Spotlight Sunday - Mark Johnston - Photography

Well.....here we are, the first in a series of 'Spotlight Sundays'. profiling creators of all types and there's many more to come.... What’s your name? Mark Johnston
In what form does your creating take? Photography

Describe your business?

Wedding & Portrait photography with an emphasis on natural light. I am also going to expand into Fine Art and Macro photography within the next 6-12 months. This will combine with prints, mounted prints, framed prints and cards

What are you offering?

I offer a new vibrant and unique way of capturing those special moments in your life. My wedding photography starts from £399 which includes a free photobook & CD.

I believe that professional wedding photography should be available to everyone getting married.

I offer payment plans and I can usually accommodate all price ranges. My portrait photography can be done at your home or on location perhaps at the local park or a location that means great deal to you.

My fine art/macro photography is only in it’s infancy but I aim to offer framed prints, mounted prints and other gifts within the next few months

How did you get started on your present art/craft?

I started at a school club when I was 14, I then didn’t take it up again until 18 months ago, after attending my brother in laws wedding, then finding out the price for his photographer!

In a word, describe your creative process? Unique

What inspires you the most?

I have a real desire to become the best photographer/person I can. I am constantly learning from my peers, colleague’s family & friends. The more I learn, the more I’m inspired to improve. I

Who inspires you the most?

Professionally, I’m a member of SWPP (Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers). These people amaze me with their skills, techniques and quality.

A photographer called Joe Cornish (based in Northallerton) whom I would class as the world leader in landscape photography. His books, gallery and work constantly remind me of the standard that I strive to.

Personally, it’s my mum who passed away nearly 20 years ago. I hope that she’d approve on what I’m trying to do both professionally and personally

does the magic happen?

Currently, in my dining room at home. Northallerton, North Yorkshire

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you can give someone considering starting up a business as a creator?

To use a phrase from a certain sports company…Just Do It! There is nothing stopping anybody starting a business as a creator, my wife is also currently planning her card business. Please remember one of my favourite quotes…”Fail to prepare, prepare to fail”.

Any other advice?

If you don’t know the answer…Ask! No matter how trivial it may seem. We can all help each other to make the world a nicer place.

Where else can you and or your work be found on-line?

Website: http://mark-johnston-photography.co.uk

Blog: http://mark-johnston-photography.blogspot.com/

Facebook: : http://facebook.com/markjohnstonphotography1

Twitter: @markPhotograph

Thanks Mark, for being a part of this idea and sharing you valuable advice.

Spotlight Sunday - Caroline Armitt from Caroline’s Cool Jewels

And.....here we are again....another Spotlight Sunday post and another wonderful Maker and Shaker has agreed to answer some on-line questions on herself and her business..... Already we have had over 600 visitors to this blog. In such a short period of time, this is truly amazing!
What’s your name?Caroline Armitt from Caroline’s Cool Jewels

Describe your business?
I make All kinds of things from Kids jewellery to men’s jewellery and everything in between, at the moment I am making a different range for my website with sterling silver and gemstones, I have also recently added a wedding range.
What are you offering?I offer a personal service to the customer creating a piece of jewellery they are completely satisfied with so they can either buy what I have made or use this as a guide and ask me to create exactly what they want.

How did you get started on your present art/craft?I got started making jewellery in September 2010, I needed to fill a void in my life since I lost my husband and had to give up work to look after my kids full time, I found myself bored in the evenings and discovered jewellery making.
I started and very quickly after I was doing jewellery parties for friends and relatives and it took off from there.I enjoy making and am very passionate about what I do and I think that comes across in my work.

In a word, describe your creative process?
I buy quality beads that I am drawn to, when I get the beads in front of me I get inspired by the shapes colours etc.

Who inspires you the most?I would have to say without shadow of doubt its my kids, they get very excited when they see the postman delivering my goodies my son especially hands me the parcel because he gets to the door first then he waits beside me till I open it, he wont let me leave it unopened, then he examines every strand/ pack and tells me how beautiful they are they are both very encouraging and love to see whet I make and they always want to try on “even my 4 yr old son”

Where does the magic happen?Initially I used the kitchen table till my stash started to grow then it got moved to my spare room which is now know as my jewellery room

Where else can you and or your work be found on-line?
Facebook caroline’s cool jewels
Twitter cacooljewels
Website www.carolinescooljewels.co.uk

Thanks Caroline for joining in the Makers and Shakers interview and sharing your experiences.

If you or anyone else would like to be interviewed and profiled in the Makers and Shakers Blog post....please read this post and get in touch. You have nothing to loose!

Also, come and 'Like' our page on Makers and Shakers Page on Facebook! Please spread the word around!

Spotlight Sunday - Erin Allen

Ladies and Gentlemen.....or Spotlight Sunday this week...I introduce you to. the most wonderful work of....(fanfare please)....Erin Allen!

What’s your name?


Erin Allen erin@erinallen.com



In what form does your creating take?
illustration, Portraiture and Leather Work

Describe your business?

