Shop Local - Little White Feather Company

Tuesday again! So this weeks Shop Local feature I'm bringing you a great Welsh company that screen prints great messages and pictures onto tote bags, cards and pictures. I present to you The Little White Feather Company!

What's your name and where do you come from?
I am Samuel Evans and I'm from Cardiff.


How long have you been making your designs?
I've been screen printing for just over a year now.

Moustache Tote £7 
Is there a story behind your shops name?
There is meaning behind the 'little white feather' but I don't like to reveal it incase I jinx it!

What's your favourite material to work with?

Cotton and water based inks are my favourite.

Alphabet Screen-print £12
Of your items which is your favourite?
My current favourite is the moustache bag.

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs and also their names? 
The natural world is one of my most reliable sources of inspiration, not only visual

Welsh Happy Birthday Card £2 each
Do you have any formal training or did this start as a hobby?
I learnt the bare minimum at university and taught myself a lot.

Handprinted Cariad Card £2 each
Do you have any favourite etsy shops which you buy from?
I love sass and peril .
I love the illustrations and design from Bryce Wymer of Flat Earth Studio
And I love the beautiful letterpress work from Dutch Door press

Love Heart Tote £7

What's your dream for the coming year?
My ultimate dream for the future would be to be able to work full time for myself, so my dream for this year is to work towards that by getting more wholesale orders and getting myself out there!

Cariad Tote Bag £7 - and very soon they will be bringing out a Cwtch version of this bag! I seriously can't wait and it is on my To Buy list!
What's your favourite flower?
African daisies! 

You can find out more about the company and see more of their designs on their website too!

So ladies are you swooning over the welsh word totes? I totally love them and can't wait for the Cwtch one to come out so I can place my order.

Shop Local - Bryony Jade Jewellery

Yay it's Tuesday again, which means I get to bring you another amazingly talented Welsh based designer. For this weeks Shop Local feature I am happy to introduce Bryony Jade Jewellery. And in all honesty I am totally in love with her dainty colourful butterfly, flower, heart and bird designs. I hope you love them just as much as I do. So here is the interview with Bryony herself:

Whats your name and where do you come from?
My name is Bryony Carrington and I live near Colwyn Bay in North Wales.

Two Butterfly Necklace £27
How long have you been making your designs?
I've been making the button collection for about 8 years now - the anodised aluminium designs are more recent, I've been developing those designs for about 2 years.

Ceramic Heart and Button Necklace £10
Whats your favourite materials to work with?
My favourite material to work with is anodised aluminium - it gives me so much freedom! I hand print, hand dye and hand cut the metal so the possibilities are endless. It's also very lightweight which gives me the opportunity to make larger, eye-catching pieces that are wearable and affordable.

Bird on a Branch Earrings £14
Of your items which is your favourite?
My favourite piece of jewellery at the moment is a necklace that has the image of five birds on a wire cut out of aluminium and back by a piece of grey aluminium to create the silhouette. It's really light so I don't even notice I'm wearing it. 

Birds on a Wire £27

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs and also their names (if relevant)?
I draw a lot of inspiration from my surroundings – the gorgeous colours seen in the stunning sunsets, and the wildlife I see in the fields and valleys by my home. Most of my designs feature birds and butterflies.

Floral Pattern Bracelet £20
Do you have any formal training or did this start as a hobby?
I started making jewellery in my early teens - my mum taught me how to sew at a young age so I've always enjoyed creating things. I've not had any formal training in jewellery making but I've always enjoyed exploring new materials and techniques so everything has progressed from there.

Single Butterfly Necklace £16
Do you have any favourite etsy shops which you buy from?

I'm quite new to etsy so I'm enjoying looking at what local crafts people are producing. I do like Cariad Gifts - very cute and quirky little presents made from felt.

Colourful Butterfly Necklace £60

What's your dream for the coming year?
I've got big plans for 2013! My first goal is to finish my website and find some more stockists - some more stockists in Wales would be fantastic.

Heart Disc Earrings £10

What's your favourite flower? 
My favourite flowers are gerberas - especially the bright pink ones!

So ladies what do you think of Bryony's beautiful designs? I adore the butterflies in the circle, the little button heart and the bird pieces the most. What's your favourite piece?

Shop Local - Pengies

It's that time of the week again. My Shop Local Feature this week brings to you Pengies!! These cute little Fimo creatures are made by the crafty Caitlin Cockcroft and would be the perfect gift for any child or for an adult with a sense of humour. At just £4.21 each you could collect a whole set of Pengies and you can even have one custom made if you like. She has ones suitable for hobbies, or celebrations and even a few that would make great fun Wedding Cake toppers. So on with the interview! 

Whats your name and where do you come from?

My name is Caitlin Cockcroft and I was born in Chester, but moved across the border to a small village in Mid-Wales when I was 10 years old.

