Music Monday - Ali Ingle

Ali Ingle

 

 

 

Beautifully imaginative!! Ali Ingle is a close to home singer/songwriter from Liverpool who comments poetically on life. Using captivating melodies and witty wisdom beyond his years, he gently narrates his emotional adventure through love, hope, violence and despair. With well observed lyrics and disarming charm, you will have no choice but to be moved by this young, brave and most importantly honest musician.

Honest music for a generation of dreamers.

Biography

"I'm not trying to change the world or make a statement. My music is just the ramblings and inner thoughts of an attention seeking kid who never quite grew up."
Ali Ingle

 

Ten Questions with Ali Ingle

 

 

1 – When did your love affair with music start and did you always know it was what you wanted to do with your life?

 

 

I guess I’ve always been into music for as long as I can remember. My mum and dad were always big music fans so I just couldn’t escape it really. I never would have imagined that I’d become a singer or songwriter though! That was definitely something I just kind of fell into. I was always just told to find something your good at and enjoy, then just follow that to the end. And I’m pretty sure that’s what I intend to do.

 

 

2 – Your songs are all wonderfully crafted, and range from beautifully melancholic to poppy and upbeat, are these reflections of your general personality/life, or just fantastic songwriting?

 

 

Thank you very much! I do mainly write from the heart but you have to embellish it a little sometimes. I do feel my music and videos are a perfect reflection of me though, I always put all of myself into both and try not to worry too much about the personal details or what people might think of me. But yeah sometimes it can be fictional if you wanna write about something that doesn’t necessarily happen to you. And I’m definitely a dreamer so I’d be lying if I said it was all 100 percent true. But I think people could probably tell which ones are the most personal songs.

 

 

3 – Does the modern resurgence in the popularity of singer/songwriters give you hope that there’s a place for you in the competitive music world?

 

 

I guess I try not to think about it too much. If I worry about whether I’m gonna be successful then I’ll miss out on the fun of following something new and exciting. I never started out with an idea of where it was gonna end, and I still don’t know which is why it is so exciting. But I guess if you can sing and write a song then there is always a place for you in music. As long as you’re not a ‘flash in the pan’ kind of artist and you learn to adapt and evolve to the market then there’s a good chance of you succeeding. But in the meantime I’m just enjoying doing what I’m doing. I’ll let future Ali worry about how successful he’s gonna be.

 

 

4 – Within the Liverpool scene, are you all aware of just how much of a movement there is growing within that area?

 

I guess you always take for granted the things you’re used to. There are a lot of great acts in Liverpool and a lot of them are my friends so you become a little bit spoilt. I do feel that something is going to break soon though, there is so much talent but it’s just getting it all out of Liverpool to the rest of the world. Every artist just wants to be heard and it can be so frustrating simply getting people to listen. The great thing is that we are all in it together and it gives you a sense of freedom to carry on, like its ok because other people are fighting for a dream too ya know? We will see what happens but I’m gonna stick by my friends and fellow artists as I hope they do the same.

 

 

5 – I love your music videos and think they are a perfect reflection of the songs you write, do you enjoy making these videos and do you have more ideas for the future?

 

Thank you, I really do enjoy making videos, I can’t express enough how much fun I have making them. I am just about to start filming my next two videos ahead of an exciting announcement coming very soon. I won’t spoil the surprise but I have just spent every penny I have in the world to buy a new camera so I can get stuck in! I am even looking into making some videos for other acts too.

 

6 – You recently met David Gray, how exciting was that for you and did he give you any tips as a songwriter / performer?

It was at the top of my bucket list and I did it! I actually met him and he was amazing. A true gent and an incredibly talented songwriter. He gave me some words of advice about arrangements and writing and told me about his struggles in the early days. It was just so encouraging to hear his story and that he liked my stuff. It was such a come down afterwards though, I didn’t wanna leave his house. He wished me luck with everything in the future and hopefully I’ll see him again.

