Norwich Makers Market - Norwich Makers Market - Find out more about our makers

Fiona Gowen

8/16/2016

Thanks to Fiona Gowen who will be at Norwich Market on September 3rd who kindly gave us an insight into her background and working process.

What do you make/design and what is your background?
I studied illustration at Falmouth College of Art. After graduating, I spent 5-6 years working in London as a designer in children’s publishing and in a design studio. I went freelance full time in 2012. At the moment you can mostly find me drawing maps and illustrating children’s art and craft books.

Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.
I am based in Norwich, and spend my days designing and illustrating from my little home studio. Usually, I start my day with a walk, followed by coffee, checking and replying to emails and social media, before getting stuck into work (and more coffee). A lot of my work is for clients, so it can be fairly varied.

Any break from client work is usually filled with me designing and illustrating new products and prints to sell in my own shop at fairs.

How long have you been making/designing/illustrating etc?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t obsessed with making/drawing/designing things. I’ve had my online shop open since 2010 and over the years, it’s become more integrated into my illustration and design work.

What inspires your work?
My work is mostly inspired by maps, architecture, landscape, nature, the world that surrounds us, and the way people live. Bright colours feature heavily in my work. I love looking through children’s books and seeing the variety of illustration styles around today. I’m also a little obsessed with maps, and can’t resist collecting them from wherever I go.

Which other designers, makers, artists etc do you admire?
I love the illustration work of Shaun Tan, Ralph Steadman, Remedios Varo, Quentin Blake and Paul Kidby.

What is it you like about Norwich Makers Market?
There’s such a good feeling to Norwich Makers Market. The vendors are always well chosen, they are all friendly and passionate about what they do. The market attracts a fab crowd of interesting folk.

Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?
I have an etsy page that I often update with new designs. I also have a selection of prints in the Norwich Gift Emporium. You can keep updated via my Instagram, twitter or FB pages as well as on my website.

Etsy: FionaGowen.etsy.com
Instagram/Twitter: @FionaGDraws
FB: https://www.facebook.com/FionaGDraws/
Website: www.fionagowen.co.uk

Fairs - submitting... tales from the other side!

11/15/2015

We took over Norwich Makers Market at the beginning of this year after Rosie had done a grand job starting it up a few years ago. I had been trading at markets myself for a couple of years, from well publicised ones such as Spitalfields and Renegade in London to local ones which weren't. I was frustrated that so many markets don't seem to care enough about their stallholders and attracting footfall and also wanted a clear separation from the bad reputation some 'craft' fairs have that really aren't about skilled craft and design anymore.

Even though we only run twice a year at the moment it's been busy times working on promotions, design, branding and sifting through so many more submissions than I ever expected! We get hugely oversubscribed with so much great work, it's been so hard to make the final choices and I must admit I am half dreading next year when we will have even more judging by the size of our mailing list now! We opened for submissions very early as we had to secure the venue, in hindsight I think we will do this a little later next year as we realise how hard it is to know when you will be available for Christmas Markets in February!

I get piles of emails from makers asking if they can be in the fair, often without even telling me what they sell and with no images. (or telling me vaguely what they sell but without any enthusiasm or pics). As you can imagine this makes it hard to envisage how they would fit it so always make it clear what you do when making an enquiry.

I thought it may be worth giving a few tips -

Make sure that the market you're applying to suits your audience. You could trade at a market with the best footfall in the world but if those customers aren't your kind of audience then it won't prove fruitful. (and also know that if you don't get accepted to a market it doesn't mean your work is bad it just means it may not suit that market or that there are already too many sellers of that genre). At Norwich Makers Market we look for work that is inventive, creatively quirky, well made and beautifully displayed. Try to avoid last years trends or clichéd craft.

Images are the most crucial part of your submission, the more proffesional they are the clearer it is that you take your business seriously and also it allows us to post great pictures on social media to publicise the event. Don't send bad pictures and say you'll send better ones later. Your submission will go on what you send initially. (first impressions!)

Send social networking links, if we feel you can advertise the fair successfully because you regularly engage then it will help your case and we can also see what kind of following you have.

Send stall set ups that look great. (even if it's the first time and you have mocked it up at home) We want to see you can put on a good display so that you can sell your work and make for a proffesional but creative feel to the market.

