'Meet the Maker' #6 - A Crafty Conversation with...

... Caroline from Caroline Watts Embroidery

Would you like some cake? 

Don’t mind if I do, lemon drizzle please.

Sit down, make yourself comfortable! Time for introductions... What's your name, where do you come from and what do you do?

I’m Caroline and I’m from a little village in North Yorkshire.  I am an embroidery designer but that covers the designing, stitching and a little unpicking of stitching!

So... Are you Yorkshire born and bred?

I am a true Yorkshire Lass.  I moved away when I went to University and I have lived in Northampton but I couldn’t wait to get back.  Now I am back I won’t be leaving Yorkshire again.

What's the earliest thing you can ever remember making, was it any good and have you still got it?

I was always trying to make things from an early age but I gave up because I couldn’t do anything as well as my Mum or Gran.  Once I was older I became a big fan of crochet, I think it was quite good but sadly the dog thought it would make rather a cosy bed.
 

 What have you made most recently? (and do you like it!?)  

I have a half finished cushion in my ‘to do’ box but the colours weren’t quite right and the design didn’t translate from paper to embroidery.  So, it is one to unpick.

More successful was a Bunny Cushion for a friend which turned out rather well and she loved it!

What are your 5 craft cupboard essentials?  

Tricky to limit to just five but the things I use everyday are:-

Linen of various colours, Embroidery threads, Embroidery hoops, Scissors, sketch pad.

What music do you like to listen to while you make? Do you prefer to 'Get on Down' or 'Boogie on Up?

This really depends on my mood and if I need to concentrate! For the concentration moments it is usually a bit of classical to keep me calm but I am known to sing along to Glee albums and Adele.  I do a lot of my work sitting somewhere comfortable so the television is often on.

If I gave you £250 to spend on craft supplies and equipment what would you buy? 

I have a long list of things I would like! Equipment wise I would like a new camera and a printer.  Craft supplies.....I would probably go for some silk embroidery threads, some wool so I could do some crocheting and a modern sewing machine!

 
Other than your own, name a shop, website or blog that you really love:

I love Snapdragon products and also their blog.  

Moonlight and Hares is a wonderful blog full of beauty and inspiration.

And now for the quick fire round!

What's your favourite craft magazine?

I don’t read craft magazines but I have an enormous collection of craft books.  Jan Constantine is a favourite at the moment.

   What online craft site do you prefer? 

 Folksy has a fantastic range of crafts.
 

 What is your favourite part of the designing/making/selling process?

My most favourite part would be hearing what people think of my work.  It is still a huge thrill when people say they love what I do. I also like the moment when a new design works as an embroidery.

And finally...

What question would you like to ask the next person who features in 'Meet the Maker...'?

Who or what inspires your work?

Where can we find out more about you and your work?

I sell through www. notonthehighstreet.com/carolinewattsembroidery 

or my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/carolinewattsembroidery 

and my brand new website – www.carolinewattsembroidery.co.uk

I will also be attending a local craft fair in Richmond, North Yorkshire at The Station in November.  If you’re there pop over and say hello!

'Meet the Maker' #5 - A Crafty Conversation with...

...Carla from Maus Haus

Welcome to your 'Meet the Maker' crafty conversation! Can I get you a drink? Tea, Coffee, Soft Drink... Something Stronger?!  

Always tea, hands down!

Would you like some cake? 

Let me think about that...yes!! (Please be chocolate)

Sit down, make yourself comfortable! Time for introductions... What's your name, where do you come from and what do you do?

I'm Carla and I'm based in lovely Leeds. I make textile accessories under the name 'Maus Haus'. I also recently opened a shop, Nouveau Leeds, in Bird's Yard, dedicated to Handmade.

So... are you Yorkshire born and bred? 

I was born in Huddersfield, but I lived in Brazil for four years before moving back. I did my first year of my degree in Bradford before being drawn in by the buzz of Leeds. I now live by Roundhay Park and I doubt I'll ever leave, I love it!

What's the earliest thing you can ever remember making, was it any good and have you still got it? 

The first 'proper' thing I made was a bright purple furry hand bag with a huge kilt pin to fasten it. I took it everywhere with me. I gave most of my things away when I moved to Leeds and I guess the bag must have gone with everything else...

What have you made most recently? (and do you like it!?)  

I just finished making a set of large brooches. I made one using part of a dress I bought and never wore. It's the best one I've made so far in my humble opinion.

What are your 5 craft cupboard essentials?  

It's hard to limit it to 5!

1. My super thin beading needle for sewing microscopic beads.

2. My box of beads, charms and sequins. It fits in my bag and goes everywhere.

3. My scissors - I have four pairs! One for fabric cutting, one for paper, one for sticky things and a tiny pair for cutting thread. Never mess with a girl and her scissors.

4. My array of threads passed down from my Grandma and my Mum.

5. My sewing machine, an absolute steal at £80 and my most prized possession.

What music do you like to listen to while you make? Do you prefer to 'Get on Down' or 'Boogie on Up? 

I guess it depends. If I get over excited and need to calm down and focus then I pop on some Adele or my latest addiction - Miike Snow. If I need to wake up and crack on then I stick the radio on and if I need to drown out the builder's from next door, you can't beat Metallica - Master of Puppets! Nothing like some heavy metal to get me sewing like crazy.

If I gave you £250 to spend on craft supplies and equipment what would you buy?  

The shiny new overlocker I've been eyeing up ever since my birthday but not had the time to go and buy!

 

Other than your own, name a shop, website or blog that you really love:  

I'll give you a shop, website AND a blog. I spend a lot of time sat in my shop but I tend to run through the Indie Cindy pop up shop, it's seriously bad for my bank balance. I also love the haberdashery at the top of Kirkgate Market, the ladies that work there are really helpful. Many evenings get spent browsing the UKhandmade site, it's a fountain of knowledge. Lastly a blog I love. Abi from SewYou's Blog is really witty, funny and honest. I love the 'hosiery police' and if you don't know what I'm talking about go read it.

And now for the quick fire round!

What's your favourite craft magazine?

Oh Comely

  

What online craft site do you prefer? 

Folksy

What is your favourite part of the designing/making/selling process?

 Seeing the finished item

What do you want to be when you grow up?

'I guess the most honest answer is 'content'. Anything else is just a means to being happy so when I grow up that's what I want, to be happy'

And finally...

What question would you like to ask the next person who features in 'Meet the Maker...'?  

What is your 'long story', what made you start doing what you do?

Where can we find out more about you and your work?

Either on my website - www.carladeazevedo.co.uk, or pop by my shop and get it from 'the horse's mouth' so to speak... though please don't refer to me as a horse. x