Kittycat Black

[Suzzi Homewrecker]

How old is your company and how did you get your start?
I started making my own jewelry in 2003, and when it got a lot of interest from other people everywhere I went, I decided to start making some to sell. They all sold. From there, I just made and sold more and more over the years. I never borrowed any money to start my business which I think is the best way to go if you can manage. I just poured profits back into the business, which wasn't too hard since I adore buying beads!

How long have you been interested in polymer clay based jewelry?
Like most people who grew up in the 80s, I played with polymer clay as a kid. I've always loved polymer clay because of the amazing bright colors and the easy hardening method. I did ceramics for a few years at college and while I loved sculpting with clay I found it very hard to control what things would look like after they were fired in the kiln. So, when I rediscovered polymer clay in 2003, I didn't look back.

Describe a typical day in your studio.
I work in a home studio in between looking after my 14 month old son, so things can get a little chaotic. When I had a baby I was told that I was now 'under new management' and that has been very true. I have a play area set up for him though, so when he's happy to sit playing by himself, I get stuck into my work. At the moment it's a lot of jewelry assembly (stringing the actual beads) but soon I will be working on some new pendant designs so I'll be sculpting some new prototypes which is a lot of fun. Whenever I have a wholesale order, I always spend a fair bit of time hand painting color variations onto many of my pendants too.

Do you have any particular goals for your company this year?
If Jarvis (my 14 month old) lets it happen, I will be designing more new pendants and chokers this year (more gothic styled designs) and starting a new range of more glamorous evening wear style necklaces.

What is the origin of your company's name, Kittycat Black?
One day the name popped into my head and I spent the whole day trying to convince my flatmate at the time that I was planning on changing my name to 'Kittycat Black'. I don't think she believed me but she did dare me to ring up and order pizza and say my name was 'Kittycat'. A year or so later when I was trying to come up with the business name it popped back into my head and I thought... perfect!

What are some of your other talents?
I've been involved with just about every form of visual art, craft or design there is at some point or another. I've done ceramics, sculpture, photography, web design, painting, illustration, gold & silversmithing, graphic design and so on. I don't get much spare time to dabble in the others these days although many things like sculpture, painting, web design, graphic design and illustration I get to do in day to day dealings with my business anyway.

What inspires you?
So many things inspire me. Creative fashion is probably the main thing that inspires me. I adore looking at Japanese street fashion and other creative clothing. I love seeing whatever the latest sub cultural fashions are. Other art or imagery is often inspiring too.

What makes you smile?
My special doll. She's a Pullip/Obitsu hybrid... made by putting a Pullip doll's head onto a 60cm Obitsu body. This Frankenstein work was done by Gwen who runs http://www.requiemart.com. Her dolls are just amazing! Gwen also painted my dolls face so that she looks like Kittycat Black. She's a bit of mascot for my business!