Saturday 16 April 2016

May I introduce....the DESIGN TEAM!!!

As you may have heard, my very first product launch will take place on Monday, this Monday, the 18th, at 8pm.  Nervous.....oh yes.  Excited....beyond belief.

I am so pleased I am working with Crafters Companion.  They have been amazing, and have turned something that was always bubbling around at the back of my mind, into reality.  As a crafter, I've always had idea's and wanted to create my own "stuff".  Whether it be stamps, dies, embossing folders or a paper crafting kit.  I get idea's when I'm walking the dogs, or driving, or visiting the museum.  There's inspiration everywhere.  However, I chatted to Leann and Sara, and they offered help me bring these idea's out and make them happen....and here we are.  Ready to launch!!

I never thought I'd have a product range - and I certainly didn't think I'd have a design team!!  Whoop whoop.  And what a team.  Over the next few days I'm going to introduce you to the team, and then start sharing their work with you, on here and of course, on TV!

So, may I begin with someone you may already have heard mentioned - from regular emails to C&C, and now to Hochanda.  A chap who started off Nick of Barnsly, to become Nick of Bulgaria (what an incredible life changing move that was......The fantastic

Nick (and Grace, but Grace doesn't actually craft very much)


Me and Nick on his recent visit to Hochanda


I asked Nick some crafty questions:

First, please tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into crafting?
Hello, I am Nick, I'm 45 years old and I now live in Bulgaria. From a very early age I remember my parents always encouraged us to be creative. My earliest memory was making things from Papier Mache, Creating a mix of newspaper and glue, having great fun covering balloons of all shapes and sizes and then that awful wait until it was ready (it always seems like an age to dry when your that young). I can still remember the excitement when the time came to pop them and get creating and decorating.
One thing I always looked forward to was when my Dad got the huge wax pan out, he would fill the bath with cold water, then we would melt all the wax and fill small containers before plunging them into the water moving and tipping them to create the most wonderful sculptures and then decorating them to create something unique. Like most children, we all did colouring and drawing, all sorts of things really, we were very lucky to have grown up without the computers or 24 hour TV.Then came school and work and everything else seemed to take a back seat. 
A friend of mine had started cross stitch and the finished projects looked brilliant. I bought a few kits as I was heading to work on a ship. It wasn't until I had to take an ill health retirement that I truly rediscovered my love of craft, It started off with a card kit and then another and so on. Very soon I added stamps to the mix and so it quickly became my life and helped me through some tough times. My passion for everything craft related soon snowballed and I wanted the opportunity to try as much as I could. There are so many wonderful crafts to discover and try.
Have you got a favourite craft, or do you like doing a little bit of everything?
This has to be one of the most difficult questions to answer (Maybe not I have just seen the last Question). Making something from scratch is what I enjoy the most, starting with nothing but card, inks, paints, wax, stamps etc. Card collections are great and without them I wouldn't have progressed or had the confidence to continue my crafty journey. Knitting is great (Thanks Hayley West) especially the feeling you get when you finish something you can wear. Working with clay is another favourite, by the way how many favourites are we allowed???
What's the most rewarding thing about crafting for you?
Sharing my craft experience with others, either the knowledge or the finished article. There is nothing better than someone telling you they like what you have made. A few years ago I had some of my designs in Joanna Sheen's project books, I was very proud especially when people sent photos of the projects they had completed, It marvellous when someone likes what you do and when you see how you can make a difference. Seeing peoples faces and excitement when you have help them achieve a finished card or project
Have you ever sold your craft work?
It was a few years ago now when I did my first table sale. I can still remember how it felt when I sold my first ever card. There is really nothing like the feeling you get when someone wants to pay for something you have made. Once you have a few people at your stall it's amazing how quickly things disappear. I only did 2 sales as I couldn't spend enough time making the cards and projects to sell. I really miss it and maybe I will do it again in the future.
Finally, what crafting tool could you not do without?"
MY HANDS..........

Can I thank Nick for joining my team, he is such an incredibly talented chap, and I really look forward to sharing his work with you.





22 comments:

Sarah (Debbie) said...

Leonie this is fantastic news. Sarah and the girls are wonderful and have always been a favourite of mine

Dawn gave a lovely shout out about you today. She was saying hiw you came to work in her shop but refused to do tv. Look at you now. A star in my eyes

Loving your Leonie Let Loose

Lots of Love xxxx

Cotswold house of cards said...

How exciting!!

Cotswold house of cards said...

How exciting!!

julie_woolston said...

So exciting Congratulations Nick, what a honor. can't wait to see what you create.
Hugs Julie xxx

Anonymous said...

Great news ! Can't wait to see Nicks work onMonday xx

Margaret A said...

Great news. It had to happen. Look forward to meeting the rest of your design team and seeing their creations. X

Margaret A said...

Great news. It had to happen. Look forward to meeting the rest of your design team and seeing their creations. X

hollyberry said...

So at last the first of YOUR design team is revealed and a name I remember hearing a lot of. It is great to learn a little bit more about Nick. Looking forward to seeing his work on the blog and on your shows. Glad that you are excited as well as nervous. Not long to wait now! Great that Crafter's Companion have helped you to realise your dream.

Unknown said...

Remember seeing you first of all behind the signs with Dawn seeing you grow you was shy huffing at back lovely seeing you blossom and being you developing your self and do exciting this next stage of your life just amazing all best cannot wait to see your products exciting xxx

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Hi Leonie.
Wow what brilliant news, Good luck Nick.
Nick how is your little craft group doing?
Take care and have lots of fun kitty.

carol edwards said...

How exciting for you to finally reach such a wonderful stage in your crafting career. I wish you luck with your launch and I'm sure you will have a sell out show. Congratulations to Nick joining your team.x

Unknown said...

Looking forward to seeing your range and the products in use. Congratulations to you and nick. Have fun x

Unknown said...

Really excited for you leonie and congratulations to nick can't wait for the launch

nancyd said...

Hi Leonie, fabulous news looking forward to get home and check out all your range.
Nancyd xx

trent999 said...

Hi, Thought I would pop a message on. I forgot to give Leonie my blog address so I thought I would add it.It would be lovely if you could stop by. I just getting to grips with it, but I really hope you enjoy. Its http://nickinbarnsley.blogspot.bg/

Thank you so much for the kind comments, I have loved making sample with Leonie's collection. I couldn't stop. I think I am almost as excited as she is.Take Care and enjoy your weekend.Nick xxx

Diane said...

So looking forward to seeing your collection Leonie I know it's going to be fantastic. Wishing you all the best with your launch :-)
.....and looking forward to Nick's creations.

Pause by Patty said...

Good Luck and congrats on snaggin Nick for your team, he's a very talented fella

Andy Duggan said...

Oooh well done Nick on getting on Leonie's DT! Can't wait to see your work!

Jane Royston said...

Welcome Nick, can't wait to see your work! Am really excited to see the launch Leonie, good luck, Jane :)

Anne said...

Really looking forward to seeing your new collection, Leonie and what you and your design team come up with.

Anne (Northampton)

Katrina Bufton said...

Hi Nick! It's lovely to meet you, teamie :)
Can't wait to see what you create.
Katrina

Tracy Welham said...

So pleased Nick is part of your team, I've just started following his blog and look forward to see what he creates with your products. Creative Blessings, Tracy x