Making Progress

Mentoring Programme for New Starts Ups

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MAKING PROGRESS FOR NEW START UPS MENTORING PROGRAMME

We are pleased to announce the details of the group of designer/makers who are taking part in the Making Progress for new Start Ups mentoring and online programme for 2015/16.

We are supporting five makers from throughout the Highlands & Islands through this programme which will run from September 2015 and continue through until March 2016 . The programme will offer makers support through mentoring, business workshops, networking, showcasing and more.

Below are the details of the designer/makers who are taking part in the programme.

We are also supporting an additional five designers who are joining the webinars only programme.

 

CALUM McINTYRE
BEAULY, INVERNESS-SHIRE (www.calummcintyre.com)

Calum McIntyre is a musician, composer, educator and instrument maker based in Beauly near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Driven by a fascination for making sounds from unusual objects he has made a successful career as a freelance drummer and percussionist.

More recently, after his piano was deemed untunable and condemned to the scrap heap, he had the idea to recycle the various components and repurpose the parts to form an entirely new instrument. His first project, an 8 bar diatonic octave marimba made entirely out of recycled timber and found objects has been a real hit with the children he teaches in and around the highlands.

(Photographer - John M Sinclair)

LORNA GILLIES
ACHARACLE, ARGYLL (www.lornagillies.com)

From Ardnamurchan, Lorna has recently returned back to the area after spending a few years in Australia. After originally studying Theatre Costume at Edinburgh’s Telford college, she spent time over in Melbourne and gained some industry experience with several boutique fashion labels, as well as working in the retail market.

Making clothing is her passion and she is really excited to return back to her home and start her business. Lorna draws inspiration from her west coast rugged surroundings and find elements also from her past theatrical studies.

Lorna designs and makes outerwear for women, including tailored jackets and capes all from local tweed. She has sold garments previously in boutiques in Orkney, St Andrews, Edinburgh and the Lake District and wants to continue being inspired and creating items for women.

MADELEINE OSTLING
GRIMSAY, ISLE OF NORTH UIST (https://www.facebook.com/briefingroomtextiles)

Madeleine is currently establishing her own creative practise in Benbecula, following a lifelong passion for textiles and clothing, four years of related studies in her home country of Sweden, and eight years ongoing working in the small and dedicated teams of exemplary Scottish textile producers such as Ardalanish Weavers and Uist Wool.

Relishing the freedom to work under her own creative direction, while utilising the skills and experience gained over the last twelve years, she is looking to bring together her training in pattern cutting and tailoring, her appreciation for British wool and the knitted textile, and her insight into the workings of the UK textile industry. Her aim is to create a small and carefully considered collection of knitwear each year, launching in 2016.

She likes to explore influences beyond those of the trend forecasts, drawing inspiration from a wide and varied range of sources, allowing time for ideas to integrate, evolve and mature, rather than going for a prefabricated concept. Madeleine believes garments should be made to last and be worn beyond the almost compulsive discard-and-replace tendencies of seasonal fashion.

She is excited for the opportunity to work with Emergents and its partners to build a strong foundation for her fledgling business.

SYLWIA MOSKO
STORNOWAY, ISLE OF LEWIS (http://hebridoodle.wix.com/hebridoodle)

Sylwia is a trained and accredited sculpture conservator with Masters in Art and diploma in sculpture. She has a keen eye for detail and good finish, colour and texture. Sewing and embroidery always were her passion. Last year she moved to Isle of Lewis and decided to build on her interest and start craft business.

Sylwia loves to play with colour, therefore some of her work can be described as colourful, she is trying to mix traditionally patterned Tweed with new coloured ones and addition of brightly coloured cotton fabrics, denim and laces. Some of her work involves embroidery and can be described as intricate and detailed.

TINA MACLEOD
INVERINATE, BY KYLE (www.tinaalexmacleod.com)

Tina MacLeod creates tactile pieces of jewellery that evoke a sense of place. The concept of the island and the unique atmosphere of the Hebridean coastal woodland are central to her work, capturing an essence of that sensed but unexplained aura often experienced within the forest.

By utilising precious metal techniques that produce delicate but deliberate layers of surface texture, she is able to convey a sense of the ephemeral nature of the living landscape.

Designing through making, she works intuitively with natural materials gathered from specific places, and by exploring hollow forms, creates jewellery which represents a connection to place which is realised through the importance of touch.

