Thursday 8 December 2011

Featured Artist: Blackwood Forrest Gateaux

A bit of an unusual featured artist tonight, Helena from Black Forrest Gateaux is a bespoke cake maker. A cake isn't something you can keep forever but the concept of creating something personalised that is special at a particular time counts as a keepsake in my eyes so here is our interview...

Introduce yourself, who are you and what do you create that is a bespoke keepsake?
I'm Helena Forrest and i run Blackwood Forrest Gateaux, my keepsake is more of a memory as i make cakes, but i do have some customers that havent cut their cake as they have said "they look too good to cut" but on some of my cakes there are my handmade sugar item that can be kept, figures etc




How and when did you start creating what you do?
I started my business at the beginning of 2011 as i'd been making cakes for friends for years and i thought i had nothing to lose, it all started with a page on facebook ask my friends to join and it just snowballed from there within days most of my likers that weren't my friends and i had "proper" customers :-).

What is your favourite thing about making keepsakes?
I love making and designing bespoke cakes something a bit different to suit that person. the stranger the better.



What are your most popular/ best selling items?
The cake i seem to make the most of is my tatty teddy which I can change in to any type of bear i made it in to Pudsey in November.


Do you have an online shop/Facebook page/Etsy shop? Where do you think most of your sales are generated?
I have a page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blackwood-Forrest-Gateaux/170922149616207 which gives me a lot of custom but word of mouth seems to work the better for me.

Are you planning to introduce any new products to your range?

I'm going to start make cake pop just cause my kids loved them when i tried them the other week and see how my customers like them


Thanks for reading our latest interview, look out for the next one, it might even be you!

Sunday 4 December 2011

Featured Artist: Ring of Roses

Introduce yourself, who are you and what do you create that is a bespoke keepsake?

I'm Laura, a single Mum to Rose who was born 2 months early in September last year. In the 'real world' (where people make money and leave the house to go to work!) I work in the social care arena. I've just finished a stint with CAMHS for the NHS and I now work as an Independence Worker. My aim is to do my Masters in Social Work next year. In the meantime, in 'Laura's world', I make unique personalised gifts and keepsakes. These can be anything from fridge magnets to tiny 7cm x 7 cm canvases. Whilst at college studying Art, I developed a technique which allows me to transfer photocopied images onto most surfaces - this has given my work a slight edge as although there are a lot of gifts out their which personalise, there are not many which involve a photo which are purely handmade. My new tag line is 'Putting the person into personalisation'.



How and when did you start creating what you do?

The first attempt was back in 2001 at art college. We were encouraged to experiment extensively with all sorts of different media and in fact, my first attempt was a chair covered in 1950s Barbies! Interesting fact for you: everything has to be done backwards, even the writing! I started trading on Facebook only last month, and it's going very well.

What is your favourite thing about making keepsakes?

I love the physicality of what I do. Every item has to be soaked over night (at least) and then the process to reveal the image begins. This is my favourite (or most feared) part! Although I have an idea about how the image will turn out, the proof is when I start to work into the picture to reveal it, and every time it's a surprise. After that is completed, the image is sealed and embellishments are added, so my work station is quite a production line - I love to see how items are coming together.

What are your most popular/ best selling items?

My Christmas baubles have been a hit, as have my wooden letters. (shown below)



Are you planning to introduce any new products to your range?

I have so many ideas but unfortunately my brain works quicker than my hands! I'm doing some trinket boxes at the moment, and I want to do some money boxes and mirrors. The beauty of the way I work is that it's applicable across so many different levels, so although I do a lot of baby products, the same process could be used for Wedding Favours/Anniversaries, Birthdays, Graduations etc. Basically I can transfer onto anything that someone desires, except glass.

Do you have an online shop/Facebook page/Etsy shop? Where do you think most of your sales are generated?

My website www.ring-of-roses.net is under construction currently, and I have been touring the local nurseries. Combined with facebook, sales have been fairly equal and steady! The more I network, the more sales I get from my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ring-Of-Roses/294407373910590 - but I find it hard to devote the time to that, and do the making (and look after Rose!) I'm thrilled that people enjoy and want my items.



Finally, if you have any special offers or incentives please share them with us!

I have a quandary of the week which is posted every Friday at 7pm for 24 hours. It's a question and the person with the most likes on their answer gets 20% off their next border. Last week's question was: If girls are pink and boys are blue, what are grannies and why?

Friday 25 November 2011

Featured Artist Interview

Do you want to be interviewed as a featured keepsake artist or craftsperson on our blog? Please visit our facebook page and leave us a message https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Guild-of-Keepsake-Artists/140742566032266

Hope to hear from you soon!

Monday 21 November 2011

Featured Artist: MCMToppers

 MCM TopperS™ make personalised cake toppers for ANY occasion out of fimo polymer clay. All 100% hand crafted, and a unique keepsake of your special occasion! Every item on here is available to buy on the website. http://mcmtoppers.co.uk/ 


Quote FESTIVE10 at checkout to get 10% off your order at MCMToppers PLUS every order between now and 21st December gets a FREE FESTIVE FRIDGE MAGNET!!!

Sunday 20 November 2011

Submission form!

Click on the Join the Guild tab and submit your business directory link. If your product doesn't fit into any of the listed catagories then select 'other' and we will create a new one. Membership is free for a limited time so make sure you get yours!

 If we like your work you may even get to be a featured artist so get your submissions in!


Business Directory

Catagories have been added, if your keepsake art doesn't fit into any catagory then please comment here and we will be happy to add a new one. You can have your business listed in up to 2 different catagories.