Fabric Friday - Warbeck & Cox

I have not been well this week but still had to carry on regardless, the joys of being a work from home mum! However it is Friday and that means it's time to share another Fabric Friday with you all.  Today I am going to feature a fabric designer from the UK, Warbeck and Cox.

Caroline Cox is the designer behind Warbeck and Cox, creating fun and stylish designs to be used for a variety of homewares and soft furnishings.  From her barn cum studio in the English countryside Caroline creates interesting textile designs from her sketches.

Like so many of us Carolines interest in textiles was sparked by playing with her grandmothers button tin. I am lucky enough to now have my grandmothers button tin and my daughters love just playing with the buttons. Over the years Caroline learnt to knit, stitch and sew which all led to the ideas for Warbeck and Cox

Drawing inspiration from her idylic surroundings Caroline is keen for Warbeck & Cox to support local businesses, hence trying to keep production within the locality of her studio.  She also insists that every effort is made to ensure that Warbeck & Cox products are created using eco-friendly and sustainable supplies.

I love the simplicity of Carolines designs yet the details are in the drawings of the individual items, especially visable on the moths in the tea towel above. I also love the hint towards times gone by with vintage keys and moments in the past when people would stop and sketch beetles and moths, or even collect them and display them in fabulous glass cabinets.

 Warbeck and Cox quote William Morris on their website -“Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or beautiful” and this is exactly what they want their products to acheive and they do. 

Fabric Friday - Joel Dewberry

I think Friday is the best day of the week, as you know that the weekend is beckoning and of course it's Fabric Friday here at Buttons and Bows.  Today I am going to feature Freespirit designer Joel Dewberry. 

Joel Dewberry was fortunate to grow up in a creative environment and was encouraged to experiment with different art mediums from an early age by his father and mother, who is a renowned artist herself. As the second eldest of seven children I am sure Joel's childhood home was very busy yet his talent in art was nurtured by his parents. 

Progressing to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Joel Dewberry graduated from Brigham Young University in 2000.   However Joel progressed in to a brillirant career in brand development and coroporate identity after his studies which gave him several years of experience in a variety of industries, including the home and textile markets.

In 2007 Joel Dewberry launched his own textile brand, Joel Dewberry Eclectic Modern.  He has designed six collections, three of which are available from Freespirit Fabrics.  His most current collection is Modern Meadow, which is available in three palettes and evokes thoughts of picking flowers in a meadow, with large funky floral prints and smaller blossoms. 

I am sure Joel's training as a graphic designer has assisted with his change in direction yet his flair for creating patterns and combining colours can only come from a very talented artist.  Joel Dewberry is definately a designer to follow as he is still a relatively new name in the textile insutry considering he did not launch his first collection until just over three years ago.

A Day in the Life - Valori Wells

For me wonderful designers are like celebrities and if I am honest I feel in awe or a little star struck when I meet or speak to one.  So when Valori Wells replied to my request for people to feature in my new Day in the Life feature I was very excited, having recently featured Valori in a Fabric Friday post.

fabric stash heaven!

Valori is an incredibly busy working mother, as you can find out now as she shares a day in her creative life.

day in my studio.....


My day usually starts with email. I get my computer time out of the way so that I can create. What I create depends on what deadline I have. Right now I am working on new fabric designs so I am at my drawing table.

Drawing Table

 these are some drawings in progress for new fabric.

 

My studio is above our garage in our house. It is pretty big and has wonderful high ceiling and lots of natural light. There is lots of space, although I can fill it up pretty quick. I have room for the whole family because I never want my kids to think of my studio or my work as something that takes me away from them. We think of it as another family room. These days I have to keep an eye out for the baby since he is crawling everywhere and taste testing EVERYTHING!!! I am sure he will eat some fabric at some point.

Mama Photo Wall

this is a bulletin board that is above my cutting table that I put lots of photos of the family, sketches, inspirational words....etc.

I have lots going on in the studio at one time....fabric designing, new fabric to make samples out of, painting (something I like to do for fun), knitting projects, sometimes silk screening, work from the store there are lots of projects in the works. My attention span is pretty short so I like to be able to work on what is inspiring me at the time. And when I get stuck on a project it is nice to have something else to work on. Like piecing a quilt - it can be just labor and then I can let my brain rest. In turn I usually figure out what I am stuck on and go back to it. Probably not the best use of my time but I have to be willing to stop and go with the kids around and life being as busy as it is. There are times when I have to work on store projects at home and it is nice to have more than one thing going.

