Hey there, can you introduce yourself?

Hi, I'm Kate! I have a business called The Makery - we have a crafty shop and run workshops from our home in Bath. We have also recently written a book, also called Makery.

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Tell us a bit about the book?

It's really a collection of all the things I've been wanting to make for a while, but couldn't find the time! I wanted to include a range of crafts, and have tried to include projects that appeal to beginners as well as the more craftily adept.

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What was the inspiration behind it?

It's something I've always wanted to do - like the ultimate school project, except not for school!

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Which is your favourite project?

The Stag Head, definitely. They're all over the place now, but when I first made him (yes, he's a he) in 2009, I'd not seen anything like it. He takes pride of place in my little girl's bedroom now.

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What is your craft space like?

It's at The Makery - I rarely make things at home, since everything is at my disposal at our workshop. I should pinch myself more often - I'm so lucky to have a whole building, actually 2 buildings, filled floor to ceiling with crafty paraphernalia.

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Have you always been creative?

Most definitely - it's in the blood.

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When did you first start crafting?

My mum has the first picture I ever drew - a dog. And she also has the first 'proper' thing I made: a sewing caddy for my mum, a bit like one of those crocheted toilet roll holders. I made it in secret in my bedroom as a surprise for her, out of an old Laura Ashley skirt! I think the little nimble fingers aided the intricacy - not sure I could make it quite as neatly in such small proportions these days!

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Who are your crafty heroes?

Cath Kidston's latest book - Coming Up Roses, is brilliant I think. I'm so pleased she wrote it, and even more pleased I now know her story. It changed my perception completely, and is a great business inspiration book.

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Where do you find inspiration?

I definitely get most of my inspiration from just walking around and soaking up what's going on. The idea for the cuckoo clock in the book, for instance, came whilst I was at a flea market in Paris. There was a stall with loads of cuckoo clocks, and I loved them! So I thought - ah, I'll make one out of felt! Rather than carry one home to Bath, you know.

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What's next for you?

Gosh, so much. We're shooting book 2 at the moment - it focuses on sewing, my first love! We're also consolidating our two premises into one larger one in the centre of Bath, which is taking a lot of my time to plan. We're also launching our kit range next week - eek!

"Taking pride of place on our ever evolving shelf of craft tomes is new book Makery by Kate Smith." - Laura Ashley Blog "Psst! Stop daydreaming about that future craft business, and get ready to take some notes." - Mollie Makes This beautiful craft book is a contemporary collection of more than 30 must-make projects that ooze style and personality. Kate's smart ideas are complemented with friendly instructions and handy tips to guide you, so that you achieve great results every time. It is divided into 3 sections, so that you can choose whether to make something to wear, something for your home, or a special gift. Fashion is where she reveals her stunning fashion accessories, from a funky sunglasses case, cosy crochet slippers and a stylish shoulder bag. Gifts, including a kooky fabric cuckoo clock, card wallet & passport case, and a make-up roll for brushes. Finally are the projects for the Home, where she reveals some clever ways to create pretty tea light tins, a cute fifties frilly apron and a chunky rug, among many other exciting projects. Kate believes that, as with cooking, the ingredients you use in crafting are key to the end result. Choose your ingredients well, follow her clear instructions, and the end result will be stunning. Just some of the gorgeous things you'll learn to make include...Fashion Clasp Purse Crochet slippers Wrist Warmers Vintage Tape measure brooch Sunglasses Case Shoulder Bag Gifts Card Wallet & Passport Case Make-up Roll Monogram Key ring Hand-carved rubber stamps Lunch Bag Cuckoo Clock Home Decoupage Tins & Pots Embroidered Bed Linen Chunk Rug Free-Machine Embroidered Cushion Patchwork Pouffe Tea Light Tins Book Ends Fifties frilly Apron With Stitches & Tips and much much more!