Justine Ellis Designs - Screen printed homewares & textiles

Today we talk to Justine about her business; Justine Ellis Designs.

What is name and background behind your company?

Justine Ellis Designs

I have been screen printing for nearly 10 years, but I finally took the plunge and left my day job as a Special Needs Teacher about 3 years ago. Since then, I have been printing like mad and teaching others to do the same.

Where are you based?

I’m based in woody enclave between Crystal Palace & Dulwich.

How long have you been in business for?

For about 3 years.

What do you love most about living in London?

What’s not to love? I was born here and yet I still get that excited feeling when I see the glorious view as I cross the river by train.

Who or what inspires you?

I’m inspired by mid century art, architecture, design & textiles. Places I’ve been, places I imagine going. Colour, pattern & texture.

What advice would you give designers starting out?

Be supportive of your peers, share your knowledge and help each other out.

What is new for your company?

I’ve recently been making a range of hand printed lampshades, which are currently selling well.

JONNA X KANGAN - Screen printed homewares

This chilly morning, we chat to Jonna and Kangan about their business and what inspires their beautiful screen printed creations.

What is name and background behind your company? 

JONNA X KANGAN - the name is combination of our names, Jonna Saarinen & Kangan Arora. We met whilst studying textiles at Central St Martins back in 2006 and decided to join forces this summer to produce our first screen printed collection of home wares. 

Where are you based? 

South London 

How long have you been in business for? 

As a collective since this summer, but we both have been individually practicing for a few years now. 

What do you love most about living in London? 

The vibrance of the city, and the fact that you can discover something new and exciting every day. London is also perfect for networking. 

Who or what inspires you? 

It can be anything from a great exhibition to colourful food packaging, inspiration can be found everywhere. Also every day life in our home countries Finland & India - we have mixed those two cultures into our own heritage, Finndia! 

What advice would you give designers starting out? 

Follow your heart and network! 

What is new for your company? 

We are working on getting a premises for our studio... thinking of new products for the christmas period!

Ozzybag - Handmade bags

Today we chat with Ozlem from Ozzybags. 

What is name and background behind your company?

My name is Ozlem and my company called Ozzybag. The Inspiration for Ozzybag came to after studying Handbag Design at the LCF in 2006. From there Ozzybag formed its identity. I love accessorizing, it's something that I have always been attracted to, no girl or woman can do without a handbag, especially me :)  So since then I have tried to create functional and quirky handbags. I've enjoyed every minute and LOVE the design process seeing where I can take my creations.

Where are you based?

I am based in Battersea.

How long have you been in business for?

I’ve only officially been in business since 2011. Back home I started sewing and creating bags as a hobby when I was at high school and I wanted to learn more about how to sew and create bags and I decided to move to London to study. 

What do you love most about living in London?

I love everything about London! It is such an inspiring city with full of talented, creative and open minded people ! I also love being able to discover amazing places, such as hiding fabric shops all around the London to create unique   Ozzbags!

Who or what inspires you?

Everything! But mainly I inspired by the people. I read a lot of fashion blogs and I always try to keep up with the latest fashion news and colors.

What advice would you give designers starting out?

Do something you like and don't expect it all at once.

What is new for your company?

At the moment I'm busy creating my new range of bags for the Autumn and Winter collection. 

Jilltydrawings - British vintage inspired gifts and homewares

This evening we find out more about Inspired:London featured Designer, Jilltydrawings

What is name and background behind your company?

I graduated from Kingston University in 2005 with a degree in Illustration and have been pursuing a career in that field whilst working at various temp positions. I have explored another avenue for exposure of my work through my Designer/Maker name Jilltydrawings where I have developed a range of British vintage inspired gifts and homewares.

Where are you based?

I design all my things in my room in Southwark, London and I print at East London Printmakers studio in Hackney.

How long have you been in business for?

I printed my first tea-towels in 2010.

What do you love most about living in London?

It’s history and mysteries. It is a constantly changing city with lots around to get inspired from.

Who or what inspires you?

I like drawing food and learning about cutesy British traditions. I love afternoon tea and the Brits’ obsession with tea drinking and retro Britain. I enjoy working with typefaces and draw a lot of inspiration from old shop fronts and vintage packaging.

What advice would you give designers starting out?

It is always good to try things even if they don’t work out something may follow up afterwards.

What is new for your company?

Party bags! I’ve just started to do a bespoke printing service for party bags and I’m currently developing the designs.

