Today we are excited to welcome a newbie to the Fairy Tale Fair, Bex of Bex Illustration, who hand draws wonderful shrink plastic animal themed jewellery, which fit perfectly with our fair! We can’t wait to welcome her at her first craft fair!
Tell us/ remind us a bit about you and what you do/ make….
I graduated from University of Portsmouth in 2012 and found myself stuck. I didn’t want a job, I wanted to be my own boss, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Just over a year later, I found my niche and started illustrating animal characters. After holding my first solo exhibition, I learnt how much people liked my characters. The jewellery making began when I shopped for jewellery I dreamt up, which didn’t exist, and decided I would have to make my own!
My main material of choice is Shrink plastic. It is a way for me to illustrate many different types of characters, in detail, and using bright and bold colours, as well as trial new techniques. I have also recently been experimenting with silver and resin, but I am quite in love with my plastic characters at the moment so the rest is a hobby for now. Perhaps you will see some posh pieces in the near future. Follow my blog to be the first to see
How long have you been making your craft items?
Around 6 months, although I only recently took the plunge and opened my shop on Etsy, just after Christmas.
Do you have a best seller? If so what is it?
It is a draw at the moment between my guinea pig stud earrings and a cheeky gingerbread man riding a piñata (stripy rainbow horse). He was created initially as a novelty one off as I love both ginger bread men and piñatas, but the requests kept coming so I made more hehe.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
Bringing characters to life. I like to create pieces with personality, charisma and charm. I mainly create animals but give them human qualities. Watching them come to life is great but watching the effect they have on people that see them, wear them and share them is what making jewellery is all about for me. I have characters which are cheeky, shy, proud, angry, happy, mischievous and serious. I make jewellery we can all relate to.
Will you have some special Spring time Easter creations for sale?
I will indeed. I have some sporty lambs, some musical chickens and even a special surprise creation!
Do you take part in other craft events (fairs, open houses, markets etc…)?
Not yet, this is my very first, please come and say hello.
What are your plans/ ambitions for the future? Or have you already achieved them?
I would love to keep making jewellery, possibly get a few creations into shops and boutiques. I would also love to do more fairs and meet people who love, make and buy jewellery as well as people who love animals and there crazy ways.
The first step is to be able to illustrate full time. I am currently working in a pet shop part time, and although I love my little animals, I want to try and live my dreams. Who doesn’t right? Then I can get a house by the seaside and have lots of pets and my own art studio. But now I am dreaming.
Describe what Easter means to you in 5 words or less
Treasure-hunts, hope, bunnies, great food
Any other comments you wish to make:
I like to think that when people where my jewellery, It makes them feel a certain way.
To create an initial talking point on a first date, at school or work or could it be the fact that the cheeky sloth necklace they are wearing represents them in some way. To send a message to the world that says hey… I am me and I am fab. I have designed characters which are cheeky, shy, proud, angry, happy, mischievous and serious. I make jewellery we can all relate to.
Link to your site/ blog/ social accounts:
https://www.facebook.com/bexIllustration
