We first met The Cotton Elephant at our first Fairy Tale Fair, she returned for Christmas and we are lucky enough to have her back again for Spring too! Find out more…
“I would like to live in a cottage, with a herd of micro-pigs and some chickens and spend my time split between my sewing room and my allotment! In the meantime though, I’m quite happy to just spend a few hours a week with a needle and thread.”– Siobhan, The Cotton Elephant.
Remind us a bit about you and what you do/ make….
I am the Cotton Elephant and I make gifts, home wares and pretty things from fabric. There’s no theme to my creations as such; they’re just whatever pops into my head. I particularly enjoy making patchwork quilts for babies, but I also like making smaller items such as cushions and decorations (including, of course, little Cotton Elephants). For the next Fairy Tale Fair I am working on a new range of Mothers’ day gifts including jewellery wraps and purses, which I will be selling alongside some old favourites such as my beach-hut door stops and applique cushions.
Do you have a best seller? If so what is it?
My personalized baby blankets have been selling really well this year (something to do with the baby boom I think!) and that’s great because I get lovely pictures sent to me of super-cute babies enjoying tummy time on my creations! Items from my seaside range also sell well; I have sold some of my beach-huts as far as the USA.
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
I have a busy and quite demanding day job which involves me spending most of my time in front of a computer. I really love being able to unwind in front of the sewing machine, or sitting with a cuppa and hand-sewing the final touches to a new creation. Sewing gives me the chance to be creative, which I wouldn’t really have otherwise.
Do you take part in other craft events (fairs, open houses, markets etc…)?
I have done two other Fairy Tale Fairs – they’re absolutely brilliant! I hope to do more fairs this year.
What items and Mother’s day/ Easter gifts will you be selling at The Fairy Tale Fair?
I’m making a range of products with some fab new silk fabric I have found; purses, make up bags and jewellery wraps which will make lovely gifts for mums. I’m also selling a range of smaller items which will make lovely little gifts.
You took part in the last Fairy Tale Fair, did you enjoy it?
I loved it! Meeting so many other crafters and lovely members of the public was absolutely great. It was also really festive – and I LOVE Christmas!
What are your plans/ ambitions for the future? Or have you already achieved them?
I would like to live in a cottage, with a herd of micro-pigs and some chickens and spend my time split between my sewing room and my allotment! In the meantime though, I’m quite happy to just spend a few hours a week with a needle and thread.
You can find out more about The Cotton Elephant here:
www.facebook.com/thecottonelephant
www.etsy.com/shop/thecottonelephant
We look forward to having her again on Saturday the 9th March- it’s going to be magical!
