Pennydog: handmade costume jewellery made from resin

Who are you and where do you come from?
I'm Kerry and I'm originally from East Yorkshire, but I have been living in
Leicestershire for over 4 years now, when I moved to go to university. I
live with my boyfriend of 5 years and our greyhound, Penny, whom my business
is named after.

Please tell us a little about what you make.
I make jewellery with resin, some unique, some replicable, but all with an
aim to appeal to a wide range of people, rather than a lot of resin
jewellery that you can buy that looks cheap and tacky. I also dabble a
little in photography, but haven't had time to indulge since graduating from
my course.

What do you enjoy making most?
I like making the ice range, it's simple to do and requires no sanding!

What are your main inspirations?
I take inspiration with anything I find. This time of year is great- I pick
up colourful leaves, acorns, feathers, seeds, all sorts really. I love the
colours and details in vintage and retro style fabrics too, I can't resist
them and use them in my retro range.

What are you currently making?
Loads! I have some swirled colour bangles, some earrings with feathers in,
some candy corn pieces for an online contact, some sycamore seed and pretty
leaf pieces all to sand, my entry into the Etsy UK September challenge to
finish and a bit of polishing to do too! I also need to photograph a
tutorial for an article I have written for Crafts Beautiful Magazine.

Can you make custom orders?
Definitely. I have just agreed to make a necklace for a lady who wants me to
use a dried mushroom specimen in a similar way to my nature range.

Where can we buy your work?
At the moment and until 13th October, my work is for sale at Plush Jewellery in Chichester, and more stockists are to follow shortly.

I will also be at the Handm@de fair in Oxford on November 9th. Online I sell on http://www.penny-dog.co.uk/ , http://pennydogaccessories.etsy.com/ and
http://www.folksy.com/pennydog

Sparkles of Talent

This interview features the multi-talented Jamie Hinson.

How did you get started ?
I learned how to string pearls in college from a family friend that's a jeweler. My mother bought me a beautiful bead book for my birthday that same year that had some instructions in it. I learned from that and kept trying to make everything I could find instructions on. I am self-taught for everything I do.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique?
I usually post my more "one of a kind" items here in my shop. My website is designed so that I have styles of earrings, necklaces, etc to peruse, then you can help design your piece by choosing the color, length, etc from drop-down menus. Makes it more fun for the customer.

- How long have you been doing it?
Over 10 years for jewelry, over 25 years for crochet

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?
It's a hobby turned business. I am an occupational therapist and can incorporate beads and crafts into my therapy. Then this is MY therapy when I get home.

- Where are you from?
Friendswood, TX--suburb of Houston that is b/w Houston and Galveston.

- How do you promote your work?
Blog, word of mouth, craft shows, Etsy, Myspace,etc

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists?
Do what you love, and don't be afraid to incorporate different mediums, items into your work.

- Anything else you'd like to add?
I love custom orders. That way people get exactly what they want.

Thank you Jamie
website: http://www.sparklystrandz.com/
blog: sparklystrandz.blogspot.com