7 – As a fellow Robot lover, I thought your Christmas gig ‘Do robots dream of Christmas’ was an amazing concept, tell me more about your love of Robots?

 

HAHA it’s so good to meet a fellow robot lover. I just think if you’re gonna do something then do something original and make sure you put everything into it. Don’t do anything by halves basically. I’m a big robot fan and a great sci-fi fan so the name was inspired by the Phillip K Dick novel ‘Do androids dream of electric sheep’.  So i simply combined that with my love of Christmas! It was great cos I hadn’t done many gigs due to recording and other commitments so it was my chance to play to all the people who support me constantly. I had to make it as perfect as possible and I feel it went well. But I plan to do a theme for every headline gig I do now. I’m working with tilt shift to do a gig in the summer so look out for another interesting theme!

 

8 – If you could perform with any other act, living or dead, who would it be and why?

 

It would definitely be David Gray. I got to play with him at his house but to perform live would be immense. He truly is the guy who got me into writing and singing so it could only be him really.

 

 

9 – What would be a necessity for you on your dream tour bus?

 

 

Mountain Dew, It sounds kinda hipsterish but it would have to have mountain dew. I live off the stuff. It’s probably burning my insides but I struggle to go a day without it. It’s my vice, I’ll quit one day, but for the meantime bring it on. In fact a Jacuzzi full of mountain dew, with human sized bottles of mountain dew inside it to chill with me.

 

 

10 – What can we expect next from Ali Ingle?

Well I have a big year ahead. I’m gonna be playing some really cool gigs and I have an announcement coming next week that I don’t wanna give too much away about but here’s a clue. I haven’t released any music for sale in 2 years now so it’s time I did something about it….

 

 

It’s been really interesting watching Ali’s journey in the music world and personally I’ve been hooked since I very first saw one of his videos through Tilt Shift Music on Facebook! I’d like to say a huge thank you to my fellow robot loving musician and wish him all the best in the future!

 

Links for Ali Ingle

Website - www.aliingle.co.uk

Facebook - www.facebook.com/aliingle

Twitter - www.twitter.com/aliingle

Soundcloud - www.soundcloud.com/aliingle

YouTube - www.youtube.com/alingle



Feature Friday - Heidi M Illustrations

Heidi M Illustrations

 

From the pages of my sketchbook my watercolour characters are created.
Inspired by the magical book illustrators like Quentin Blake and Shirley Hughes as well as classical Miniature portrait paintings.

With my pen or pencil I love to breathe life into an idea and watch it unfold onto the paper.
I have been drawing for always, ever since I could hold a pencil. At school I would doodle in the margins of my books and at home I would create magical worlds with words and pictures.
Captivated by storytelling I hope that with each new character there is a tale ready to be told.

I draw away in my studio by the sea in Dorset, surrounded by my cats and listening to Radio 4 plays.

 

 

I managed to catch up with Heidi recently, and tear her away from her art to ask her a few questions for the blog.

 

Questions for Heidi M Illustrations

 

1 – What was it about drawing that made you feel such a passion for it and want to take it further than just doodling for fun?

 

I have always been pulled towards drawing. Ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil I would scribble on things and eventually paper.

 

It’s always been a compulsion as well as passion, I feel like I can't stop as my head is constantly filled with ideas. I wanted to share these ideas but it took many years and long term illness to see that hiding away was like switching off the light to my creativity. When I made the decisions to get out there and share my drawings it was then that I felt I was ready to work on turning my dreams into more than just doodling for fun.

 

2 – Your drawings have the wonderful ability to be both magical and lifelike, how did this rather unique combination happen or is it something you always aimed for?

 

Through a process of drawing, experimenting, leaning from mistakes, wrong turns and happy accidents I have come to where I am now with my drawings. I don't feel I ever aimed for anything other than just to learn and evolve. I did always try to shut out the thoughts of what would sell, what would other people like and listen to what I really wanted to create. Right now the direction I am headed in feels true to me but still a work in progress, still always a journey of learning, I do however when I draw always want to try and convey in my drawings somewhere in the spot between reality and day dreams. Real...almost.

