Meet the team - Littlegreenshed

Please meet Littlegreenshed aka Bristol based illustrator / photographer Lou Archell. Lou's work is inspired by her love of nature.  She uses a mix of pen, watercolour, photography and digital illustration to create unique images.  We caught up with Lou to ask her about her involvement with the Paper • Scissors • Stone Temporium and her experiences of being a creative in the lovely city of Bristol. 

Why is Bristol a great place to be a creative?
There is such a wonderful community of creative people in Bristol.  And inspiration literally on every corner!  Not only that there are many opportunities to try out and learn new skills with the amazing array of workshops and courses.  I live in Bedminster, which has the wonderful North Street, home to great cafe's, theatres and shops.  I can walk from home and within minutes be by the harbourside or out amongst the trees in Ashton Court Estate.  Bristol is super cool and has a great reputation for innovative, unique and inspiring creative people.  Bristol rocks!

What do you think makes Paper • Scissors • Stone special?

A variety of locally made work all under one roof, which showcases the very best of Bristol.  I love that I can be in the shop and to talk customers about my work and others too.

Do you have any advice to other artists wishing to sell their work?

I think using Social Media is a must now a days.  Having a facebook page and a twitter account reaches people who live other parts of the world.  People can see your work, the processes, and see the face behind the work too.  

What's the most enjoyable thing about your chosen discipline?

I love to take photographs.  Going for a walk in Leigh woods provides so much inspiration and this then sparks a whole new series of prints.

What has proved the biggest work challenge so far this year?

I only started selling my work last year - so the costs of setting up have proven difficult.  Paying for printing and paper stock.

Where do you go or what do you do to find inspiration? 

The woods!  The beach... nature.

Are you planning any special Christmas creations? 

Yes ceramics.  I have a series of storage jars which I have decorated with colourful decals.  Think pebbles, flowers and seed heads.

What new tool, skill or resource would have a positive impact on your business?

I would love to learn to Screen print.  I think producing my own work would be massively satisfying!

Describe your studio or workspace?

My studio is in the spare bedroom in my home.  A light space with a small desk, books for inspiration, and close to my kettle for heaps of tea!

Facebook / Twitter / Blogging / Instagram…describe your relationship/experiences with social media….

I love to blog.  I write a successful lifestyle blog called littlegreenshed.  Over the past 2 years I have steadily built up a following of readers all over the world.  Through this you can find my work in shops and homes worldwide.  I have an Etsy, Folksy and Bigcartel shop too.  I love social media, I think it is important to self promote.  Otherwise people just won't find you, if you don't shout about it.

Which is your favourite local independent shop or eatery in Bristol & why?

Favourite shop - Howkapow.  It oozes cool design!

Tell us a secret….

I don't like bugs!

Finally if you where a biscuit, what would you be and why?

Wagon wheel - old school and smaller than you remember! (is a wagon wheel a biscuit?).

Find more of Lou's work here.

Do come and visit us at Volume 4 of the Paper • Scissors • Stone Temporium, located in Cabot's Circus, Bristol to have a look at Littlegreenshed's beautiful prints!

Read More »

Meet the Team: Yiskah Knits

Please meet Yiskah Knits aka Bristol based knitware designer Jessica Biscoe. She has created a range of playful and contemporary knitware including brooches, jewellery and in the cold winter months berets and chunky scarves. We caught up with Jess to ask her about her involvement with the Paper • Scissors • Stone Temporium and her experiences of being a creative in the lovely city of Bristol. 

Why is Bristol a great place to be a creative?

There are so many opportunities to learn and get involved in Bristol. With workshops, markets and galleries there are endless ways to see creative work and meet like-minded people. I live in Montpelier so am spoilt by cafe's, independent shops, street-art and colourful scenes to inspire me. I love Bristol!

What do you think makes Paper • Scissors • Stone special?

The huge variety of talented, local makers is what makes PSS such a gem. It's a great opportunity to bring handmade crafts to a mass audience that might not otherwise be exposed to it and provide a platform for local creatives to get together and showcase their work.

Do you have any advice to other artists wishing to sell their work?

I think networking is definitely key, be prepared to spend some time getting involved locally and online to show your wares off to the world. I think people often expect quick results and are disappointed in the beginning but patience and exposure, in the right places, will pay off in the end. 

What's the most enjoyable thing about your chosen discipline?

It's so relaxing, I find it a great way to switch off from the world. It's also brilliantly portable, I like to carry a little project bag with me in case I find a few quiet minutes to get some stitches in on the train or in a cafe.

What has proved the biggest work challenge so far this year?

Knitting autumn and winter stock through hot summery days. Appropriate clothing required!

Where do you go or what do you do to find inspiration? 

