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!

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!

The venue

This is the Sandwich Guildhall which has been booked, and a deposit paid as the venue for the 'Makey do'. Part of the building is very old and is used for wedding and other ceremonies. We will be using the modern extension which has a lift and floor to ceiling windows for excellent natural light. In the summer the forecourt is bustling with people. The bus stop for the town is here and there is a chip shop so plenty of people enjoying an al fresco lunch. There is a very large pay and display car park at the rear of the building and from here to the town people pass through the alley in the building and therefore past the main entrance to the event. Sandwich is so picturesque, and I'm getting more takers for tables every week. I am looking for a volunteer stall holder to be my first 'interview-ee', I would like to have a picture of you, but a least some nice images of the sort of thing you'll be bringing with you. Fancy it?