Bird Box 

I have an obsession with boxes, containers....this one holds my birds (another obsession that I have), rocks that I like to draw on....other things that mean something to me. My girlfriend from college sent me the hand one day and she wrote on it “I am always here to lend a hand”.

Inspiration Wall

one of the walls in my studio with lots of ideas on for fabric, patterns, etc. sometimes just stuff that I like at the time.

Inspiration comes in so many forms...my kids inspire me. Their love for life and just being with them fuels my creativity. I take lots of photos - especially around my home and where we live. I look through magazines and love to go to galleries and look at other peoples art work.

My Red Chair

 My mom bought me this chair one year...my love!! I sit and knit there, read to the kids, just contemplate....

Painting in progress

I love to paint and this is a painting I have in progress for my girlfriend Carolyn..I do hope to get it done soon!

Friends

My stuffed friends...they are from patterns that I have done or just made them because. The kids love to get them out and play with them in the studio.

Thank you so much Valori for sharing a day in your life. I also have to have several projects on the go as I get bored easily, I just need to remember to make time to finish some of them soon!

Valori Wells

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Fabric Friday - Lisa Stickley

There used to be an advert for Cadburys Crunchie's with that motto 'Thank Crunchie it's Friday', well for me it's thank fabric it's Friday!!  Yes it is Friday again and that means it's Fabric Friday.  Today I am featuring a talented English designer, who's work I have loved for a while; it's Lisa Stickley.  Aswell as designing gorgeous fabrics Lisa designs homewares and bags, incorporating her fabric.

Lisa Stickley says that her interest in design probably started with Lego, yet as a child she was always making and creating wonderful things. Her mother made some of her clothes as a child but her Aunt was the real inspiration in learning to sew and knit.  By the time Lisa was a teenager she had acquired a hand-turning sewing machine, which led to more creativity with textiles.  This interest in design and passion for textiles led Lisa to study printed textile design, graduating from both Central St. Martins College of Art & Design and  The Royal College of Art.

Next came an internship in New York with textile designer Jack Lenor Larson.  Being in New York meant Lisa could visit many flea markets and led to developing her own style, which certainly is quintessentially english.  In 2003 the Lisa Stickley brand was established and has now grown extensively.  Lisa Stickley London has a store in London, mail order catologue, website and various items are stocked within major stores in the UK and internationally, including Selfridges, Fenwicks and Liberty.

Lisa Stickley London range offers three main catergories, including delectable homewares, 1950's and 1960's inspired fine bone china and cotton coated bags and purses in beautiful prints.  However the brand has recently taken a new direction under the collection title of Lisa Stickley England, by producing bespoke furniture pieces. 

Aswell as successfully expanding her own brand Lisa Stickley has collaborated or consulted with many companies including Burberry, Green & Blacks, Paul Smith and has a new collection launching with Debenhams, under their 'Designers at Debenhams' logo.

This summer a new book has been published by Quadrille Publishing, written by Lisa Stickley so that she can share some simple yet gorgeous patterns for making your own homewares and bags.  I was very fortuante to review 'Made at Home' and it really is a fantastic book.  Here is my review :

  I love sewing books and adore fabric so was thrilled to learn that Lisa Stickley had written a book about both. With a rising trend towards people sewing items for their homes Made at Home is ideal, even if you have never sewn before in your life.

In the front pages of the book Lisa explains different sewing terms, stitches and the importance of choosing the right fabric, just as you would choose ingredients for a recipe. This is a great guide for beginners and even accomplished seamstresses.

The projects in Made at Home are clearly set out by the room you would chose to use them, with ideas for cushions, napkins, table runners, teacosies and many more. All the projects are shown as a finished item in Lisa Stickleys gorgeous fabrics.

Throughout Made at Home you feel like Lisas fabulous personality shines through with each description or illustration. And the illustrations are wonderful!

Made at Home is a wonderfully simple book with comprehensive instructions that a beginner would not find daunting and a more advanced sewer or fabric lover will love.

In my opinion Lisa Stickleys designs are beautifully understated yet are a great focal point when used to adorn various rooms in your home.  Her fabulous illustrations are incorporated with her designs and some of the florals make me question if they are screen or digitally printed.  I can only hope for many more wonderful designs to leave the Landor Road studio over the coming seasons as Lisa Stickley is a truly inspiring British designer.

