Interview with… Cute Designs

I’m always amazed at the cute plushies and amigurumi animals that come out on a regular basis from Cute Designs. They are all designed, stitched, embellished and given names and stories by Donna, and she sells them through several venues. Designed to be collectables, there will be someone to appeal to everyone…

Who are you and where do you come from?
I’m Donna and I’m in Herts, UK.

What do you do in your spare time other than craft?
I love watching films and playing video games.  I love playing on my Nintendo DS and Wii.  I also like spending time with my cats and reading sci-fi and fantasy books. 🙂

What is your favourite game at the moment?
At the moment on my Wii I am enjoying Star Wars the Force Unleashed and on my DS I am loving Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise.

Please tell us a little bit about what you make… What do you enjoy making most, crochet or plush?
I like to design amd make little plushies out of felt and also crocheted amigurumis.  I mainly love making animals because I have always loved them and it can be fun turning them into little characters to appeal to other people.

It’s a tough one being asked if I prefer crochet or plush.  I really love both.  Sometimes felt can be better as you can really get it to look very much like your design on paper and is also a quicker process to produce.  Crochet takes me longer but I like having cute 3D critters and find crochet really relaxing. 🙂

What are your most popular pieces?
For my plushies people seem to like little Felix “Scout” McFrosty, and for my crochet, Marvin the Monkey seems to be loved by many.

What are your main inspirations and ideas behind making your creatures?
Animals.  I love making animals and anything cute as I also love kawaii and quirky stuff.  I love Japanese style designs.

What are you currently making?
At the moment I am making a crochet kawaii purple bunny requested by a friend. 🙂

Can you make custom orders?
Yes, I have taken custom orders in the past.  If I think I can make it I will do it.

Where can we buy your work?
http://www.cutedesigns.co.uk
http://cutedesigns.etsy.com
http://www.folksy.com/shops/cutedesigns

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Ulverscroft Grange craft fair, September 13th

This fair was a bit more successful than my last, I took £81 and amongst others, I sold these!

 

 

I also met Sam from Incy Wincy Stitches (http://www.incywincystitches.com/) who bought my starfish necklace (thanks!) and makes lovely buttons and other fabric-y bits and bobs like these:

 

And continuing the spider theme, Tickly Spider (http://www.ticklyspider.co.uk/), who only live a short distance from me were selling their primitive and rustic style goods. They bought some of my magnets- thank you!:

 

See you at the Barrow Craft Fair on November 2nd!

Spotlight on… Strawberry Anarchy

Yes, I am driven by colour, I think my last few choices of shops have shown that! Based in Scotland, Strawberry Anarchy (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5077473) makes a wide range of different, fun accessories. My favourite are the vials with fruit inside, which as she says “would go well with [my] fruit stud earrings”! I think we use the same supplier 😉 Here’s a few pretty pictures (with links) to get your mouths watering:

If you have any great tips for sellers to feature, either in the UK or elsewhere in the world, please drop me an e-mail at kerry@penny-dog.co.uk