{"id":13800,"date":"2016-04-06T13:56:58","date_gmt":"2016-04-06T13:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ami.blogwrangler.net\/bubblesandbongocraftchat\/"},"modified":"2016-11-14T16:03:02","modified_gmt":"2016-11-14T16:03:02","slug":"bubblesandbongocraftchat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/bubblesandbongocraftchat\/","title":{"rendered":"Craft Chat: Bubbles & Bongo"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week I am delighted to bring you another\u00a0\u201cCraft Chat<\/b>\u201d in which we get to know the talented artists within our crafting community. \u00a0This edition is extra special since we will get to know TWO skillful artists who combine their love of crocheting, knitting, sewing and designing to create beautiful dolls!<\/p>\n

Rosemary and her daughter Erinna hail from Australia, and they make gorgeous dolls that they sell in their Etsy store called\u00a0\u201cBubbles & Bongo<\/a><\/b>\u201d. \u00a0They are both active on social media through Instagram as @petite_tini <\/a>(Rosemary) and @littleaquagirl<\/a> (Erinna) where they post photos of their work and are extremely supportive and encouraging of their fellow crafters. \u00a0This is where I first connected with them, and I\u2019ve loved following their work. \u00a0Their dolls are always meticulously crafted and creatively posed, and I always get excited and inspired whenever their posts appear in my feed!<\/p>\n

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I was incredibly honoured when Erinna and Rosemary asked if they could send me one of their beautifully handcrafted dolls! \u00a0I really had no idea what to expect since their dolls are each so unique and have so much personality, and I was BLOWN AWAY when I opened their beautiful package with Myla by my side!<\/p>\n

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As soon as I saw our special fabric doll, I thought she looked just like me with her black hair and side ponytail! \u00a0Then I saw the lamb on her tunic and knew that this was inspired by Lambert, our amigurumi lamb<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>and the Lambert Collection <\/a><\/b>that we designed! \u00a0Here they are side-by-side! \u00a0What an adorable pair \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

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Myla couldn\u2019t wait to start playing with her, and she immediately called her the \u201cMommy Doll<\/i>\u201d! \u00a0I can\u2019t believe we have such a unique and special doll in our collection that was crafted with so much love and care! \u00a0The craftsmanship is superb as this doll is so well-made. \u00a0Just look at this beautifully embroidered face with her luscious lashes, sweet pink lips and rosy cheeks! \u00a0Her hair is sewn on so well, with parallel lines of stitches simulating strands of hair!<\/p>\n

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I love how our fabric doll has a gorgeous knitted tunic dress and a crocheted lamb adorned on it! \u00a0The Mommy Doll really combines all three arts of sewing, knitting, and crocheting!<\/p>\n

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I was so touched that Rosemary handcrafted this beautiful doll wearing such a stylish outfit just for us! \u00a0I LOVE how she looks both modern and whimsical at the same time with her black and white palette and touches of pink! \u00a0The Mommy Doll is very well-loved, and she will be cherished for years to come!<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s get to know this magnificent mother-daughter crafting duo a bit more with these questions that I asked them!<\/p>\n

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1)\u00a0<\/b>Where did the name \u201cBubbles & Bongo<\/a>\u201d come from?<\/b><\/p>\n

Erinna:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

The\u00a0name \u201cBubbles and Bongo\u201d stemmed from childhood nicknames that mum gave my\u00a0sister and I when we were toddlers. Bubbles was a monkey and Bongo a bear,\u00a0which we saw when visiting the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. I was\u00a0nicknamed Bongo, as apparently I have a gait similar to little Bongo.<\/p>\n

Rosemary: <\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

And\u00a0Erinna still does! Bubbles the monkey was as cheeky as Erinna\u2019s sister\u2026<\/p>\n

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2)\u00a0<\/b>When did you learn how to crochet and sew?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0Rosemary:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

I learnt to sew from my mum as a primary school student \u2013 just simple\u00a0embroidery. She was an amazing seamstress and made almost her entire wardrobe.\u00a0I remember her giving me a wooden dowel into which I hammered four nails to\u00a0create my very own French Knitter.<\/p>\n

From there, I learnt how to knit and crochet through books and have\u00a0taken various classes on how to sew clothes as well as pattern making. Being a\u00a0ballet mum, I had to learn how to sew lots and lots of sequins onto ballet\u00a0costumes, as well as how to darn pointe shoes and sew the ribbons on. When we\u00a0both discovered amigurumi, it reignited my love for crochet and being able to\u00a0draw on my sewing skills to make dresses for the dolls just seemed like a\u00a0perfect creative outlet using skills that I learnt from many, many years ago.\u00a0How many years shall remain a secret\u2026.<\/p>\n

