Archive | April, 2011

Interview: Layla Amber

Posted on April 26th, 2011 by

26 Apr

Layla of Layla Amber was good enough to answer some questions for us, so that you can learn a little more about her work, her aspirations and why she makes what she makes! She is one of our new stallholders who joined us for the first time at the Festive Street Fair. Luckily for you guys she’s already signed up to do the summer market so if you can save your pennies til then you buy Layla’s beautiful work on Sunday 26th June. Here are the answers to her questions to get your juices flowing…

Why did you start your business? And how?

I started making jewellery just for myself and friends on a really small scale, and I didn’t really intend for it to become a business. It got to the point where I was making so much that I thought I would have a go at selling it. I chose my brand name (which is my first and middle name) and designed myself a logo and some packaging. I did graphic design at art school and it was great to design something just for me! I started doing stalls with my friend and fellow jewellery designer Cannybelle. I remember being really nervous as I had no idea what the response to my jewellery would be! Thankfully I had a really positive response which spurred me on to continue developing my designs. There aren’t enough hours in the day for all the things I want to make! At the beginning of this year I started to get interest from shops wanting to sell my products and so I was faced with the challenge of having to understand the business side of it all a little better. I’m an arty person and definitely not a businessy person, so I got loads of advice from people I knew who had started their own businesses and that helped me so much.

Do you have a theme that runs through all your work?

All of my designs feature my own illustrations and paintings. Another common theme seems to be wildlife, as well as all things cute! 

How long have you been selling your work?

I’ve been making things for as long as I can remember but I’ve only been selling at stalls and online for a few months, so I’m a real beginner! I feel like I’ve learnt so much already and met such amazing people!


Do you sell online/in shops or both? Any you’d like to name check?
I currently have my work in two beautiful shops, Hannah Zakari in Edinburgh and Cherry Cherry in Norwich. I’m hoping to branch out into more shops this year. And of course you can buy my work from Etsy too!

If you could do any other job other than make your products professionally what would it be?

Hmmm, I think I would love to be either an interior designer or an architect (although I’m not clever enough for either of them!) I’m really interested in houses and design so I think I would love one of those jobs! I can’t wait to have my own place one day (My boyfriend and I still live with our parents!) so I can let my creativity run wild!

Is there a product you’d love to make but just don’t have the facilities/equipment?

Yes! If I had endless space and money, I would have a dream studio with the facilities to make whatever I wanted! I think at the moment I would most like to try screen printing and silver smithing, I would also love a laser cutter!


Who have you been most inspired by?

This may sound very cheesy but I think my biggest inspirations are the people who I’m closest to. My mum, my boyfriend George (who is just so supportive and helpful), and my boss who is an artist and has her own art gallery (where I work), she really is a very inspirational lady. I’m also very inspired by all of the people I’ve mentioned below…

Who is your favourite crafter/maker?

Rob Ryan, Donna Wilson, Bonbi Forest, Cannybelle, Cuppa Tea and Cake and Hello Jeniune. (I have quite a few!)


 

The Never Ending Mural, Ipswich.

Posted on April 25th, 2011 by

25 Apr

Ipswich Borough Council and the local artist John D Edwards are working with the community to create a “Never Ending Mural” which will add public art to several parts of the Ipswich town centre area. The Ipswich Waterfront will be the first to be brightly decorated and after that the Civic Drive underpasses, Crown Street car park and the area around Ipswich Museum, Ipswich Art School and the New Wolsey Studio.

If you want to see how the mural is going when you visit the Summer Market on St Peter’s Street you can! The first part will be completed by Sunday 26th June so you can potter down to the Waterfront to check it our for yourselves.

You can even design artwork for the murals by visiting the Never Ending Mural page on the IBC website by following this link and downloading their Make Your Mark poster. And if you would like more information you can also contact Ipswich Borough Council’s Cultural Development Manager on greg.cooper@ipswich.gov.uk.

22 Apr

WoodenHexagon1 1 Showcase: Hexagon Brooch from Cuppa Tea And Cake

These colourful hexagon brooches are carefully drawn, cut, glued and varnished by Jess of Cuppa Tea And Cake. They’re made from card hand decorated with colourful stripes, these are then cut into triangles and glued onto hand cut plywood. Finally they are given several coats of varnish to make them strong and durable and a brooch back pin. Jess also makes necklaces using these designs and will be doing new colour schemes soon too!

Find them on her Folksy and Etsy shops

18 Apr

This absolutely adorable little panda t-shirt is made by the fabulous Noah and Mole. Robert cuts out cute animal designs by hand and appliques them to kid’s t-shirts, babygrows and bags and judging from his website there will be more things soon!

You can buy this t-shirt or any of the other ones, such as flamingo, lion, octopus, dolphin or the many others, for £13, through the website or from Robert himself. You can often find Noah and Mole at the local craft markets in and around Ipswich.

 

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