Please introduce yourself and your brand….
My name is Tracy-Ann and I live in sunny Hove, Sussex. When I am not sewing bears, I can be found teaching small children how to read in my day job as a specialist reading teacher. I design and make hand sewn bears in pants known as ‘The Pants Gang’ under my crafty name of Curly Lulu, from my tiny studio at home, known as The Girl Shed. Each pants gang member is lovingly hand made from quality Essex yarn linen and each pair of pants is chosen carefully from my ridiculously large stash of 100% cotton. Their pants can have any pattern or design and can be any colour. There are also plenty of themed fabrics, such as sharks, dinosaurs, butterflies or pirates! They come in different sizes and have been through the vigorous boot camp known as CE toy testing! I also make other various bear and pant related items, such as brooches, key-rings, teeny bears that fit in the palm of your hand and hand decorated dishes.
How would you describe your style and your creations?
My style is playful and colourful and my creations have a real sense of fun! In my day job with small people, I have come to know that pants are funny. Just the word ‘Pants’ is brilliant and can send all little beings(and big ones!) into giggles. When you get new pants it’s very exciting – again big people agree! And the idea of going out in just your pants is hilarious (and tempting)! Therefore the idea of The Pants gang was born.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Designing and making the bears lets me do the things I love to do the most…sewing and messing around with fabric and buttons. I really like seeing their own personalities appear which helps me give them their own individual names and stories.
What can we expect to find on your stall at So This is Christmas at The Charmandean Worthing on Sunday 4th December? And are you looking forward to taking part?
You can expect to see the full range of The Pants Gang, including my new ones known as the Smalls. There will also be the teeny bears, key-rings and a few special items made just for Christmas – hand sewn and hand painted decorations, gift tags, dishes and even cat toys…because your cats deserve gifts too! I am really looking forward to this fair. It will be my first fair in Worthing and I’m really excited to take part in something so Christmassy!
Do you have a best seller?
My 15cm bears sell really well and people are also loving the Smalls! Children especially love the teeny bears – we all seem to love teeny tiny things.
Do you have any plans or ambitions for the future?
I am going to extend the range in my Etsy shop and am just planning on allowing cats and rabbits to join The Pants Gang. Watch this space!
Do you have a motto or inspirational quote?
It may not be quite an inspirational quote but the words “It’ll all be fine!!!!” seem to help.
What part of Christmas do you enjoy the most?
My favourite part is collecting my Christmas tree, putting on the twinkly lights and decorations and then watching the cats try and climb it! I love watching the Christmas film ‘Elf’ and eating a ridiculous amount of chocolate coins!
How can we find out more about you?
You can find out lots more about the pants gang at my website www.curlylulu.co.uk
You can also go to my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/CurlyLuluUK
I can also be found hanging around on instagram www.instagram.com/Curlylulu_x
