Welcome to Punky's crafting space!

Our host today is Joanna who stands behind PunkyShop. 

We asked  Joanna to tell us a little bit about herself ::

I'm a teacher by trade, but a toymaker by heart. Frankly speaking, this is because I couldn’t have gotten rid of my internal child so far. Believe me, I tried hard many times. Eventually, I gave up because there was no point to fight with myself.

All my interests have been always focused around children. When at University, I took up with literature for children and devoted my master thesis to Beatrix Potter, the marvellous British writer and painter. I’ve got a huge collection of her books, film adaptations of her stories, framed illustrations by her, plushies of her characters and so on.

You can find out more about Joanna on her blogs::
www.punkymum.blogspot.com
www.punkytoys.blogspot.com

What kinds of crafts do you do?
Nowadays I still focus my attention on children – I work at school and create plush toys. These are my children who inspire me the most, so my toys change, as my boys grow up. The older they are, the naughtier my toys become. My elder son is almost fifteen, that’s why my plushies are more adult and they sometimes appear naked (!).

Where do you craft?
Unfortunately, I haven’t got my own study. As far as conceptual work is concerned, I can do it anywhere, but usually at the coffee table. The problem is, that, whenever I’m going to work, I have an immediate companion. My sewing machine stands by the window in our living room. But as you can see in the picture, they are always waiting to take my seat.

Sometimes I try to work at the dining table, but again, the problem is still the same. I have three gifted boys at home. Not too bad if they crochet (Jasiek), but when they solder or sculp, all kinds of stuff are thoroughly spread over the table .

Selling via Internet is inextricably associated with the activity I truly hate – taking and editing pictures. It needs a few hours of queuing to the computer because it is the most occupied place at home. And then, long hours spent at the front of the screen. Ugh..... If I had more money, I would definitely hire an advertising agency to do it for me.

What in your craft space (if anything) inspires you?
It’s hard to say, because the constant source of inspiration are my sons. Well, in a sense they are part of my craft space, as numerous attempts to separate unfortunately failed.

What kind of materials, tools you use most often? How do you store them?
I use fleece for my plushies. At the first sight it resembles felt, but it’s much better for it is soft, elastic and it doesn’t peel as polyester felt does (try to find truly woolen felt!). Moreover, it’s made of recycled plastic bottles, and ecology is also very important for me. 

Storing tools, materials and stuffing is again a serious problem. I try to keep them in order, but these cupboard and five drawers (outside the frame) are definitely not big enough. I keep huge bags in the basement and have to store a lot of stuff at my parents’ house which is over two hundred kilometers from my place.

How do you organize your workspace? Do you have any organization tip/tool/tricks that can help others improve their workspace?
Well, I am very proud to be the mother of a certain great invention. I managed to tame a large spools of yard, which don’t fit to the home sewing machine. Placed loose on the table, they turn over, get tangled, fall down to the floor. Everybody knows that freedom is wonderful, but without boundaries it can be harmful. That's why I always put the spool into a small tin pail where it can rotate, but the pail prevents it from running away.

What is your one favourite thing in your craft room?
Silence. However, hardly ever does it reign.

If you could change one thing in your craft room what would it be?
Walls made of gum. Then, the room would be more spacious and less crowded. 

 

www.punkyshop.etsy.com