A few pins of inspiration! - https://uk.pinterest.com/ella_goodwin/makers-market-set-up-inspiration/

And of course most importantly visit the market you are hoping to trade at, we'd love to see you so come and have a chat, meet the stall holders and get a feel as to whether you feel you're work is right for the market and that the market is right for you!

The Animals Of

5/15/2015

Thanks to The Animals Of who joined us on the blog to give us an insight into their beautifully creative one of a kind work!

NMM - What do you make/design and what is your background?

I originally started training as a costume maker but found I was much
more excited by the fabrics than the sewing so I went to Leeds to study
textile design. Since then I have completed a Masters in Design at the
Manchester School of Art and interned with several exciting
designers/companies. During my Masters I started illustrating in a style
that I fell in love with, creating animal illustrations by building up
layers of photographed textures and watercolour paintings. The Animals
Of is my quirky little label that sells homewares and gifts adorned with
these quirky (some times a bit weird) illustrations.

NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.

I live in a pretty village called Pulham St Mary. I work a couple of
days a week in a local bakery and the rest of my time I spend in my
studio. My perfect day is when I get to spend the entire day drawing
whilst listening to music and drinking my favourite herbal tea. Which at
the moment is peppermint and Liquorice. My working day is made much more
interesting when I am completing commission work. Recently I have been
creating giant canvases and delicate silk curtains.

NMM - How long have you been making/designing/illustrating?

I decided to try make it as a self employed designer in January 2014. I
still have a long way to go on my journey but I have achieved a lot in
the last year.

NMM - What inspires your work?

ANIMALS… of course. Although my greatest passion is photographing
unusual textures and then using my graphics tablet (which is my baby) to
create my animal illustrations. If I go on holiday rather than pretty
pictures of the coast I am traipsing round derelict buildings or finding
decaying bits of wood to take pictures of. I love explaining to someone
how a certain animal has been created the feathers could of originally
been a photo of a brick wall or the fur some rusting metal.

NMM - Which other designer makers do you admire?

Anyone who creates work that makes me giggle or look twice. I love
sparkly bright coloured things, pineapples, flamingos and unusual
fabrics.

NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?

I think the market is an exciting one and you could happily spend your
takings on all the other traders stalls. The Norwich Makers Market is
full of loveliness and I am so happy to be trading there this year.

NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?

I have things for sale in the gift emporium in Norwich and Mouse Design
in Bungay. Everything else can be purchased on my website or Etsy store.
My Facebook page is the best place to see work in progress or my latest
news.

http://www.theanimalsof.co.uk

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheAnimalsOf

https://www.facebook.com/theanimalsof

Rebecca Pymar

5/12/2015

We're so pleased to have Rebecca Pymar join us at Norwich Makers Market on May 30th with her stunning work. She very kindly joined us for a Q and A and gave us a bit of background on her inspirations and daily life. Thanks Rebecca! -

NMM - What do you do and what is your background?

I’ve always been artistic from a young age. My passion for art grew throughout school and I ended up doing a foundation and degree in Fine Art at Loughborough University. I struggled to find my feet in the creative/working world initially, but I followed my heart and now I’m lucky enough to have my own small business based around my passion for painting.

NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day. (even if you fit your craft around other work it's still great to hear how everyone juggles their time)

My Studio is based in the North/East Suffolk town of Halesworth. On a general studio day I can be found painting, making prints, framing, balancing books, writing invoices, networking etc etc! I have also started running intermittent ‘Pop up shops’ and craft markets with a local crafts organisation we set up called ‘MOOCH’ which keeps me busy.

I also work as a freelance logo/poster/general branding designer and My part time job making Geodesic domes (wooden framed and canvas dome-shaped structures used for festivals and events!) is also something I fit in around studio work.

NMM - How long have you been going?

I started up as a business in January 2014. Although I’ve been making creative bits and bobs since before I remember!

NMM - What inspires your work?

My main inspiration is architecture - I love buildings! Especially mid-century architecture and the Art deco period. The stylised feel to my work is inspired by my love of travel posters! I really love the clean, crisp lines and block colours.

NMM - Which other designer makers do you admire?

