Let's meet Jennyflowerblue

That's me!! Yep, here I am, and here is a VERY rare photo of me.

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?

I’d be a cookie- so you could dunk me!!

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?

I will have my own stall selling my work and giving people chance to pay a pound to make a button ring. I will also be setting up the event and ‘running’ it.

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Fish and chips, and beer!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

I have a Folksy shop; and sell through a couple of lovely shops including Tamarisk in Deal.

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?

I have lived in Sandwich for about twelve years, but am from Dorset and still feel like a West Country girl- my love.

6) Who is your all-time hero?

Marilyn Monroe- just for being a bit curvy and glamorous. On a less shallow level all those who fight oppression

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

I come from a long line of makers and do-ers. I have always been surrounded by the opportunity to create but I particularly value the input of my Mum and Dad, the creative sparks just seem to fly when I am around them.

8) What colour draws you most?

I store my materials sorted into colours, purple is the box which is hardest to close but I am a great lover of all things bright and a tiny bit clash-y.

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

Like I said Mum and Dad seem to get the new ideas going but really the materials lead me- a new ball of wool or a few buttons and I’m off!

10) Do you dunk?

Oh yes…..I dunk…..a lot!

If you get a KM newspaper check out the What's On section for the advert for the do. More goodies to show you on the next post and maybe a peek at the finished goodie bags!

Charming ceramics

Let's meet Theresa Fox, the third ceramicist to sign up for the 'do'

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
Angel – not because I think I am one.


2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
Ceramics – ranging from buttons, cupcakes, cake stands and nursery lamps


3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
Fish and chips – not very good with spicy food


4) Where else can your wares usually be found?
Etsy and Misi


5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?
Just a visitor to Sandwich although born and grew up in Kent

6) Who is your all-time hero?
I don’t have one.


7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?
I suppose it must have been my mother – she was a dress making, so I must have inherited her craft skills and more.


8) What colour draws you most?
Red

9) Where do you go for inspiration?
No where in particular ideas just seem to pop into my mind


10) Do you dunk?
Only certain biscuits like rich tea and digestives.

Thanks Theresa! Those ceramic buttons look really tempting.

I had a goodie bag package all the way from America today, and I will show you in my next post. I'll also show you the mad-brilliant tea cosies I have for display at the 'do'.

Woop woop for Woobarb

***UNFORTUNATLY WOOBARB WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO ATTEND*****1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?

Woo - GingerBarb - A Luscious Cherry Cake

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?

We will be meeting like-minded people, having a good time and (hopefully) selling!

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Curry (both of us)

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

Via our website www.woobarb.co.uk and at 'Made' in Hastings, High Street, Old Town, Hastings (www.madeinhastings.co.uk)

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?

We will be visitors to Sandwich although Woo has just moved to Ramsgate so will be hanging out there more often!

6) Who is your all-time hero?

Woo - Elizabeth IBarb - Anyone that faces adversity on a daily basis and manages to keep a positive attitude.

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

My Auntie Jean and also my Nan NancyBarb - My Grandma.

8) What colour draws you most?

Woo - Turquoise although funnily enough, I actually dislike blue.Barb - 'Murky' colours.

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

Woo - The beach and inside my own crazy head.Barb - My surroundings and 'boodie'

10) Do you dunk?

Woo - Only if it's a digestiveBarb - yes.

What a lovely pair of ladies! Thanks for doing the interview. I have yet more goodie bag items to show you tomorrow. I am planning an evening of packing the bags up on Tuesday and have a photgrapher coming round from the local paper on Wednesday ready for a feature....argh! I do loathe cameras!! Still all good publicity!

Locus Arts- down to earth strawberry dunkers!

I thought I'd check what 'locus' means and although I don't know if this is the definition the group uses I really like this;

'A center or focus of great activity or intense concentration:'

For me this is creating- intense concentration, which banishes all other worries or concerns! Let's find out more about the group and their work.

Answered as ‘Locus Arts’ art group, not as individuals.

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
We’d be a fruit cake, because it includes lots of different elements, working together to make one fabulous whole.

