Meet Cindee Smith, owner and creative behind VIOLET HARTLEY
My business is VIOLET HARTLEY, I create hand screen printed textiles, predominantly scarves. Hand etched (onto a zinc plate) and hand printed etchings, often hand coloured with water colour pencils.
BOWDO SCARF....ORANGE TASSLES....SWALLOW PRINT IN ORANGE
4 min read
My business is VIOLET HARTLEY, I create hand screen printed textiles, predominantly scarves. Hand etched (onto a zinc plate) and hand printed etchings, often hand coloured with water colour pencils.
I initially studied screen printing in WA (many years ago) and more recently completed a Diploma in Visual Arts in Melbourne. I have worked in the fashion industry most of my career in some way shape or form.
I feel very lucky to have a grown son and daughter and two fantastic grandchildren (who love to help me with drawing and creating).
I have a love of nature & colour and am particularly inspired by birds, trees, animals and my love of textiles and embellishment, which is reflected in my work.
What do you have on your work space at the moment?
At the moment I’m working on a new shipment of large silk/cotton scarves adorned with gorgeous coloured tassels. I am hand printing five new hand drawn designs onto these.
I also have samples and prototypes of art work on large canvas carry bags and silk velvet jackets with artwork on the back.
BOWDO SCARF....CIRCLE OF TREES PRINT IN KHAKI ...GREEN TASSLES
How would you describe your career so far and how did you get into this industry?
My career/business as an artist is really just blooming in the last decade as I have had the time to dedicate to it seriously.
I feel like I have been all my life practicing for it and experimenting with different products (clothing, cushions, etchings and painting) and different avenues of selling from to shops to selected artisan markets. When my daughter was very young I wanted to get out of the house for a few hours a week and learn something new (and talk to adults). Having always loved art in many forms and textiles, when I found something that combined the two…Screen Printing, I enrolled immediately and fell in love with the technique and process instantly.
What are some of the most important/ topical issues you tackle in your work?
It is extremely important to me to keep centuries old artisan skills alive and acknowledged for the skill they are.
I’d like people to understand and appreciate the work, time, experience and dedication that is involved with HAND MADE.
Mass produced, machine generated products don’t require skill and have no uniqueness. Tens of thousands of people can have exactly the same item when it is factory produced from a production line. I think it would be wonderful if people bought one beautiful unique item that has been made with love and with time honoured techniques and to know that no-one else has exactly the same item.
RED, NATURAL, GREEN, COTTON CHECK WITH WHITE FOLKBIRD PRINT
What are some things you learnt on your job that you didn’t expect to learn?
I was surprised to learn that if you give people too much choice with a product such as different styles, colours, fabrics, prints and size it will often cause confusion and because they can’t decide…they buy nothing!
Because I am very decisive and instantly like something, I thought people that loved handmade beautiful items would be the same.
Do you have a typical workday?
Normally…(not at the moment because of the Coronavirus) I rise early and travel to my daughters house to take my fabulous grandchildren to school. I love doing this because it makes me start the day early and by 9.15 I am up dressed, feeling fresh, happy at starting the day with a laugh with my grandchildren and back in my studio ready and eager to go.
From there, it could be designing new scarves or prints or actually printing, drying and heat pressing scarves.
I often have loud music on when I work, it makes me relaxed and happy and content.
What have been some of the biggest challenges in your career?
I always have a million things I want to do and create — so sticking to and concentrating on even a couple of projects is hard for me.
Money! Always a challenge as you need to invest in fabric, inks, screens etc. and it's all very expensive and it might be several months before any return on your investment.
Computer stuff…anything to do with a computer! It doesn’t come naturally and I prefer to use my hands and make something than spend the time to work it out.
BOWDO SCARF…BLUE TASSLES…
What do you do in your ‘down time’ (and do you have a guilty pleasure)?
I love what I do so my “down time” is often doing the same things.
I read books, I’ve just read and loved Phosphorescence by Julia Baird.
Visiting art galleries and fabric stores.
Sitting on the verandah with my husband in late afternoon/evening and drinking Negronis.
What are some of the things which inspire you?
Nature - trees, birds, animals and flowers.
Colour - can be in nature or in a fabric store or what someone is wearing.
Music - puts me in a relaxed mood to create.