I admire too many to list but at the moment there are two artists/makers I have recently found on twitter whose work I love! They are Eliza Southwood who is a very talented screen printer and Kate Marsden whose pattern designs feature brutalist buildings. I love the way she celebrates unconventional architecture!

I also love the range of prints produced by DOROTHY ‘Discover yesterdays forgotten future’ which also celebrates some unconventional architectural gems such as ‘Stockwell Bus Garage’!

NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?

I applied because of the general reputation the makers market has for showcasing unique and brilliant makers. I knew it was the right market for me and I would meet a lot of likeminded individuals. I think the way it is advertised on social media is great too. A lot of effort has gone in to making the day a success and I really appreciate that!

NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?

My website for general updates: www.rebeccapymar.co.uk

My facebook: www.facebook.com/RebeccaPymarFineArtandDesign

My Etsy: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RebeccaPymar

MOOCH! (for pop up shops and markets): www.facebook.com/MOOCHcrafts

I do a regular Market in Southwold on a Friday Morning too: www.facebook.com/www.countrymktsouthwold2015.co.uk

Find my work at: The Norwich Gift Emporium, MOTH Bungay, Chapmans of Southwold, Southwold Pier, Snape Maltings, The Pug and The Pussycat Aldeburgh, Foxes Halesworth, Loveone Ipswich and House on the Hill Gallery, Chediston.

Andrew Cunningham - East Design

5/8/2015

It's great to have a good sprinkling of boys at Norwich Makers Market and Andrew Cunningham's minimalist product design using a beautiful colour palette is an absolute delight so it was great to hear a little more about his process -

NMM - What do you make/design and what is your background?

I studied industrial design at university (way back in 2001) with an idea of going into product/transportation design but my passion for wood and furniture took over those aspirations (lack of employment opportunities swayed my decision as well) and I started designing and then making wooden furniture and home ware accessories.

NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.

I am based in Norwich and frustratingly my typical working day is stuck behind a computer for my day job so evenings and weekends are the only times I have to make my designs. Because of this arrangement I tend to make smaller designs so I can get them online and featuring on my folksy shop quicker. If time allows I try and make larger designs, but for now I am just expanding my current range of clocks and coat racks. as fitting in 2/3 hours every evening making isn't always possible. So time organisation is vital and being productive is important.

NMM - How long have you been making/designing?

Coming on for 4 years now

NMM - What inspires your style?

People and the way they live their life’s basically. Design is all about people really so the way they interact with objects, their daily routines and individuality inspire me. As well as the wood itself and how that can dictate how a design will come across and take shape. Minimalism plays a big part in my designs as well, I like the idea of an object having a minimal amount of ‘fuss’ and just having the bare functional elements to make it perform as intended.

NMM - Which other designers do you admire?

The bouroullec brothers continue to produce outstanding designs that are material centred and interaction based. Barber and Osgerby have produced stunning designs of late as well. But I also admire less known designers such as tom raffield.

NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?

Reaching a diverse and culture rich demographic of thoughtful consumers who care about where their purchase is from and how it’s made, Norwich is a young forward thinking city with a strong individual identity reflected in the people. I hope my designs cater for their needs and broad range of styles.

NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?

My Folksy shop shows my current range of designs that I sell and my website shows work that I have done in the past. I also have some of my designs in 'the giggly goat' shop in the fabulous Norwich lanes and if you go further afield you can find my clocks for sale in 'the biscuit factory' in Newcastle upon tyne.

Aforetime

5/7/2015

Aforetime will be back at Norwich Makers Market in May with their awseome one off creations. The new work is looking beautiful with some great tropical pieces and fantastic upcycled sunnies!

NMM - What do you make/design and what is your background?

I make rather wacky, curious, pretty up-cycled jewellery with a vintage twist.
I studied Art and Design at Uni and have been in creative jobs one way or another ever since. I've not studied jewellery formally but have dipped into silver smithing and jewellery design as a unit in my degree. I've always been into the tiny, slightly weird and wonderful and have been creative since I was a wee nipper. I love retro style and have been collecting since I was a teenager. I think I mix all these parts of my life together in my pieces.

NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.

I'm based in Norwich. Aforetime is a part time things for me. My full time job is as a Learner Mentor at a College. So my typical day involves helping my students, walking round looking for interesting things that I can create with, going home and making bits while watching TV.

