Spotlight on The Seller....Felt Hoppy

I am based in Hull, having lived there all my life. As a full-time Mum, I took up needle-felting as a hobby. Having four children, it proved to be very therapeutic! Working from home allows me to spend more time with my family despite the fact I am slowly taking over my home with boxes and supplies as Felt Hoppy has expanded.

 People started noticing the creations I’d produced, asking how to make them and I am lucky enough that Felt Hoppy is growing into a full-time business. Creating and crafting things has always been a huge passion of mine and I produce different designs regularly and often post them on social media.

There was a niche in the market in this area due to the lack of stockists and supplies and Felt Hoppy was born. Starting off in local markets and selling online, it continues to grow. This year, I even introduced a vegan-friendly kit using plant extracts instead of wool so nobody has to miss out on such a wonderful craft.

My kits inspire other people to share my passion in needle felting, introducing them to a new craft but be warned, it can be very addictive and your imagination can run a bit wild. It’s an incredibly versatile craft and you can create absolutely anything you want to!

The kits contain everything you need to get started and are easy to follow, with a step-by-step guide and detailed diagrams leading you through the process. It fills me with pride to see so many photos of people pleased and happy with what they have created, having sent me photos of the finished result and naming their little animals which is lovely to see!

Many still send me photos of the projects they have gone on to make and it’s this type of passion which inspired me to create Felt Hoppy in the first place.

Spotlight on the Seller...Calico Gifts

Based in Stalybridge, Laura has a connection to Leeds after having lived here for 4 years and working at St James' Hospital. Her work is based around wooden gifts and decorations and she likes to create new designs regularly not only to interest customers but also to stimulate her desire for designing. 

Prior to setting up Calico Gifts, Laura worked in the health care setting but had to give up her career due to suffering from severe migraines which had the same symptoms as a stroke. Moving to Stalybridge to be nearer family who could help, Laura decided to set up her own business so that she could still work but be more flexible should she be taken ill. She chose to set up a craft business as she has always been very creative. Her grandparents were both artists and her GCSE's were all based around the arts. 

 

The main material that Laura uses is wood. She chose wood because her father has always been creative and has all the tools necessary for cutting the shapes and designs that she requires and one thing that Laura wanted when setting up her business was to keep it local so by working with her father she is able to achieve this. There are many beautiful products which can be created using wood and Laura mainly takes her inspiration for her products from her children.

Laura's children are both very young and so the majority of the products which you will find as part of Calico Gift's range involve nursery decorations, christening gifts and designs aimed at children. As well as working mainly with products for children, Laura also offers wedding gifts, new home ranges and many more.

 

The product which Laura enjoys making the most are the free-standing wooden stars with a chalk board star encorporated which have a countdown to when a baby is due written on it. She likes to imagine the excitement and anticipation which the parents-to-be have whilst they mark down the weeks on the star. 

 

Since Calico Gifts was established in 2011, Laura has grown her business to now provide her with full time working hours and enables her to focus on this and be proud of what she has achieved since leaving her career. 

As well as making general gifts, Laura also make personalised items which can be ordered through Fabrication in Leeds too. 

Spotlight on the Seller... Beth Kilburn

A local artist from Leeds with a fascination for all things miniature, Beth preserves her tiny illustrations under clear resin to make unique and charismatic jewellery pieces. Each image captures her affection for funny little characters and sensitive eye for detail. 

Originally a professional actress, Beth's passion for jewellery grew in part from financial necessity. Struggling to find work in 2012, and facing a bleak Christmas, she rediscovered a love of illustration, creating personalised artwork for friends and family. 

Curious for different ways to develop and frame her mini designs, Beth discovered resin and was immediately hooked. Initial experiments were far from perfect, but after a gruelling period of trial and error, her efforts began to pay off. 

Since then Beth has found new ways to create colourful, quirky jewellery pieces using pressed flowers, fabrics, wood, beads and anything else that can be covered in resin! 

For commission enquiries, or to request something more specific, visit Fabrication, Leeds.

Spotlight on the Seller...Lorraine D Connolly Jewellery

I am a Yorkshire lass, born in Keighley and now based in the small market town of Howden, in the East Riding. I worked as journalist for many years before realising, in my late 40s, that I wanted to be a jewellery maker/designer when I grew up! Redundancy pushed me into making the move and I launched my business last year.

My jewellery is made in large part from fine silver clay, which uses silver recycled from the film industry and other sources, including x-rays! The finished pieces are 99.9% pure silver, with some sterling silver.

I also love the versatility and colour of polymer clay, which works well in jewellery, creating unique and wearable art.

I love to add texture and depth to my jewellery and many of my designs are inspired by textiles, specifically crochet and lace. Preserving the delicacy of the fabric designs, whether in fine silver or polymer clay means each and every piece is truly unique. There is no mass-production here.

 

My aim is for others to take as much pleasure from owning and giving my work as I do in designing and making it.

I love creating these pieces and hope that others will enjoy wearing them. 

 

Seller on the Spotlight... My Doodles

MyDoodles Custom Crayons came about from my love for creating things.  I have always loved to draw, and have encouraged my children to do the same.  When the opportunity arose to start making fun crayon shapes got little hands, I grabbed it.  

I love nothing more than putting colours and shapes together, to make the best match.  Creating crayon shapes for little people makes me happy, knowing that a child somewhere is getting enjoyment from something I've made. 

I really enjoy custom work, making that special personalised gift for someone, or making shapes to match a party theme. 

All my crayons are completely non toxic and safe for anyone over 3 years old.

Spotlight on the Seller....Guitar Geekery

Becky Moore: Guitar Geekery

 

My Guitar Geekery range started out as a little sideline to keep my happy while I was recovering from an injury.  Said injury was preventing me playing my guitar, and I was getting somewhat wistful about it.  Drawings happened.  And then started to take over.   I’m still known better for my textile work (www.beckymoorehandbags.co.uk), but the guitars do seem to be rather a prominent feature now!

Like many designer-makers I didn’t start out in the artsy-craftsy world at all.  I’ve been a play-worker, and a youth worker and an events manager and a writer and a trainer and lecturer, and a pizza chef, and a secretary, and an education officer and a community worker, and now, finally, a designer !  No formal training, but a lifetime of making and sewing has led me to this very happy place, at a workbench, researching, drawing, designing, sewing, running a business.

So back to the guitars…I begun playing as a child, and then kind of abandoned it as many do.  But eventually, after many years of good intentions I started playing again a few years ago.   I’m not an expert or anything, but I’m getting better (or so my teacher says)  I’ve got a really eclectic taste in music, and I’m trying to reflect that in my designs.  Lots of people say, Oh I’ve never heard of that guitarist, why are they featured?  And I say because they have made a huge contribution to music. Go check them out.  Maybe you’ll like them, maybe you won’t, but you’ll not know what you’re missing til you’ve heard them.   

This year I’m aiming to expand the range with more guitarists, more products .  I’m also being slowly persuaded to branch out into other members of the band, so watch out for brass players, drummers…..   but the guitar will always be my first love.

Spotlight on the Seller.....Louisa Kemp Arts

 

Louisa & Wendy Kemp work together in partnership ( mother & daughter) producing a collection of mixed media artwork inspired by architecture & skylines. 

As well as slab built ceramics. Some of their ranges include the popular people collection, hearts & stars & circles. All work ios handmade & personally designed, each piece is unique.

They have worked together for more than 18 years and share a workshop in south yorkshire. 

Wendy inspired her daughter to persue the job she loves and Louisa encouraged her mum to find her passion for art once again.