How long have you been making your designs?
Officially Pengies records began when I was 15 years old, which considering I am now 22 is a good 7 years of Pengie production. However, the earliest records we have of Pengies (I say 'records' lightly, the first ever scrap of paper detailing the sales a church fete...) illustrate that sales began when I was in fact 11 years old. So, it appears that in the process of becoming a Craftsperson, I needed a 4 year 'sabbatical' to find myself, develop my skills and realise the true potential of Pengies!

Is there a story behind your shops name?
I would love to say that there is... but it would be a lie. Pengies was just a 'pet' name for the little critters that was adopted as the official title.

Whats your favourite materials to work with?
I work with Fimo, a polymer clay, that comes in many colours and varieties. I work predominantly with 12 colours and I like to add glitter here there and everywhere. I also like mixing it up and for some of the Limited Edition Pengies I like to do a marble effect.

Of your items which is your favourite?
That's a tough one because customers are constantly inspiring me to make new designs! However, one of the most popular originals is probably the Frog Pengie (a penguin dressed up as a frog, of course) and also the Angel Pengie (purely because it's pink and glittery and what girls doesn't love that?).

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs and also their names? 
As previously mentioned my inspiration is from my customers... with a little extra research (googling). The first ever Customised Pengie I created was from a friend of mine asking for a Siamese twin Pengie, but that the siamese twin needed to be a tiny version as if it hadn't grown. Although this was a particularly odd request, Customised and Tiny Pengies were both born!

The names are usually just produced during a creative flow... or when I'm bored in front of the tele! I use a lot of Welsh names and sometimes even write the messages on the tags in Welsh too (from my limited memory of Welsh I learned in school). When at craft fairs or events I write names for customers that they request, so they can be as unique as possible (along with the messages). I also do this for online customers.

Do you have any formal training or did this start as a hobby?
I began Pengies off the back of my mother's Jewellery business. I grew up in a very creative home and was constantly surrounded by crafting materials and art supplies (as my sister also had a small business for some years and took Art for A-level). I used to play around with the scraps of Fimo left over by my mother and then began making little animals. Pengies were the only thing that looked like the animal I intended, so I stuck with it!

I also took Textiles at A-level so had a good understanding of art and a variety of materials.

Do you have any favourite etsy shops which you buy from?
I do have a particular favourite at the minute (but it changes weekly, or any time I have money and go shopping!) Goozeberry Hill. She is based in Swansea and sells hand stamped vintage cutlery. I recently bought some of her products and they were wonderful, and loved by everyone. She can do original messages too which I think is a lovely idea! And I love the Welsh camaraderie!

What's your dream for the coming year?
Initially, to graduate from Cardiff University with a BSc Psychology degree. I have worked so so hard to get here and to stay here, that it is my first and foremost priority. After that my dream would be to spend some more time on Pengies (as it has been somewhat neglected while I've been in Final Year due to the demands of the course). I would love to develop Pengies further and work on the advertising and promotion that has been so wonderfully initiated by my mother!

What's your favourite flower? 
If I'm honest I'm quite unoriginal when it comes to flowers. I like bouquets of beautiful colours, but specific types I'm not so fussed about. Although I am partial to a red rose, or an orchid. However, if I think about flowers that are meaningful to me it would have to be Daffodils and Forget-me-nots!

You can follow Caitlin on Twitter, Facebook or check out her website for even more designs.

So what do you think ladies, do you like these cute little critters? Aren't they sweet?

Shop Local - Vicki Cockcroft Jewellery

It is Tuesday again so I'm very happy to introduce another Local Welsh Designer for my Shop Local Series. This time her name is Vicki and she runs Vicki Cockcroft Jewellery which produces beautiful delicate polymer clay and stirling silver jewellery.
On with the questions:

Whats your name and where do you come from?
I’m Vicki. Originally from Birmingham (which was pretty cool in the sixties), I have now ended up in a beautiful village in mid Wales. While I will admit to wearing the afghan and the bell and to not wearing shoes in Birmingham (city centre on one occasion) I am not sorry to have settled into comfortable jeans and jumpers, the comfortable shoes and the laid back lifestyle which are ‘current’ round here.

Black and White Oval Studs - £10.47 

How long have you been making your designs?
I started making jewellery twenty one years ago, as an antidote to the job I was doing, which was a tough one involving other people’s needs, rather than my own.

Blue Sparkly Bangle £13.09

Is there a story behind your shops name?
Oh dear, not really. It does what it says on the tin, it’s me!

Whats your favourite materials to work with?
For my jewellery, that’s easy. It’s polymer clay. I am a colour addict and the colours available in this medium appeal to me enormously. Also, I can and do, create colours of my own, some of which are the most successful colours I sell.
For pleasure, it’s got to be wool or other magical yarns. I ‘grew’ sheep for some years and spin and knit my own wool on occasions, but often also get tempted by the colours and feel of wool and cotton and mohair and……

Blue Mixed Oval Earrings - £10.47

Of your items which is your favourite?
That’s hard. I love the signature piece, the big bead bangle in mixed blues, but I also love the tiny green studs (mainly because they sell over and over and over again!) And every time someone says, ‘Oh isn’t that colour lovely?’ that becomes my favourite.

