We caught up with Anna Butler this week and asked her a few questions about her work and involvement in Octobers Meet the Makers Market at the Town Hall.
Tell us a little about your background – what path led you to what you’re doing now?
I’ve been interested in recycling/ upcycling furniture for many years ( I used to run a furniture recycling workshop for mental health day services in calderdale which involved teaching basic upholstery skills and various decorative paint effects on a wide range of furniture styles. I have an art therapy background and have always been interested in art/ design
Whats your normal day like and where do you produce your work?
I have a small studio space at Tod studios on stansfield rd in todmorden… most of my work involves refurbishing dining chairs/ light weight fireside chairs /stools and comes from commissions and through word of mouth . I also run stool workshops at the studios and out in the community where people can learn basic upholstery techniques
What inspires you and where do you ideas come from?
I’m particularly interested in recycling old fabrics and using them to design new covers using patchwork .. I enjoy the richness of colour/ texture you can get from using velvets/ tapestry and brocades . I produce individual designs to suit the type of chair and the customer’s colour scheme. I am very influenced by art deco colours/designs as these lend themselves well to a patchwork style.
Are you involved in any upcoming shows or events/ workshops/ shops? Where and when/ how can we find you?
I will be demonstrating basic upholstery techniques at the meet the maker event in hebden bridge on Saturday 5th October followed by a Basic upholstery workshop the next day on sunday October 6th from 1 till 4 where people can come along and learn how to upholster a footstool for themselves at Tod Studios on stansfield rd in Todmorden ( up on the left hand side of the street above whithams engineering works) This workshop costs £40 including stool frames ,all instruction and materials. (If people can’t make this one I will also be running this workshop again at Word of Mouth in hebden bridge on sat 30th nov from 10 till 2 ) Places need to be pre booked for both workshops.
Phone anna butler on 01706812422 or email annalouisebutler@btinternet.com
What work will you be exhibiting at Meet the Makers Market and what skills will you be demonstrating?
I will be exhibiting some recently Reupholstered dining chairs and footstools which will be for sale and I will be demonstrating basic upholstery skills to show use of tools and materials and to give people an idea of what is involved ….
Whats next for you?
I’m hoping to start running some chair workshops at the studios later in the year as people have asked for this when I have collected enough tools ! I’m also hoping to develop my upholstering skills through experience so I can take on a wider range of projects.
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