Introducing Kerri from Sweetheart Photography and Crafts. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Hawkesbury, NSW, Kerri loves photography and has a love of capturing and creating beautiful objects.
Find out why Kerri started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
My creations are quite varied, covering both my passion for photography and hand crafts. I like to make practical items, turning my photography into homewares and games, not just wall art. Chopping boards, coffee mugs, coasters, jigsaw puzzles, playing cards etc - hopefully creating unique gifts that are not only beautiful and useful, but also conversation starters.
I find subjects to photograph in all types of places, some breathtakingly beautiful, others are diamonds in the rough of an area most might not realize is home to so much bird life, flora or fauna. My handcrafts have always been with me, from a very young age. I try to make these practical and a little bit quirky too.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
I have always been a handmade artist.
I don't remember a time that I didn't sew or knit.
During my teenage and young adult years sewing and knitting my own clothes, as well as helping my mother with her dressmaking business.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration is found all around. My photography inspiration is predominately derived from nature. I love that although a spot may not be the most beautiful as a whole, there is beauty to be found within any location - if you just look for it. The most overgrown garden, a seemingly deserted paddock, or a flood ravaged river, still has so many amazing photographic opportunities to be hunted out and isolated to make amazing art.
My pets initially inspired me to take photography more seriously, then I became the club photographer for my local soccer club, which soon made me hone my skills and continue to develop.
Where did you learn your craft?
My handcrafts have been with me for many years. An amazingly talented seamstress mother had me assisting her with wedding and debut dresses from a young age. She also taught me to knit and I recently taught myself to crochet.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
In a world of mass production, uniqueness is a gift that should not be overlooked, nor under valued. I also absolutely love that photography gets me outdoors and for much of the time, my workspace is in nature.
Kerri is a much loved member of the Madeit Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Handmade Marketplace of Australia ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Sweetheart Photography and Crafts, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