 

3 – What is the favourite piece you have created so far, and why?

 

My favourite painting became my favourite piece as it came out of long creative block. For ages I just sat there uninspired and a bit lost but I still carried on drawing. This came from nowhere, I felt very happy creating her and decided to keep her and hang her on my wall - I never usually have any of my art around but she was my creative break through.

 

 

4 – How and where do you usually get your most inspirational ideas?

 

My inspiration often comes in the middle of the night, I never know if I am truly an insomniac or if my ideas wake me up demanding to be written down or sketched. (I keep a sketchbook by my bed) Once one drawing is on paper, the rest all comes out, sometimes words too or lines from songs. From here ideas seem to grow. There is also a wonderful source of inspiration near me and that is the sea, I never get used to how magical it is to head down to the beach.

 

5 – What advice would you give to anyone who enjoys creating art and wants to make more of their talents?

 

The best advice I would say is be true to you, look to your own strengths and work hard on them every day, be committed to your passion and goals, and your talents will grow.

I started off thinking I wasn't creative at all, couldn't draw and that artists - the ones in big studios with smocks and oils paints were the true talents :)  But from drawing every day, working hard and continuing to be open to evolving, I feel my dreams get nearer and bigger.

The true artist I feel is the one that turns up everyday willing to nurture their talents, even if there head is saying "you’re no good"  You will be the more you try.

 

 

Links for Heidi M Illustrations

Blog - Http://heidimmcdonald.blogspot.com

Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/uk/people/LittleNore

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/Heidimmcdonald

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Heidimillustration?ref=hl

 

Writers Wednesday - John Paul Bernett

John Paul Bernett

 

 

 

As a boy I used to write short stories but I would never let anyone read them for fear of them laughing at me; you see I suffered from what is now known as dyslexia. I also had a problem with reading and this exists to this day. If I read more than one page; once I turn the page over I have lost all the information from the previous one. This, you would think was a problem for me and you would be right. Because of it I would destroy anything I had written. I was like this until I met my wife in 2003, then things changed for me. One day she saw something I had written and asked me how long I had been writing. I was embarrassed about it but told her about my problems with reading and writing. She encouraged me to write more and let her edit my work. To cut a long story short she became my muse and gave me a mantra to work to 'There are no wrongs, just write' and in 2012 my first novel was published 'Atkinson's Administration' book one of my Reaper series. 'Rhymes' my first poetry book followed the same year. 2013 saw the publication of 'Atkinson's Armageddon' book two of the Reaper series and 'More Rhymes' my second poetry book. So far in 2014 I have published 'A Switch in Time' a time travelling love story and 'Here We Rhyme again' my third poetry book. I am currently working on 'Atkinson's Adversary' book three of the Reaper series and 'A Woman at The Helm' a follow up to 'A Switch in Time'. I have 50 years worth of stories in my mind to get through so I have a busy time ahead of me.

 

Questions for John Paul Bernett

1 – A lot of your work has a darkness to it, does a lot of this stem from the difficult times you have faced throughout your life?

My darkness in the reaper series The Atkinson books stems from a recurring nightmare I have had since I was a young boy. I dream over and over again that there is a reaper in a different realm of existence cutting the mortal cord (Coil) of the people who die in this one.  It also stems from a torrid time at school in the middle to late sixties where Dyslexia was unheard of and anyone who suffered from it was simply left behind.

 

2 – Do you find writing a cathartic experience?

 

I would say yes to that question because writing about my dreams (which is where most of Atkinson’s Administration came from) is a kind of therapy against the darkness. Also writing is a way of me relaxing especially the poetry. I suppose I go through every emotion there is while writing, but I think you should do that if you are transferring your passion to your work.

 

3 – What is it about the gothic era and Steampunk that you find so inspirational?