Jean Power - Jewellery Designer and writer

Inspired: London featured Designer, Jean Power tells us about her business and what we can look forward to seeing in the future.

What is name and background behind your company?

I work under my own name: ‘Jean Power’ and have always done so.

Where are you based?

In London.

How long have you been in business for?

Solely for myself since 2007.

What do you love most about living in London?

The liveliness, the mix of cultures and nationalities, the secret quiet spots, the cocktails, the shops, the river…my love for London is endless!

Who or what inspires you?

I am mainly inspired by the beads I use. Their shape, structure and colour all inspire me to create my work.

What advice would you give designers starting out?

Practice! There is nothing else which makes as big an impact on your work as putting in the time to perfect it. Every minute you spend creating teaches you new things and I truly believe it all pays off.

What is new for your company?

I’m beginning a series of self-published books with one on geometric jewellery being the first which will be out around November time.

ilanaDesign - Handcrafted jewellery

This morning, we chat to the lovely Ilana about the inspiration behind her jewellery. ilanaDesign is featured in We Make London's new book, Inspired:London which is out now!

What is name and background behind your company?

My company name is called ilanaDesign and grew out of my fine arts and graphic design backgrounds. My intention is that all disciplines will intertwine, influence, shape and inspire one another.

Where are you based?

I am based in West Kilburn where I work from my cozy little flat.

How long have you been in business for?

Approximately 2 ½ years.

What do you love most about living in London?

I love that there is a plethora of design and art. So much inspiration everywhere you turn! I also love London’s big parks! Just couldn't go without mentioning that!

Who or what inspires you?

Things that are clever and creative inspire me. Simple and witty. Things that are larger than life and also those that are commonplace and almost go unseen. The people who inspire me are those who just get out and DO, and don’t let their fears get in the way.

What advice would you give designers starting out?

I still see myself as starting out, and I probably will for some time to come. It’s a process. A growth and a learning. I would say, find mentors, get advice, ask questions, see what and how others do what they do, build and nurture your network and have a colleague or two to regularly meet with to churn out ideas, get feedback and discuss challenges with (over a great cup of coffee of course!).

What is new for your company?

I’m working on some new collections and ideas are floating about. I continue to look for opportunities like the Makers at the Mill exhibition I recently took part in where I had to create a piece that was inspired by the historical location it was held in.

I Wish I Was A - Handmade costumes

This afternoon, we discover more about Inspired:London featured designer, I Wish I Was A...

What is name and background behind your company? 

I’m a costume designer & maker based in London. I trained in textile design (specialising in embroidery) and have a background in film & TV

Given my background, I was delighted that my son had a natural passion for dressing up from an early age. He dressed in whatever he could find lying around the place (a marigold glove, a piece of string or cardboard cut to his requirements, a vintage fur hat, a fringed leather waistcoat). I watched how freely he played when his games sprung from his own imagination. He invented characters and stories to go with each (somewhat eclectically styled) outfit. He became the creator of his own world. He became the inspiration behind iwishiwasa...

I started to make pieces ‘on demand’ for him, then for his friends and over time, this evolved into iwishiwasa… 

My mission is to produce pieces which are vibrant, fun, beautiful and well crafted with an emphasis on colour and design. I value imagination and my costumes are designed to encourage creative play. Each piece is made by hand in my studio in South London and the detailing and finishing I do myself.

Where are you based? 

I have a studio space just 5 mins from my house at the vibrant Bussey Building in Peckham 

What do you love most about living in London? 

The energy, vibrancy, sense of community, Londoners’ open-ness and friendliness 

We are lucky to be living in such a culturally rich city with so many things to do and see, many for free. Ranging from ‘high’ culture: art, galleries, design etc, to the cultural and ethnic mix of people living here and diversity of street culture, music, food etc etc 

Who or what inspires you? 

Inspiration can strike at any time… I often have great ideas whilst just chatting with friends (a kind of informal and lighthearted brainstorming) I enjoy talking to kids and getting inside their heads (usually a very interesting place!) and watching how they play. I find the work of many photographers and childrens writers/illustrators inspiring as they have the power to transport me to another world. 

What advice would you give designers starting out? 

Don’t work in a vacuum… Get out there, get seen, get feedback from customers, ask for help, there is a lot of support for new designers in terms of business, creative development and community. 

What is new for your company? 

New collections just about to launch for Christmas 2012 and lots of exciting new products in development for 2013