Guestspot by Butterscotch and Beesting

A slight deviation from the normal interview, today's post is by the delightful Camilla from Butterscotch and Beesting....

A lot of my weekends are spent at craft fairs and markets, either working or noseying around. But the craft fairs I go to now are nothing like those of my childhood (and there were many, many craft fairs in my childhood) where my mum [http://www.hannewestergaard.com/] would try to sell her Modernist ceramics in a room full of knitted tea cosies and floral embroidery. 

It’s not that you wouldn’t find knitted tea cosies at today’s craft fairs (or that there’s anything wrong with them; I’m a bit of a fan actually), but you’re more likely to see an illustrated ode to the Arran-sweatered teapot than the real article. Like this one by Chasing The Crayon…



White Rabbit Has Breakfast by Chasing the Crayon

Now it seems, rather than being the black sheep in a family of art galleries and design shops, today’s craft fairs and markets showcase the work of a new breed of ‘crafters’ who don’t take much notice of those distinctions. Their work crosses the divide of art, design, making and craftsmanship. So, for example, an original illustration might end up as a series of prints, fabrics, ceramics, wallpaper, badges. Knowing how to do that, how to interpret designs for different products, is a skill in itself.

So long live the reign of new craft fair, and those makers/designers/artists/illustrators/printmakers/sewers/ceramicists/jewelers/knitters/crafters who work crazy hours to get everything ready, squeeze it all into boxes and suitcases, spend ages setting up their stall, struggle with pricing, suffer cold toes, forget to eat lunch, and carry it all back again at the end of the day.

Here are just some of the work of those people I’ve met in my past few months on the craft fair trail…

Yas Ming Ceramics



Jane Elliot / Leaf City Press



Anna Wiscombe

James Green Printworks

Ketchup on Everything

I Wish I Was A…

James Ward

And here are just two of the best of the new(ish) breed of craft fairs:

http://craftyfoxmarket.blogspot.co.uk/

http://designersmakers.tumblr.com/Designers-Makers-Market

Do take the time to hop on over to Camilla's fabulous blog and her Etsy shop. You are in for a treat!

Restocking the medicine chest

I'm sorry to say that Rosie and the Boys have all been somewhat under the weather of late with nasty coughs and colds. Disillusioned with conventional remedies I have decided to take action and turn to Butterscotch and Beesting for help.  In their lovely emporium, a variety of potions, tonics and treats await to restore a smile to your face.

To return my boys to the Jumping Beans that they usually are I would recommend a good dose of Bouncing Liquid.

And for those of you who like me have to undergo scary trips to the dentist? Well Courage Tonic of course!

And if you happen to take too much...never fear just help yourself to some of Nurse Betty's Magical Antidote.

Thank you Butterscotch and Beesting! Rosie and the Boys salute you.

Interview with Camilla Westergaard from ButterscotchBeesting

You may remember that I featured the work of Camilla recently. I was so impressed with her lovely things that I wanted to know more! Camilla very kindly agreed to be put in the hot seat and answer some of my questions.

So without further ado:

1. You've got a really strong story with fabulous characters which feature in your designs. Do you find this helps you when creating or do you sometimes want to escape from the circus?

I never want to escape! I only wish I could move there. For me, it really helps to a have a story to work with. I guess it's a bit like illustrating a book – it gives you a starting point, and as all the characters have usually firmly lodged themselves in my head, I already know what they would look like and how they would behave. They just need to get out and on to paper! The hardest thing would be to have a blank page in front of me and have no idea where to start.


  2. Do you prefer sweeties or magic?

How could you ask me to choose? A life without either would be a very sad one indeed.






3. Which part of your creative process do you find most enjoyable?

Probably the story and character making bit. There's a moment when it all clicks into place and you know who they are, how they think and what they look like and it's a bit like magic.

(Check out more of the story here)

4. What's the most precious/useful thing in your work space?

Ooh, too many to choose from. My Mac. My sewing machine. My camera. My pencil. My rubber.

5. Do you have such a thing as a typical day? If so what's it like?

My days are a bit too manic, having three children and not enough time. On the two days a week I have to myself, they normally start with tea and a list!

6. Can you name 3 major influences on your work?

My sister. My mum. My children.

(this is some of Camilla's very clever sister's jewellery- check it out here )

7. If you could acquire a new skill overnight what would it be?
Can it be singing? Or super-strong arms so I could be a trapeze artist.

(as strong as this? Check out this fabulous box and more from the lovely shop Kettle of Fish Camilla highlighted on here blog)


8. Do Betty Butterscotch and Bumblewick Beesting ever fall out?

Not publicly. When it does happen, Bumblewick normally manages to smooth things over. Such a charmer, that one.




9. Of all the mixed up animals that the naughty monkey has created which is your favourite?
I have a soft spot for the Huffhopper, even though he has an ego large enough to fill the Big Top.

10. What can we look forward to seeing in your shop this year?
I'm working on a story book and a board game, which have both been running round my head for months now, pinching me every time I try to fall asleep.

Do go and check out Camilla's blog, facebook,and etsy shop