Hello there!
My name is Gabi and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself and how ‘Mad Cat Crafts’ came about.
I have worked in different areas throughout my adult life but have always been creative and interested in making and decorating things.
In 2007, whilst on holiday in Germany, I found out about Serviettentechnik – Decoupage. I decided to try it out, at first as a hobby, making items for friends and family as presents. As they were well received, I branched out onto local craft markets to sell my decorative plant pots and other items.
In December 2009 the opportunity arose to rent one of the craft workshops at the Great Barn in Ruislip and ‘Mad Cat Crafts’ was born. I chose the name because I have always been mad about cats, having owned six at one time.
I now work full time in my workshop and create new designs every day. There are a variety of products for the home and garden which are painted and decorated with Serviettentechnik to a high standard. This craft can be applied to many different materials and surfaces and it gives me great satisfaction to try out new ideas and combinations. The surfaces are durable and hard wearing. Plant pots can go outside; withstanding rain, sunshine and frost without the design getting spoiled.
Serviettentechnik-Decoupage is a craft dating back to the 17th century and is believed to stem from the Orient. It became very popular in Great Britain during Victorian times and people, those who could afford to, commissioned pieces for their homes to display. The word ‘Decoupage’ comes from the French and means ‘to cut out’. A variety of papers can be used to create a new picture or pattern by overlaying and varnishing. I tend to use serviettes which are very much thinner and finer than decoupage paper and give a more subtle effect.