fabulous fridays...the interview ~ Jewellery by B

It's Friday and we are pleased to bring you one more interview from our beloved crafters. Today we are featuring: Jewellery by B. Her name is Belinda and she makes amazing jewellery.

Let's meet her:

1. Tell us a bit about yourself/ introduce yourself. Besides crafting what else do you love doing?

My name is Belinda and besides making jewellery, I like going for long walks in the countryside, travelling, meeting up with my friends for a good gossip, cooking and going to the cinema.

2. How did you start crafting and how long have you been doing it? 

I have been making jewellery for just over 7 months now. I had an operation on my foot so I had plenty of time off work and I was getting bored with the usual shows on TV. I started channel hopping one day and discovered the Jewellery Making channel. After watching several shows, I thought to myself, I think I would like to have a go at this, and so my new hobby was born and my bank account has not been the same since!!

3. What are the problems you faced as a crafter until now? Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking to start or is new to the crafting business?

The main problem that I have is the lack of funds to try all the new designs that I want to do and the new techniques that I want to learn. My advice to anyone wanting to start any sort of craft is just give it a go, if you don't like it then at least you tried. It could just be the career change you were looking for.....

4. What's your favourite crafting category? Do you have in mind to start crafting something else (besides your usual crafting category)?

My favourite crafting category is jewellery and I don't have any plans at the moment to try any new crafting (I don't think my husband could take it!).

5. What is your main source of inspiration? How do you propel your creativity?

My main source of inspiration, is probably the Jewellery Making channel. I learn my techniques from them and then try to incorporate them into my own designs. I like to keep up to date with everything that is going on so I also buy jewellery magazines and look in jewellery shops. 

6. Tell us about your crafting space. Do you have a favourite material and tool?

My crafting space, the place where I make my jewellery is my dining room. The place where everything goes once its been made and where I store all my tools and beads is the spare bedroom. My husband says that we need a bigger house as I keep buying new tools and display equipment for my craft fairs, that I am now starting to run out of space. I am just starting to use craft wire in my jewellery and have bought myself a wire coiling gizmo, so at the moment that is my favourite tool, but I am sure there will probably be a new one next month...

7. So your crafting space transmutes to an online shop. How do you promote your e-shop, which social media you use?

When it comes to social media, I am affraid that I am a complete novice and have always been a bit scared of it. I am probably the only person (other than my husband) who has only just got herself a face book account! So that is how I am promoting my jewellery. Hoping to get into other social media when I know what I am doing and feel brave enough.

8. How long after listing an item into your e-shop you had your first sale?

 I think it was about a couple of months before I had my first sale on MISI. I was so excited to think that someone liked my jewellery enough to buy it. I have since had several more sales since then and my friends have been buying some for christmas presents for there friends. I have also been doing some craft fairs as well and have had lots of positive feed back.

9. Where do you see your business in 10 years from now?

In 10 years, it would be a dream come true to have my own little shop or stall selling lots of lovely jewellery handmade by me.

10. How did you find MISI? What else would you like to see being added to the site?

I found MISI just by searching online for different places to sell my jewellery on line. MISI was the first one that I looked at I thought it looked like a good site, (and I still do). I can't think of anything at the moment that I would like added to the site. The changes you have made to listing products are definately better than they were when I first joined. I hope to have many more years with you. - we hope so too :)

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Fabulous Fridays...The Interview ~ EvelynMae

It's Friday and we are pleased to bring you one more interview from our beloved crafters. Today we are featuring: EvelynMae. She creates amazing and inspired cards. 

Read her interview:

1.Tell us a bit about yourself or introduce yourself. Besides crafting what else do you love doing?

My name is Shelly, aside from running my business 'Evelyn Mae', I enjoy living by the seaside in Margate, watching Christmas movies and baking. I love anything that leaves me covered in glitter and glue!

2. How did you start crafting and how long have you been doing it?

When I was 7 years old a friend and I set up a card making business - felt pens in hand, we even named our business and created designs. I have had a number of jobs and careers since then - college lecturer in performing arts to professional actress - but they have always been creative. Three years ago I came back to card making in a professional manner, setting up Evelyn Mae.

3. What are the problems you faced as a crafter until now? Do you have any advice for someone that thinks to start or is new to the crafting business?

The biggest problem I have encountered is competing against 'hobby' sellers who do not charge for their time. It is a highly competitive market and I find that many sellers only cover their costs. Its hard, but finding a niche and always being professional is a good place to start.

4. What's your favourite crafting category? Do you have in mind to start crafting something else (besides your usual crafting category)?

I like art work, and I like the Christmas category! Anytime I can look at festive items, I am a happy bunny!

5. What is your main source of inspiration? How do you propel your creativity?

Taking a day off ... by making myself not think about work, I seem to find the answers to my creative block!! Rest is so important, and helps to keep a grounded perspective on your business.

