Top craft designer Anna Griffin

We chatted to Anna Griffin, one of our most popular US craft designers. She shared her top craft secrets, told us about the mistake that almost spelt disaster for her first Today's Special Value and divulged which new products we will be seeing later on this year...

How did you start as a crafter?

My family were all artists and so I used to do a lot of crafting when I was younger with my mother and I learnt all the basics from a really young age - needlework, papercrafting and such. I studied Graphic Design at college and I guess it seemed to fit really. You know when it just feels right. I've been doing it for about 20 years now and I love it!

What's your favourite craft tool?

I'm not a gadget girl. I don't even have a Blackberry. So I just have really basic craft materials that I always use.

What do you enjoy most about crafting?

Well, making really beautiful things is my favourite part. I think that when you make something really pretty, you feel good about yourself, you know. And then you give that to someone and they feel good about it. It's a very nice and positive experience and definitely an inspiring thing to do.

What has been your biggest crafting disaster?

Well the one that comes to mind first is one of the very first Today's Special Values. Someone wasn't paying attention in the production of the kit and the papers didn't fit inside the envelopes! So we had to try and fix it so that was a big disaster! I think we discovered it just before we went on air so I knew about it and we knew we had to fix it but it was one big mess.

Do you have a top crafting tip?

Don't panic. The nature of crafting is that there's no right or wrong way and when I teach classes, that's how I start the class. Crafting is very forgiving, you can always keep layering. If you think you've messed up, just keep layering and it turns into something more wonderful than anything you imagined it would be. So, there's really no way to do it wrong. Just keep going! Add something else. It's an opportunity instead of a mistake.

Do you feel like you have to keep up with craft trends?

Yes, I think so. I've just been to the Craft and Hobby convention in California and it was so great to see people from all over, people from so far away all into crafting.

What's trend based in your range?

I think our colours are trendy. Our designs are old-world style but can be seen everywhere, in home decor and fabrics, and I think they will be popular for quite a while. It's like with fashion, old trends come back in.

What's coming up next for you?

Well some of our designs have been made into quilting fabrics. So you'll see our new things like tote bags, pillows, aprons and more that will be coming up later this year. That's really exciting. I'm also just working on some great storage boxes too.

Anything else you would like to add?

What I do want to say is how much I enjoy and appreciate being able to come over here and show my products. There's one thing just enjoying crafting and it's another to be able to go to another country to talk about it.

View Anna Griffin's products on QVC

Comments

[anita]

when are you coming back to QVC? just love all your products. Want to start my christmas cards - do you have any kits coming up?

[margaret driscoll]

Just to say Heartfelt Sympathy with the lose of your mum, Anna.
I have tried all the websites, but no one has the little punches, will they be back ?.. its about the only Anna Griffin product I don't have.
I have never had a kit that was less than beautiful, my friends think I am brilliant...thanks Anna
3 lovely little punches

[Anne Bennett]

I just love Anna's products and have bought many of these from QVC. I particularly enjoy watching Anna when she visits us and demonstrates her designs. She is a joy to watch and will hopefully be back again soon.

[ann rivett]

I have so many of Annas products
they are amazing - the only way to describe them is beautiful,and so elegant, it is almost impossible not to make gorgeous cards with Annas products

[Maria Jones]

Received Anna's All Occasion Acrylic Stamp Kit 584 943a few days ago and every stamp prints out beautifully. It was not even nececessary to go over the stamps with sticky tape to get them to take the ink properly. A wonderful quality kit at a super price.