STRAWBERRY KITTEN

INTERVIEW WITH SIAN GIBSON OF STRAWBERRY KITTEN


Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, personal stuff).
I'm from sunny Doncaster, in the UK. I studied fine art at Sheffield University, only to realise 3 months in I didn't want to be an artist I preferred craft. I've been making things ever since. I dabble in so many crafts, photography, card making, plush, quilting, weaving, felting etc etc but at the moment I'm concentrating on teaching myself jewellery making and my felt work, I'm also dipping back into photography again.

Are you a full-time artist/crafter?
At the moment I work full time in a large bookshop, only crafting during my spare time.

What percentage of your income is from "online" sales?
A very very small percentage so far!

Please share why "buying/selling handmade" is important to you...
It's the only way of finding something truly unique, also when you buy a handmade item, it's more personal, there's a person behind it rather than a faceless company, you know it took time and care to be made and that's important to me.

What do you utilize most for INSPIRATION?
I would probably say I find most of my inspiration on etsy, I love browsing the site! Also I find working in a bookshop helps as I have instant access to really beautiful arts and craft books.

What do you love most about what you make?
At the moment I really love colour and I love that about my Feltpods. I really love this range as it's a product I'd buy myself, I enjoy making them as its quiet a tedious process, which is how I like to work. I love my jewellery range because I'm so proud of myself for being able to make them, I'm currently just learning jewellery making so it's a pleasure to see a finished product.

Do you offer any services such as, wholesale, custom orders, swapping or bartering?
I have done custom orders before and would love to start swapping work with other etsians. As for wholesale, I'm just starting to look into if it's viable for my products, with their time to make and RRP's

What advice can you share with other artists/crafters?
I think the one thing I've learnt over the past few years and especially the past few months, is concentrate on one thing at a time. I love so many different crafts that I used try doing too much at once. Over the past few months I've learnt to single out a certain idea or type of craft, which has banished most of my previous frustrations. I'm not sure if other people suffer from this problem but it's a good lesson to learn if you do!

Do you have studio tips on staying organized, and working efficiently?
I don't have any tips, as I think I need the tips! I'm not very happy with my workspace at the moment and I'm quite a messy person. Mentally I'm very organized, I make lists a lot, I suppose I work efficiently especially with my Feltpod range, when I want to make a few new designs I will make sure I get them all cut out and ready to be sewn in my spare time. I like to make the process sort of production line like.

Where would like to be in 10 years?
I would absolutely love to not need to work or at least only work part time. I'd love to be a known crafter and have sufficient sales to actually be making a profit (as at the minute buying supplies is cancelling out any profit I make) I plan on having a house with a real nice workspace. Dreams!

CHECK OUT ALL THE OTHER STRAWBERRY KITTEN PLACES ON THE WEB!!!

STRAWBERRY KITTEN BLOG
SIAN'S FLICKR PORTFOLIO
SIAN'S INDIE-PUBLIC PROFILE
STRAWBERRY KITTEN SHOP @ DAWANDA
&
STRAWBERRY KITTEN @ MINTD