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!)
