It’s time for another trip to Presenters’ Corner! This is the blog where we have a sit down with one of our presenters and chat about what they’ve been up to recently, their crafting secrets and share backstage gossip! Last month we caught up with the fabulous Paula Pascual – if you missed it, catch up here!
We know the question you are asking yourself… who is in the Presenters’ Corner this month? Well, let’s find out…
Hayley West
Tell us a little about yourself!
Ooh ok… well, I’m Hayley and I’ve been involved in Hochanda from the very beginning, before we even had a studio! As some of you will know, I’ve been involved in crafts on TV for about 15 years but as a crafter it’s more like 35 years!
What have been some of your Hochanda highlights so far this year?
I think the biggest highlight has been working with Crafts Too on a range of Handmade by Hayley products we are launching in October. Our birthday event was also a highpoint – I don’t know where the last five years have gone!
We loved Wicked Witch of the Hayley West during our birthday event! Which of the other presenters’ costumes were your favourites?
Didn’t Janice make a fabulous scarecrow?! I think that was one of my favourites but Paula looks so cute as Dorothy! Everybody looked fabulous but if you’re going to pin me down to one then I would have to say the scarecrow one.
What have you been up to during lockdown, picked up any new crafts?
I’ve been doing a lot of design work and getting Handmade by Hayley products ready. I have also been working with air dry clay and Prima moulds. I’m converting a tall clock into a bookcase, so the moulds are going to create some fabulous embellishments!
Have you read any good books or watched any films recently that you would recommend?
I’m not a big reader or film watcher but I do like a gritty TV drama. Usually something based on a true life event and if it’s a scandalous event even better! Who Wants to be a Millionaire was great and I was hooked on Des from the start!
Do you have a craft room? Describe it to us!
I do. Well, technically I have half a craft room at the moment as my other half is working from home and using the desk area. It’s not a huge room but there are shelves and baskets full of all sorts of crafty goodies with an area for all my sewing stuff too. Two things that I never put away though are my sewing machine and my Silhouette die cutting machines – there’s no point as I’m always using them!
Hopefully next year we’ll get to some events and see some of our Hochanda Family again! Have you been missing the one-on-one interaction with fans?
Yes! Because I’ve been involved with crafts for such a long time, I have made loads of friends over the years and I love just catching up with them. It’s great seeing and hearing about what they’ve been making, their life events, what they’ve been buying at the event and where the bargains are!
It’s been lovely having you in the Presenters’ Corner! Finally, do you have any tips for new crafters?
Shop wisely when you are getting started and take guidance from our guests and presenters. We were all new crafters once and will have been in your shoes, so we can share the hints and tips we’ve learnt over the years. But most importantly, have fun and don’t be too critical of your own work… that’s something we are all guilty of!
Take a look at a few of the marvellous things that Hayley has crafted at home recently!
Thanks for joining us once again in the Presenters’ Corner, we hope you’ve enjoyed a nice relaxing read. Be sure to look out for next month’s edition for a catch-up with another fantastic presenter. Learn more about Hayley on her presenters’ page!