How do you balance work/ life?
As my studio/workspace is at home my husband usually makes me balance work/life. When he comes home from work tired, hungry and wanting to talk, I know that this is the end of my working day. When he is away l'll often work late into the evening, then I get tired and hungry and start making mistakes.
Best creative memory?
I often travel to India to work with weavers and textile artisans to create my scarves and when my first delivery of scarves arrived from India I was so excited I couldn't even wait to take the boxes inside to open them. I stood on my verandah tearing open the boxes. The smell of the natural freshly woven silk and cotton, the vision of hundreds of colourful tassels and the feel of the natural fabric against my skin was overwhelmingly euphoric.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to break into the industry you are in?
LOVE WHAT YOU DO! If you love what you do you will find a way to make it happen.
Find your tribe - the people/customers that understand, appreciate and also love what you do.
Have a little chuckle to yourself if anyone ever says “ I can do that, it's easy”. They probably won’t!
Find the people that give you energy, support, belief in yourself and love and surround yourself with them.
Website www.violethartley.com
Instagram www.instagram.com/violethartley
Meet Trudy Rice, artist and textile designer
Hi I’m Trudy Rice, I am an artist and I live in Port Melbourne, Victoria. I also frequent the coastal town of Lorne on the iconic Great Ocean Road where much of my inspiration comes from. I work primarily with works on paper and enjoy depicting our native flora and fauna. I also dabble in abstract painting.
Trudy in her Studio. Photography Annette O'Brien and Styling Alana Langan
3 min read
Hi I’m Trudy Rice, I am an artist and I live in Port Melbourne, Victoria. I also frequent the coastal town of Lorne on the iconic Great Ocean Road where much of my inspiration comes from. I work primarily with works on paper and enjoy depicting our native flora and fauna. I also dabble in abstract painting.
My range of textile designs on 100% linen are a transference of my work from paper to fabric. I hope my work brings a sense of peace, calmness and connectivity with the natural world we live in.
What do you have on your work space at the moment?
It has been in my sites for some time to create an online workshop and our current global situation has given me a push to make it happen. I have been filming my second online workshop. The first one is up and running! Here is an introduction to the first workshop https://youtu.be/SVQv6LddXaU
I have also set up a small painting studio at home so I feel I’m being creative whilst helping my son to be motivated about online learning.
How would you describe your career so far and how did you get into this industry?
I’ve always been creative in some way, working with fashion designers as a model in my younger years, making jewellery, I tried my hand at being a makeup artist, going back to study art and falling in love with printmaking. I was told very early on that my work looked like it was printed on fabric so it was almost a natural progression from my works on paper.
I am now also working on some larger projects like murals and wallpaper design.
What are some of the most important/ topical issues you tackle in your work?
I am all about preserving our environment. Showing it’s beauty in my drawings and artworks, using all non-toxic materials in my studio and manufacturing locally in Australia as much as possible.
What are some things you learnt on your job that you didn’t expect to learn?
I am a bit of a nerd when it comes to technology but I never thought I’d be setting up my own website and running social media campaigns. You become a bit of a jack of all trades running your own arts business. I have slowly outsourced and this has been really important for me to keep being creative.
Last year I hired my sister who is a talented photographer and is now taking images of my homewares and writing for my social media outlets.
I have also engaged a PR agency. Once I started having more of a flow of incoming work, I really needed the help.
Do you have a typical workday?
I am much more in my creative zone in the afternoons, so I know that I’m better doing paperwork in the morning and then making art in the afternoon.
What have been some of the biggest challenges in your career?
Working out how to manage working with galleries, pricing my work, pricing larger projects and the biggest challenge has been how to pivot my business to manage through our current global situation.
Trudy drawing in the studio with some of her homewares. Photography Annette O'Brien and Styling Alana Langan
What do you do in your ‘down time’ (and do you have a guilty pleasure)?
My down-time is generally staying at home with my family, cuddled up on the couch and drinking a glass of good red wine with some stinky cheese! I am Dutch after all.
What are some of the things which inspire you?
Getting out into nature is definitely inspiring. Whether that’s in my local park or hiking in the bush.
How do you balance work/ life?
I try to keep a good diary and finish working, especially on the computer by 5pm. I like to be home to cook the dinner, have that glass of red and spend time with my family.
