3 Quick Questions: Tiny Concept

Tiny Concept dolls

I came across Tiny Concept after finding one of Kristina's cards in my bag of goodies from the last ABCD meet up. After checking out her blog and online store I couldn't resist featuring the amazing craftsmanship, beautiful detailing and sweet faces of Tiny Concept. Visiting Kristina's little world immediately made me me want to throw on a frock and roll about in a pile of lace, ribbons and taffeta.

Tallulah

What inspired you to start creating?

After designing childrenswear and textiles for various other labels, I always had dreams of creating a small collection of unique products under my own label. It wasn't until the birth of my daughter Peyton, that I began to create unique dolls. I began with ten one-of-a-kind handmade dolls and since then have created countless custom designed dolls sent anywhere from New York to Paris.

Paloma

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

I would definitely like to spend more time with my family! To spend quality time with my two children and husband is where I am at my happiest, but between creating for Tiny Concept and preparing for upcoming events it seems to be such a small time in my life at the moment.

Gigi Maxine

What's next for Tiny Concept?

I created Tiny Concept just over 12 months ago, and in that time some amazing things have happened. I was honored to create a collection exclusively for Udessi gallery, I was able to accept wholesale orders from some inspirational stores and I created countless custom dolls as heirloom pieces. Given my workload however, for the next 12 months I am concentrating on custom orders only. Specialised markets, wholesaling and pop-up events are fantastic to spread the word about Tiny Concept while meeting the customer face-to-face, but given the overwhelming response I have received I am taking a break from these events to concentrate on creating my heirloom dolls only. I also have some very exciting news about illustrating my first book for a much admired author, but I can't say too much just yet - all will be revealed over the coming months!

Autumn - available at udessi

Thanks Kristina! Check out more from Tiny Concept here:

Tiny Concept Website
Tiny Concept Blog
Tiny Concept Shop

3 Quick Questions: Jetta's Nest

Chantico for Day of the Dead

I look at A LOT of images every day, both blog hopping around the crafty world and at the day job in the art world. It's rare that an image will be so different to the hundreds of others I see in a day that it will make me stop for a second look. That's what I like about spending a few minutes in the world of Jetta's Nest, I always know Sam will upload something unlike anything else I've seen that day.

Sam happily took some time out from her busy BiDM preparations to answer 3 Quick Questions...

Bloomin' Buttonhead Brooches getting ready for market

What inspired you to start creating?

I've been around creativity my whole life. Sewing, drawing, painting, embroidery, cake decorating, photography and more, there's a strong creative gene in our DNA!

Jetta's Nest dolls

I remember very clearly being about 4 years old and asking one of my Aunts to draw me a picture of Cinderella just like the one on the front cover of my Golden Book (she's a great artist and was studying photography at the time). She told me that all I needed to do to be able to draw it myself was practice... so that's what I set about doing. It most definitely was a defining moment for me because I've drawn something just about everyday since!

As for sewing and my appliques, my inspirations are a fairly common one. The lack of fun, bright and most importantly, child appropriate clothes for little boys left me with only one choice when my biggest boy was born... make my own!

Pirate applique shirt

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?
Most definitely it would be painting. I'm one of those people that really needs to switch off to paint... any distractions and my moment just cracks into a million pieces. When my boys are bigger and a bit more self-sufficient I'll be able to really get back into it and I can't wait, although I'm pretty sure it won't be like in the pre-kid years filled with loud music and cold beers.

Turn off your TV - Single card on Etsy

What's next for Jetta's Nest?
I wish I knew! Everything that's happened so far for Jetta's Nest has been such a surprise and I still get blown away nearly every day that people like the stuff I make.

I've got some new brooches in the pipeline... a mini gallery series if you like, featuring my art and some gorgeous native Australian timbers and I'm also playing with some ideas for some colouring books and maybe getting some of my applique designs out into the big wide world in pattern form and way too many other things to mention!!

Gigi, Xiola and Coconut Ice Lola Buttonhead Rings

Thanks Sam for being so fabulous!

For more Jetta's Nest (and believe me, there's a whole lot more!) check out these links:
Jetta's Nest blog
Jetta's Nest on Etsy
Jetta's Nest on madeit
and at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market.

3 Quick Questions: 3 Sheets

Paper brooches

I love popping over to 3 Sheets to see what's been happening in Kylie's experimental playground. Her knack for combining texture, technique and shape is enough to make any textile and fabric design loving girl swoon. There aren't many people with the creative mind power to pull off brooches inspired by geometric abstraction so successfully. With a new shop, a keen eye and future plans for more designs Kylie is definitely one to watch.

What inspired you to start creating?

