Friday 12 July 2013

Keepsake Business of the Week- Paperama

This week our award went to the lovely Kerry from Paperama, She is a lovely member of the community and makes everyone feel welcome. Here are her interview responses which were posted on Thursday evening:

1. What is the nature of your business? 

I make hand-cut paper art keepsakes, gifts and wall art. I make people smile through taking an idea, turning it into a design and making it pop from the page, using a computer / pencil, paper and a scalpel.

2: Who are you and how did you start your business?

I’m Kerry, 32, have been a youth worker for the last 10years and am ending my 3rd year of my youth work degree (I am doing this for me not for the work ). I currently live with my folks – long story. We have always had crafty things in the house: shelves of paper, boxes of bits ‘n’ bobs, glues, things I don’t even know the name of never mind what I’m supposed to do with them. My Mum used to make cards and my Dad can turn his hand to pretty much anything and recently started painting. I decided late December I was going to make a card for my cousin, cutting out his name I really enjoyed it, started looking around the internet throwing words into google and was fascinated. I started trying different things and amazed myself. I met and was introduced to some amazing people who helped me find resources and supplies and if it wasn’t for the support and encouragement from my folks (not to mention the supplies they had already), the amazing friends I have and have met along the way and the fact I love it and enjoy it I wouldn’t be answering these questions.





3: What is the best thing about selling keepsakes? 

I enjoy the fact I am making people smile, I love hearing the joy my creations have brought to someone else. I love that I am giving someone something during that special time / event that they can keep. I love that there are so many possibilities. I also love the fact that I have found an art form that I can do, share and develop.


4. What are your short term plans, any events etc.? 

Kerry: I haven’t booked to attend any events yet although people keep telling me I should, it makes me a little nervous at the moment. I hope things will continue to grow and I have some new ideas being developed so I hope to get those out soon. I have to focus on finishing my degree and not sending my parents (particularly my Dad) around the twist with “what do you think?” “what about this?”.


5. What are your long term goals. i.e where do you think you will be in 5 years time? 

To be honest I don’t really know I am working on this at the moment. I would really love to be successful, I hope business is booming and is enough to be full time. I hope to have new lines and ideas and to have more space to work in / store things.


Finally, Do you have any valuable information, tips or advice about being successful?

Don’t give up. Don’t worry about what other people are doing. As long as you are true to yourself and honest in your work keep going. Have faith in your own imagination and creativeness, don’t look to other people’s work for it, you have it all around you. Don’t take on too much and don’t let it become a chore, enjoy it.


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We hope you have enjoyed reading and remember if you want to be in with a chance of being a Keepsake Business of the Week, keep interacting with us on Facebook and Twitter!

www.facebook.com/KeepsakeArtists
www.twitter.com/KeepsakeArtists






Thursday 4 July 2013

Interview: JellyBean Home Decor & Gifts

Our Keepsake Business of the week was awarded to Anastacia of JellyBean Home Decor & Gifts as we felt she had made a great contribution to the page over the course of the week. We choose one business to win the award on a Friday and they get to feature as our cover photo over the weekend! We also like to find out more about the business so we ask some questions, these will be shared on the Facebook page as well as here on the Blog.



What is the nature of your business?

We make personalised home decor and gifts made to customer specification. What the customer wants, the customer gets  We make a range of items including freestanding words, shapes, clipboards, hanging signs, moons and so much more. Our product range is always evolving based on our customer requests. 

Who are you and how did you start your business?

 I am Anastasia, I'm 19, I'm a big animal lover! Jellybean was founded when I had to leave my previous job as a carer due to injury. I couldn't do nothing as it was sending me crazy, and having always been the arty type, I got creative and Jellybean was born. 

What is the best thing about selling keepsakes?

The best thing about making keepsakes is knowing each piece is never the same, it's completely unique to that customer and completely individual to their requests. I love it when customers tell me the back story of the keepsake, it allows me to really learn more about why i'm creating a particular piece. 

What are your short term plans, any events etc.?

Our short term goals are fairly simple at the moment, we're unable to attend any events at this time but we're working to continue to networking, build our range, improve our business to move to bigger things in the coming years. 

What are your long term goals. i.e where do you think you will be in 5 years time?

 I'm not sure what stage our business will be at in 5 years time, we HOPE that we'll have moved to stocking local family run shops, perhaps even with a shop of our own. We'd like to eventually have a shop with not only our items, but other small business' items.

Finally, Do you have any valuable information, tips or advice about being successful?


Love what you do, learn from your mistakes, be friendly and follow the rules. Our business blog on the website is catered for fellow small business' and is full of tips and advice about business matters, i feel it's important to pass on things I've learnt along the way. http://www.jellybeanhomegifts.co.uk/en/blog


If you are interested in Anastacia's work, please visit the website www.jellybeanhomegifts.co.uk and the facebook page www.facebook.com/JellyBeanHomeGifts 

If you want to be in with a chance of winning a KBOTW award make sure you visit the Facebook page and simply interact! www.facebook.com/KeepsakeArtists

Monday 1 July 2013

The GKA Market Event July 2013

We are pleased to announce that the first Guild Market Event will take place on our Facebook page between Friday 4th July - Monday 8th July. There will be a range of handmade 'keepsake' items from our Guild members which will be available to order over the weekend event.

If you are interested in taking part then the deadline for submitting your products is Monday 1st July. 


When: Friday 4th July- Monday 8th July 2013
Where: www.facebook.com/KeepsakeArtists

Please make a note in your diaries to pop over to the facebook page and have a browse at the special gifts available to commission from our very talented members.