Say Hello To…Patcham Papercrafters

Brighton, craft, Hand CraftedNo comments

Today we Say Hello To Patcham Papercrafters, which is a monthly card making group at Patcham Community Centre for all ages. They will be holding a workshop stall where you can come along and make a card yourself with the materials provided. Vickie of Patcham Papercrafters is also the ‘Lets Make Cards’ Magazine card maker of the year 2012!

“Card making gives me the opportunity to completely switch off from day to day stress – I feel totally calm when cardmaking. Also the people that I have met through crafting are amazing and so friendly, meeting up once a month is something I really look forward to…”- Vickie, Patcham Papercrafters

Tell us a bit about you and what you do/ make….

My name is Vickie Norris and I became addicted to cardmaking and scrapbooking when pregnant 5 years ago. I already had four young children and wanted something to keep me occupied in the evenings once they were tucked up in bed. I now make hand made greeting cards and papercraft gifts which I have just started to sell. I also wanted to share my passion for this craft so I set up Patcham Papercrafters which runs monthly at Patcham Community Centre. Its a great group open to everyone and is full of lovely people who are happy to share techniques and their equipment.

How would you describe your style?

I really love working with vintage images and colours. Distressing has to be my favourite technique which involves taking something and making it look older by using inks and playing about with it. I enjoy stamping images of characters and colouring them with alcohol pens and using different colour inks on stamps to achieve different effects. However I do make lots of different cards to cater for all tastes and occasions.

Winner- Card Maker of the year 2012!

How long have you been making your craft items?

I started out crafting 5 years ago but it took a couple of years until I was happy with my ability and until now for me to sell them! The great thing with crafting is you will never stop learning.

Do you have a best seller? If so what is it?

One of my favourite things to make is a box easel card that comes in its own presentation box. I make these to order as they are normally for special occasions and personalised in some way. Like a regular easel card it features a drawer where people add gift cards, tickets, a message or chocolates for example to the recipient.

What do you enjoy most about your craft?

It has to be that it gives me the opportunity to completely switch off from day to day stress – I feel totally calm when cardmaking. Also the people that I have met through crafting are amazing and so friendly, meeting up once a month is something I really look forward to.

You will be providing a workshop for The Fairy Tale Fair- what will your workshop involve?

As Christmas is coming I thought it would be fun to do something to keep the kids occupied. So we will be making tree decorations using funky foam and mini snowmen using polystyrene balls – and plenty of glue and glitter of course!

What are your plans/ ambitions for the future? Or have you already achieved them?

I feel like I’m only just starting out! I really enjoy making cards but am starting to run workshops and sell papercraft supplies myself to encourage other people to take up the hobby. I’m also looking into designing my own range as well and getting commissioned by magazines. Ultimately I would love to own an actual bricks and motar shop selling papercraft supplies but I’m still a long way from doing that….. but all in good time!