Name: Krystine Armstrong
Business: What A Hoot Crafts
What do you create?
I create resin items including pots, wooden serving trays, chip n dip platters, clocks and other molded items including trinket trays and bowls. I also make alcohol ink designed pots.
How did you get started as an artisan? What inspired you to pursue this craft?
I started my markets journey by attending macrame lessons and then selling my creations. Then over time I attended other workshops and found that I had a passion to create with Resin and Alcohol inks. I love learning new things and have tried many different crafts.
What was (or is) your day job? Is this related to your art?
My current job is as Service Delivery Manager, and my role is to manage clients’ needs and ensure that all work is completed with our SLA. I manage 30 staff, and this goes up and down depending on the work. We are in the business of providing mailroom solutions and digitisation of documents and data capture. My role has nothing to do with my art passion, it’s like the ying to my yang – it keeps me balanced.
What makes your products stand out from others in the market?
My colour combinations are something that makes my items unique. I like to go beyond the ocean theme that a lot of resin artists do. If you are going to buy a piece for your home, it’s nice to have a pop of colour.
How do you find inspiration for your designs?
For me it is just sitting down and starting with a blank canvas, this can be a wooden board or pot, and then just letting my creativity happen. I try to ensure that I think about what others will like as well.
Could you share a story behind one of your favorite pieces?
One of my favorite pieces was a pot that I had used Alcohol inks on. The colours of the pot were purple, green, yellow and blue. It looked like a scene from what I remember in the Flinders ranges in Adelaide. The purple salvation jane that covers the hills, green farmers’ land and the rocks that are showing through between mother nature’s amazing colours.
What challenges have you faced as an artisan and how have you overcome them?
I am proud of my craft and sometimes it is hard to get people to attend events. If the people don’t come, then there isn’t any sales for the Artisan’s it makes it difficult to keep supporting certain events. This is still a real challenge and even more so now due to our current financial climate.
What message or feeling do you hope your customers experience when they purchase your products?
People say it is too nice to use and they will just have it on display, but I tell them to use it because it will make anything feel more enjoyable when you have that additional colour. Beautiful gifts for any occasion.
