What do you make?

A collection of hand-loom and hand-embroidered scarves, throws, accessories and bags using natural fibres such as cotton, linen, silk and Merino wool that reflect my passion for sustainable and authentic craftsmanship.
 
How long have you been running your independent creative business?

5 years.
 
What inspired you to start your creative business?

​After a sudden stroke in 2010, which left me with Aphasia, an impairment of language, I focused on my rehabilitation. Having worked with the charity Aphasia Re-Connect, I regained most of my speech and while recovering from my stroke, I rediscovered my passion for sewing, leading to a hand-made collection of cushions to raise money for the charity. Since this limited-edition collection, I have focused on honing my skills and have since launched various collections that truly reflect my creative life.

Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work?  Tell us about your other work?

Full-time
 
How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?

​After studying fashion design at Kingston in the late 70s, I had a career as an international fashion designer for over 30 years, including at Laura Biagiotti in Rome, Conran in London and Esprit in San Francisco. I worked closely with iconic British brand Paul Smith for 20 years most recently as menswear director working closely with Paul and Derek in the design team. I was involved in the whole process from initial ideas and inspiration through to the finished product. 

What is it you love most about the creative process?

It’s all about adding the uniqueness of the hand embroidery to my pieces. I enjoy creating the initial sketches for a piece and then gathering the fabrics and how I am going to introduce the embroidery to the piece. When I recently worked with artisans in Marrakesh, I loved giving them my designs and seeing them work their magic using hand-looms and stitching. It’s so much more rewarding than working on pieces that have been produced on a larger scale as each piece is so individual. The people were just so wonderful to collaborate with.
 
Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?

Ceramics - the possibilities of it and the idea of coil building and pinching. It’s so tactile.

Where do you look for creative inspiration?

I am a creative person who loves everything that feeds creativity - a mood, a feeling, a thought about say some fabrics or a piece of art or colours I’m surrounded with. I went to a Sean Scully and Anna Albers exhibition recently which featured stripes which led me to an idea for how to use stripes in a throw. I spent time in Marrakesh and created mood boards from the incredible sights and wonderful people I encountered – from visiting the markets to being inspired by the colours of a pile of egg boxes on the street. 

What is the biggest challenge of running a creative business?

Bringing the brand to life and showing its beauty when these days so much is online. Getting out and showcasing your products in person is so important
 
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time?  hobbies, pastimes etc
​
Exhibitions, travelling and I have a real ambition to go up in a hot balloon. I also love mudlarking.

What do you make?

I design and make contemporary jewellery from silver, gold and semi-precious gemstones. I use a combination of traditional goldsmithing techniques, alongside more modern practices.

How long have you been running your creative business?

About 15 years in one form or another.

What inspired you to start your creative business?

​I repaired a broken bead necklace of mine and caught the bug. I signed up for a basic jewellery class and next thing I knew I was enrolled in a City & Guild jewellery degree.

Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work?  Tell us about your other work?

My jewellery business has been full-time work, but since the pandemic I have pulled back a bit and made it more of a part-time endeavour. This gives me time to paint, sketch and travel.

How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?

​I did a 4 year jewellery degree (City & Guild) at City LIt in London, as well as a series of specialised workshops at West Dean, Metalwerx (US), Haystack (US) and with various private tutors. I also have a painting degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago which has informed my designs.

​​What is it you love most about the creative process?

"I love finding shapes in nature that I then translate into metal. When I was working on my painting degree, it was all about finding shapes and textures that were translated into mark making on the canvas. When I discovered metal, something clicked.

​I did a lot of bookbinding when studying my art degree, so I love to make and work in sketchbooks as a way to develop a design. But as often as not, I will pick up a piece of silver scrap and see if I can make something out of a piece that was left behind. A bit like scraps of collage paper that are more interesting than the bigger piece.

Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?

I went back to embroidery and stitching during lockdown. I provided focus and mental relaxation that I really needed at the time. I am less interested in traditional stitching and more drawn to the ides of mark making.

Where do you look for creative inspiration?

My primary source for design and inspiration is the seaside, especially in New England where I grew up. I am constantly taking myself on "artist dates" to see exhibitions (painting, textile, drawing in particular). I also have a degree in History of Art, so exhibitions constantly feed my creative and academic needs.

How do you find you benefit from being part of a creative collective?

I love the community that MHC provides. It is informative, creative, supportive and a place where we can go shout successes from the roof top or drown our sorrows. The group of Creatives changes and evolves, but the sense of community remains.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?

Do it! I started on a kitchen table with the dream of one day having a studio and a business. Explore and take risks, you will eventually find your style.

What do you make?

Japanese textiles - vintage scarves and bags, indigo dyed Shibori scarves and bags and gifts.

How long have you been running your creative business?

8 years.

What inspired you to start your creative business?

​A seminal bucket list trip to Japan to learn with international textiles guru, Bryan Whitehead in 2014. I learnt Shibori resist dyeing and Katagami stencilling and how to dye with indigo. That and being made redundant the year after I came back!

Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work?  Tell us about your other work?

I am a full-time textiles artist, maker and teacher.

How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?

​Courses at West Dean College near Chichester and in Fujino, Japan with Bryan Whitehead and then lots and lots of practice and making.

​What is it you love most about the creative process?

There are just so many designs you can make with Shibori, in particular, which is my main focus. I especially love the unpicking of pieces after they have been dyed in the indigo as it is magic to see what you have created and how the dye has travelled through the fabric.

Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?

​I have always wanted to try glassblowing. I did some glass fusing and slumping at West Dean and also some glass bead making there so the idea of working with glass excites me!

Where do you look for creative inspiration?

I love going to Japan and visiting second hand and antique textiles stores and the temple markets and will buy vintage fabrics with interesting patterns as inspiration.

​I also love spending a few hours on Pinterest discovering pattern and others’ Shibori work and there's the World Shibori Network which has good links to events, exhibitions and creativity. I'm also a big fan of the free exhibitions at Japan House on High Street Kensington.

How do you find you benefit from being part of a creative collective?

It can be quite lonely being a maker and, whilst I am very comfortable in my own company, it is great to meet with my fellow creatives and find out what they are working on. It can even lead to collaborations too. For instance, a few years back I worked with alumni member, Isabella Lepri, a potter. She made lamp bases and I made Shibori lampshades. There's also loads of help, advice and support about marketing,exhibitions, social media and a bunch of other stuff. We all share our skills and support each other and we exhibit together throughout the year at our markets and other events. 

What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?

Give yourself time to play and explore your craft. That's where the creativity and joy comes from. And, very importantly, have a variety of different income sources. I teach online and in person, sell at markets, in shops and when I do exhibitions and teach, I do online talks, sell kits, threads and books. Then if one thing is slow, you can try to double down on something else to make up the shortfall.

What is the biggest challenge of running a creative business?

Getting enough money coming in. You can't rest on your laurels. You always need a pipeline of work and to do enough marketing and promotion to keep driving sales. This is my only job, so I have to make sure I earn enough to pay my bills and have a life. I wouldn't do anything else though!

When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time?  hobbies, pastimes etc

I love immersive theatre and go to lots of events with friends. And I love a good walk and eating out too.

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