Fabric Friday - Designers Guild

                                                                        Ramblas Rose

Sound the horns, it's the end of the week and time for Fabric Friday! I have decided today to look at one of my favourite upholstery fabric design houses, Designers Guild.  When I worked at Ramm, Son & Crocker several years ago I longed to work for Designers Guild, sadly I never made it, but have five lovely children instead!

Delancey Noir

Designers Guild was founded in 1970 by Tricia Guild to design and wholesale upholstery fabric and wallcoverings. In 1975 the first collection, Village, was launched and many other  collections were added over the next nine years.  Tricia Guild published the first of many books, Soft Furnishings, during this time aswell.  In 1989 Designers Guild opened an office in Munich, aswell as adding another seven collections to their porfolio.  Only two years later Designers Guild received the Queens Award for Export Achievement and in 1993 the Paris office was opened.  During 1995 Designers Guild launched it's Bed & Bath division, producing bedlinen, blankets and towels and then in 1996 they opened their 66,000 sq ft Production and Distribution Centre in West London.

Tasket Emerald

Over the following years many more collections were added to Designers Guild portfolio as were floor rugs, carpets and furniture.  In 2003 Jasper Conran collaborated with Designers Guild to design a range of fabric and wallpaper. Three years ago Tricia Guild was awarded the Homes & Gardens Lifetime Achievement Award.

Musette Celadon

Designers Guild currently has over 5000 fabrics and 4000 wallpapers, inclusing florals, plain, checks, damask, jacquards and childrens collections.  The company is still owned and headed by Tricia Guild, as Founder and Creative Director and her brother as Group Chief Executive.

Elephant & Castle Blossom

Even after 35 years Designers Guild are still a lead design house for upholstery and wallcoverings, but also have expanded to produce many other lines.  They are still one of my favourites with vibrant prints and I have included soem of my favourites thoughout the post.

Petticoat Lane Sherbet

Fabric Friday - Kristopher K Design

Yeah it's Friday...at last I hear you sigh!  It has seemed like a long, tiring week as we come to the end of half term here and I know I am looking forward to a week at home with no school runs.  Anyway it's Friday so that means it is....cue fanfare...... Fabric Friday!  This week I have focused on designing your own fabrics, looking at Spoonflower and The Fabric Press,so todays Fabric Friday will feature a successful Spoonflower designer, Kristopher K Design. 

I have often said blogs are like Maltesers...one leads to another!  I came across Kris's blog earlier this year whilst looking at anothers blogroll and now reguarly read about the latest goings on with Kristopher K Design.  The designs are gorgeous and I know are selling well with Spoonflower, but I wanted to know a bit more about designing your own fabrics and working with Spoonflower, so I asked Kris to be interviewed for todays feature offering some insight into this.

 It is always easy to assume that a designer set out on a path for a design career but as I discovered recently Heather Bailey planned to study medicine but changed her mind during Pre Med studies. Did you always want to be a designer or was there an alternative path?
The simple answer to this question is yes, I have always wanted to be a designer! I am fortunate to come from a creative family, (that’s been actively involved in various disciplines of Art in Australia, for generations.) From my earliest memories, I have loved Art, Colour, and Design so the main question for me growing up was not: Do I want to be a designer … but rather … what do I want to design ;)

When did you join Spoonflower and how did you learn about this great concept of having your designs printed without high minimum order quantities?

I joined up with Spoonflower, as soon as I discovered them, a little over a year ago.


When I was a young child, our family went on a holiday to England. During this time (in the 1970’s) the design aesthetic at home included clean bold colours in Green, Green and more Green :) chrome and glass tables, sea grass wallpapers, wood veneers etc - following this holiday to England, and in particular my visit to “Liberty” in Great Marlborough Street London, my love affair with English Country Design, pretty floral patterns and printed textiles was born.


I produced my first hand printed fabrics in Sydney, in the 1980’s after completing a Screen Printing course at Seaforth TAFE, but I’ve been looking for ways to commercially print fabrics ever since … Enter Spoonflower … and the answer to my wish for affordable, custom printed textiles, in an infinite palette of colours, on lovely natural and organic base fabrics.


How many collections do you currently have available with Spoonflower and how often do you produce a new collection?

I have several collections at Spoonflower, in dreamy, nature inspired palettes, as well as many stand-alone designs, suitable for Apparel, Homeware or Interior Design applications.


I produce new “designs” every day … my studio is full of these design thoughts, jotted down as sketches and scribbles … I love the organic nature of design, and the freedom of working from my own studio, as more often than not, it’s 2am when I find “The Zone” - The moment when seemingly unrelated tangents, ideas, scribbles and colours come together in a perfect fit.


