Meet the Maker - Sally Hampson

Meet the Maker - Sally Hampson

Sally Hampson weaves with 100% pure British wool and is passionate about being involved in every step of the process, from selecting the sheep breeds to creating the finished blanket, shawl or scarf.

The shawls and scarves are woven in natural un-dyed wool from the fleeces of Welsh Black and Jacob sheep, using a traditional twill which creates warmth in its open structure. Sally has recently started felting some of her shawls. This creates a denser, warmer and softer feel.

The blankets are limited edition, woven in 100% pure Shetland wool. The ‘Family Blanket’ a new addition to the collection, is a replica of a blanket Sally grew up with. The original label read, The Connemara Rug.

Sally has spent time with shepherds in the Cheviot Hills on the Scottish border. This wild and rugged landscape continues to be an important part of what she wants to share through her weaving.

Sally will be at Homeworks on 8th December. 

Meet the Maker - Marissa Irwin

Meet the Maker - Marissa Irwin

As the granddaughter and niece of professional jewellers, Marissa Irwin has been draping herself in gemstones from a very young age. Her first designs included graduation gifts for her elementary school girlfriends and birthday presents for her Mom and beloved grandmothers. She continued making jewellery throughout  university, hosting trunk shows at her family’s jewellery store in the US and selling earrings alongside local artisans at her town’s summer fair. Nowadays, you’ll find her crafting new designs with semi-precious gemstones, freshwater pearls and delicate gold findings at her home studio in London.

  

Marissa says! My favorite product is the Freshwater Pearl Threader earrings. They're made of 14kt gold-filled ear threaders and Freshwater Pearls that I individually wrap using 14kt gold-filled wire. I wear them almost everyday!

I often feel most inspired to create when I'm sitting at my desk with a pile of colorful gemstones in different shapes & sizes all mixed up together in front of me. I'll play with color combinations and designs on a velvet cloth until I have that 'aha!' moment. I also use Instagram as a source of inspiration by following the journeys of fellow designers & makers - seeing each of them do what they love inspires me to keep going!

Marissa will be at Homeworks on 8th December. 

Meet the Maker - Soapnskin

Meet the Maker - Soapnskin 

soapNskin is more than a name – it is a passion. Rabia & Samar came together in 2015 to create a range of products in response to their own skin woes! Following a complete new look and range of products this year, we bring you a range of 12 body care products that are 100% natural, multi tasking, fully customisable & award winning to create an all natural, sensory experience for your skin that will impact your complete wellbeing. A range that spans Body Butters to Cleansing Bars to a first of its kind Skin Cashmere Face & Body` Mask, treat your senses to an exotic journey through ancient wisdom, inspired by beauty rituals along the ancient Silk Routes that harness the potency of some of the finest ingredients these regions have to offer to protect and preserve your skin from the effects of the modern world.

My favourite product is our Skin Cashmere Face & Body Mask. This product is a clay-free powder mask that can be used on your face and body to exfoliate, brighten and nourish dull and tired skin. It is inspired by bridal rituals from the Northern regions of Kashmir and contains ingredients such as turmeric, sandalwood powder and crushed rose petals to impart a radiant, healthy glow all over your face and body! Read more at www.soapnskin.com 

Much of our inspiration has come from our dual heritage as British Muslims. Much of our inspiration comes from both the British Isles and different regions along the Silk Routes. After nearly two years of research we are still amazed at how much we have yet to learn!

Come and see Soapnskin at Homeworks on 8th December. 

Meet the maker - Ruth Spencer-Jolly

Meet the maker - Ruth Spencer-Jolly

Hi! I'm an artist based close to Queen's Park and I am really inspired by the locality which I love walking and running round. In my guise as 'ARTSJ' I currently have two ranges of products, one of which directly responds to nearby boroughs of London, taking the form of illustrated maps that capture the sites of interest and quirky landmarks in a neighbourhood. I also have a 'paisley pet' range: a collection of products for people who love animals, pattern and bright colours. When not making art, I'm often found with my other hat on - as a nanny - but I also love to run, ceilidh and go to the theatre.

