How did your business come about?
‘Making It’ was started because my
partner (Josh) and I (Cynthia) like making things. We started thinking about things we
could design, make and sell from home - things that would showcase our design
talent. We purchased a Makerbot 3D printer and started
exploring what we could make.
What is 3D printing?
3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, means making things layer by layer according to a 3D design file. This differs from traditional manufacturing, such as machining, which often involves subtracting a material in order to achieve a certain shape.
How long have you been making cutters for?
We made our first ladybug cutter for my daughters 1st birthday at the start of 2013, we had a ladybug party theme. Our friends
and family loved the idea, so I started designing more cookie cutters. We then started making cookie cutters for sale in mid 2013.
I signed
up to have a stall at the Bambino Market to test the popularity of our cookie
cutters. Then I got busy designing and printing cookie cutters. Each cookie
cutter takes 1.5 to 2 hours to print, so I had the printer going everyday for a
few weeks. I started getting requests for custom cookie cutter shapes too
(mostly corporate logos and characters for birthday parties so far).
Where did the name come from?
The name 'Making It' was kinda
made up on a whim. I started making kids coats (upcycled from woollen blankets)
and appliqué kids t-shirts after having trouble finding a warm coat and
interesting t-shirts for my daughter. The name fits in with the wide range of
things we make.
Where does your inspiration come
from?
I make
cookie cutter designs that my daughter and I would like. Since she has started
talking and loves animals I get lots of inspiration. I also get asked for
certain shapes, especially since having stalls at a few craft markets.
What do you love about what you do?
I love that I can use my graphic
design and illustration skills to produce something my customers like and enjoy
using.
Where do you find time to craft?
My daughter has started daycare a
few days a week and she still has an afternoon nap. And I find time to create
more cutter designs between freelance graphic design projects.
We would like to
explore other things we can print on our 3D printer. I'd like to design a website to
sell our cookie cutters directly and especially promote the fact that we can
create custom designed cookie cutters.
Our cutters are available in the HAPA store in the Re:Start Mall and I would love to see them in a few more crafty/gift stores.
You can find more of Making It! here on their facebook page and here on Felt, Make sure you have a look at all their designs. And keep an eye of this little guy who will be part of our Easter giveaway -
And it wouldn't be a post about cookie cutters without a cookie recipe! Check out Cynthia's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe -
Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
This is the yummiest Gingerbread Cookie Recipe I have found, and I've tried lots. :)
Ingredients
125g butter
3/4 cup golden syrup
1 cup sugar
3 cups flour
3 Tbsp ground ginger
3 Tbsp ground mixed spice
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp milk
Method
Preheat oven to 170°C.
Melt the butter, golden syrup and sugar in a large pot and bring to the boil. Boil rapidly for several minutes and stir as it boils.
Sift the flour, ground ginger and ground mixed spice into a large bowl. Pour melted butter mix into the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
Mix baking soda and milk in a cup and pour into the dough, stirring until it is well combined. Rest dough for 5-10 minutes covered in cling film. (I find the mixture is really hot and I put it in the fridge)
Roll out on lightly floured board (5-6 mm thick). Use cutters to cut various shapes. Put onto baking paper and bake for 10-15 minutes.
Recipe altered from www.greggs.co.nz
Images used with
the kind permission of Cynthia Packman
