We were fortunate enough to interview Australian Kelly Doust the author of The Crafy Minx and The Crafty Kid on one of her visits to the UK (her husband is English). We wanted to find out what inspired her to write her books and where she comes up with so many ideas. 
Hi Kelly, Could you tell me how you first got into sewing and crafting?
I didn't really have the patience for crafts as a child but once I became a teenager I started altering my own clothes and buying clothes from the charity shop and cutting them up and making them into other things. My parents were always buying houses and doing them up, getting furniture from reclamation yards and then re-vamping it so that inspired me too.
What inspired you to write your books?
I used to work as a book publicist and got very inspired by all the books I was seeing and thought I could do this myself. I had recently bought a house with my husband and didn't have the money to buy what I wanted for the house so I started making things. When I was 5 months pregnant with my daughter (Olive) I decided to stop work and start putting all my ideas into a book. My book proposal was accepted 4 days before Olive was born so it was perfect timing.
How long did it take you to write and how did you come up with so many ideas?
I did a lot of the work whilst writing the proposal; I made many of the items and actually took them in and gave them to the publishers to keep. I thought if they fell in love with the items they would with the book too. It took about 3 months in total to write the first book and make everything in it, then another 6 months for rewrites and edits.
Ideas wise I was trying to think of things that would be functional, not just dust collecting. I came up with most the ideas during the proposal stage. A lot of them were things that I needed at the time, for the house and for the baby. I wanted things that were soulful that why I used a lot of recycled materials. I think there's nothing better than buying a pre-loved item from the charity shops and turning it into something new.
Were you inspired by any particular books, magazines or blogs/websites?
I found my inspiration from all over; I read a lot of magazines and a lot of blogs too. I fin
d Dossier 37 very inspiring; it is an eclectic mix of quirky objects from all over the world. Design Sponge is another of my favourites; it has great ideas for refurbishing. I've got links to the blogs I find inspiring on my blog.
Tell us about your new book - The Crafty Kid.
It's a book for kids and parents to make things together, the projects aren't specifically aimed at children they are intended for parents and children working together. There is something for children of all ages, from the age of 2-3 up to teenage years. I am hoping to inspire parents to spend time making things with their children as an alternative to TV or video games.
What skill level are your books aimed at?
They are aimed at beginners, for those who are scared of crafts or don't know where to start. The first book in particular is an introduction to several different types of crafts.
Are you working on any other books at the moment?
I've already written a memoir called A Life in Frocks and I'm working on a 3rd craft book about vintage pieces. I'm also thinking that once Olive is at school I might have a go at writing fiction.
Wow, so you're working on your 4th book in 2 years? How do you find the time, particularly with a young child too?
I think I am very fortunate because Olive sleeps a lot. I only work when she's asleep and I managed to write 2 books in her first year! She does go to day care now for 2 days a week so I do most of my work then. When she's here and wake I want to concentrate on her.
Once you get into a routine of writing every day it is quite easy to do. I would be unhappy if I wasn't writing, I find it creatively satisfying. I also write for magazines too and for my blog.
What type of thing do you write about on your blog (http://thecraftyminx.com.au/)?
I do love blogging, I write about my lifestyle, having a happy home life. I like to showcase new ideas. I started the blog when the first book came out to complement the book, but it is not an extension of the book, it is quite different. I only update it when I found something interesting or have something to say.
Finally could you pass any tips on for people new to crafts, or that want to write a craft book?
For those new to crafts I would highly recommend getting some old jumpers from the charity shop and chop them up to make hot water bottle covers, mittens, hats or blankets. Knits are easy to work with and can found cheaply in charity shops. I rarely buy any materials full price; I look at jumble sales, charity shops, off cuts and remnants and stuff on sale. It doesn't have to be an expensive hobby.
For anyone looking to write a craft book I would suggest that you come up with a handful of ideas, write up the projects with good instructions, and explain why they are useful. I spent so much time on the proposal for my books; it is the most important part.
You can find out more about Kelly by visiting her blog http://thecraftyminx.com.au/, and you can purchase her books The Crafty Minx and The Crafty Kid from Amazon, click on the book title for direct link.
Our review of her books are below - as is a giveaway to win one of 4 copies of The Craft Kid.
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The Crafty Minx creative recycling and handmade treasures
This book contains simple projects to make things for the house, for yourself and for children/babies. The book combines a mixture of craft techniques mainly sewing, but also paper crafts, things to cook, to paint, paper mâché, lino painting, embroidery, cross stitch and even furniture restoration. All at a basic level with easy to follow instructions so it's a good way to try out a few different crafts.
The projects are spilt into seasons of the year and include things like a pretty peg bag, a baby sling, a customised t-shirt, bunting, a braided rug, paper collages, 
socks and gloves. Each project is accompanied by a list of equipment needed, step by step written instructions and tips or details of where the idea behind the project originated. A lot of the projects involved recycling or buying things for charity shops and transforming them.
The only thing I would say is that if you prefer photographic instructions or diagrams to follow this book does not have that, it has written instructions throughout and a photo of the final product so you know what you are aspiring to. There is such a wide range of crafts in here I would think there is something for everyone.
You can purchase this book here on Amazon for just £9.13 (price given on10/07/2010)
The Crafty Kid projects for and with children
The follow up from Kelly's popular book The Crafty Minx this book is equally jam packed with projects for the home and to wear. These projects are mainly all sewing projects, unlike the first book. The book contains over 50 projects spilt down into the following sections: On the loose in the kitchen, Dress-ups, School treats, Get out in the garden, Bath-time and Jolly cute bedrooms.
Unlike most kids craft books this book contains projects for adults to do with the kid's assistance, then as the kids get older they can start to take on some of the projects themselves. Kelly said in our interview that she knew there were a lot of books out there with projects aimed
specifically at kids so she wanted to make something a bit different.
The projects are beginner level for adults and each project contains a little tip on how to keep little hands busy - how to get the children involved. This ensures that the projects are suitable from toddler age up to older teenage children, who would then be doing most the project themselves with the adult assisting.
There is a good range of projects from fabric collage wall hangings to bags, cushions and soft toys. If you are one of those mums whose children are always trying to ‘help' whilst you are sewing then this book would be ideal.
You can purchase this book here on Amazon for £11.38 (price given on 10/07/2010).
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Giveaway
We are lucky enough to have been given 4 copies of Kelly's latest book - The Crafty Kid - by her publishers Murdoch Books to giveaway.
In order to enter please tell us what the title of Kelly's next book (her memoir) will be.
Clue: read the interview above.
Please either post your answer on our Facebook page or Twitter, e-mail it to fiona@thesewingdirectory.co.uk or use our entry form here.
Closing date: Friday 23rd July 2010 6pm.