6. Tell us about your crafting space. Do you have a favourite material and tool?

I am lucky that I have a spare room in our house for my craft workshop/ office. Its nice to have a nice environment to work in, and a huge bonus is being able to shut the door at the end of the day. In terms of favourite material- I love paper- I'm always looking at packaging and wondering what I could do with it!

7. So your crafting space transmutes to an online shop. How do you promote your e-shop, which social media you use?

I use lots of social media- Facebook, twitter, google +, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and of course, my own website. I find that online networking- speaking to people behind other pages, has been the most effective form of promotion.

8. How long after listing an item into your e-shop you had your first sale?

Super quick! I think it was in the first week! I was thrilled - and especially happy to see my stats adding up so fast! I've found that element of MISI particularly useful.

9. Where do you see your business in 10 years from now?

I haven't got a plan as far ahead as 10 years, but over the next three I would like Evelyn Mae to be available in more stores that at present. It would be lovely to think that my business would be the first port of call for people to buy handmade personalised greetings cards!

10. How did you find MISI? What else would you like to see being added to the site?

I heard of MISI in a forum on Facebook.

Visit EvelynMae

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Fabulous Fridays...The Interview ~ Busy Bee Jewellery

We are pleased to present you the first interview of the new year! Today it's our beloved day and we have interviewed another MISIAN: flowerboxrosie and her shop Busy Bee Jewellery

Read her interview:

1. Speak a bit for yourself or introduce yourself. Besides crafting, what else do you love doing?

Hi I'm Gail, I'm married and have a grown up son and three gorgeous grand children. I am retired due to ill health but keep busy making jewellery. As well as making I also teach jewellery making twice a week in my home town of Peterhead.

2. How did you start crafting and how long have you been doing it?

I started crafting over 30 years ago. Firstly I did knitting and crocheting, then I began making cards, before I retired, as a way to raise funds for work and continued for a period after I retired but became interested in jewellery making when a good friend asked me for some support when doing a school demo. I agreed to help, she had planned to make earrings and stretchy bracelets with the kids, so I asked what she wanted me to do. When she said loop head pins to make earrings, I had no idea what she meant!!! I told her this and she said not to worry she would send me over the necessary thing to practice and an instruction book. Then I found out that we were going into school the next day! So that evening no tea for hubby just practising turning loops!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. We did a few more then I persuaded her to start classes to pass on her skills. This she did with me as her assistant. After a while we moved on from stringing to bead weaving and I became hooked. I was persuaded to take over the classes when she decided to give them up.

3. What are the problems you faced as a crafter until now? Do you have an advice for someone that thinks to start or is new to crafting business?

The main problem I faced as a crafter was when it seemed appropriate to try selling some of my jewellery, where to sell? I started with a few local fairs schools, churchs, charity etc. I now go to fairs most weekends all around my local area, and have jewellery for sale in a local tourist shop it was quite hard getting on to the circuit, but once my craft and my face becames recognised organisers started to ask me to attend their events. It maybe hard to start with but perseverance is the key.

4. What's your favourite crafting category? Do you have in mind to start crafting something else (besides your usual crafting category)?

I still enjoy making special cards for my own use but my first love is now bead weaving jewellery. I am looking into giving wire working with beads a try but who knows I may even pick up my knitting needles or crochet hook again.

5. What is your main source of inspiration? How do you propel your creativity?

I'm inspired by a variety of designers and use various patterns. I also play about with a different variety of stitches to come up with the occasional original design...I like to look at the different bead pattern sites which are online. Sometimes it's a particular colour of bead that will inspire. Inspiration can come from many places and at the most unexpected times...I now sleep with a notebook beside me as I often wake with an idea which, if I don't write it down, will have vanished by morning.

6. Tell us about your crafting space. Do you have a favourite material and tool?

When my whole life began to revolve round jewellery making, beads, patterns, findings, classes, more beads every room had been taken over until one day my granddaughter suggested that "her room" ie my spare room would make an ideal craft room. So with her help this became my crafting space. I like using needle and thread to weave my projects especially Swarovski crystals and pearls. But really, any good quality bead is what I like. 

7. So you crafting space transmutes to an online shop. How do you promote your e-shop, which social media you use?

I' m not very confident using social media but I have a facebook page and twitter account and can just about manage to use them (with a bit of help from my grandchildren when I get stuck) to promote my Misi shop and my classes. I find photographing my jewellery a really painful experience - twenty+ shots to get one decent photo but using advice from Misi I have used Pic-monkey to re touch my shots so this is getting better.

8. How long after listing an item into your e-shop you had your first sale?

As yet I have not had a sale, but I'm forever optimistic. I have managed to post my items for sale on facebook and twitter so hopefully a sale will follow.

9. Where do you see your business in 10 years from now?

Who knows what the future holds for me but I hope I can continue to manage crafting and selling for many years to come.

10. How did you find MISI? What else would you like to see being added to the site?

I learned about Misi while speaking to another crafter at a fair. We were chatting about other outlets and she told me about Misi. She explained how easy it was to become a Misian, so when I got home that evening I had a look and opened my own Misi shop the next day.

