If you need a little colour injecting into this rather dull day, then look no further than the wonderful designs of Muddy Puddle Crafts. I came across Muddy Puddle Crafts on Facebook and very talented owner Jo kindly agreed to be part of my In The Spotlight series and I’m delighted to share her story with you now.
1. Tell us a bit about you and your business
Muddy Puddle Crafts is based in Herefordshire. I am a design graduate and busy mum of two who now spends her days designing and painting while her children are at school. Having graduated in 1994 with a degree in Textile & Surface Pattern Design I decided some 15 years on it was time I got creative! So I dusted off my paint brushes and surrounded myself with paint, pattern, buttons, beads, wood, wire,ribbon and raffia and I am in my element! I produce items for grownups, children and the home as well as personalised items to order. Youcan buy my products through my Website or in my shops on Folksy andWOW Thankyou. I also tweet and have a facebook page which also brings in a lot of orders. I also have a very strong belief that ‘Handcrafted products deserve to be flaunted, loved and treasured’
2. When and why did you start your business?
In September 2008 my eldest started school and my youngest started nursery leaving me with extra time on my hands. With my family living in France and my husbands in Yorkshire the practicality’s of having a ‘normal job’ with the grandparents around to help with after school etc are out the question. I decided I wanted to do something that was during school hours, at home and creative. From Sept 2008-Summer 2009 I pottered and did craft fairs then in July 2009 I stared selling in a local shop which I also volunteer to help run and things really took off.
3. Describe your typical day
My typical day is always a mish mash of muddy puddle work and housewife work! No matter how organised I try to be I seem to flit from one thing to another……school run, home & do a coat of paint on some plaques, whilst they dry clear up breakfast put the washing on, while the washers on check emails & upload stuff on line, paints dry so do another coat, washings done so hang it out, do more painting, after lunch pop to supermarket often via the button shop or diy shop for wire & wood, home unpack shopping another coat of paint, general tidy up, school run, home last coat of paint, cook kids tea, I often sit on my laptop while they eat tea & multi task chatting about school & uploading stuff, kids to bed, hubby comes home, cook & eat our dinner, often sit in front the tv sticking buttons on, tying ribbon on plaques, packing up orders etc!!!!
4. How do you manage to balance your work/home life?
Haha I’m not sure I do, My dream is to have a studio somewhere that I treat like a workplace. I could then discipline myself to be a designer while at the studio & a mum while at home. This would also mean without even a button in the house I couldn’t work on Muddy Puddle at home & I’d spend more family time. In theory this could work but I do get a lot done in the evenings while the kids are in bed.
5. What is your favourite item that you make or sell?
I go through phases of what I like but at the moment its dotty pegs because the I never tire of thinking up colorways.
6. What/who inspires you or where do you get your ideas from?
I am inspired by everything and anything. Colour plays a major part in what I do and I see it all around me. When I was an art student I bought a book by Tricia Guild called On Colour which got me hooked. I love colour and pattern and am inspired as its all around me….in fashion, decor, food, landscapes. I am also a big fan of Cath Kidston, Amy Butler, Orla Kiely
7. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
When I am not working I enjoy spending time with the family, I like swimming, I do zumba, a weekly ceramics glass and I help out alot at my kids school with art & reading & the PTA. Some of my fav things are the seaside, jelly tots, pink & green, musical theatre & Ikea!
8. Have you any tips to share with other crafters/makers/designers looking to make a business from their hobby?
My tips to other crafters out there trying to make a business is ‘networking’. The blog community and Facebook community is full of so many talented creative people. The advice, support and inspiration they all offer if huge. I have some cyber crafters who I have never met but class them as genuine great friends.
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You can visit Muddy Puddle Crafts at all these places:
{ 1 comment }
Hi Tracey, thanks so much for spotlighting me! it all looks great x
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