Blythe Church Interview

With a name like Blythe, I assumed she was making something cool and was I right! I love people that make functional objects in our everyday lives all plushy and cute. Blythe Church has nailed that one down. You can view here stuff here now and hopefully her website will be up and running soon.

S- Your plush creations are really amazing and look very detailed. How long does it take you to complete a piece?

BC- My pieces are pretty time consuming. I begin by dyeing felt and cutting a pattern. I then hand sew all the pieces together and I use a lot of embroidery for detailing. I usually work on a project for several hours a day for anywhere from a week to two weeks.

S- How do you come up with your next piece idea?

BC-I look for inspiration in everyday objects around me. I like the idea of changing a functional mass-produced object into something precious, soft and playful. I’m currently working on a whole line of home appliances, next up a blender!

S-How long have you been sewing and crafting?

BC-My mom is an art teacher so I was immersed in art from a very young age and I have been crafting as long as I can remember. As a 6 year old I played with an antique toy sewing machine making clothes for my dolls. Since then I have always had a project on the go.

S- Do you currently sell your work anywhere?

BC-I will be selling work this summer at HandSmiths and Argyle Fine Art, two galleries here in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

S- What is your background with art? Got a degree?

BC- I graduated with a degree in textiles from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 2004.

S- What is your full time job?

BC- I work full time at a store on the Halifax waterfront that sells jewelry, ceramics, textiles, wood and metal made by artisans from all across Canada. I find it really inspiring to work in such a creative environment.

S- How did you hear about Plush You?

BC- I heard about Plush You while checking out the Craft magazine blog.

S- What future do you see for you and your crafty business?

BC- I’m in the process of setting up a website and I’d like to get my work into more stores across North America so that I can eventually work on my business full time.

S- Do you guys have craft fairs or rummage sales in your neck of the woods?

BC- Of course! The Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council has an amazing craft show twice a year. Every Sunday there are a couple of flea markets and in the summer there are tons of yard sales. There’s also Value Village and the Salvation Army where I often pick up crafting supplies.

S- What do you listen to while you sew?

BC- Right now I can’t stop listening to Of Montreal, Spoon, Danko Jones, Built to Spill and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.

S- Anything you would like to plug before we go?

BC- Keep an eye out for my website coming soon at sewnbyblythe.com

Thanks Blythe for talking to us.

A Big Thanks to our Natalie over at Craft for mentioning this interview. Don't forget to get your new copy of the magazine.