As we approach Fun A Day Dundee 2021 we are sharing some stories of previous participants to showcase the wonderful range of talent our participants have demonstrated, and hopefully inspire you to join in next time too! Today we’re speaking to Kim, who you may know as Sonnet Bloom on insta. If you’d like to read more posts like this, check out the stories archive here.

Please tell us a little about yourself and your creative work/hobbies…

Hi, I’m Kim (the person behind Sonnet Bloom). I work as a Research & Development Scientist in Dundee, but am originally from Cape Town in South Africa. I have always really enjoyed art and design, making jewellery and getting crafty in my spare time. I decided to take the leap and start my own Etsy shop at the beginning of this year and I’m so glad I did, because it’s been such a positive way to spend my weekends in lockdown and my little business has grown into something I didn’t quite expect or think was possible.

How did you hear about Fun A Day Dundee?

I heard about Fun A Day through a friend who shared the page on Instagram. I was a bit reluctant at first, because all of the past participants’ work looked so professional and I was only just starting out and didn’t really have a ‘project’ in mind. But then I sort of realised I could use it as a way to figure out exactly what I enjoyed most and what I wanted my Etsy shop to be. It was a brilliant opportunity to create lots of experimental pieces that I could get some feedback on, before actually opening my shop.

Please tell us a little about projects you’ve made as part of FADD in previous years…

This was my first year taking part in FADD, but the pieces in my project ranged from digital art and photography, to polymer clay and shrink plastic earrings, to unique resin jewellery. There was no pressure to stick to one craft or stay in one box or to one theme, and I really enjoyed the freedom of trying out so many materials and mediums.

What are your favourite things about FADD?

FADD has such a welcoming community. It gave me a chance to interact with some amazingly talented creative people and helped me dedicate time to my own creativity. I really appreciated the encouragement from other participants and the way in which the FADD team is so uplifting and supportive. The whole month of January was such a fun and inspiring start to 2020, and it gave me the kick-start I needed for my Etsy shop which has kept me going throughout the rest of this turbulent year.

Since then, it has continued to inspire me to make small themed collections for my shop and the branch-off FADD Creatives community is constantly providing prompts for fresh ideas.

It also inspired me to start drawing digitally, which is now one of my favourite things to do and I am always adding to my greeting card designs.

The community allowed me to get my work seen and led to a number of commissions and bespoke creations that I am really proud of.

What are you looking forward to about FAD2021?

I am so excited for what FADD2021 might bring. Now that my shop is somewhat established, I think it’ll give me a chance to focus in on a single subject matter and challenge myself to be inventive. It will bring back a bit of order after the chaos of 2020 and will come as a welcome escape from the day to day troubles of pandemic life. I can’t wait to see what everyone else creates and hope that even more people get involved next year! It’s really for anyone and everyone. And maybe we’ll even have an actual physical showcase/exhibition this time! The online exhibition was fantastic, but having an opportunity to share everyone’s work in person would be really wonderful.