Our Friday Feature this week is the highly-skilled Rosanna from Rosanna Clare.
After working as a Design & Technology teacher for a decade, Rosanna started her leather craft business in 2016 and quickly went on to launch her first book, ‘Sew Luxe Leather’, two years later. Passionate about reducing waste and sustainability, she tries to repurpose and upcycle old leather goods wherever possible, which led to her appearing on the BBC’s show ‘Money for Nothing’. She also shares her expertise through workshops, so other people can get creative and enjoy leather crafting.
We asked Rosanna some questions to get to know more about her and her small business…
Definitely! I grew up with a painter for a mother and carpenter and potter for a Dad so we were always making things growing up and were surrounded by art and crafts. I loved drawing from an early age and went onto study Graphic Design at Uni but making is in my blood and after graduating I knew I wanted to do something different but just didn’t know what medium yet.
When I was teaching abroad and feeling homesick, I would get my sewing machine out and make something totally my own and unrelated to teaching (Design & technology). The process of doing this means you are totally immersed in the task and it’s a kind of therapy and so satisfying to produce a tangible item at the end of it.
Whilst walking around Spitalfields market as a recent graduate, I was in awe of the work made by many fashion students/graduates – much of which was leather accessories. I was inspired and happened to come across a leather hide seller at the same market so I bought a couple of small pieces and set to work with an old sewing machine of my mother’s and haven’t looked back since!
That each and every design has gone through (often) many versions before being finalised and that each and every item I sell is completely made by me (with the help of a few tools and machines of course).
It happened within a couple of years of setting up the business but writing a book – Sew Luxe Leather – remains an all time high! To be a published author is amazing! Being on TV in the BBC TV show ‘Money for Nothing’ is a very close second though!
I would love to appear on the Repair Shop and have a a series of successful online workshops as well as my in person classes and maybe have written another book!
Of course! When I first started I had massive imoster syndrome as I am completely self-taught. When I started teaching though, I realised I knew quite a lot and that there was an audience for my classes. Writing the book also gave me confidence that I was good at this too!
Knowing that I love what I do and that the alternative of going to work for someone else would be a lot worse and not an option!
Making sure I take time out for myself and my friends and family and looking after my heath and mental wellbeing.
I really enjoy carpentry and have even used wooden elements in some of my earlier bag designs (and may do again). I make Zebrano wood and leather door stops too so love to combine materials.
It’s so lovely when someone is brought up in a creative home and feels inspired and encouraged to embrace their own creativity. It takes a lot of courage to start a creative small business, but having positive role models can really give you that extra push of confidence. There’s probably a lesson in there somewhere for us all… to be the example for others.
If you would like to see Rosanna’s leather creations, or find details of her workshops, take a look at her website: rosannaclare.com, and check out her Instagram for some lovely behind the scenes content: @rosanna_clare
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