Wednesday 20 May 2009

Meet the Maker - Joe Hurry

Now I guess it would be quite sexist to say this, but this Meet the Maker is a bloke! Please meet and greet Joe Hurry :)



What got you into crafting?

Years after being inspired by a David Shrigley book in the Tate Modern I was working in a call centre (sad, I know). The job gave me a good opportunity to conceive hundreds of new drawings (having spent years drawing already) and I was able get much better at the actual drawing part during this time.

One day a few pages of these drawings got passed to a friend, who passed them on to someone else who also passed them on. They made their way around the whole room and there was a surpisingly good response. I didn't think that anyone except myself found them funny (they were a little strange to say the least). Someone asked whether they could make t-shirts with them and this made me realise that perhaps I might have something here.

A while later I made a decision. I was working in Curry's at the time and living in Brighton. We had a horrible flat that was grubby and completely overpriced and I didn't want to work for such a souless corporation anymore. So we gave notice on the flat, I quit my job and we started looking for somewhere in the countryside. A month later we had moved to Wiltshire and I started turning my drawings into cards and creating what is now Joe Hurry Creations! (True story)



What is the best thing about creating your illustrations?

My favourite thing is being able to share my sense of humour with people. It's especially great when people laugh at cards that I've always found funny but never been sure other people would get.


What Handm@de stuff do you have your eye on?

Hodge Podge Arts has some of the best ceramics I've ever seen - just amazing. I'm very excited to see more of Turned Light's handmade beads as they look brilliant. Also I think Jenny at Jenny's Textiles makes beautiful things, although as she's my fiance I am a bit biased! :D



Thanks Joe for taking part, more and much more very soon!!

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Meet the Maker - Beads by Sam

Sorry for the delay! But back again for some more wonderful Meet the Makers :)

Today, a jeweller who has taken part in all Handm@de Fair so fair, please welcome Beads by Sam !



What got you into crafting?

The first time I did anything crafty was when I made 150 wedding gifts for my wedding 4 years ago. I was not a crafty person but I did love craft products. Then I have started to make bead jewellery last year after being introduced to it by my friend who makes her own gorgeous necklaces and rings - www.jenbailey.com

What is the best thing about making bead jewellery?

The best thing about making bead jewellery is the positive feedback I get from friends and customers who love wearing my jewellery.

Your jewelry is quite unique. I love how your creations seem organic- the beads to not seem so far removed from their natural state. Is nature an influence on your work? What are your inspirations?

Yes, nature definitely influences my work. I personally love the look and feel of natural materials. Last year I went to an amazing resort in Thailand where everything was made from natural material. It was a great inspiration.



What Handm@de stuff do you have your eye on?

I have my eye on many items. One particular item is the Quercus Silver‘s stunning bangles!!! I am so thrilled that Quercus Silver is going to be at Handm@de Winchester fair.



Thank you! Keep your eyes peeled for more Meet the Makers coming soon!

Saturday 2 May 2009

Meet the Maker - Fizzology

It is time for the next Meet the Maker, with another craft, this time to keep you looking young and beautiful :)

Please meet Jane McGillivray, better known as Fizzology!



What got you into crafting?

I have been crafting for as long as I have memories. My Mum was always sewing things so I just copied her. I didn't have 'children's' scissors or tools I just used whatever she did and I never cut myself although I do remember sewing a garment to the clothing I had on once! My favourite childhood crafting was Plasticraft, a 1970's kit which you mixed stuff to make paperweights in which you embedded items. I now do this with soap!

What is the best thing about soap making?

I love being able to create all sorts of unusual looking soaps. I especially love the look on my friends faces when I show them my newest creation. A week before Christmas I ran out of soap base and could not get any supplies until after the New Year. By the time it arrived I was like an excited kid - forget the pressies I just wanted to get creating again.



What Handm@de stuff do you have your eye on?

Everything really, I just love seeing what everyone else can create. I used to live in Wickham and then Lee on the Solent so I'm really excited about coming back down to Winchester for Handm@de. My 2 girls were born in the hospital in Winchester so it'll be a pilgrimage for them!



Thanks Jane for sharing the excitement of soap making with us, I can't wait to see and smell them!