It's all about the dogs!
I was born in Billinge in the mid 1970's. I grew up with a strong fear of dogs. So much so I would scale fences if one was in sight. Unknown to myself my sister had been pleading for a dog, when she achieved a class prize they decided to finally give in. Sandy the Fallowfield Beagle moved in, a strong minded angel/devil dog. My life was to change for ever. He was my life. I walked him in the Cheshire countryside most weekends, whilst cherishing the scenery and wildlife that was all around me. I could name most common british birds and watched the hedgerows for foxes and rabbits.
I went to art college in Lancashire, on to Leeds College of Art and Design before completing my art studies at Huddersfield University. I studied print and surface pattern design but my sewing machine was always by my side. I dabbled at freelancing, producing card and gift wrap designs which were sold in America, I made wedding invitations too before settling in an alternative career. Being creative would always be my true passion, but without the world wide web and social networking sites it was a difficult market to compete in.
How life would change. My family became proud owners of a nutty beagle, Evie. She came to us as a pup from Gilcoru Beagles in Wales. We became members of a Facebook group, BeaglesUK. We walked with other local beagle owners and made many new friends. I had been experimenting with my art work and decided to make a fabric beagle brooch. The hand sewn brooch design was slow to make and soon developed into a machine embroidered hanging decoration. I discovered that people were willing to pay for my beagle creations and I haven't looked back since.
I now design a small niche collection of key-rings, pin badges and cufflinks inspired by dogs. These are manufactured by an external manufacturer for me as I don't have the equipment/skillset needed to create them. My range of work is ever changing as I find my flow as a professional creative.
