Karen is one of a number of multi-talented producers at the market who joined Bentley Heath about 6/7 years ago (she can't remember when exactly!). She is a very skilled sewer who studied fashion and fabric art at college. In the last few years, Karen has also started bringing her homemade food to the market for us all to buy and enjoy. Her flapjack (made using a recipe inherited from her Mum) is a weekly bestseller.
We thought it might be nice to get to know Karen a bit more....
What do you make for the market?
Food: apart from flapjack and crumbles I usually make savoury items for the market- soups, occasionally mini quiches, roasted vegetable pies, braised cabbage...
Craft: mainly bags (every type from tote to bag-in-bag shoppers, handbags, makeup zipped pouches, purses, drawstring....), bunting, aprons...
What's your best seller?
Bunting.
What's your favourite thing to make for market?
I have a great passion for making things from fabric and using up every last scrap. I have a large (perhaps too large!) fabric stash and the challenge of finding things to make with even the most odd shaped offcuts is something I really enjoy.
What’s your favourite (post market) Friday night drink?
A cup of tea
Do you listen to or watch anything in particular while cooking for market?
I listen to Radio 2 or 4.
What's the one piece of craft equipment you couldn't do without?
Sewing machine- it's a very trusty machine which I have had since I was at college.
Tea lover or Coffee Consumer?
Depends on the time of day. Mainly tea, but at 11 am definitely a coffee!!
One food that you really detest
Salt and vinegar crisps (but I like all other flavours!)
Favourite season/time of year
Spring
What do you have for Christmas dinner and who cooks?
We have turkey and the cooking is a joint effort between me and Kevin.
Favourite Animal
Hamster!
Favourite colour?
Turquoise
Pets?
Hamster (actually my daughter's but I am very fond of it)
Favourite music?
Mahler's 5th symphony
A big thankyou to Karen for her time and giving us a snapshot of her 'market' life. You can find a selection of her products each week at the market or they can be ordered in advance by phone ( 07514 060548 ).