Interview with Sharon, who designs
and crafts stitcheries, continued.
Can you describe one stitchery design you have created that you would
consider your favourite?
Rosie The Cat is my absolute favourite. I designed it for my daughter
Katie. Rosie The Cat has been designed in a wallhanging with vintage rose
fabric and combined with wool felt. She has a garden with daisies and
lavender stitched on the front finished off with gorgeous vintage lace
and shimmering pink vintage glass buttons.
Why would you suggest stitchery as a craft for someone looking for
a new hobby?
If you are looking for a hobby that is fun, creative and relaxing
stitchery might be for you. I doesn't matter whether you choose something
that takes a day or something that takes a week the satisfaction you get
from creating something of your own is great
Can you describe your workspace?
Hmm my workspace at the moment is in the middle of my kitchen surrounded
by my four children's toys everywhere, lots of noise from visiting neighbours
children and some sort of organised chaos.
If you would change it, what would you do?
I would love to have my own office, which is something we are attempting
to do at the moment. But is good being around the children as they feel
they are part of everything I create. They all love watching me sew and
do drawing. they are are all into doing drawing and scrapbooking at the
moment so the house is adrift with ribbons, buttons and glitter. 
Rosie The Cat What benefits have you found the internet has for your business?
Willberry-Lane being on-line has created an amazing opportunity for
my work to be viewed by someone in the next suburb, state or around the
world. I have had enquiries from overseas and in Australia and I find
it amazing that someone overseas can log on and look at something you
are doing in another Country. It also means that your work is easily accessible
to both people wanting to buy something for themselves and maybe a store
who is interested in stocking your products.
What are two craft tools that you could not live without?
My little vintage sewing box which houses the threads, needles and
pins for whatever I am currently working on and my cute toile fabric patchwork
bag which holds everything I can fit into it!
I really like the Vintage Mammy Angel in your gallery online. Can
you outline the general process behind making something like that?
The Vintage Mammy Angel is so sweet. She is easy to do and looks cute
and cosy too. With something like this you would do the panel on the front
first and applique all the fabric in the correct positions then do the
stitchery design. Once that part is completed you cut the fabric for the
border and sew it to the sides of the panel. The piece of fabric for the
back of the cushion is cut to the same size as the panel with the fabric
stitched to the sides. The bobble trim is pinned in between the two pieces
of fabric. Then you just sew it all together, stuff it with some cushion
filler and slip stitch it closed. EASY!! The Vintage Mammy Angel is available
in kit form so that you don't have to worry about buying anything other
than the stuffing or you can purchase the pattern only with instructions
for the cushion.
How long do you think it would take to do just the stitchery part
of that?
The stitchery part does not take long at all. Once the fabric is appliqued
on and you stitch the design you could have that part done in a day if
you wanted to.
Where else do you sell your designs, other than at your online store?
Willberry-Lane designs are only available through my on-line store at
www.willberry-lane.com and
they will soon be available through my ebay store. My designs will soon
become available in a few stores in New South Wales and are available
also through markets that I attend at Maitland on the north coast of NSW.
All details for these are available on my website.
Are there any issues or problems that you think are unique to an art
or craft business?
I think most areas of business have their pitfalls and the art and
craft business is no different. I have only had positive experiences so
far, everyone I have been in contact with has been helpful and willing
to pass on information which would assist me in continuing to learn about
this industry. I think there is a wide scope for everyone to be involved
in art and craft whatever you may be interested in but I do think most
people get discouraged at attempting things because there is such a wide
variety of things to choose from to do. 
Vintage Mammy Angel Free plug time: Why should Aussie Craft readers click on the link
below and check out your website?
Willberry-Lane has a range of stitchery designs to suit the beginner
and the more experienced stitcher. The children's range will be expanding
rapidly and will have many new items available over the next month. Boys
and Girls are both catered for. Babies don't miss out either as there
are new and wonderful designs and patterns for new mums to make for their
new little ones available in the next month. Most of my designs combine
both stitchery and applique with either fabric or wool felt and I try
to combine my range of vintage buttons as well as they just set off children's
pictures with their lovely colours. I am also more than happy to make
up any pattern that is unique, this may include your child's name or maybe
a specific pattern you might have in mind. There is also going to be a
great range of children's fabric from America that will be available soon
so don't miss out on creating a beautiful haven for your children to dream
and imagine in. So log on to www.willberry-lane.com
and have a look at my new range available now.
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