Nicole James is the creative designer behind Yardage Design.  Although trained professionally as an environmental scientist, Nicole has dabbled in creative pursuits since childhood. It was after visiting the Stitches & Craft Show in 2009 that she discovered a crafty world that she didn’t know existed and decided she wanted in!  And it was this year at the Stitches and Craft Show, that WE met Nicole exhibiting the Yardage Design homewares she had created.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yardage Design Stand at the Stitches & Craft Show 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming from a strong background in environmental management, it was only natural that Nicole decided to use natural hemp and organic fibres and environmentally friendly inks in her designs.  Nicole is inspired by shapes, lines and shadows from everyday life – both natural and urban elements, and likes mixing old and new, soft and hard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicole busily screenprinting under natural light.

Nicole shared a little insight into her life and business in our Seven Statements interview:

 1)       I started my business because ….  I wanted to follow my creative dreams of designing, hand printing and sewing my own fabric and homewares for the 1890’s cottage we are currently renovating in Melbourne. I also wanted to have a go at something new – a career change and small business for the first time fit the bill!

2)       The best part of my job is …… watching an idea emerge, get refined and then become something tangible. I also never get tired of screen printing – I just love lifting the screen and seeing the print on fabric.

3)       My biggest challenge is …… juggling my creative life with running the business and home life. A very supportive family and lists are my saviour!

4)       My typical day involves …… kid wrangling, walks to the playground and/or fresh food market down the street, cooking, emailing and blog reading when things are quiet, maybe a DVD in the evening, and then crafting/designing/business stuff in the wee hours. 

5)       I relax by ….. cooking. I love the process and result that making something delicious involves. There is nothing better than sitting down after a hectic day and enjoying a nice glass of wine with a home cooked meal – bliss.

6)       I tread a little lighter on the environment by ….. reducing my waste and recycling everything I can, using non-toxic inks, using natural fibre fabrics (and organic where possible), minimising water and energy use and encouraging others to be more conscious of their every day actions.

7)       In the next year I hope to …. expand my range of hand printed fabrics and homewares, and enjoy the ride!

 A select range of Yardage Design products is now available at State of Green