Feature Designer: woodfolk

woodfolk jewellery homewares and accessories

FK chats to Julia of natural jewellery and accessories label Woodfolk, providing a stylish collection made entirely of natural materials and fabrics.

Tell us about your label woodfolk and what the concept is behind it?
Woodfolk was founded with the intention of creating a stylish and beautiful accessories range made entirely of natural materials and fabrics.  As a break from our fast moving world, Woodfolk aims to bring you down to earth, a slower pace, honest, authentic, and of course lovely to wear.  Simply designed, our gentle colour palette brings a sense of comfort and ease to your everyday wardrobe and warmth and creativity into your homes.

Who are the team behind woodfolk and what are their roles?
In Australia there is myself, Julia.  I design all the pieces, hand make our ceramics range, liaise with respective customers, stockists and our artisans overseas.  I find myself wearing many hats throughout the day.  In the space of 14 months Woodfolk has grown to over 50 stockists around Australia and online.  Due to this continued growth I am proud to say that we are in the process of expanding our team here in Australia which is very exciting.  In Nepal I work with the loveliest of families who hand-make our Wood pieces.  They have been master wood carvers for generations, and produce the most beautiful quality pieces, often making them difficult to part with.  I also work with two women run organisations, one of which produce our gorgeous hand loomed cotton scarves, and the other hand-making our natural cotton pouches for packaging.  I feel very honoured to have met and be working with these people.

woodfolk jewellery homewares and accessories

woodfolk jewellery homewares and accessories

What inspires your work and what keeps you motivated creatively?
I am very inspired by all things natural, authentic and organic.  Whether it’s visiting a local farmers market, drinking a cup of herbal tea, seeing an amazing photograph or ceramic piece, touching some beautiful fabric, visiting a country and feeling humbled, finding a store where you love everything, and so much more.  All of these small moments can inspire me.  When I see people look at my pieces and get inspired and excited, it’s very rewarding and definitely motivates me to keep thinking outside the square for ideas and creativity.

What is your creative workspace like, and what inspires you about your surroundings?
My Woodfolk studio is set up in my apartment in Sydney.  It’s a really clean open space with wooden floors, white walls and lots of light.  I very much enjoy spending my days here.  I feel very relaxed, and comfortable which makes it easy for me to be inspired and tap into my creativity.

woodfolk jewellery homewares and accessories

woodfolk jewellery homewares and accessories

woodfolk jewellery homewares and accessories

What challenges have you faced starting your own label, and what are some things you love about it?
Choosing to start your own business is a huge decision and it can be very easy to get in your own way, especially in the early days.  Learning to trust the natural flow of the business and take each day as it comes has been a huge learning experience for me.  Something I absolutely love about having started my own label is the freedom of working for myself, and all the learning that comes from running my own business.  It can be such a roller coaster ride, but the experience is invaluable.

What aspirations do you have for your label in the future?
Oh gosh, there’s a long list!  But we’re working our way through it.  I’m looking forward in the coming year to growing the brand further, reaching new customers, and stores around Australia as well as overseas.  I’m also keeping an eye out for some new countries to work with when the time is right (always a good excuse to travel).  Design-wise I have a new line of natural style market bags already in progress, and looking to include more homewares into the collections.  I’d be open to collaborating with established brands/designers where there’s a good fit with Woodfolk. I could go on and on…..

www.woodfolk.com.au

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