My favourite product at present is the paisley dog teatowel. It's bright, cheerful and captures man's best in friend in many of the possible shapes and sizes. 

My favourite place to find inspiration at the moment is the Victoria and Albert Museum. I didn't grow up in London, and so I only discovered this treasure trove when I moved to 'the big smoke' about 18 months ago. It's incredible! As a lover of all things patterned; I'm in seventh heaven there. 

You can see Ruth's work at www.ruthspencerjolly.com/ARTSJ and www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ArtSJillustration. Ruth will be at Homeworks on 1st December

Meet the Maker - The Hampstead Smock Company

Bilal at work

Meet the Maker - The Hampstead Smock Company

I studied Fashion & Textile Design at St Martin’s School of Art in the 1980’s, I specialised in Interiors & Soft Furnishings and have worked all over the world doing this job.  My products are accessories for the home.  I’ve always worn an artists smock to work in, this was inspired by my mother who wore one around the house looking after 6 children.

 My favourite product is my ‘Smock’, although all the products I will be bringing to sell at ‘Homeworks’ give me great pleasure.

I truly find inspiration from within, I can walk into a home or space and immediately know how I’d enhance it with beautiful products, soft furnishings, lighting.  I frequent museums, we have so much wonderful free art to see in London, I go to new exhibitions and I often walk through London where I was told as a child by my father to look up and see the architecture around us, we can miss so much and so all of this inspires me.

The Hampstead Smock Company will be at Homeworks on 8th December

Meet the maker - Jackie Parsons

Meet the maker - Jackie Parsons

Scobel clothing makes pared Back considered women’s clothing and accessories made in south east London by Jackie Parsons using fabrics surplus to the trade.

Jackie's current favourite piece is thiscross back apron made from sanforised Irish Linen. It improves with washing and has a useful phone pocket on the bib so you can carry on chatting while stirring your risotto. 

Jackie used to work as a costumier so finds inspiration in any costume drama. She likes to keep the romance with out compromising the practicality.

Come and see Jackie at Homeworks on 1st December

Meet the Maker - Rebecca Denton

Meet the maker - Rebecca Denton

I make original fine art prints. By combining ancient printmaking techniques, such as etching with stories in my head, I try to create work that is contemporary and unique. From the idea to the sketch to the preparing and inking of the plate, I love every step of the process! Works are often narrative with imaginary characters in imagined landscapes; playful or serious, but always hopeful and life-affirming.

Etching editions are limited to 40 prints whilst the atmospheric monotypes, ‘printed paintings’, are one-offs. To find out more about me and the process visit www.rebeccadenton.com, or Instagram: @rebeccadentonart

My most recent drypoint etching ‘Evening Flight’ is my new favourite. I’m very happy with the way it turned out as etching can be unpredictable... You never know exactly how it will look until the first print is pulled! I’ve tried to bring together both the drama and calm that the sea and birds in flight evoke.

My favourite place to find inspiration is my imagination, childhood memories and road trips.

 Rebecca will be at Homeworks on 1st and 8th December.

Meet the maker - Sophia Langmead

I hand make individual lyrical glitter word pictures on beautiful decorative papers which come from all over the world . Sometimes I make the pictures with slightly saucy women made with a touch of humour.  I use vintage and new frames.

My favourite product in the new font I am using.  Very time consuming as each letter has to be cut out with a scalpel two or three times because of the shadow and colours before being put together.  But I am very pleased with the finished look. I’ve used it for ‘Oh what a circus’, ‘wow’, ‘yay’ and ‘star’.

I get a lot of my inspiration for the pictures from simply listening to music as I walk back and forwards from my studio in Primrose Hill to Queens Park.  I hear a line that I love and think will work and quickly text it to myself otherwise I might forget.

Sophia will be at Homeworks on 1st December. You can see her work at www.sophialangmead.com

Meet the maker - Eleanor Khan

I am a former journalist and have lived and worked all over the world. Out of all the places I have lived in the one I really fell in love with was Pakistan, where I spent two years with my husband, who is British-Pakistani. 

