Meet the Maker - Amy Hemmings

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Amy Hemmings is one of our newest team members in our SUMMER Paper Scissors Stone shop.  Her beautiful childrens clothes and accessories are proving a real hit, perfect for the warm weather.  Here is a little Meet the Maker interview all about her...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your work? 
My name is Amy Hemmings and I design, create and hand make bespoke childrens wear and accessories for the nursery. I work with the softest of fabrics, primarily, Liberty of London’s luxurious printed tana lawn. 


Apart from creating things what else do you enjoy doing? 
Since relocating from London a year ago my lifestyle has completely changed and I now enjoy long family walks through the countryside, tending to my vegetables and endless hours of fun with my daughter, family and friends. 


Where does your inspiration come from? 
Fashion has always been my main passion; I have a collection of over 10 years of Vogue magazines. I previously worked as a Buyer for a leading high street retailer and travelled the world sourcing, gaining inspiration and picking up bits and pieces of vintage from here there and everywhere. My heart lies with traditional and original designs and techniques. Simple shapes with delicate details, nothing fussy or too frilly. I adore beautiful quintessentially British prints. 


Describe your studio or workspace? 
My workspace is the top floor of our really old cottage. I have views of the Sheppy valley out of the window and listen to the birds singing and the occasional mouse in the roof above. It is a calm environment that has everything I need to hand. The floor is covered in thread ends and fabric trims. 


What is a typical work day for you? 
I always start the day with a strong coffee and a plan. I constantly have a long to do list that I try and work through but almost always end up going off on a tangent and getting distracted by a new piece of fabric or a design idea I had in the night. Most mornings are spent sewing, as the light is at its best and so are my energy levels. I am constantly thinking and planning my next design and the afternoons are mostly spent translating this onto paper of fabric. When my daughter is in bed in the evening I spend time on the computer catching up on emails, on blogs and other social media websites. 


What do you love most about what you do? 
I love seeing others in my designs and creations. I love being able to do what I what do every day. I feel so lucky that I am happy and excited to get to work. 


If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman(dead or alive), who would it be? 

Which local artist/maker do you most admire? 
Holly Rose, a Bristol based graphic designer and all round maker. 


Tell us your current loves: 
* Shop: My favourite shop is Liberty in London. It is always inspiring, its old and traditional and always has the best edit of collections. 
* Restaurant / Café: Balthazaar in New York. The French onion soup is worth a flight there alone. 
* Blog: The Selby 
* Magazine: British Vogue, the original and best. 
* Book: Frances Partridge Diaries, I could read about the 1920s Bloomsbury set for hours and hours. 
* Designer / maker / artist: Joy Everly, she creates the most beautiful jewellery. 


If you were stranded in the wilds somewhere, what item would you need with you the most? 
My family.

Thank you Amy, such beautiful clothes.  Gosh we'd love to spend time reading your Vogue back copies!  You can find Amy's childrens clothes and accessories in our SUMMER Paper Scissors Stone shop.

Paper Scissors Stone
Quakers Friars
Cabot Circus
Bristol

Opens Daily:
Mon - Sat:  10am - 6pm
Sun:  11am - 5pm

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