Next in our series of designer mini-interviews (is min-terview a word? If not, it should be) is Cerys Turner, whose cross stitch cards we recently started stocking. Take it away, Cerys!

Name: Cerys Turner.

Location: Bethnal Green, East London.

I make: I’m influenced by a wide range of cultures, eras and textile techniques and take an experimental approach and hope something interesting arrives at the end of the process.

My favourite craft tool is: My screen printing squeegee, I actually print with a very non-technical version (a window cleaner’s squeegee instead of a proper screen printer’s one!). Other designers in my studio seem very surprised when I bring it out, but I started using it in art school and it really works for me!

My favourite achievement is: Selling designs to international brands has been really cool, but I appreciate it even more when people who’ve completed my craft kits get in touch with their finished versions. I love seeing how they’ve added their own creativity and made the finished pieces unique to them.

I couldn’t live without: Coffee. I admit I’m a bit of a caffeine addict, but I also love coffee culture, sitting in cafes and people watching or over-hearing snippets of random conversations.

You may be surprised to know: I’ve visited japan and love Japanese culture and the Kawaii characters they invent over there, my all-time favourite is Afro Ken, a dog with an afro that is multicoloured and always changing to different hairstyles.

Ah, Afro Ken – he’s one of my favourite old-skool kawaii characters too. Look, here he is.

Thanks, Cerys!

Next up in our min-terview series (yes, I am claiming that word as my invention) is Michele from Return To Me, who makes our great stitchable tote bags.

Name: Michele Outland.

Location: New York City.

I make: Products for user generated self-expression – this is the Return to Me!

My favourite craft tool is: An Exacto blade (scalpel) and Sharpie pens. I’m also a graphic designer/art director in addition to my product line and would be lost without my blades and pens for all of these applications. At any given time you can find one or both of these items in any of my bags and purses. They’re almost a part of my arm.

My favourite achievement is: To date, launching the Return to Me brand, as an extension of my MA degree from Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London, and then having the wrist cuffs and necklace subsequently stocked at the MoMA Design Store was pretty awesome and very gratifying.

I couldn’t live without: Family, friends, and my dog are a given but also pretty high up on the list is a great meal, good music, and getting out into nature.

You might be surprised to know: I’m half Korean, part German and part Native American. A by-product of the good old American melting pot.

Thanks, Michele for your answers!

Another little meeting today with one of our awesome designers – this time Emily Mackey of Maxemilia, whose cross stitch kits we stock.

Name: Emily Mackey

Location: London

I make: Hand woven textiles using British wools, embroidered illustration, both serious and provocative.

My favourite craft tools are: My loom and sketchbooks/pens etc. I’d be lost without them.

My favourite achievement is: Managing to work for myself, the way I want to and surviving!

I couldn’t live without: my studio.

You might be surprised to know: Somewhere out there, is a book of poetry with some poems about me in it. I’m not saying anymore than that!

Ooh, how intriguing. Check back soon for our next designer Q&A.

As well as Miso Funky kits, samplers and varied other goods, we also stock some really super-cool designers’ work.

I’d like to introduce them all to you, so here’s the first in our new mini-interview series with the lovely Emily Peacock.