NMM - How long have you been making/designing/illustrating?

I've been creating since day dot. One way or another I have always been making things. However, as Aforetime I have been working since 2013 - ish. It wasn't a conscious decision to start a brand, it happened as a progression from an obsession for not wasting things , dealing in vintage stuff and making jewellery with the leftovers for a friend, then another friend and here I am.

NMM - What inspires your work?

I pick up inspiration from everywhere. I have an obvious retro / vintage style and love past design especially art deco and mid century. I love nature and the natural world so get inspired by pretty animals , tropical fruit and the bright colours of the hot places in the world. I also have a very macabre side to me which I think has developed for my flare for discovering and adventure. So some of my collections are inspired by the natural world and the Victorians. I love historic style especially ancient Egyptians. In fact I love most of the ancient cultures and tribal designs.

NMM - Which other designer makers do you admire?

As mentioned I get a lot of my influences from general styles, genres and artists that are not necessarily designers. Though there are some designers I admire such as Josef of Hollywood and I love the fun nature of Alessi. And again not one designer but ancient Roman and Celtic jewellery.

NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?

I have done Norwich Makers Market once before and I loved it. I love the fact that there are so many good makers under one roof. You get inspired by them all. It's great to be part of a network and bounce ideas of each other. It is so friendly and fun. I also love the people that come to the market. They are so friendly and appreciate the craftsmanship behind the stalls. Sometimes you go to sell and people obviously don't take into account the things you are selling are your creations. But at the Makers Market I feel that customers do see the 'amazingness' behind the makers and respect them for their skill and creativity.

NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?

I am online at www.aforetime.co.uk and I am always playing on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (afortimeuk)

The House Of Handmade

5/5/2015

Thanks to House of Handmade, a new designer at Norwich Makers Market who we're really excited to have on board!

NMM - What do you make/design and what is your background?

Hello I’m Emma Bosanko, a designer/maker for The House of Handmade and I create vintage inspired accessories.

My background has always been in the arts, formerly working full time as a secondary school art teacher I now divide my time between my design work and freelance education work for local museums, galleries and schools. I also organise and run Make & Create Collective, a monthly creative group where anyone from beginners to small business owners can come along to work on their projects and chat about all things art and craft based. We’re currently on the move to our new venue the lovely Milk & Moss Coffee Shop, which we’re really excited about!

NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.

I’m based in my home studio in Norwich. I like the idea of minimalist style, however when you have cupboards packed with faux fur fabrics, silk flowers and ribbon everywhere it doesn’t always look that way.

My typical working day changes frequently and I tend to fit my design work around admin work and freelance workshops, usually I’ll get the chance to put my HOH hat on in the early afternoon where I’ll be in the studio making accessories, blogging or on social media. It can be like spinning plates sometimes, but I’m lucky that I have such a fun creative outlet.

NMM - How long have you been making/designing/illustrating?

I’ve always loved textiles having grown up with a mother who owned a haberdashery, however it wasn’t until I started my degree in illustration that I found a love for printmaking too. After my teacher training at Cambridge University I taught for a few years before starting up The House of Handmade as a personal side project, this slowly grew and I’ve since been lucky enough to write tutorials for Mollie Makes Magazine and show work at Norwich Fashion Week.

What inspires your work?

I find inspiration everywhere. My autumn/winter collections are influenced by the luxe Hollywood styles of the 1920s-40s. For my spring/summer collections I have been taking inspiration from Charles Rennie Mackintosh after seeing his beautiful drawings and watercolours on exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre. I love the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods for fashion and design.

NMM - Which other designer makers do you admire?

