M20Q’s 05 – Mollimoo

My fifth victim is Tina Peacock who runs Mollimoo and designs and makes lovely fabric buttons from vintage fabric as well as button and felted accessories.

1. What is the name of your business and how did the name come about?
My business is called Mollimoo and it stems from a nickname we have always called our daughter, Molly. I chose it for the shop for sentimental reasons, plus it’s short and catchy.

2. Tell me a little about your business – what is it that you make and sell and where are you based?
The main focus of my shop is that I make and sell fabric buttons. Some are covered in vintage, recycled material and others are covered with modern floral and Japanese fabrics.

I also make needlefelted and mixed media brooches with the odd knitted item, too. I am based in a lovely little village called Wimborne in rural Dorset.

3. What inspired you to start your business?
Well, there is only so much I can make at home before my lovely husband starts to moan about it being everywhere!

I discovered Folksy, had a nose around and thought “ooh, I could have a shop on there” and so it began!

4. How long does it usually take for you to complete a piece?
All of my buttons are sewn by hand so it can get quite time consuming. About half an hour from start to finish of a pack. My needlefelted brooches can take a bit longer depending on the work involved.

5. Where do you work?
I work on our dining table and our sideboard in the living room. It’s not ideal, little hands make things go missing and it’s hard to keep motivated when you have to hoist your materials out every time you create. I dream that one day we will live in a big house with my own studio full of fabric, yarn and buttons.

6. What would be your dream project?
I’d love to have the time and patience, not to mention the knowledge, to make both of my children a beautiful patchwork quilt each. I’d make it with pieces of fabric from their out grown clothes or toy fabric so that it was full of memories and special times. I’m very soppy and very sentimental and would love to think they could pass it on down the family…aah, if only I could quilt!

7. What is the most challenging piece you’ve ever made?
Nothing really. I really must challenge myself more. Actually finishing any knitting project is probably my biggest challenge. I have a ton of unfinished projects on my needles!

8. What is your favourite thing to do when you are not crafting/working?
Mooching around the charity shops, thrifting vintage knitting needles in all their splendid colours, hunting for old buttons and pottery and squirrelling it all away. I also love going for walks in the woods and to the beach, working out at the gym, reading and most importantly, spending quality time with hubby and our lovely children.

9. Who are some of your favourite crafters/artists/designers?
I love theothermousie. Sarah’s designs are all very special and she is such a lovely person too!

I really admire Barbara’s (My Craft Experience) artwork on Etsy . I have two of her lovely bookmarks. I really love her artistic style.

I also really admire Dottie Angel on Etsy. Her vintage style and use of thrifted items is very inspiring.

10. What inspires you / where do you get your inspiration when you are designing/creating your products?

I have a recurring mental block if I try too hard so I just try to chill out and then things pop in to my head. Reading books with my children gives me ideas. It’s hard not to when they are so full of colour and delightful childlike images. Most of the time I just surround myself with my materials and just make!

11. What are your favourite blogs and what online site do you visit a lot?

There are so many gorgeous blogs, it’s hard to choose! Soule Mama, Mrs B, and I waste a lot of time on Facebook. I always end up cross with myself when an hour has passed and I could have done something more useful! I spend lots of quality time on Folksy and Etsy though.

12. Where do you source your materials/supplies?
Online fabric suppliers, charity shops and a lovely lady called TamsynG who taught me to needlefelt and is a great inspiration to me. She has a shop in Gillingham and I feel like Christmas and all my birthdays have come at once when I visit!

13. How do you balance your day job  and your crafting enterprise?
I’m a full time mum so I fit in as much crafting as I can in between school/nursery runs, swimming lessons and laundry.

14. If you could have any super power what would it be?
To do all of the above and more in as little time as possible, crafting and blogging as I go, remembering to feed my family, pay my hubby the required attention his delicate ego requires and shove a broom somewhere unmentionable. This done, I would not be tired at the end of the day…ahem! I would be called ‘Rocket Girl!’

15. What is the last book that you read and enjoyed?
Agatha Raisin & the…. I can’t remember but I’m on the 10th in the series. They are really lighthearted, funny and quaint.

16. What is the last film you watched and enjoyed?
The Last King of Scotland. Very powerful!

17. If you won a million on the lottery tomorrow what would you do with the money?
We would clear the money we owe from when Matt started his business specialising in Mercedes repairs. It’s doing well but we still have big start up costs. We would buy a big country house with paddocks and horses, chickens, sheep and dogs. I’d have my craft room then. We would put the children through private school then give some to family to help them out and of course to some charities too.

18. Where can we find your products for sale or see you products online?
My Blog, My Folksy shop, My Etsy shop

19. Any advice for other crafters out there who may want to start their own business?
Don’t be scared, don’t be shy and don’t feel intimidated by the talent of others. Do find your own individual style, embrace every opportunity and believe in your work!

20. What is your favourite recipe – savoury or sweet – care to share it?
A lovely Cod Tagliatelle.

It’s so simple. Fry a few strips of cut up bacon in a pan, once a bit crispy, add 300 grams of fresh cod fillet and cook for a few minutes. Add a jar of Sacla Vine ripened tomato and Mascarpone sauce (available in supermarkets). Add a little extra water, just a cm in bottom of empty sacla jar. Stir and simmer for 10 mins while you cook some tagliatelle pasta. Once ready, add a little chopped parsley to the cod and voila! Quick and easy!

Many thanks Tina for taking the time to answer all my questions.
All photographs taken with kind permission from Tina’s online shops/blogs.

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Do you want to get featured on this blog? ‘Milomade 20 Questions’ is going to be a regular spot on my blog which will showcase other crafters/designers/artists who work predominantly with recycled, upcycled and reused materials. If you are interested in getting featured then please get in touch.