Meet the Maker - Studio Rajka

My name is Rajka, my company name is Studio Rajka and I live, design, create and make my knitwear in my studio in Brentford, West London.
I studied chemistry at University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. I have never studied design, but I started to knit when I was a child and sold my knitwear at university to supplement my tiny student budget.

I have been creative all my professional life, and after many years in the fashion industry I started my knitwear company two years ago, turning my passion into my profession.
I’m inspired by everyday life and my aim is to create luxurious but affordable knitwear, both traditional and contemporary, using naturally sourced sustainable and renewable materials:

I use Scottish and Italian spun lambswool, cashmere and blended yarn.

My products are unique, I rarely made more than two same. I am always happy to do custom orders.

Studio Rajka will be at Homeworks on Sunday 4 December.

Meet the Maker - Sally Hampson

Sally Hampson is joining us at Homeworks for the first time this Christmas. She recently told us a bit about her design life and what inspires her:

My name is Sally Hampson, I’m a weaver and produce blankets, shawls and scarves. I mostly use 100% Pure British wool, from Shetland, the Welsh Black Mountains and from Jacob fleece. I am based in London where I have my studio, but I am also currently running workshops in Stroud where I have set up The Weaving Shed Project.

I studied at the Royal College of Art and graduated with an M.A in Constructed Textiles. Shortly after, I moved to Paris and set up a design studio working closely with the stylist bureaus - this was a real apprenticeship into design. I came back to London and set up my studio and began designing and making woven rugs, collaborating with interior designers and architects.Through my knowledge and experience in textiles I have been invited to Egypt, Ethiopia and Kenya to work on projects along side and support other makers, ceramicists, weavers, basket makers and embroiderers. This in turn has been an inspiration for my own practice as a maker and also as a tutor.

My earliest memories were always of the feel, texture and colour of fabrics. It just seemed inevitable that I would become a weaver. I grew up with a travel rug that my parents bought over from Ireland, when they first came to London. It was a very special possession in our family and has inspired me to produce limited edition woven blankets to be treasured and kept forever.

Sally will be at Homeworks on 4 & 11 December.

Gilly B

Nothing beats a Christmas present that is both desirable and practical! 

Gilly B is an independent label specialising in luxury hand knitted accessories for women, men and children, creating hats, scarves and gloves using only the finest natural yarns. Every piece is carefully constructed in the UK, with the utmost care and attention to detail.

Gilly is back this year for both 6th & 13th December, come and buy some lovely cosy knits for Christmas:

Sirplus

Sirplus cleverly make high quality clothing out of surplus materials - starting out with boxer shorts from surplus shirting fabric, they now source cashmeres, wools and linens to produce a wide range of mens and womenswear. They specialise in dressing gowns and Nehru collar waistcoats and jackets.

They’re coming along to both our Homeworks events on 6th & 13th December:

Homeworks Christmas Craft Market - Week Two

Thank you to everyone who made it along to our first market last weekend, there’s lots more to see if you fancy dropping by again this Sunday.

Some of our makers will be returning for a second week too - Christa Davis, Somerville Scarves, Smith and Coates, Hermione Wood, Moomu, Ennelle, Lou Rota, Oliver Marder, Samantha Duffy, Mrs Booth, Fiona Bailey, James Brown and Natural Stuff.

Joining them this week will be some old Homeworks favourites and some new faces so let’s get started with our showcase:

Pookie and Peach is a collection of toys, clothes, art and essentials for young children and babies

and Annie Neill's knitted scarves, hats, gloves and socks celebrate her commitment to the skill, creativity and tradition of British manufacturing, small businesses and hand knitting.

Homespun & Vintage will be selling a range of beautiful paper-cut city map prints and gorgeous family tree picture frames, handmade ceramics and jewellery

and Samantha Morris is back for a second year with a witty selection of prints and stationery sets.

Clutterclutch specialise in simple and beautiful leather accessories

and Scarf Dept. will be selling their versatile and stylish scarves.

Dorothy Stiven is back with her covetable selection of vintage homewares

 and Celia Worster, a Homeworks favourite, is also back for another year with her luxurious hand blended aromatherapy oils and creams.

Sasha Kamen returns with her fine handmade jewellery - Sasha specialises in handmade bridal jewellery using freshwater pearls and natural gemstones

and Cinderela B has a collection of opulent jewellery, scarves and vintage pieces - luxury, one-of-a-kind, re-worked investment pieces made using vintage components from 1920-1980, meticulously sourced from around the world.

Another great selection, I'm sure you’ll agree. See you on Sunday!

Smith and Coates and Huggermuggers

Hanging up on the wall a few of Sarah's children's tops made from recycled adult jumpers, and keeping watch from the shelves some of Clare's fantastic crocheted Huggermuggers.