This week week it’s the turn of Art by Neil Slorance

Why did you start in business/crafting?

I’ve always been a daydream doodler,  at school my books were always covered in monsters, ninjas and various computer game characters. Only in the past two years have I started painting my ideas. I love the feeling I get when I’m painting, it’s like having a nice dream. 

How did you come up with your crafty name?

I sometimes use the alias ‘osm art.’ That came from a friend who was teaching english in the Czech Republic; apparently Osm is Czech for the number 8, which is my lucky number and also, on a slightly more superficial note, it sounds like ‘awesome’! 

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Sometimes its half full, sometimes half empty, either way I’m probably making a picture about it.

What is your favourite thing that costs nothing?

My brain, walking about, sharing silly faces, sleeping.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Personal experience, relationships, dreams, adventures and random thoughts mostly. I also love old sci-fi films with awful special effects and various comics.

Top 5 desert-island essentials?

A pencil, my drawing book, sun cream (I burn easily because I’m a closet ginger), chocolate milk and a football which doubles as my friend when I go all island-crazy. 

 
What is the ugliest most pitiful thing you’ve ever made?

My first few paintings were pretty awful.

What have you made that you’re most proud of?

I entered a painting into a competition when i was just starting out, it was for the travel company Expedia and the national gallery. I was one of the winners and my painting (of two robots flying a kite) was hung in an edinburgh gallery for a few weeks, i was ever so proud!

What’s so great about Glasgow?

There’s always so much happening, its a great place for art and music of all types and there is a nice community spirit between many of the creative people i’ve met and worked with.

Favourite biscuit?
Party rings!

What crafts do you still want to learn?

I would like to get into screen printing so i can make t-shirts and I’d also like to get better at oil painting.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

Up early with no hangover; me and a friend or two go for noodles and sushi and then go somewhere nice and sunny for a walk and some banter. Next it’s off to the pub for a bit where after a few, we’re interrupted by Bill Murray who is looking for a new Ghostbuster. He picks me and we ghost-bust the night away!

What do you do in your day-to-day life, other than being a Mafioso?

I go to college where I study art, I play in a band called Anavris, I hang out with my tortoise herman and sometimes go out with my telescope when its a nice night.

What is your favourite crafting tool?

The dinosaur toothbrush that I use to splatter paint around.

What are your plans for the future?

I would like to get better at what i do and eventually hold a big fancy exhibition with cheese and wine. Maybe a string quartet. And a juggler.

Take a peek into Neil’s world via his myspace page.

This week pull up a chair next to The Rainbow Effect.

When did you start in business/crafting?

In Spring 2006

How did you come up with your crafty name?

I can’t actually remember-it was just there, and I knew I wanted to do something with primary colours for kids to counteract the norm of pallid pinks and blues. I must have heard the expression somewhere-it’s a technical term for something that happens to TV screens (or used to).

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Half full

What is your favourite thing that costs nothing?

A walk in the forest where I live – I’ve been here for 18 months and at times it still feel like an extended holiday! It’s a truly astonishing place to live.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

From seeing the vast amount of really dull kids clothing on offer and knowing I can do something to brighten up some kid’s and adults lives, even if it’s only a handful here and there.

Top 5 desert-island essentials?

Mini sewing kit, my favourite book (Confederacy of Dunces), Leatherman Wave, Large tub of Neal’s Yard Frankincense Moisturiser, a comfy pillow

What is the ugliest most pitiful thing you’ve ever made?

A really bad piece of patchwork I made at school-it was about 8 squares in total, hideous green floral and cream material and it took me a whole term to do! Thankfully, things have improved since then!

What have you made that you’re most proud of?

My vintage trimmed blankets and hats-I thought it was a great idea, but wasn’t sure if it would work-and it did and I was dead chuffed!

What’s so great about Glasgow?

