I’m going to be honest… I have never met another Amanda that goes by Mandie and spells it the same was as I do – so it’s very nice to meet you Mandie! You truly are a girl after my own heart with your earthy, organic and repurposed wares.
Amanda Woodcock
Random Facts About You?1. I will be an intensive care nurse at the age of 23.
2. My parents allowed me the opportunity to be a happy, healthy human being by being amazing people.
3. If it were up to me, I'd never go inside. I'd rather be in my garden or the forest than anywhere else!
4. I make every gift and card that I give.
What got you started crafting?
I have a very strong, simple need to create. I have always been this way- ideas will pop in my head and they'll just float around until I do something with them. Gifting has always been my main 'excuse' to create beautiful things and use my creativity to it's limitless extent. I became engaged in December 2010 and planning our wedding really lit a fire and provided a means to create our perfect environment. Our big day is in March of 2011 and will be a dreamy, natural, spring evening that we are very excited for! I have made everything from the centerpieces to bouquets to table decor in order to provide a relaxed, whimsical event. I had so much fun making these pieces so I decided to sell my wedding creations in my new etsy shop- mandiecandy.etsy.com. Through running this shop and realizing the need to continuously add new items to my small store, my creativity has just skyrocketed. I am realizing how much stronger I become visually and stylistically each and every day and am excited to see what my future in crafting and design becomes.
What is your source of inspiration?
Nature. It's everything to me. I grew up in a small mountain town (Flagstaff, AZ) and it's influence will never stop inspiring me. I began camping & hiking at a very young age and continue to enjoy the outdoors often. From white water rafting the rivers in Colorado, hiking in the deserts of Arizona or resting in the grass of bontanical gardens in Seattle- I love to be outside with my fiance, friends, family & dog! This is why you'll see a lot of my pieces include burlap, flowers, leaves, river rocks, jute, etc. Most of my paintings & drawings also focus on earthy aspects.
What have you made recently?
Today I recycled & repurposed an old cork board I found in a garage sale. I sanded down the frame and painted it a bright green color, I painted the cork a complimentary blue, and I placed a burlap rectangle in the center of the cork. I took some green, brown, blue & orange buttons of various sizes and tied burlap strips through the holes. I then framed opposing corners of the burlap with the buttons; the effect being the buttons were sewn to the burlap itself. I didn't want any push pins stealing the limelight of the board, so I provided vintage sewing pins that belonged to my grandmother for anchoring pictures and inspiration. It's fun & quirky- the colors are very modern yet natural and earthy. I'm really proud of what I did to what was considered junk to most people.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
mandiecandy.etsy.com.
This is my new little shop opened July 6th of this year. I add as many items as possible as quickly as I whip them out and am so proud of everything I have listed.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
I am not a fan of mass produced art. I like the idea of having a personal, unique, one-of-a-kind piece of creativity in my home rather than something that could be in 10,000 other homes! There are so many beautiful minds out there and artists starving for a chance- why not support them and their expressions? What you purchase homemade becomes something you treasure and appreciate- something that makes you happy to look at everyday.
Find Me
LocationPhoenix, Arizona
Email Address
Amanda Woodcock
Personal Website
http://www.mandiecandy.etsy.com
Store Website
http://www.mandiecandy.etsy.com
@mandiecandyetsy