Heart Lab: La Pomme

Apol of La Pomme creates the most precious things - her imagination is magical and the fact that she does it all from a small village in France makes it all the more endearing! Oh and did I mention she works out of a small mobile home she installed next to her garden, after growing tired of working on top of her dining room table!

1. Deciding to make a bird: Took one afternoon. I live in the Camargue, in France. It’s a nature reserve, and one day while staring at the flamingos and herons feeding in front of my home and listening to the squawking of seagulls and other feathered creatures, I decided I was going to make myself a bird plush.

2. Letting the idea boil in my neuron soup: Months and months, meanwhile I grow fabric fruits and flowers.

3. The A-ha! moment: Took just, uhm, a moment, when I happened upon a picture of swans while doing research on plants to add to my dry garden.

4. Making the pattern: 10 to 15 minutes. I’m pretty quick at this.

5. Cutting and sewing the bird: 20 minutes



>> continue reading Heart Lab

6. Stuffing the bird: (With polyfill herbs and potatoes--yum!.) Takes another 10 minutes.

7. Sewing it close by hand and adding the wings: 15 minutes

8. Deciding on the final touches: Hand-embroidery? What stitches to use? What color of thread? Just the wings or all over the body? Buttons for the eyes? This can go on for a long time!

9. Letting it sit in my workroom: Overnight. The day after, I take a good long look and decide if I’m happy with it. If not, I poke the poor thing with a needle some more.

10. Calling my husband to show off and exclaim, "Isn’t he cute!": Just five minutes in real time, but for my husband, who has had to live through this for every single thing I’ve ever made, it probably seems like it’s taking forever :)

Make sure to check out La Pomme where you can buy one of these lovely swans and be sure to stop by lapommeblogs.blogspot.com to say hi!

Thanks Apol!!

Showpony by Emma Henderson

Emma Henderson, Glasgow Scotland Brand: Showpony Blogs: showponydesign.blogspot.com Shop: Showpony.etsy.com Indie Fixx, Tiny Volcano, Rose and Raddish, Julianna Grove, All things Original, Not on the Highstreet, Red Door Gallery … And many more

1. I'm not responsible enough to have a dog (but would love to have one)
2. My muscles ache almost everyday - thanks to Jarl, the spin instructor
3. I love cuddling up with a pillow...

... three reasons why this Showpony wheat and lavender filled Hotdog could be my new best friend!

Use him to sooth away aches and pains, warm up your bed or just give you
a cosy cuddle on the couch. Pop him in the microwave and this little
doggy will keep warm for about 2 hours.

Trompe l'oeil meaning to ‘trick the eye’ is a theme which runs through much of Emma’s designs, from hiding bugs within the folds of her cushions or using vintage images on modern shapes. Inspired by honesty in nature and poking fun at real life she creates products that are functional and beautiful. Not to mention, she's also dedicated to sustainable design and all her products are made out of organic cotton - hand spun and woven by a fair-trade cooperative!

As a designer I love to surprise and delight. I believe an object should engage the user both emotionally and functionally. As those which do so become loved, cherished objects which remain in our homes long after others have been discarded.

What do you call yourself? (e.g., Independent designer, crafter, maker, artist) Designer

What inspires you? How do you get past crafter's block?
Going for a long walk always gets me thinking in new creative ways.

What tool(s) can't you live without?
My computer, sorry if that doesn’t sound very artistic.

Who is your idol, current craft-crush?
Soop, Donna Wilson, Alison Willoughby, Lotta Jansdotter

How long have you been doing this?
I launched Showpony in September 2006, been making things for ever though, just without the focus or the money.



Where did you learn your craft?
I studied Product Design which was a great way to get me thinking about what your making but the how is self taught.

Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills?
Bills? Well somehow they do get paid in the end. I’m nearly full time (I still do one day a week in the real world but hopefully not for too much longer).

SIESTA by Mai Araki

Mai Araki, Yokohama, Japan Brand: SIESTA Blogs: English - mairuru.blogspot.com Japanese - d.hatena.ne.jp/mairuru Shop: mairuru.etsy.com

I'm a huge huge fan of Mai's. All of her products are hand sewn and it's clear how much love goes into every single piece. I love everything she makes, but I especially love the hanging doll set and her patchwork bookmarks - the teardrop is meant to point to the line where you left off! How sweet is that?

1. What do you call yourself? (e.g., Independent designer, crafter, maker, artist) I don't really refer to myself as anything, maybe a Hand Sewer?

2. What inspires you? How do you get past crafter's block? I see many beautiful things and books in my life. They inspire me. I have collected many pieces of fabric, they inspire me too. I enjoy hand sewing.


3. What tool(s) can't you live without? Needle, Pencil and frying pan.

4. Who is your idol, current craft-crush? littlebirds.etsy.com I was shocked when I saw her site.

5. How long have you been doing this? For more than 20 years. I'm always sewing something, always by hand.


6. Where did you learn your craft? I learned sewing techniques by myself with the help of many books. My mother taught me how to knit. I'm currently learning Hardanger Embroidery from a teacher.

7. Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills? I've just begun selling my works. So now my savings pay the bills.


8. How would you describe your style? Natural and easygoing.