Danielle Harrisoncard-maker.
I moved here from Los Angeles 10 years ago after a friend who was living here called and told me this band I would really like was auditioning for singers. She funded my ticket to come over because I was flat broke. I got the job and sang with Skindive for five years. I still sing and write music.
I always made cards for family and friends, and then I found a place in town that makes speciality paper. My cards are really simple to make. They're made from transparent Japanese paper that comes in different colours but it has the firmness of regular A4 paper. I also use gold-leaf paper and silk ribbon.
My approach to the colour schemes is usually to just grab one thing and then grab something else and put them together. I once made about 20 cards and sold them up in a gorgeous little card shop in Holywood near Belfast. But I just like to keep it as a nice sweet thing I do for my friends.
People tend to keep my cards. When I go round to their houses I see them on their mantelpieces. Although I sometimes wonder if people think I'm childish when I hand it to them and say, 'Look, I've made you this card.'
I've started making ornaments out of felt and I've done them for a few friends who've had babies, with the baby's name on them. I tend to do quite crafty things rather than big 'art' things, although I have an idea in my head to do something that's a big piece.
There was a time when I was crazy for crocheting and that was ridiculous. I've done all kinds of weird things. I once made a card for a friend and it was quite elaborate, way more elaborate than I would normally do. Then another friend picked it up and said, 'All that work for that card and then that crappy message.' I suppose I'd put all of my love into the crafting and then just wrote 'Happy Birthday Sally, I love you.'
I'm not as good with words, but now I do sit for a few minutes and try to come up with a good message for the inside. When you make something it's not just the card. It's telling someone that you love them.