I love to 'knit-watch' when i'm out and about and see what styles people are wearing; it's great to spot hand-knitting every now and then too! I also find inspiration in films and books; period dramas and war-time films are brilliant for seeing how knitting was used as an essential skill to make functional pieces, and apply that aesthetic to my work.

Are you planning any special Christmas creations? 

As well as cosy snoods and hats, I have a few ideas for tree decorations and stockings!

What new tool, skill or resource would have a positive impact on your business?

It's my aim to master crochet next year; it's a very complimentary skill to knitting and there are things one does better than the other. I'd love to add little crocheted finishing touches to my knits.

Describe your studio or workspace?

My workspace consumes the corner of the living room in my little flat. I'm lucky that is has big dual aspect windows so I can glimpse the outdoors as I work. I have boxes of yarn, supplies, finished stock and plants arranged on a huge desk and creeping up the walls. It's great to be able to work at home and have everything I need at arms length.

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram…describe your relationship/experiences with social media….

My business started out online so I rely on social media a lot. The purpose of all of them is, in the end, promotion but I love that what you give and take from each is so different. With Instagram I like to share inspirational things I see and my working process. Twitter is great for networking and opportunities to learn and share information with creative people, and my blog acts as a way to give back to my little community where I can share weird cupcake recipes I've made, crafty DIYs, and knits i've made for myself. 

Which is your favourite local independent shop or eatery in Bristol & why?

Upstairs at BS8, on Park Street, is a lovely little artists co-operative in the sunny roof space of BS8. You'll likely find the perfect gift there, and a card to go with it. (My knits are for sale too!). In addition to that I really love the Here Gallery in Stokes Croft, there are so many fascinating books!

Tell us a secret…

My knitting tutor was YouTube; it's amazing what you can learn on there!

Finally if you were a biscuit, what would you be and why?

I'd say a Tunnock's caramel bar. I ate so many of them as a kid, I probably looked like one. 

To see more of Yiskah Knits work please click here

Do come and visit us at Volume 4 of the Paper • Scissors • Stone Temporium, located in Cabot's Circus, Bristol to have a gander at Yiskah Knits beautiful creations!

Read More »

Meet the Team: Joe Kang

We recently caught up with maker extraordinaire Joe Kang to ask her about her involvement in the current Paper • Scissors • Stone Temporium and her experiences as a creative living in Bristol. 

Why is Bristol a great place to be a creative?

There's a real presence of creativity in the air in Bristol which for me means that I am always finding new inspiration around every corner. People in Bristol like to think outside the box a little with their creativity too. There is definitely a real community spirit and warmth about Bristol's creatives which means that in fact everyone's there to help each other out rather than being competitive, which I love.

What do you think makes Paper • Scissors • Stone special?

Paper Scissors Stone is all about supporting the local talent and artists in Bristol. It brings together like-minded people from all kinds of different creative backgrounds and allows them to thrive off one another in a shared space. It also provides Bristol artists with an outlet to showcase their work to the public who may not always have the opportunity to access the material in an open forum whilst also having the opportunity to meet the makers.

Do you have any advice to other artists wishing to sell their work?

Have faith in what you do and take the leap...!

What's the most enjoyable thing about your chosen discipline?

It allows me to express my creativity in many ways. I don't have one specific media that I enjoy to work with, I have many, so i'm always building new skills and learning new things about myself.

What has proved the biggest work challenge so far this year?

I think the biggest challenge for me this year has been to juggle my creative work with my paid and voluntary work simultaneously, and realising when the balance needs to be readdressed.

Where do you go or what do you do to find inspiration? 

I love to travel when I can. To me that is one of my biggest inspirations because it opens my eyes and mind to the colourful world we live in. I love the smells, colours and creativity of other cultures that you just wouldn't experience being sat on sofa in front of the t.v. all day.

Are you planning any special Christmas creations? 

Watch this space...

What new tool, skill or resource would have a positive impact on your business?

I'd love a new modern sewing machine & an overlocker. Sad I know, but the machine I have now is second-hand which I stole from my mum few years ago after 'borrowing' it. She hints every now and then that she'd like it back!

Describe your studio or workspace?

Hmmm...I am lucky enough to have a pretty nice second room which started off as my studio space with a fab trestle table that I work on and shelves stacked with goodies. Over time however, it has filled with much clutter and needs a clear out. Right now my sewing machine is naughtily sat on the dining room table where I have been working of late and seem to have slowly started taking over the living room too with piles of fabrics & boxes of things as my business grows! Luckily I have a pretty understanding boyfriend, but I'm sure he'd love to have his space back soon.

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram…describe your relationship/experiences with social media….

As much as I hate to say it, Facebook has been a pretty good tool for me in terms of social media. It allows me to make little updates about what i'm doing, I can upload photos of new makes, customers can send me appreciation photos, I can link in my blog and other peoples blogs that I like to read, and the big wide world is my audience should they choose to read it. I am yet to use twitter properly. I only registered last week and am still nervous about how to use it. 

