This post is part of our Artisan Profiles series, promoting authentic artisans and their products. Artisans: get your store featured by joining our free Buy Handmade campaign. Read the others here.
Meet Maureen Flett of Maire Curtis Lakeland Studio. Maureen is a life-long needle crafter making delicate silk flowers, hand embroidery and Irish lace for wedding gowns, costumes and other couture occasion wear.
Welcome to Artisans Co-op, Maureen!
Artisans’ Interview
What’s the name of your business, if you use one? Why did you choose it? – What do you create/sell?
Maire Curtis Lakeland Studio.
I am a bespoke hand embroiderer specialising in Irish Lace and silk flower making.
Do you currently have a shop or website up and running? Where can we find you?
www.maire-curtis.com
How long have you been creating? What made you want to start your business/start selling your art?
I have been creating since I was old enough to hold a needle and thread but turned this into a business in 2017.
The business started almost by accident, developing from a hobby. The Royal wedding of Katherine Middleton to HRH Prince William raised the profile of hand crafted Irish lace.
Whilst making items for a friends wedding, there came a need to craft silk flowers in a particular style and colour and this is how the silk flower making took off. My flowers are designed for adorning bridal gowns and costume and I now supply couture designers and stage costumiers worldwide.
What does your creative process look like? If you work with a creative partner, how is it to work together, or do you have different roles in the process?
I create my silk flowers from design to completion, often dying the silk myself for custom orders. Silk is sourced ethically and I use age old Japanese techniques to stiffen the fabric and tool the finished flowers. They are all created by hand, so every one is a tiny bit different.
My husband, Adam is fantastic at helping to develop ideas. He seems to have a keen sense of what is in demand and is a brilliant problem solver.
We like to take the Japanese approach of “How do we achieve it” rather than “It cannot be done.”
What part of creation do you enjoy the most? (The process, seeing the finished product, seeing people’s reactions to receiving the art/product, etc.)
I love all aspects of the process. Designing a new product is exciting but I do like to see the silk transform into flowers and yes, it is always good to hear from customers for whom you have helped realise a dream.
What is your Number One piece of advice for fellow artisans (biggest lesson learned)?
Concentrate on what you do and do it well. Stick to your principles and whilst traditional methods and tools are wonderful, do not be frightened to evolve your craft or style.
What is your biggest inspiration?
My mum. I was lucky to inherit a rich knowledge of needle craft and embroidery, handed down through generations of Irish Grandmothers. It never ceases to amaze me that they would be creating very intricate pieces of lace by candle light or sitting near tiny windows in cold cottages. What they would have given for the magnifiers, lighting and tools that we have today!
Is there a specific niche or target audience you are trying to reach with your art?
My silk flowers are mostly aimed at couture designers, especially in the bridal industry as well as creating Bespoke pieces for stage and screen.
What do you hope to gain from joining the Artisans Co-op?
Being part of a group of artisans, each creating their own unique pieces of art as well as helping to create a special place where artisans can create and sell hand crafted products.
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