The craft scene has exploded over the last few years and it’s easier than ever to find talented designers who have unique products. I’m a big fan of:

Yokoo Gibraan: Yokoo is a designer/maker from Atlanta who has a massive following on Etsy for her handmade crochet scarves, snoods and hats. I love her style of presentation and she has a fantastic series commissioned by Etsy on how she’s built her brand.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Yokoo

Make & Create Collective: It’s amazing what information you can pick up from chatting to other creative people, and that’s why I love M&C and admire the makers who come along. You can be chatting about new techniques, discussing business strategies, or just talking about cake at any one of our meet ups and pick up so many tips.
https://www.facebook.com/MakeAndCreateNorwich

LAB by Laura Busony: New Yorker Laura Busony designs jewellery that is really quite different from anything else I’ve seen. I’m in love with her Golden Dawn Necklaces that have recently been distributed by Urban Outfitters in Europe, and am lucky enough to own one now after entering a New Year’s competition.
https://www.facebook.com/LABjewelry

Kaye Blegvad: Her illustrations are really fresh and translate well into home furnishings, jewellery and ceramics; I’ve bought her feather garlands for our house in the past and love all the new work she constantly produces.
@kayeblegvad

What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?

It’s my first time trading at Norwich Makers Market. I’ve always attended as a customer but this is the first chance I’ve been able to come along without having clashing events, so I’m super excited to be involved.

Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?
Blog: www.thehouseofhandmade.com/blog
Shop: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheHouseOfHandmade

Social:
Twitter: @house0fhandmade
Insta: Thehouseofhandmade
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheHouseofHandmade

Thanks again to House of Handmade for taking the time out to sharing so many fabulous inspirations as well as what is clearly a very full working (and playing!) life.

Pin Pin Finds

5/4/2015

Pin Pin Finds' stall is always brimming with pretties, which are a super popular fixture at Norwich Makers Market. Natasha is an incredibly professional designer who generously shares her experience and knowledge of the industry.

NMM - What do you design and make and what is your background?
I make laser cut jewellery from birch wood. I went to university in Norwich and studied Visual Studies, then worked for a jewellers. I interned in London with Tatty Devine but decided Norwich was the place for me so moved back and started my own brand.

NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.
I work full time self employed in my little Norwich home office. My days are normally packed full of answering emails, making jewellery to order and getting ready for craft fairs at the weekends.

NMM - How long have you been designing?
Ive always been a maker, and studied GCSEs in Design, Fine Art and Drama. I then went on to do Textiles, Fine Art, Photography, Performance and English at A level.

NMM - What inspires your work?
Nature really inspires my work, my brand is always fun and colourful too. Im currently fascinated with taxadermy and victorian botanical drawings.

NMM - Which other designer makers do you admire?
Storm in a Teacup, Me and Zena jewellery and SWANK jewellery. Their stuff is so quirky and playful!

NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?
I love the energy at Norwich Makers Market, everyone is so friendly and its a great place to find undiscovered local talent.

NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?
I sell theough 6 stockists at the moment- Norwich Gift Emporium, Norwich Castle Museum, Gressenhall, Bridewell Museum, Gallery 133 in Great Yarmouth and the Wayland Dragonfly Gallery.

I blog at least once a week so you can follow me at www.pinpinfinds.co uk.
I also facebook daily www.facebook.com/pinpinfinds

Thanks Natasha for telling us more about what you do and how you have acheived such great success.

Plastic Protein

5/1/2015

We are delighted to have Plastic Protein back at Norwich Makers Market this year who were generous enough to give up their time and give us an insight into their background and inspirations.

NMM - What do you make/design and what is your background?

I'm a self taught photographer working with analogue & vintage cameras. My background is in music retail which has helped when selling my own products. I use a hybrid of both analogue and digital processes to produce Giclee prints of my work. I also produce hand-primed cards which all have an individual finish and have recently started printing directly onto mountboard which gives a really unique look. All my products are made 'in house' by me. I also produce hand-pressed accessories, my bestsellers being ones featuring vintage maps. I was born in Ipswich and lived there most of my life but having lived in Brighton & Hove for sometime moved back to the East coast where I now live with my wife and three daughters.

NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.

I work from my home studio in Saxmundham on the Suffolk coast. It's a great little market town surrounded by an amazing landscape which I feel a strong connection to.
A typical day for me will start with a school run and after that I will usually check emails and straighten up my studio. Dust is my enemy! Scanning alot of film means I need to keep on top of it. I try to get out and shoot film as much as I can but I do spend a lot of time researching projects. This is fascinating but can also be a bit of a draining experience. If I am hit by a burst of inspiration I will spend time writing, which is also something I love to do and have multiple projects on the go. It's great working from home and I can have lunch with my wife and youngest daughter but there are a lot of distractions too. I'll spend the afternoon working on new designs or prints, researching or sourcing something on Ebay! (there is always some new equipment or camera I can't do without). We always have a delicious & vegan-friendly family meal together and in the evening I might do a little more work but then it's time for TV, tea and biscuits.

