Create

The Cat in the Shoe is one of my favourite makers!

Once upon a time… a long. long time ago, 3 years ago to be precise. I had just started a blog of my own and I was looking to find fellow Dorset bloggers. Quite by chance I stumbled upon The Cat in the shoe Proud to say I have since become a lifelong fan, indeed I consider my self extremely lucky to have met Lucy, even though I called her Emma! (so sorry Lucy its my age!) and to own three pieces of her work.

Meet Lucy The talented Maker from The Cat in the Shoe:

Lucy’s is the artisan behind the ‘Cat in the Shoe’ her work takes my breath away, her sublime, fantastical creatures evoke sweet childhood memories. and speak to me of fairy tale lands. I think they would look very much at home in Narnia!

Lucy very kindly took time out from her busy schedule to answer 5 questions I put to her, for my monthly series ‘The Back Story’

1. Why the name The cat in the shoe ?

Quite simply we had a ginger kitten who used to sleep in my shoe, and it was as straight forward as that….’the cat in the shoe’, I have often thought of changing it but it has stuck. I’m also a huge Dr Seuss fan, so the similarity to ‘The cat in the Hat’ is a bonus.

2. When did you start creating?

I have always created in one way or another, When I was little I used to make paper dolls and clothes for them. Little creatures out of Playdoh and clay, some of these still sit proudly in my parents house. My Mum is a print maker and artist and always encouraged my creativity and my Nan was a seamstress and knitter and maker of everything she could really. There was always a project taking place and my Nan was a strong believer in making something out of nothing.

Bournemouth Arts Institute

After school I studied fine art and Photography at ‘The Arts Institute Bournemouth’ . Then after a break from art and a move to London I began to sew. Slowly and poorly! but gradually I found a love for fabric and a way to express my creativity. After the birth of my son who is now five, I started to concentrate on my designs and now I work on the ‘cat in the shoe’ full time.

3. Who or what inspires you?

I find inspiration pretty much everywhere. Fables and fairy-tales are obviously a strong influence. A bird in the trees, or an animation I watch with my son, can suddenly bring an idea. The Fabric itself is usually the beginning of a piece. I use as much reclaimed fabric as I can get my hands on! A scrap of fabric, an old jumper a piece of lace, in my mind these become a creature with its own story to tell. At the moment a huge box of donated leather has me slightly obsessed with layers and birds. My work focuses mainly on the animal form and incorporates the human element with a touch of whimsy.

4. How do you juggle family life with creating and selling?

Ha! I don’t ? Running your own creative business involves so much more than just making what you want. Social media is a full time job in itself, accounts, emails, ideas etc. Its hard work and I had no idea how hard, but I wouldn’t change it even though the alternative is probably less stressful and better paid. I love making and creating, its what I do best.
My son is always going to take priority regardless of how much I want to be working or how much work I have. I made the decision to be a full time mum and run my own business and to have a partner who supports and encourages that decision. Sometimes you have just got to suck it up and get on with it, after all there is always wine and coffee!!

5 Tell us about your future plans

This year I am dedicating to creating new pieces and really working on my designs, I work a lot to commission and although I love this, I feel I need to work on my own pieces for a while. I have a book full of ideas and sketches I haven’t got to yet, so I would really like to test some of these out.
However, I have some amazing commissions to work on this this year, that I am very excited about. I have the best customers who give me the freedom to take their ideas and make them my own.