We meet Carrie who loves crafting and makes her living from it!
Featured Member Interview
How did you find CO+K and why did you join?
I first found Cut Out + Keep a few years ago when I was looking for a sewing pattern for a burlesque bustle skirt. I absolutely love crafting, in fact I make my living from it, so the website really inspired and appealed to me.
What projects are you currently working on?
My next project for fun is going to be a special present for a friend (mentioning no names as she might be reading this interview!). I’m also working on my rockabilly jewellery business.
Stats
- Joined
- May 8, 2011
- Location
- Projects
- 8
- Featured Projects
- 1
- Favorited
- 120 times
What does your craft space look like?
I have a huge craft desk upstairs but I tend to make jewellery on my craft trays. I use a large black tray as a base and a smaller foldable craft tray that slots on top nicely so that I have a double-decker craft space (check out what I mean in the picture!). This means I can work really comfortably on the sofa and usually listen to a film or music channel while I craft.
Which tool or craft supply do you use the most?
The tool I currently use the most are my set of pliers. I have needle nose, round nose and wire cutter pliers. I use them every day. My most popular selling necklaces are made from jump rings and every one of them needs to be opened and then attached to another jump ring. I usually spend 2-3 hours a day with my pliers in my hands!
In the kitchen I use my Kenwood chef very often for all kinds of uses (breadcrumbs, whisking, making smoothies and grating). It was a birthday present two years ago and I use it probably 3 times a week, it’s so handy!
What do you craft along to?
This morning I crafted along to The Two Towers, last night I made some earrings to a low budget disaster movie and the day before I was listening to The Great Gatsby while I crafted along – so quite a mixture of things. I’m really into Katie Perry at the moment, and have been listening to her in the kitchen.
Carrie's Most Popular Projects
Favorite Craft
The crafts that come the most naturally to me are cooking and jewellery making. I’ve been cooking and crafting since I was a kid. I enjoy baking so much, especially since I have a sweet tooth! I also now have a rockabilly jewellery business called Betsy B Good which is such a pleasure to run; a great channel for my creativity and so rewarding.
Carrie's Top Crafts
If you could learn one new craft or make anything, what would it be?
I would love to get into soldering and metal craft, working with silver etc. I bought a book on it and have my soldering iron at the ready, so watch this space for some new tutorials!
Who are your crafting heroes?
My ultimate crafting hero is definitely my inspirational cousin Mintmintmoomoo: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/users/86988
She is an artist and we have often collaborated on crafts together; from millinery and sewing to cooking, writing a screen play, nail art, makeup art, hair styling and jewellery making. Not to mention the adorable embellished/handcrafted letters we used to send each other a few years ago. I am the proud owner of some of her paintings, one which features a smoking geisha which I was the muse for.
My Dad is my kitchen crafting hero. He taught me to cook all sorts of meals and baked goods when I was young. Cooking together was such fun! He is still the one I go to for advice on how to cook new things I’ve never done before.
Carrie K.'s Favorite Projects
My favourite projects are: The Burlesque Bustle Skirt: I really love the pictures of skirt and have meant to make it for years. I still need to buy enough material to complete the skirt, just because so much material is needed! I planned to modify the pattern and make the skirt longer at the front. Victory Rolls: I used this how-to when I first started victory rolling my hair. I found it really helpful. At first I thought the tutorial made it look too easy, but since I’ve been victory rolling my hair and got better with practice I realise that it is an easy hairstyle to achieve. Rockabilly Wiggle Dress: I also adore this rockabilly wiggle dress. I love rockabilly fashion – this dress is so me. It’s on my to-do list. Why is there so much craft and so little time?!
And finally...
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