We thought it was about time you got to know a bit more about members of our collective. Why do they make? What inspires them? What do they do when they're not making? Over the coming weeks we'll be delving in to the lives of our Creatives starting with Isabelle Blondiau of Isabee.
Isabelle Blondiau - Isabee
What do you make?
Handmade applique T-shirts featuring original designs using organic and ethically made cottons for babies and children. The Isabee brand is all about colours, simplicity, fun and quality.
How long have you been running your creative business?
20 years.
What inspired you to start Isabee?
I have always wanted to be independent, offer something different and of quality. I started my business by making children's dressing up clothes. All I could find in the shops for my children were low quality garments - mostly featuring cartoon characters, which I did not find very creative. Isabee was expanded when I introduced my applique t-shirts to offer something different and of quality.
Handmade applique T-shirts featuring original designs using organic and ethically made cottons for babies and children. The Isabee brand is all about colours, simplicity, fun and quality.
How long have you been running your creative business?
20 years.
What inspired you to start Isabee?
I have always wanted to be independent, offer something different and of quality. I started my business by making children's dressing up clothes. All I could find in the shops for my children were low quality garments - mostly featuring cartoon characters, which I did not find very creative. Isabee was expanded when I introduced my applique t-shirts to offer something different and of quality.
Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work? Tell us about your other work?
I am also a gardener alongside running Isabee. It is a good balance for me - being with nature is good for the soul and also very creative.
How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?
I am self-taught with some skills learned as a child with my mother and grandmother who was a seamstress. I also learned a lot of aesthetics from my father who was a graphic designer and had a printing business.
I am also a gardener alongside running Isabee. It is a good balance for me - being with nature is good for the soul and also very creative.
How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?
I am self-taught with some skills learned as a child with my mother and grandmother who was a seamstress. I also learned a lot of aesthetics from my father who was a graphic designer and had a printing business.
What is it you love most about the creative process?
The birth of creative idea and seeing it through to the finished product.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
Day to day life, what I am surrounded by, objects, balance of lines and colours.
How do you find you benefit from being part of a creative collective?
The support is great from little bits of best practice advice to more business input on how to run self-employed creative business day-to-day.
The birth of creative idea and seeing it through to the finished product.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
Day to day life, what I am surrounded by, objects, balance of lines and colours.
How do you find you benefit from being part of a creative collective?
The support is great from little bits of best practice advice to more business input on how to run self-employed creative business day-to-day.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?
Do what you want to do, go for it and don't wait until tomorrow.
What is the biggest challenge of running a creative business?
Balancing the finance!
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time? hobbies, pastimes etc
Exhibitions, gardening, friends and dance. These apricots are from my garden. It's a very easy tree to grow in a sunny spot, The fruits are fantastic and delicious!
Shop Isabee here
Do what you want to do, go for it and don't wait until tomorrow.
What is the biggest challenge of running a creative business?
Balancing the finance!
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time? hobbies, pastimes etc
Exhibitions, gardening, friends and dance. These apricots are from my garden. It's a very easy tree to grow in a sunny spot, The fruits are fantastic and delicious!
Shop Isabee here
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