001. The Prologue

It's Monday, 21:45, the week of the launch of the Craft/Folks Studio website, and I'm writing a blog post.

I have found the process of turning this

dream > idea > reality

incredibly fascinating.

So I thought I'd try to document it, amongst all the other plates I'm spinning.

Here's how I've ended up here

Back in June this year, I first heard Lydia's decision to step away from our studio, our home, on Portland Sq.

For context, Lydia took me in straight after university as a recent textiles graduate, during the whirlwind that was the pandemic.

Whilst packing countless pandemic sewing-kits, amongst the crumbs of many lovely pastries, I was given permission to be who I am.

Whilst breaking needles on the princess pleater, I was shown how scraps of cloth can become treasured costumes with some creativity.

Whilst moving into the Portland Sq studio, which was to become our new home for the following 5 years, I was introduced to some dear friends.

Whilst assisting, then leading, countless workshops and developing Open Studio Sessions, I was taught how to teach.

Lydia has been instrumental in shaping the person I am today.

Throughout all of this, I have also witnessed her.

I've witnessed Lydia's commitment to the people in her life, her practice and to the students who come through our doors. I've witnessed the creativity, determination and sheer drive it took to grow such an important project into a successful business.

And now, I am seeing her make an incredibly difficult decision to chose to step away, knowing her next chapter is around a different corner.

Whatever that may be, and wherever that may take her, undoubtedly it'll involve sequins, gold trims and it'll be utterly brilliant.

Here's to Lydia!

But with this decision came all the questions...

What will happen with our studio?

Our creative home that's been shared amongst so many of us?

Can I do this?

Am I ready to take this on?

What would this even look like?

A few things I knew for certain.

The teachers still wanted to teach.

The students still wanted to learn.

& we need safe spaces in this world to do so.

After a month of mulling it over, grieving what had been and dreaming about what it could be. I decided to give it a go.

June was about deciding whether to do it or not.

July was about figuring out how to run a business

(Thank you Bristol Library for the business courses)

August was about planning & crunching numbers

September was about letting the dust settle, taking some time away from what may be the busiest chapter of my life so far.

And now we're here.

October.

& we're launching this week.

I'll keep sharing more about the ins and outs. The struggles, the successes, the things I get wrong and the things that suprise me.

But for now, this is the prologue.

I want to say a huge thank you to Lydia for trusting me. To Jess, Molly, Jamilla & Daryl for coming along with me in this new ride. To Ellen for your coaching and support.

And all of you who are here with us...

Let's see what happens next.

Ps. Deep dive photos from 2020/21