Lucie Summers Designs ... United Kingdom

Artist: Lucie Summers
Business: Lucie Summers Designs (Lusummers at the Blu-Shed Shop, on Etsy)
Web sites: lusummers.etsy.com and blu-shed.blogspot.com
Location: Mildenhall, Suffolk, UK

What do you create?
I mainly make mixed media paper collages that find themselves made into a couple of different products... sketchbooks, sketches for customers to frame, and paper quilts. The paper quilts are generally created for exhibitions.


Where and when do you do your creative work?
Well, the 'where' used to be a garage, but was converted into a room by the previous owners of our house. Although I'm lucky to have a space to call my own, it's certainly no homage to high design. It's also the family dumping ground; I share my space with several hundred half-used tins of paint, unused furniture, a million magazines and books, and old toys waiting to be taken to the charity shop.
The 'when'? Whenever I can! I have two small boys (aged two and five) so my time is precious. I've actually only realised that since having children! I do the bare minimum of housework, just enough so we don't all collapse from some hideous illness, so I have more time to create. (As I type, the ironing pile is perilously close to the ceiling and if I get up I risk serious injury from treading on some form of toy tractor/truck/car.) I literally snatch any five minutes I can; while I'm waiting for the potatoes to boil, after the boys are in bed, when my youngest has a nap. It's amazing what you can get done when your time is limited. I also couldn't do this without my mum and my husband; mum has my two-year-old every Thursday and my husband has both boys on a Saturday so I can get a good run at it!


Do you have another "day job"?
Nope – mother, terrible housewife and mixed media artist, that's me! Although I do write articles for Quilting Arts magazine sometimes.

Where and what did you study?
I studied 'design crafts' at Norwich School of Art and Design, a small city art school in Norfolk, a million years ago.


Where do you find inspiration?
Oh, everywhere. Leaves are a big thing for me, and flowers. I also get very excited by text and fonts, particularly old handwriting. Architecture, patterns on old teacups, old printers' blocks, the insides of envelopes, vintage bits, everything! I made a series of small paper quilts for an exhibition in the States this past September all inspired by the stories I wrote at school when I was five or six. Colour combinations are also a great inspiration; bright pink and red, turquoise and blue, red and white. I find living in the countryside a massive influence on my work.


What motivates you?
I'm actually quietly ambitious, and that really motivates me. One day I'd like to have a whole range of products (paper goods, textile designs, house goods) available both in the UK and worldwide. I want to be a household name! So I'm not setting myself up for a fall or anything... wanting the best for the boys motivates me too. Just wanting to create something everyday motivates me.


When did you start doing this?
I started by having a simple website made and tried to sell my personalised name wedding and birth samplers two years ago. I literally sat back and waited for the orders to flood in because I knew I'd got a good product. The trouble was, they were too expensive on their own... and I didn't sell one. Not one. So I decided to design and make smaller personalised 'plaques' for kid's rooms and opened another 'shop' on a UK site called notonthehighstreet.com this time last year and did much better. Then at the end of august this year I opened my Etsy shop selling completely different products which has worked much better for me, so I've dropped the other site. I'll probably add the personalised stuff to Etsy early next year.


Do you remember getting into art as a kid?
I come from a long line of women who sew, so I grew up with fabric around me. I can't specifically remember getting into art, it was just always there. I had a doll's house that didn't have dolls in it (I'm scared of them) but I used to change the decor all of the time. My boys actually still play with the little bits and bobs I made, vintage fabric covered beds, and funny little curtains made with matchstick poles.


When and why did you decide to start your own business?
Just after my youngest son was born, so two years ago. I must have been mental, what a ridiculous time. I blame the hormones! I've made tons of mistakes, some of them quite costly, but I've learnt a lot. I decided that if I was going to be a stay at home mum, I was going to have to find a way of earning some money that used the skills I knew I'd got that didn't take me away from the kids. And it sort of works, most of the time.


How did you choose the name for your business?
Erm...well, my name is Lucie Summers, and I design stuff.
'lusummers at the blu-shed shop' came about because we have a blue shed in our garden that I can see while I work at my laptop, but I decided that it should be 'blu' rather than 'blue' because it was more like 'lu'. Complicated, huh?


What do you love most about creating your work?
The weird inner peace I get and the little funny fuzzy feeling of excitement in my tummy when a piece is working well. I almost have to remind myself to breathe.

