Since speaking with passionate creative entrepreneur, Deborah Sokell, last week, I’ve been inspired to look into the handmade industry a little deeper. As my area of expertise is modern/contemporary art, the craft side of things is really pretty new to me. Two British-based organisations with a strong online presence – Folksy and UK Handmade – have made a great impression so far…
'Foxy', a custom ordered bear by Deborah Sokell, mink faux fur, large ribbon around neck
The OED defines ‘folksy’ as ‘Sociable; also, unpretentiously companionable; informal, casual’. Folksy.com – the UK’s answer to Etsy – is undeniably community-oriented, friendly and fun to browse, but there’s real sophistication involved too. This is true for both the database-cum-store’s simply beautiful appearance and excellent search options, as well as the obvious care and attention each seller puts into their ‘objects de craft’ and their individual shop presentation.
Folksy’s fabulous mission, as described on their website, is to ‘marry up designers and crafters with buyers who want individual, quality stuff that’s made with love.’ To further this aim, the Folksy grassroots community of makers recently helped out with a successful social networking campaign to capture the attention of Queen of Shopping, Mary Portas. This campaign was spearheaded and organised by UK Handmade and Handmade & Fabulous!, a popular craft site. Ms Portas’ enthusiastic and constructively critical response will, I hope, propel the handmade movement forward, and demonstrates the dedication and organisational skills already in place within the web-savvy designer-maker community.
Driftwood four-poster bed by Free Range Designs & Corset chair by Couture Upholstery
UK Handmade is a ‘design led online magazine committed to showcasing and promoting the best creative talent the UK has to offer’. Playing a pivotal role in developing and sustaining the Portas campaign, links to Mary’s response and the campaigners’ next steps are posted on their site. I spoke with Kirsten Miller of UK Handmade, who had this to say about the movement’s future…
Handmade is coming into its own, and as a result of our successful joint campaign with the Handmade and Fabulous! blog, Mary Portas now has the handmade movement on her radar. It’s up to everyone in the handmade industries to take their business to the next level – it’s not about competing with mass-produced goods, it’s about being seen as a real alternative to them, which gives consumers a much wider choice whilst supporting the UK economy. There is definitely a trend in consumer buying towards the unique and the individual – with a concerted effort by everyone in the handmade industries, we can meet that demand and become a respected and valued part of the economy.
It’s not all about promotion, however. UK Handmade also produces gift guides for occasions such as weddings; provides networking opportunities for creatives; posts how-tos and recipes; hosts competitions and an opportunities noticeboard; has a forum to swap tips and advice on everything from where to find recycled silver to how to raise your profile; and has a team of enthusiastic editors, writers, teachers and events organisers hard at work in service to the handmade industry. It’s a comprehensive network of sites, discussions, shops and blogs - a true resource for crafters and emerging businesses all over the UK.
To close, I’ve loved finding out more about the growing handmade movement and I’m sure that contemporary artists and designer-makers have much in common – we’d benefit from working together more closely. Here’s my pick of Folksy shops for your visual (and spending!) pleasure…
'Jewel Brights Vintage Jewelery Bouquet' by Debbie Carlisle, DC Bouquets
With totally mindblowing design and technique, vintage jewel encrusted, hand-sewn DC Bouquets sums up in visual and tactile form what the handmade movement is all about
Interviewed on my blog two weeks ago today, A Farmer’s Daughter makes greetings cards and flower presses with a wholesome, rural theme
Quernus crafts, run by Kirsten, is an emporium of handmade, super sweet, tiny, polymer clay animals
Handmadecharlie makes pretty, delicate jewelery inspired by old-time prints and fabrics, temptingly photographed against romantic backgrounds
I was stunned to come across Free Range Designs, a family business making original & gorgeous wooden furniture: quirky beds, sexy chaise longues & geometric tables
If you’re after delicate jewelery with a gently Celtic feel, have a look at Aeris‘ shop
Brilliant, colourful, intricately designed applique broaches and other one-off items are to be found at Janes’ Applique Originals
Tree Gems makes beautiful – and often useful – objects from wood. Examples are a match box, jewelery box, pendant, shawl pin and yarn spinner
Pussy Galore is the place to shop for teddies with a difference – she sells stunningly cute, cuddly cats and kittens made from socks!
Handmade miniature houses from Teapot Cottages – very unusual, in a good way
Thinking of unusual homes, there’s also Sarah Louise Dix’s Couture Upholstery, where the coats, corsets and gowns of high fashion meet lux furniture
Finally… fun handbags by Loulabelle
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Once again, to find out more about Deborah Sokell’s Bee Bears collectible teddy bear range -and her personal commissions – visit her Folksy shop, or her blog
photo credit: gatogrunge – something a little dark for the onset of Autumn?