Ultimately, each object becomes a representation of the viewer and wearer’s story, the original meaning transcends. The origin belongs to the maker, embedded within the piece but the meaning distorts and evolves as different people find their own connection with it.

MENTORS:

Our lead mentor for the programme is Beatrice Mayfield.

BEATRICE MAYFIELD
Beatrice is a specialist in professional practice for crafts people. She believes that business skills should be embedded into creative practice to develop strong sustainable businesses. She currently mentors for the Crafts Council’s Hothouse & Injection programmes and Emergents and is a visiting lecturer at the Royal School of Needlework. Beatrice also runs her own textile practice producing hand embroidery for the couture market.

As part of the programme we run a series of training webinars with Patricia van den Akker of The Design Trust.

PATRICIA VAN DEN AKKER - THE DESIGN TRUST
The Design Trust is an online business school for designers and makers, attracting 50K visits/month, offers a membership to watch over 90 webinars whenever you like, as well as 100+ blog posts, selected opportunities, business training and news updates.

Patricia is a very experienced and passionate creative business adviser, coach and trainer, and is known for her practical, no-nonsense and inspiring approach. She talks and writes regularly about growing craft & design businesses, at events such as Craft Scotland Annual event and the Royal Society of Arts. She writes a regular business column for Crafts magazine, called The Design Doctor.

 

 

The Making Progress scheme has really helped me focus on what I want as a textile designer; through mentoring, networking and showcasing opportunities. I now have the tools to continue developing my work and the confidence to push myself to the next level. Thanks Emergents! Emma Noble (2014/15 participant)

Each mentoring session was a good opportunity to look at what progress I had made, ask for advice and talk through new ideas. Afterwards I would always feel more focused and motivated to move to the next stage. Rae Anne Sutherland (2014/15 participant)

Making Progress for New Start Ups, programme outline

 

The programme will comprise of mentoring support and group networking sessions, online and live training workshops, showcasing opportunities and other programmes as appropriate. Support is tailored to the individual and will be assessed at the initial induction meeting.

Participants are expected to prepare for and to attend all meetings, webinars and workshops. Guidelines on mentoring and a contract will be sent out at the beginning of the programme. The estimated minimum time commitment is an average of 1 day per week over 6 months.

The programme will include:

One to one support throughout the programme, in person, by email, Skype and phone with Beatrice Mayfield, lead mentor

If appropriate we may appoint a further mentor from the Crafts or Fashion sectors to each maker on the programme . This will give makers a range of support from both their own mentor and other experts.

Webinar online training workshops with The Design Trust. These will usually take place in the evening and will last for 60 – 90 minutes ,can be downloaded for future reference and will be hosted on a private platform. Full details and dates will be sent out to the successful participants but topics may include:

  • planning & goal setting – Oct/Nov: why planning is essential, how to set goals that work, how to create a one-page business plan to help prioritise your workload
  • intro to finance – Oct/Nov: basic introduction on how to keep your books, and explanation of basic financial terms, and an introduction to managing your cash flow
  • costing & pricing – Oct/Nov: How to cost your products and price them correctly, pricing terminology, pricing and it’s relationship to positioning yourself in the market, what to do when you are too expensive (to wholesale) and how to increase your prices (if needs be)
  • intro to marketing – Jan/Feb: Introduction to marketing, identifying your niche, how to find your clients and test your ideas. You will create a mini-marketing plan.
  • creating and launching your collection – Feb: How to create a sellable collection step-by-step and how to launch it with a launch plan and social media calendar.
  • Live workshops covering areas such as website and social media use, building your brand. These will take place in locations around the Highlands and Islands.
  • Review and Reflection day in March 2016

Priority invitations and support will be given throughout the programme to include: Priority for showcasing and exhibition opportunities. For example, retailing craft cases at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery for Making Progress makers promotion as well as any other opportunities that we organise outwith the area. Previous participants have taken part in Craft Central and London Craft Show events.

Go and See programme, priority invitations. Previous participants have visited Premier Vision in Paris, London Design Week and attended our Edinburgh Learning Journey.

Discretionary funding for support to participate in events and showcases.

Opportunities and partnership working with key organisations.

PAST PARTICIPANTS:

CHLOE WINDLE

I am an Illustrator, Surface Pattern and Textile Designer based in Strathnairn, Inverness. I create original artwork and surface pattern designs for printed textiles, fashion apparel, stationery, interiors and licensing. My work combines drawing, embroidery, printmaking, photography and digital collage to create a unique, graphical yet soft feminine style. My work is inspired by the materials, textures and patterns found within both natural and urban landscapes. I am influenced by Japanese design and vintage kimono textiles, reinventing traditional techniques with surface pattern design to create one of a kind clothing, accessories and fabrics.

