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.
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.
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.
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.