 

This one is easy. I became what is now known as a ‘Goth’ just after I emerged from Punk. The lifestyle fitted my way of thinking. I felt at ease in the culture and the colour choice of black or darker was great. I loved the music scene and made many friends that I still have to this day,

Steampunk is relatively new and I got caught up in it when I was writing A Switch in Time. I realised the very fact that I had used the Victorian era as the part of history I wanted my spoilt horrible young woman sent to made this book a hit with so many Steampunks. I was invited to a literary event at the Leeds Central Library. The kind of event where you have a table of your latest offerings and you read part of one of your books. I quickly realised my darker writings i.e. The Reaper series was not what they were after so I asked Bev my wife to read a few pages of the then 30 pages of A Switch in Time and they loved it and now I keep getting asked back to these events.

 

4 – How do you set about writing your novels, what is your basic plan of action?

 

I don’t do the word count per day system I just write as the story comes to me. I have a lot of different types of stories to tell and I have written most of them before in my lifetime of secret writing (A time I spent writing and then destroying the stories before anyone saw them and laughed at me) As an idea comes to me very quickly I begin to remember the story from long ago and then I’m away. I have never tried to push my writing I think it would just make for more editing.

 

5 – What can we expect from you with your writing in the future?

 

What is to come let’s see, parts three, four, five and six of the Reaper Series and at least one sequel to A Switch in Time possibly two. I will be adding more poetry to my Rhymes collection of course. Also I want to collaborate with my wife Bevie of a series of children’s books based on her life with hamsters, but be sure there is more darkness to come and you will fear the reaper

 

Links for John Paul Bernett

 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JpBernettAuthor

 Website - http://jonno41.wix.com/jpbernett

 Interviews - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5Yu7AVXKq0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK08Q2YSyvY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBx-d0_6eAw

 Book links

A Switch in Time- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Switch-Time-John-Paul-Bernett-ebook/dp/B00IQVE82G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397437509&sr=8-1&keywords=john+paul+bernett

Atkinson's Administration - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atkinsons-Administration-The-Reaper-Series-ebook/dp/B00BCSYDG6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397437509&sr=8-2&keywords=john+paul+bernett

Atkinson's Armageddon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atkinsons-Armageddon-The-Reaper-Series-ebook/dp/B00EFEXRGQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397437509&sr=8-3&keywords=john+paul+bernett

 

 

Rhymes - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhymes-John-Paul-Bernett-ebook/dp/B00BFJB6IK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1397437509&sr=8-4&keywords=john+paul+bernett

More Rhymes - http://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Rhymes-John-Paul-Bernett-ebook/dp/B00I7HV2P0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1397437509&sr=8-5&keywords=john+paul+bernett

Music Monday - The John MacLeod Band

 

The John MacLeod Band

 

The John MacLeod Band
From Left to Right - Matt Tyrer, John MacLeod, Paul Hancock, Angela Lazenby

The John MacLeod Band formed in October 2012, after the eponymous John MacLeod (a solo acoustic of many years standing) felt the need to expand his musical family of one, to make more diverse and comprehensive sounds which enabled him to pick up electric guitars in addition to his acoustic (not to mention he was getting lonely).

Paul Hancock takes the bass guitar.  He is a solo artist in his own right, and also plays guitar in bands The Nanateas and The Penny Dreadfuls.  Many moons ago, he was also the lead guitarist in one of Stoke's busier bands, Nemo.

Angela Lazenby is TJMB's drummer.  She is Paul's bandmate in The Nanateas and The Penny Dreadfuls, and is also the one to cajole Paul into answering John's advert for potential band members.

Matt Tyrer is a multi-instrumentalist, bringing keyboards, accordion, synth and string arrangements to the band.  He plays guitar in Dead Radio Society (in which he shares frontman duties), and also is working on a solo project.  After playing onstage with John over the course of a couple of years, he made it clear to John that he would enjoy being part of whatever band he was putting together.