What's the most fascinating place you've been?
Ohhh, good question. I've loved lots of places, but I've just come back from a weekend in London and while I've been there lots of times, this was the first time with the boys and I suppose I saw it through their eyes. It's an incredible place, around every corner is something new to see and experience. It's so full of history, it's amazing.


A book you love:
Oh, crikey. Just one? Probably Echoes by Maeve Binchey. I first read it as a teenager and I must have read it ten or so times since. I was so in love with Gerry Doyle. I get sad when I finish a really good book, it's like friends leaving you. What a sap.


What is the most interesting thing about you?
Hmmmm... I've known my husband, Sam, since I was about five years old. We went to school together and (according to my mum) one day I came home and told my parents that there was a boy at school with the most lovely name, Sam Summers, and I was going to marry him. He lived on a farm and, aged five, I quite fancied being a farmer's wife. Then I did marry him 20 years later and I am now the worst farmer's wife in the history of farmers' wives.


What achievement are you most proud of?
Apart from the obvious answer of my boys, who I'm soooo proud of, this year I had two big achievements with my paper quilts. One, called Revealed 2 won a big award at The Festival of Quilts exhibition in Birmingham, UK. Also, a series of five paper quilt collages (boringly called 20/20, 10/10, 5/5, 2/2 and 1/1) made it through to the final of Quilt 2007 at the same exhibition. It's a huge, huge honour just to chosen. That was amazing.


What advice would you give women starting their own business?
Do what you love. If you put your heart and soul into something, it will shine through. Don't give up if you know you've got a good product. I was so low before I joined notonthehighstreet, but I knew I'd got a good product, so I modified it, made it more accessible and they sold well.

What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?
Probably getting enough time to do everything. I feel terribly guilty that my children don't live in a perfect home, with perfectly ironed clothes and a kitchen floor so clean you could eat off it.


What do you love to do in your free time?
I try to spend Sundays with the family and we'll go to the park or swimming or visiting friends. If I get time completely to myself, I love to shop!

What are you working on right now?
Right now I've got more sketchbooks to make for Etsy. I've also got an exhibition with a group of other textile artists in Ely Cathedral next year...I've not done much so far, but that's at the top of my never-ending 'to do' list.


What do you hope to achieve next?
Ohhh, so much! My short term goal is to get to 100 sales on Etsy. (I'm at 98 at time of writing!) I've also got plans to do a collaboration with another paper goods artist that I'm really excited about. Next year I'd like to start supplying my sketchbooks to indie and lifestyle shops. My long term goal is really as I mentioned previously; I'd like lusummers to be a household design name.

Askey Illustrations ... UK

Artist: Jo Askey
Business: askey illustrations
Web site: askey.etsy.com
Location: Cheshire, UK

What do you create?
I am an illustrator and graphic designer.

Where and when do you do your creative work?
My 'studio' is in a corner of my living room and I try to fit in work when I can. This can sometimes be tricky with a toddler and an eight-year-old.



Do you have another "day job"?
I left my 'day job' two years ago to have my second child. Since then I have been a full time mother and wife and part-time graphic designer and illustrator.

Where and what did you study?
After leaving work, I returned to studying part-time and am due to finish my degree in Media Graphic Design this October.




What inspires you and what motivates you?
I am inspired by anything and everything. Often by people, animals, nature and our man-made surroundings. Silly things like a broken chair inspire me.

When did you start doing this?
I've always drawn but discovered Illustrator after starting my degree -- I haven't looked back since.



Do you remember getting into art as a kid?
When I was five years old I won a drawing competition at school. The prize was to be the first person to play in the school's new sandpit. It's the only thing I've ever won in my life!

When and why did you decide to start your own business?
My business got started by accident really -- I started off doing commissions for friends, and then a friend recommended Etsy to me.




How did you choose the name for your business?
I named my business after me -- not very exciting really, just easy to remember!

What's the most fascinating place you've been?
Rome -- amazing, ancient architecture smack bang in the middle of a city!

A book you love:
Hmmm, there's so many. But I especially love On The Road by Jack Kerouac.




What is the most interesting thing about you?
I have no idea! I do have a knack of being able to do lots of things with my toes (they're unusually long).

What advice would you give women starting their own business?
The advice I would give women starting their own business is the same I'd tell anyone. Just go for it, you never know if it's going to be a success unless you try.



What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?
The biggest challenge is finding the time to do it! There just aren't enough hours in the day.