Best creative memory?
Gosh… there have been so many highlights, from features in a magazine, large projects coming to fruition. I love seeing my art go to a good home. Its like sending off one of your children.
I do love when I have an ah ha moment in the studio. When you hand pull a print from the printing press and you are pleasantly surprised at what has come out.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to break into the industry you are in?
Find what makes you passionate and keep making decisions whether business or pleasure that help to fuel that passion.
Meet Lilian Tran of ISĒ
Lilian Tran is the founder of ISĒ, and organic Belgian linen company which crafts timeless pieces that are crisp, luxurious and sustainable. Read about how Lilian got to do what she does, what makes her tick, and how she has cultivated her creative career.
Image: ISĒ
5 min read
Lilian Tran is the founder of ISĒ, and organic Belgian linen company which crafts timeless pieces that are crisp, luxurious and sustainable. Read about how Lilian got to do what she does, what makes her tick, and how she has cultivated her creative career.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
When I was younger, I wanted to be a fashion designer because I loved making my own clothes. I eventually studied at the Whitehouse Institute of Design and went on to work in fashion. My career was spent working in Australia for the majority of my early years, and later working in fashion capitals like London and New York, which have been some of the best years of my life career-wise and in terms of personal development.
With a busy lifestyle, I try to maintain a comfortable balance in my life. For my mental and physical health, I take pilates reformer sessions through the week, which I thoroughly enjoy. I see my family every Sunday for dinner and I make sure I have time for my partner and my friends. My weeks are busy but I stay organised and make it work.
What is your current business/creative pursuit/job?
I started ISĒ, in 2019 with the hope to create an honest business, built on an uncompromising quality standard with ethics and sustainability at the forefront.
I had been feeling disillusioned by the fashion industry since the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse and it made me question the ethics and sustainability of the fashion world I was so drawn to. This was a big part of my why. I chose to make products for the home because I came to realise how important sleep is for your well-being.
My life is pretty demanding so I place importance on maintaining a balance, recharging and sleeping well to stay healthy.
Image: ISĒ
How would you describe your career so far and how did you get into this industry?
I feel fortunate to have the opportunities I have had. Though, I also believe that it doesn’t come handed to you but is received through hard work, and maybe a little bit of luck.
My career in fashion gave me the expertise to understand the manufacturing industry well. I have been able to gain experience in small businesses, where I was able to get hands on with a lot of different areas, and larger businesses, to specialise in what I did.
When I landed my job in London, I was given the luxury of travel to meet with suppliers, go on sourcing and inspiration trips around the world on a regular basis to make my designs come to life. The skills I gained in London allowed me to specialise in what I did and gave me creative freedom.
Once my time was up in London, I made my way to Berlin to work on my portfolio and then headed to New York and landed a job there. New York was a different kind of beast that really challenged me in many ways. Upon my return to Sydney, I decided I was ready for my next challenge, to create a story of my own grounded in values I felt strongly about.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
I typically arrange my week in advance, in order of tasks of importance. I’ve learnt too well in the past that I am not productive when I have too many little things to do in the day as I lose focus. My week consists of emails, meetings, marketing, liaising with our suppliers, and admin for the most part.
Image: ISĒ linen
Image: ISĒ leather throw
What is the most important aspect of your job/ creative pursuit?
I have a responsibility to maintain the health of the business and the planet. My vision is to uphold the company’s vision and values at a high level. Every partner we take on and every employee we hire believes in our vision and values.
What have been some of the biggest challenges in your career?
Presentations were probably my biggest fear in my early days. I am more comfortable with it now, but I won’t lie, it still makes me nervous to present my work. Its definitely a great skill to have and a skill worth mastering as it’s an important part of showcasing the work you have been working on and sharing it with the people in front of you. It’s exciting but at the same time a little daunting.
Understanding how to organise your time is also very important. I find it’s great to sit down on a Sunday evening and plan for the week ahead so you know exactly what needs to be accomplished. Things don’t always go as planned, but at least you have a framework to start with.
What do you do in your ‘down time’ (and do you have a guilty pleasure)?
I enjoy my self care routine. It’s something that I have placed a focus on over the last 5 years. I have a weakness for Thai massages. It always leaves me feeling de-stressed and refreshed.
