We welcome Cuttlefishlove Kanzashi today. We love their beautiful accessories and the attention to detail they each contain! Find out more by reading Emily’s interesting interview below…
“I love the reward of making really elaborate pieces and the amazing feedback I get from those!”- Emily, Cuttlefishlove Kanzashi
Tell us a bit about you and what you do/ make….
I make hair accessories and brooches from folded silk and other fabrics. They are inspired by the Japanese traditional craft of kanzashi making. Kanzashi just means ‘hair ornament’ in Japanese, but there is a particular technique for folding silk squares into petals which is the basis for all my designs.
How would you describe your style?
I am inspired by traditional Japanese style and colour sense, particularly the love of seasonality, so wearing things that suit the season. But I am also inspired by modern Japanese fashions for kimono wearing (I collect kimono) and want to create accessories and jewellery that are modern and wearable for UK woman today who have a love of Japanese style!
How long have you been making your craft items?
I’ve been making since September 2010 and selling them since May 2011.
Do you have a best seller? If so what is it?
This particular style is very popular (below), I think because it is fascinator size, but quite simple, so it makes a very affordable fascinator: see it here. It sells best in bridal colours!
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
I find it really soothing just sitting down and making them, but I also love the sociable side which comes with it, meeting other makers, chatting to customers – I get a real kick when I make a sale too! I love the reward of making really elaborate pieces and the amazing feedback I get from those!
Do you take part in other craft events?
I try and do a craft fair at least once a month, but not more than twice a month or I get too overwhelmed and don’t have any time off with my husband. I do the Open Houses too- in fact I am on the lookout for a Christmas Open House at the moment! If exhibitions come up I try and do those too as they are good opportunities.
What products/ items will you be selling at The Fairy Tale Fair?
I am going to be selling my usual range of hair clips and brooches ranging in size from teeny tiny, to huge and bold, all in jewel coloured silks. I’ve also just made a range of hair sticks, which are proving very popular. I will have a very select range of pieces in vintage kimono silk, my favourite of which are the necklaces, another new line for me! The kimono silk pieces are really something special and most pieces are absolute one offs!
What are your plans/ ambitions for the future? Or have you already achieved them?
I’d like to find some more wholesale stockists and shops to stock my work. I am currently only stocked by the Royal Pavilion Shop in Brighton, and I’d like to build on that. I would also like to be featured in more magazines! I need to finish editing my photos and get a press release together in order to achieve that though!
We can’t wait to see how pretty Cuttlefishlove Kanzashi’s stall looks at The Fairy Tale Fair- make sure you don’t miss it!