Visit Busy Bee Jewellery

Fabulous Fridays... The Interview ~ Vintageellie

It's Friday! - I think we are all happy about this - so we have a brand new interview for you. We are pleased to present you Vintageellie, two sisters who run the professional business Bespoke Vintage Castle!

With over 55 colours unlimited fabrics, exceptional designs and an excelent quality service, they offer unique items created with love and creative flair, from wedding centerpieces and supplies to childrens personalised items and chic home furnishings.

Let's meet them:

1. Speak a bit for yourself or introduce yourself. Besides crafting, what else do you love doing?

Hello, my name is Lizzie (Elizabeth) and with my younger sister Jazzie (Jazzmine) last year October 15, I officially started Bespoke vintage castle and at the time MADE my younger sister do it, now we share the vision and are equally inspired and passionate as to what we can achieve.

Besides crafting, I am a wife and mummy, which takes up a lot of my time and a voluntary youth worker with my husband. We travel, giving talks to young people and help raise money charity work with youth and vulnerable young women.

Jazzie, besides crafting, likes music playing piano, singing and songwriting.

2. How did you start crafting and how long have you been doing it?

We have both been crafting all our lives, our mum was a fashion designer in the 80's, hence Jazzies studying textiles - now its genetic! Jazzmine is into fashion, designing, and being abstract with her art. 

I have been into making and up cycling from being a teen. We went to a lot of car boot sales the three of us and practically lived in auctions! My mother, sister and me we were always trying to find antiques. Its a hobby that when we have the time now we still try and do.

3. What are the problems you faced as a crafter until now? Do you have an advice for someone that thinks to start or is new to crafting business?

The one problem I have had is when I was trying to book a stall at a popular event and venue. I was talking to the organizer for months and being completely ignored. In the end they basically said "We will get back to you". They have standards and only want people who have shops and things they like and not people that work from home. At that time I felt discouraged and that my work was not good enough and I should stop, but my husband encouraged me and then I decided not to let one person change my destiny and it would only make me more determined to work harder. 

My advice to anyone starting a new business would be: Once you have a vision, go for it, aim at you're dreams and don't stop till you get there! 

4. What's your favourite crafting category?

My favorite thing to craft is wedding bouquets and hairpieces. The sky is the limit with imagination and ideas you can literally creating anything to put on someones head or for them to hold! 

Jazzie loves making boys bow ties best.

5. What is your main source of inspiration? How do you propel your creativity?

We are inspired in crafting from the antiques I have seen at car boots and vintage fairs. I love history - it is my greatest inspiration and I research period living customs and traditions. We also adore the Victorians, Marie Antoinette, and classic french living. The rustic timeless and ornate things they used to have back then are our ultimate inspiration. I love the fabric manipulation of grand silks and the luster of the Georgian color palette. In fact this is why we work with silk, dupion, cotton, satin, taffeta, organza, chiffon, vintage buttons and brooches and lashings of original Nottingham lace

Jazzmine says shes inspired by things around her, the littlest things in nature, or events daily life inspire her colors, work and design.

I propel my creativity by my research and I love watching the great British sewing bee and Kirstie Allsop "Homemade, home". I also watch wedding TV and bridal programs to be up to date with current trends. We both love pinning on Pinterest and reading in the library. 

6. Tell us about your crafting space. Do you have a favourite material and tool?

We both work from home and I have converted a room into a work space. Initially I was in my dining room  now in a room, but I know I will have to rent a little space soon as a studio, as clients are increasing and I am taking more orders,which is fantastic! 

My sister has a room at home that's full of crafts, paint and fabric. Sometimes she comes to mine or I raid her stuff, but all of this will go to our studio, once we have a space.

7. So your crafting space transmutes to an online shop. How do you promote your e-shop, which social media you use?

We are taking over social media. It's confusing to keep posting, tweeting, pinning,liking.whew.. 

Here are our links: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Polyvore, Blog

8. How long after listing an item into your e-shop you had your first sale?

It took us 4 weeks to make our first sale! It was supplies glass mirror plates and then a week later we sold a tutu skirt to my first international customer (USA)

9. Where do you see your business in 10 years from now?

Oh my, in ten years time! Well, we have agreed that we would love for us to be a brand name, like Vera Wang or Jenny Packham. We want to have a franchise in every city and be interviewed on TV, be the next Sondra Celli or Thelma Nadine and be on a reality TV show. We would love to be in fashion shows and on runways, own our very own wedding boutique and make lots of money by selling to celebrity clients! Also we want to have written a book and done radio interviews. Ten years! I think that's achievable and we will probably do more.

10. How did you find MISI? What else would you like to see being added to the site?

I first heard about MISI recently through my auntie. She said we should come here as were brave enough and we are fans now, and follow MISI on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook! 

The site is improving as it goes along. I like it just as it is and we are willing to move along with any updates that happen, were here for life!

Visit Bespoke Vintage Castle