Liquorice-Allosaurs is a boutique full of funky handmade and hand painted jewelry and clothing.  If you are all about fun, this is the place to shop.  Not only can you purchase this bright orange Butterfly Bracelet made with neon plastic beads and a purple flower, you can also be the proud owner of this one of a kind half-eaten Choc Chip Nibble Necklace with faux pearls.  How sweet it is!

And if kitsch accessories aren’t your style, have no fear, you can also glam-up with one of a kind goth/punk pieces such as the Scary Scarlett Angelic Mistress Brooch who comes complete with polyclay wings and a flogger.  Yes, a flogger!  What, you don’t believe me?  Take a look for yourself.

Wait!  Don’t leave yet!  Don’t you want to know who is behind these fantastic creations?  Raise your hands if you really want to know.  We asked Liquorice-Allosaurs designer and owner Pat Phillips 10 Silly Questions to answer and we would like to share them with you.

Glad you could join our us for 10 Silly Questions with the proprietor of Liquorice-Allosaurs, Pat Phillips!  We asked Pat 10 questions that will tell us more about who Pat is.  So, let’s begin!

Question #1 – For those of us that are geographically challenged, where are you located?

London, England

Question #2 – Why Liquorice-Allosaurs?

It just came to me one night when I was trying to get to sleep.  I was dreaming about Liquorice-Allosaurs; I couldn’t get the idea out of my head, and at the time I’d been puzzling over a name for the rapidly expanding business so I figured my subconscious way trying to tell me something and that’s how Liquorice-Allosaurs was born.  Anyway, sweeties (candy) plus huge extinct carnivorous reptiles has got to be a good combination.

Question #3 – Have you ever made a jewelry piece that you could not part with?

This happens all too often!  It will usually be something very unusual or elaborate that I will keep for a special occasion.

Question #4 – What inspires you when you are creating an art piece?

Fun!  Whether the finished piece is intended to be cute, girly, rockin, vintage kitsch or dark there will always be a sense of fun – that comes first.  Then, once I have a basic idea to work with I’ll gather all my materials together and let them inspire me.  I like to use unexpected materials or combine unusual ideas to give my work a quirky feel.  I like cute things, but I also have a dark side to throw in the mix.  A good example would be my Arachnophobia necklaces, which use fat, opulent pearls, chunky jet-black flower beads…and huge flocked spiders.  I love turning something that isn’t obvious into a jewelry piece and get a lot of enjoyment out of spotting those unusual items and knowing exactly what I want to do with them.

Question #5 – What are a few of your favorite indie craft websites?

Do you mean for shopping and browsing?  In that case it would be Plastic Bat, I love the quirky cuteness and faintly vintage feel, a lot of the stuff there has a strange nostalgic feel to it and there is always something fun to see and buy there.  My Paper Crane is also a favourite for plush and beautiful collages.  Another one I’ve been enjoying is Cuteable, a blog that has a very strong craft bias, although it isn’t about crafting as such.  To be honest there is such a wealth of craft blogs and websites out there I get dizzy every time I try to sit down and read, I’m sure I miss out on a lot of good ones…I’m hoping to get a few pointers from Indie Yellow Pages!

Question #6 – What is your favorite food?

Oh dear, food is one of my greatest loves; how to choose?  I like to eat healthily and adore cooking but to be honest I know what my comfort food is. A traditional (veggie) British fry-up, with all the trimmings, plus a scalding mug of super strong tea.  Not exactly gourmet, but on a Saturday morning with a hangover from hell, nothing else will do.

Question #7 – What is the last book you read?

I just re-read Pippi Longstocking.  Every gal should read that book.

Question #8 – If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could take only one thing with you, what would it be?

A boat?  Um…failing that, a utility knife with a secret compartment full of a lifetime’s supply of sun block (I have fair skin you see).  I suppose I’m quite a practical gal.

Question #9 – How would you describe your taste in clothing and the way you dress?

I love clothes so I can’t restrict myself to one look.  I am a veteran punk so on lazy days ripped jeans and cool t-shirts are my default, but I adore dressier styles too.  A big flouncy vintage prom dress worn with tattoos, beads and attitude, beautifully tailored men’s dress shirts, corsets; clothing from the 1950’s or 60’s, preferably genuine vintage.  I go for lovely tactile fabrics and jewel colours.  Thinking about it most of my favourite clothes are vintage, I prefer the fabrics and cut.  I’ll put together an outfit that no one else can have that way.

Question #10 – Do you have another job other than running Liquorice-Allosaurs?

I do a whole bunch of creative stuff, including art and gardening workshops for children, and occasionally nature walks for kids as well.  The kids keep me on my toes; you can’t be bored or uninspired doing that kind of work.