Floundering! No seriously.......misguided! My primary focus is portraiture and illustration which is also applied to a collection of medieval style leather satchels and handbags.

What are you offering?

Custom illustration and portraiture and unique leather accessories

How did you get started on your present art/craft?

My mother bought me art supplies for my second birthday...

In a word, describe your creative process?

Inspired!

What inspires you the most?

Music, nature, and the soul behind the eyes.

Who inspires you the most?

Jeff Martin, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Justin Hayward, David Gilmour, Brom, Frank Frazetta, John Jude Palencar, Brian Froud, Roger Dean, and so many more...

Where does the magic happen?

In the strangest corner of my mind!

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you can give someone considering starting up a business as a creator?

I’ll let you know when I discover it for myself!

Any other advice?

Strike when the muse is hot!

Where else can you and or your work be found on-line? Website: http://www.erinallen.com

A big thanks to Erin for sharing her work and joining in the interview....your work is wonderfully inspiring :o)

If you would like to be profiled....go and see the post about Spotlight Sunday....and join in the fun and be a part of this group of Makers and Shakers....you will be glad you did.....more importantly WE will be glad you did!

Spotlight Sunday - Marie Fredriksson - Calligrapher

What’s your name?Marie Fredriksson

In what form does your creating take?I am passionate about calligraphy and have loved to use steel nibs and ink since I was 14. Lately this interest has branched out to include my lettering etched on various metals such as sterling silver, copper and stainless steel.


Describe your business?Currently I am making and selling my calligraphy on etched metals in the form of jewellery - pendants and bracelets - in my Etsy shop. I am very fortunate to have a husband with a well equipped workshop right here in our house. I also run calligraphy correspondence courses in Swedish and English with students mostly from Scandinavia, but also from other parts of the world. I also do original calligraphy on request.

What are you offering?In my Etsy shop everything I sell includes etched calligraphy in the form of various quotes and words. I use copper for pendants and bracelets, sterling silver for pendants and stainless steel for bracelets. The copper is a wonderful metal that can be oxidized to a warm, walnut brown colour that emphasis the etched words and gives the metal a rustic and slightly aged patina. When I work with silver I choose not to oxidize the letters black, as I feel an organic and subtle silver-on-silver design is more pleasing. Stainless steel can't be coloured at all as far as I know, but the contrast between the slightly mottled surface of the letters and the polished "background" work very well on its own. I make the bracelets from recycled leather waist belts or scrap leather from a nearby friend's leather workshop, and rivet the etched metal to the leather. The pendants hang from waxed black cotton cords, the silver ones being enhanced by a extender chain and freshwater pearl.

I want to letter and etch words that are meaningful - to me personally, or to friends or a wider audience (hopefully). I try to stay away from the most frequently used affirmative words going around these days, although I admit to have etched "Breathe" and "Carpe Diem" and "Amor vincit omnia" a couple of times. But finding the right words to etch is almost the hardest part of the whole process!

How did you get started on your present art/craft?I have practiced calligraphy for all of my adult life, but the metal etching is a fairly new interest. Although I didn't begin experimenting with it until January 2010, I've known about the methods used for quite some time. Anne Van Tassel - an online friend in the US - was the first one I knew who etched calligraphy on metal and I loved how it looked. Unfortunately she is no longer with us, but she shared her methods freely with me several years ago. And for some reason, in January 2010 I felt that the time was right to give it a try. I learned how it was done on my own, googled A LOT for more information and fine tuned the techniques over time. There's really no better way to learn than through series of both successful and less successful experiments.

In a word, describe your creative process?Experimentive! (I don't think this is a proper word, Sue - but that's what it's all about for me - to experiment and see what happens. "What if...?")

What inspires you the most?Words. Words I hear on the tv, on the radio, in the office, or words that I read in the newspaper, in books, on billboards...

Who inspires you the most?I draw my inspiration from many sources. Other calligraphers, Etsy sellers, old paintings, books, ads. One never knows when something interesting will show up!

Where does the magic happen?I work mainly in my office (lettering the designs, scanning and printing etching templates etc), the kitchen (preparing the metal and adhering the etching resist), the bathroom (the actual etching takes place here) and in hubby's workshop (sawing, filing, drilling, riveting etc). I would love to be able to do everything in one place though. Some time, perhaps...

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you can give someone considering starting up a business as a creator?

Don't give up! Be stubborn and persistent and believe in what you do. And be prepared that it takes a lot of time that is not 'creative time' - setting up a website and/or webshop, starting a blog and filling it with good content, getting a grip about marketing, doing the bookkeeping etc.

Any other advice?
Marketing is a MUST! And so is being "social" on the web, be it Facebook, twitter, your own and other people's blogs etc. No one will find you unless you let the world know where you are and what you have to offer!

Where else can you and or your work be found on-line?
Website: http://www.kalligrafi.com/calligraphy

Blog: http://marieofsweden.wordpress.com/

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarieOfSweden

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarieOfSweden

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MarieOfSweden

Thanks Marie for such a wonderful interview and sharing your experiences and work with us.