The four of them became fast friends, and within two months of rehearsals set to work on plotting their debut album, on which recording started in February 2013.  Finally, in 2014, it was completed, and released on 28th February, on physical and digital formats.

I managed to catch up with the lovely John MacLeod and he took the time to answer some questions for the blog.

Ten Questions with The John MacLeod Band

1 – What started your love affair with music?

Discovering Crowded House just as they broke up, and from then Neil Finn's Try Whistling This record. I saw him play in Manchester on the accompanying tour for that album, and walked out of the Apollo thinking "THAT'S what I want to be doing."

2 – You went from a solo artist to forming a band, what made you decide to do this and how did you set about recruiting the other band members?

I've been in & out of bands over the last 13-14 years, and they were promising affairs and lots of fun, but ultimately we weren't all pushing in the same direction, which is massively disheartening. After the bands folded, I went back to writing and solo gigging, which has always been good to do, but was becoming less fun the longer I did it. I was starting to write songs and have ideas that were going beyond my capability to realise them, and it was getting lonely. I wanted to make music with friends, and make a big noise. Matt had previously expressed interest in being part of whatever I was going to do, and so I set about posting on Facebook. Paul sent me a text asking if I was still looking, as he and Angela were interested. We had a try-out in October 2012, and it just clicked.  We all want the same thing from it, and we work to the same order, so it's turned out nicely.

3 – What’s the main difference for you between playing solo and now as a collective?

Playing with Ange, Matt & Paul is an absolute joy, and really rewarding. It's great to take those moments in a song to steal a glance at my bandmates & share a grin or a joke.

If you want the main difference though, when I played solo shows, they were always a battle, unless I got a good crowd - you're nearly always fighting against the noise. With the four of us, you're turning the tables immediately, and your chances of being heard increase significantly!

4 – Your songs are all beautifully crafted, is the songwriting process a solitary one or do you all have input?

The songwriting itself for this record has been kind of solitary, because they were all songs that existed prior to the band forming. That said, the arranging of the songs was an entire group effort - as soon as we hit the studio, we all put our heads together. When we focus on new songs, the writing should be more collaborative - Matt's already written a song that we debuted at our album launch gig - and we're starting to jam more, so it'll be interesting to see what comes next.

5 – There feels like there’s a theme that runs through your debut album ‘Unexpected Sunshine’, was there much material that you chose not to put on the album and how did you make those choices?

There is a theme of sorts, in that the songs' stories all lead to the point where we got together as a band to make the record (or for me they do). For a couple of years or so, I had the album's bookends written, quite specifically, and aside from that, it was a matter of picking the songs that fit alongside or within them, which for the most part, comprised our live repertoire for months, with one or two exceptions - there are a couple of songs that I've been playing for donkey's years, which did not fit tonally with the mood of 'Unexpected Sunshine' at all, so they'll see the light of day, studio-wise, in the very near future!

The only song that almost made it onto the record was Universe Colliding.  It was a bonus track for months & months as we couldn't fit it into another part of the album without disrupting the flow, but we eventually excised it, for reasons of time, and we wanted to use it to prologue the album, for those who pre-ordered, at least!

6 – What was the experience of recording the album like?

It was a really exciting experience, very positive, and I learned a lot through the process - for example mixing it, is so far removed from anything you're used to doing as a band. You have to distance yourself from being a performer or a writer, and instead you become an editor. It's a difficult hat to wear at first, but you settle into it after, say, the first mixing session.

There was never a point where I felt we were hitting a brick wall, we'd reach a natural stopping point on a song, then move on to the next. We recorded at Tremolo Studios in Silverdale, and Dan Rowley was a great producer to work with, full of advice & ideas but never intrusive with it - a friendly presence and really skilled at his job. The record is every bit his as well as ours.

The process itself was interesting, because Angela, Paul & I would record the bones of the song (drums, bass, guitars & lead vocals), and Matt would be listening to us, using those sessions to generate ideas, at which point, we'd sort of hand over the reins to him, and he would lay pianos and synths down, and we'd start generating harmonies between the four of us. Studio work would inform what we do onstage, and similarly, things we'd do while playing the songs live would trickle back into the studio.

