Describe the products you currently make to sell

Beautifully designed and handmade jewellery usually in silver, coloured resin and semi-precious and precious gemstones as points of detail. I also make to commission in gold and platinum, including engagement and wedding rings.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

At the moment I work part-time while my 3 year old goes to nursery in my cosy workshop at the end of my garden! When she goes to school in September I will be expanding my business into more galleries and selling more online.

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I actually did a degree in Jewellery design at Middlesex, graduating in 1998, so since then I’ve been making and selling my own work in between (and at the same time often!) travelling, and working for other jewellers making and selling their work.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

I grew up in the Brighton area and went to school here, so after university in London I gravitated back. It’s such a vibrant, creative and interesting city, that’s changed a lot over that time. I’ve worked with or alongside several of the lovely jewellers in the city, and been involved in many Open Houses over the years.

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I love sewing and spend a lot of time adjusting and embellishing clothes and making lovely things for my children and house. I also bake a lot, particularly anything I can ice with lovely decorations I’ve found!

What inspires the things you make?

Beautiful and interesting things I see around me, patterns and colours in nature, fabrics and architecture, particularly in far flung shores. I was very inspired by India when I visited there a couple of times.

Personal motto?

Not really a personal motto, but I hope to be inspired by, and see the positive in each new experience.

Please introduce yourself….

Hello, I am Lucy Brasher, and my business is called ‘the cat in the shoe’ quite simply because when I began to make things and needed a name for my brand my cat used to sleep in my shoes.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

I call my products Creatures and Curiosities as I feel this explains them well.I work with reclaimed and vintage fabrics, so an old leather coat becomes a Pie Girl, and some vintage curtains become swimming trunks for a Fox. I make a lot of my ‘Alice Rabbits’ I have been making these for a while now and although i have elaborated on them and tweaked them here and there the design and pattern has remained the same, they are my interpretation of the White Rabbit from one of my favorites Stories ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

I am currently working on a new collection of my Curious Dolls, they are cloth dolls with different outfits etc and at the moment I am making them more Summer themed (not that the sun has realised it is summer yet). ‘My Dear Heads’ have become very popular and I am often found in my studio buried under a pile of antlers and stuffing. I have also begun collecting Glass boxes and creating things within them like ‘The Princess and the Pea’ (pictured above).

I am constantly designing and creating new creatures and re-designing old ones so no two are ever the same, due to this process and the nature of the fabrics I use, each piece is truly unique. I have a lot of lists and a lot of ideas and I am constantly creating.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

My studio (pictured below) is in my house and generally in a total mess although I selected a picture for you of it clean and tidy. I work as often as is possible, so in between running around after my 2 1/2 year old little monster I will be reading and making patterns and sitting at the sewing machine. My best ideas tend to appear as I am trying to sleep, so I am never without my note book.

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I have been making and selling full time since our son was born, so about 3 years with full effort. I randomly began about 7 years ago when I moved to London after completing and ditching several Photography courses and found myself jobless. I started with a patchwork quilt by hand ( never again) and then began making commission quilts for new Born’s, this then led to very basic toys and designs. As I have no sewing experience, I slowly taught myself and over the years have improved and elaborated and experimented, It’s all about odd creatures for me.

What is your relationship with the Brighton area and where are you currently based?

I love brighton and we had always planned to move to Brighton from London, but after our son was born we thought ‘ can we do this without family and babysitters?’ Heck no, so we are now back by the sea, but in Bournemouth instead.

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I’m not sure I have much time for anything else, I take Photos of my work but not for pleasure. I do make a a very good Chocolate cake? If that counts.

What inspires the things you make?

I am inspired by almost everything I read and see. I love books almost obsessively and have always loved Fairy Tales, which are a huge inspiration for my work. I watch a lot of films and animations especially stop frame animation, I would love to make a short animation with my creatures one day ( that is on the never ending list). There is an obvious link to Tim Burtons earlier animations and illustrations with my work especially the love of Black & White stripes. Animals of course as my creatures are animals in one form or another.I am currently obsessed with the Circus and old images of Coney Island, so eventually there will be a circus themed collection from me. Taxidermy is also a love of mine and the recreation of this with textiles. Inspiration is pretty much everywhere.

Personal motto?

When the clock says 6pm its time for a Gin.

Please introduce yourself….

Hello! I’m Lucy. I am the Designer/Maker behind Lucy Alice Designs. I set up my business in 2012 after completing a textiles degree. I create products which bring colour & conversation to you and your home.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

All my products are inspired by British wildlife, geometric patterns & strong colours. My jewellery range is all made using reclaimed laminate & wood veneer offcuts which I source from local companies. I also sell illustrated products including cards, prints, cushions & notebooks. There are so many new products in the pipeline but never enough hours in the day!

Where and when do you design and make your products?

