Today, we chat to Inspired:London featured designer, Claire Bunyard.
What is name and background behind your company?
My own name- Claire Bunyard. I started at 21 years old as a textile artist
selling pieces in craft shops and galleries. I’ve always worked part time in
other creative roles and it’s these experiences that keep me enthusiastic about
craft. I worked as PA to Dr Shirley
Frost who owns designGAP, a Birmingham based company that helps to promote UK
designer makers. She has always been exceptionally encouraging. After two years
experience with her I decided to go to university to study Woven textiles. I
went to Brighton and graduated in 2010. Gaining my degree has built my
knowledge and confidence and helped me to further my career. I’ve dabbled in
producing fashion and interior products. I’ve also worked with some wonderful
designers including textile designer Margo Selby and wallpaper designer Tracy
Kendall. My passion for art remains and I work from my studio creating textile
art pieces. All pieces are hand made by me and I use my own handwoven fabrics
as much as possible.
Where are you based?
I work between
my home in east London in Leytonstone and my studio space in Bermondsey.
How long have you been in business for?
I started
crafting and creating as a hobby in my spare time. I continued throughout
university. After graduating I thought it was more important to get a full time
job, but 2 years later I’m finding it easier than I thought to work part time
and run my business part time. I realised that my own work was what I was truly
passionate about and decided to give it a proper go. Now I would say I’ve only officially been in
business for 10 months, I feel very much like a fledgling artist. In January I built up my website, got in
touch with new galleries and planned new collections of work. Since then
everything has been going wonderfully, which makes me think it must have been
the right time.
What do you love most about living in London?
Everything in
London is an inspiration.
Who or what inspires you?
People inspire
me. Initially my pieces were portraits of friends or family. Then I started
being inspired by characters, personalities and stories. Each piece tells a
story. Recently I’ve been working on still life work, but still each piece is
inspired by an individual. They tell a story about a person and a character, in
that sense they almost become abstract, which I find a fascinating concept. I’m
interested in the narrative quality of textiles. I’m very interested in the nature of the
materials and the meanings they convey. As an artist I want to create beautiful
pieces. I’m happy for them to look purely decorative, but I like to think
people read their own stories in what they see. I’m inspired by folktales, folk
art and different cultures. Recently time spent abroad has inspired the way I
do everything.
What advice would you give designers starting out?
Be true to your
own ideas and don’t worry about what other people are doing. Be confident.
Enjoying what you do is the most important thing. If it’s no fun then there’s
no point. Take your time, enjoy the process of crafting, learning and the
experiences that will come your way.
Also talk to everyone you meet, being open and friendly. Some amazing
things have come to me from just chatting with people – I think business people
call it networking!
What is new for your company?
I’m already
preparing for Christmas! I have a new collection of pieces that are in the
design stage at the moment. I design on paper first, deciding on size, colours,
materials and have everything pre-planned before I start cutting up fabric. Two
new pieces will be in an exhibition with Inkfolk in November / December, and
then a couple of Christmas craft fairs. Christmas is my absolute favorite time
of year, so I want to get heavily involved.
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