This month, we have the pleasure of getting to know Renata, the talented maker behind Pink Rabbits Craft. We asked her about her craft, her sources of inspiration and her aspirations for her handmade business - here's what she told us...
Can you tell us more about yourself and your craft?
My name is Renata and I design and create fabric dolls, soft toys and felted decorations for 2 years.
How did you get started?
I bought my very first sewing machine just about 3 years ago, with plan to do minor reparations of my own clothing and eventually learn more about quilting. It was my first time using a sewing machine and everything up to today was completely self thought. I just enjoyed the freedom of creativity with different fabrics, and somehow I ended up in a slightly different direction, enjoyed more and more designing and making the dolls.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I have been working with children for almost 10 years now, and they were the biggest inspiration for my craft. I think that children value things that are soft, warm and have a personality. I felt that these dolls can become a little companion that they can treasure, something they can endow with a character, and a whole life story. This is mainly why I started to make my dolls. I have always been a crafty person, I used to paint glass and ceramics too, but textiles and prints are the things that fascinate me the most.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a maker and business owner?
The biggest challenge for me is keeping up with legal requirements, numbers and taxes, all the research that I do in order to be up to date.
What is your favourite thing about being a creative business owner?
The freedom to create - I think it is so important to do something that you love, and enjoy the process, but the best thing is to see how your work gives happiness to people. For me that it the utmost joy when I create a doll and it goes to a place where it is loved and treasured.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I have my day job in all afternoons and some full days, so I try to get up on time to spend a couple of hours with my craft, but when ‘inspiration strikes’ I can be up until 5 in the morning, working on a new idea or design.
Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to your craft?
I am a true ‘nature person’ and at the moment I miss all the hiking, trekking and mountain climbing, travelling that I used to do, I also love photography (mostly nature photos), and drawing.
How do you stay motivated? Any advice for your fellow makers?
All the positive feedback and seeing that my work brings a smile to faces keeps me motivated. I also find it relaxing and very comforting when I get to sit down, and work on my craft, I feel confident in what I am doing, I think it is important for us not to forget that it all started from a hobby, from something that we initially love to do, even when we encounter difficulties.
What are your goals for 2021?
My doll making started as a hobby, but I’d very much like it to grow into a small business that eventually can become a good addition to my earnings.
How can we find you and your products online?
At the moment I sell my products on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PinkRabbitsCraft
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