When I first started making my products I made use of our spare room however cabin fever crept in and I was finding it hard to switch off! I now work from an artist studio, it’s great to have a dedicated space to work from which I can walk away from at the end of the day.

I don’t have a strict timetable but I tend to make up a big stock of products all in one go so I can concentrate on designing and all the other jobs such as invoicing, admin, website, social media etc….! But really it depends what mood I am in and what deadlines I have to meet!

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I launched Lucy Alice Designs in September 2012. I graduated from a Textiles & Surface Design degree in 2011 and after completing a number of internships I realised that what I really wanted was to start my own business. Shortly after my degree I was approached by a gallery who were planning a Christmas arts market and was offered a stall. It was a frantic 3 months of planning a collection of products almost from scratch however it went really well and I haven’t looked back since! Ever since I was little I have wanted to make and sell my work at markets and I am so glad I have been able to do so!

What is your relationship with the Brighton area and where are you currently based?

I have lived in Arundel Nr Brighton since I was 10. Me and my Mum used to spend every other Saturday visiting Brighton. Just recently I have moved to Kent with my fiancee who secured a had Job there however I still visit frequently and I would love to return one day!

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I love anything crafty and love to learn new skills. I recently went on a silver jewellery course which was fantastic. I am also getting married in August so I am currently enjoying preparing for my crafty, DIY wedding, making decorations and invitations!

What inspires the things you make?

Colour and pattern are my main inspirations which can come from literally anywhere. The satisfaction of finishing a product makes me just want to make over and over again!

Personal motto?

‘Do what makes you happy’

The Summer Brighton Craftaganza craft market will take place at Fabrica on Sat 15th June. If you are interested in selling at the event, email us at craftaganza@gmail.com with images of your product line.

The closing date for applications will be Friday 10th May.

Oh my goodness, we’ve surpassed ourselves this month!!! We have the owner of fabulous Brighton based art gallery and shop Castor & Pollux live and direct and available to answer all your questions about approaching galleries and shops!!! If that’s not useful for aspiring designer-makers and artists, then I really don’t know what is!

Come down to The Old Market on Weds 27th March. The doors open at 7pm and the speaker will start at 7.45pm. Grab a drink and have a natter. Hope to see you there!

If you were able to swing by our Spring Brighton Craftaganza craft market last weekend and liked what you saw, chances are you’ll also enjoy the Fairy Tale Fair in Patcham this Saturday. The Fairy Tale Fair has a whimsical take on craft fairs is most definitely fun for all the family. Launched in Summer 2012 The Fairy Tale Fair is back this Spring for it’s third fair. The debut August fair and Christmas special in November were both huge successes and have received rave reviews from local press, visitors and stall holders alike.

Saturday the 9th March 2013 (10.30am – 4.30pm) will see Patcham Methodist Church (Ladies Mile Road, Patcham, Brighton) filled with over 35 craft stalls. These will include prints, jewellery, handmade creations, a craft workshop room, vintage items, accessories, face painting, beauty and a vintage themed tearoom with lots of homemade yummy treats! The day is designed to bring the community together and as a great day out for all ages.

The Fairy Tale Fair is the creation of Claire Montgomery. Claire is a Brighton based designer and illustrator who graduated in 2011. Since then she has gone on to work full time at Republique- a design studio in Hove, create her own greeting card range and most recently has launched her own laser cut jewellery range. You can find out more about Claire’s creations on her website.

Claire will be just one of the talented stall holders at The Fairy Tale Fair with unique, handmade Mother’s day and Easter gifts. Entry is FREE so bring along the whole family and all your friends! Please see their blog for interviews, updates, location and links to social accounts. Don’t miss out- it’s going to be magical!

Please introduce yourself….

I am Katie. I trained and worked as a still life photographer and have always been drawn to creative activities. I have always liked making things (hopefully beautiful!) (possibly useful) with my hands.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

I love working with metal and for the fair I am making enamelled copper bowls. I love the unpredictability of the medium – wonderful effects can be achieved, but they only appear once. If the bowl goes back in the kiln, the colours will change. Enamelling on copper bowls lets the vibrancy of fired enamels to come out.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

My designs are vague impressions of colours and textures so happen anywhere, anytime. I have commandeered a small room at home and am slowly building up my workshop.

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I have not been selling long. I started enamelling because I love the vibrant colours and organic way the bowl develops. I began selling when friends commissioned bowls as gifts and encouraged me to do it as more than a hobby.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

We fancied a change as we had lived in the country. We moved to Brighton 2 1/2 years ago because it is a lively and exciting city but also very accessible.

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

I have always liked working with my hands. I have done all sorts from knitting to black smithing, from woodwork to macramé.

What inspires the things you make?

I am inspired by natural forms and colours. I love the fact that nothing in nature clashes- it always looks right.

Personal motto?

A day without wine….