Hello, I’m Jane. I live in Leeds, UK, with my husband and our daft black cat. Our daughter has recently moved away to university, so life at home has changed quite a bit.
I enjoy all sorts of crafts and have never managed to settle on just one. I’m sure life would be easier if I did! My main interests are card making, knitting and beading, although I remain firmly in the amateur league at all three.
I used to work with children, which gave me a love of children’s crafts—the messier, the better, as long as I don’t have to clear up afterwards! These days, I occasionally volunteer at a local care home, where I enjoy crafting with a small group of lovely ladies at the other end of the age spectrum.
My grandma and mum taught me to knit when I was at junior school, and I have been knitting on and off ever since. Over the years, I have also learned cross-stitch and some simple machine sewing.
I began making cards in 2003, originally as a way of using up the bits and pieces I already had. It soon got slightly out of hand, and before long I was buying more craft supplies and making more and more cards.
I created the Crafty Jane’s website to sell my cards and take orders for personalised designs—although, to be completely honest, my husband built the website because I’m not particularly technically minded! In recent years, I have not been able to sell my creations, so I now mainly donate them to charities.
I also belong to a group of card makers called Outlawz, where we create cards to inspire people taking part in monthly challenges.
My favourite cards to make are stitched cards, using patterns from sites like Stitching Cards, Ann’s Papercraft, Form a Lines.
I like making cards as it is fairly quick and I like to make them simple, but fun. They are usually easy to do and can be portable, I can even do the stitched ones laid in bed if need be.
I was also very impressed that I managed to make a couple of quilts.
Quilting is very time consuming, I have another one on the go, but have not done any for ages, maybe one day!
I think this necklace has to be the most impressive thing I have made, but I had never worn it as the ends were sharp and it was uncomfortable to wear. I cut the drops off to wear it. Sadly it has now fallen apart and needs restringing, nothing to do with me cutting the drops off, but very frustrating.
I like the jewellery making, but it can be quite fiddly and tiring and I have trouble following patterns.
I am lucky to have a husband who lets me buy craft products, within reason and who doesn’t complain too much if things don’t get used! I have probably spent as much on storage as products!
I think my next craft to learn, is the art of taking photos that do justice to my makes.
