Interview
Is there any other form of
crafting that you want to
try your hand at?
Like most creative
people I want to
try everything!
The current
trend for hand
lettering with
the brush
pens is really
cool though,
that’s probably
next on my list!Social media
has become such an
important tool for crafters and
craft companies alike – which
platform do you enjoy using
the most?
All my social media interaction
is done through the social
team here at Sizzix. Blogs and
vlogs are my favourite medium
because they offer me the
opportunity to share new ideas
in greater depth. We also do
a lot of Facebook live videos
which are always fun!You’ve been part of the
craft world for so long, but if
you hadn’t been – what jobWhat’s your favourite type of
papercraft project to make
and why?
I do love a very clean card
with lots of white space.
Getting this style right is often
harder than the showstopper
mixed-media projects.Of course, we know you take
part in demos and workshops.
What is you love about this
form of teaching crafters and
why do you think they’re so
popular?
I just love the shared joy of
crafting and the interaction
is so important to me. It
never ceases to amaze me how
much time, energy and love
people invest in their chosen
hobby. I learn so much more
from teaching than I ever could
if I was stuck in my craft room.What advice would you give to
a budding craft entrepreneur
who wants to start a blog,
YouTube channel or sellingtheir makes on ETSY or
similar, who doesn’t quite
have the confi dence to do so?
I don’t want to sound like one
of those awful inspirational
quotes, but ‘The best time
is NOW!’ Look back at some
of the interviews in this very
magazine to see how some of
the best designers started their
journey as the result of
a chance meeting
or a random
message on
their blog
post. When
talking
with other
designers
I’m always
interested in
how they started
out. Most creative
careers in the craft
industry are built on hard work
and talent but there is always
a little bit of luck somewhere
down the line too!What’s your favourite thing
about what you do?
I’m not sure who said it rst
but “If you love your job, you
will never work a day in your
life.” I don’t think I need to add
anything to that.“My Big Shot machine
is the hub of my
creative universe as it
has been for almost
15 years”
do you think you could see
yourself doing?
As much as I love my job, I
always jokingly refer to myself
as an unemployed musician!Aside from crafting, do
you have any other hobbies?
Work and family commitments
have curtailed many of my
hobbies down the years
although I still enjoy collecting
and customising electric
guitars and basses, this has
been a passion of mine since
my early teens. I haven’t
played in a band for years but
who knows what the future
may hold?
I have studied various
martial arts for most of my
adult life and taught Karate for
many years producing a couple
of Welsh champions along
the way. My favourite way to
relax is to lose myself in a
good book especially when
travelling with work. I’ve been
very lucky to visit wonderful
places through my job and it
has given me the opportunity
to meet fabulous people, that
is one of the most enjoyable
aspects of my work at Sizzix.2TICJi re roTnd
What is your guilty pleasure?
Old school heavy rock!
Favourite country/city you’ve
visited? Slovenia... beautiful
country, wonderful people.
Favourite colour?
Orange every time!
Favourite food? Mexican.
Favourite junk food?
Veggie burgers.Favourite drink? Tea.
What is your biggest passion?
My family
Biggest ambition?
Professionally, I want to
continue to grow as a designer,
everything else is a by-product
of that growth
Favourite thing about Britain?
Roasties!The bedrock of Pete’s craft stash
is this Framelits Circle die set –
it’s the basis of our stash too!
“Pete's a regular guest on our CraftStash Live
shows with Janette Lane!”Find out more about Sizzix:
sizzix sizzixof cial Sizzix sizzix