eNVe Designs: October 2010

Hi everyone, I'm back! And I'm so thrilled to be featuring the lovely ladies behind lilliputloft! I discovered the amazing work of Vicky and Jill, a mother-daughter duo, when searching for some quiet books for my kids. When I found their shop, I was instantly enamored by the Curious Garden activity book--their unique and clever take on exploring the world of Alice in Wonderland. I can definitely see my daughter captivated by this book. Heck, I'm turning 33 this week and even I would have fun with it! :) Aside from their wonderful fabric books, there's a wonderful selection of enchanting and whimsical mobiles, dolls, wall hangings, etc. The detail and imagination in their work is just incredible. I hope you'll take a moment to explore!

.......................... the interview .........................

A random fun fact about yourself:

Vicki: I have a very strong sense of smell. Some perfumes, etc. that most people enjoy…I find unbearable.

Jill: I am very addicted to organization and storage systems!

The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:

Vicki: white; garden; green
Jill: discombobulate (I’m serious!)

What's your favorite read of all time?

Vicki: The Heaven Tree Triolgy. (The Heaven Tree/The Green Branch/The /Scarlet Seed.)

Jill: anything by Phillipa Gregory

Any guilty pleasures?

Vicki: Cream Buns with mock cream and a dollop of red jammy stuff (must be first left in the fridge so the mock cream forms a hard solid lump)

Jill: Good coffee and great food.

If you could be any place in the world right now, where would it be?

Vicki: Paris/France

Jill: A gorgeous old castle in Europe

(Ok, now onto business)
How would you describe your work?

Vicki and Jill: whimsical with a touch of childhood nostalgia and elegance.

How long have you been at it?

Vicki: Creating?...all my life. Etsy Shop(Lilliput Loft)?..just under one year.

Jill: Since having my daughter (now 2yrs old) I have really been able to let the creative juices flow. Before that, I worked in the Early Childhood Education industry so most of my creativity was focused on having a very fun and,creative classroom.

So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?

Vicki: Natural talent, but practice makes better.

Jill: I definitely inherited some of my mother's talent, but I lack a bit of confidence in my own ability.

Do you dabble in any other forms of art?

Vicki: drawing; pottery; sewing; papier mache.

Jill: Scrapbooking (though I never have time for it at the moment!)

From where/how do you find inspiration?

Vicki and Jill: Really, inspiration can strike at any tick of the clock anywhere at all. Could be from a photo or song or thought or thought process.

Share something about your creative process that most people wouldn't know.

Vicki: Just start with an idea. If it starts to fail, assess whether it can be salvaged or abandoned.

Jill: Organization! I have multiple folders full of sketches, templates and notes regarding how items are to be made….all neatly catalogued of course! See…I am addicted!

What was your most memorable creative experience?

Vicki: Would have to be my Enchanted Trees.

Jill: Creating the ‘A Curious Garden’ fabric quiet book. It was a request from a potential customer. It took sooo long to design and create but it is the item that makes me the most proud!

What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?

Vicki: Move on it! There is nothing like when you start a new project, and you are on a roll! So invigorating. Everyone needs a project, of some sort.

Any memorable low points that you've learned from?

Vicki: Yes. The first night after I started working with the papier mache on my very first tree. In the middle of the night, we heard a loud bang. It was the tree completely collapsing in on itself from the weight of the thoroughly saturated wet paper.

Jill: Realizing how much I could realistically sell my Fabric Quiet Books for. So much work for so little profit! Not worth it at all, other than the pleasure from knowing that there is NOTHING else like them available on the web.

What is your formula for success?

Vicki: Just keep chipping away at it.

Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?

Vicki: Don’t give up. Just try to think outside the square a little.

When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?

Vicki: Gardening. Playing with our 2 year old granddaughter. Housework.

Jill: Playing with my gorgeous daughter, Elliana.

In a parallel universe where you are not an amazing artist, what would you be?

Vicki: I would also need a few extra inches of height and a slimmer body shape…Then I would be a fashion addicted girly girl and dress up a lot. So my wardrobe would be filled with all manner of clothing and accessories in many boxes …instead of all manner of craft items in many boxes.

Jill: I am actually living my dream life right now! I always wanted to be doing crafty things and being a stay-at-home-mum.

Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask about?

Vicki: Creating items for Lilliput Loft, in partnership with my daughter Jillian, is a dream come true. A dream I never actually dreamed, but one that has eventuated.

What are some of your favorite etsy shops?

Vicki: I love amazing art dolls and slightly weird things that don’t actually do anything, but just be. And I am addicted to creating treasuries, so I have very many shops that I frequent for beautiful photos of items for my many treasuries.(just check our ‘favourites’ and you’ll see what I’m talking about!)

Jill: I love girly shops that sell elegant accessories, clothes and toys etc for little girls. I don’t like fashion for me, but love little girl fashion!

What's at the top of your etsy wish list?

Vicki: To be a ‘name’ (Lilliput Loft) that people remember with fond thoughts and delightful memories….and lots and lots of sales would be very nice.

Jill: To be able to make enough ‘supplementary income’ from this ‘crafty’ thing, to be able to stay at home with my daughter and not have to go back to ‘normal’ work!