What do you love to do in your free time?
I like to do things outdoors. Go walking with my family, take the kids to feed the goats at a local farm, Especially if the sun is shining -- there's nothing like getting out in the fresh air.



What are you working on right now?
I'm studying for my degree and trying to get some new illustrations done.

What do you hope to achieve next?
I have so much that I'd like to do! I have so many ideas for illustrations which I would love to get the time to realise. When my degree is finally finished (hopefully) I'll find myself an agent and get some steady money coming in!

Lynsey Hunter ... UK

Artist: Lynsey Hunter
Business: Lynsey Hunter
Web sites: lynseyhunter.blogspot.com and lynseyhunter.etsy.com
Location: Derbyshire, UK

What do you create?
I create illustrations/artwork & textile designs. My designs use an eclectic mix of printed papers, quirky vintage imagery, old–fashioned fabrics, stitch work and my own style of linear drawing mixed with watercolours and collage.

My work is described as delicate and intricate needing closer inspection to see hidden imagery and raised surfaces. I try to create images that are refreshing, unusual and fun but are also of a high quality and stylish.

Where and when do you do your creative work?
I do my creative work at home whenever I have spare time.




Do you have another "day job"?
I work as a sales assistant at a fashion store, part time.

Where and what did you study?
I have a First Class Honours in Textile Design from Derby University.

What inspires you and what motivates you?
Seeing quirky things in my everyday life. I am mainly influenced by different architectural styles, vintage books, collected memorabilia and the unusual. I like to discover interesting places and objects to draw in an unexpected way.

I begin most of my work by seeing the ordinary and turning it through my drawing into the eccentric or comical.




When did you start doing this?
My illustration style developed in my last year of University, but I have been a creative person all my life. I have always been interested in patterns and colours and fabrics.

Do you remember getting into art as a kid?
Yes, my Mum is a creative person and she would get me and my brother involved in making things when we were young. I started to make my own clothes when I was 13.

When and why did you decide to start your own business?
I decided to go freelance after leaving University, selling my illustration work and textile print designs, until I find a full time job.




How did you choose the name for your business?
I chose lynseyhunter as my etsy business name as it's easy to remember and is the same as my email and website. I tried to think of something more interesting but I am a very fickle person and I couldn't decide!

What do you love most about creating your work?
When the design turns out exactly how I imagined or even better.

What's the most fascinating place you've been?
I recently visited Switzerland, it was beautiful and very calm.

A book you love:
PARIS out of hand (a wayward guide) – Karen Elizabeth Gordon




What is the most interesting thing about you?
I have asked a few people about this question and it seems that my ability to see the extraordinary in everyday, ordinary things and make them magical or comical is my most interesting feature.

What achievement are you most proud of?
Being awarded First Class Honours for my degree.

What advice would you give women starting their own business?
As I am only just starting out myself this is a hard question, but I would advise anyone to not think to much about selling your art when you are creating it. Do what you love and if it sells, then that is a bonus. Otherwise I think you lose the joy of creating.




What's the biggest challenge you face in your work?
Finding the space at home and sometimes the time.

What do you love to do in your free time?
I like to go to the cinema, listen to great music, travel abroad and within the UK. But most of my spare time is used up by my design work.




What are you working on right now?
I'm designing some children's wear fabric repeats.

What do you hope to achieve next?
I would like to do more exhibitions showing my illustration work, and get a full time job in the textile industry.

Artquirk ... England

Artist: Nina Clough
Business: Artquirk
Web site: artquirk.etsy.com
Location: Southsea, UK

What do you create?
I do paintings and drawings mainly, and illustrations. I've also made a few artist books in my time which is something I want to get back into. I love printing, particularly monoprints for the beautiful fuzzy line.

Where and when do you do your creative work?
I make art from a little room in my house on Mondays and Tuesdays! It is a small room but I am buying a house soon so I can have more room to make a mess. I create in the evenings and weekends sometimes if I get the urge, but officially Mondays and Tuesdays are my 'art days'.

Do you have a "day job" outside of your art?
The rest of the week I work as a Library Assistant at the University of Portsmouth. I enjoy helping the students and having access to all the art books and journals! I like books!

Where and what did you study?
I got my degree in Illustration in 2001 at the University of Portsmouth. I haven't got very far since graduating as I now work for the university – but I do like still being mistaken for a student! I was considering studying architecture at one point because I was good at and enjoyed maths but I'm glad I didn't. I rather just make pictures to hang on the wall and not to build the wall itself!