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
We will be bringing out range of Butterfly Cottage ceramics. These are bought-in ceramics decorated by hand that we sell as a sort of ‘side line’ to help boost our funds. This means we can put on bigger and better exhibitions each year. This year, we have been able to book The Horsebridge Somerset Maugham Gallery for two weeks in August. If anyone would like to come along, our exhibition runs from 5th –18th August, and is open daily

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
I think we’d all be fish and chips – we’re rather down-to-earth!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?
We don’t have a permanent home, but we exhibit regularly at venues across East Kent. If anyone wants any pieces in particular, we can be contacted through our website www.locusarts.co.uk.
5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?
We don’t actually live in Sandwich, but it’s our spiritual home! We have been running arts event here for almost a decade now, and we love it here.
6) Who is your all-time hero?
We like Picasso, because he did what he wanted, how he wanted, against public taste and opinion. We also like his ability to create in many different media – he was never shy of having a go!
7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?
We love colour, shape and form wherever it pops up. Craft shows are full of creative people working in diverse media with a range of highly developed skills. We love to browse, wonder, and take inspiration from other people’s work.
8) What colour draws you most?
Blue – the colour of the seas and the skies.
9) Where do you go for inspiration?
We find inspiration anywhere and everywhere. It might be a face, a landscape, a piece of fabric or a magazine photo, or even a film on the television.
10) Do you dunk?
We dunk strawberries into chocolate ……………

Right I'm definitely sitting with you lot at dunking time!

I am now getting interviews back every day which is so exciting! I am trying to blog daily now, but am balancing this against other preparations for the big day. I have also received some more amazing contributions for the goodie bags, all I can say for now is that the bags are going to smell fantastic! I also am expecting a parcel from over seas. I can't quite believe a friend from the U.S has felt able to contribute to the goodie bags. I am so excited!

Clover Crafts, the lady with amazing buttons.

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?

A fruit cake- I have a mixed range of interests and for a fruit cake you need lots of ingredients.

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?

I will be selling buttons-mainly from the 1940's- plastics, pearls, glass, wood, buckles and vintage haberdashery.

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Definitely Fish and Chips with tomato sauce

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

I have a shop on Ebay- Clover Crafts and Curios, my ebay ID is sheilajuno. I also have a stall at a Vintage Fair that is held in Whitstable each month. Occasionally I can also be found at local groups/exhibitions.

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?

Yes I visit Sandwich on a regular basis, not as much as I used to since many of the antique shops and the dolls house shop closed, both of which are my passions.

6) Who is your all-time hero?

Beatrix Potter for her wonderful tales and the legacy she left to the Lake District. Many women writers, Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie being two favourites.

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

Meeting lots of talented people when I was living in Rutland, which lead to opening a craft shop in the 1980's. When I moved to Kent in 1986 I began a career in social work, since retiring I began 'thrifting' and moved into buying and selling, something that I have always wanted to do.

8) What colour draws you most?

The colours of the rainbow.

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

Antique and Collectibles Fair, Dolls House Shows, exhibitions of craft work.

10) Do you dunk?

Most definitely-hate it though when the biscuit breaks and ends up in the bottom of the mug!

Thanks so much Sheila! I nearly got sucked in to browsing your e-bay shop for hours. I know from experience that Clover Crafts is a hard stall to walk past, but the buttons are really special, so who would want too?

I will show you what Clover Crafts sent for the goodie bags, in case you couldn't guess, but not today!

Simply H? - simply gorgeous!

Simply H is a fair professional, running her own events in Whitstable. It will be lovely to have Helen at the do for experience, but more especially for the gorgeous items she makes!

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
Well, I am away with the fairies most of the time and love chocolate so a chocolate fairy cake!

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
I will be selling my handmade fabric bags, dolls, mermaids, appliquéd kids t-shirts and clothes and handmade cards.


3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
I do love fish and chips, but it would have to be a curry – preferably Thai!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found? I am about to set up a Folksy shop, but apart from that I run craft fairs in Whitstable where I sell them and also sell a few bits in the little shop in Whitstable where I work part-time ‘Taking the Plunge’.

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?
I love Sandwich; we have been a few times, but not as many as we should since it is so near to us! It is a lovely little town.


6) Who is your all-time hero?
Ohh, do I have to pick one! A new hero is Heather Ross because not only does sew, create patterns and fabric but she is also an amazing illustrator too! I love illustrators Julie Morstad and Edward Gorey and Felicity Wishes illustrator Emma Thomson - anyone who illustrates or creates at home as an actual career is a hero to me!