Erinna: <\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

I loved watching my grandmother use her old hand-crank Singer sewing\u00a0machine. She would let me turn the wheel and sometimes I would drive her crazy with\u00a0how fast I would spin it. We still have the Singer sewing machine and it has an\u00a0enormous amount of sentimental value. I would like to say that I learnt to sew\u00a0in Home Economics class in high school, but just quietly, mum made a\u00a0significant contribution to a number of my sewing projects that I had to do. Alas,\u00a0my sewing skills do not match my mum\u2019s. I can sew straight lines on a sewing\u00a0machine but that\u2019s about it. I am proud to say though that I can use a needle\u00a0and thread and do sew my own buttons on when they fall off!<\/p>\n

I first learnt about amigurumi on the golf course. A playing partner had\u00a0an amigurumi giraffe golf club headcover and from there, I slowly learnt about\u00a0the creative possibilities that amigurumi presented. I thus knew I had to learn\u00a0how to crochet. So about two years ago, with the help of books, online videos\u00a0and blogs (such as All About Ami), I first learnt how to hold a crochet hook, how to chain stitches, how\u00a0to make a single crochet and till today am still learning so much more to do\u00a0with this craft.<\/p>\n

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3)\u00a0<\/b>What is your favourite design\/project?<\/b><\/p>\n

Rosemary:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

It\u00a0is so hard to choose as each and every doll that I have made always have special\u00a0moments associated with each of them. However, if I had to pick one, I think my\u00a0curly haired doll, Emmaline, would have to be my favourite. I am not quite sure\u00a0why, but she seems to have a cheeky little personality to me and I love the way\u00a0the colours and patterns of the fabric came together to complement her curly\u00a0burgundy hair.<\/p>\n

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Erinna:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

I\u00a0love the creative process of translating an image in my head to an amigurumi\u00a0creation. When I created and published my first amigurumi pattern, I was quite nervous,\u00a0and still am to this day every time I prepare a pattern. I think it is because\u00a0I love each and every one of the creations I make and hope so much that the\u00a0person who is trying it out will love it as much as I do. I cannot bring myself\u00a0to choose a favourite design but will say that I have loved creating each and\u00a0every one of my projects.<\/p>\n

4)\u00a0<\/b>Where do you get your inspiration from?<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0Rosemary and Erinna:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

The\u00a0only social media platform that both of us use consistently is Instagram, and\u00a0it has proven to be such a wonderful source of inspiration. The crochet\u00a0community on IG is most supportive and we love how people are so generous with\u00a0their kind comments. It is funny that though we have never met any of them in\u00a0person, we feel like they have been a part of our crochet journey from the\u00a0start.<\/p>\n

Other\u00a0sources of inspiration come from resources like blogs, books and children\u2019s\u00a0illustrations, as well as just everyday things around us!<\/p>\n

5)\u00a0<\/b>Your dolls are always exquisitely detailed.\u00a0 I love how you combine\u00a0different mediums together with your dolls, such as knitting, crocheting and\u00a0fabric dresses.\u00a0 How long does it take you to make one of your dolls\u00a0(crochet and cloth)?<\/b><\/p>\n

Rosemary:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

I\u00a0am fortunate to be able to knit, crochet and sew and wanted to create dolls\u00a0that would combine all of these elements. Each of my dolls would usually take\u00a0close to a week to complete. It is always so exciting to reach the end of the\u00a0process and see the final doll come together. Putting the finishing touches on\u00a0each doll\u2019s face is always so rewarding as it just adds to their personality.<\/p>\n

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Erinna:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

Hopefully\u00a0one day soon I will be able to master the art of knitting and sewing and be\u00a0able to combine the different mediums! Until then, all my dolls are created by\u00a0crocheting. Each doll would usually take me about 4-5 days to finish and the\u00a0best part for me is putting on the outfit and styling the hair! I think my\u00a0amigurumi dolls have much better hair for styling than I do\u2026<\/p>\n

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6)\u00a0<\/b>Crocheting is a family affair for you two!\u00a0 How does it feel to be\u00a0able to craft and run a business with such a close family member?<\/b><\/p>\n

Erinna:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

From\u00a0a very young age, mum has always made sure to provide creative outlets for my\u00a0sister and I. She put us through painting, copper tooling, decoupage and paper\u00a0tole classes. Even though she worked through the week, she always made sure she\u00a0had time to ferry us around to these different classes on weekends.<\/p>\n

And\u00a0now, I am so lucky to be able to share my love for crochet with my mum. I\u00a0remember that we were both unsure how to set up an Etsy shop and when we\u00a0finally put our minds to it and got the shop online, we were both thrilled! The\u00a0first sale was so exciting\u2026then the first review\u2026and now, even though we are\u00a0still both learning so much about the process, we are just absolutely grateful\u00a0for this outlet through which we are able to share our love for craft and\u00a0crochet (and fund our serious yarn budget)!<\/p>\n

Another\u00a0plus that we both crochet is that she understands my need to go yarn shopping\u00a0despite the stacks of yarn we have at home, and she understands that when I am\u00a0counting stitches that I am not to be disturbed! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Rosemary:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

I\u00a0have always loved all sorts of crafting from clay modeling, cross-stitching, pergamano\u00a0to making glass-beaded hand-sewn shoes and wanted to make sure that my\u00a0daughters got a chance to experience using their hands and imagination to\u00a0create things.<\/p>\n