What inspires you and motivates you?
I am inspired by many things – an interesting landscape, building, person, colours and shapes and characters. Or a story or quote or mental image. Or seeing something I like and thinking I wanna try that! I like wandering around taking photographs so they are often the fuel to my fire when I need inspiration. My motivation comes from the longing to retire from 'normal' work. Within 10 years I will be an established self employed artist! I will, I will, I will.

When did you start doing this?
I went part time at work about 6 months ago because full time work was making me a very frustrated artist! I would use up all my leave just taking days off to be creative! Something had to give – my sanity or my income – and I chose income. I am very happy now. Poor but sane. I do have a very supportive partner who has allowed me to fulfill this dream – I now just need to prove to him it could just bring in the bread and butter too.

Do you remember getting into art as a kid?
I remember being put in a special Friday afternoon art club at primary school because they knew how much I enjoyed art. They must have spotted some young talent! I don't actually remember making much art on those afternoons though....I just remember being a bit afraid of the teacher, and when I stupidly sucked the paint up the straw a bit too far. Birthday and Christmas presents would always be art related like those copper plates you scratch away at, jigsaw puzzles, paint by numbers etc. I have always followed the route of art. It is my calling.

When and why did you decide to start your own business?
It was all a friend's fault. When I went part time at work I had no actual aim to become a selling artist quite so soon. I just wanted to spend my free time making artwork and then wander round the streets trying to find someone who wanted to buy it, or build my portfolio and get myself an agent. Then a friend introduced me to Etsy and it is my new-found motivation! I am addicted. I realised I could actually make art and have an outlet to sell immediately, and make money and live happily ever after. So thanks to alphabettispaghetti for giving me a focus.

How did you choose the name for your business?
At college my art teacher used to call my work 'quirky' and I liked the word so it stuck. Artquirk just sounds like artwork and that's what I do! I am thinking about having another Etsy shop called "aartwerk" to divide my different styles. I like a play on words. My ladybird logo I use for luck. A friend and I started buying/making each other anything to do with ladybirds and it stuck. Now everyone buys me ladybird things and I reckon it's been lucky.


What do you love most about your work?
I have two styles of work really – the bright, simple and childlike versus the darker, more considered, more detailed work. It's cheery and fun or gloomy and sinister depending on my mood. I'm liking the dark side more at the moment. And I like my sketches! I sometimes start with a nice sketch and then ruin it by colouring it in! I think I have a nice quality of line in my drawings at least that's what I'm aiming for. I also love those happy accidents – those blobs of ink that fall just where you don't want them to but actually make it better.

What's the most fascinating place you've been?
Ooooo a toughy. Erm...well I've been to The Eden Project, the Millennium Seedbank (nature is a marvel), Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, Jewish Cemetary in Prague, Monkey World, stayed in a Mongolian yurt on Bodmin Moor and a 1965 Airstream trailer on the Isle of Wight, Dover Castle caves ... they were all very fascinating! If my artwork says anything, it's that I can find something fascinating in the most mundane of places.

A book you love:
Can I have a few please as I am a library assistant?! I got into H.G. Wells a while ago – I really liked his Ann Veronica. It's not sci-fi or a classic but it reminded me of me! Also The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood is brilliant but made me cry. The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Proverbs is always in my artroom too because it always inspires me.



What is the most interesting thing about you?
I'm forever 6 years old, as that was the age I began to get the birthday blues. I like to move around a lot (14 homes in 27 years). I can say the alphabet backwards. My pet rats are more interesting that me.

What achievement are you most proud of?
Selling my first piece of artwork which wasn't to a person I know or I'm related to! In fact, at the age of 27 I am proud to be taking the first leap into fulfilling my dreams.

What do you love to do in your free time?
Go walking especially in the woods, watch films especially scary ones, drink especially vodka or tequila ones, read, smoke because I like to be a social reject, grow flowers, regress to childhood, play boardgames, play poker, plan for holidays, explore, rant politics with my loved one and snooze and dream.

What are you working on right now?
Looking for a house to buy is a big distraction at the moment but I feel a series of fairytale illustrations coming on and something to do with proverbs in between nosing round other people's houses. Maybe I will find inspiration poking around their homes.... !

What do you hope to achieve next?
In the short term a cracking portfolio and an agent and my own web site (n.b. must book course). Then in the long term job offers, reputation, brilliant artwork, retirement, running a campsite, then building my own home, living abroad half the year and pretty much art to the end.