7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?
My dad, sister and nan are all very artistic and I have always drawn and went to art college. I am not sure where the sewing came from! My mum had a sewing machine, which she gave me a couple of years ago as she never used it and I just fell in love with sewing and making things

8) What colour draws you most?
Blues and greens – but funnily enough I don’t seem to have nearly enough fabrics in these colours!

9) Where do you go for inspiration?
I get lots of inspiration from reading blogs, my kids and family and their funny ways and living by the sea is very inspirational – Whitstable has some lovely, independent shops, which are very inspiring such as Taking the Plunge for lovely gifts and Frank – which sells work by British artists and crafty sorts!

10) Do you dunk?
Oh no! I’m afraid I don’t really understand soggy biscuits! I like them nice and crunchy!

I know my little girl is going to be spellbound by the mermaid dollies, well actually I am!

Thanks for telling all Helen. (even if you are a non-dunker!)

I have been out all morning talking to local shop keepers and handing out posters, I have had some lovely conversations and am confident that anyone having a mooch around town can't fail to see the adverts for the 'do'. Next I shall spread the net a little wider......watch your local notice board- you never know where I might pop up next!

Cut-offs and cards

Nuada Accessories have sent some business cards for the goodie bags. (you will have to keep an eye on my other blog if you want to see what I ordered form there!) I was really pleased with my purchase and am happy to recommend a look at the shop.

I have had a measure up at the Guildhall and have started to look at a table plan. Places are filling up and I think I will make the 11th of June a provisional cut off date for stallholder sign up. If you have a form kicking around that is waiting to be posted to me, please do send it. I will keep a short reserve list so if you miss the deadline but are happy to be 'on-call' do please get in touch.

I am looking for more stall holders to take part in the profile interview. It will be me next otherwise!! I could also do with some help making a button for the blog, I have a jpeg of the logo if anyone can help. Thanks xxx

Turner Rowe Designs, pleased to meet you!

Lets meet Jo, another very talented jeweller, and all round lovely person;

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
Lots of fairy cakes, decorated with different coloured fondant icing and sparkly dust!

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
I will be selling my hand made jewellery and demonstrating how to make simple earrings.

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
Mmmm…depends on my mood, but right here, right now, I think curry – with naan bread!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?
On my website http://www.turnerrowedesigns.com/ , I also do jewellery parties for a fun girlie night, where everyone gets to make a pair of earrings and the hostess receives a discount based on sales, oh, and don’t forget the silver clay workshops, wedding and craft fairs!

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?

Well, I used to live in Worth and work at Pfizer, so hung around in Sandwich a fair bit but am now a visitor, as I have lots of friends locally.

6) Who is your all-time hero?
Charles Darwin – such a brilliant thinker!

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?
I have always been interested in arts and crafts and have tried my hand at all sorts of things but the jewellery making has really overtaken me in the last couple of years and of course, as I am getting married soon, I wanted to make my own wedding jewellery and things have snowballed since then!

8) What colour draws you most?
Blues…..aqua and turquoise and of course, silver!

9) Where do you go for inspiration?
Inspiration tends to jump out at me at anytime – I just find myself making things and wondering how I got there!

10) Do you dunk?
Of course!


Whoop! Another dunker! I have Famous Shamus now confirmed as attending, a local character who makes 'dunkable cookies'- yummmm. I do love reading these interviews and do hope you find them interesting too, I am looking for my next willing stall holder to be profiled, otherwise it might be me!!! I have had three more gorgeous parcels containing goodie bag items and I have some photos to share later in the week.

I have a big decision to make regarding the budget for the 'do'- I have a quote from the East Kent Mercury for an Ad in the 'What's on' section which has a very good spread and readership. The cost is high and placing the ad would mean little left over for the free activities I was planning for local school children. I will put up a voting box on the blog, please do let me know our thoughts!

Bespoke Silver Designs?- Tell us more!

Bespoke silver designs, made the traditional way, link by silver link. Gorgeous! I am amazed at how many wonderful crafts people have been on my doorstep for so long and I never even knew!

