In between the rolling hills of Dorset, England on the Jurassic Heritage coastline line, I live in the creative and lively little town of Bridport. I’m surrounded by ancient forests and luscious green countryside. My workshop looks out onto two very special points, the hill fort Egarddon Hill and Shipton Hill, which guards me from the sea winds.
I grew up in Dorset and feel it is definitely my home. My two brothers and I were encouraged to be creative, with a positive mother as an influence. Walking wild Dorset and being outside was important to my mother. She grew all our vegetables and is a very talented cook. She has been the inspiration and constant support to the start and continuation of my business and all of my brothers’ and my creative endeavours. One brother is a Michelin star chef, one is a fashion designer. My mother has definitely put creativity into our lives with us all earning a living using our creativity. When we meet we get up to loads of creative mischief, whether it’s in the garden or in the kitchen.
I’ve always been a creative person. Using the hands is something really important to a human. To be able to translate from brain to piece using the hand is very important for me as a person. I thrive to make and create, it makes me happy. I studied art and design at school, and as a teenager was very experimental with cooking, clothing and making all sorts.
“Creativity is freedom and a dedication to achieving.”
As a creative there is a fine line between life and work. I live to work as I thrive and love it so much. I relish the points at which I relax and look back at my work. Being creative doesn’t stop with my work—I love all aspects of gardening, cooking, interior designing and doing up my house.
I’ve always created and would not exist without being creative. I think the passion for designing and making comes from the dedication to the subject. The more time I spend designing and making, the more passion comes with it.
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”
— Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect, lived by this rule when designing.
I did a degree in 3D design, worked in London for a bit then decided to move back to Dorset. I started an informal apprenticeship at an old-school joiners, and this is where I fell in love with making in wood. I used to make furniture for myself in the evenings and ended up being commissioned by someone to make a special piece one day. In 2010, I took a leap of faith and rented a bench space to start my own workshop/studio and made the first commission. I now have people who help me make, letting me focus on the designing much more, as well as making and prototyping. Establishing my business here, providing apprenticeships and employment, and making the products of my imagination that clients will live with for a lifetime is the fulfillment of a dream.
P.S. I LOVE THIS! My hand tools are my favorite items in my studio, which allow me to make and create what I’ve designed. Some tools have been handed down from my granddad and others from my dad, all with their own worn and used handles. They fit well in the hand and are a part of me now!
I love using wood which isn’t always valued. Each commission starts with an understanding of place and function. Drawings and playing in the workshop start off the process. I have a very close relationship with the clients to make sure I understand what they want. I then draw it up on the computer as well as doing hand drawings and samples for the customers to get a feel of the piece. Before I start the commissions and pieces, they are very well designed. The making then starts from waney edge wood, planing to see the timber and grain, and then cutting the joints and hand shaping. The last thing is to oil the piece, which brings the piece and wood to life.
My creative style is very focused on the function of a piece. Every piece has a delicateness and warm presence. A piece is meant to be used and passed down through generations. The more I progress and become confident in my ability, the more playful my pieces become; a subtle play with shape and influences from tradition. I’m inspired by many things and places, from architecture to furniture designers, arts and crafts movement to Japan—even bridges and hedgerows.
The biggest challenge I have faced was starting the business and understanding what I was creating and why. I was trying to understand how to follow a creative path and let it evolve naturally. My biggest accomplishment is being able to continue to earn a living and create all the time doing what I love every day. I enjoy constantly being pushed, making new pieces and having customers who truly value and want to commission my work. I really value the element of design as much as the process of making and the emphasis of the place—Dorset—that I have always loved.
In between the rolling hills of Dorset, England on the Jurassic Heritage coastline line, I live in the creative and lively little town of Bridport. I’m surrounded by ancient forests and luscious green countryside. My workshop looks out onto two very special points, the hill fort Egarddon Hill and Shipton Hill, which guards me from the sea winds.
I grew up in Dorset and feel it is definitely my home. My two brothers and I were encouraged to be creative, with a positive mother as an influence. Walking wild Dorset and being outside was important to my mother. She grew all our vegetables and is a very talented cook. She has been the inspiration and constant support to the start and continuation of my business and all of my brothers’ and my creative endeavours. One brother is a Michelin star chef, one is a fashion designer. My mother has definitely put creativity into our lives with us all earning a living using our creativity. When we meet we get up to loads of creative mischief, whether it’s in the garden or in the kitchen.
I’ve always been a creative person. Using the hands is something really important to a human. To be able to translate from brain to piece using the hand is very important for me as a person. I thrive to make and create, it makes me happy. I studied art and design at school, and as a teenager was very experimental with cooking, clothing and making all sorts.
“Creativity is freedom and a dedication to achieving.”
As a creative there is a fine line between life and work. I live to work as I thrive and love it so much. I relish the points at which I relax and look back at my work. Being creative doesn’t stop with my work—I love all aspects of gardening, cooking, interior designing and doing up my house.
I’ve always created and would not exist without being creative. I think the passion for designing and making comes from the dedication to the subject. The more time I spend designing and making, the more passion comes with it.
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”
— Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect, lived by this rule when designing.
I did a degree in 3D design, worked in London for a bit then decided to move back to Dorset. I started an informal apprenticeship at an old-school joiners, and this is where I fell in love with making in wood. I used to make furniture for myself in the evenings and ended up being commissioned by someone to make a special piece one day. In 2010, I took a leap of faith and rented a bench space to start my own workshop/studio and made the first commission. I now have people who help me make, letting me focus on the designing much more, as well as making and prototyping. Establishing my business here, providing apprenticeships and employment, and making the products of my imagination that clients will live with for a lifetime is the fulfillment of a dream.