Green Studs - £7.85

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs? 
The inspiration comes from the colours. Pure and simple.

Do you have any formal training or did this start as a hobby?
I studied art to A level and then took it as a subsidiary subject on my degree course. There was a pottery element to that course and I would have changed my degree to study pottery full time, if I had had the courage, at that stage.
So, clay, and the way in which it can be worked is something that I love.
My business didn’t start as a hobby, I made the decision to start one in order to have a business ready to expand when I stopped working for someone else. Which is where I am at now. And wonderful it is. 

Sparkly Purple Bangle - £14.40

Do you have any favourite etsy shops which you buy from?
Nope. I’m shocking. I wander about all over the place and shop when I see something that really, really appeals to me.
Although I ‘favourite’ lots of things and often go back to buy, I also find that I ‘just know’ when I see something without which life would be duller and I then buy instantly, with a panache which would impress more conservative buyers.

Double Black Bead Bangle - £14.40

What's your dream for the coming year?
I tend to keep my dreams to myself. 
Except for the one which involves the Greek Island and the boat to get there and the villa with apartments for all my friends. And the sun. And the sea. Can you tell it is snowing and frozen in Wales?

Red Sparkly Studs - £9.16

What's your favourite flower? 
Can I have two? A wild one and a cultivated one? 
The wild one would be Lady’s Smock, since I remember being entranced by this as a child in Birmingham, when it could still be found on the building sites around my home. Doubt if that still holds true.
The cultivated one would be a rambling rose, rambling up a tree.

If you want to see more of Vicki's designs check out here Facebook Page

So ladies what do we think of Vicki's designs? Which is your favourite?
Are you liking my Shop Local Feature? Do you know of any other Welsh Designers I should interview?

Shop Local - Coterie

I'm so proud to announce my first Shop Local Interview. For this feature on my blog I will be interviewing and highlighting local Welsh Designers, Crafts People and Store Owners.

So for my first interview I would like to introduce the amazingly talented Tracy of Coterie. Tracy uses salvaged leather from the furniture industry to make raw edged and nature inspired functional leather bags. Each bag is completely unique and she can even make to order if you want. So on with the interview! 

Whats your name and where do you come from?
Tracy Watkins, beautifull Pembrokeshire on the west coast of Wales

How long have you been making your designs?
I set up the business in 2007, but had been making bags for a few years before that for family & friends, trying out ideas.

Pebble Detail Bag - £128.92

Is there a story behind your shops name?
My shop is called Coterie. When I first set up the business I ran a contempoary design gallery, Coterie meaning exclusive group or clique. I worked upstairs in a studio making bags, running downstairs to the gallery when the doorbell went. As I got busier it didn't really work doing both, so concentrated solely on the bags. I now work from home, selling online as well as to small boutiques, indepedent shops and galleries.

Scarlet Vintage Key Clutch - £59.99

What’s your favourite materials to work with?
Just leather! Though I have got some lovely welsh wool blankes made from recycled wool here, so have a few new ideas to work on.

Raw Cowhide with Vintage Key Bag - £88.35

Of your items which is your favourite?

Ooh, one of the big bags with a large brass key. Though my own bag is from the 'Lifesyle' range in mustard. I made it and hung it up in the shop window then took it straight down as I'd have been gutted if someone else had've bought it. It was MY bag now! I've had it about 5 years now and it's still going strong. Everyone loves it!

Distressed Chocolate Raw Leather Messenger with Vintage Key - £155.09

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs and also their names? 
I get inspiration from all around me. I'm a great upcycler - I see a use for eveything. I live on a smallholding and I'm always making practical things from bits and pieces from years gone by. The names pretty much do what they say on the tin.

Rouged Detail Black Leather Bag - £130.23

Do you have any formal training or did this start as a hobby?
I trained in London as a furniture deigner, then worked as a product developer for one of the UK's leading contemporary deigners and manufacturers. I used to come home from the furniture workshop with bin bags full of waste leather which is where I started turning them into little bags. I always knew I wanted to come home to Pembrokeshire eventually and jumped at the chance when I got the opportunity to move home and set up my own business.
Pebble Detail Navy Clutch - £58.24

Do you have any favourite etsy shops which you buy from?
I don't really have any particular favourite etsy shops to buy from, but I like perusing lots of differnt ones, particularly the jewellery and other little quirky gift ideas.

Lifestyle Messenger in Russet

What's your dream for the coming year?
I don't really dream, getting up at silly o'clock in the rain and mud to do the horses keeps my feet firmly on the ground! I'm really busy working on promoting the business right at the moment, trying to pick up some more special little outlets. I'd love to do some collaborations with some fashion designers next...
A selection of beautiful Purses

What's your favourite flower?
Freesia, I love the smell, but I don't like buying cut flowers transported from abroad. I like to keep it local and I love meadow flowers and anything I can grow in the garden too!

Want to see more designs from Coterie then check out their Facebook Page too

So there you have it the first of my Shop Local Feature, did you enjoy it?
What do you think of Coterie's Bags - are you as in love with them as I am.