Emma was introduced to sewing and spinning from a young age as her mother was a talented seamstress and a spinner. Her earliest memories are watching the spinning wheel turning and her mother teaching her to embroider using Aida fabric to make bookmarks. She has always loved heritage crafts and likes to add a modern twist. In her creative journey a love of crochet and some serendipitous events led to her spinning her own yarn, which inevitably led to the creation of unique fairies made with her own handspun wool.

Dyeing was a natural progression and she learnt how to dye three years ago, learning from worldwide and world renowned tutors. Dyeing and ecoprinting has been a hugely exciting if sometimes frustrating journey. Ecoprinting is a way of encouraging plant pigment to print onto fabric with the use of heat. Results are exciting, unique and frustratingly hard to replicate as many factors such as the ph of your water, the growing season and the time of collection can all impact on the colours obtained.

Emma loves to embroider using naturally dyed and thrifted fabrics and naturally dyed threads as much as possible. She takes her inspiration from Jersey and the flora and fauna around her.

“Be brave, be yourself and never discount the crazy ideas! Sometimes they might turn out to be your best ones."

Tell us about your path to setting up your business and what motivated you?

I have always been a maker mostly thanks to my Mum who was a seamstress and a spinner and whilst I was never allowed to touch her spinning wheel it must be in my blood. Keeping heritage crafts alive and repurposing unwanted fabrics are both very important to me. I love to combine the two to make one of a kind items.

How do you work and what is a typical day like for you?

All my days are different- I could be demonstrating spinning or natural dyeing, foraging leaves for my ecoprinted silk and cotton scarves, spinning wool for fairies, dyeing fabric with plants or embroidering thrifted fabric with naturally dyed thread. Then there’s all the other aspects of running a business not to mention looking after my children!

What are the best parts about your business?

I love creating, I love the processes involved. When in the flow Time flies away from me. Everything I make takes time and cannot be rushed and I find making to be mindful and soothing (most of time!) I also love demonstrating and introducing people to crafts they may have never seen before.

What has been your greatest struggle as a business owner so far?

Keeping up with paperwork is my challenge! I often distract myself with my work in progress.

What has been your biggest a-ha moment so far?

As an ecoprinter every time I open a bundle is an a-ha moment as I’m never quite sure what the chemistry of the leaves will print onto the fabric. Knowing that others like what I am doing has also provided me with many a-ha moments and I am so grateful for every person who buys from me to keep my little business alive.