www.busrollteatowels.com
I am very excited to present a talented lady with a keen eye for beauty and design. I am just loving the embroidered hoops!!!! Late one afternoon, I stumbled across the busroll tea towel website when I took myself on a hyper-linked journey through the multitude of online artist's and designers. I was actually looking for contemporary designers and artist's working primarily with the Tea Towel.
I am very excited to present a talented lady with a keen eye for beauty and design. I am just loving the embroidered hoops!!!! Late one afternoon, I stumbled across the busroll tea towel website when I took myself on a hyper-linked journey through the multitude of online artist's and designers. I was actually looking for contemporary designers and artist's working primarily with the Tea Towel.
I must say a big thank you to Tamara for her enthusiasm to be interviewed and for her time as she is so busy right now!
ENJOY!
Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?
ENJOY!
Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?
I chose not to study instead preferring to jump in the deep end! Starting out as a sign writer and window dresser just naturally progressed into design and running my own businesses. I have been very fortunate to be offered amazing opportunities along the way which really opened my eyes to what I could achieve with passion alone.
After moving into starting my own clothing label I began to design home-wares and accessories. These were picked up and stocked by some of Australia's leading Boutique retailers such as Kookai and Orson & Blake.
Along with design I love managing the production side of business so it was no surprise when I landed a position at Orson & Blake as their product designer and production manager. Seven years on it's an amazing role which has largely helped mould me into the product designer I am today.
Bus Roll Tea Towels being the perfect example of this. My work as a craft designer is purely my childhood love of homespun craft mixed with my adult experience as a designer!
What is the best thing you love making and why?
I really enjoy stitching up the samples of my cross stitch kits for The Six Week Boutique. It is productive and meditative all in one!
How would you describe your artistic style?
Simple, compartmentalised, vintage inspired modern and a little off center.
Which designers, artists or creative people are you inspired by?
I am continually inspired by creative people who have acknowledged their talent and spend their lives honouring it. I am surrounded by people like this, particularly here in the Southern Highlands where I live.
These guys are all amazing...Monique Germon, Sarah King, Sara Silm, Rebecca Wolkenstein, Liesl Hazelton and Julian Wolkenstein.
Where else do you find inspiration – ie books, magazines, your environment, travel, your family and friends?
I am a constant finder and seeker of things which please my eye and inspire me to hyperventilate! Books, magazines, flea markets, people watching... I find it everywhere.
What are you most proud of professionally?
Currently, my two businesses Bus Roll Tea Towels and The Six Week Boutique which are running along very successfully after being started on a whim!
What is your dream project?
My list of dream projects is growing longer by the minute it seems! At the moment it's all about books, books, books. My soon to be launched series of Designer Craft Workbooks has me thinking of bigger things in print!
Do you have a favourite tea towel in your collection?
The Southern Highlands destination is my personal fave as it was the first one we had printed and it's home!
Are you a collector? What? Favorite pieces.....?
I most certainly am! Currently I am collecting vintage embroidery hoops and small unwanted ceramic vessels. I always have and always will collect side of the road chairs that need a redesign!
What is your favourite travel adventure?
My most memorable due to sheer terror was a budget flight from Istanbul to Zurich. The hairiest of my travels, every passenger on board broke into a clap when we finally landed!
Best exhibition you have ever been to?
I haven't been to any by him yet... but I know it will be an exhibition by my all time favourite photographer Tim Walker.