1. If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
If I were a cake, I'd like to think I would be a Lemon Cheesecake,all light and creamy with a hidden tang. In reality however, I'm probably a fruit scone,that is, what you see is what you get. I think my friends and family probably see me as a Hot Cross Bun,especially when I am making something and it's not going according to plan.
2. What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
At a Makey do I will be selling my handcrafted silver jewellery and a few silver gifts such as bookmarks. I make all my items using traditional methods. I make all my own links,join them together and solder them into chains. I
also make bangles,earrings and pendants.I am registered with the London Assay Office and have my own maker's mark. Making silver items originally started as a hobby, but I have recently started doing it as a way of making a living.
3. Fish and Chips or Curry?
Curry! Definitely. Every time.
4. Where else can your wares usually be found?
At craft fairs and I hold jewellery parties in people's homes.
5. Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?
Unfortunately, I don't often get to Sandwich, but I like it there, particularly along the river.
6. Who is your all-time hero?
Hmm, tough one that. Probably Martin Luther King, but I am rather partial to Robbie Williams.(Yum!).
7. Who got you started on your crafty journey?
My tutor. He has worked in the trade for over 30 years and taught silversmithing for approximately 8 years. I started as a complete novice with no previous experience and he showed unending patience. Also, my partner has given me loads of support and encouragement and believed in my ability even when I doubted it myself.
8. What colour draws you most?
That depends on my mood. I like the greens found in nature but I also like a deep, rich red..
9. Where do you go for inspiration?
Anywhere. I get ideas from the beach, from the woods, from wrapping paper. Inspiration is all around,you just have to open your eyes to see it.
10. Do you dunk?
No. I think it is wrong to corrupt a perfectly good cup of tea.

Oh another non-dunker! I hope won't end up in the minority!

I have some more lovely goodies, some exciting news about a competition and another stall-holder interview to show you in the next couple of posts. I think it's all going to be very busy from here on in. Just for interest we now have 19 tables filled, which means plenty to show visitors- brilliant!

Beardy lathe-ers

As I mentioned in the last post the next person to be officially signed up for the 'do' is........my Dad. Meet Larry, my own beardy lathe-er. Let's find out more;

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?

A dough cake

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?

Probably looking after the grandchildren!

(well if you're offering!)

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Fish and chips.

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

Cluttering up the living room.

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?

Frequent visitor.

6) Who is your all-time hero?

Eric Clapton

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

My brothers-in-law

8) What colour draws you most?

Anything that doesn't show the dirt.

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

Museums, magazines and china shops.

Do you dunk

All the time!

Thanks Dad. I think that sums you up, traditional, practical and a bit cheeky around the edges! Larry will be selling his dear little ring pots and dishes. The perfect packaging for all the lovely jewelery that will be available. He will also be bringing along some doorstops made by my brilliant Uncle Ben, (the dude in the hat)- I swear to you for Dorset these guys are fairly hair-free. And anyone who makes any jokes about the beardy family resemblance is off the guest list!

In other business I am having such fun with the goodie bags, I have loads to show you in the next post, but for this one how about these darling promotional cards from Raffique. Aren't they charming?

I am beginning to realise that the way to spread the word about the 'do' is to do just that. Talking to everyone about it is opening up so many possibilities. Yesterday I visited Quex Park Craft Barn and spoke to three lovely unit holders. All had different ideas about how they might want to be involved, from displaying posters in their windows to having a stall, to sending fliers. I thought I might ask the Hotel in town where we went for a rare glass of wine if they wanted to put some vouchers in the goodie bags and found that the receptionist was a Brownie leader who offered to give fliers to all her pack.....it just grows and grows! I would be very grateful if you could join me in wittering on about it to all your nearest and dearest too!

Let's meet Looby!

Isn't she lovely? This is Lou, and this is her amazing work. I am so pleased she is coming along to the Makey 'do', her wares are really different from the other stalls. I really hope she brings along some of her Hello Kitty goodies, I have a little girl here who would love it! Read on to find out more about her, then hop over to her Misi shop to make your shopping list!

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
Definitely a chocolate fudge cake – yummy, soft and gooey!

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
I’ll be selling my handmade wares! Namely cards, notelets, notebooks, clipboards, gift boxes, gift tags, trinket boxes – and anything else I make between now and then!

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Neither – don’t like Chinese either, but I am partial to a pizza every now and then!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

In my misi store at http://www.loobycrafts.misi.co.uk/, and you keep up with my other (non-sale) crafty makes on my blog – www.scraphappylou.blogspot.com

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?