I was first introduced to the world of printmaking, embroidery and conceptual fashion studying a degree in Fine Art, graduating in 2005. While working full time jobs in Glasgow and Inverness, I continued to develop my art practice in my spare time, attending evening classes in printmaking, gaining a City & Guilds certificate in embroidery and selling at craft markets. After living and working in London, experiencing first hand the cultural and creative hub, I felt it was the right time to focus 100% on becoming a designer maker. I moved back to Inverness and recently completed Rachel Taylor’s online e-course ‘The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design’.

  • Website: http://www.kuro-e.com
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Blog: http://kuro-e.tumblr.com
  • Twitter: @moshimoshikuroe
  • Instagram: @moshimoshi_kuroe

EMMA NOBLE

I am an artist/framer/designer living and working in Kyle of Lochalsh. Originally a printmaker creating mainly wall based artwork, I have recently expanded my practice and use my printmaking and design skills to produce luxury silk bow ties and scarves – beautiful screen printed accessories which can be worn and admired. After completing an honours degree in Printmaking at Gray’s School of Art, I moved back to my hometown six years ago where I have set up my own studio/workshop. I create mixed-media prints (mainly relief print and screen print) and always felt that my print ideas would translate well to fabric designs. The decision to create printed accessories came from my own love of scarves, and my desire to make original gifts for men – my bow ties are a contemporary take on a classic accessory.

I’m really excited to be selected for the Making Progress for Start Ups programme as it will bring much needed support and encouragement at this vital early stage of my creative business. I’m looking forward to working with the Emergents team and mentors to fine tune certain aspects of my business and help me to promote and develop my range of printed accessories. www.emmanoblecreates.co.uk You can follow me on twitter @emmanobleprints and Facebook ‘Emma Noble - Prints, Frames, Designs’.

RAE ANNE SUTHERLAND

I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Textile and Surface Design from Grays School of Art in 2012. I design printed Textiles aimed for the interior market. The prints created are extremely detailed and inspired by the natural environment. Primarily I use photography to capture my inspiration and create the designs digitally. I look to create designs that are alive with vibrant colours. The contrasting colours I use for each layer shows off the organic shapes and intricate detail in each of the designs. Some prints are more dramatic while others are subtle, offering a range for different tastes. All prints are highly decorative and designed to make a statement. In the past I have been using textiles specifically to make lampshades with the ambition of expanding the product range by adding cushions and wallpaper. Follow Rae Anne on Twitter @raeannedesign and Instagram @raeannedesign http://www.raeanne.co.uk/

MAKING PROGRESS MAKERS 2013

Please see below information about the seven Highlands & Islands Designer Makers who took part in the Making Progress scheme up until June 2014.

CATRIONA MACALLISTER
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.catrionamacallister.co.uk

Graduating from Heriot-Watt University School of Textiles & Design with a BA (Hons) degree in Fashion Design for Industry during 2012, Catriona MacAllister set up her label in 2013. Internships at Christopher Kane and Zandra Rhodes, gave her valuable experience and knowledge to pursue her ambition of setting up her business shortly after graduating. Key to Catriona MacAllister’s collections are that of a clean and polished cut with an emphasis on line and the feminine form, merged with select and exquisite detailing. The labels aesthetic “specialises in sharp tailoring and a sophisticated cut. Focusing on ready-to-wear and accessories which incorporate elements of traditional tailoring made to a high quality.” Preferring to work with delicate fabrics such as silk organzas, crepe de chines, georgettes & tulles, all off set with cottons and wools, Catriona’s work captures intricate detailing through the use of print, embellishment, hand and machine embroidery, a core element to her designs. A nominee for the Graduate of the Year Award at the Scottish Fashion Awards 2012, Catriona has recently been awarded funding from The Prince’s Trust to enable her to continue growing her label to a wider audience during the first few years of her business.

FRANCES WOODHEAD
TIREE GLASS
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.tireeglass.co.uk

I work full-time as glass artist after training in Environmental Science and working this area for 20 years. I got into glass through a love of rubbish – or at least the reuse of materials in order to save embodied energy and so contribute to planet care. After training in London I worked in Cambridge and during this time stained glass became a hobby. In 1997 I moved to New Zealand where had some interesting jobs working with communities to improve environmental quality. In New Zealand I bought my own kiln and continued making glass and began running workshops. My first studio in New Zealand was in the house. I worked part time and sold my work through galleries. In 2009 I re-met a man I went out with when I was 20 and moved to Tiree to marry him!

