In our latest Swanky Seller Spotlight we catch up with Lorraine McCue, textile designer and creator of La La Loop knitted accessories. The fresh and funky La La Loop collection includes designer cushions and handcrafted hot water bottle covers.

SM: How did you start you business and what led you to this career path?

LLL: I studied Textile and Fashion design at university and it wasn’t until my final year that I really started to get into knitted textiles. I felt that there was so much more that I could learn so I decided to do a Masters Degree in Knitted Textile Design. At my degree show and at New Designers in London I sold my work and had so much enquiries that I thought ‘hey … I could actually do this as a business’. (more…)

 Emma Hadley’s collection of exquisite handmade jewellery is lovingly handcrafted with high quality 99.9% pure fine silver combined with beautiful gemstones. Today we chat to Emma and find out more about her ideas, inspirations and what’s coming next!

SM: How did you start you business and what led you to this career path?

EH: Design and crafts, fashion and jewellery, always have been a massive part of my life.  I had an exciting career, as a Fashion Buyer, following university.  But when I got made redundant I decided to take the skills I had learnt and make a positive change to build something of my own.   And so I turned to jewellery design.  As soon as I started a course I fell in love and dedicated every moment to fine tuning my skills.  I realised my little dream of starting my own brand could come true when I found people wanted to buy my jewellery. (more…)

Today we chat to textile designer and maker Sarah Ford. Sarah’s fab collection includes handmade wedding gifts and designer cushions.

SM: How did you start you business and what led you to this career path?

SF: After completing my degree in 2008, I was determined to avoid the humdrum & follow my passion for textiles. Through local funding, support & networking I was able to form my own business. (more…)

For our latest Swanky Seller Spotlight we find out more about jewellery designer and creator Rios Rocks.

SM: How did you start your business and what led you to this career path?

RR: I have always ‘crafted’ in some way. In my younger, poorer days, making all my clothes was the only way to have a trendy wardrobe. Over the years I have done upholstery, dried flowers, soft furnishings, crochet and a lot of other things as a one off as needs dictated. (more…)

 In this week’s Supplier Spotlight we chat to internationally acclaimed ceramicist Sarah Hillman.

SM: How did you start your business and what led you to this career path?

SH: I stumbled across ceramics when studying at college. Already aware of my desire to be creative I initially wanted to take on an additional course in textiles, however my particular college only offered a ceramics class. Over those two years at college I spent every spare minute in the ceramics department, I instantly fell in love with the medium. (more…)