At the start of this year my goal was to run my very own gift wrapping pop up shop this Christmas and after months & months of planning it's almost time!
I've been lucky enough to collaborate with some very talented individuals who's creations I will be selling alongside the gift wrapping. Check out below one supplier, Rosa & Clara who I quizzed to find out more....
How did your company start?
I ran a handmade card business a while ago (OK, over a decade ago!). It was a lot of fun but even though I built up a good network of stockists, including Graham & Green, I never thought it could be a ‘proper’ job. I continued to design and make cards, and homewares, in my spare time and I eventually bit the bullet and decided to re-enter the creative world and be my own boss again.
What’s your favorite item you make/sell?
Before I set up Rosa & Clara Designs, I was looking for some new lampshades and struggled to find interesting designs. That was one of the reasons I decided to design textiles and make lampshades and I still really enjoy the whole process, from working on the print design to making the lampshade by hand. I also have a soft spot for my sticky tape, as it can be used in all sorts of ways and it is fun thinking of new uses for it.
What was your profession before you started Rosa & Clara?
I worked as a solicitor for ten years, in healthcare law. Quite different from what I do now!
Which item is most popular?
Probably my sticky tape. Customers have always responded really well to my ‘London Streets’ design and my new ‘Noel’ design seems to be just as popular. One customer used sticky tape to decorate jars of homemade chutney which he was giving out as wedding favours, which I thought was brilliant. I have nicked his idea and use my sticky tape to decorate glass jars which make handy penholders and tea light containers (you can guess what will be appearing on my mantelpiece at Christmas…)