Tiree has been a great place to have a business. I am now A few seasons into having my own studio in a fabulous converted ruin next to the house. Making and selling direct works well. The year is very seasonal with good visitor numbers from Easter through to the end of October. Regular visitors to Tiree come from all over and there is a steady stream of one off visitors looking for a remote experience who are happy to discover me at the end of a long track.

JAYNE STEPHEN
www.jaynejayne.com
blog jayne.jaynejayne.com and on Pinterest & Flickr

about me: I love making things. I create simply constructed wearable pieces. I work as much as possible with rescued fabric and take inspiration from nature – line, shape, repitition, texture, growth, decay. Most recently I have been working with leather, soft and durable yet easy to manipulate and wear. A collection in leather with a limited colour palette was designed for the new IMAG Foyer Gallery. It was also stocked at Concrete Wardrobe, Edinburgh and Hung, Inverness.

I am a textiles graduate from Glasgow School of Art (91). While studying I experimented with printing glue, cutting & fraying fabrics, working with layers and how different light affected their appearance. I love fabrics and how they stimulate the senses, evoke memories and tell a life story.

Major achievements include winning first prize in the Decorators section of the Liberty/Clothes Show Competition, a commission for Lochaber Health Centre and more recently HI-Arts Maker of the Month (November ’11) and reaching the final 10 in the British Airways Great Britons Art Competition. I have worked as a waitress, sign maker, charity shop assistant, kids art class assistant & art dept. runner. But I mostly enjoyed various costume/wardrobe work in film, TV and theatre, meeting very interesting people in amazing places.

With funding assistance from HI-Arts under the Artists & Craft Makers Award Scheme (made available by Creative Scotland and HIE ) I undertook a weekend Playing in Silver course at Bridge House Arts in Ullapool with Merlin Planterose. I’m also testing my patience trying to digitise some of my designs. I hope to incorporate silver, polymer clay and laser-cut wood & acrylic into my work.

KATE TWEDDLE
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.katetweddle.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TweddleJewellery Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/katetweddle/

Kate Tweddle graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in 2009 before moving to South Korea for a year. It is from here that the inspiration for her current collection stems – the beautiful and intriguing characters of the Korean alphabet.

Creating her jewellery from her own workshop in the Highlands, Kate uses silver and semi-precious stones - her work is sold through a number of galleries in Britain as well as online via her website. Kate has been chosen by HI-Arts Craft Development to receive two Creative Scotland grants, allowing her to travel to Italy and Germany to study a specialised jewellery technique and source new materials. Kate says, “Designing and making is my passion, each piece of jewellery created is a wearable artwork. I love to play with the juxtaposition of linear silver structures and delicate granules - geometric meets organic.” Here’s an update from Kate - July 2013: Kate Tweddle Jewellery News

KONSTANTINA PATERAKI
Email:[email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/k.d.Pateraki

I design and hand crafted, one of a kind, bespoke jewellery. I work with traditional techniques (repousse, piercing with silver and copper) in combination with inexpensive materials that I can find in my surrounding environment (heather flowers,lichen) so I can capture the feeling/colour of everyday into my jewellery. I started this journey by choosing to work with my hands, therefore instead of choosing an academic university, I chose the Handmade Silversmithing College in Athens where I lived and studied. In addition to my studies, I worked with an Armenian goldsmith, who taught me the craft of classic jewellery making. From the skills I developed there, I came to realize that commercial jewellery making was not for me.

I love to make jewellery with traditional techniques like piercing, repousse, mokume, etching, electroplating etc. but the magic for me doesn’t lie in perfect faceted cut stones and gold. It lies in the marriage of those techniques with the inexpensive materials, that I can find in my surrounding environment. I love to capture a drop of the colour of a day or a season and their sensation, so I can create something that makes me smile and hopefully others too.

I also studied with the Gemological Association of Great Britain, where I learned about and became fascinated with, how the conditions deep in the earth, lead to the very bespoke and unique result of inclusions and colours of gemstones.

