How would you describe your work?
The best description I can think of would be:
Colourful Handmade textile accessories…with a predominant use of natural fibres.
I like to make the fabric using various methods of Felting, Australian merino wool, silk, linen, cotton…or straws for the race hats.
You will find a range of hats and fascinators, scarves, shawl, silk tops, brooches even cushion and table runner for the home accessories!
How did your Etsy shop come into being?
I have always been fascinated by hats and eventually I got the opportunity to spend some time learning and practicing Millinery.
After a little while, I realize that it was moving into a bigger house or starting to part with some of these creations …
So I started with a local Art and Craft market in Maleny. The people's comments and feedback were so warm that it gave me the courage to keep on this path of creativity…
I found Etsy browsing the web and was really impressed with the creativity and the concept so I decided to take the E-plunge! ;)
I am now very grateful as this has allowed me to enter such an inspiring and supportive community !
Who and what inspires you?
This is a great and hard question at the same time ;)
I believe there is soooo much involved in this creative process…but if I tried to summarize I would start with…
*People: My artistic Dad, my seamstress grandma, as I mentioned earlier amazing people I meet along the way, my family…
*Places: Beautiful landscape I grew up in (Provence/France, Europe), the one I was blessed to travel to and live in (Africa, Australia)…
*Colours and Textures: I am always attracted to colours, their amazing combinations, pattern…a flower in the garden, a bird’s amazing colours, the pattern on a leaf…
*Fabrics, books, music, movie, a taste a smell in the kitchen, a smile….So many sources to draw from!
Living in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland has been a wonderful way of being surrounded by nature a great reminder that we are so much part of it and always so inspiring!
Do you reduce, reuse, recycle as part of your creative process?
I had chosen a few years ago to learn to make my own felt so I could create the fabric using Australian Merino wool which I am lucky to have easily on hand, this was the start of a more sustainable approach.
The felting process itself involves warm water, soap and loads of elbow grease.
Water being so precious, I try to reuse my water as much as I can and left over soapy water is used around the garden. I also have a rain water tank on hand…
In terms of recycling I have collected throughout the years lots of little fibers/fabrics bits and pieces that can always be integrated into a project…not much wastes there!
Can you describe your studio/work area?
here lies the dilemma:
There is the studio of my dreams with everything in the same spot, well organized, equipped …
Hmmm and then there is my “various work areas” a forever work in progress!
No, I am very privileged that we are slowly renovating our house and I could find a little spot for an office with a view!
A spare room to store wool, fabric and use my sewing machine…
And last year we decided to split the garage so I could have a "felting area" which has a roller door that opens right into the lush garden.
What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?
At the moment with the chilli mornings and evening my heart goes to my little scarf they are all so cosy and different it is hard to pick one in particular.
I love adding a flower brooch to them and can change the colour with my moods.
Do you have any other places people can view/purchase your work?
People can purchase on my Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/smboutique
Know me a little more via my Blog :
http://histoiredesoie.blogspot.com
And finally view some past and new work on my Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38663804@N02/
Thanks Sandrine!
Check out Sandrine's work in person at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market this Saturday 5 June, 9am-2pm at St Augustine's Church Hall, Racecourse Road, Hamilton. Sandrine will be in the hall!
