I have a really strong belief that EVERY woman over age 10 should have a wheat bag. I have been through 3 in the past 14 years and it is one of my most important and loved possessions! So….
Meet the delightful Kim Stark from Emiti Crafts. Kim is a new addition to the handmade art and craft world and is already making an impact with her awesome wheat bags and eye pillows. She’s making me one specially! Check out her links at the bottom of the interview - you wont be disappointed!
Kim, please tell made’n’found followers about Emiti Crafts.
Emiti is my fledgling craft business. At the moment my focus is handmade wheatbags and eyepillows. I’m a massage therapist as well and I started making them for my clients a year ago as a better looking alternative to the boring corduroy ones sold in chemists. I’ve had a really great response so I’ve started retailing them to select stores around Melbourne. I’m currently working on a range of other products that should be out soon. I’m experimenting with handbags, makeup bags and iphone bags. The focus with all my products is the liberal use of colour, femininity and practicality.
Tell us about your crafting life - how did it start? What arts and crafts have brought you to now?
I think the first crafting I remember is crocheting with my grandma! But I’ve always been into drawing, painting and sewing. Mum taught me how to sew so that’s helped me get to where I am now seeing is everything I’m currently doing is sewing. A few years ago I had a range of fabric belts that I sold to Hunter and Gatherer in Fitzroy which was my first foray into selling items I make. It was very exciting and I’m very happy to be coming back around to that and really pouring all my focus into Emiti. I very much consider myself a creative person and I like to dapple in lots of arts and crafts. My latest is a sculpture class I’m doing so who knows how I’ll incorporate that!
What about ‘handmade’ appeals to you as a handmade maker?
Well I’m a very passionate handmade “buyer” as well as maker mostly because I think the items look better! They’re more thought out, more individual and I like buying things that have an interesting backstory. In terms of being a maker I like to be involved in all aspects of my products so I can only do that if I make it. Plus its really fun.
How important is being part of the “artistic community” to you? What communities do you belong to, online and in real life? What support does this provide?
I work from home and it can get lonely working away by myself so I love to interact with the crafty community. It also inspires me seeing what other people are working on and other crafters are a huge source of useful information. I follow lots of craft blogs online and I go to markets where I like to talk and meet people. The support I have so far received from the craft community is massive. Everyone is so welcoming, nice, helpful and very generous with their time and advice.
Are there any gaps in that support? What would you like to see developed for handmade art and crafters in the future?
I’m too new to the community to really see any gaps. I just assume I haven’t found what I need yet. I really enjoy when we crafty people get together so I guess any opportunity for that to happen more would be welcome.
What goals do you have for Emiti Crafts?
I would like to continue to work on a range of new products, develop my branding and expand the wholesale side of my business. I’ll also be setting up an online shop very soon so stay tuned!
Who do you admire artistically? Why?
At the moment I’m loving Lara and Teegs work over at Ink & Spindle. I love their range of fabrics and its great to see women in business doing well. I have studio envy as well.
I also like Rabbit and the Duck. I’m into linen and organic cotton prints and she has some great fabric choices for her lovely range of products.
On a larger scale I like American designer Anna Maria Horner because she has achieved so much in the fabric and craft world and her work is something I aspire to.
Please give made’n’found readers a heads up on where they can find you!
There’s a website on the way but you can check out my blog at www.emiticrafts.blogspot.com for all the latest news or email me at emiticrafts@gmail.com
