Interview with Layla Amber
Meet Layla Amber
Her handmade creations are so gorgeous.
I have purchased a few myself. 🙂
Tell us a little about yourself. Who is the lady behind the label?
I’m Layla Amber, 23, from a little seaside town in the UK. I’m a trained graphic designer with a passion for all things arty. I love to draw, paint, make jewellery and generally be creative! I’m at my happiest when I’m warm, comfortable and making things!
Have you always been a creative person?
Absolutely. When I was a child I used to always be drawing! I was happy as long as I had a blank sheet of paper and a pencil, I was easily amused! I remember when my mum used to take me shopping I would craze her to take me into stationery shops so I could buy new pencils and stuff. My mum is also very artistic so I’ve always been in a creative environment.
Tell us how you create your hand drawn works. 🙂
I start by finding something that inspires me, this could be a photo or an object. I do some rough sketches, and then work those sketches into a final illustration. I put the illustration into photoshop and get it ready for being made into jewellery. It often takes quite a few attempts to get it right, as it’s so hard to tell if the illustration will work on a tiny scale for the earrings. I often have to remove elements that don’t work once they are shrunk.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I’m inspired hugely by nature and animals. There are so many amazing creatures out there and I love to draw them. I also love anything nautical, and also vintage china which I collect.
What is your favourite art medium to draw/paint with? What do you use most?
I love using just a simple pencil for my illustrations, nothing fancy! For my paintings I use watercolours with good quality brushes.
When did you first think. Hey the stuff I make is awesome. I could totally make money from this?
Ha ha, I’m not sure really. I was so scared to put my work out there to start with because I was really worried people wouldn’t like it! My first stall was in Oct last year and the response from customers was so positive that it gave me the confidence to make more!
Where do you create your super georgous goodies? What is your work space like?
My work space isn’t as creative as I’d like. My boyfriend and I currently live with his parents while we’re saving to get a place of our own, and my workspace is a huge cushion in the corner of his bedroom surrounded by my stuff! I love interior design and one of my biggest dreams is to have a beautiful workspace surrounded by inspiring things, I will be the happiest girl alive when I have that!
So you are a qualified graphic designer. (Me too!) what made you venture into the crafty side of the creative world?
To be honest I think I just got sick of staring at a computer screen all day! I like to be creative with my hands, and I found that I was starting to use more and more hand drawn elements in my graphic design work. That was when I started to get more into illustration, and the jewellery kind of evolved from that.
I love that you have been able to use your graphic skills in your hand made craft.
If you had to pick one which of your designs is your favourite?
That’s a hard one! I’m really loving some of my new tea cup designs. I collect vintage china and it’s great to see some of my favourite teacups turned into jewellery. I’ve also just completed a new owl design for my feathered friends collection, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. The detail from my original illustration has come out so well. But I don’t think I can choose an overall favourite really as all of the birds are like my little pets!
This little guy is my favourite. 🙂
You said you have sold your goodies at markets.
Do you prefer the personal touch of markets or to sell your stuff on line?
The markets are great as you get to meet the people that buy your work and get feedback from them, which is so important. I share stalls with my friend Sophie who makes fabulous jewellery under the name of cannybelle, and we always have such a lovely day out!
Any advice for someone wanting to make it in the crafty world?
I think the most important thing is to just be true to yourself. I used to worry way to much about what people thought of my work, but if you like it the chances are other people will too! Try not to stress about silly little things too much, because it’s just not worth it. And most importantly of all, have lots and lots of fun!
Any awesome crafty links we should know about?
Here are some of my favourite etsy shops, blogs etc.
www.etsy.com/shop/cannybelle – Cool jewellery and accessories.
www.misterrob.co.uk– I am absolutely in love with Rob Ryan’s paper cuts.
http://printpattern.blogspot.com – a website that celebrates the world of surface pattern design.
www.designspongeonline.com – for fabulous interior design.
I’ve also just read a very helpful book called The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin. It gives useful tips on how to sell your crafts locally, globally and online. I found it very interesting!
Thanks again to Layla for chatting with us. 🙂
here are links to her places of interest on the web.
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