I couldn’t tell you what inspired me exactly as it’s something I’ve always done. I did my first oil painting at the age of 6 and my mother still has it... I look at it now and can’t believe I actually did it. I have so many art prizes from childhood – painting was a major part of my life until the end of high school. I still have the same sewing box I had as a child – I used to make all the clothes for my Barbie and other dolls. I even have pots I made and screen printing from childhood... So, where did it all come from? I have no idea! My mother tells me I just did it on my own and that it was always just who I was :) I like that – it helps me have more confidence in myself and what I’m making.

Sonia 2 - inspired by Sonia Delaunay

I remember going through a stage of making patchwork quilt covers for friends for their 21st birthdays... Hand-sewing them completely! I just knew what I wanted to do and if I didn’t have the skills I’d make it up as I went along. I remember deciding in Year 12 that I wasn’t good enough to be an artist and dropping everything, embarking on an academic quest to find my niche...which I never seemed to find, although I had lots of fun along the way ;)

3D felt brooch

So, study and work and travel and marriage came along and all of this went undergound. I worked in art galleries in Brisbane and in London and became more the appreciator rather than the creator. And then... Children happened! It was this sudden loss of identity that made me turn back to creating my own pieces. I needed something that had an end product, so I taught myself how to use a sewing machine. From there, all the other skills and hobbies from the past have kind of crept back into my world to the point where I find myself now... In a chaotic little room overflowing with bits and pieces and on a dining table sewing desk with a million different projects on the go! :)

Flower brooch

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

Sewing. I love it so much. I love fabric and get so much out of creating clothing. The amazing textures and the way it falls inspires me so much. I don’t use patterns as I seem to have some kind of (undiagnosed!) dyslexia when it comes to following instructions ;) I just cut and do whatever the fabric seems to want me to do with it. I’ve become very distracted by my brooches lately. There are many things I love about making them – in a way they are mini-creations and the scope for incorporating different materials is something I find so fascinating. So, I still love making them but I’d really like to get back to making one-off creations with fabric. This also includes doing more screen printing of my own fabric designs.

Screen print ideas

What's next for you creatively?

I’m not really one for structure and planning - I kind of let things evolve ;) I’m really loving doing collages at the moment and I’d like to get back to doing more sewing and dressmaking. I want to develop my brooches and do more screen printing of fabric... There are so many things I want to do, I feel like I’m always racing against time :) I’m sorry if this all sounds so pompous... My biggest problem has actually always been self-confidence, believe it or not! It’s only since starting up my blog that I’ve begun feeling more confident in what I create. I really love the craft blogging community. I’m always so inspired by the things everyone is creating and feel that I’ve really found that place where I can make things and interact with people about it. This has given me the confidence to actually set up a shop on a new site called Zibbet ( http://www.zibbet.com/3Sheets). I’m saving up for a dressmaker’s dummy :)

Embroidered brooches

For more 3 Sheets:
3 Sheets blog
3 Sheets shop

3 Quick Questions: Emily from Super Stitches

Strawberry Potholder

Emily is a 9 year old skateboarder learning to sew, that alone is inspiration enough for 3 Quick Questions. I think you'll really enjoy this one!

What inspired you to start creating?

My mom is the one who inspired me to start sewing. Seeing my mom sew made me want to learn how. She is the one who is teaching me. She has her own sewing blog as well. It is www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com. There are several pictures of me on her blog wearing clothes that she has made for me. You can see them if you scroll down to previous posts on her blog. She is actually an inspiration for many. She has been teaching my cousin to sew this week. You can see what she is learning on my mom's blog. And my six year old brother has joined me for many of my sewing lessons and has sewn many of the projects himself. There are pictures of him on my blog. She has given one of my best friends lessons. There are pictures of her sewing with my brother and I on my blog.

Egg Cozy

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

If I could spend more time on one thing, it would be even more sewing because sewing is so much fun. I love to create and design things; so I am looking forward to learning all that I can so I can do more. I have lots of ideas. I just need to know how to make them happen. Currently my focus has been hand sewing projects. My mom wants me to learn to hand sew well. I have learned some basic as well as embroidery stitches, for example, the basting stitch, the running stitch, backstitch, gathering stitch, hemming stitch, slip stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, French knots, blanket stitch and the cross stitch.

Baby's bib

I have done several hand sewn projects: a drawstring bag, strawberry pot holder, egg cozy, elf slippers, frog pin cushion, a baby's bib and Barbie doll swim suit coverup and pool bag. The hand sewn projects I have left to do are: sock doll, felt cap and mittens, cat purse, apron, pom pom and tassel. After I complete these last few things, hopefully within the next few weeks, then my mom will start teaching me machine sewing. She actually let me get on the machine this week. I made a little purse which I designed myself. I did not use a pattern.

