Interview with... MomentsByMartha

Moments by Martha is a diverse Etsy jewellery shop, with a category to suit everyone, from chunky, to bright to simple. It's easy to choose the category that suits you...Who are you and where do you come from?I'm Becci - currently living near to Oxford, but originally hailing from the New Forest. I will always be a forest girl in my heart! I've something of a split personality when it comes to what I enjoy - of course I've always liked using my hands - painting, sewing, cooking and most recently making jewellery - but I also have a fondness for science. I have a Pharmacology degree, and currently work in research and development within a food manufacturing company. And, in case you were wondering... Martha is my cat!What do you do in your spare time other than craft?Not a lot! I spend a huge amount of time working on new items, photographing them, listing them and of course chatting to fellow crafters in forums. Right now, a fair portion of my time is being eaten up with the organisation of a craft fair (handm@de in Oxford) that I really do hope is a success. Having never done anything along these lines before it is a steep learning curve - but one that I am thoroughly enjoying!Please tell us a little bit about what you make...Jewellery! Necklaces, bracelets and earrings are my mainstay - but now and again I might make a cute little bookmark or something totally random. I use semi-precious stones, glass and sterling silver... now and again I use wood, and I've recently got a few bits and pieces in brass and copper, so check back to see how that pans out!What do you enjoy making best?Most enjoyable are the pieces where inspiration hits immediately! When you open a package, and see the bead or the metal and you just know what you're going to make.What are your main inspirations for making a piece?Generally my inspiration comes right from the components of a pieces. I rarely buy pieces specifically for a new necklace - rather I'll buy things that I love and then see what I can do with them.What are you currently making?I don't actually have anything on the go at the moment! I do have a few earwires in copper and brass that I can't wait to play with though. Right now I'm in the middle of restyling my store, in the hope of injecting a little freshness and vitality into the shots.Can you make custom orders?I certainly can. If you like the style of my items, then I have no problem with recreating something - or taking something a tweaking it - or even making something from an idea or a set of stones or colours.Where can we buy your work?My etsy shop - http://momentsbymartha.etsy.comOr at a couple of craft fairs over the winter... handm@de (http://handmadeoxford.blogspot.com) in Oxford at the town hall on November 9th... and wemake (http://wemakelondon.blogspot.com) in London on December 6th.