We sit down with the fabulous frontwoman of craft channel Hochanda, who tells us “when you work in crafts, there’s always something new to have a go at – it’s like a gift that keeps on giving!”.
1. Welcome to PaperCrafter! What are you most looking forward to in 2017?
Hochanda is growing rapidly, and I’m really looking forward to meeting all the new suppliers we’re ringing in this year. I love learning new techniques and creative possibilities from them. When you work in crafts, there’s always something new to have a go at – it’s like a gift that keeps on giving.
2. What was your New Year’s resolution?
I want to attend a lot more workshops than I did last year. It’ll be lovely to go to a class just to enjoy it.
3. How has your crafting changed recently?
Working with Hochanda this past year has allowed me to really get back into crafting; before, I found that not having my crafty freedom stunted my creativity. I also love being able to choose the products for my ‘Let Leonie Loose’ shows (every Wednesday at 2pm). I get to play and experiment now more than ever and, at the moment, I’m really enjoying working with mixed media. It’s so fun layering things on a canvas and adding paint because the results can be amazing. I have some incredible pieces of work that I’m really proud of. I’ll always love my stamps, though!
4. What are your plans for this year?
I’m always having ideas about new products I’d like to develop so to be able to do that with Crafter’s Companion is an amazing opportunity. I am so excited to launch some of my favourites this year and I can’t wait to see what crafters do with them.
5. What does a typical day look like for you?
My day starts quite early. I’ll arrive at the studio and pick up my information sheets for all the shows I’ll be presenting that day, then we’ll have meetings with the guests to discuss their demonstrations and the products they’ll be using. After that, off we go to set and begin filming! My favourite part of the day is always seeing the crafty goodies that I get to play with, and I love when it’s something a bit different. A few weeks ago I got to try pottery!
6. Do you have any funny stories you’d love to tell us?
There are so many that happen on set. When you’re working in live TV, anything can happen and the silliest thing can send you and your guest into fits of laughter. It can get you into terrible trouble with the producers who are either laughing themselves or telling you to stay calm and keep crafting.
7. What does your craft room look like?
I’m ashamed to say my craft room is a disaster site. I’d love to claim I know where everything is, but that would be an utter fib. When I attempt to tidy my craft room – which doesn’t happen often – I can get quite distracted. I’ll come across items thatI haven’t played with for ages and start making something instead of tidying. Oops!
8. Leonie's Top Crafty Tips
- Good quality essentials will give your projects a better finish: always invest in a good paper trimmer, adhesives and card - Try not to spend money on things that will never get opened. Get them out and use them! - Always experiment with new tools and techniques – you never know what you’ll end up creating
Read Leonie’s blog at leoniepujol.blogspot.co.uk and catch her on Hochanda via channels Sky 663, Freeview 85 and FreeSat 817, or watch live at hochanda.com.
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