Interview: I Love Crafty
After going to the Bournemouth Vintage Emporium and seeing all of the pieces that independent sellers sold, I wanted to discover other small fashion businesses, not just those who love and sell vintage. Georgie suggested that I got in touch with Laura from I Love Crafty, so I contacted her to find out more about her cute fashion creations!
I Love Crafty is a business started by Laura (who is really lovely!), who designs and creates original and unique jewellery for her online shop. I emailed her to find out more about the inspiration behind her incredibly pretty creations and why and how her business came to be.
How did 'I Love Crafty' come to life? I started designing as soon as I could draw but it was only 5 years ago that I quit my day job and started working on my childhood dream of working for myself. I didn't make jewellery at first (a late bloomer!) I made bath products and candles from my crafty kitchen but soon released that my passion is in fashion and design. Now I’m a experienced confident designer making original, exclusive jewellery for your fashion pleasure!
What is the inspiration behind your designs?
I'm a bit of a hoarder so my home office is stuffed full of kitsch objet d'art, postcards from my favourite holidays and thrift store treasures so I'm constantly surrounded by inspiring things! I also love to watch films and listen to music while I work which inevitably influences my jewellery's tone and atheistic so sometimes when I start designing it can be a surprise what comes out!
What is it that you love about crafting? There's nothing like creating something from nothing and thinking "I made that!" I grew up with 3 sisters and we constantly making toys and little gifts for each other. Being crafty is just a part of me, I can't imagine looking at fabric, cardboard and whatever lying around and not coming up with ideas.
What's the best part about your blog?
Well my blog has just had a birthday makeover which I love and since becoming a Mummy I'm really excited about writing some new features about my new experiences.
Who are your blogging inspirations? Well I have a list of blogs that I read everyday! They are:
- Wish wish wish
- Wonder Forest
- Design Love Fest
- Bluebird
- Scathingly Brilliant
- Tigerlilly Quinn
What's your favourite piece of jewellery from your collection? My favourite piece of jewellery I make is "A Mermaid gave me this Pink Shell Necklace" and it's one of the first pieces I designed! I love the curves I've created in the shell design and the engraving "I'm Really a Mermaid" really pops. Making them in mirrored acrylic means that they shine when worn and reflect the person's image who's reading the words - perfect! I was inspired by my favourite childhood film "The Little Mermaid" and I think this necklace would suit Ariel and not look out of place under the sea!
Which celebrity/celebrities would you love to see wearing your pieces? My number 1 person would be Gwen Stefani, if she wore one of my pieces I would pass out for sure! She's always been my style icon and muse ever since I was about 13, I love her! In light of it being I Love Crafty's 5th birthday (Happy Birthday!), what's been the highlight of the 5 years?
Good question! Well one highlight is definitely opening my shop in Bristol. It took so much hard work to get it up and going and I felt so proud to open the doors! Another highlight to be honest was quitting my job and doing ILC full-time! I know work from home and I'm so happy and lucky I can do that, I've worked hard for it!
And where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Having my daughter has definitely changed the way I see I Love Crafty. Before I would plan ahead short term but now I see it as a family business! Not that she'll be designing anytime soon but I love the idea for her having the option of taking over one day and making it her own. I'm so excited about the future of my business! I like that I can't predict what's going to happen, but I'll make it happen for sure!
Click here for all things I Love Crafty and right here to read Laura's blog.
Written by Ellie @ Beauxoxo intern
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