What inspired you to create Lovealittle?

My son is a computer geek who had found information about Etsy, a worldwide craft website based in The States. He was intrigued that someone was selling vast quantities of hand made felt finger puppets...you could do that Mum, he said! I had asked him to help me set up a website for my craft but the ready made professional site seemed a perfect opportunity to showcase my work. Lovealittle was born!

What is your background (previous career area?)

I am a trained Textiles and Food teacher with a 3 year BEd degree. I taught until I had 2 children when I began an 11 year Childminding career until my youngest started school and I returned part time to my teaching. I became involved in both Church and School fundraising and began to use my Textiles and Design skills. I particularly enjoyed working on group projects, which we raffled for the school funds.

Did you have specialist training in working with textiles or making cards? - if so what/where was your training?

I am always eager to pick up tips and new techniques and just love attending day classes; particularly those run by the Embroiderers' Guild. My Teacher training at Seaford in East Sussex has been particularly useful in planning classes that I love to run on different aspects of Textiles. I studied Art techniques, which are useful for card making but am always eager to learn and love to visit the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexander Palace and Living Crafts at Hatfield House. New ideas fire my creativity and I am eager to tell the world; which for me means incorporating wacky ideas into my teaching as a whole.

Where do you carry out your work now?

I work from home at the moment and always seem to take craftwork away on holiday with me. On a memorable family barge holiday I was happily painting wooden hairbrushes when, totally absorbed by my painting we careered into some low-lying branches! I wasn't impressed by my daughter's first steering efforts at all.

 

Do you need lots of specialist equipment?

I don't use a large amount of specialist equipment but have invested in things that I was constantly borrowing from my crafty friends. I use a heat it up embossing gun with my tyvek brooches, which is an invaluable tool. I'd love a large printing press for my handmade paper but that is on a wish list. I'd need a workroom first.

Do you make all of the cards yourself?

My middle daughter and I both enjoy card making. My daughter makes some beautiful needle felted cards when her GCSE studies allow and I really enjoy making cards with real flowers. I enjoy stitching cards too.

What inspires your designs?

I am inspired by colour and textures and like a free range, intuitive approach to design work.

How many hours do you work a week?

Looking from a balanced perspective including the odd course I usually work on my crafts a couple of evenings or half a day but it is difficult to say as it is dovetailed in between all my other commitments. I do not tend to spend that much time during term time preferring to craft during the school holidays.

How does the job fit round your family life?

I try to balance my work and family, which is possible unless an infrequent large order comes up then I have to leave home, family and self neglected for a day or so!

How do you find clients - do you advertise?

My advertising tends to be by word of mouth. I email friends links to my Etsy store and am always happy to reciprocate with links.

What is the earning potential?

I sell on Etsy to in some part finance my craft addiction...the need for materials, tools, books and courses to inspire. This means I can concentrate courses and raffles of my crafts to raise funds for charity. I have supported Grove House Hospice and Breakthrough for Breast Cancer raising well over £500 last year.

Is the job/running the business rewarding?

Etsy is a convenient way to sell crafts. It is lovely to package the goods carefully and send them off to Florida or some other far flung place. There is a group of UK sellers that I am just starting to get to know. For me it is a hobby but could become a business given more time and commitment.

Do you think it is a job that fits in well with being a Mum?

I fit my personal crafting around my family and teaching commitments card making is on a small scale, which is convenient to work on, my tyvek brooches are usually stitched on long car journeys, my husband behind the wheel of course.

Any advice for a Mum or Dad wanting to start running their own business?

I always find it best to make a small number of similar designs, too many look mass produced and other people may not share your enthusiasm for that particular design! Selling cards for charity helps to let people know what you can do and keeps stock fresh. This helps generate commissions for special cards that are a delight to produce as a one off.

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Useful Links

www.embroiderersguild.com

www.twistedthread.com