New products

For the past few months I have been developing some new ideas and new processes (new to me anyway!) for some new products for Summer.
As a small independent maker and trader, I'm not able to work to seasons with my collections, but I'm trying to bring out small capsule collections when I can.

Recently I have been trying to figure out a way to reduce my impact on the planet with my homewares as well as my lifestyle. As a person on a day to day basis, I try to minimise my waste production, and I try to live as ethically as I can, so I feel like it's time that I add that ethos into my textiles.

I have been doing some research, and it seems that rather than cotton, hemp is a good fibre to use for environmental friendliness. From my research hemp uses around 20 times less water in production compared to cotton; its ages well and actually softens over time; it doesn't require pesticides to flourish, which means it's organic, and also uses less land in the process.
So - not to go on about it, I have decided to test some hemp out. My first batch of fabric is a hemp/cotton blend, and also a 100% hemp, and so far so good! It has a lovely texture and dyes well! I'm using Dylon machine dye to reduce water wastage and it's more environmentally friendly than a chemical direct dye.

I am going to to try out some natural dyes soon but as I'm a beginner with that it will take some trial and error!
Do you have any tips or advice for me about more environmentally and ethically sourced materials? I'd be keen to hear from you!

Foliage

I love plants. They are such an endless source of pleasure. They're never dreary or drab, but always vivacious and enlivening. Even when they've died and are all crispy and spidery, the shapes they make and the stories that they tell are endless. For a lot of interior styling, it's very fashionable to show very clean, minimalistic rooms with no plants in them. I don't trust them... a living space void of greenery.. there must be something going on...

image: The Family Love Tree

Image: Future and Found (vessel by Isaac Nichols)

Whether it's a real plant or an illustration of one, your house feels so much alive with foliage in it.
I love interior styling that is practical and homely, but fun and interesting. I am driven to make textiles that are engaging, that people want to grab, and smoosh, and  it just seems to pair so well with the animation and life of a beautiful plant.

image: Covet Interiors

I love an awful lot of Australian interiors. The playful colours, the warmth and patterns are very appealing. Looking at these a lot has I supposed influenced my tastes and because of the climate, there's always a lot of plants around. Companies like Arro Home, The Family Love Tree and Pop and Scott create the most beautiful products and particularly with the former, they are So. Much. Fun!

image: Arro Home 

That doesn't mean however, that because we live somewhere cold, that plants can't evoke the same kinds of feelings as in (much) warmer climbs. India Hobson manages to capture plants in the soggiest of climbs, and makes them look so powerful and evocative, and beautiful! Her latest venture, Haarkon with Magnus Edmondson, will encourage even the biggest plant murderers to be able to have some greenery in their home, beautifully photographed prints of plants.

image: Haarkon

I guess it's about bringing the outside in - the feeling of warmer climbs. Interacting with outdoors (without actually having to go out there!)

Illustrator Caroline Dowsett is creating a series of beautiful illustrations called "Botanical Everyday" where she depicts her planty findings on a (you guessed it) daily basis.

image: Caroline Dowsett

Alongside this post is a Pinterest board, full of beautiful, leafy inspiration. With a diverse range of plant based treats from homewares to artwork, it's worth a look. Visit here.


We will soon be releasing new products. Our first big collection since our launch in November 2014, and a lot of leafy motifs are involved -(I think I've been dreaming of warmer climbs). A sneak peak of things to come can be seen here with this cushion and embroidery. Expect warm colours, pops of texture and a newly designed website. If you'd like to know when the new products are in click here to subscribe to our website.

A little sneak peek of a few new things:

January - BIZNIZ

So some of you may know that even though I usually refer to "we" and "us here at Covet!"... It's actually just me. The last year has been an absolute whirlwind, and a very steep learning curve. I've got some amazing contributors, and products that I'm proud of, but everything is evolving and constantly changing as I find the right formats and outlets for everything!

Even though I needed a break over Christmas, and it was amazing spending proper time with family, I was really excited to start the new year, and get back to it. I have NO business background at all. and I have spent the last week binge eating blog posts, listening to podcasts, reading advice on how to run a creative business and what on earth to do next!

I know that at the moment ever more increasing numbers of my friends are going freelance, and I thought that I might share some of the most useful things that I have read.

I guess it starts with the Creative Pep Talk podcast, recommended to me by Anna Beam. Sometimes you sit there on you own worrying, and it's nice to hear that someone else shares your worries, or can recommend a way to get out of those worries!

- One of my biggest problems with my day to day work is not knowing where to start, and I just end up with the world's longest to do list, and finish each day without feeling like I achieved anything!
The below are helping me to get O R G A N I S E D.

Francesca from Fall For DIY has an incredible blog, full of DIY projects and amazing ideas, and her Pinterest has folders full of advice too. With Fran's help, I have discovered Devan Danielle, whose blog is full of advice on branding, and business identity. And then there is Chloe Social, a social media manger and blogger, whose blog is full of advice and printable resources to help DIY businesses (like mine!) navigate social media.

by Regina is an AMAZING website. She has information on anything that you may need help with in your creative business, from "steps to starting your freelance business", to a "non-techie guide to SEO". It's a great, simple and VERY useful blog.

Another blog that I have discovered which also delivers information in short youtube videos (incase you get a bit swamped by pages and pages of text) is the Female Entrepreneur Association. They also provide downloadable printouts for you to get organised with, but also practical advice and plans to follow.


There's a billion resources that you can look at, and places to get advice from, but as someone who is scared of all this stuff, these have really helped me!