carla's haus...

How long have you been making handmade?

I've been making Handmade for about 7 years or so but I've only been selling it seriously since September last year.

What's the best part of running a business like this?

The best part is meeting people face to face and watching them fall in love with something you've designed and crafted yourself. Seeing them ponder between two or three things, trying desperately to decide which to take home with them and hearing their stories of their own creative escapades.



What inspires you?
All sorts of things inspire me. Books, film and theater are a great source of inspiration. Then there's little snippets of conversation where in the uttering of one or two words a light bulb flicks on and everything just slots into place. A lot of my inspiration comes from passing little bits of ephemera and seeing colours or textures combined in an interesting way. I'm currently infatuated with the photography of Tim Walker and the set design of Shona Heath and Simon Costin.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In five years I want to have my own boutique in the center of Leeds, selling my own wares and those of local designer makers that I admire. I also want to incorporate a gallery space for Illustration and Photography. I'd like the shop to be as mad and fun as possible, somewhere where you say 'wow' everytime your eye wanders in a new direction and leaves you feeling inspired and grinning like an idiot!



See Maus Haus at reetsweet at leeds corn exchange on april 3rd!