Meet the Maker.........Sarah from "Love and Two Guns"

I am pleased to welcome Sarah from Love and Two Guns to our Meet the Maker!  Sarah has just moved down to the Peninsula, so I thought this would be a lovely way to make her feel right at home........

Name:  Sarah Leonard

Business Name: LATG....Love and Two Guns

Website:  Nothing yet

Online storefronts:  Nothing yet

Facebook:  Love and Two Guns

Twitter: Nothing yet

Questions:

1.  So, tell us about yourself?

I have recently moved to Melbourne from Brisbane, with my husband, who is in the Australian Defence Force.  I studied marketing at QUT and I used to work at a major department store as a Sales Assistant and in-store Visual Merchandiser.  I love Op Shopping (a little too much) and like to spend my time making accessories for my LATG label.

2.  Why handmade?

I have always been interested in anything handmade - how the item is designed and constructed.  It amazes me at what people can make - the skills needed and the time taken.  Handmade is always more special and I like the idea that something was made from raw materials and turned into a beautiful or useful product.

3.  What influenced you to start your business?

Being addicted to your craft means you have A LOT of it accumulating in the house.  As much as your want to keep it all, it's nice to share it with other people.  I liked the idea of having my own little enterprise and being able to control and steer it in any direction.  I also liked the idea of crafting a little world that was my own.  Reactions form friends, family and strangers are always a great motivator too.

4.  What types of products do you sell?

At the moment I sell handmade resin jewellery, scarves and cushions.  I really want LATG to specialise in fashion and home accessories.  I'm a little obsessed with fabric at the moment, so expect more scarves, cushions and throw rugs.

5.  What are your inspirations for making your products?

My inspiration comes from everywhere.  If I like something (a colour, shape or style), I will try and reflect it in something I make.  I tend to move toward simple styles that can be mixed and matched.  My family upbringing has been a major influence too.  My mother has always inspired a vintage look with her English background; whereas my dad inspires more Asian design with his Chinese Malaysian nationality.  In saying that, sometimes, I like to go completely modern - it really depends on my mood.

6.  Where do you sell your products?

I mainly sell my products through Facebook and word-of-mouth.  I am trying to attend more markets around Melbourne so I can really get my wares known.

7.  How much time do you spend making your products each week?

Well, seeing as I am still looking for casual employment, I get to spend heaps of time making things.  Generally the resin jewellery will take from one day to a week, to completely cure and sand them.  My cushions don't take too long, so I can get a few done a week.  The scarves are my current addiction, so I try and make a couple per day.

8.  Do you have a dedicated craft area or studio in your home?

I do have a large room toward the back of the house that I dedicate to my market set-up and sewing.  With resin jewellery, I need a well-ventilated area, so this works perfectly.  The annoying part is that the room is open plan and is right next to the kitchen, so I get tempted to snack when I should be working.

9.  Are you self taught or have you had a good teacher?

Everything I have done has been self taught.  I think trial and error is a great way to learn, as well as discovering new ways to do things.  Some of my best ideas have come from stuffing up!  I do research on the Internet a fair bit if I need to know how to do something on the sewing machine.