A visitor – I do live in Kent, but over the side in Gravesend

6) Who is your all-time hero?

I honestly can’t think of any – what a boring answer!

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

I always loved making stuff as a kid, my Grandad was a carpenter and I loved playing in his workshop, nailing random bits of wood together – so maybe that’s where it all started?!

8) What colour draws you most?

Anything bright – I love fuschia pinks, lime green, orange – really funky colours!

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

Into my craft room! I find these easiest way to overcome Crafter’s block is just to work through it, and once I start pulling out gorgeous papers and stuff I’m away!

10) Do you dunk?

Most definitely not – that just leads to soggy badness!

Lush and Lovely

I am now having a healthy flow of cheques coming in for the 'do' and have had lots of good news over the last few days; 1) The venue has fixed last years prices so just two more tables to sell and I can start on the fun bits. 2) A local young stitcher has agreed to run a softie making table for me at the event, I love the idea we will introduce younger types to sewing! 3) Two magazines have now agreed to list the event in their 'what's on' sections, and one has promised 60 back issues for the goodie bags. 4) the gorgeous Lush and Lovely has sent me her interview responses so read on for another sneaky peak of what you might be seeing in July!;

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
One with lots of layers and tons of icing

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
Selling my jewellery

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
Love both equally

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?
Online – check my website lushandlovely.com for details

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?
I’m not a local – from North London

6) Who is your all-time hero?
Depends on which mood I’m in – Hunter S Thompson is always up there!

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?
Been making stuff all my life – I blame my nana, the demon knitter of Glasgow, the woman could knit anything!

8) What colour draws you most?
I love fresh greens, milky whites and shiny blacks

9) Where do you go for inspiration?
Nowhere specific, whatever hits me when I’m messing around with my materials

10) Do you dunk?
Do you mean what I think you mean or is it a euphemism for something else. If it’s what I think it is then no.

Thanks Lush and Lovely! Any other stallholders who want to have a go at the interview just let me know.....I may have led a really sheltered life (though I think not!) but the dunking question?....it IS about biscuits!

Karen Ruane

I am so chuffed to tell you that Karen has decided to make the mammoth journey down the country to Kent to come to the 'do'. I checked back recently and when I discovered blogs Karens' was the first I added to my favourites. I hope you enjoy getting a good look at her work as much as I have.

1. If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be? Probably a plain sponge cake, despite my 'frigid' unapproachable exterior I am very soft with a head full of pretty, pleasant thoughts. For instance, there was a question once on family fortunes....name something you find in the woods...Much to the amusement of my family I instinctively shouted out 'teddy bears'....see what I mean!

2. What will you be doing at the 'makey do'? First I will be panicking at meeting new people, then I will be panicking that no one will buy any of my stuff, then I will most likely lose something, I always lose things. Then I will be trying to be very restrained in not buying everyone elses stuff because I am always overwhelmed at how lovely other peoples work is. I am hoping to be too busy to actually do any making on the day and I want to have fun.

3. Fish and chips or curry? Neither...sorry!! Don't like fish and chips or curry but I do love Chinese food, char sui, prawns etc

4. Where else can your wares usualy be found? I am always available by e-mail (details on my blog) if anyone wants to buy anything.www.karenruane.blogspot.com or you can pop along to my etsy shop.http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5322598

5. Do you usually hang out in Sandwich or are you a visitor? I have never been to Kent in my life so this will be my first time. It is quite a long way from Lancashire!!

6. Who is your all time Hero? I have thousands...all the women throughout time who have struggled to raise healthy, happy children.

7. Who first got you started on your crafty journey? As a child people were always making things, my mum, my grandmother's. I began to knit and crochet aged about 12 but was put off sewing for years by my experience of needlework classes at Grammar School where the only thing we were allowed to make was a navy blue gingham pinny for domestic science, how I hated that pinny. In fact I am suprised it never gave me a life long aversion to gingham! When I had my own children I constantly made things for them and it all progressed from there I suppose.

8. What colour draws you most? To wear it is black all the way. I always look like I am on my way to a funeral or a wake. White is my favourite colour to work with though. As most of my work evolves from a maternal perspective white signifies for me the purity of the relationship between a mother and her child.

