My love of craft started when I was a little girl crafting and sewing with my Mam, Grandma and Aunt making dollsclothes. When my little sister arrived I made her soft toys and crafted with her and when she got married I helped to make her wedding dress and my full wedding outfit. When I got married and in my first home I made all the curtains and in those days everything had to match so I made cushions, tablecloths, napkins, chair covers and even duvet and pillow covers, the list goes on. I made my own clothes and when my daughter arrived I made her dresses, hats, frilly knickers and even trimmed her socks.
Being a busy working wife and mother my time was taken up until, unfortunately I lost my eye sight about 17 years ago and while recuperating at home and my sight was restored I watched day time TV for the first time. I was channel hopping and came across a craft channel and was transfixed on heat embossing and I was hooked. I bought a couple of items and my paper craft life began with a real passion. I was lucky enough to be chosen to visit the studio and go live for the first time on TV – which was an amazing experience which only fuelled my crafty passion further. Upon returning home after that day we went on holiday and I spent the whole of my free time planning and dreaming of craft and writing down notes of how to make this work. I returned home contacted my church and hired the church hall and advertised craft classes.
I went to craft demos at the local garden centre and attended all their different instructions. I passed on what I had learned to my class members. When I visited my local craft shop I was recognised as being on TV (as the show was repeated constantly). The owner offered me a room to have classes and that was the next stage. I ran in total 2 paper craft classes and 1 scrapbook class for over 16 years all while still being a busy full time working wife and mother and crafted in my spare time.
I am now retired after my eye sight problem came back and I had to stop running my classes too. Craft is still a very big part of my every day and I craft every moment I can. I missed my classes and friends so much I began to run a Face Book craft group called Simply Craft and Swap which is great fun coming up with ideas for monthly swaps. I also have a Pinterest account which I also add my creations to. They are further avenues for my passion.
Karen Mallory says:
What a great interview Kim!