Angela & Paul had been to Tremolo before, with their band The Nanateas, and Matt has done an extensive range of studio work before this, whereas this was my first time working on anything like this, so I relied on their expertise & skills. Matt's a great arranger, very attentive to dynamics & making sure we don't repeat ourselves from song to song.  Angela pays super attention to the vocals, and Paul & I sit back and listen to everything, saying "That sounds great!" every time, and then go away & troubleshoot when we listen to the rough mixes. Paul & I pore over rough mixes endlessly, I think.

A good chunk of the record was made during 2013's heat wave, which was really rather pleasant!

7 – You have a lot of support as a band, especially in your live shows, what was the reaction to your album like and did it surprise you?

We are really grateful for the people who have bought the album so far, and who have come to our shows. The feedback we've had so far has been really positive, but I'm a realist, and I am aware that we need to get our name out to more people. We're aiming to support as many bands as possible, and when we play to crowds who don't know we're going to be there, the reaction is always great, so I think we need to capitalise on that.

The good feedback has been a relief. I wouldn't say a surprise, because we believe in the work & we trust each other to do well, but yeah, the good feedback is a relief because it reassures you that you haven't stuffed it up!

8 – Which artist / artists have inspired you most and why?

For me, artists like Nerina Pallot really energise me - her 2014 12 EP project is exciting to watch unfold - the time constraint and limitations are making really interesting songs come through.  Her music is always powerful, witty and warm, and she always gives a lot back. She's aware of the lucky position she's in, and her music just sings with it. I think she's a really interesting performer as well as a skilled writer & musician.

I love Gemma Hayes' work too, she can be awash with noise one minute, and quietly fingerpicking on an acoustic the next, which is pretty much how I like to roll, and Liam Finn's music hits me for the same reasons - he's got this reckless energy, which he counterbalances with measured down tempo moments, and both are superbly arranged.

I also find Queens Of The Stone Age really inspiring, with offbeat lyrics and a complete playfulness when it comes to the music itself. Their last album has a new degree of emotional maturity in the mix, that I can't wait to see them build on and explore

One last band I've really enjoyed discovering is Shearwater, Matt played their album 'Animal Joy' to me on the way to one of our first rehearsals, and it really grabbed me.  We've started playing one of their songs in our set.

9 – Is there one song you wish you had written/recorded yourself, and why?

Only one?!  Hmm. Tricky choice, but I think either Shearwater's ‘You As You Were’ (which is the song we've started covering), or ‘Learning To Breathe’ by Nerina Pallot (we've been working on a cover of that, too). Both songs have drive, pace and there's a joie de vivre in songs that that race the way they do. They could be singing anything and the sound would make you feel positive & energised, but the content of those songs roots you into a great message, of rebirth, and not giving up on what you love. They're songs about steadying yourself, and finding the courage to keep going, and I really tune in to that.

10 – With your debut album out now, what’s next for the band?

We just want to play a lot of shows, little and often. We've spent a year making this, and playing shows to support the studio costs, and now we'd like to just support as many bands as possible, building good relationships with venues and bands alike. We're with a management company called NeonTiger Productions, who've been really supportive in making our album available, and setting up our website, and they're working on the gigging aspect of things now.

Other than that, we're working on a ton of material for another record, and maybe an EP. An EP would be nice between albums, I think.

Having seen the amount of work that went into creating ‘Unexpected Sunshine’ I was thrilled to hear the result and have a great album by a bunch of musicians I really respect. We all need a little bit of sunshine in our lives and you could do much worse than getting yours from The John MacLeod Band.



The John MacLeod Band live on 7th June at the Sugarmill, Stoke.

