Designer Interview: Lucy of Moseley's Giftware

This week's interview is with Lucy fom Moseley's Giftware.

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Welcome Lucy! Where can we find your designs online?  My business is called Moseley’s Giftware, and my website is www.moseleysgiftware.co.uk

What do you make?  I’m a bit of a serial cross-crafter, so I make jewellery, cards, candles, tea cosies and bunting. I like my stall to look like a treasure trove, where people can root around to find their own treasure!

Where does your inspiration come from? My inspiration comes from quietness. I like to sit peacefully, and from there I tend to get my best ideas! I also like spending time in nature for the same reason.

What tips do you have for generating ideas for designs?  I think it is good to be playful and creative. Get out your craft materials, and let loose! If you find that something isn’t working, just go back to it another day. And if you don’t like how something has turned out, jot down how you would prefer to do it next time.

Sometimes our mistakes lead us to make good products in the end.

How do you record your ideas?  I have a notepad, which I take round everywhere with me. When I get an idea, I write it down or sketch it out. I don’t always have the time to make my ideas up straight away, so with them jotted down, I know I can look at them again and make them at a later date.

What tips do you have for motivating yourself?  Enjoy what you do! I find it quite easy to motivate myself when I know I will enjoy it. When I am feeling a bit stuck, I will normally do something nice for myself like have a bath or read a magazine… that usually leaves me feeling relaxed and refreshed, ready to get back to what I need to do!

Do you have any time management tips?  Lists, lists, lists! I am all for writing down all the tasks that need to be done, breaking them down into smaller tasks if needs be. If I have lots to do, I’ll order them in terms of their priority.

What's your workspace like?  My workspace is wherever I feel like it! I do my knitting in bed, on the sofa, on the bus – wherever takes my fancy, or wherever I feel is most comfortable at the time. I do my card making and my sewing at my desk though, as you need a hard surface for those tasks.

Where can we find your designs for sale?  I’m a regular at South Lambeth Market in South London, and I do other ad hoc fairs around the area. I’m also a part of a local collective of designer-makers, called Makerhood. But unless you live near, I suspect the internet is the best place to find my work!

Do you have any top tips for other designer makers?  Do what you love! You will enjoy working, and find what you do very rewarding.

Anything else you want to add?  Starting up a craft business is tough work, but if you’re committed to it, you will make it through the hard times.  When you are at fairs, remember that other people in the craft business are like your colleagues, and it is much more fun if you have them as friends than as business rivals.

You can follow Lucy in all these places:

Blog: www.moseleysgiftware.co.uk/blog

Facebook: www.facebook.com/moseleysgiftware

Twitter: www.twitter.com/#!/lucy_moseley

Thank you Lucy for agreeing to be interviewed and sharing your crafting insights with us.

If you're interested in small craft businesses, tutorials, and just handmade in general, pop over to Handmade Monday where you'll find a whole load of fascinating blog links to peruse!