9. Where do you go for inspiration? Quite simply, inside my head.

10. Do you dunk? Always!!

Thanks Karen. I have got a sign up form which wil be ready this week so I will e-mail to all those who have expressed an interview in having a table. Please let me know if you would like one too!

Fabric Nation-tell us more!

Well hello there Fabric Nation, do please tell us all more about you.....
1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?

A Tunnocks teacake! I love the red and silver shiny wrappers and bright and cheerful retro packaging. I have heard there is even a Tunnocks teashop next to the factory in Uddington with all sorts of fantastic Tunnocks packaging creations in the window. It’s my ambition to visit this place! Have a peek here and you’ll see why… http://www.nothingtoseehere.net/2008/01/the_tunnocks_factory_uddingsto_1.html

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?

I will be doing a few things at the Makey ‘do. In the morning I’ll be having a pic ‘n’ mix brooch making party. I will bring a vast selection of crochet flowers, buttons and trims so that people can mix and match their fave colours and make a brooch just how they want it! In the afternoon bunting making will take over. I will have a whole stack of gingham for people to make their own customised bunting. I’ll be bringing templates, stamps, fabric paint and trimmings galore to decorate and adorn pre-made bunting ready to be threaded onto tape. Visitors will be able to sew and stick on letters, flowers, or anything else that takes their fancy. I will also be selling little ‘Makey ‘do’ kits to take away, including my bunting anklets!

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Mmm, curry. I don’t eat fish and although I am partial to chips and mushy peas I live near some of the finest curry purveyors in the city, if not the country! Can’t beat a beetroot dosa or Jai Krishna special jeera aloo!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

I have online shops on folksy (http://www.folksy.com/shops/FabricNation) and etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6519255). I will also be at the Handm@de Craft Fairs in Cambridge, Winchester and Oxford (http://www.handmadecraftfairs.co.uk/) and a few others. My shops and blog (http://fabricnationadventures.blogspot.com/) usually have details of any fairs I’m planning to attend. I mainly work with vintage fabrics which are recycled into my collection of cats, dogs and other strays from the 1950s and 60s. I have always loved vintage prints, particularly barkcloth fabrics of the 1950s and 60s and began using these to make clothes which I sold on my stall as a teenager (no dull Saturday job for me!). I am very pleased to say the stall bug has gripped me again and I’m looking forward to doing more stalls before the year is out and meeting more amazing designer makers.

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?

I am a visitor, and very much looking forward to it. I love taking day trips to new and undiscovered towns and villages around the UK. My perfect day is arriving at a new place and exploring all the charity shops! Sandwich looks really pretty, so I’m really looking forward to visiting.

6) Who is your all-time hero?

It has to be John Peel. The discovery of his show and all the wonderful music he championed in my teenage years was a turning point for me. I love music, and his show opened up a whole world to me of fab music, but also literature and art as I obsessively explored to origins of the reference to books, films and artists that post-punk popsters littered their songs with.

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

My family always made things, from little flowery dresses my mum made for me, my nan’s knitted creations and my aunty’s lovely needlework. We always darned, mended and fixed things too. As a teenager without much money living far from any fancy boutiques, the only way to make an entrance was to make your clothes yourself, so many a brightly printed curtain ended up as a skirt, top or dress. So my friends inspired me in this respect too as well as the whole DIY ethos of just getting on and making stuff in your kitchen and front room with what ever you had. I also love vintage kid’s craft books. I have many of my own still including a very dog eared copy of the Puffin ‘Something to Do’ book which was my favourite book as a child.

8) What colour draws you most?

Colours in general draw me, especially lovely and surprising combinations, I like the mix of pink and green, brown and sky blue or orange and turquoise. I love the quality of colour used in old printed ephemera, especially paperbacks, board games, magazines and packaging from the 1950s. I could gaze at these for hours!

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

I cannot walk past a charity shop without looking inside and get lots of pleasure and inspiration from my charity shop finds from the 1950s and 60s including dressers, fabric, games, buttons, china and scraps of printed ephemera. I love the Opie packaging collections and the collections at the Geffrye Museum and Bethnal Green Museum of childhood.

10) Do you dunk?

‘fraid so! A Tunnocks wafer and cup of earl grey tea.

Thanks so much, will be lovely to see you on the big day-bunting anklets and all!