Image: ISĒ
What are some of the things which inspires you?
I am a big believer that you can be inspired by absolutely anything around you. I take inspiration from talks that I attend, galleries, travel, magazines and people.
Patti Smith continues to inspire me with her prose and her authenticity. My mentor, Gabrielle, inspires me everyday with the knowledge she shares on absolutely everything. My copywriter, Rossella, is quite possibly the kindest, most generous and humble human I know. Melinda Tually and Clare Press were the main people I turned to in the early days to learn about sustainability when it was all very new to the world many years ago. Instagram is a great source of inspiration also. Our suppliers persistence and dedication to sustainability inspires me to work with them to make a change for the world.
Best creative memory?
I was in year 5 working on a project on the planet Saturn. It was an exciting project because I was able to work on a large piece of black cardboard, write my findings in metallic coloured pens and create a work of art with silver and gold glitter. It was probably my proudest work.
What would you tell your younger self?
There is no such thing as a negative experience. Everything in life happens for a reason, so find the positive in the every bad situation and learn from this.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to break into the industry you are in?
Do your research and make sure you enter it with a lot of persistence, passion and drive. It’s the only thing that I believe will make you successful, because you’ll realise that it may take a little bit longer than you think to get to where you want to be and there’s probably not going to be a lot of money coming your way for a little while. The only way is to be realistic with your expectations. Keep it real.
Image: ISĒ
Meet Jenny Brown of Melbournalia
Wander down the northern end of Bourke St and you will find a colourful store filled with all things Melbourne. We chat to owner Jenny Brown, owner and founder about work, life and that wonderful pocket of the city known affectionately as Bourke Hill.
Wander down the northern end of Bourke St and you will find a colourful store filled with all things Melbourne. We chat to owner Jenny Brown, owner and founder about work, life and that wonderful pocket of the city known affectionately as Bourke Hill.
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I grew up in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. Growing up in the 70s in the big, flat, treeless north, before cafes, avocados or even colour TV, let alone the wonders of computer technology, mobile phones or Netflix was like watching repeats of a long Moomba Parade on a black and white TV with the sound turned down; uneventful, predictable but sort of quaint. I was the last of a huge family of 8, my parents were from the pre-war generation, the house held a multitude of memories and physical objects from a 30 year period. It was like living in a mysterious museum where a party had happened, but just before you arrived.
School was 12 years of looking sweet and pressed in my hand-me-down catholic schoolgirl uniforms. Straight after school, I discovered hair product, ripped stockings, coffee, pubs and boys. It was the 1980s. I studied art history and cinema studies.
Tell us about your career
My Career is in shopkeeping! My business is located at the top end of Bourke St, Melbourne, we like to call the area Bourke Hill.
How did you get into this industry?
Attrition! I wanted to be an academic, a curator or an arts manager, but I kept finding myself behind a counter. Eventually I gave in and embraced it.
On a typical workday, I have coffee (my partner kindly delivers) check emails, the news and plan the work day before getting up. I then exercise a little. On days when I’m not opening the shop I tackle some accounts and answer emails at home, head into the shop before lunch, assist my highly capable staff, who are better at running things than me with whatever needs doing. I serve a few customers, tidy a few shelves, have more coffee, maybe plan some new stock lines, or do some ordering… I talk talk, talk to customers and suppliers, lock up late, head home, have wine. Finally I shower and do some stretches, sometimes I read, but mostly I pour over Instagram & Pinterest for ideas... I sleep and get ready to do it all again tomorrow!
What have been some of the biggest challenges in your career?
Probably coming to the realisation that I’m a terrific shopkeeper and being completely OK with that.
Best creative memory?
Heading up the rickety warehouse stairs in one of the old Munro buildings behind the Queen Vic Markets to our first a Melbournalia pop-up opening in late 2011, which had been planned in mere months, put together on hope, many favours and a shoestring budget... seeing that the place was full of friends, family and well wishers!
What’s on the horizon for the future?
I’m happy. I’d like to see the neighbourhood of Bourke Hill develop further. There are some terrific new businesses around us, and the old Job Warehouse and Palace Theatre sites are being redeveloped, which will be great for the area. There are of course some fabulous established and iconic Melbourne businesses in our neighbourhood such as Pellegrini’s, The Paperback Bookshop, Hill of Content and Gallery Funaki. I’d like Melbournalia (still a newcomer at just 5 years old) to be counted among them one day.
