Faye Hall

MEET THE MAKER

My name is Faye Hall, I am a designer maker based in Yorkshire and am in my third year of being a sole trader with my own business. Prior to making my accessories, I did an MA at GSA in Textiles as Fashion, I worked as a textile designer for a studio, and taught textiles at foundation and degree level (which I continue to do). My work is still very textile based but I now focus my surface explorations into more of an art jewellery application opposed to making interior and fashion fabrics. I am playful with my material and colour selections, often juxtaposing materials that may not typically go together, and am very interested in the use of embroidery as being both decorative and used for joining and construction.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEEDBACKS?

I am really excited for the next phase of my business; I am aiming to develop my techniques into creating bigger, more ambitious pieces that allow me to explore my love of collage, material contrasts and embellishment. Hothouse has helped me so much to realise this vision and have the confidence in my existing skills and abilities, and to be more ambitious with the scale and application of my work. For a long time I did wonder where my work fitted into the craft sector, being a mix of textiles and jewellery, but through doing Hothouse and really reflecting on my business, my practice, and my future goals I feel really excited to successfully marry the two disciplines together within my work and not feel like I am lost!

I have also learnt about the more financial aspects of running a business; prior to Hothouse I definitely felt that I was winging it a bit and having to learn as I went along. I was so used to creating work and having it sold for me through a studio that going out and selling on my own was actually quite daunting and full of unknowns, however I have learnt so much about this part of running a business and feel much more confident about achieving my goals now

FIVE THINGS YOU’LL BRING WITH YOU FROM THE EXPERIENCE:

• Business plans are not as scary as they seem! I can’t imagine not having one now.
• You don’t have to achieve everything all at once!
• There are lots of exciting ways to approach business funding.
• Have conviction and confidence in your existing skills and your vision; often this can come from just talking about your practice and really reflecting about your ‘why’.
• Expect that your business and your plans will change over the years to come!