We’re delighted to welcome Rebecca Lori of Black Violet as our first MAKER IN RESIDENCE in April.

Rebecca will be joining us on Friday 28th & Saturday 29th April upstairs in Chirpy with her eclectic selection of ceramics, terrariums and jewellery.

Here’s a little interview we did with Rebecca to find out a little more about her and how. We’ll also be chatting to her LIVE on INSTAGRAM on Thursday 27th April at 7:30pm before she pops up in Chirpy.

Rebecca will also be running her Concrete Jewellery Workshop on Friday 28th April - tickets available HERE Booking essential

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Hi – my name is Rebecca and I am the owner of Black Violet. If you’re not familiar with my work I make concrete and moss homeware and jewellery inspired by abandoned beauty, magical forests and goddess energy! Nature always inspires me and I am kind of obsessed with the idea of nature taking over manmade structures. I like to create a sense of fantasy and magic through my terrariums and classic statues.

How did you get into doing what you’re doing?

I have a creative background and have studied fashion and photography. I’ve always been into art and everyone that knows me will say that I am a bit of a dreamer! I am a huge fan of concrete structures and brutalist architecture and one day I realised I could use this material to make jewellery and planters and it kind of evolved from there. My dream as a child was to own a shop and sell things that I make – so I guess it just happened naturally.

 What does a ‘normal’ day look like?

I don’t really have a normal day! Everyday looks different, but if I am preparing for a market or making stock for a shop I will set up a creative space in my flat, put on some inspiring music and get lost in making. Sometimes this might be a messy concrete pour, playing with pigments and moss and other times it might be more intensely focused work making terrariums or necklaces. I also have to make sure I keep my Instagram updated so people can see what I’ve made.

Biggest achievement to date?

 That’s a difficult one! I think my biggest and most proudest moment was being the first person in my family to get a degree – a 2:1 in Photographic Arts, I was over the moon! Then I guess it’s been following my own unconventional path to build my own business.

Favourite things you’ve designed  / made?

 My terrariums! Each piece is unique and like little magical worlds. I recently made a massive piece for an alternative wedding show which I absolutely love too.

 Best thing about running your own business?

 I get to choose my own hours, don’t have to answer to anyone and get to do what I absolutely love!

Advice to someone looking to turn their hobby / talent into a business?

Have patience, it’s really hard! But stick with it, if you have confidence in what you do then you’re likely to make it. Don’t do it my way and quit your job without any savings! Start doing it along with your job and see how it goes. I am a risk taker so had to go all in but I definitely don’t advise that approach though it did work for me and took my business to a totally different level. Think of the whole package and get help if you need to – there’s loads of great free resources out there for indie businesses on marketing, packaging, advertising etc

Is there a craft you’ve not tried but would love to?

So many! I recently practised using a tattoo gun and was pretty hooked! I would also love to make candles for my business, I bought all the materials but as usual I’ve not found time to do it! There’s loads more but too many to list!

Why should people shop local and support their local indie businesses?

 Wouldn’t the world be a boring place if we all bought cheaply made mass-produced products? We need to support the arts and crafts as it’s what makes life so beautiful, people expressing themselves creatively and owning art that’s so personal and emotive. Even small purchases make a difference to supporting indie businesses – you are enabling an artist or maker to do what they love and keeping the creative process going. And it’s so much better to buy handmade!

Check out Rebecca’s Instagram HERE