NMM - How long have you been doing this?

I really got into photography in my late teens and developed this hobby through my twenties, giving me a large stock of images to work from. I have also been writing since my early twenties. I have been self employed for three years now having done my first fair in 2012.

NMM - What inspires your work?

The landscape is the biggest inspiration for me in my photography, whether it's the straight forward beauty of it or the history embedded in it. I worked in a record store for most of my twenties so music and popular culture is a big influence, although not so noticeable in my photography. Cinema was my first passion and this really educated me in how to frame and compose an image. Architecture, modernism, mid-century design, cities, nature and Japanese culture are all inspiration and influence also.

NMM - Which other designer makers do you admire?

I admire anyone doing it for themselves, people doing what they have a passion for and people who have decided to go it alone and be self-employed. There are so many talented people out there and in this part of the country especially, it's a great place to be. Anyone who has a level of passion and obsession that focuses them I admire as this is something I struggle with.

NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?

This will be my third time at the 'Norwich Makers Market' and it's been great in the past. The venue is brilliant and the location is good too. Norwich is such a nice city and there is always a good crowd all day at the market. It's nice to meet up and chat with other stallholders and I feel privileged to be a part of it as there's such a great variety and high quality of goods available. I always go home with a bag of treasures and there is more than I can buy to choose from, and I haven't even mentioned 'Deerly Beloved Bakery' yet. YUM!

NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?

I have stock in a few shops in Ipswich, notably the fabulous 'Loveone' in the Saints area. Recently I worked with 'I Make Fun Stuff' in their pop-up, where I also had some items for sale. 'I Make Fun Stuff' also have a selection available in 'Loveone' and continue to organize markets in Ipswich which I usually have a stall at. I do a few other fairs in the local area such as Snape and 'The Pennoyer Centre'.

You can get in touch via facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Plastic-Protein/
or visit my Etsy shop - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PlasticProtein
you can also follow me on Instagram - https://instagram.com/kubricks_kids/

Thanks to Plastic Protein, we can't wait to see the new work in May!

Erin Moss Illustration

4/28/2015

It's always interesting to see how illustrators diversify their work and Erin does it with imagination and a beautiful delicate touch. It was really interesting to hear a bit more about Erin's background.

NMM - What do you make/design and what is your background?

I am originally from Canada where I drew inspiration from the beautiful Canadian landscape. When I moved to the UK I continued my training by studying Illustration. Through my training I explored a variety of different mediums and developed a strong passion for children’s illustration and storytelling. I design a range of items from paintings and prints to hand painting teacups and making them into candles.

NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.

I am based in Winfarthing which is just outside Diss, Norfolk. A part time job in a bookshop allows me the creative freedom to spend valuable time working on new concepts and creations.

NMM - How long have you been designing and illustrating?

I suppose I have officially been Erin Moss Illustration since May of 2014 but I have always been painting, and illustrating.

NMM - What inspires your work?

I am inspired by a lot of things, I take little bits of inspiration from quirky patterns or shapes I might see somewhere when I am designing a background for one of my cards or notebooks. Nature and wildlife feature heavily in my work. Within that I am inspired by the colours and tones that natural light can produce, I paint in a textured and loose way to try and capture all of the tones and colours I see. Contrast, light and shade draw me to a particular scene or idea.

Which other designer makers do you admire?

I admire anyone who is working hard at something they enjoy doing and are trying make their way by it. I love to find new designer/makers it is always so inspiring.

NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?

This is my first time trading at the Norwich Makers Market so I really hope it goes well. I applied because I had heard it was a great venue through social media and looking at the quality of work exhibited in photos from previous years made it seem to me like a good event to participate in.

NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?

Alongside my prints and paintings I take my wildlife characters and other designs and reproduce them as cards and notebooks.

People can keep track of my work by visiting my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/erinmossillustration

Or my twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinSuzanneMoss

Or even just visit my etsy account: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErinMossIllustration

Thanks Erin for taking time out to tell us more about what you do, we are loving your new work!