Tag: fca&c online shop

Artist Interview 5 – YOKE

FCA&C caught up with Mr & Mrs YOKE (aka Mark McConnell and Zoe Brennan) recently to ask them a few questions about their brand.  Here’s what they said:

What’s your background and what inspired you to become a designer?

YOKE was formed after we left university. We met at college and instantly hit it off. We had an unspoken rivalry as to who could draw better! When we both moved back to our hometown, Perth, it was the perfect opportunity to join creative forces!

We are on a mission to make the world more YOKEY! We are inspired by popular culture, things that make us laugh and the little things people take for granted. We want to brighten up the gloomiest of days and make people smile!

How would you describe your customers?

Our customers want an alternative to the mass produced options offered on the high street and want a product that they know will be unique. All our products are made by hand so a lot of love goes into each one and we think you can tell! They also look for something with character and personality that will put a smile on people’s faces- our illustrations all have their own stories behind them so there is more to them than just the final product.

What is your favourite piece from your collection?

It’s so difficult to choose because we love them all but Eggy soliders has stood out as one that people love, perhaps because they can remember dunking those wee soldiers when they were younger!

Personally we love our screen prints, as that’s where it all started for us!

What are the highlights of your career so far?

So much has happened in the short time since we launched, sometimes we can’t quite believe it! We’re now stocked globally from Tokyo to Edinburgh, Vienna to Melbourne and recently we were featured as one of the Top 5 companies to watch along side French Connection Home by Your Home magazine.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

We want to keep expanding YOKE and already have lots of ideas for more fabulous products! We also want to grow our freelance portfolio and have just finished the branding for an interior design company in New York.

Thank you.

Artist interview 4 – Lovely Pigeon

FCA&C are currently selling some of  Lovely Pigeon’s fab products in their online shop.

Lovely Pigeon is the alter ego of designer-maker Kirsty Thomas. She is a printmaker, illustrator and upcycler. She loves doodling, junk-shopping, making lists (and losing them again), mid-century modern, old tea towels, flea markets, sewing, folk, beaches, wine, growing vegetables, text, pop up shops, wally dogs… and pigeons.

We caught up with Kirsty to ask her more about what she does and what she plans to do next.

What’s your background and what inspired you to become a designer?

I originally trained in Design Studies and worked within the fashion industry for several years. I owned a street wear fashion label for three years before deciding to retrain as an art teacher.  I got itchy feet again when I moved to Scotland 4 years ago. I started creating jewellery pieces, drawing more and teaching myself to print. From those experiments, Lovely Pigeon was born.

I am inspired by anything and everything but particularly like the simplicity of mid century art and design and the work of people like Charles and Ray Eames and Lucienne and Robin Day. I also like anything that makes me smile.

How would you describe your customers?

I think my customer base is quite wide – young, crafty-design types, ladies who lunch and lots of people in between. I would love to develop a stronger male customer base – there seems to be a real lack of craft based products directed at men.

What is your favourite piece from your collection?

Eek, that’s a difficult one! The Mr Pigeon lino print was one of the first pieces of print I did and it still makes me smiles every time I see it.  He has a very cheeky look in his eye!

What are the highlights of your career so far?

Working with some of the best independent design shops in the UK and internationally and galleries is a privilege and it is always great when new stockists are interested in your work.  However seeing my name in Elle Decoration is probably one of the high points.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Lovely Pigeon’s 2012 collection is a bit of a departure and features lots of colour, shape and pattern. I’m also hoping to extend my home wares and stationery collections and start experimenting with different print techniques, laser cutting and textile printing.

Thank you.

Artist interview 3 – Syrah Jay

FCA&C are selling some of Syrah Jay’s beautiful textile products in their online shop.

Syrah Jay (aka Sarah Jacobs) is a Jewellery/Textile Designer based near St Andrews, Fife.  All of her work is made by hand from 100% wool, and then embroidered by hand too. Virtually every piece of jewellery she makes is unique and special.

We met up with Syrah Jay to ask her more about her work and what she plans to do next.

What’s your background and what inspired you to become a textile designer?

I trained in printed textiles, screen printing etc. From a young age I have always enjoyed crafts from cross stitch, embroidery quilting, knitting, weaving and all kinds of printing- the list goes on.

How would you describe your customers?

People who like to make a statement and are not afraid to be individual.

What is your favourite piece from your collection?

I love to make my felt bead jewellery as no two pieces are the same so I never get bored of making them.

What are the highlights of your career so far?

Being able to teach my skills to others, I really enjoy teaching.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

I am hoping to take the next step towards exhibiting at trade fairs such as Origin or Top Drawer and taking my business to the next level.

Thank you.

Artist interview 2 – Jo Davies

FCA&C have recently added some beautiful products to their online shop by ceramist Jo Davies.

Jo grew up in rural Herefordshire overlooking the hillsides of the Golden Valley. Renowned for its beautiful landscape, rolling hills and idyllic villages, Herefordshire is home to many famous UK studio potters. This was inspiration to Jo as she began her first creative explorations in clay, working intuitively with the material, even in these early days.

Her interest progressed and she gained her first degree from Bath School of Art and Design where she learnt a significant breadth of the ceramic art form.  She graduated in 2002 and was recently asked to exhibit with selected alumni in an exhibition celebrating the Ceramics course at Bath.

Soon after graduating from her first degree, Jo set up a studio and continued her practice. During this time she was a resident artist at Portsmouth University and exhibited widely within the UK.  Recognising her need to further her education she was given a place at the Royal College of Art in 2005 to complete a Masters.

After graduating Jo set up her London studio where she continues to make and develop her work. Jo exhibits UK wide and internationally, continuing to make all her work by hand.

We chatted with Jo to find out more about her ceramic work and what she plans to do next.

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Zingy orange bracelet from Milomade

New in FCA&C’s online shop is a really vibrantly orange button bracelet by Evie Milo of Milomade.

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New artist featured in FCA&C online shop

If ‘eco-chic’ is all the rage at the moment – and I think it is – then Evie Milo’s range of Milomade jewellery is truly a la mode!

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