For me a designer maker is someone who makes things to sell and not a huge scale exhibitor, I like the idea of small time local designer makers.
Crochet Designer Makers
Denizmum – aka Ulku Akcam
Image: Akcam, U. . , Etsy:https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/69189992/amigurumi-16-inc-miniature-giraffe?ref=shop_home_active_19.
I like her style of cute crochet and has an ability to create animals and people in great detail.
Irene Strange – http://www.irenestrange.co.uk/
Image: Strange, I. (2010). Ladybird Purse. ,http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lola-the-ladybird—-amigurumi-coin-purse.
Irene Strange was one of the first amigurumi crocheters I fell in love with. As with many designers I found several patterns I liked and realised they were from the same person.
Irene’s style is recognised for her use of colour and kitch style animals. Her ladybird pattern was one of the first patterns I bought, easy to understand and includes little details like lining and the tiny ladybird on the zip.
Felt Designer Makers
Ginger Melon
GingerMelon, . . , Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Gingermelon?ref=l2-shopheader-name.
I love her felt patterns and dolls that you can dress.
Polymer Clay Designer Makers
Odd Fae – Dawn M Schiller – http://www.oddfae.blogspot.co.uk/
Image: Schiller, D.M. (2015). . , Etsy:https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/222063646/ooak-pocketwatch-oddfae-fairy-troll?ref=shop_home_feat_2.
Christi Friesen – http://www.christifriesen.com/
Image: Friesen, C. (2015). . , Website: http://www.christifriesenart.com/beads-s/1867.htm.
Clay Designer Makers
Kevin Hickson – https://www.facebook.com/kevin.hickson.397
Image: Hickson, K. (2015). . , Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/kevin.hickson.397.
Beth Smith – https://www.facebook.com/bethandoscar?fref=ts
Image: Smith, B. (2015). . , Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bethandoscar?fref=ts.
And finally…
Betty Virago – https://bettyvirago.com/
Images: All my own work
I can’t really make a list of designer makers without adding myself, can I?
I always describe myself as a yarn spinner, but what fills my time is making dolls. So maybe I should start calling myself a doll maker, or maybe I should stop trying to label everything and just say I like making things.