You're designing some lovely fabric and crafty things now, but what were you doing before this crafty life?
I originally studied for a Bachelor of Multimedia & Media studies, so I was working for myself as a web/interactive designer for a few years before I started to take an interest in textiles.
Do you come from a long line of crafty people? Have you always made things?
The only other really creative person in my immediate family is my Oma. She always encouraged me to draw and be creative. All through my childhood I jumped from one crafty pursuit to the next – drawing, ceramics, fimo, beading, china painting, sewing, knitting, flower pressing, candle making etc etc etc.
What other jobs have you had?
I once worked as one of those people handing out perfume cards at Myer. SO not me.
Is fabric design your crafty dream come true - or did you arrive at it unexpectedly?
For me it was pretty unexpected. I was experimenting with pattern design and posting the results of my blog – I enjoyed the mix of technical and creative skills required. I got such good feedback to the designs on my blog that I decided to do something with them. Textiles was actually the most viable option and it stemmed from there. Now I love it!
How much time do you spend on your craft? How do you manage the craft/life balance?
I used to be doing my textile design part time, alongside my freelance web/graphic design work. I’m now at that point where it’s about to go full time, especially with the development of our new yardage printing business – Ink & Spindle.
What do your family and friends think about your crafty life, your blog and your work?
They are all generally quite supportive, especially when they can see that it’s a really viable pursuit. I can talk to my parents about what I do a lot easier now – it’s easier to relate to than something like web design.
Who inspires you? Crafty or otherwise, and why?
I’m very much inspired by other design/craft blogs... there’s a real ‘sum of its parts’ thing going on there with everyone inspiring one another. I’m also inspired by urban landscapes and nature :)
What will you be working on in the coming twelve months? Is there something you really want to do - or an area of your work you want to improve or learn more about?
Myself, Bianca van Meeuwen & Tegan Rose have just set up a new business - Ink & Spindle – which specialises in hand screen printed fabric. We’ll be doing printing for our own labels as well as for others. So hopefully we’ll be growing that, and also I’d like to focus on growing my own range of textiles and products.
What do you find difficult about this crafty life? And what is the best part?
It’s all been pretty much fun and exciting so far. I guess my favourite moment is when I’m working on a new design and it all comes together and I have one of those ‘ahh’ moments. The toughest bit is trying to figure out what people like and having to take big risks on a hunch. You can never be sure of anything when it comes to personal taste and that’s scary when large sums of money are involved!
Do you find it difficult to balance the creative with the commercial when you are designing?
Yeah a little. On one hand you want to do stuff that you know will please people, but on the other hand you don’t want to be just copying trends and taking the easy way out. I guess it’s just a matter of being true to yourself and being confident that someone out there will like what you’re doing.
Do you have time to make things for yourself?
Not so much anymore! My former ‘hobby’ has now become my livelihood, so I don’t have much time to do it for fun anymore. But then at least I get to do something I love as my day job :)
What's your view on the Australian Craft Movement - there seems to be a lot of people following both Contemporary and Traditional craft here. In your opinion, is it different to the US Craft Scene?
Hmm not sure, they both seem pretty similar to me! Maybe there’s more contemporary craft coming out of the States, but that might just be the blogs I subscribe to. I’d certainly like to see some of the longstanding & established craft mags embrace contemporary craft a bit more. ‘Kountry kraft’ seems to be stuck in one spot.
I originally studied for a Bachelor of Multimedia & Media studies, so I was working for myself as a web/interactive designer for a few years before I started to take an interest in textiles.
Do you come from a long line of crafty people? Have you always made things?
The only other really creative person in my immediate family is my Oma. She always encouraged me to draw and be creative. All through my childhood I jumped from one crafty pursuit to the next – drawing, ceramics, fimo, beading, china painting, sewing, knitting, flower pressing, candle making etc etc etc.
What other jobs have you had?
I once worked as one of those people handing out perfume cards at Myer. SO not me.
Is fabric design your crafty dream come true - or did you arrive at it unexpectedly?
For me it was pretty unexpected. I was experimenting with pattern design and posting the results of my blog – I enjoyed the mix of technical and creative skills required. I got such good feedback to the designs on my blog that I decided to do something with them. Textiles was actually the most viable option and it stemmed from there. Now I love it!
How much time do you spend on your craft? How do you manage the craft/life balance?
I used to be doing my textile design part time, alongside my freelance web/graphic design work. I’m now at that point where it’s about to go full time, especially with the development of our new yardage printing business – Ink & Spindle.
What do your family and friends think about your crafty life, your blog and your work?
They are all generally quite supportive, especially when they can see that it’s a really viable pursuit. I can talk to my parents about what I do a lot easier now – it’s easier to relate to than something like web design.
Who inspires you? Crafty or otherwise, and why?
I’m very much inspired by other design/craft blogs... there’s a real ‘sum of its parts’ thing going on there with everyone inspiring one another. I’m also inspired by urban landscapes and nature :)
What will you be working on in the coming twelve months? Is there something you really want to do - or an area of your work you want to improve or learn more about?
Myself, Bianca van Meeuwen & Tegan Rose have just set up a new business - Ink & Spindle – which specialises in hand screen printed fabric. We’ll be doing printing for our own labels as well as for others. So hopefully we’ll be growing that, and also I’d like to focus on growing my own range of textiles and products.
What do you find difficult about this crafty life? And what is the best part?
It’s all been pretty much fun and exciting so far. I guess my favourite moment is when I’m working on a new design and it all comes together and I have one of those ‘ahh’ moments. The toughest bit is trying to figure out what people like and having to take big risks on a hunch. You can never be sure of anything when it comes to personal taste and that’s scary when large sums of money are involved!
Do you find it difficult to balance the creative with the commercial when you are designing?
Yeah a little. On one hand you want to do stuff that you know will please people, but on the other hand you don’t want to be just copying trends and taking the easy way out. I guess it’s just a matter of being true to yourself and being confident that someone out there will like what you’re doing.
Do you have time to make things for yourself?
Not so much anymore! My former ‘hobby’ has now become my livelihood, so I don’t have much time to do it for fun anymore. But then at least I get to do something I love as my day job :)
What's your view on the Australian Craft Movement - there seems to be a lot of people following both Contemporary and Traditional craft here. In your opinion, is it different to the US Craft Scene?
Hmm not sure, they both seem pretty similar to me! Maybe there’s more contemporary craft coming out of the States, but that might just be the blogs I subscribe to. I’d certainly like to see some of the longstanding & established craft mags embrace contemporary craft a bit more. ‘Kountry kraft’ seems to be stuck in one spot.
Lara Cameron
Website
Blog
Lara's Flickr Group
Ink and Spindle
I hope you'll join us all week on the this very blog!
We'll be interviewing a couple of textile designers each day about how they got started, their influences and their outlook on this crafty life.
Next up:
totally nice interview x x x x can't wait to see what ink and spindle produces for the world ... yay lara!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great roll on from all that stashy goodness. I can't wait to see the rest of the week, I am excited already!
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific theme and great set of questions! Lara Cameron's work is stunning, and its terrific that you chose to highlight her first!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great read, Pip. I'm looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteAllison xx
Isn't it great to get a look behind the scenes? Inspiring stuff, and beautiful too.
ReplyDelete