Interview with Annabelle of Three Red Apples

Tell us a little about yourself. Who is Annabelle?
I’m a French girl who 16 years ago hopped across the water from Brittany to England, met a boy, fell in love and never left. I now live in a small cottage in Devon with said boy and Jack the dog.

A day in the life of Annabelle would go like this…
I have a very unstructured day but it usually involves admin and replying to emails, then designing and stitching (the best part), followed by a post office run which I try to combine with a dog walk. Generally there are never enough hours in a day 🙂

Have you always been a crafty person?
I have indeed. I started crafting and making at a young age. Mum’s kitchen table was my usual spot for cutting, gluing and painting, whilst I would try out various tomboy experiments in Dad’s Ali Baba cavern, I mean workshop (at least it seemed that big when I was three apples high). I used to spend hours, hammer in hand, making all sorts from his wood off-cuts, soft stone, plaster, etc. Health and safety wasn’t big in those days, thank goodness. I am grateful my parents always let me have a go without putting too many barriers up.

When did start sewing?
My other half gave me a sewing machine as a present quite a few years ago but I didn’t take to it straight away. I did the odd basic cushion, curtains (although I can’t say I enjoyed making these so much) etc, but when I discovered freehand machine embroidery two or three years ago, I was hooked!

Your works are so great! do you sketch out ideas first before making a piece of just get straight into it from a design in your head?
Why thank you very much! I do both. If I’m working on a custom order, I generally sketch it out first, but if it isn’t, I will quite often get my ideas down straight onto fabric.

Where do you get the inspiration for your creations?
It can be anything, an object, a place, some fabric, a feeling, a memory, an aspiration, humour, people… Whatever it is, I have to be in a positive mood to feel creative – or is it that creating puts me in a positive mood? I think the two take it in turn!

I LOVE your fabric choices! Where do you gather these from?
I’m a thrifter through and through. I like nothing better than rummaging through piles of fabric to find my treasure. I also buy new fabric when I come across something which makes my little heart jump.

What do you look for in your fabrics?
Colour! Most definitely colour, oh and pattern, I love floral fabric which is why vintage fabrics appeal so much to me. I also look for natural fibers for eco friendly reasons.

Do you paint or draw or use any other not fabric type materials?
I like to combine fabric and paint. There is something very soothing about painting, and you can get the exact colour you are after which you can’t always with fabric.

What is your work space like?
Oh I love my studio…! It’s getting a little small and to the point where I need to think about finding better ways of organising myself (the photos are from a little while ago, I now have piles forming everywhere!), but I love spending time in it. I especially like my vintage wallpaper and fabric cabinet.

If you had to pick one of the items in your etsy store right now to be your favourite which would it be? 
That’s a tricky one to answer… I think it’d have to be my Betty & Nora canvas.

Have you ever sold your beautiful goodies at markets?
No I haven’t done any markets yet.

Does selling in person interest you?
Absolutely! I can be am little shy but I would love to people face to face. Not to say that I don’t have much online (I often get to have little chats by email with customers), but of course it would be nice to see them person.

Do you have any advice for fellow creatives wanting to be in your shoes?
It can be hard work but also so rewarding. I think my best advice would be to believe in your skills and be patient and persistent, it does take time to establish yourself.

Any crafty websites you regularly visit?
Getting a good work/life balance is a constant juggle, isn’t it? So I try to discipline myself not to spend too much time online (too dangerous!) but I love visiting the blogs of some lovely peeps like Emma at Emma Lamb, Tif at Dottie Angel, Rachelle at Ted & Agnes and many others.

Last of all if you could be any type of fruit what would you be and why? 🙂

I find it impossible to give favourites of any type (I always get stuck when banks ask you this type of question for their security settings!), I often have too many to name one! In that spirit I’d have to say I’d be a fruit salad 🙂