I set up a blog using blogspot quite recently, but am not very good at using it regularly enough, but I'm sure it'll come over time. I need to make a routine and set aside time every day purely for social media. I spend far too much time reading other peoples blogs and getting sucked in by all the interesting things there are to read on the internet. It's not uncommon for my computer to get annoyed and come to a halt as I have about 20 windows open of all the interesting things I come across.

Which is your favourite local independent shop or eatery in Bristol & why?

My favourite place to hang out has to be Cafe Kino. It's around the corner from where I live. It's a non-profit co-operatively owned business, operated by its workers, and run in part by volunteers. Their food is delicious, ethically sourced and very reasonably priced. They open quite late and regularly host creative events and music. It was my home when I was getting to grips with starting a creative business and didn't have internet at home. The staff there are absolutely brilliant!

Tell us a secret….

I have a new shaped cushion coming out soon.

Finally if you where a biscuit, what would you be and why?

I'd be a custard cream because they have a certain vintage appeal to them, they're good old fashioned, sweet centred and you always know where you stand with one!!

To read more about Joe Kang and what she is making next click here and do come and see the lovely products that Joe has made in the Volume 4 of the Paper • Scissors • Stone Temporium, located in Cabot's Circus, Bristol. We look forward to seeing you there!

Read More »

Meet the Team: myBearHands

We love the work of myBearHands so we were delighted that we were able to catch up with the creator of this colourful brand Sally Haysom ahead of our road trip to take part in Made London. We have been chatting about her about her involvement with the Paper • Scissors • Stone Temporium and her experiences as a creative living in Bristol.

Why is Bristol a great place to be a creative?

Bristol is a lively, creative city so there's no shortage of opportunities to get involved with, as well as like minded people to keep you motivated and tons of inspiration in other peoples work - there is always some sort of private view or exhibition on!  

What do you think makes Paper • Scissors • Stone special?

Paper Scissor Stone is a wonderful opportunity for makers to show and sell their work right in the middle of the biggest shopping center in Bristol City Center.  It means that shoppers have the choice of buying unique, handmade creations that they wont find in the chain stores.  Being so central also means it promotes local, handmade products to those in the public who perhaps aren't as aware that we are out there.

Do you have any advice to other artists wishing to sell their work?

You really have to make it happen for yourself.  Get out there.  Take your work round shops, do as many craft shows/exhibitions as possible and keep doing it.  For me, marketing, networking and social media are the areas I find hardest; unfortunately they are one of the most important parts of your business.  Don't under-price your work.  If you want to turn your creative passion into a business you must make a profit from each sale - this means covering your material and time costs, and adding a percentage on top for profit.  It may be scary, but at the end of the day if you don't make a profit, your business won't succeed.  

What's the most enjoyable thing about your chosen discipline?

So many things!  A day of making is my favourite - a cup of tea, the radio on and making jewellery.  Perfect!  In more general terms, having control over my own time and meeting so many lovely, talented people at craft shows and exhibitions - it never ceases to amaze me how welcoming and ready to share everyone is!  

What has proved the biggest work challenge so far this year?

As always for me, organization!  No matter how many calendars, pens and folders I buy, I cannot seem to get a handle on this side of business - there's just too many things to remember and fit in!  

Where do you go or what do you do to find inspiration? 

I find craft shows and exhibitions really inspiring - just seeing all the amazing things people are creating.  It's a huge motivator.  Other than that, just my mind and the internet really! 

Are you planning any special Christmas creations? 

I've never been convinced by Christmas themed jewellery....maybe I will get my act together this year and get some cards printed.

What new tool, skill or resource would have a positive impact on your business?

A car!  It would save me hours spent delivering items on foot/bike/train.

Describe your studio or workspace?

I've just moved house, and have a gloriously large, light studio space so I'm really lucky.  It's still a bit sparse, but I'll soon have my bits and bobs all over the walls.  My main necessity is surface area for varnishing all the tiny pieces.

Facebook / Twitter / Blogging / Instagram…describe your relationship/experiences with social media….

It leaves me a bit confused to be honest...I try and keep on top of it all, but always have a niggling feeling I've missed something.  There's just so much to keep up with!

Which is your favourite local independent shop or eatery in Bristol & why?

I don't eat out that much, but I really like the food at the Watershed.  I'm a bit fussy about where my meat comes from, so there I can rest assured it's local, free range ethical, but still affordable.

Finally if you where a biscuit, what would you be and why?

A dark chocolate digestive.  Not too flashy....a quietly self assured biscuit.

mybearhands.wordpress.com

You can see myBearHands work at Volume 4 of the Paper • Scissors • Stone Temporium, located in Cabot's Circus, Bristol. Come down and have a look!

Read More »