If you would like to be featured in Spotlight Sunday....see the post on how to go about it.

Being a Creator is as much about sharing your experiences as it is about your work. Together we can help each other grow!

Spotlight Sunday - Quirky Bird - aka Helen Harding - Designer and Maker of textile soft sculpture decorations for the home

Special thanks this week must go to Helen Harding, also known as Quirky Bird, for agreeing to be interviewed and share her thoughts and ideas of being a Maker and Shaker. I can vouch for her and tell you that her creations are delightful!
What’s your name?
My name is Helen Harding and I have a folksy shop called Quirky bird.

In what form does your creating take?
I design and handmake textile soft sculpture decorations for the home in vivid and contrasting colours.
I love to use applique, ribbons and buttons as embellishments. I find the contrasting colours and creative process uplifting.
Describe your business?
I work from home, as I have 3 children one not yet at school. It all started with friends placing orders and buying from me, I then started to do a few craft fayres and markets and a couple of local craft shops started stocking my items. I now also supply my items further afield due to contacts I have made through my folksy shop and via facebook.

What are you offering?
Most of the items I make are one offs in terms of the colours, ribbons and button combinations I use, for me it's all part of the joy of making them. So I guess I'd say I'm offering something quirky and unique which has been designed and made with love. How did you get started on your present art/craft?
Well, my Mother is an Artist and Photographer so I was brought up in a very creative environment, we were always encouraged to try lots of different arts and crafts, but my real interest in soft sculpture and applique began with a project I did for my A-level Textiles exam. ( a few years ago now!)

In a word, describe your creative process?
Colour Therapy (sorry 2 words)
What inspires you the most?
My garden on a blue skyed sunny day.

Who inspires you the most?
My Family and their endless encouragement.
Where does the magic happen?From my home workshop with a view of the garden, often with my kids sitting at the table next to me creating something.

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you can give someone considering starting up a business as a creator?

To have confidence in your creations. A lot of people I talk to under estimate their talent. Any other advice?To open a folksy shop to showcase your work and to set up a facebook fan page....It's surprising how many contacts you will make also the feedback is encouraging.

Where else can you and or your work be found on-line?

Folksy: http://www.folksy.com/shops/QuirkyBird

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holly-blues-and-Quirky-birds/108203865929785

Please, pop over and see her Folksy shop and friend her on Facebook. together we are one :o)

Happy Creating all you makers and shakers out there.

If you would like to be interviewed and raise your profile in the process....remember....it's FREE! Go to This Makers and Shakers Post to find out how

Thanks to those who have taken part so far (you are all AMAZING) and thanks to those who will join us in the future xxx

Spotlight Sunday - Wendi May New - illustration, silk painting, design work (digital)

Shockingly another week has gone by and already it Spotlight Sunday time again....so make yourself a cuppa, pull up a chair and be prepared to be inspired.....
What’s your name?Wendi May New
In what form does your creating take?illustration, silk painting, design work (digital)
Describe your business? murals mostly at the mo


What are you offering?
I can help with lots of things - quite diverse, keen and enthusiastic, like learning new things and trying new things
willing to share ideas and also my skills

How did you get started on your present art/craft?

I went through art college and then taught in various establishments and met a lot of makers along the way and picked up a lot of skills

In a word, describe your creative process?detailed, intricate, colourful chaos


What inspires you the most?mostly visual things, everyday things, being outside, talking with other artists, === probably a crap answer!!
but i love getting ideas from vintage textiles, colourful objects, unusual scenes at a jumble sale - people watching --

Who inspires you the most?Other artists - contemporary illustrators

Where does the magic happen?in my dining room and cupboard under the stairs lol xxx

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you can give someone considering starting up a business as a creator?

Keep doing it - you can only please yourself and if you are happy your work will oooze this emotion which will make it an object of desire

Where else can you and or your work be found on-line?

Blog: http://wendiwobble.blogspot.com

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/wendiwobble

Thank you Wendi for taking part and I know you have agreed to writing some articles for this blog. I've seen her work in the flesh so to speak and it's truly amazing!

Calling All Creators - Spotlight Sunday

It's my intention to highlight and spotlight makers and shakers by way of sending them an email and asking some questions on about their creating and what motivates them Are you a Maker or Shaker that would like to take part?

This is YOUR opportunity to show off your Art/Craft/Designs, Blog and/or Website to the outside world..... the questions are as follows...

What’s your name?

Where are you based?

In what form does your creating take?

Describe your business?

What are you offering?

How did you get started on your present art/craft?

In a word, describe your creative process?

What inspires you the most?

Who inspires you the most?

Where does the magic happen?

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you can give someone considering starting up a business as a creator?

Any other advice?

Where else can you and or your work be found on-line?

Website:

Blog:

Etsy:

Folksy:

Facebook:

Twitter:

Would you like to write articles for this blog?

Any particular field of expertise?

Please feel free to attach any photos and other information, including Q&A that can be used in the blog post to help promote your work. And thank you for taking the time and effort to answer these questions. Cut, copy and paste these questions along with any photos to:inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk