We Make London: Make Industries Designer Feature:

Jun 16, 2011

Make Industries Designer Feature:

About Make Industries:

What did you start doing what you do?

The company was founded by Tina Fox in 2007. Tina is a qualified architect who studied at the Bartlett, UCL London and University of Westminster. She later completed an MA in Art in Architecture at the University of East London to begin the integration of her architectural and crafting skills.
Whilst working as an architect in 2003 she was involved as a victim in an aarson attack on her home which left her with a broken back, wrist and pelvis. Following a long period of rehabilitation she was introduced to cross stitch at the Occupational Therapy department at Stoke Mandeville Spinal Injuries Hospital. Her interest in this evolving craft developed, as did her frustration at the lack of modern cross stitch patterns and Make Industries was born

Why did you chose your business name?

Obviously the emphasis on the kits is hand making and I wanted to reflect this in the name without tying the brand down to one particular craft or type of product. The kits are the opposite of throw away mass manufactured products and the dream is to create industries from the hand made and craft.

How long have you been doing what you do?

Sinnce 2007

What else they you like to do?

All kinds of needlecraft, from patchwork & applique to embroidery and knitting. My love of architecture and the urban landscape permeates much of what I do. There is so much scope in combining modern aesthetics and technologies with old fashioned craft - I am really looking forward to developing unusual designs and utilising craft in unusual ways.

What is your ultimate goal for your business?

Retail to shops all over the world. Bespoke designs and commissions really interest me too and I would like to develop this aspect of the business for both one-off and mass production work. I also have a crafting book idea brewing with a friend of mine and am currently putting together a proposal … any interested publishers or agents please contact me!

If you could make something for a famous person who and what would it be....?

I would love to use cross stitch to create an item of clothing or jewellery for a big fashion house - to highlight the beauty and modernity of the craft - perhaps a jacket for Vivienne Westwood?

Inspirations:

Make Industries creates craft with a difference, producing designs and kits that are beautiful, well designed and relevant to modern life. The graphics are inspired by modern architecture, city living and the urban landscape - the union of what would seem disparate entities - craft and the city.

Best Sellers:

Battersea Power Station cross stitch kit: This iconic building still manages to excite people - it
just proves that great design lasts the test of time.

We Make Summer Boutique: