Creative Thursday - Nicola Greene
This week we interview Nicola Greene. The designer behind the Maeko Jewellery design company.
SSH: So What is it you do?
Nicola: I design and make my own Jewellery, primarily from Wood, Silver, Resin and I also use a bit of Bone and Semi-precious Stones. My studio is over on Albert Drive, in a converted residential Victorian Villa. The light in the studio is amazing because of the huge windows and it feels very spacious, so it’s a real pleasure to work from there. I enjoy experimenting with different materials which aren’t necessarily associated with jewellery making. For me, jewellery shouldn’t be too precious. The pieces I create are more fashion accessories than precious jewels.
Nicola: I design and make my own Jewellery, primarily from Wood, Silver, Resin and I also use a bit of Bone and Semi-precious Stones. My studio is over on Albert Drive, in a converted residential Victorian Villa. The light in the studio is amazing because of the huge windows and it feels very spacious, so it’s a real pleasure to work from there. I enjoy experimenting with different materials which aren’t necessarily associated with jewellery making. For me, jewellery shouldn’t be too precious. The pieces I create are more fashion accessories than precious jewels.
SSH: Tell us a bit about your background?
Nicola: I studied Printed Textile Design at the Glasgow School of Art and then took myself off to London where I stayed for 10 years, working for various Fashion Houses, Burberry, Matthew Williamson, Hardy Amies and Nicole Farhi in Accessories Design, mainly Luxury Leather Goods. However, it was during my last stint as the Accessories Designer for Nicole Farhi that I became really interested in Jewellery. When I decided to relocate back to Glasgow a year and a half ago, I was really stumped as to what I would do here and then I came up with the idea of setting up my own label and studio to design and make my own jewellery. It’s been really nice not only to design the pieces but to physically make them with my own hands is really satisfying.
Nicola: I studied Printed Textile Design at the Glasgow School of Art and then took myself off to London where I stayed for 10 years, working for various Fashion Houses, Burberry, Matthew Williamson, Hardy Amies and Nicole Farhi in Accessories Design, mainly Luxury Leather Goods. However, it was during my last stint as the Accessories Designer for Nicole Farhi that I became really interested in Jewellery. When I decided to relocate back to Glasgow a year and a half ago, I was really stumped as to what I would do here and then I came up with the idea of setting up my own label and studio to design and make my own jewellery. It’s been really nice not only to design the pieces but to physically make them with my own hands is really satisfying.
SSH: Do you have a favourite piece of work?
Nicola: I wouldn’t say I have an absolute favourite piece of work, but I really enjoy working with resin. It gives me an instant colour fix and I really like the feel and texture of it. I’ve recently switched from using polyester resins to Bio resin, which is much better for the environment as it’s bio-degradable (so that eases my conscience slightly) and it’s also better for me to work with (no more inhaling toxic fumes!!)
Nicola: I wouldn’t say I have an absolute favourite piece of work, but I really enjoy working with resin. It gives me an instant colour fix and I really like the feel and texture of it. I’ve recently switched from using polyester resins to Bio resin, which is much better for the environment as it’s bio-degradable (so that eases my conscience slightly) and it’s also better for me to work with (no more inhaling toxic fumes!!)
SSH: So what's next?
Nicola: I’m currently working on my new Autumn/Winter Collection as well as putting together a collection of pieces for Whistles. Trying to juggle the fun creative stuff with all the boring admin and website writing can be challenging at times when you’re working on your own, but you just have to be good at managing your time and also other people expectations!
Nicola: I’m currently working on my new Autumn/Winter Collection as well as putting together a collection of pieces for Whistles. Trying to juggle the fun creative stuff with all the boring admin and website writing can be challenging at times when you’re working on your own, but you just have to be good at managing your time and also other people expectations!
SSH: What is your favourite source of inspiration?
Nicola: There are so many sources of inspiration just from my surroundings, but online I really like http://convoy.tumblr.com/page1 and http://chignonue.tumblr.com/archive and http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/
SSH: What key piece of advice do you wish you'd known?
Nicola: There are no short cuts, you have to put in the hard work to get results. It’s really important that you enjoy what you do, otherwise what’s the point – do something else!
SSH: Do you have a fourite favourite place in the Southside?
Nicola: I really like going for a wander through Queens Park, the view from the top is great. I also really like Cookie, the food is good and reasonably priced and it’s also a nice place to go for a coffee and read the papers.
SSH: Name another Southside creative whose work you admire?
Nicola: Too many to mention, but the lovely and talented Textile maker Laura Spring (also in Albert Drive Studios) whose creative juices are overflowing at the minute following her recent residency at Cove Park and of course the multi-talented Sans Facon: Charles Blanc and Tristan Surtees who have been busy touring with their limelight installation,
Nicola: Not sure that money could fix this, but it would be really nice if it was a lot more sunny and closer to the sea!
SSH: Where do you sell your work?
Nicola: You can buy the collection online from my website http://www.maeko.co.uk/ as well as through Whistles in St Johns Wood, London and Brompton Road.
SSH: Tell us one other interesting fact about you?
Nicola: I’m the proud owner of a Blue Peter badge which I won when I was 8 years old for designing an outfit for Karen Keating.
Labels: Creative Thursday
posted by Ann at 07:18
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home