Interview with TrinketsnCharms

Today I'd like you to meet the crafter behind the Etsy store TrinketsNCharms, a shop full of handmade beaded items and cards.


What is your name?

Katie Collins.

Where are you right now?

In my Mum's kitchen, eating my breakfast (in England).

How did you choose the name of your Etsy shop?

My Dad suggested it. At the time I was going through a different name every day. The closest I got was "Katies Charms" until someone pointed out that that could be viewed as an entirely different kind of product. And then my Dad suggested Trinkets And Charms, when I shortened for Etsy.

When did you learn to create the things you sell in your shop?

Three years ago in the summer between finishing my BA and starting my MA. I was browsing Ebay one day when I saw the "Crafts" section and decided to have a look. The first section I clicked on was "Beads" and I just fell in love with the colours and styles and shapes and sizes, and the rest is history!

If you had to choose one craft to do for the rest of this year, what would it be?

Umm...probably jewelry, I've had more practice at that than card making. But a big box of card making supplies arrived on my doorstep from the Postman this morning so that's a very difficult decision to make.

What book are you recommending today?

Today I am recommending Sleep, Pale Sister by Joanne Harris. Harris shot to fame after her novel Chocolat was turned in to a film with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.

Why do that book and author appeal to you?

I like Joanne Harris as a writer because the majority of her books tell the same story but from several points of view. A lot of books involve one character and they describe what they do, how they do it, and why they do it. But Harris deftly weaves the story lines of multiple characters together, so you get the different reasons and motives for each character from their own minds. Each chapter covers a different character, and she ends each one in a way that makes you go "and!?" -- forcing you to continue reading so you know what is going on.

This is a decent enough read, but it is one of Harris’ early works so do not expect the same level of writing that we get from her other books. And definitely do not expect the same warm, domestic magic you’ve seen in Chocolat.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Tea cures everything! Now where's my mug?