Laura Sollis, an artist feature
Stumbling across a new artist is always exciting and when I found Laura Sollis’ work at the Knitting and Stitch Show I new I just had to share my find with you…
Sara: Please tell me a bit about you and your background?
Laura: On graduating university last year I was selected as one of the finalist for the ‘Knitted Textile Student Award 2007′ where I was able to exhibit as part of the ‘Graduate Showcase’ at the Knitting and Stitching shows around the country. Since then (at the age of 21) I have set up ‘Random Button’. ‘Random Button’ came from a demand from friends and family to put my degree to good use and make them all kinds of textile pieces like handbags, purses and clothing. The name comes from the fact that I like to add embellishment to whatever I’m creating and most of the time my pieces feature quite a lot of buttons. Ever since I can remember I have had a love of buttons, I’ve continued to collect them and now I have a huge collection sitting waiting to be attached!
On the website I have an online store where people can purchase my unique pieces and I also take commissions and create bespoke pieces. So feel free to drop me a line at www.randombutton.co.uk!
Sara: How did you get into arts and crafts?
Laura: From childhood I have always been interested in being creative especially when it came to fashion and textiles. I was taught how to knit at a young age by my mother after spending countless hours watching her and my grandmother create. I still to this day have my first attempt to knit still attached to the needle and I’m glad to say that I’ve certainly improved since then! For years I used to churn out the classic knitted scarves and when the collection of scarves became overloaded I thought it was about time I used my creativity to create something a bit different.
Sara: Did you train at college?
Laura: I went to college and took an AVCE Art and Design course in Oxford and then went on to do a BA (Honours) Textiles and Surface design course at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College where I specialised in Knitted Textiles.
Sara: Where do you find your inspiration?
Laura: My main inspiration comes from looking at vintage fashions and fabrics. I try to find inspiration wherever and whenever I can so I always keep a pen and paper with me to note down any ideas that come along - my bag is full of scraps of fabric and samples of yarn that I’ve collected along the way. Like many other designers I also find inspiration from looking through countless magazines and books. Recently my work has been inspired by Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ story especially the tea party theme where I have incorporated cutlery and crockery into knit to produce both couture fashion pieces and installations.
Sara: Ooooh that sounds wonderful… I will have to take a peek at your store once we’ve finished chatting!
Sara: Tell me a bit more about your latest collection of works.
Laura: My latest collection of pieces includes a range of unique hand knitted handbags and purses. These pieces rely on texture to form the detail on the outside contrasting with the patterned inside. Throughout most of my work I have used my vintage influence and mixed it with a quirky modern touch. With these useable pieces and my work in general I want to try to help hand techniques like knitting and crochet to get away from the stereotype everybody has of the craft.
You can find Laura’s wonderful work at www.randombutton.co.uk
by: Sara Millis