Introduce yourself & say Hello!

[#1]

The Made in Devon team is a little over a year old and is still evolving...

So whether you are brand new or have been a team member a while, do pop in, say hello and tell us what it is that you do. What is it about being creative in Devon that is important to you? What would you like from this team?

This team can evolve into whatever matters to you! If you don’t see a discussion you would like to engage in – why not start one yourself! Ask questions, offer advice, get something off your chest – get involved and see what happens....

To get the ball rolling – I am Lynn, a printmaker in Exeter and part of Double Elephant Print Workshop. Mt Etsy shop is coming up to 3 years old in July. I’m pretty pleased with how it’s going – but I had v modest aims of selling one print a month, & v happy to have exceeded that. It was partly the colour of Devon soil that encouraged me to move into the area – but that’s a longer story.....

I’ve noticed this comment in the origin “welcome” thread from Ren from Fairysteps and think it would be a good idea to reiterate it here -

“For all members...

If you click on the 'Subscribe to digest' link on the left hand side menu of this page, you will receive all updates that happen within the Made in Devon team!

A great way to make sure you don't miss anything!”

BIG FAT DEVON WELCOME TO ALL.

[Former_Member]

Hello all, I've just joined!
I'm living and working in Colyton, East Devon, making hand made leather goods. I've lived in Devon for most of my life, and can't imagine a good reason to live anywhere else.

I studied Fine Art (painting) in Exeter, (University of Plymouth 1997-2001) graduating in 2000, and then wandered East until I ended up here, with regular trips to Exeter and Dartmoor to play folk music with friends, and enjoy the bright lights.

Am looking forward to getting to know you all, and perhaps having some meet-ups for real at some point.

[CranesLaneDesigns]

Hi Liz & welcome to the team. It's nice to know other leather workers here in Devon. I'm a fairly new business & have been on Etsy only about 6 months but am happy with how it's going.
Have you done any craft fairs locally, and if so did you find them successful? I tried Killerton Christmas fair last year which was great & am planning on doing some smaller ones more local to me at Exmouth pavilion this year.

[Lasercutz]

Hi Liz, welcome ;)

[Former_Member]

Hello All, I've just joined the team, it's nice to meet you all. I have a brand new etsy shop WithTin which I have just opened, but I have a much older Etsy Shop too called Fluxplay. I was a member of EtsyMetal for several years, but it was time for a change.

I live in the Tamar Valley in a village called Bere Alston which is near Tavistock and I work in my workshop there two days or more a week and I teach at Plymouth College of Art 3 days a week. Though from Wales originally, I've lived all over the place since then, but settled in Devon since 1999. I took my BA hons in Jewellery and Silversmithing at Central Saint Martins in the late 80's, did Post Grad teaching in the mid 90's at Cardiff and completed a Design MA last year at the University of Plymouth.

If anyone is in the Plymouth Area, there's a nice exhibition to go and see over the next 7 weeks from Monday 27th April to Saturday 6th June (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-2pm, closed Sunday). It's called LIVE MAKE and features a ceramics artist, glass artist, printed textiles, constructed textiles, weave, and me (we're all teaching staff). It's in the gallery at Plymouth College of Art and is really easy to find in the town centre, near the library and opposite the shopping mall and the large copper "Roland Levinsky Building" of the Uni' across the road from us. The gallery has a large window which looks out from the front of the college. Just walk in through the reception and turn right - you're there. Free entry, everyone is welcome.

Maria

[YellowT4Studio]

Hi Maria
Nice items and I love the local connection. Welcome to the merry band

Janners

[BeespokeofDevon]

Hi i'm Jo, born and bred in Exeter and I am in my first year of selling on Etsy. I make natural (soy and beeswax) candles. I'm also about to launch a range of aromatherapy creams once they have passed their cosmetic safety assessments. I also enjoy selling at craft fairs through which i have made some amazing friends and gained invaluable support and advice,

[YellowT4Studio]

Welcome aboard Joanne
We are a merry band, so feel free to chip in any time.
Janners

[Former_Member]

Hello! I've just joined the Devon Easy team!

I grew up in Exeter, then moved to Cornwall to study fine art a few years back. I graduated in September, and have recently moved back home whilst I work out how to keep being creative outside of education.

I make animations, and I'm trying to find a way to support this, so I decided to start making some prints taken from stills. Before university I had done some printmaking but absolutely fell in love with the process at university (Falmouth has a gorgeous print room). I'm currently looking at ways to develop my these, and I'm always excited to hear about new methods!

Looking forward to meeting people :)

Emily

[Jamberoon]

Hello everybody, I have lived in Torquay for the last 40 years so not exactly a local yet! I've been with Etsy for about three years I think. I originally started with selling bags I made but the competition was too good! then left for a bit, then came back with rag dolls. Basically I love sewing and really wish I had more time to make a lot more stuff. There are so many creative ideas in my head but only a few hours a week to do anything about it!

Nice to see some fellow Devonians here. don't feel so "lost" now.

[LynnBaileyPrintmaker]

Greetings new team members Emily and Kim.

