Spotlight on the Seller- UrbanFox

At UrbanFox we believe that nature should be a large part of everybodies lives. Our prints are designed to bring an essence of the outdoors into your urban surroundings.

People are naturally inclined to surround themselves with natural objects, concisely or otherwise and natural materials, textures, colours and imagery are always on trend in home wares. We like to put an emphasis on the inspiration we draw from natural things but we also like to add edgy colours and imagery with different textures and finishes to create something very unique for our special and unique customers. All our handmade and hand screen-printed items are made with love and care, time and effort.

At UrbanFox we design, print and create all items by hand. We create a whole range of home wares, printed and woven fabrics. We specialise in beautiful decorative cushions, to add a touch of colour and uniqueness to any home, chair or bed.

We also take on commissions and custom orders; get in touch for more information. ‘My greatest inspiration comes from designing and making for customers, I work to create an atmosphere for the customer and an item that they are proud to own. Animals and nature inspire most of my work, looking at old anatomical drawings and diagrams tend to be the base of my concepts. It’s amazing to see a whole project through from initial sketches to finished products, whether it’s a small printed cushion or a re-furbished chair and its good seeing the customer enjoy their unique product.’

Spotlight on the seller - JEMS

Back in 2003, I dreamed about becoming  a furniture designer.  I began a furniture/product design degree in 2005 with high hopes... however , it was not to be. Throughout my life jewellery design has always been in the background of daily routine,  and it slowly dawned on me, “Ey, I'm all right at this!”

 After this epiphany, and many pro and con lists, I enrolled for the Metalwork& Jewellery degree at Sheffield Hallam in 2008, and life took a massive silver fork in the road.

After graduating in 2012 and a month visiting Thailand, I started on the rocky road of self employment. In the beginning there were me, my saw, many broken blades and some scrap metal, but as time marched on things started to happen and I was looking more and more like a jewellery designer, and so I set up JEMS. 

My inspiration is a combination of memories, rituals of British life, and a love of my county; Yorkshire. JEMS jewellery and precious objects are tools that enable the act of reminiscing on the life gone by, as well as lovely objects to treasure.

The Seaside Memories collection is a group of precious metal jewellery and objects that is inspired by childhood trips to the coast, and the junk I would bring back simply for memories sake. Every day I look at photos or hold the many pebbles scatted around the house and remember.

The act of reminiscing is such a personal thing, and to remember the days gone by helps me develop my future, it seems to be a bit of an ironic Escher puzzle, which I love. To be so attached to an object simply for memory’s sake is something truly human and to be able to design and make for clients is an honour.

JEMS is a jewellery design business that will always provide you with the human experience... as well as a proper cup of tea and a biscuit. 

Spotlight on the seller - Art Matters

Art Matters is the new social enterprise run through People Matters, and funded by Leeds City Council. It consists of two groups of eight artists, who meet on a weekly basis to learn new techniques, develop business skills, express their personal style and ideas, and be part of a thriving creative environment.

We had an event in October to launch our new enterprise, which was a part of the Love Arts 2012 festival. We also exhibited our artwork in the Light shopping centre for the festival, which gave us the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals and groups.

Since October 2012, Art Matters have been selling some of the artwork we make at Fabrication, a pop-up shop in the Light which sells an array of homemade arts and crafts, as well as at our own events including our AGM and Christmas Shop Day.

Art Matters were commissioned by Sensory Leeds to create a bespoke piece of art for their entrance hallway in May 2013, who also hosted a private view for the group with tea and cakes. Visitors said how well they thought the artists had done in achieving a sensory piece of art, which used tangible materials such as sand, silk, shells, buttons, and paint.

Art Matters were granted some funding through Leeds Transition Funding, which enabled the group to design and print an illustrated booklet to use for publicity and to recognise each individual artist’s achievements, and which also enabled us to produce a range of beautiful greeting cards to sell.

We later received a further two commissions from Shackleton PR, who requested some nautical themed artwork for their offices in Leeds. This enabled Art Matters to fund a Private View for their annual art exhibition, providing refreshments to its visitors.

On June 17^th 2013, Art Matters had their own private view at Holy Trinity Church, with the exhibition running for two weeks. The artwork on show included a varied range of images, from; a colourful parrot made from feathers, dried peas, mod-rock, bubble wrap and paint on wooden board, several framed still-life painting of tulips, a portrait of Bob Marley, and some energetic and expressive ‘Jackson Pollock’ style abstract paintings. All the artists who attended received a certificate for their hard work and commitment to the course, with one artist gaining special recognition for his 100% attendance record. Special thanks were also made to the teaching assistants and volunteers who contributed throughout the year. Several artists made personal speeches thanking those who had supported them to achieve their goals. Art Matters managed to sell many greeting cards and also a charming painting of a giraffe made from mod-rock on wooden board. Visitors gave their feedback on luggage labels, describing their experience of the exhibition. The feedback received was delightful and immensely encouraging, many comments were made on how high the standard of work was, how talented, friendly and informative the artists were, and how well organised and atmospheric the evening was. Artists said how they felt proud and happy to see their work on show and to hear the positive comments being made.

Many original artworks are kept by the artists, with the designs often being used for re-production. All proceeds made from sales throughout the year stay within Art Matters and help fund our events and artist trips and cover the cost of our high quality materials.

