Name: Ola Fumilayo from
Clockwork FantasticaWebsite links:
Shop,
Plucked Pins BlogWhat do you make?I make minature music box pendants.
What or who inspires you?Whenever I see those really old really beautiful Swiss music box movements and listen to them play, I just think "wow" because those are all made by hand. I have the same reaction when I see detailed penwork or paintings done in miniature - I like precision and complexity. They make me want to run to my studio and start working.
Click
here to hear a very pared down version of what one sounds like.
How did you get started?It's hard to answer that because it was more like a lightening bolt of excitement over an idea that got me started (except this lightning bolt was made of clockwork and twee lol).
I think things got really rolling a few years deep into my interest in (er, obsession with) music boxes and with talking, learning and working with experts who are still doing this. That was very inspiring and I've gained a lot of knowledgable friends in this field so I've been very lucky.
Music boxes, restoring and creating with real mechanical music boxes is a dying art.
What are your favourite materials to work with?I like when I get to incorporate old glass into a piece, especially faceted glass that picks up the light in beautiful ways. I swear I'm part magpie.
What is the hardest and most favourite part of crafting?Okay, when i'm selling in person at shows and someone picks one of my pendants up, the moment they realize that it's a tiny music box, that's what I love. I love the surprised looks and smiles. Something else I really love is when I get positive feedback from happy customers. Knowing that someone is thrilled with one of my pieces, that can make my day. It "makes right" one of the hardest parts of crafting, which is parting with my favourite pieces.
List 5 of your favourite links and why you like themcbc radio: I tend to be in my workroom for long hours and this keeps my mind occupied while my fingers are busy. I like listening to the different local broadcasts across Canada.
meetup.com: I started a meetup group on this great site for other creative women in my city who sell all or some of what we make and meeting with each other is a real practical and creative lifeline for me that keeps me motivated and focussed.
the switchboards: the forum here is like my secret weapon when it comes to advice (everything from business ethics to video games, i've seen it here)
music in the key of charles: it's a radio show that we can only hear in reruns now online, but the show tapped into my aural nostalgia and makes me happy. I also love Charles' running train of thought narrative. I wish it were still being broadcast.
unanimous craft: this is a new and interesting craft resource site I have been peeking at.
Do you have any advice for those in the biz?Connect with your local business assistance/advice group (these are usually in city halls) and learn how to create a finanical plan that allows you to continue creating. I'm beginning to think that this is one of the differences between a business that can survive the long haul and one that leaps up like a flame but sputters out.
Do you consider yourself an artist or a crafter?Craft is a type of art that lives with, on, and in people; the handmade art we wear, the art we give our children to hold when they're sleeping, art we consume into our bodies. It literally changes our lives for the better - it gives us practical comfort on this earth. It fills us up. We keep it close to our bodies or close at hand. For sure I consider myself a designer and a craftsperson.
(photo images courtesy of Ola /
Clockwork Fantastica)
If you are interested in being featured, please send us an email at info(at)gotcraft(dot)com.
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