Wearable Art That Catches Eyes

Random Facts About You?

I am studying for a second bachelor's degree, this time in natural sciences focusing on chemistry with some biology.
I have a rare disease that means I can't always work on my craft as much as I want.
I live in Cambridge, UK, possibly the most beautiful city on the planet.
I've lived on three continents, Asia, Europe, North America.

What got you started crafting?

I think I was born to craft, even when I made a mess and tools were confiscated, I found a way! I have collected bead since I was a teenager or maybe longer, I think my first bead purchase was in Austria, a beautiful crystal bead. I have dabbled in many crafts but I always come back to beading.

What is your source of inspiration?

Anything and everything! Often I work around a cabochon or large bead and see where that leads me. I also like to convert patterns I see all over the place into bead woven designs. This could be things such as a tiled floor, a quilt pattern, a stain glass window etc.

What have you made recently?

My last big piece was and Art Deco inspired bracelet created as a response to a challenge that called for circles and squares to be formed into new shapes. I sketched out many ways of combining circles and squares on graph paper until I found one I was happy with. I carefully traced it onto a beading foundation. Then the embroidery began. I had chosen basic colours to emphasise the shapes in the design. Once the embroidery was done I needed to finish the item off so it could be worn. I felt the squares needed to stand out when the bracelet was worn on the wrist, so I cut plastic to size to back them. Then the full backing was done with ultrasuede. With the complex shapes I had created brick stitching around the edges for a neat finish was a challenge and I did several areas with size 15 beads to make sure it was done well. The final task was to add a clasp. To make sure this was integral to the work I made it from some of the beads that had been used in the embroidery. As I live alone, I hate bracelets that need someone else to fasten them, so I always create designs that can be self fastened.

Where do you sell your crafts presently?

Through my etsy shop, though sales have been slow whilst I figure out how to market my goods. I have also sold at shows and via word of mouth. I also gift my creations and help my children to make simpler items for them to gift.

Why are handmade crafts important to you?

Buying handmade supports artists. It also avoids supporting big conglomerates who often have dodgy practices going on. If you buy cheap jewellery from a market you cannot guarantee it has not been made by child labour or other underpaid workers.

Find Me

Location
UK, I ship worldwide

Email Address
Anne Harrison

Personal Website
http://sallygoroundthemoon.etsy.com

Twitter
@SallyRoundMoon