Interview :: Leah Duncan

Leah Duncan's style is right up my street and she also happens to be one of the friendliest people I've encountered in the design world. Isn't it nice when that happens? We're very pleased to be sharing an interview with Leah alongside some photos of her beautiful studio and her four legged studio pal. The Q and A with Leah happily coincides with the addition of her wrapping paper designs to our shop. They're perfect for gift giving, but we like them so much that we've got some designs framed and hung up in our office. You should too!

Where do you work from and how would you describe what you do for a living?
I'm currently living in Brooklyn, NY, and have a studio space in the Clinton Hill Navy Yard. I'm an illustrator slash designer who has a product line that includes textiles, home goods, and stationery. I also license my work to companies who produce things like bedding, journals, wrapping paper, cell phone covers, and other things they fancy.

Do you have a set process with which you approach new projects?
I sometimes think it would be easier if I did but I like to look at all projects as a journey rather than a blueprint. I work well when things get a little messy and the unexpected pops up.

Where do you look for inspiration?
Nature, animals, color, and the small moments in my life.




 
Do you have any formal arty training?
I have zero formal arty training, but I learned a lot working as a graphic artist after college for a screen printer. I think my lack of formal training has given me a unique perspective in that I'm not so concerned with following rules or things I've been taught when it comes to the content, color, and technical aspects of my work.

What's your number one piece of advice?
Be brave. Be kind. Be strong. Give yourself time to listen to your heart and don't let it be drowned out by everyone else's noise. Never be afraid to make mistakes. Work hard. Appreciate what you have. Smile. Wear pink.

That came to more than one piece of advice but they are equally important!

What's your favourite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
It's normally spent cleaning. But because our new NYC apartment is so small it doesn't take very long! So after the cleaning I sit around in my pyjama pants and look at how sparkly our apartment is. It's also nice to head to the park for an afternoon picnic if the weather is nice.


Thanks for chatting with us, Leah! You can buy Leah Duncan designs from our shop right here, and see more interviews here.

All photos ©Leah Duncan

Interview :: Little Peche

The story behind handmade pieces make them that bit extra special. We wanted to find out more, so asked one of our favourite designer-makers some questions as part of our Interviews series. Read the interview below, and check out the gorgeous geometric jewellery in the shop.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi! I am Maxine, the designer/maker behind jewellery brand Little Peche. I am 24 and live in Staffordshire. By day I work as an Art Technician at a local High School and spend my evenings, weekends, and days off running my creative business and creating my idea of the perfect jewellery.

What led you down this creative path and how long have you been following it for?

Little Peche began from a need to carry on being creative after I finished my degree in 2010. That summer I started making handmade accessories which I sold online as a hobby. My ideas and skills developed from there and I have just launched my second jewellery collection for Autumn/Winter 2012.

Where do you work from?

I work from my home studio/bedroom. It can get a little chaotic at times but I love that I can roll out of bed and get to work straight away. I have a lovely old fold-out wooden table that was my grandmothers that I work on. I do look forward to having a separate studio to work from one day though. I am a bit of a vintage hoarder and have had to stop buying things because I have no space, so I’d love to have some new shelves to fill.

What's your creative process? Do you fill a notebook with designs, work methodically, or go with the flow?

I always start by filling a notebook with ideas which usually just involves lots of shapes. I have lots of ‘inspiration’ folders on my computer that I fill with things I like. I find Pinterest and Tumblr really useful for collecting imagery. When I have a vague idea of my theme I start to draw my design ideas on Photoshop, which lets me visualise what the shapes and colours will look like. Then I choose my strongest ideas, work out how they will fit together as a collection, and start making. Although this sounds really thought out and methodical, I often end up scrapping ideas that seemed strong to begin with and come up with completely new pieces by accident in the making process.

Do you have any formal creative training or qualifications?

I have a BA hons in Multi-Media Textile design from Loughborough University, which is where I first became interested in working with geometric shapes and wood.

What's your favourite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Sundays spent in Wales on the beach and taking long walks in the countryside are my favourite in Summer.  When it’s rainy and cold though, I like staying in with my boyfriend, cooking some Thai food and watching a Woody Allen film.

