Contemporary Crafters ..... with an ‘s’......theme let me introduce our next member of the group:  

Purple Shmurple (by Lynsey Wilkins)

(I just had to do purple lettering, Nx)

Please give us a little detail about what it is you make?
Jewellery and accessories! I like to say that it’s a little bit quirky and curious...

Have you always done this or did you first start with something else?

I work full-time too, as a website editor for a music memorabilia dealer, but since I decided to try starting up my own little creative business in my free time, it has always been in that genre.

What / who inspires you?

I'm a big fan of the weird and wonderful! I don't have any big 'idols' in the fashion or art world, but there are a lot themes that I love - steampunk and vintage, gothic, animals and nature, fairytale....

Is there an interesting back story/start up story to your business?

Not so much for starting my business, but I always get asked how I came up with the name. Purple is my favourite colour and I just thought 'What rhymes with Purple?' and the rest is history :)

Tell us what we can typically find when visiting your stall?

All sorts! I make a lot of items out of wood, glass and acrylic. I have started doing a small range of sterling silver items as well as silver-plate and gunmetal.  Lots of necklaces, rings, earrings, brooches and other things.

Do you have a favourite item? 

I love my ticket necklaces - they have a lovely vintage feel but aren't too feminine or delicate.
 

Do you have a website or somewhere we can have a nosey at /purchase your products? 

Please visit

Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/PurpleShmurpleShop?ref=si_shop
Website - http://www.purpleshmurple.co.uk/

(And of course don't forget, if you are local, we'd love you to call past The Coach House in Astley Park, Chorley next Sunday 5th February to have a look at Purple Shmurple's lovely items in the flesh.)

Any big plans for the future of your business? (answer whichever suits)
I have no big plans, but it would be great to be stocked in a shop. I have been thinking about it for about 6 months now so maybe this year I'll try!

Hopefully we can fit another couple of crafters in before the Craft Takeover next weekend.

xN

Meet the Crafters #2

Following on from the last blog, introducing our next 's' (you'll have to read the last one to get it x)

But first read all about the lovely: 

Bobbin & Bumble (by Leanne Smith)

 Please give us a little detail about what it is you make?

I make cushions, bags, make up bags and more. All items are handmade in a shed at the bottom of a garden in Lancashire and combine vintage, new and second hand fabrics to produce pretty, modern designs. 

What / who inspires you?

Everything I know is down to my wonderful and talented mum, I watched her sewing as a child and I was instantly hooked; I’ve not stopped stealing fabric from her since….sorry mum.  I am inspired by a myriad of things, insects, birds, botany, wildlife in general, and all things British.  I use these inspirations to create simple yet unusual pieces.

Tell us what we can typically find when visiting your stall?

Cushions mainly, but also bags, make up bags and art work.

 
Do you have a favourite item?  

This ladybird cushion is one of my favourite pieces. I love the pretty, vintage, floral fabric and the quirky insect design. I believe it would make a beautiful and unusual addition to any room.

Do you have a website or somewhere we can have a nosey at / purchase your products?

You can find me on: http://www.folksy.com/shops/Bobbinandbumble  and

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BobbinandBumble

(Bobbin and Bumble will also be attending their first craft fair with the contemporary crafters ‘The Crafty Takeover’ on Sunday 5^th February 2012, in the Coach House within Astley Park, Chorley (we are taking over all 3 rooms and plan to have entertainment in the form of live music and have a go craft tables in the upper galleries).   So pop along and see her lovely items in the flesh. x)

 

Any big plans for the future of your business?

Setting up a Bobbin & Bumble website and hopefully more craft fairs.

 

Thanks Leanne, love your quirky cushions.

Look out for our next crafter coming soon. xNx

Meet the Crafters

We are Chorley Contemporary Crafters ..... with an ‘s’...... so I said to myself “Nik, it might be nice to hear from other crafters in our group right about now”.

So without further ado let me introduce our first clever crafter:

Bird House Press (by Rachel Jones) 

Please give us a little detail about what it is you make?  My work is mainly screen prints, based on the illustrations that I doodle.  I love birds - so there is always one or two of them in the work I do!  I produce my work either as prints that can be framed - or as limited edition tote bags, greetings cards, and for 2012 - notebooks!! I also have letterpress prints and lino prints as well - but the focus is screen printing!

Have you always done this or did you first start with something else?  I have only been screen printing for just under 2 years - so I am still learning.  I love the process - and love trying new ideas.  Not all of them have worked - but I love trying anyway!!

What / who inspires you? I love the screen prints of Jay Ryan - and the Papercuts of Rob Ryan (neither are related - just coincidence!) I have tried paper cuts - but end up cutting my fingers far too often - so some of my more recent prints have a papercut "look" to them  without me having to buy stocks of Elastoplast in the process!!

Is there an interesting back story/start up story to your business?  I am still working full time for a local council - so my artwork is done in any spare time, weekends and days off!  Initially when I started screen printing - I was working out of my garage - and with it being separate to my house - there is no electricity, no water, and in winter - no heat!  So the fact I stuck with the printing is a good sign that I like it!!  Thankfully - I was able to get a studio space at Hot Bed Press, Salford (http://www.hotbedpress.org/) in 2011, so printing is less of a challenge - and more like the fun it should be!

Tell us what we can typically find when visiting your stall?  There are prints that can be framed, greetings cards, tote bags, I am planning on a range of notebooks this year - and I have even had some designs put onto plates - so the range is varied!  I will be at the next Chorley Contemporary Crafters Art Fair on the 5th of February (10am – 4pm at The Coach House, next to Café Ambio, in Astley Park) - so please pop down and check out my work in person!!

Do you have a favourite item?  This has to be a print I finished around August time 2011.  The design is inspired by papercuts - but the sentiment is something that I feel is applicable to young and old - my "Shine" screen print.  It was printed as an edition of 20 - and I have just sold the last one on New Years Eve.  I still have people asking for it - so I think there will be a second edition of it in 2012! 

Do you have a website or somewhere we can have a nosey at / purchase your products?  oooh yes - head over to http://www.birdhousepress.co.uk, find me on facebook (www.facebook.com/BirdHousePress) and find me on Twitter @BirdHousePress (I have no understanding of twitter, sorry guys you will have to get here yourselves, Nik x).  I also have shops on Folksy www.folksy.com and Etsy www.etsy.com  (search Bird House Press in the shop search)  I also have a blog too: http://birdhousepress.blogspot.com/

Any big plans for the future of your business?  For 2012 I need to update my website and incorporate a shop into my site too.  I also plan to focus on my online shops, and perhaps get my work into a few shops locally too.  Not particularly massive plans but I am sure with the day job to do as well - they will keep me busy!!!

One last picture

 - my most recent screen print - "The World" - initially commissioned by a friend as an engagement gift (which was personalised with names, place they got engaged, and the date) - this is the main part of that design.

Keep a look out for our next Contemporary Crafter soon.

Bye for now.

xNx