We Make London

Nov 11, 2011

Designer Feature Series: Meet Caroline Cowen

About Caroline Cowen:

I design and make silver jewellery and I have also recently been working on a range of textile items.

I have always loved making things, jewellery, clothes, cakes.. and have always known that I wanted to do something creative, one of my grandmothers was a milliner and the other a tailoress so I think it must run in the family!

I studied for a degree in Applied Arts and since graduating in 2008 I have been setting up my workshop and developing my skills further.

Inspirations:

I remember as a child spending many happy hours sitting in a summerhouse at my grandmothers sifting through boxes of buttons and beads and making things to wear. This was the beginning of my love of creating.

Much of my work is inspired by a love of the natural world. Flowers and birds and other creatures are often the focus of my work. I also love illustration and pattern, particularly scandinavian textile designs.

I am constantly sketching and drawing ideas out, I usually try to keep a sketchbook with me, otherwise I end up with a load of little scraps of paper covered in scribbles of foxes and leaves!

Best Sellers:

Since introducing the range of jewellery inspired by fawns these have become some of my best sellers.

We Make Christmas Pop Up Shopping Experience:

I have been working on some new designs which I am really looking forward to showcasing including a new range of tiny bunnies. I will be selling a wide range of items, many of my current bestsellers and also some special one off pieces.

Websites:

http://www.carolinecowen.com/

http://carolinecowen.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarolineCowen

Find us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/carolinecowenjewellery

Nov 10, 2011

Designer Feature Series: Meet Chateau Velvet

About Chateau Velvet:

My name is Aimee Waller and I am a lover of London as well as lusting after the country life. I love crafts, charity shops, chocolate, tea and the sea. I have always made my own cards ever since I was old enough to write thank you letters and I still today love to make my own. I think receiving something in the post that has taken someone time and care to make will always move someone greater than a text message or an e-mail. I think we need to honour the old traditions and take the time to stay in touch with those close and dear to us by truly thinking about them as people and what makes them who they are.

I started Chateau Velvet at a New Forest Kitchen table and since then worked in my spare time to make cards for friends, family via word of mouth. I look forward to sharing my designs with you and still have a full-time job looking after around 200 entrepreneurs.

Inspirations:

“Home” - Chateau Velvet is where I craft and where my inspiration ultimately is. I came up with the name once upon a time at a kitchen table in the New Forest whilst ponies, pigs, donkeys and geese were passing by my door. With my love of French style and being at home it seemed the perfect name. It is a fictional place full of all my favourite things! As a lover of home-made crafts, anything sparkly (except sequins) and pretty places it seemed the perfect place to create and be creative. I home-craft bespoke cards using recycled papers and magazines. Each card is unique with a theme of fashion, film, theatre and music. I am also able to design bespoke cards.

Ideally I would like to encourage people to treat cards as gifts; presents of words, poetry and design delivered to keep and treasure. A Château Velvet card is one to receive and keep forever!

My inspiration comes from anything that makes me stop and stare. Usually pretty things or a picture of a passion of mine; such as theatre and fashion. It may be a photograph in a magazine, a leaf I find on the floor, a movie I’ve seen or a shop I have popped into. I also love to visit National trust properties and always usually come away with an idea or two.

Best Sellers:

We Make Christmas Pop Up Shopping Experience:

I will be at the fair with a special Chateau Velvet Guest book. It would be wonderful if you wanted to place an order for future birthdays/anniversaries/special occasions or just a leave a message with your own feedback of what makes your very own Chateau Velvet - a ritzy place where you can revel in the delights of home crafted comforts!

I will obviously be selling some cards too with a Christmas theme and I will be there to answer any questions you may have about card making and about the ways I work. I am also very happy to talk about my plans for the future

Website:

http ://chateauvelvet .blogspot .com /

Follow Us On Twitter:

@aimeewaller

@chateauvelvet

Find us on Facebook:

https ://www .facebook .com /pages /Ch %C 3%A 2 teau -Velvet /145779652174288

Nov 9, 2011

Designer Feature Series: Meet Square Circles

About Square Circles:

Acclaimed jewellery designer Nelia de Sousa set up Square Circles in 2004. After completing her degree in jewellery design and subsequently honing her skills in a London jewellery workshop, she needed an outlet for her creative mind, and Square Circles was born.

As well as her collections, Nelia can design bespoke jewellery for any occasion, be it engagement, wedding or anniversary or just for the love of it.

All the items are designed and manufactured in London using the best possible materials and stones.

Inspirations:

Square Circles was founded by Nelia de Sousa and partner Dyfed Price in 2004. Born in Madeira, Portugal, Nelia moved to London when she was 13 years old. Following her graduation from Brunel University with a degree in Jewellery design, she work for 10 years for a well known London jewellery design company, before setting out on her own. She launching her first collection at IJL (International Jewellery London) in September 2005 and has not looked back since. Her first collections ‘Doilies’ which is greatly influenced by her Portuguese heritage set her on the design path, honing her signature style which can be seen throughout her collections.

Working from her south London studio, Nelia has designed a completely innovative collection. The jewellery is all individually hand crafted and every detail from the design, finish and quality of stones have been agonized over to ensure that the items you purchase are of the best quality.

Best Sellers:

Doilies Bangle

We Make Christmas Pop Up Shopping Experience:

We will be selling mainly silver jewellery with a mix of precious and semi precious stones.