While I was attending electroplating seminars, I was introduced to the variety of colours, which can be achieved using copper or brass, by imitating the alchemy of nature. I am taking my first steps using these techniques of colouring metal. In Athens I had the chance to teach at an Art Center and share my knowledge with the students for five years. I learned there, how the knowledge of one element can be translated through the creativity of different minds to produce beautiful pieces.

I was also influenced by other artists/craftsmen that were teaching at the art centre, and this led to incorporating into my work, other techniques, such as painting and drawing, wood and linoleum carving for printing and wood carving. I now live and work on the North coast of the Highlands, in a village called Skerray. I loved Scotland at my first sight and I am now very happy to be able to make special jewellery for the special people that live here.

Dawn Smith
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DawnSmithJewellery

I am a returner to craft. I graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 1994 with a degree in Jewellery but drifted off in other directions, never making use of my skills. I have had lots of different jobs, Croupier, Charity Shop Manager, Stained Glass Restorer, Teaching Assistant. Over the years I have always made crafty things and a few years ago I dug out my old collection of tools and started making jewellery again, mostly presents, which led to some commissions which led to me thinking that maybe the time is now right to start making jewellery as a business.

I like to create simple wearable pieces using traditional jewellery making techniques. Mostly working in silver I also use copper and gold accents in my creations. I like to recycle so use eco-silver when I can. My inspiration comes from architecture and nature, the arch that appears in lots of my work comes from my college days when I was inspired by the enormous arched windows of the glasshouses in the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. I did a lot of my drawing there, sitting in the humid atmosphere with the fragrant plants all around me. Looking through old sketchbooks inspired me to start where I’d left off all those years ago.

Jill MacLennan
Email: [email protected]
Twitter:@JMcRaeDesigns
Instagram: instagram.com/jmcraedesigns

After graduating from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen last July I moved to London to work for the fashion house Erdem. I spent a year in London working at Erdem and gained valuable experience in learning how an established brand works. I am now returning to Scotland to focus my attention on my business J.McRae. With help from the Princes Trust I set up a business designing and manufacturing hand dyed silk satin, velvet and crepe clutch bags and scarves. I also produce tweed and tartan clutch bags. I am looking forward to being part of Making Progress. Over the next few months I aim to set up a website, expand the range of products and stockists.

 

Below are details of the mentors for Making Progress & Made to Measure 2013-14

  • Bronagh O’Kane www.orwellandgoode.com
    Bronagh is one half of ‘Orwell and Goode’ - Together they make beautiful things for living, dining and giving. They like to make the usual a little unusual, make the ordinary, extraordinary! And together they make everything ‘all well and good!’.
  • Gilly Langton www.gillylangton.co.uk
    Gilly Langton is a contemporary jewellery designer; she runs her business from the remote Highland village of Plockton on the West Coast of Scotland. Since starting her business in 1997, Gilly has been creating her bold sterling silver and elastic jewellery -selling and exhibiting in galleries, museums and fairs all over the world.
  • Kirsteen Stewart www.kirsteenstewart.com/ www.studioshoporkney.com
    Based in a studio and shop in Orkney & selling worldwide, Kirsteen Stewart designs a range of accessories and clothing made in collaboration with UK & international fairtrade makers.
  • Melanie Muir www.melaniemuir.com
    Melanie Muir is a contemporary jewellery designer working in polymer. My designs feature organic patterns and bold colours on necklaces, pendants, earrings and a variety of cuff bracelets. Every hand crafted piece is unique and unrepeatable.
  • Mhairi Killin www.mhairikillin.com
    Over the last twenty years Mhairi Killin has emerged as a distinctive voice in Scottish Contemporary Art. The artist’s family history of silversmithing and weaving together with the development of her studio practice Killin has drawn inspiration from the rich artistic traditions of her maternal home on the Isle of Iona where she has established a gallery and studio, developing the site in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland.
  • Patricia Niemann www.patbat.com
    Patricia Niemann is a qualified goldsmith and designer for gemstones, jewellery and studio glass. Patricia’s artistic work has to do with the human body and body adornment in the sense of ‘body sculpture’. She is fascinated and inspired by human fears, anthropology, mortuary archaeology and the transitory in general. Attitude and humour feature heavily. Other influences are performance, theatre and the dramatic nature of Caithness.
  • Laura West www.laurawest.com
    Laura West is a classically trained award winning bookbinder specialising in traditional and contemporary hand-sewn books. All the books produced by the Bindery are bound individually by hand whether as single commissions or for a limited edition. Laura lives and works on the Isle of Skye.