The country has one of the richest artisanal histories in the world yet its many traditions are little known to the rest of the world. I was dying for an excuse to go back so last year I made a few buying trips and set up Nimuri, a company selling handmade clothing and homeware from Pakistan.

I sell baskets, ceramics, home and vintage textiles, wooden trays and women and children's clothing. I try to source as ethically as possible & many of my products are made by women's charities or come from small, family-run businesses or start-ups. Unlike in India, artisans have never received much government support or interest from Western designers so I really love the fact that I am starting to get money directly to them.

Favourite place for inspiration:

Of course it has to be Pakistan itself. Waves of immigration and invasion over the centuries means the country's handicrafts show great variety. From tribal embroidery, to kitsch truck art, to the floral images of the Mughal Empire that once ruled India, to the influence of British textiles, there is a huge range of looks, symbols and traditions to choose from in terms of inspiration for new products going forward.

My favourite product:

I'm very intrigued by the heavily embroidered quilts they make in Pakistan. They are very mysterious and made by itinerant tribes in the desert. It's been quite hard to find out much about them or the people that make them. Each one is like a work of art but they are so well made that they are actually quite practical and hard-wearing. They can be used on beds or sofas or turned into cushions. 

Eleanor Khan will be at Homeworks on Sunday 1st December

Meet the maker - Cecilia Child

Meet the maker - Cecilia Child

By Cecil was launched to create modern woven textiles using traditional techniques and provide an alternative to today's mass-produced and environmentally damaging textiles. The intention behind my brand is to produce future heirloom pieces that people will treasure and pass down to the next generation. I design and sample on a handloom in my North London home with a collection of mill woven blankets and scarves produced in Bristol by a micro mill as limited edition runs. I hand-weave a selection of unique and individual products, including cushions, snoods and eye masks.

I love the merino wool scarves that I produce in conjunction with a micro mill in Bristol. I designed the collection in response to visits to various coastal towns such as Whitstable, St Ives and Dunwich. I am forever collecting pebbles from blustery, windswept beaches and fell in love with the bright colours of the Whitstable beach huts. The scarves themselves are generously sized and are so soft and cosy. 
The colours brighten up a grey day and keep me warm on a winter's day.

I love walking around my city, London, and my new collection of cotton snoods draws inspiration from the buildings and skylines of my surroundings. I love the Barbican and taking a stroll along the Thames finishing in the Tate. An afternoon spent wandering around the V&A always leaves me feeling refreshed and revived.

By Cecil will be at Homeworks on 1st December

Meet the Maker - Michele Wycoff-Smith

Meet the Maker - Michele Wycoff-Smith

Michele Wyckoff Smith wearing
combined Olga necklace, bracelet and bangle

I'm Michele Wyckoff Smith, a trained jeweller in love with organic shapes and textures inspired by nature. I believe that jewellery should be simple, understated and versatile. Many of my pieces can be worn on their own or combined to create a new piece. For example, my Olga chain can be worn by itself, or combined with an Olga bracelet and Henry Moore inspired bangle to make a stunning focal piece. These are best sellers and I'll be sure to have some with me at Homeworks this year.

  
Right now, I am in love with my brightly colour gemstone stacking rings. They look great in all kinds of combinations or worn individually. I take great care to develop a soft, but organic texture on the ring shank, so that it feels like it is an object found from a long ago time and place. I am endlessly fascinated by the combinations of colours people put together. 

More than anything, I want my customers to fall in love with my pieces and find that they wear them day in and day out. Beautiful design should be something that can be worn all the time, not just on special occasions.

Born by the seaside, I always head towards the water when I am in search of new ideas. The most inspirational place I've found in the UK is the beach between Lyme Regis and Charmouth. There is an old Victorian tip that has slid onto the beach due to coastal erosion. I have found so many pieces of decaying metal, pottery shards and odd little items that have gone on to inspire me endlessly. (Tip: it is best to hit this beach after a big storm.)

Michele will be at Homeworks on 1st December, and you can see her work at www.wyckoffsmith.com / www.instagram.com/wyckoffsmith