Thanks for speaking to us, Maxine! Be sure to check out Little Peche jewellery in the shop.

Interview :: Lou Archell of Littlegreenshed

If you've seen us at Duck Pond Market you'll have spotted some of the wonderful prints we had on display. I don't know about you, but I'm always intrigued to know a little bit more about who created the pieces so today I've got a little interview with Lou Archell, one of the printmakers, to share with you.

Some of you might know Lou by the name of Littlegreenshed, which is the name of her beaut lifestyle blog, and she has recently started producing artwork under the same name. We're delighted to be stocking Littlegreenshed artwork, and especially to have it in the launch of our online shop. Speaking of the online shop, we've been working all hours and are on the final furlong so it won't be long now, so here's a taster of what to expect!

Hello! Could you introduce yourself a little bit for those who aren’t familiar with Littlegreenshed
Hello, my name is Lou and I am a Mama, and the Illustrator, Photographer and Blogger behind Littlegreenshed. I am based in Bristol, UK. I live here with my partner Dan and my two young sons.

Where do you work from? Is it important to you to have a dedicated creative space?
My studio space is in the small 3rd bedroom of our home. I took over the nursery when my sons grew and turned it into a studio space where I can work quietly, away from the mayhem of home life.

How did you start illustrating? Are you classically trained?
I have always drawn. As a small girl I would draw squirrels, flowers and trees. As a teenager I drew models wearing clothes and dreamt of being a fashion designer. I had always planned on going to art college but somehow the 80s got in the way and it never happened. But I never gave up doodling. I am lucky now that I can do this as my hobby turned job.

What’s your working process? Do you plan in great detail or just jump in?
I jump in. I wake up in the night with an idea and end up sneaking downstairs to jot something down. So many ideas.

What’s your number one piece of advice for other creatives?
Advice? I don't think I can give advice really. Other than don't give up, if you love it, do it.

We’re always eager to find exciting things – could you share a couple of things on your reading list, either on the internet or on your bookshelves?
Magazines. I love them. Be it online or paper.  My favourite is Bristol based Lionheart magazine. It is still young but a really interesting read. Blogs, I tend to follow hundreds. I particularly love Australian ones. The sunlight and they are so laid back. In particular Hello Milky, Rummey Bears, and Che &Fidel.


What’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
The perfect Sunday is a bike ride with my sons through the woods, followed by a mooch around a vintage/craft market, and then to eat out in a local cafe.  Nature, culture, shopping, family, and food; what more could I want?!

Wonderful stuff! Thanks Lou.

If you'd like to buy one a Littlegreenshed print or postcard before the launch of our online shop drop me an email tomailto:shop@shipshapestudio.co.uk. Ooh, and Issue 2 of Lionheart Magazine is launching very soon. We sold out of the Issue 1 a couple of times so can't wait to stock Issue 2 and soak up the interesting stories.

Interview :: Hannah Latham

I'm always intrigued to know a little bit more about artists and designer-makers, and thought you might be too, so I'm starting a series profiling some of the artists and makers that we stock at Shipshape Studio. First up is Hannah Latham, who designs some mighty fine patterns that she turns into greeting cards, gift wrap and tags, and large prints to perk up your walls. Hannah is a real pleasure to work with and her work has been very popular already. I think we've almost sold out of her moustache gift wrap already! See below to find out more about Hannah in her own words.

I'm a designer based in Manchester, having graduated from The University of Huddersfield with a Textile Design degree in 2010. I currently work as a towel and bed linen designer by day, but explore my own design projects by night. 

During those evenings you'll find me sat at my makeshift desk (my Gran's old G-Plan coffee table with cushion on the floor), with my little cat Pip. It's a wonder I ever get anything done, what with her attempting to sabotage my work by chasing the mouse curser and jumping on the keyboard. In between Pip's mad moments, I work on a range of goodies, from pattern and card design to home textiles and illustration, with a core focus on charming and playful visual content and trend led, carefully considered colour palettes. 

I'm inspired by animals, antiques, Scandinavian pattern, vintage fabrics and wallpaper, old photographs, nostalgia and everyday objects.