leeds made this:

A little chat with Jil from Jilmadethis, a regular at reetsweet:

tell us a bit about yourself, did you grow up in leeds?

I grew up and was artsied up in leeds

what led you to making your own craft business?

It's something I've always wanted to do since I was about 5. I wanted to work in a shop, which I am doing and i wanted to make my own crafts which I've finally begun doing this year. After my degree in Printed Textiles & Surface pattern design, I wasn't sure exactly what to do. I began running a t shirt printing shop 4 years ago and developed my own unique and quirky range of printed items which now say 'Jil Made this' - I hope people can look at my items and think, wow, that is so Jil! I like to to take elements from my past, be it toys or conversations, and mix with my illustrations to create people, animals, robots and more!

what's the most fun part of what you do?

Coming up with new ideas, and seeing them through from drawing and printing to sewing and selling. The fun part is thinking what people think of their purchases or gifts! I love the colours and the characters I've created and am so pleased that I've finally come up with something to be proud of.

what's the least fun part?

I guess hours of sewing can be less fun, my fingers go numb but it's worth it! I struggle to decide things, which can be pain staking - things like deciding which fabric would be best, what colour hair and what sizes!

what's your favourite piece?

My favourite piece is one of my first proper plush items - my rainbow horse - i think I may keep him! Though I do love the others too!

Jil will be at the next reetsweet at leeds corn exchange on sunday 6th feb x

Make your home pretty with 'Eclectic Chair'...

Heather Linnitt, owner and maker of 'Eclectic Chair' told me a bit about herself, her business and inspirations today... Heather makes pretty and arresting handmade limited edition cushions in kimono silk and vintage fabrics.

Whilst reading a feature in an interiors magazine about an upholstery course in Wales a few years ago, Heather took on a totally new career path. She signed up for the course and never looked back, setting up her own upholstery business in 2005 alongside developing a range of handmade cushions in rare and vintage fabrics.

Favourite piece? The acid hydrangea cushion is my current favourite. The colours are amazing, almost fluorescent, and the design is so pretty and unusual.

What’s your passion? Looking for fabric. I often spend hours at the computer, searching for silk scarves, vintage fabric and kimono silk. I love it when the kimono fabric arrives as it’s always exquisitely packaged, wrapped around a small tube, sealed in cellophane fixed with pretty floral tape. It’s like receiving a gift!

What’s special about your collection? It is extremely limited edition because the kimono fabric, for example, will often never be found again and each piece that I buy will only provide me with enough to make 3 cushions.



What inspires you? Many things! I am attracted to pattern and colour. From folky bohemian to Scandinavian minimal to 1950s floral to 1970s geometric. A real eclectic mix. I am always buying interiors magazines and I keep them for years as they are a wonderful source of inspiration. I am also a massive fan of Emily Chalmers’ eclectic styling (of the London boutique Caravan) .

Press! On seeing Heather’s range of cushions, Suzie Forbes, Editor of Easy Living magazine, immediately bought four cushions for herself and featured them in the June 2010 issue’s editor’s letter. Heather’s eclectic cushions are a chic and cheap way to add a designer punch to your living space.

See and buy Heather's work next sunday 5th dec at Leeds Corn Exchange!