We’re talking to Caitlin of Pippijoe today!
Thank You! I’m loving all this craftiness filling up my life right now! I was a Landscape Architect in my previous life and was involved in the design and project management of the construction of gardens and outdoor spaces – public and private.
Do you come from a long line of crafty people?
Pretty much everyone in my family does something creative. My three sisters are a jeweller, graphic designer and web designer, my dad is an architect and my mum is a general crazy crafty artistic lady. Her father was a cartoonist who had a strip called Suzy in the Age and other Murdoch papers in the 40s until the 60s. His father and grandfather were architects one of whom was JJ Clark who designed and oversaw the construction of the Treasury Building in the city when he was 19 years old!
Have you always made things?
I’ve had a few lulls over the years, but generally I have always had a project on the go. Some have been in progress for years! (I’ve almost finished a cross stitch I started in 1994…) I find it very satisfying to make something from scratch and am interested in a huge variety of crafts, cooking and gardening, though please don’t judge me on my garden at the moment!
I made clothes for my dolls from a very young age, using a sewing machine that used to be my mums when she was a child. I still have it, though I have upgraded the one that I use!
What other jobs have you had?
Besides being a Landscape Architect, I also have studied and worked as an interior designer and a graphic designer. I love all aspects of design and find that these threads work well together.
Is fabric design your crafty dream come true – or did you arrive at it unexpectedly?
I love designing things, especially things I can hold in my hands and use, so yes, it is a crafty dream come true! I arrived here in a round about sort of way and completely love the journey that it is taking me on now! Who knows where it will take me next!?!
How much time do you spend on your craft? How do you manage the craft/life balance?
Not enough time, though I’m hoping that will change as the children get older. I do struggle to get some things done with little hands and curious fingers around, often they just want to help, so I have to adjust what I’m doing to make it more kid-friendly!
What do your family and friends think about your crafty life, your blog and your work?
As far as I know, they think it is fun and creative. I do know that a few have read the diary and I think that my fabric has inspired a few friends to dust off their own or their mum’s sewing machine and give it a go. I like that! It’s lovely to be part of other people’s creativity!
Who inspires you? Crafty or otherwise, and why?
It changes all the time, sometimes the garden, my kids, artists, street art and there’s so much inspiration online, it really could be anything. I often have a notebook or scrap of paper on hand to sketch the idea. I never know when inspiration will strike!
What will you be working on in the coming twelve months? Is there something you really want to do – or an area of your work you want to improve or learn more about?
At them moment I’m just living in the present and not planning ahead too much. There’s so much I want to do and I have new ideas all the time about the direction in which I might take. I really need to improve the messy state of my ‘studio’. Hopefully I can tackle that in the next twelve months.
What do you find difficult about this crafty life? And what is the best part?
I find it difficult to stick to one thing for too long which is why I love what I’m doing, I can change the objective at any time and even multiple times in one day – it doesn’t get boring! I can switch from designing the fabric, to designing an object, clothing, a space or updating some furniture. It’s amazing how many ways fabric can be used!
Do you find it difficult to balance the creative with the commercial when you are designing?
I’m still learning the ropes in the marketing and commercializing of my craft. As far as a small business goes, it’s still in embryonic stages, but I’m at a point where I know that this is what I want to do, so I’m working at finding that rhythm and balance.
Do you have time to make things for yourself?
Everything I make is something I would like to keep for myself. It doesn’t always happen that I keep it – but that’s the original plan!
You’re designing some lovely fabric and crafty things now, but what were you doing before this crafty life?
Thank You! I’m loving all this craftiness filling up my life right now! I was a Landscape Architect in my previous life and was involved in the design and project management of the construction of gardens and outdoor spaces – public and private.
Until my daughter was born, I worked in the Private Sector and a Local Council on public spaces, gardens and streetscapes. In addition I have been picking up freelance projects along the way. This year I have reduced my number of freelance jobs so I can spend more time designing and developing my textiles. I also have two children who are 1 and 3 and take up a fair bit of time!
Do you come from a long line of crafty people?
Pretty much everyone in my family does something creative. My three sisters are a jeweller, graphic designer and web designer, my dad is an architect and my mum is a general crazy crafty artistic lady. Her father was a cartoonist who had a strip called Suzy in the Age and other Murdoch papers in the 40s until the 60s. His father and grandfather were architects one of whom was JJ Clark who designed and oversaw the construction of the Treasury Building in the city when he was 19 years old!
Have you always made things?
I’ve had a few lulls over the years, but generally I have always had a project on the go. Some have been in progress for years! (I’ve almost finished a cross stitch I started in 1994…) I find it very satisfying to make something from scratch and am interested in a huge variety of crafts, cooking and gardening, though please don’t judge me on my garden at the moment!
I made clothes for my dolls from a very young age, using a sewing machine that used to be my mums when she was a child. I still have it, though I have upgraded the one that I use!
What other jobs have you had?
Besides being a Landscape Architect, I also have studied and worked as an interior designer and a graphic designer. I love all aspects of design and find that these threads work well together.
Is fabric design your crafty dream come true – or did you arrive at it unexpectedly?
I love designing things, especially things I can hold in my hands and use, so yes, it is a crafty dream come true! I arrived here in a round about sort of way and completely love the journey that it is taking me on now! Who knows where it will take me next!?!
How much time do you spend on your craft? How do you manage the craft/life balance?
Not enough time, though I’m hoping that will change as the children get older. I do struggle to get some things done with little hands and curious fingers around, often they just want to help, so I have to adjust what I’m doing to make it more kid-friendly!
What do your family and friends think about your crafty life, your blog and your work?
As far as I know, they think it is fun and creative. I do know that a few have read the diary and I think that my fabric has inspired a few friends to dust off their own or their mum’s sewing machine and give it a go. I like that! It’s lovely to be part of other people’s creativity!
Who inspires you? Crafty or otherwise, and why?
It changes all the time, sometimes the garden, my kids, artists, street art and there’s so much inspiration online, it really could be anything. I often have a notebook or scrap of paper on hand to sketch the idea. I never know when inspiration will strike!
What will you be working on in the coming twelve months? Is there something you really want to do – or an area of your work you want to improve or learn more about?
At them moment I’m just living in the present and not planning ahead too much. There’s so much I want to do and I have new ideas all the time about the direction in which I might take. I really need to improve the messy state of my ‘studio’. Hopefully I can tackle that in the next twelve months.
What do you find difficult about this crafty life? And what is the best part?
I find it difficult to stick to one thing for too long which is why I love what I’m doing, I can change the objective at any time and even multiple times in one day – it doesn’t get boring! I can switch from designing the fabric, to designing an object, clothing, a space or updating some furniture. It’s amazing how many ways fabric can be used!
Do you find it difficult to balance the creative with the commercial when you are designing?
I’m still learning the ropes in the marketing and commercializing of my craft. As far as a small business goes, it’s still in embryonic stages, but I’m at a point where I know that this is what I want to do, so I’m working at finding that rhythm and balance.
Do you have time to make things for yourself?
Everything I make is something I would like to keep for myself. It doesn’t always happen that I keep it – but that’s the original plan!