Website:

www.squarecirclesuk.com

Nov 8, 2011

Designer Feature Series: Meet Ant design

About Ant Design:

I am Kashmira and I live and work in Kingston upon Thames. I am mum, wife, a graphic designer as well as owner of Ant Design Gifts. I design and create papercut pictures using quotes or favourite lines from songs as a basis for the design. These designs can be personalised so you can request any phrases you like (so long as its not too long). I also get requests to include childrens names and birth dates with make special gifts for new borns or as unique artwork for childrens bedrooms. The papercuts on my website are only produced in small batches to keep them unique. They can be supplied framed or unframed.

Inspirations:

When I first started designing the papercuts I used quotes that meant something to me. My first design was a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, and being Indian myself, it felt a good and right place to start. I also practice yoga, so some of the quotes have a bit of a hippy slant to them. I have also looked at my favourite songs for inspiration. Being a graphic designer and a lover of typography, these papercuts are a great way in which I can combine these skills with my constant need to ‘make things’.

Best Sellers:

My signature piece of work is as attached. This is one of my favourite songs from Marvin Gaye and I think the balance of the words with the design has made it our best seller too.

We Make Christmas Pop Up Shopping Experience:

I will be selling all my papercut designs as well as some greeting cards. I may also have some canvas prints for sale depending on whether they are ready on time!

Websites:

www.antdesigngifts.co.uk or www.etsy.com/shop/antdesign

Follow Us On Twitter:

@antdesigngifts

Find us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/pages/Ant-Design-Gifts

Nov 7, 2011

Designer Feature Series: Meet Silky Prudence

About Silky Prudence:

My name’s Sara and I live and work on a narrow boat in west London creating cute and quirky knit and crochet accessories. I use natural yarns including kid-silk, merino and alpaca to make items that not only look great, but will also make you feel great when you wear them. I’m a bit of a magpie so anything with a hint of sparkle makes me come over all warm and tingly. My philosophy is that I only ever make what I would want to wear myself, so you can be sure that every piece has been made with love.

Inspirations:

I’m hugely inspired by retro films and fashion, especially kitsch stars such as Betty Page, who my Betty scarflettes are named after. My pieces reflect my love bohemian glamour, with a lot of my work being influenced by the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. I love working with luxurious materials which can turn the simplest of items into something really special.

Best Sellers:

My Betty Scarflettes are my signature pieces and are far and away my best sellers. I’ve had so many women buy them as gifts and then come back to get one for themselves as they love them so much. I think they reflect a person’s character very well; if you’re wearing one of these around your neck then you’re not someone who follows the crowd!

We Make Christmas Pop Up Shopping Experience:

I’ll be bringing lots of Betty’s in new and exciting colours and also Big Betty’s made to the same design but using a great super-chunky alpaca/wool blend which feels wonderful against the skin. Another of my best sellers from a couple of years ago will be making a special appearance – the Polly Cowl – knit in moss stitch with cute giant pompom drawstrings. I’ll also have some very beautiful and delicate kid-silk shawls that are great for weddings or special occasions. As well as the above I hope to have some new and exciting Silky Prudence designs including striped scarves, shrugs and special Betty gift sets!

Website:

www.silkyprudence.folksy.com

Follow Us On Twitter:

@silkyprudence

Find us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Silky-Prudence/123484639240

Promotional Opportunity for Uk Designer/ Makers

We are still working hard here at the We Make head quarters to make this years Christmas event our biggest and best yet.

One of the things we have always had at our events are promotional totes bags which are usually given away to the first people thurough the door. This year we are doing something a bit different there will be 50 goody bags that will be part of a competition at the event. More info will be sent about that later.

We have been doing these tote bags since our first event in the summer of 2008 and they have always been a huge success with visitors. Each screen printed cotton tote is filled with promotional items from both stall holders and other designers along with information about all of our stall holders and links to their websites. They are a great way of getting your business known to a wide array of customers. This year we will also have information about our sponsors and some special offers.

For this event we will have 50 totes but of course you are free to send any amount of promo items from 1 to 50. If you can only send a few promo items feel free to make the quantity up with business cards or postcards.

For past events we have had all sorts of great promo items from the usual badges and postcards to more elaborate earrings and even knickers. We just ask that you send a great quality item that really give people a feel for your products. Of course make sure you attach a business card for each item as well as having a link to your site on the packaging.

If you would like to participate please email us at wemakelondon@googlemail.com

The deadline that the promo's need to with us is the 29th November. The totes will then be sorted and stored for us until the date of the fair.

Nov 6, 2011

Designer Feature Series: Meet TobyBoo

Over the next month we will be introducing you to the designers that will be at out Pop Up Shopping Experience fair at Battersea Arts Centre on the 10th December.

We start off with the lovely Toby Boo

About TobyBoo:

Tobyboo is myself, Tina and I create a beautiful collection of freehand machine embroidery artwork and collage, home accessories including cushions, tea towels and blankets.

I trained at Central St Martins College of Art coming out with a BA Jewellery design and went to textile decoration with television production in-between.

My first role was working on a children's art programme creating the 'makes' which I loved and went onto have a great career in television but got ill and it all ended, rather than being confined to the sofa I took to the sewing machine re-teaching herself old skills and started to make Twinkle handbags which adorned the shoulders of presenters Donna Air, Lisa Rogers and Jools Oliver.

Just as Twinkle looked to be getting off the ground, my condition worsened and I had to give up making. Meanwhile, a seven year struggle to become pregnant eventually led to the birth of our son, Toby and the start of Tobyboo…..everything they say happens for a reason.

Inspirations:

I genuinely take inspiration from anywhere – my latest collection is based on the rhyme Oranges & Lemons, I've illustrated each London church thats sung about. I do like stories and songs... and myths....

Best Sellers:

My best seller is the Oranges & Lemons tea towel – screen printed with my embroidery of St Martin in the Field, it looks great framed up.