Today I want share beautiful design from The Blue RabbitHouse, her paining just like a fairy tale, I love the animal she draw and flowers, they are turn into elegant accessories, but that's not all. She design her own pattern so her graphic can be on the fabric and some phone case. Let's us see how she start her handmade life!
Q: Would you share with us how you
started to create your art work?
As long as I can remember, I've been drawing. On top of that, I've always had an interest for different handicrafts. I've done crochet and hand embroidery for a very long time now. So creating things have always been a part of me. The start of my own business happened after I graduated. In my first year of Graphic Design we had an assignment to make patterns. Right from that moment I knew I wanted to make more of these. It took me a tat bit longer to actually add these to my own collection, but at the beginning of this year it finally happened. Using my drawings to create things is the starting point of whatever I make. I already made jewelry out of my illustrations, but adding my own designed fabrics made the circle complete. My main inspiration is nature. The patterns I make or the jewelry I design will always come from that theme. Whenever I can, I'll add hand embroidery as it's one of the crafts I love the most.
I also believe my illustrations should be more than just an illustration. They should be used or be worn. It's not only a thing you can put on the wall or use as decoration, it's more than that.
Q: Do you want to share your work place?
My current work space had a leak in the roof, so I moved a part out. At the moment I work at my large table in the living room. This is where I cut my fabric, make my jewelry, sit behind my sewing machine, draw my patterns or illustration, … Finished products are safely stored away. We're moving soon, so I'll have a proper new work space again! I'm really looking forward to this!
Q: Which type of material do you like to use the most and why?
My collection is divided in two large groups: fabric products and jewelry. For my fabric products I now use my own designed fabrics. Some of my designs get hand embroidered on plain fabric and turned into storage products. Before these were added to my collection, I used floral fabrics matching the jewelry I designed. For my jewelry I use lead and nickel free brass components. It gives a rustic touch which I love. The illustrations are a high quality print covered by epoxy – a strong material which protects the images very well! My brooches are all hand embroidered on felt with cotton threads.
My illustrations are almost all mixed media. I use black pens, colored pencils, watercolors, … to create my illustrations. After that there's some subtle digital coloring.
Q: Which piece is your favorite or sells the best?
Ever since I made the green pattern, these coin purses have been going really well! I can tell the blue fabric is gaining popularity. It brings me such a joy to see my own designed fabrics being received so well. Outside of Etsy I can tell my jewelry sell really well. Especially the poppy and kamille design. My hand embroidered brooches go very well too.
Q: Where does your inspiration come from?
Nature is my main source of inspiration. I'm also a huge animal lover, so combining the two feels right. There is so much beauty and innocence when you look at nature. It's pure. But also the color palette is very inspiring. Most pieces of my work have earth tones, green shades, soft colors, …
My work is detailed and yet minimalistic. There won't ever be a fully detailed illustrations. I'll combine rough lines with detailed parts. White spaces or more clean backgrounds put the attention to the actual drawing and its details.
Q: Which part of working do you enjoy the most?
There are so many things I love about what I do! But I think the most satisfying is finishing a product that's designed from scratch. My own patterns being sewn into the pouches, my illustrations being printed and made into jewelry. Just seeing everything come together.
I also really love the feedback I get from customers. Or when they share a photo of them using my product. It's one of the most motivating things to see my products being well received. This is why I love my job so much! I'm not only crafting for myself, but for everyone who ends up purchasing. It's a crazy idea knowing my products are all over the world!
Q: What it your next project?
I have a couple of designs ready to get turned into new patterns. I hope to have at least one more added to the shop before the end of the year. Adding more and more patterns to the collection is on top of my to do list. I want more of my illustrative work in my shop. Some of the designs are available in a lot of forms: postcards, jewelry, … and I want to continue doing this.
Q: If you were not a designer, what do you think you would be?
Before going into an art course, I wanted to become a vet. If I didn't have any love for crafting, I probably would still go into that direction. I might just rather become a vet assistent than the actual vet. But working with animals would be my second choice for sure. I have two super sweet cats at home and I love them to bits! If I had more time and space, I'd probably have a lot more running around.
Q:.If young people want to follow the same path as you, what would you suggest?
It's a lesson I really had to learn and teach myself, but it's very important to give yourself time. Don't rush into things. If you can't walk yet, you won't be able to run either. Make and work on things you're 100% happy with. I make products I'd use and buy myself. I do use almost all the products I offer. They all come from a personal need and are transformed into handy, usable products.
Another tip I can share: make mistakes. You learn a whole lot from making mistakes. When I make an error while stitching I will remember to keep that part in mind.
Last, but not least: don't set too high goals. Do it step by step. Though, it's a tip I have to tell myself often too, it's a very important one. At the moment I have 3 own design fabrics available and these are 3 designs I'm very proud of. If I rushed and made 10, I wouldn't be as proud as I am now. They wouldn't be as good either. I took the time to create and make them just the way they had to be.
Q: Is there anything you want to share with us?
You can follow me on Instagram or Facebook where I very often share sneak peaks, work in progresses and keep you up to date with new products!
Etsy Store | Facebook | Instragram
Thanks for Eva share with us her design story, don't forget to join her fanspage, or leave some message to support the designer you love and share this beautiful design to the world!
# All picture belong to The Blue Rabbit House