An Interview With...

...me! Imagine how totes honoured I was when lovely Bernice asked me if I would like to take part in a new blog that she was setting up - the sole purpose to "celebrate UK Artists" Well, first of all, I love the idea of being an artist but I don't view myself as an artist... I am just a messy pup who loves to play with all things inky and messy and who loves to make stuff. That aside, it is truly an honour for Bernice to include me in the amazing list of other peeps who have been interviewed. To see my interview, please CLICK HERE and to see the rest of the interviews (check it out, brilliant peeps there) CLICK HERE.


Bernice asked me to include some of my favourite makes so she could punctuate the interview with piccies. I decided to do a post here today and add a few more pics of my favest things I have made in the past wee while. I am a bit of a fickle creature (no? really? you would never have guessed right?) when it comes to the things I make. I have come to the conclusion that I am a cat in the form of human because I will make something using certain methods, techniques and products and it will be my absolute favourite thing... and I will keep on making things in that vein for a while. Take this past few months, for instance:




I got totes inspired by Finnabair and by those gorgeous Gypsy Girls and ran amok in the Room of Stash with all things canvassy and painty and made a few of these....



And then I got distracted by sprays - I think that came from the spraying colours onto the painty pieces... and got carried away and coloured 13 tags in one morning!



I guess what I am trying to say is that I think everything is my favourite. I did that Tool Shed show a couple of weeks ago and I kept saying "oh that is my favourite" And... I didn't "go public" here because I didn't want to put a downer on my blog, but I did get some really negative (downright nasty) feedback from one individual who reminded me that you can only have ONE favourite. Well, I shall agree to disagree... I lie not: I do have very lots of favourites! For instance, masks are my favourite, likewise all things Studio 490 are my favourite, pretty papers are deffo my favourite, texture is my favourite... you get the gist, I am sure.




This crafty world that we inhabit is an ever changing beast isn't it? Every six months we get a fresh wave of new products from our favourite designers and companies. And, I know I am not just speaking for myself when I say that we all are addicted to this amazing hobby and NEED the new stuff... RIGHT NOW. The birth of new products brings new techniques and ideas and possibilities for us... and I consider myself incredibly lucky that I am in the position to teach, to share and to enthuse. Yes, it isn't my chosen career - and yes, I would give all of this up to be able to go back and drive a train again - and believe me, it has taken me over three years to get to the place I am now where I don't burst into tears everytime someone asks me about my career... (ok, maybe that is an exageration, I am wiping them away now)


I have been so lucky though. I cannot imagine just how hard my life would have been if I hadn't had my hobby - if I hadn't been able to hide away in my Room of Stash and lose myself in making things. I know I am not alone with this either. Over the years, meeting other crafters, "chatting" with them in Blogland, on forums, on Yahoo groups, meeting up at shows and conventions... well, we all have that certain something that triggered the crafty gene in us. Be it a long term illness, a personal strife, or even an inherited love of all things crafty. Whichever of these kick started your hobby, you have to agree with me that for the most parts, this is an amazing community that we exist in.



I have been most fortunate to meet my very bestest friends through this madness that is crafting. That one thing that we all have in common to start with. The love to make things and, which is more, the love of sharing the things that we have made. I have a drawer in my Room of Stash that is full of swaps that I did for about 3 years, receiving sqwishy envelopes each month with tags and ATC's made by my friends, well to me that is as about as personal as you can get. I have art on my walls made by friends, I have art on shelves, again made by friends... the only reason that the tags are in a drawer is because I haven't quite got around to sorting out the design of the Room of Stash - when I do finally get it exactly how I want it, there will be some kind of display of these precious pieces of my friends' crafty souls.





One thing I would like to say (ok so I started off by doing a quicky post to link over to Bernice and now it is War & Peace lol) but... you know my Sunday Stamper challenge? Well, I so appreciate each and every entry = seriously, I say it most weeks but I kid you not, I really DO smile BIG when I see your entries. It means so much to see that you have had your Mojo nudged and you are willing to take part in my "just for fun" challenge. BUT. One thing. When you enter, no matter what your level of experience maybe, beginner or been a crafter for 283 years, please don't say stuff like "this is my little entry, it isn't that good, it isn't as good as other peoples" I remember taking part in a cardmaking class and being told by the tutor that I had "done it wrong". I was not only embarrassed but also I resolved to never say those words to any other crafter. The whole thing about this hobby (ok, obsession) is that you aren't wrong - you can't be. What you make comes from inside you. What you try out, what inspires you, what gives you that thrill of making something... how can that be wrong? Admittedly we are all our own worst critics... please just cut yourself a bit of slack, remember that you are being creative, that is the most wonderful thing isn't it?



Right. I guess I have bent your ear enough! If you have made it right through to the end of this post then go and get yourself a drink, you deserve one! Thank you, each and everyone of you, who has followed my blog, read my posts, listened to my inane wafflings, complimented my artwork and generally made the last nearly 5 years of blogging so enjoyable. May your fingers be ever inky, may your Room of Stash be ever-overflowing and may your Mojo's be ever present. As ever, thank you for looking... have a FAB day! TTFN

Hels x