I have a confession to make: all of my ‘ Back Story ‘ artists so far are people I have met. Zoe Larkins the uber talented, artisan behind Hetty and Dave is an exception to this, she is someone I am dying to meet one day. I have long been an admirer from afar.
Hetty and Dave
Bournemouth based Hetty and Dave make the most unique, cute and quirky, handmade jewellry and accessories you ever did see. So would you like to know more?
1. Why the name Hetty and Dave ?
I found this wonderful photo in a junk shop in Rochester, when I was studying there. Falling in love with it, on returning home I took the photo out of it’s frame. On the back, scrawled in felt tip, I found ‘To Mary & Bill, Love From Hetty & Dave’. This is probably a photo of Mary and Bill, but I just loved the sound of Hetty and Dave!
2. When did you start creating?
I always loved sewing, from a very young age, so after struggling through a degree in Silversmithing, Goldsmithing and Jewellery Design it felt only natural to go back to sewing! Not long after graduating in 2001, I began experimenting with making leather handbags, and started selling at Portobello Market around 2005. My first handbag design was this Bird Garden bag:
3. Who or what inspires you?
I’ve always loved kitsch 1950s design and South American folk art, so I sort of combined the two when I first started my business. As the years have progressed, my love of birds and animals has certainly shown in my work!
4. How do you juggle family life with creating and selling?
My business existed long before my husband and step daughter showed up, so they have had to fit around my work!
I work long hours, from my home studio Monday to Friday, and always have the weekend off. I am guilty of working into the night, if only answering emails and messages on social media.
5. Can you tell us about your future plans?
Until very recently I have been very much a one woman show when it comes to creating and selling, but I have come to the realisation that I can’t do it all, especially as I’m getting busier and busier all the time. The next step is to build a little team of helpers to get me through the workload, and hopefully that will give me more time to work on new ideas, and run more workshops, like this hen party from last summer.
Hmmm now there’s a perfect job … being Zoes little helper!!
Something you may not know is that Hetty and Dave made the brooch that Amy Winehouse is wearing below!
Huge thanks to Zoe for taking the time to answer my questions…if you want to see more of Zoe’s superb products please take a look at her website here…
(unfortunately the delicious cacti cape in my first pic has sold out)
Hetty and Dave are on Instgagram, Twitter and facebook do go take a look and lets all support our independent hard working local artisans.
Read more from my Back Stories of talented artisans…
Bestest wishes