Art of Crafts Interview: Kirsty from That Crafty Fish

I love colour and I love vintage homeware and I love sewing. That is pretty much what informs all of my work. I make Brooches and Bunting and Lavender Cushions and Quilts. I sell many NeedleBooks and PinPots. I use alot of traditional English Fabrics  and some Modern Japanese. I love using the range of Shabby Chic, Cath Kidston Fabrics. Home is where my heart is, my work is, my life is.

I suffered from depression and anxiety as a child. I was never comfortable being ‘young’ and always felt anxious. Crafting was what my mum encouraged me to do, to help keep me going. I loved skipping school with her to visit the local fabric shop. My mum encouraged all crafting and making, even though she is no accomplished artist herself, she knows how satisfying it is to simply ‘create’. We’d make stuff and sell it for local charities…. it is everything good I remember about childhood and it is what has made me, now, a happy adult.

We did a test at High School – if you could ‘draw’ and ‘shade’ a banana – you could do Art at exam level. I failed. I was cross at my school. I always knew Art was a whole lot more than just banans. You want Bananas? Go find Monkeys…. I taught myself everything I know. Mistakes and Triumphs, I am  an example of what it means to be tenacious and creative.

Like many women, creative women, I asked myself:  “How can I stay at home with my baby and still work? and still be happy?” It is that simple. Failure was not an option. I wanted my creativity to make me money and keep me at home with my baby. My baby is now 6! I home-educate her, I am a newly single mum and this is now my income. Thank the Lord for Etsy too. They have given so many artists a starting place – a platform.

I have been established in my local area for years…. since my first Charity Sale in childhood years.

I have so much inspiration. My head is full of ideas and ‘want to makes’. I trawl Thrift shops and Garage Sales. I love Home Decor magazines. I am obsessed with vintage books and Christmas Crafts. My friendships, my everyday ‘needs’ and wants for my home…. I cannot stop being inspired – my everyday life is really full of colour and love and fun!

See question 5…. I think.

There is no typical day for me. I usually get up at about 6am and I might start sewing or I might start cooking or washing or baking. I just love to be busy and I love to be able to get on with, whatever creative things pop into my head.

Don’t copy. Don’t copy. Don’t copy other peoples ideas and styles. Be inspired, sure. But ultimately be true to you and what makes you happy. Get up early in the morning and make every minute of your day count.

I sell on Etsy: www.PaperFish.etsy.com & www.SnowFish.etsy.com & www.BigFish.etsy.com (yes, i am a busy girl)

my own *new* website www.LovePaperFish.com and in local Fairs and Rural Markets. I love to be selling in real life. Nothing beats a good crafty chat with a lovely customer.

I blog! www.kirstyfish.blogspot.com and I am a chatterbox xxx

Thanks for asking me stuff!