We are excited to announce our ‘Say hello to…’ posts are back! We have lots of new and lovely stall holders to introduce to you, as well as some special Christmas gift posts from our regular stall holders!
The first of our posts is a special one! Today we introduce to you Shark Alley, who makes beautiful animal themed jewellery and otter characters. We think their creations are wonderful and look forward to seeing them at the fair!
Find out more below…
“My style is massively inspired by animals, particularly birds and British wildlife….I just love actually being able to create something real, rather than working digitally all the time.” – Sarah, Shark Alley
Tell us a bit about you and what you do/ make….
My name is Sarah Kelly and Shark Alley is an anagram that I’ve long wanted to use! I trained as an illustrator, but often made detours into craft until I finally decided enough was enough and I became a fully-fledged designer-maker. I make jewellery from papier mâché & resin and resin & sterling silver as well as hand-sewn otters and birds and I have recently started making otter and fox motif coin purses.
How would you describe your style?
My style is massively inspired by animals, particularly birds and British wildlife. I also love colour and pattern. Working with paper is fab, as I can use so many gorgeous examples – I’m particularly loving Japanese Chiyogami paper at the moment. I also like to recycle wherever I can.
How long have you been making your craft items?
I started Shark Alley in January 2010, but I’ve been crafting since childhood.
Do you have a best seller? If so what is it?
I think it would have to be a tie between the papier mâché brooches and the little otters.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
I just love actually being able to create something real, rather than working digitally all the time. I enjoy trying to figure out how to make the pieces work and then seeing them finished gives me such pleasure. I like to prop them up by the bed so I can look at them and have a think about them before I go to sleep.
Do you take part in other craft events (fairs, open houses, markets etc…)?
I exhibit in an Open House in Fiveways and take part in craft fairs in London, Surrey and Brighton, particularly with We Make London and Craftaganza. I also have work in Bellis Gallery in Brighton and Oak Studio in Hampstead.
What items and festive gifts will you be selling at The Fairy Tale Fair?
I’ll be selling my full range of jewellery, otters, purses (including the Scampi Moo otter range), prints, cards and some gorgeous new Christmas decorations with a twist – quite literally!
What are your plans/ ambitions for the future? Or have you already achieved them?
I want Shark Alley to be a brand that embraces many forms and disciplines, although the animal theme will remain constant. I feel that as an artist I can’t just constantly make the same thing over and over again, and as soon as it becomes a chore, I want to move on to something new. I would also like to create printed products based on an initial design so I don’t have to make everything by hand all the time. I also need to get on top of publicity and media next year. Onwards and upwards!
Web: http://www.sharkalley.co.uk Blog: http://sharkalleyjewellery.blogspot.co.uk
Blog: http://buzzywithfuzzy.blogspot.co.uk/
We are looking forward to having Shark Alley and her otters at The Fairy Tale Fair- hope you are too!