Please feel free to use the team discussions to ask questions or share events and things you are interested in.
You would have seen from my "convos" to you that there will be some news regarding how this team might develop soon. As new as you are, your opinions are just as important as team members who have been here a lot longer.

I look forward to seeing your shops grow.

L

[NicolaCornishDesigns]

Hi , I'm Nicola and I run Orchard Fruit from my cottage in East Devon just outside Honiton in the Blackdown Hills. After leaving teaching last year, I decided to make more of my sewing and started the shop. I feel very new to the business and know I have lots to learn.
I look forward to being part of the Devon team!

[Lasercutz]

Hi Nicola - welcome to the team. You are just up the road from me in Honiton ;)

Best
Dave

[Former_Member]

Janners here.
I have opened a shop as a result of some badgering by a few photographers and artists. The idea is to put their work on iPhone covers and see if it sells.
I am to blame as I moan continually at photographers and artist for having loads of work that never gets seen.
Take art... you draw / etch / paint then sell it....well done. BUT how many people have the opportunity to see it and enjoy it now?
Then some smart arse suggested I print and sell it.....no that wasn't the idea!
Then a beer and coffee induced brain wave arrived. I put it on a phone cover and for every case that sells with the artist / photographer image on they get a £1. Somehow I have been landed with administering it....friends who out wit me!
So we are giving it a try. No idea if it will work.

So that's this adventure introduced.

Janners

[Former_Member]

Greetings iPhonePhotographyArt AKA Janners,

Seeing as you introduced yourself wearing your other hat, I thought I would welcome you wearing my other hat.

Welcome to the team!

Double Elephant AKA Lynn ;-)

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone. I'm Ross, a printmaker living in Honiton. I studied printmaking in Cheltenham in the late 90s and dabbled loosely in bits and pieces of artistic expression whilst living in London and then France during the 00s and early 10s. I joined the Double Elephant print workshop for two spells having moved to Devon with my fiance, Emma in 2011 and that helped re-ignite my printmaking flame, in particular for screen printing.

At the end if last year I kitted out a studio in my garden and began producing limited edition silkscreen prints of colourful little characters and intend for the moment at least to continue expanding on this series of works.

Emma and I have two little ones, Finley and Lois. When I'm not working my day job or printing or playing with the children, I am mostly doing bits to our house and garden. I run a couple of times a week and if I had time, which I don't, I'd do lots of walking and play my guitar!

Looking forward to learning more about the group members

Cheers!

Ross

[YellowT4Studio]

Hi Ross
Love the images. Anything I can do for you just shout out.
Janners

[LynnBaileyPrintmaker]

Great to catch up with you Ross, & nice to keep that Double Elephant connection going too.

L

[Lasercutz]

Hi Ross - another Honitonite here but only for the last 2 years ;)

Best
Dave

[Former_Member]

Hello! I was previously a member under 'Sun N Sparkles' but we had a complete re-brand recently and are now known as 'Perfectly Fine Designs' - I'm Kelly and I live in Exeter with my hubby, 3 children, Alfie dog & Buttons the Hamster!

I design and make handbags of all shapes and sizes, along with other fabric gifts such as make-up bags, cushions and scooter bags for children. I have been sewing for the past 4 years and am self taught.

My Etsy shop is 'in progress' along with my website as I'm really busy sewing custom orders at the moment!

I'm in the process of creating some 'Made in Devon' treasuries which I hope will feature all of us eventually!

[Former_Member]

Hi, I'm Anne and we have moved down to Devon (Aveton Gifford) last year from Manchester, however my husband is originally from Dartmouth. I have a 4 year old little girl and I love all things crafty! My main love is bead embroidery and I've been making bead embroidered jewellery for a couple of years. I also love sewing and make my own patterns. Also I'm new to Etsy so any tips are always welcome!

[LynnBaileyPrintmaker]

Welcome Anne,

Fab jewellery – not exactly what I was expecting from a “beader”.
I shall be sending you the official team welcome letter in just a mo. It has some tips about making the most of being part of the team.

For tips about getting started on Etsy, I find this check list is useful for troubleshooting your own shop. http://etsymentors.blogspot.co.uk/p/critique-your-own-shop.html

There a lot to get set up right from the start, one of the things that it is very important to get sorted as soon as poss are the shop policies. I’ve seen this is missing from quite a few shops lately.

When you are feeling ready and feel like having a shop critique, either start a new thread for a shop critique or bump up this one https://www.etsy.com/teams/15348/made-in-devon/discuss/16254965/

L

[YellowT4Studio]

Very impressive!

[Former_Member]

Thanks very much for the tips, I've got straight on to dealing with my shop policies!

[Lasercutz]

Hi Kelly (previous page) and Anne ;)

[Former_Member]

Hello, I’m John. I make badges and letterpress prints. There's a selection of my own creations in the ‘Moderate or Good’ Etsy shop; I can also make work to order from your own designs – drop me a line if you’d like to know more (moderateorgood.co.uk).

I'm based in Exeter. As well as crafting, I run a design/technology business (clockworksatellite.co.uk), help run a community radio station (phonic.fm) and volunteer in a fablab (fablabdevon.org).