Upcoming Gigs

Sunday 4th May - The Situation's Birthday Bash, Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek https://www.facebook.com/events/716513365039986/

Saturday July 12th - Alsager Music Festival, Milton Park, Alsager. https://www.facebook.com/events/666327883432167/

Links for The John MacLeod Band

Website - www.thejohnmacleodband.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thejohnmacleodband  

YouTube - www.youtube.com/thejohnmacleodband  

Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheJMBand

Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/thejohnmacleodband
 

Crafters Sunday - Princess And The Bear

Princess And The Bear

 

 

I've been knitting since my Grandma 'Ninga' taught me age 4 or 5, It’s something I've always loved. I didn't make my first big thing until I was about 14 and I made a polar bear jumper, I never did get round to sewing all the ends in but I still wear it to this day.

I was at work one day last year and I decided to make a Facebook page to see if there was any call for knitted toys etc., and within minutes I had 2 orders! The name 'princess and the Bear’ came from my two dogs, Phoebe the Princess and my Bear Jack. I am always amazed that people are willing to pay for something that I would be making anyway, I feel a bit of a fraud sometimes! I now have an Etsy shop and I always have a couple of commissions on the go. I occasionally make creations from felt and fabric, but sadly I haven't inherited Ninga's seamstress skills.

 

 

When I'm not knitting, or crocheting blankets, I can be found in the garden with Phoebe and my chickens Margot and Henrietta, reading and eating chocolate, sometimes doing all 3 at once :)

 

 

Questions for Princess And The Bear

 

1 – What was it about knitting that really got you so enthusiastic in the start?

 

In the very beginning it was something my grandma always did and I wanted to do the same as her, I was always fascinated by how she would just sit and watch TV or read, all the time needles clicking. I loved the sound they made, so I got her to teach me. I made my first big project as a young teenager. I had a break for a few years while I went to Uni and then worked, but I took it up again about 15 years ago, I wanted something to do to help me cope with the loss of my dad, and I just found it relaxed me, it calmed me and gave me something to concentrate on. It’s still the only thing I do to relax.

 

2 – Your creations are wonderfully vintage, has it surprised you the interest in them giving the way technology has become such a big thing in our lives these days?

 

I'm absolutely baffled by it! Knitted things were always laughed at, they conjure up images of hideous Christmas sweaters, all baggy and lumpy :) Vintage things are a big trend these days and handmade is a huge thing at the moment, Technology is so helpful, and websites such as Facebook spread the word instantly. I have found a lot of my custom has come from me taking a photo of something and people seeing a cushion in the background and asking can I make them one :) it’s such a fabulous platform for the artist today.

 

3 – Have you got a favourite creation and if so, why?

 

My mum made me 2 sleepy dolls called 'Billy and Cooey' before I was even born, the pattern was lost many years ago. When my best friend said she was expecting I knew exactly what I wanted to make for her, so I painstakingly counted and measured my Billy and Cooey, making notes, trialling the pattern, changing things until I was happy, then chose the nicest baby yarn I could and recreated them for her. I was so proud to make her cry ...in a good way :)

4 – What would you most like to try and create?

I have a huge soft spot for the Magic Roundabout, I loved it as a child, there was a feature length film made and I knew all the words, I did all the accents and I used to fall asleep listening to it, so I would love to knit myself a set of Characters :) That's something for the future though.

5 – What advice would you give anyone that’s starting out in crafting and wants to make a go of it?

Do it! I started off by literally just making a Facebook page to see if there was any interest, now I have orders coming in all the time. I would say only do it if you absolutely love it, and stick to your guns, be honest with yourself and have a clear idea of who you are. It’s easy to try and jump about, knitted toys, then to cards, to fabric gifts etc., you need an identity and you need to REALLY love what you do, because when you are knitting your 23rd yellow minion, your love will be severely tested :D

 

 

Links for Princess And The Bear

Facebook - www.facebook.com/PrincessandtheBearUK

Etsy shop - www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PrincessandtheBear

 

 

A big thank you to Sam for taking the time out from her knitting to speak to me for the blog and I wish her much success with all her creative ventures in the future!