Where d’you want me to start? It’s beautiful situation and proximity to the West Coast, it’s fantastically stylish, bold population, it’s great architecture, the ability of it’s citizens to both have a good laugh and to laugh at themselves, that it’s got great organisations like GCM and CEC……shall I stop now?

Favourite biscuit?

Tunnocks Caramel Wafer or a mint Yo-Yo (do they still make them?)

What crafts do you still want to learn?

Would like to be able to knit or crochet-I think Ding Dong’s stuff is amazing!

What is your idea of a perfect day?

Whole day sewing and doing the rounds of all Glasgow’s vintage clothes shops, finished off by dinner at Rogano’s and a glass of champagne! I usually have to cram my sewing in between feeding time at the zoo, the karate/swimming/ballet run/bedtime/housework etc. So a whole day, with no domestic or family stuff is bliss. It happens, but only once in a blue moon!!

What do you do in your day-to-day life, other than being a mafioso?

Administer and project manage Cowal Open Studios events; look after 2 small kids, bake, cook, do the laundry blah, blah etc

What is your favourite crafting tool?

My mother-in-laws old electric sewing machine that she gave me-it’s about 30 years old and still works like a dream and I’d be lost without it!

What are your plans for the future?

Global Domination in colourful, vintage inspired kids wear!! Hahahahahah……..(that’s my evil genius laugh!)

You can find out more about The Rainbow Effect’s plans for global domination at the website.

This week we have a natter with Madness of Many.

Why did you start in business/crafting?
 
It seemed a logical way to get rid of the stuff I was making and make a little cash on the side.

How did you come up with your crafty name?
 
‘Madness of Many’ started with a project that was part of a portfolio class I was doing. It involved the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse, squirrels, foxes, magpies and pigeons and was all a bit mental but something that I enjoyed working on.  The name just stuck around.

Is your glass half full or half empty?
 
Usually it’s spilled all over the place.

What is your favourite thing that costs nothing?
 
Walking over crunchy grass when it’s went all frosty in winter.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
 
It’s sounds a bit cliché, but everywhere. Books, TV, films, people etc.

Top 5 desert-island essentials?

A “Build Your Own Boat” kit.
Some snacks to eat while my building my boat.
A sleeping bag in case I get tired building my boat.
A bottle of champagne to christen my boat.
A boat repair kit in case I didn’t build my boat right and I start sinking while making my way back home.

 
 
What is the ugliest most pitiful thing you’ve ever made?
 
A scarf that I’m still trying to make right now. It’s currently twice the width it was when I started and there are holes all over it. I need to finish it!
What have you made that you’re most proud of?
 
A long double breasted coat made from grey tweed with a bright blue lining. It took me ages.

What’s so great about Glasgow?
 
The underground, the big issue seller in Sauchiehall Street that sings quite often, humorous graffiti, the sheer amount of free public spaces, the nifty buildings, that George Square is red, the GFT and the Grosvenor, that the charity shops are great, the waterbus, the Glasgow Tower that just never works and that it feels like home.

Favourite biscuit?
 
Tunnock’s Caramel Logs or a Blue Riband.
What crafts do you still want to learn?
 
Crochet, proper knitting, how to cut acrylic and furniture upholstery.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
 
Waking up naturally (not by stupid loud birds or the postman), watching a bit of Judge Judy then going out for lunch. A casual stroll through the Barras where my purse is magically full so I can buy lots of pretty things then come home get wrapped up in my jammies and listen to the rain batter the window while eating a take-away from Iciban.

What do you do in your day-to-day life, other than being a mafioso?
 
I work in a call centre part time and I study Visual Communication at University. I try to keep my flat neat but it never works.

What is your favourite crafting tool?
Needle and thread, where would I be without it? 
 
What are your plans for the future?
 
I can’t think further than just finishing uni just now, ask me again in 2012.

Catch up with all the latest Madness of Many news and products at the website.

This week we say howdy  to Corinne of Dazed Dorothy.

Why did you start in business/crafting?
I have been making & designing things all my life so I decided from a very young age that I would love to have a creative job.

