Featured Artist: Loutul

Welcome Loutul, this Week's Featured Artist

ENTER STORE

Louise is based in the UK and sells an amazing ray of Pewter Repousse Gifts and homewares. 

                                           Oil Vinegar Cruet set Pewter Olive Grape Motif, Loutul

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a 59 year old married lady from South Africa. I am married to a British born guy who has lived in South Africa most of his life. We relocated to the UK 18 months ago. I have 2 children, one living in the UK, married with a little girl and my brand new grandson who is all of 4 weeks old. As I missed most of my granddaughters infancy I am especially thrilled that I have been here from day one - especially as he is my first grandson and probably my only one. The other, my eldest, lives in Australia with her husband and 2 daughters.

            Pewter Butterfly Embellishment for Book Cover/ Scrapbook Page/Homemade Card, Loutul

What do you create?

I design and make pewter repousse gifts and homewares as well as embroidered wall hangings.

                               Fabric Wall Art, Black Lace Shoes, Embroidered, framed, Loutul

What is the inspiration behind your work, and your shop's name?

The inspiration behind my work is everything around me actually. I’m always looking out for pictures and photos that would either embroider or pewter well. Unfortunately I cannot draw at all so although I have tons of ideas in my head I’m unable to turn those into pewter creations. If I could I’d have an unlimited supply of designs. My shop’s name is the one thing that certainly didn’t require any inspiration at all – lol. It’s my name Lou (ise) Tul (lener). Very unimaginative indeed!

                                       Christmas Candle Unscented Burgundy Pillar Candle, Loutul

Why did you decide to open up your shop?

I hadn’t ever thought of selling my crafts but I so love doing them and my home is already overflowing with embroidered art hanging on the walls and pewter items wherever you look that I need an outlet for them. My daughter convinced me that I should market them on-line and someone recommended Etsy to her. So I gave it a try and here I am!

                                          Framed Metal Wall Sculpture, Pewter Handbag, Loutul

How do you describe your creative process?

Generally, the process starts when I see a design that I would either want to embroider or pewter.  If it’s a photograph or a drawing I’d approach the photographer or artist for permission to use their item. If I’m going to embroider it I have the design printed onto a suitable fabric and if it’s for pewtering, I’d trace the drawing onto a piece of pewter.

The creativity really starts then. I have to decide what materials I’m going to use for the embroidery and as far as the pewter repousse is concerned, I have to decide which parts are going to be in relief and which are going to be recessed.  Finally, and this is the tough part most of the time, I have to decide which portions are to be polished and which are to be left “aged”.

                                           Bookmark Leather Personalised Pewter Design, Loutul

What motivates you?

The desire to turn a photo or picture into a 3 dimensional piece of art whether that’s embroidered or pewtered. I just love embroidering and pewter so I don’t need much motivation.

                                  Decorative Glass Vase, Pewter Ornament, Blue Glass Bottle, Loutul

Aside from Crafting, what do you enjoy doing?

Scrapbooking, knitting, crochet, reading. Not that I get much time for any of those things anymore. When I’m not working at my day job, I’m making or promoting my shop.

                                               Decorative Glass Bottle Hearts Motif, Loutul

What's the best piece of advice you can give to anyone starting out?

Starting out as a crafter – have faith in yourself and don’t listen to all the cynics out there that tell you you’ll never make it. Give it a go otherwise you’ll always be wondering whether you could have made it. Starting out doing pewter – get a good teacher first. There’s nothing more soul destroying that having this out of proportion disfigured piece of pewter in front of you!

                                          iPhone 4 4G 4S Case Novelty Hand Pewter Design, Loutul

Where can we find you online?

Etsy:

Loutul

Blog:

Loutul

Facebook:

Loutul

Do you have any discounts/promotions to offer our Readers?

I have a discount especially for your readers during the week of my feature. The coupon code is CHANEL and it will entitle you to a discount of 15% on everything in my shop. 

Thank you very much to Louise from Loutul for being this week's Featured Artist. :)