Today we say hello to Toby of ‘I Like CATS’. We are very excited to welcome Toby and his wonderful knitted cat creations to the fair- which will be his first craft fair! We think it will be the first of many and his festive cat creations will be popular we’re sure! Read on to find out more…
“To make a solid item from a piece of wool is very satisfying! I also find it very relaxing (most of the time)! To be able to make is a wonderful thing…”- Toby, I Like CATS
Tell us a bit about you and what you do/ make….
My name is Toby Oliver Dean and I like CATS and I like knitting. I like lots of other things too, but cats and knitting are pretty major in my life. I have a degree in Fine Art but I seem to have forgotten everything I learnt and have basically reverted back to my childhood. I make knitted brooches and other trinkets such as rings and illustrations, mainly featuring big fat rainbow cats but sometimes dogs and ponies and aubergines too (I love aubergines).
How would you describe your style?
I like things to be tactile; so I try to make items that are pretty to look at but you can also touch and wear every day. I don’t believe in everything looking perfect and uniform so each item is completely unique – colours may vary, cuteness will not!
How long have you been making your craft items?
I’ve been knitting since forever, but I didn’t get serious about my crafting until I moved to Brighton a year ago. Being self-employed in a land of serious creativity has helped a lot, and I’m finally starting to be able to dedicate more time to making knitted cat lovliness.
Do you have a best seller? If so what is it?
Probably my custom pet brooches, which are also my favourite thing to make! It’s always a bit of a challenge to replicate a much loved pet into knitted brooch form, but so far everyone has loved the results!
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
To make a solid item from a piece of wool is very satisfying! I also find it very relaxing (most of the time)! To be able to make is a wonderful thing.
Do you take part in other craft events (fairs, open houses, markets etc…)?
The Fairy Tale Fair will be my very first craft fair! I’m very excited but also nervous, as I have a funny feeling that maybe I am the only person in the world who actually likes the things I make… I use Folksy and Etsy but I find both systems quite impersonal and haven’t really got them to work for me yet. I have some more fairs lined up for December, and I think The Fairy Tale Fair will be the perfect place to begin my craft fair adventure!
What items and festive gifts will you be selling at The Fairy Tale Fair?
Alongside my cat brooches and rings I’ve been working on some cat face baulbauls, as well as little robins and Christmas puddings! I’ve also been busy illustrating some hilarious (I think) cat-pun Christmas cards. Other seasonal pieces include my cable knit headbands which are lovely for winter.
What are your plans/ ambitions for the future? Or have you already achieved them?
I really want to knit a Where The Wild Things Are style cat onesie, with whiskers, ears and a tail. I also want a dog – does that count as an ambition?
Any other comments you wish to make:
Meow.
See I Like CATS shop here: http://folksy.com/shops/ILIKECATS
We can’t wait to see all the cute cats at the fair- in fact we might have to purchase one ourselves! Everyone likes CATS!