P.S. I LOVE THIS! My hand tools are my favorite items in my studio, which allow me to make and create what I’ve designed. Some tools have been handed down from my granddad and others from my dad, all with their own worn and used handles. They fit well in the hand and are a part of me now!
I love using wood which isn’t always valued. Each commission starts with an understanding of place and function. Drawings and playing in the workshop start off the process. I have a very close relationship with the clients to make sure I understand what they want. I then draw it up on the computer as well as doing hand drawings and samples for the customers to get a feel of the piece. Before I start the commissions and pieces, they are very well designed. The making then starts from waney edge wood, planing to see the timber and grain, and then cutting the joints and hand shaping. The last thing is to oil the piece, which brings the piece and wood to life.
My creative style is very focused on the function of a piece. Every piece has a delicateness and warm presence. A piece is meant to be used and passed down through generations. The more I progress and become confident in my ability, the more playful my pieces become; a subtle play with shape and influences from tradition. I’m inspired by many things and places, from architecture to furniture designers, arts and crafts movement to Japan—even bridges and hedgerows.
The biggest challenge I have faced was starting the business and understanding what I was creating and why. I was trying to understand how to follow a creative path and let it evolve naturally. My biggest accomplishment is being able to continue to earn a living and create all the time doing what I love every day. I enjoy constantly being pushed, making new pieces and having customers who truly value and want to commission my work. I really value the element of design as much as the process of making and the emphasis of the place—Dorset—that I have always loved.
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In between the rolling hills of Dorset, England on the Jurassic Heritage coastline line, I live in the creative and lively little town of Bridport. I’m surrounded by ancient forests and luscious green countryside. My workshop looks out onto two very special points, the hill fort Egarddon Hill and Shipton Hill, which guards me from the sea winds.
I grew up in Dorset and feel it is definitely my home. My two brothers and I were encouraged to be creative, with a positive mother as an influence. Walking wild Dorset and being outside was important to my mother. She grew all our vegetables and is a very talented cook. She has been the inspiration and constant support to the start and continuation of my business and all of my brothers’ and my creative endeavours. One brother is a Michelin star chef, one is a fashion designer. My mother has definitely put creativity into our lives with us all earning a living using our creativity. When we meet we get up to loads of creative mischief, whether it’s in the garden or in the kitchen.
I’ve always been a creative person. Using the hands is something really important to a human. To be able to translate from brain to piece using the hand is very important for me as a person. I thrive to make and create, it makes me happy. I studied art and design at school, and as a teenager was very experimental with cooking, clothing and making all sorts.
“Creativity is freedom and a dedication to achieving.”
As a creative there is a fine line between life and work. I live to work as I thrive and love it so much. I relish the points at which I relax and look back at my work. Being creative doesn’t stop with my work—I love all aspects of gardening, cooking, interior designing and doing up my house.
I’ve always created and would not exist without being creative. I think the passion for designing and making comes from the dedication to the subject. The more time I spend designing and making, the more passion comes with it.
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.”
— Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect, lived by this rule when designing.
I did a degree in 3D design, worked in London for a bit then decided to move back to Dorset. I started an informal apprenticeship at an old-school joiners, and this is where I fell in love with making in wood. I used to make furniture for myself in the evenings and ended up being commissioned by someone to make a special piece one day. In 2010, I took a leap of faith and rented a bench space to start my own workshop/studio and made the first commission. I now have people who help me make, letting me focus on the designing much more, as well as making and prototyping. Establishing my business here, providing apprenticeships and employment, and making the products of my imagination that clients will live with for a lifetime is the fulfillment of a dream.
P.S. I LOVE THIS! My hand tools are my favorite items in my studio, which allow me to make and create what I’ve designed. Some tools have been handed down from my granddad and others from my dad, all with their own worn and used handles. They fit well in the hand and are a part of me now!
I love using wood which isn’t always valued. Each commission starts with an understanding of place and function. Drawings and playing in the workshop start off the process. I have a very close relationship with the clients to make sure I understand what they want. I then draw it up on the computer as well as doing hand drawings and samples for the customers to get a feel of the piece. Before I start the commissions and pieces, they are very well designed. The making then starts from waney edge wood, planing to see the timber and grain, and then cutting the joints and hand shaping. The last thing is to oil the piece, which brings the piece and wood to life.
My creative style is very focused on the function of a piece. Every piece has a delicateness and warm presence. A piece is meant to be used and passed down through generations. The more I progress and become confident in my ability, the more playful my pieces become; a subtle play with shape and influences from tradition. I’m inspired by many things and places, from architecture to furniture designers, arts and crafts movement to Japan—even bridges and hedgerows.
The biggest challenge I have faced was starting the business and understanding what I was creating and why. I was trying to understand how to follow a creative path and let it evolve naturally. My biggest accomplishment is being able to continue to earn a living and create all the time doing what I love every day. I enjoy constantly being pushed, making new pieces and having customers who truly value and want to commission my work. I really value the element of design as much as the process of making and the emphasis of the place—Dorset—that I have always loved.
The Women Create Foundation is a catalyst for small but significant strides to empower women creators through grants that help bring projects to life and foster innovation.
