The crafty world of Tracey D Designs

This week the BrisStyle team had a chat to one of our members Tracey Donohoe of Tracey D Designs. Tracey specialises in handmade cards, and from time to time, other beautiful things. Here's a little peek into her crafty world...


How would you describe your work?
Increasingly eclectic! I started out with papercrafts, but am more and more getting back to my sewing roots, and have been making handbags, totes and toys, and am now exploring mixed media. I’m working on a series of fabric appliquéd coasters and some ‘paper fabric’ at the moment. Greeting cards and papercrafts are still my mainstay. I’m just having a ball!!!

How did your Etsy shop come into being?
I had been making and selling my cards for quite some time and had a couple of different people suggest Etsy. In my usual way, I explored and set up shop all in the one afternoon!! (which is why my shop is actually traceyd01, because, although they tell you, I was in a hurry and didn’t realise that your username becomes your shop name!!!) I just love Etsy, it’s full of such talented people and wonderful, quirky things of beauty. And Etsy introduced me to the wonderful BrisStyle Team, which I find an absolute privilege to be a part of.

Fantasy Heart Journal

Who or What inspires you?
Colour, thrift shops, my button collection, my children, nature, and of course other artists… I went to see the APT recently and was inspired by many of the works there. If I’m in an uncreative space, I get onto Etsy and the BrisStyle blog and am soon back on track

Do you ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ as part of your creative process?
Yes, I do more and more as time goes on. I’m a regular at Reverse Garbage and was brought up to ‘make stuff out of other stuff’, so to me it’s a much more creative way of working, and living for that matter. I went to the Lifeline Bookfest last weekend, and now have lots of lovely old books and pages to reuse. All my cards are posted between recycled cardboard to protect them, and as much as I can, I use recycled or upcycled materials, and I recycle as much of my waste as I can.


Can you describe your studio / work area?
I’m very lucky, and have just moved my craft space from a spare bedroom to a free standing building at my place that we call ‘the cottage’. I teach card making and scrapbooking and the space is perfect for that. It’s extraordinarily messy at the moment, but that’s the creative process, right?!?!

6. What is your favourite thing in your shop at the moment?
Probably my favourite thing would be the set of Regal Wedding Invitations. I love the way they fold out to reveal different information, and the pockets with info cards inside. I also love the embellishments (which I found on Etsy) which really set them off. I’d say that once my butterflies and coasters are up, they will be my new favourites!!

Regal Wedding Invitations

Check out more of Tracey's work here:
Tracey D Designs on Etsy
Tracey's Craft Crush blog

Thanks so much Tracey for sharing your crafty world with us!