Barbie doll swim suit coverup and pool bag

What's next for you creatively?

As far as what is next for me creatively, I'll probably start designing my own patterns and sewing clothes for people. I want to learn to sew anything I can. I think it would be neat if I could redecorate my room with things I have sewn, like curtains for instance. When I was six years old, I gave sewing lessons to a ten year old. I would like to start teaching sewing again. Actually, this week, I have shown my cousin how to do some of the basic hand and embroidery stitches.

Emily teaching hand-stitching and embroidery

My goal is to be on the sewing machine by the time I am 9. When I started my blog back in April, I was just learning these basic stitches, and soon I'll be on the machine. Those who read my blog will be able watch me go from knowing basically nothing to being able to do some really awesome creations. They will actually be able to watch me grow and grow up. It will be an exciting journey for all. I hope you can be a part of it. You can keep up with my progress by signing up to be my follower and putting me on your blog roll. Please be sure to say "Hi" when you come by and visit. I am Super Stitches at www.sewingsister.blogspot.com .

Emily's first sewing machine project

3 Quick Questions: Red Seed Studio

Red Seed Studio at the Brisbane Stitches and Craft Show

I've always loved that Red Seed Studio's beautiful textile designs come out of Brisbane so I was very pleased that Ellie agreed to share her responses to 3 Quick Questions and equally excited to hear that Red Seed Studio will be participating in Brisbane's first Finders Keepers Market.


What inspired you to start creating?

I grew up in a very creative and artistic family. My parents built the house I grew up in, while we were growing up. I heard stories of them gathering reclaimed wood and windows, etc to turn into our beautiful home.

I have many many memories of sitting beside my mum, learning to knit or crochet. Or watching her sit at her potters wheel and making beautiful vessels, which I still enjoy using daily. We used to make paper and did woodfired kiln firings, and built sculptures from found objects (in the forest where I grew up). When I was young my sister, a friend, and I were given a big bag of bright fluro lycra off cuts; we spent many hours (possibly years) turning those scraps into Barbie doll dresses, sewing them all by hand.

I also was lucky to go to a Steiner school, where creativity was part of our daily learning - the writing and drawing and stories and dancing.

Hand Embroidered Hemp Denim Tote Bag - mini

So, I guess it's always been in there in me. And once I had my children, and didn't want to go back to my full time job (which was creative in itself), I started doing little things and planning things that could make my natural talents turn into more than birthday presents for family and friends! Also, meeting my husband (11 years ago), we both knew that we had similar interests and talents, and always talked about working together, and not for someone else.

Tote Bag Kit - make your own bag using hand screen printed hemp/organic cotton - fabric and pattern included

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

In business life, I'd like to spend more time on planning new designs and styles. Sometimes I get caught up in having to make 30 of something, I never get time to rework it into all the images I have in my head for new products.

In personal life, I think I'd love more just free sewing time - I never end up sewing clothing for myself, and rarely even for my children. As well as catching up on all those long-overdue family gifts. And, I'd really like to some day eventually put all my photos into albums (and not just view them on flickr). And gardening - spending that quiet, earthy time in the garden with my children and the memory of my mother in her garden.

Hemp Organic Cotton Fabric Panel - Fern Fronds in Blue Green - Hand screen printed

What's next for Red Seed Studio?

A busy six months ahead. We are finally (almost) able to start printing meterage fabric, as up to now we have only had a small table and space to do our work in. This has always been the goal, but we've just had to take time to get to it.

My husband, and business partner, Sam is currently designing a collection of skateboards and related t-shirts. He's a passionate skater, and wants to continue to incorporate that aspect of his life and knowledge into our products. He is also continuing to develop our range of jewellery made from recycled skateboards.

The very cool skate board brooch I treated myself to recently and as previously seen in this space

There is one other really big surprise that I'm planning with a friend. But you'll have to wait a few more weeks to hear the news.......


Since doing this interview Selvedge House is now under way, check it out here.

Red Seed Studio
Ellie's blog petalplum

Thanks so much Ellie for taking the time to answer 3 Quick Questions.

3 Quick Questions: Mingus Designs

Armadillo at Sea Purse

In 2006 I was taking a lunch break from a long day at the Melbourne Art Fair, I came across Little Salon and fell in love with the cutest brooch I had ever seen. That moment was my introduction to the world of Mingus Designs and the little white leather hippo with stitched eyes soon became my most worn brooch. Mingus Designs has come a long way since then. Dear, the talent behind it all, was kind enough to answer my three quick questions:

Love Birds on Brown Scarf

What inspired you to start creating?

I have always enjoyed creating. I enjoy the whole process of creating something from start to finish and the combination of creativity in terms of designing and experimenting and the methodical aspect when it comes to sewing or screen printing my fabrics. Seeing the finished product is still very exciting for me.

