The support and creativity of brilliant women is at the heart of our small business. To celebrate International Women's Day we chatted to some of our favourite female small business owners stocked at originALS studio, as well as some of the designers and supporters who have helped us along the way. Let's celebrate them and their achievements and hear a few words of wisdom...
Describe your products in three words
joyful, whimsical, modern
What do you love most about running your small business?
I love the freedom to work with the ebbs and flows of my energy level - I can sleep in, stay up late and take a long lunch break if I need to reset. I also love that I work from home and get to spend all day with my dog, Fushi!
What advice would you give your younger self?
If something doesn't feel right, don't keep going out of a sense of obligation. It's never too late to change course and try something new!
What inspires you?
In terms of ceramics, I'm very inspired by interior design and imagining the spaces that my pieces will occupy. As a business owner, I'm inspired by creators who have built businesses that feel inclusive and bring joy, like Lolly Lolly Ceramics, Leigh Ellexson (illustration) and Sunwoven (textile art).
Describe your work in three words
This is difficult! But I suppose my career is nicely split into three different categories - I’d describe myself as a fashion journalist, broadcaster & influencer.
What do you love most about what you do?
What do you love most about what you do?
The variety. I love that I get to do lots of different things each week and I feel very fortunate that my hobby has evolved into my job.
What advice would you give your younger self?
What advice would you give your younger self?
Care less about what others think of you and have more confidence in your own abilities.
What inspires you?
What inspires you?
Seeing other women choosing an unconventional career/life path that gives them fulfilment. It takes guts to not follow what everyone else is doing!
Describe your aesthetic in three words
Eclectic, retro, luxe
What do you love most about what you do?
I think it's the versatility - every day is completely different. One day I could be designing a room scheme, the next I could be creating some content for instagram, and the next I'll be writing about trends for an article. I enjoy that it can be a little unpredictable.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Just to carry on being myself and going with the flow. I don't really like to look back with any regret; every life moment makes us who we are today. However, I would definitely love to ease some of the anxieties when I was taking risks, it has always worked out in the end.
What inspires you?
I soak in inspiration from my surroundings so fashion, music and art is all part of my design process. I love popular culture from the 60s and 70s - if I ever watch a music documentary, I'm always itching to get creative after it, even if it's not directly relevant to interiors.
What is your favourite originals studio product at the moment?
It's hard to choose but I have to say it's probably these handmade ceramic scalloped candlesticks. They're glazed by hand by a small female led business called Fooshoo, and they're so versatile. You could use them on a simple table setting or a maximalist one, the choice is yours!
Describe your products in three words
Floral, artisan, colourful
What do you love most about running your small business?
We are a cluster of artisans who make some wonderful hand block printed home furnishings and home decor items by hand. We are proud to work to the UN sustainable development goals, one of which is gender equality.
What inspires you?
Our heritage and the patterns and culture of our home in Jaipur.
Describe your products in three words
Textured, linear and playful
What do you love most about running your small business?
Our main objective when we started the business was to have fun together and ensure we’re always prioritizing enjoyment over everything else. Anyone who has a sibling knows how silly and weird you are when you’re together so having a business that we look forward to working on and doesn’t feel like a job is the best part. It also allows us to check in and see if what we’re doing still fulfils us or if we need to change the direction, which means we’re always creating our best and most authentic work. Speaking of, we’re working on a totally new collection and we can’t wait to share it later this year!
What advice would you give your younger self?
What inspires you?
Ceramics, negative space, experience and process.
Describe your products in three words
Floral, colourful and happy!
What do you love most about running your small business?
I love the fact that something that was once a thought in my mind, now features in people’s homes up and down the country! I also love the small business community, everyone is so supportive and friendly and it’s great to celebrate each other’s achievements!
What advice would you give your younger self?
What inspires you?
I get inspiration from places I’ve visited, galleries, my local walks - basically all the places that I love!
Tell us more about your day job
My 'day job' is as a physiotherapist based in A and E in a large hospital but my hobby is all things interiors! I have a huge passion for designs, styling and DIY and set up my Instagram page @crack_the_shutters to document this.
My 'day job' is as a physiotherapist based in A and E in a large hospital but my hobby is all things interiors! I have a huge passion for designs, styling and DIY and set up my Instagram page @crack_the_shutters to document this.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love the variety between my job in the hospital and then the time spent at home, redesigning spaces, upcycling furniture and creating content for Instagram. I love the opportunity it has given me to explore a more creative side, learn about branding and styling and advertising which is something working in the NHS has never given me the opportunity to do. I've had the opportunity to work with amazing brands both big and small and learnt so much along the way.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don't be afraid to try new things even if you don't feel you have the skills to do them. All my life I considered myself to be very uncreative - I was always terrible at art and music and had always ruled out doing anything that involves creative thinking. Taking a risk and setting up a public Instagram account allowed me to explore a creative side to myself I didn't know even existed.
What inspires you?
I get my inspiration from so many different places - online in the form of Instagram, Pinterest, blogs etc and then interior inspiration from travel, holidays, hotels, restaurants etc. I can literally lose hours of my life scouring decor and interior websites and love the feeling of a new idea for a furniture hack or upcycle beginning.
What is your favourite originals studio product at the moment?
Definitely the scalloped mug - such a beautiful design - it looks fabulous but also holds a lot of tea, which I chain drink!
Describe your style in three words
Laid back, classic, feminine
What do you love most about what you do?
Unleashing my creative side every day! I’m so lucky I get to do two jobs I genuinely love - First and foremost I’m an actor (have been for 10+ years) and alongside that I get to embrace my love of fashion and beauty as a digital content creator.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Worry less. Shut out the little voice of self doubt and believe in yourself more.
What inspires you?
Creative people. Beautiful things. Art. Travel. Nature. Theatre. Film. Inspiration is everywhere.
What Is your favourite originals studio product at the moment?
I love my Vera vase. It’s so beautiful and visitors to my house always comment on it.
