Introducing...
What first drew
you to your craft ?
I remember
being taught to cross-stitch, sew and crochet by Mrs. Byrne at primary school.
Growing up during 1970/80s, eldest of 5 girls, money was tight so we often used
to make Christmas cards, and my mum and aunties were always knitting for babies and sewing hideously embarrassing
matching outfits (sorry mum), for us to wear on family days out. I used to watch my maternal granddad
carving stone in his workshop and my uncles were stonemasons, so the creativity
must have rubbed off somewhere.
When I was 9-10 I used to love going to my
friends house to play, as her dad had a really huge workshop with tools galore.
We used to make canoes for our Sindy Dolls, carving wood out of thick tree
branches. I definitely think my obsession with manual tools came from those
activities.
What’s your crafting
background?
I really started to
show an aptitude for art in my teenage years. I wasn’t very academic, but loved
all forms of art & craft and decided I wanted a career in that area. I studied
Fine Art at Uni, obsessed with painting & sculpture. Although due to lack
of finances, my friends and I used to have crafting evenings. Settled with
pints of Pina Colada we would work for hours making family Christmas cards and
presents, months before Christmas.
After education, I worked for over 11 years in museum, gallery & community art education. Although not having much opportunity to paint or
sculpt, I was always making cards with little Fimo brooches and necklaces on
which I used to sell to work colleagues.
I realised early on in my formal education, although I loved creating
art, I really wanted to pass on my knowledge and help others discover their own
passion and skills through creative activity. Teaching arts & crafts through informal workshops was an
ideal route for me to take.
Life happens,
but passions remain and after having my two children, and recovering from
serious illness, I wanted a way to get back to making, which would fit in with
my recovery and family life, that wasn’t costly and pretty much portable. So I
started card making, crocheting and then jewellery making. My interests are
evolving all the time.
Although not a trained jewellery maker, I am an avid
researcher, I collect crafting books and constantly research on YouTube and
the internet and go to craft exhibitions and market to improve and develop my
techniques and interests. I believe in lifelong learning and that we can learn
from many different resources at any age. Although learning from each other is
so important, passing down inter-generational skills is vital to carry on traditional
crafts and skills from old to young.
What are your
main sources of inspiration?
Everything
around me inspires me. I love
flicking through arts, crafts, design & architecture books and the life
changing internet, I use it as a 24/7 library of ideas and inspiration. I am
inspired by the other artists and crafters I meet through craft events and
Lo-fi, the creativity and skills other local makers have astounds me. The craft
community in the North West is fabulous.
Who’s been the
biggest influence on your career so far?
Corny I know,
but my hubby Steve. He is so very extremely hardworking, supportive and clever.
Without his emotional & financial support though the good and bad times, I
couldn’t do what I love. Also he is a brilliant and inventive maker himself,
without any arts background, can create amazing furniture and vintage scooters
from bits that everyone else throws away.
He sees possibilities in everything.
What’s the best
thing about being a crafter?
I don’t label myself a painter, a sculptor, a
jeweler, I make using the tools and materials I have at hand. Some items are functional,
some are pretty, but I can take my skills, tools and materials anywhere, I have
even been known to make jewellery, whilst camping. I love the fact that my
children are amazed at what I can make and then they start their own crafting.
Do you do any
other crafts in your spare time, apart from what you specialise in?
Yes,
crocheting, Knitting, making hair accessories, upcycling homewares &
furniture, cardmaking, mosaics, woodwork. You name it I want to have a go.
What’s you’re
the best thing you’ve ever made?
I am never
completely happy with everything I make as I am learning as I go, but I am most
happy with a Silver Vintage Vespa lapel pin I made for my hubby, as he doesn’t
usually wear jewellery, but wears this on every scooter rally he attends. I am
happiest making one-off pieces that are personal to the wearer.
Have you ever
made a creative mistake?
Oh loads. I
will continue to make them as, this is how we improve.
And your
favourite tool or material?
My soldering
torch and piercing saw. Although I have a brand new rolling mill, which I have
not used yet and am very excited about.
What’s you
favourite crafty anecdote / story?
None, I have a
terrible memory!
Where can we
see / buy your work
I am a member
of Manchester Craft Mafia; I usually have a stall at their craft fairs. I also
have some items for sale in Grumpy in the City, Brazenose Street, Manchester.
Also have a look at my website or Etsy Shop @StampedMetalGifts.
What have you
got coming up in the future?
I am
concentrating on vintage cutlery, metalsmith and personalised jewellery and
also creating some upcycled homewares in partnership with my hubby.