How did you come up with your crafty name?
Dorothy is a nickname of mine taken from the character from The Wizard of Oz because I have a love of red shoes!

Is your glass half full or half empty?
Half Full with hot chocolate on a good day & half full with vodka on a bad one!

What is your favourite thing that costs nothing?
singing, dancing, kissing & reading!

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Carousels, vintage couture, secret gardens to name a few & I also get a lot of inspiration while im hoovering!

Top 5 desert-island essentials?
Camera, James Bond, La Perla Bikini, Jet Ski & Martini!

What is the ugliest most pitiful thing you’ve ever made?
If it was something that bad I’ve banished it from my memory!

What have you made that you’re most proud of?
A pure wool multi panelled coat that I designed & made in college which took weeks of pattern cutting.

What’s so great about Glasgow?
I love how you can chat to perfect strangers on public transport!

Favourite biscuit?
Anything covered in chocolate dipped in hot chocolate

What crafts do you still want to learn?
I would love to improve my knitting skills & do some more screen printing

What is your idea of a perfect day?
There are too many perfect days to choose from! Depends on the season- for winter I would go outdoor ice-skating, eating hot, chocolate crepes, going to winter markets, go home & have a luxurious bath, get glamourous & dance the night away!

What do you do in your day-to-day life, other than being a mafioso?
I run Dazed Dorothy & I enjoy dancing

What is your favourite crafting tool?
My Bernina 1008 sewing machine

What are your plans for the future?
To expand Dazed Dorothy & to eventually own a shop with a studio attached.

Thanks Corinne!  Pick up some pretties at Dazed Dorothy now, you won’t be disappointed!

This week it’s the turn of Emma from Showpony.

Why did you start in business/crafting?
I studied product design because I always wanted to design things that people would want to own and I’ve always enjoyed making things so it seamed like a natural way to start. With a business selling something you can make yourself the great thing is that you can just make a couple of things, take them along to a craft fair and see how you get on. If they sell well, make more, if not stick them in the back of the cupboard and move on.
 
How did you come up with your crafty name?
A life long obsession with horses from a very young age.

Is your glass half full or half empty?
Half full in an optimistic sort of way but in reality always half empty – I drink really quickly!

What is your favourite thing that costs nothing?
Taking the dog for a long walk round Kelvingrove park – lucky really because I do this at least twice a day.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Walking round that park, I find my mind wanders and ideas start to formulate. It must be the fresh air and lovely surroundings.

Top 5 desert-island essentials?
Lip balm, miso soup, the dog, my husband and would broadband be out of the question? (obviously these are in no specific order)

What is the ugliest most pitiful thing you’ve ever made?
I made a dung heap once – not pretty!

What have you made that you’re most proud of?
Actually I was quite proud of that dung heap.

What’s so great about Glasgow?
Well naturally I’m a big fan of the parks, but there’s also fantastic shopping, great food and a really positive atmosphere.

Favourite biscuit?
I like the really fancy ones with bits of chocolate, some nuts, maybe some pieces of ginger, then perhaps dipped in a bit more chocolate….mmm…. you don’t get many in a packet but that’s just as well because I can’t be trusted.

What crafts do you still want to learn?
I’d love to do some ceramics I think its amazing to make such solid durable products.

What is your idea of a perfect day?
Lots of consequence free cake eating

What do you do in your day-to-day life, other than being a mafioso?
Between the craft business and the dog walking there’s not a lot of time left over but I love seeing my friends and hanging out with my husband.

What is your favourite crafting tool?
actually its my computer, I use it for everything from designing my images to print, to making up packaging and labels, ordering supplies, and of course selling my work – I don’t know how people ever got by without them.

What are your plans for the future?
I just want to keep growing the business, going to more trade shows, introducing new products and building up a good amount of stockists. A beautiful, spacious and well organised studio space wouldn’t go a miss either.

You can bag yourself some Showpony goodness here

Thanks Emma!