Interview with Michelle Webley from Drawn Together with Love
Please introduce yourself
Hello, my name is Michelle, and I am the Creative mind behind DrawnTogether with love.
For the past 27 years, I have
had the privilege of calling Ireland my home. This country is truly a
mesmerizing tapestry of vibrant colours and breathtaking beauty. Sharing this
wonderful journey with my husband and our incredible 17-year-old daughter has
been a true blessing.
We live in a tranquil and picturesque rural area that seems like it was plucked
straight out of a fairytale. What makes our little corner of the world even
more special is the ample land that surrounds us, this has allowed us to open our
hearts and home to a growing family of rescue animals. They bring such joy and
mischief to our lives, ensuring that there's never a dull moment!
When and how did you start crafting?
Right back as far as I can remember, my mom found creative ways to keep me entertained, finances were tight, but she never let on to me.
I have fond memories looking
back on my childhood, and my first memory is watching in fascination as my Mom
boiled water and cornflour/starch in an old pan on the stove to make homemade
glue. Then armed with my Dad's old newspapers and a couple of balloons, we
spent the entire afternoon making silly paper mache hats and bowls, which we
would then decorate at a future date.
At the time, Mom didn't realize how this simple activity would spark a lifelong
love for creativity and craftsmanship in me.
Which crafts did you start with?
Once I completed my education, I pursued training in the soft furnishings trade.
Eventually, I took the leap and
established my own business. One of the aspects I truly cherished about this
venture was witnessing projects from their inception to completion. There is a
remarkable sense of fulfilment in witnessing the joy on customers' faces as
they see the final installations in their homes, knowing that their visions
have been brought to life.
Sadly, after dedicating around 20 years to this work that I held dear, I had to
make the difficult decision to wrap it up, due to poor health and
constant pain.
As a means of pain relief therapy, I was recommended to find something that interested me that would act as a pain distraction.
So back I returned to crafting, all I possessed at the time was a watercolour paint set that my mother-in-law had kindly gifted me, along with a small floral colouring book. Little did I know, this humble beginning marked the start of my deep passion for painting flowers and capturing the essence of the animals that populate my life.
Being someone who constantly craves challenges, I found myself unsatisfied with just painting in drawings others had done.
That's when I decided to embark
on the adventure of learning the art of drawing for myself. It was a daunting
task to begin with, as I couldn't even draw a simple stick man!
However, for all those who believe they are incapable of drawing, I stand here
as living proof that anyone can learn and improve. It may take time and
patience, but with a determined mindset, you can surprise yourself with the
progress you make.
When did you start using the machines? Which make did you start with?
Where I live, there's just one tiny craft store where I can purchase supplies.
Consequently, I resorted to
searching through eBay for alternatives. It was during this quest that I
stumbled upon a local lady who sold paper craft materials from home. One day,
while collecting an order from her, she enquired if I would like to have
first choice on a Sizzix cutting machine she was selling. Truth be told, I had
no clue what this machine was all about. And as she was asking €200 for it, I
politely declined the offer.
However, something about the mention of this mysterious contraption stuck with
me.
So, I decided to do some research on these machines and their potential benefits. After gaining a greater understanding of these devices, I eventually took the plunge and purchased a second-hand Craft Robo in 2011. Soon after followed many more machines, as the bug bit.
First came Scan n Cut CM600 and CM900, a Craftwell eCraft, a Cameo 4,
a Chinese off-brand 3ft cutter, and finally a Cricut Maker 3, Joy and Joy Extra.
What is your favourite product/type to design, and how did you discover it?
For me, it would have to be the
amazing "Single line Sketch" Svgs, for use with popular cutting
machines like the Scan n Cut, Cricut, and Silhouette. Let me share how I
stumbled upon this niche and fell head over heels for it.
It started when the We R Memory Keepers Foil Quill was released.
I saw its potential and possibilities. However, when it was first released,
there were very few files available for it. Determined to explore this new
craft, I decided to join a Foiling Facebook group to connect with other
enthusiasts.
Through trial and error, I learned the art of creating single-line files,
Sharing my creations with fellow members further fuelled my passion for this
niche. It's truly amazing to see the supportive and inspiring atmosphere that
exists within these groups,
The support and friendships that I have forged with like-minded designers have been amazing for me, and I am always learning new skills and uses for Single-line files, The list of what you can use them for is always growing.
Where do you find your inspiration?
For me, it comes from the world around me. Springtime in the countryside is a magical time, with vibrant flowers blooming and adorable baby animals. Even growing flowers in my own garden or taking peaceful walks through the forest can spark my creativity. The breathtaking Sunrises and Sunsets that I am fortunate enough to witness from my own home also never fail to leave me in awe.
Through learning to draw, I have developed a newfound ability to see things from a different perspective. Simply taking the time to observe and appreciate the beauty of nature firsthand is an invaluable source of inspiration for anyone. It brings me immense joy and satisfaction when I can share my creations with others and see them appreciate my artwork.
Where do you create your work?
I love to draw and paint. It doesn't matter if it's a sunny day outside and I'm sitting in a peaceful spot with just a pencil and paper, or if I'm cozy in bed or on the sofa by the warm fire on a gloomy day, creating art on my trusty iPad. However, no matter where my inspiration strikes, I always make sure to bring everything to my Craft space, which I'm fortunate to have. This is where I finalize my drawings using Vector programs on my PC. Additionally, all my creations go through rigorous testing on different machines, which can be quite time-consuming but necessary. Most of the time, I just go with whichever space feels the most comfortable at that moment.
What's next?
The craft industry is always changing, we are constantly introduced to fresh techniques that come and go.
Personally, I'm always on the lookout for innovative ways to use these drawing designs. However, when it comes down to it, the most versatile tools I have found are a set of Colourful Pens and Watercolour Markers.
With these, I can create heartfelt gifts and cards for loved ones. It's a wonderful way to show my creativity while also making something special for my friends and family.
How do we find your designs?
I am a Cricut Contributing Artist - My profile link is - cricut.pxf.io/rQzEav
And have a store at SoFontsy - https://bit.ly/DrawnTogether-with-love-at-So-Fontsy
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/drawntogetherwithlove