Our next artist trip is planned for July, and the artists have voted for the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where we will armed with our sketch pads, pencils, and of course a picnic - let’s hope the sunshine sticks around for us!

If you would like further information on Art Matters please email alexa@peoplemattersleeds.co.uk.

Spotlight on the Seller - Jewellery Star

Back in 2006 I began making my own quirky jewellery. It started with plastic character charms and beads. Then one day I bought myself Captain Red beard, the LEGO pirate with a hook and a peg leg. I fell in love with him and decided ‘I want you as a necklace!’ He turned out so well I began to experiment with other LEGO pieces and created a wide range of exciting LEGO jewellery.

I ran a market stall in Leeds city centre for 5 years, but it seemed my business sense wasn't as strong as my love of LEGO and unfortunately I had to give it up. I was supposed to stop jewellery making altogether, but once you have the creating bug, it’s very hard to give up. I am currently replenishing my stock bit by bit and am hoping to come back with a vengeance.

Fabrication has been an amazing opportunity for me and I am forever grateful to Dawn and Andrew for letting me join their enterprise. All my crafty friends too have been a great support and help to me in this time of transition. Always look forward and never give up J

Spotlight on the seller - Chic-ycow designs

I'm Jo Noble, founder of Chic-ycow Designs, originally from Hertfordshire but I've been an honorary  'Yorkshire Lass'  since 1986.

I have run a successful Landscaping business for 23 years with my husband whilst bringing up my daughter who is now nearly 21 and at University.

I have always had a passion for all things 'Crafty' including Sewing, Painting, Crochet, Knitting and making Costume Jewellery.

Chic-ycow Designs was set up in 2011, and I started to make Leather Jewellery, Handbags and Accessories incorporating my love of Art, Colour, Textiles and Painting to produce

 one-of-a-kind individually handmade pieces.          

My latest  S/S13  range of jewellery and handbags is based on a floral theme, handpainted and printed, and inspired by this years Chelsea Flower Show.

I love to make bespoke pieces, often matching jewellery and accessories to customer's outfits for a special occasion, like Weddings.

I have several stockists of my Chic-ycow Goodies around Yorkshire and i have been a part of Fabrication since November 2012, where my work has sold well and I have benefitted from a wealth of advice, information, friendship and positive feedback from my fellow sellers.

I am happy and proud to be a member of the 'Fabrication Family' and to have been given the opportunity to be part of such a vibrant and successful Independent Retail Outlet.                     

Seller in the Spotlight: Eclectic Chair

My name is Heather, and I am the upholsterer in Fabrication, called Eclectic Chair.

After doing a degree in French and Spanish, I spent the next 20 years working in the restaurant industry in Manchester, managing one of the best known restaurants in Manchester for 10 years until 2006. However, in the year 2000, I started an upholstery course, and I immediately got the bug for upholstery. I could see a massive potential for restoring furniture, but also I could see a creative opportunity.

Upholstery has been around forever, but it is a wonderful way to recycle. Furniture made pre 1980s, tends to be made from better quality wood, and it is only the fabric and stuffings which perish, all of which can be replaced. People don’t always realise there is no need to throw furniture away. It can be completely transformed with a little imagination.

I tend to prefer furniture from the 1950s to the 1970s, this period is known as ‘mid-century modern’, and the furniture has clean, unfussy lines, often with tapered slightly splayed legs. Because of its simplicity of design, you can really jazz it up with your fabric.

I love to juxtapose modern and antique, so either a modern chair with a vintage piece of fabric, or an antique piece of furniture with something fresh and new in terms of fabric, colour and pattern.

The best upholsterers are perfectionists, and I constantly strive to make sure that my work is of the highest quality.

When Fabrication came along, it was my dream come true! A shop where I could display my work to be seen by the people of Leeds, but which didn’t rob me of my profit. Before it I had nowhere to showcase my work. I have also benefited tremendously from the knowledge of the other designer makers with whom I work in the shop, and since it opened 6 months ago, my work has been flying out of the door, proving that there is a market for it, and giving my confidence a huge boost. Long may it continue!

Spotlight on the seller - Magnolia Restrepo Jewellery

Magnolia Restrepo was born in Colombia, in a small village in the Andes. She has worked with jewellery since she was fifteen years old, undergoing a long family apprenticeship in the art and craft of the silversmith.

Her inspiration comes from the magnificence of nature, dialogue with people, the colours of stones, from everyday life.

She delights in fusing and transforming metals, giving life to a piece that becomes magnified by the wearer.

Each piece is handmade.  Each design is produced in small quantities, and is often unique. Her jewellery is mostly made with Sterling silver (925 parts silver, 75 parts copper) but she also works with Britannia silver (958 parts silver, 42 parts copper) and fine silver (pure silver), as well as copper and semi-precious and precious stones.

Magnolia Restrepo aims to ensure that every customer is delighted with their jewellery. Each Magnolia Restrepo Jewellery design comes with a 12-month guarantee, during which items are repaired FREE.

She also works to commission. Magnolia would be delighted to discuss your ideas with you, to help ensure that you have in your hands that special jewel that you always wanted.

Fabrication has been for Magnolia a great opportunity to meet people, to find friends, and to help grow her business in a new country and in a new language.

You can find Magnolia at www.magnoliarestrepo.com

On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MagnoliaRestrepoJewellery?ref=hl