Antelopes Purse

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

At the moment I also work full time so sometimes it gets very frustrating when I find myself short on time to print and sew. Eventually Mingus Designs will be the only thing that I will be concentrating on in the future!

Flip Flap Bag

What's next for Mingus Designs?

Next year I will be looking into printing a range of fabric for people to purchase as well as expanding the range of purses and bags.

Check out Dear's full range of products and a list of stockists at Mingus Designs.

3 Quick Questions: Pesky Cat Designs

The Offbeat Messenger with a Bird in the Woods applique

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good bag so when I stumbled across Pesky Cat Designs I fell in love. The images speak for themselves and Elisa's creative heritage and ambition is truly inspiring.

The Wayfarer Purse in Black with a Cherry Blossom Applique

What inspired you to start creating?

My mom inspired me to create from a very early age. She studied art in Poland and her major was Textile Design. I was born and raised in NYC. My mom and I would paint together, sew and craft. When we traveled on vacations she would always bring a set of watercolors. She loved going to museums and would often take me along. I remember coming home from the MOMA one day determined to paint like Van Gogh. I pulled out one of her huge textbooks and proceeded to paint a reproduction of Van Gogh's Irises. In high school I painted images of rock stars on the back of friends' jean jackets!

My mom was quite a good seamstress and would sew a lot of my dresses and even clothes for my dolls. My dolls had one-of-a-kind dresses! I still remember the first skirt that I sewed for myself from a pattern with her help when I was 12 years old. It was an A-line skirt with a 23-inch waist. So I have been creating all my life and can not imagine living without creating.

The Equestrian Downtown Bag

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

Creating! At the moment I work three days a week at an outside job. My dream is to work at Pesky Cat Designs full time. I would also love to have more time to paint.

The Semi-Circle Purse in Chartreuse with a Flower Applique

What's next for Pesky Cat Designs?

I have toyed with the idea of designing clothes but I still have so much more I want to do with my handbags. The possibilities seem endless and the ideas are constantly flowing. I just wish I could sew fast enough to keep up with my imagination!

SUMMER SALE... The Wayfarer Purse in Cornflower Blue with a Blossom Applique

More Pesky Cat Designs
Pesky Cat Designs on Etsy where you can customise your own Pesky Cat Design
Pesky Cat Designs Blog

Thanks for your time Elisa!

3 Quick Questions with Sweet William

laughter 7x6 print

My favourite thing about Sweet William is the way their illustrations and designs translate so beautifully across different mediums, from prints to gift tags to softies. Paula, one of three sisters behind Sweet William kindly took the time to answer 3 Quick Questions.

Camille doll softie

What inspired you to start creating?

Sweet William is made up of sisters Shelley in New Zealand, Paula in Melbourne plus sister in law Jeanine. Despite the distance and pressures of everyday life (there are 9 kids between us) we thought it would be good to connect through our creative passions – so we started Sweet William.

Bundle of Sweet William Goodness

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

Gosh do you mean in life in general or on our craft business? Anyway the answer for me (Paula) would be drawing, for both I think.

Leap - greeting card Handcut

What's next for Sweet William?

Things have been going so well so we are thinking about getting some help with manufacturing, we would always keep it fair trade and support local artisans, maybe a seamstress to help out with some of the sewing and a big grown up print run with an eco friendly printer... wow wee, we are very excited!

love birds print

Check out more Sweet William here:

Sweet William blog
Sweet William on etsy
Sweet William on madeit
Sweet William on flickr

3 Quick Questions with Sascalia

Art Print on Wood From an Original Girl Painting - Just thinking

3 Quick Questions is a new series of brief interviews with crafters, bloggers, retailers and designers whose work or vision I admire. Why only 3? Because I like quick-to-read blog posts and I like it when images speak for themselves.

Kicking off the first in the series is Sascalia, a mixed media self-taught artist who grew up in rural France and is currently living in the U.K. I love the whimsical scenes created by Sascalia and her incredible colour palette and attention to detail.

A4 Art Print from Original Fairy Collage Painting - Sisters

What inspired you to start creating?

I have always loved anything creative and had a passion for art and a love for colour. Now that my children are all at school I have the time to run my online business and to create from my home studio. Nature is what inspires me the most!

A3 Art Print from an Original Flower and Birds Painting

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

I would love to have more time to just paint and experiment with new techniques but sometimes just running my etsy shop and life itself can get in the way.

Original Art Mixed Media Collage Mother and Child Painting - So Alike

What's next for Sascalia?

Hopefully just to keep on growing and learning!

For more Sascalia check out these links:
Sascalia on etsy
Sascalia's blog