FK chats to the lovely Georgie of divine Melbourne based label, Georgie Cummings. Who recently debuted at the Melbourne Markets!

Tell us a bit about Georgie Cummings and what we can expect to discover?
I started making stuff for real in June 2012 after finishing an Industrial Design degree. I’ve always loved handmade unique objects so it seemed a natural progression from design at uni. I love making objects that are clean and simple with few but honest materials. It is through the use of these materials that I hope you discover a personal piece that will be loved for a long time.

What is your creative background and how did it lead you to where you are today?
Since I has little I’ve been told I was obsessed with ‘small things’. Making small things, generally animals/creatures, but also being fascinated by the detail, with patience to get the result I wanted. This lead to Industrial Design at RMIT once finishing at high school – a course where luckily it wasn’t all kettles and car styling, but rather a few key lecturers that focused on the connections and relationships we have with objects which has stayed with me ever since.

What inspires your work? and what keeps you motivated creatively?
Materials inspire me, especially seeing them used in ways they weren’t intended or have been used before. Also natural materials, like the vegetable tanned leather that are inherently tactile keep the inspiration flowing.

What is your creative workspace like, and what inspires you about your surroundings?
I work from home and love being so close to the light filled kitchen and backyard so I can go and sit in the sun or do a bit or gardening when I need a break – which may be more of a distraction at times!

What do you love about working with a variation of materials when designing? And what are some of the challenges?
Ceramics opens up a life of experiments, one that I think even those who have been potters their whole lives are still not finished with. I think working with ceramics has perhaps influenced pushing other materials to achieve different effects. I love the variation between the materials and seeing where each one takes me. The challenge is, there are not enough hours in the day!

What new projects are you working on and where would you like to see Georgie Cummings in the future?
I’m currently working on some bag and leather necklace concepts for an upcoming show at the Brunswick Street Art Gallery – curated by Dale Hardiman and Suzannah Henty which opens 3rd May and features emerging local designers and makers.
I’m looking forward to exploring new ideas and techniques I haven’t tried with a range of materials and am excited as to where they could lead. I aim to keep everything handmade in house, to continue making high quality lasting objects.

www.georgiecummings.com
www.facebook.com/georgie.cummingsdesign