If you had any creative business advice what would it be?
Probably...take advice from those you trust, but listen to yourself and follow your heart as well as your head. Also, learn to delegate. You can’t excel at everything, but you can excel at finding the right person for the job!
If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be and why?
My mum in 1953 (10 years before I was born). She had a whole bunch of kids, no car, the most basic appliances, a handsome, hard working but troubled war veteran husband, few outfits in her wardrobe, a jar of Ponds Cream and a lipstick on the dresser. Yet her house and her family were her pride and joy, both were always spotless, nothing went to waste, there was always good food on the table and fresh smelling washing on the Hills Hoist. One day in her shoes and I would never be complacent again.
In conversation with Kip&Co
Kate Heppell is one of the Co-founders and Co-Creative Directors of Kip&Co. She grew up in Upwey in the Dandenong Ranges and Caulfield and went to St Margarets in Berwick. Straight after school she went to Melbourne University for the next 6 years, where she did Commerce / Arts. Kip&Co began 7 years ago and is been based in Collingwood / Abbotsford.
Kate Heppell is one of the Co-founders and Co-Creative Directors of Kip&Co. She grew up in Upwey in the Dandenong Ranges and Caulfield and went to St Margarets in Berwick. Straight after school she went to Melbourne University for the next 6 years, where she did Commerce / Arts. Kip&Co began 7 years ago and is been based in Collingwood / Abbotsford.
Tell us about how you got into this industry…
After Uni I worked as an accountant for 2 years. After that, Hayley (another Kip&Co Co-founder and my sister) opened an awesome little health food store, café and yoga studio called Sprout Health Store & Organic Grocer in Hawthorn which we ran for 5 years. I then worked as the Business Manager of the Melbourne fashion label, Obus. A few years later I had my first son, Hayley and I were ready for another business, and alongside Alex, we loved homewares and felt the industry was prepared for a bit of colour disruption. And so, Kip&Co was born.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
I work 2 full days (with no kids – all are at school or with a nanny); 1 from our Melbourne office and 1 from Barwon Heads at Hayley’s home. The day is Barwon Heads is devoted purely to design. This is essential. My day in Melbourne with the team is more about what’s going on that week, what’s coming up, strategizing over all types of business ideas we have brewing, meetings with collab partners, but primarily we spend a chunk of time with each senior staff member and go over exactly what’s happening in their area of the business. It’s an enjoyable day each week. We love our team of ladies.
What have been some of the biggest challenges in your career?
Hands down the juggle between work and family. The hard bit comes when I actually love my job (!!) but also love multiple days a week with my little kids and don’t like them going into too much care. Sometimes work is bottlenecking but my days with the kids are just so precious to me, and so I have to work late at night after they crash out. I know that I am only in the thick of it with 3 young kids, and it is getting a little bit easier every year. Eventually, I hope to not work at night (too much).
Best creative memory?
We absolutely loved our collaboration with Desert Designs where we got to work with original artworks by Jimmy Pike. And our multiple collaborations with May Gibbs as her mass of art is just heaven to look through and of course, play with and recreate.
What do you love best about your job?
Doing collaborations like those just mentioned and working alongside my 2 best friends!
What do you get up to when not working?
All types of family activities and we love-love-love travelling with the kids. Whether it be in Australia or overseas, it is these pockets of time with our little people that my husband and I just crave and enjoy so intensely.
What’s on the horizon for the future?
We have a couple of collabs in the pipe-works that have us all really inspired at the moment. And as for travel, I am off to Borneo with my husband and kids for 2 weeks late June, so we are all counting down the sleeps until that moment.
If you had any creative business advice, what would it be?
Say YES – to everything. Kip&Co was really founded on this mantra, and I really stand by it. We don’t say Yes to absolutely everything anymore, but honestly, we do most of the time.
If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be and why?
I have wracked my brain, but I really am just so happy in my own skin. No one comes to mind. I think it would be suitable for all people to walk in the shoes of someone from a real minority group for a day. I guess I’d do that. Empathy is a hard thing to teach, but maybe this would help us all have it within in a more profound way.
