January 03, 2014

An Interview with Forged in Fables

There are some things I love more than cats, coffee and cooking and that's a damn good little company. 

I'm an ideas gal but thoroughly in awe of people who make their ideas materialise and create their own universe; people who craft what they preach, which is why you may have seen some of my other interviews over the years featuring brightly-minded business folk. 

Stef Rigby of Forged in Fables has been a very good pal of mine for many years and is known and loved by us all for her ability to find the best things at a boot fair, make everything look beautiful and more recently, sew-up the cutest things from the prettiest of fabrics. 

Dear readers,

Meet Stef of Forged in Fables splendour:
Hey Stef, where are you from?
I was born and bred in Staffordshire on the outskirts of Stoke on Trent. After living in Birmingham and then Canterbury over a 10 year period, I ventured back to Staffordshire and now live in a chocolate box village on the edge of the Peak District. 
Why did you start Forged in Fables?
I have always loved being creative and studied Art throughout my education. I then moved into Textiles as this combined my passion for aesthetics along with my obsession for being practical and creating usable items.

 I started creating felt brooches in March 2013, which I started to sell at Vintage and Handmade Fairs. This then developed into a range of textile products including tote bags, coin purses, cosmetic bags and bunting.
More recently, I have set up a Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page where I sell the products that are also available on my stall, along with personalised and custom made items, including name bunting and patchwork baby quilts. I am hoping to set up a web page towards the end of the Spring to showcase and sell my wares.

I love making the products that I sell and can honestly say I would use all of them if I could. I try to source vintage or recycled fabrics to make many of my products or new fabric that looks a bit different or has character. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and always make sure each item is handmade to a high standard. I'm always open to ideas for custom items and love being challenged, especially with the felt brooch ideas that people come up with. 

Why do you love where you live?
Since moving to Oakamoor, I am constantly inspired by the beautiful surroundings, it's like waking up on holiday every day. I love sitting in my craft room which overlooks my cottage garden and can't wait to put my own stamp on both of these over the next few months. Life is pretty good at the minute.
Describe your shop in three words
Smile-inducing, hand-crafted, loveliness.
How did we meet?
Our eyes met over a crowded bar and even though we had been forbidden to become friends by a mutual friend who feared the flames and destruction we would wreak upon Canterbury, we fell in love instantly, had a tea party the next day and you moved in a fortnight later (where you lived on and off for years before you left me to go to Spain). 
Because Stef is such an ace girl (and because I asked her to) she's whipped up some cat delights for YOU to win especially in honour of the Cafe Cat... be sure to enter below for chance to take these beauties home.

Whether you're entering or not, be sure to stop by her page and give her some love.
Winners will be drawn by a random generator and announced on mine and Stef's Facebook pages on Monday the 20th of January.

Good luck, kittens!


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6 comments

  1. The Cat bag, for definite! It's adorable! x

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  2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the forged in fables cosmetic bags, I mean... 101 dalmations. WOW :D http://instagram.com/p/h4D9BPtrJt/

    It would make me light up every time I went to apply my slap.

    What an interesting read ladies, Stef - you're a talented woman!

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  3. The Paddington Bear cushion is to die for!!

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  4. The watermelon cosmetics bag is lovely

    http://alices-wonderland93.blogspot.co.uk/

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  5. these are so super cute! love the cats grumpy little face :) x

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