When\u00a0we first discovered amigurumi recently it was just something that grew\u00a0naturally between Erinna and I. We both helped each other learn the various skills
\nthat were needed for making amigurumi creations. But at the same time, we each\u00a0developed our own style. I love making dolls and creating little outfits for\u00a0them using the different mediums, whereas Erinna finds joy in creating original\u00a0patterns.<\/p>\n

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7)\u00a0<\/b>Do you craft full-time?<\/b><\/p>\n

Rosemary:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

Apart\u00a0from the unyielding need to do housework, I would say that crafting is a\u00a0full-time job! I am extremely fortunate to have the time to craft and will\u00a0hopefully one day soon set up my own \u201ccraft office\u201d!<\/p>\n

Erinna<\/i>:<\/b><\/p>\n

As\u00a0much as I wish I could craft full-time, unfortunately crafting is only an\u00a0after-work or weekend activity. I am a cancer researcher by day and crafter by\u00a0night! I am very lucky to be able to hold two \u201cjobs\u201d that I love!<\/p>\n

8) How has\u00a0social media played a role in helping you connect with fellow crocheters and\u00a0crafters?<\/b><\/p>\n

Rosemary and Erinna:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

As mentioned previously, social media (in particular Instagram) has been\u00a0an amazing source of inspiration and is just a bubbling cauldron of crafting\u00a0creativity. The diversity and originality of fellow crocheters and crafters is\u00a0just so special to be witness to. \u00a0In the\u00a0same way that Picasso said, \u201cPainting is just another way of keeping a diary\u201d,\u00a0each individual\u2019s feed is like a diary that we have had the good fortune of\u00a0being allowed to be a part of.<\/p>\n

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9) Who are\u00a0some of your favourite crafters\/crocheters to follow?<\/b><\/p>\n

Rosemary\u00a0and Erinna:<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

This is a really tough\u00a0question as there are just so many to name and we would hate to leave anyone\u2019s\u00a0name out!! But @allaboutami is just a perennial favourite of course \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

10) Do you have any advice for people who are interested in starting a handmade business or Etsy shop?<\/b><\/p>\n

We still have so much to learn with regards to running an Etsy shop and have no doubt that we would benefit from the advice from many of your blog readers! But these are some things that we feel are an integral part of Bubbles and Bongo\u2019s philosophy.<\/p>\n

1) We only ever list and sell creations that we ourselves would be happy to receive if we had bought it from someone else, particularly in terms of the quality of the finished product.<\/p>\n

2) We try our best to respond to enquiries as quickly as possible and offer as much help as we can. In addition, we also make sure to say thank you to those who take the time to leave lovely reviews as we appreciate these very much.<\/p>\n

3) We do our best with taking good quality photographs of our creations for our listings and try to show as much detail as possible.<\/p>\n

4) We pack our creations with lots of love and always make sure to include a handwritten note to show our appreciation.<\/p>\n

5) And finally\u2026..we never thought in our wildest dreams that we would be selling our creations to people from all around the world. It has been a most exciting experience and reminds us why we enjoy crafting so much when we hear from happy customers with whom we can share our love for creating dolls! We took a leap and could not be happier with the journey that we are now on! So go for it!!<\/p>\n

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I LOVED reading Rosemary and Erinna\u2019s answers as their relationship is so sweet and inspiring. \u00a0I was really touched when Erinna mentioned how her mother always made the time to provide creative outlets for both her and her sister. \u00a0Rosemary stated how important it was to her that her daughters had a chance to use their hands and imagination to create things, and I love how they now craft and run their store together! \u00a0I hope to foster my girls\u2019 creativity and imaginations too, and I hope that they will be able to find the joy in crafting that Ryan and I love so much! \u00a0How amazing would it be to craft together as a family? \u00a0I am delighted that we could learn more about Rosemary and Erinna and be inspired by all that they do!<\/p>\n

[GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!] They have generously offered a PATTERN GIVEAWAY<\/b> so that you can make one of their whimsical designs as well!<\/p>\n

To enter, simply visit the Bubbles & Bongo Etsy store HERE<\/i><\/b><\/a> and leave a comment below telling us which pattern you would like to win<\/b>!\u00a0 This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE<\/b>\u00a0and will close on Sunday, April 10th\u00a0at 10 PM MST<\/i>! \u00a0I will randomly choose THREE WINNERS from the blog, Facebook<\/a><\/i><\/b>, Twitter<\/a><\/i><\/b> or Instagram<\/a>\u00a0<\/i><\/b>(you can enter through all these different methods to increase your chances)! \u00a0Have fun browsing through their lovely shop!<\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t forget to follow Erinna and Rosemary on social media (@littleaquagirl & @petite_tini on Instagram) to keep up with their work! \u00a0Their exquisite dolls would be a welcome addition to any stuffie\/doll collection (your children\u2019s or your own hehe)! \u00a0Thank you for taking part in this Craft Chat, Erinna and Rosemary!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

… Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1647,14,138],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13800"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13800\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allaboutami.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}