Are you a doodler with a pad of paper constantly near by or do you have a specific time to work on designs?
I’m sure you can guess, from my last answer, I’m definitely a doodler, with an organic approach to design.
I don’t have an A – Z list of requirements when it comes to designing: I would describe my design approach as a series of words like: Escape, Relaxed, Inspired, Calm, Dreamy, Quiet … etc … emotions, I hope to mirror in the style of my prints.


Your designs are also available through Zazzle as shoes, are there plans for other fashion collections?

Yes I am always looking for creative ways to grow as a designer and currently there are some exciting developments on the horizon.


Watch this space!

When designers block sets in, where or how do you find new inspiration?

I find inspiration literally everywhere:  I love nature and nature inspired colour palettes, and I adore French Provincial and English Country Interiors: but my signature Interior Design Style juxtaposes these casual, relaxed styles together with clean and classic elements from modern architecture and design.


I am inspired by the world around me, from a simple feather, flower or leaf; to a movie; a song; a book; or a painting … Design for me is about discovering and recording beauty.

I know you have just allowed your designs to be available for people like me to sew items for sale, which is fantastic. Was this a difficult decision or natural progression for Kristopher K Design?

This was a natural progression: and an easy decision to make. I am so humbled, by the incredible support that my designs have received, since first appearing in the Spoonflower Marketplace.


I would like to thank everyone who supports independent designers: It really is such a buzz, to see the amazing creations that people are making from my fabric designs.

Thanks so much Kris for taking the time to share your experience of Spoonflower and here's to a successful year with your designs.

Of course I couldn't go without sharing my favourite of Kris's designs......

Black Coral

French Flower

Magnolia Little Gem

Deco Floral - Apple Pie

Inky Quills

There are many more and it is very difficult to choose!

To see all of Kristopher K Designs visit Spoonflower.

Fabric Friday - Helen Rawlinson

I can't believe it's Friday already!  My favourite day of the week as it's Fabric Friday. Today I am going to feature a textile designer I have met on UK Handmade, Helen Rawlinson. 

Helen is based at the Chocolate Factory Studios in N16, London, creating fantastic hand printed textiles that can be used for a number of home accessories or for fashion garments.  These hand printed fabrics are the latest addition to Helens collection, introducing them last year. Helen has also produced a range for children offering an educational yet fun printto be used for wall art, cushions or clothes.  In her London studio Helen also makes hand printed and machine stitched lampshades, which are screen printed by hand and then perforated by tiny machine stitches to allow pinprick sized illuminated patterns. 

I love Helen's bold retro prints that never shy away form bright colours.  Helen is a really inspiring designer and every time I read her blog or look at her work I miss my time in the studio at uni, where I would hapily spend hours screen printing. 

Available from Helen's Folksy Shop

Available from Helen's Etsy Shop

Available from Helen's Website

Fabric Friday - Clarissa Hulse

It's Fabric Friday hooray!!! The weather maybe miserable but it's Friday and that means I get to indulge in the wonderful world of fabric.  One thing in design that is very important to me is colour and todays featured designer does not shy away from the use of colour.  Clarissa Hulse produces gorgeous prints inspired by nature that are used for various applications.  Aswell as texties Clarissa has a range of wallpaper and her designs have also been used by the likes of WH Smiths for a range of stationary. 

In 1992 Clarissa graduated from Brighton Art College and moved to London to become a freelance textile designer.  By 1994 she had opeed her studio and created a range of scarves, which were soon snapped up by Barneys in New York.  The business grew internationally and in 2000 Clarissa was approached by Liberty's to design a range of scarves as they celebrated their 125th anniversary.  The past decade has seen Clarissa expanding her range, launching her website and suppyling over 100 stores worldwide and collaborating with high street stores for various homeware ranges.

I adore Clarissa's work, gorgeous colourful designs that seem to work for a variety of products.  I also admire the fact that Clarissa combines running a successful design business with motherhood.  Whilst her business was started before her family when so many of us start our businesses to avoid trying to combine the 9-5 with being mummy, Clarissa certainly has not let having young children stall her creative output.  I can only hope to see many more years of designs from Clarissa Hulse.

Coffee Beans Bed Linen

Meadow Silk Dupion Fabric

One of my favourites!

Burnet Briar Lampshade

Cow Parsley Reeds Patchwork Cushion

Tiny Vine Clutch Bag

Visit Clarissa Hulse's website for a great selection of homewares, bags, fabrics & wallpapers.

http://www.clarissahulse.com/