Setting up my own business in 2021 has taught me so much.
Not only have I learnt the intricacies of launching a
business from scratch and how to operate that business on a day-to-day basis,
but I’ve also learnt how hard it is to not have the support and security of an
employer.
A lot of blood, sweat and tears goes into a business launch
no matter how big or small it is.
It has given me a whole new appreciation and admiration for
anyone that has embarked on the same journey. And so in the next week, I’m
going to be sharing with you some of my favourite small businesses – all set up
and run by amazingly talented women.
Starting with the incredible Sarah Ward, who runs a
successful business selling beautiful hand-woven textiles.
So grab yourself a cuppa, and enjoy 5 minutes with Sarah as
she’s tells us a bit about her business…
Tell us a bit about who you are and how your business
came about.
Hello! I’m Sarah Ward, a hand weaver based in Essex. I first
discovered my love of weaving when I was studying for my BA in Textiles. After
working in the industry for a variety of weaving studios, mills, and a homeware
brand, I decided to start my own small business. Back in 2016, I set up a woven
design studio called 'The Aviary Studio'. During lockdown in 2020, I suddenly
had no access to my loom or studio, so I had to think of other ways to weave
and make new work, away from the loom. I started a new business called Lark
& Bower, focussing on a different kind of weaving, called ‘off-loom
weaving’. I make intricate woven artworks with needle and thread, which I now
showcase in galleries, pop up shops, and online. I also give workshops online,
teaching others how to weave off-loom. I also used the ‘enforced pause’ of
lockdown to learn more about the impact the textile industry has on the
environment, so I now offer talks on that subject, which I deliver to students,
corporate companies and brands. You can sign up as an individual on my website www.larkandbower.com/talks
What do you love most about what you do?
As a maker, of course for me the most enjoyable part is when
i can finally sit down and make, undisturbed for a few hours. Running a small
business involves a lot of admin, outreach, self promotion, sales and marketing
- all important too and necessary - but those things can be a little stifling
to creativity. There is nothing I love more than sitting down at the loom to
weave, putting on a true crime podcast or BBC 6 music, or doing some natural
dyeing in the garden - bliss! After all, if you've not dedicated quality time
to the creative making process, then you wont have anything to show, educate or
inspire others with, which is the really the whole idea.
When you’re struggling creatively, how do you overcome
that?
I wait. Creativity comes and goes - we aren’t machines so we
have to let it come naturally. There is plenty for me to do while I wait for
inspiration to come - so I get on with all the admin and outreach until I feel
like going back to the loom. If I need inspiration quick, I sit at the loom and
start with something simple like a stripe, or a check. Usually once I get
going, more ideas come.
Do you have any peers that you particularly admire/look
up to?
So many! Annie Albers is a huge inspiration for me. Not only
was she producing technically spectacular weavings way before the technology we
now have was developed, she was also part of the Bauhaus movement, and showed
women everywhere that they could thrive in the arts. In the 20’s, women were
barred from studying certain subjects - She had wanted to study Glass and Fine
Art, but was told that as a woman her only choice was Weaving. So she took that
up, and ACED it, showing just how underestimated women were, and also how
talented. I also love the work of textile artist Sheila Hicks, and painter
Agnes Martin.
What has been your greatest accomplishment to date?
It's a difficult question - I think we spend most of our
time thinking about what still needs to be done, about future goals, and not
enough time looking back at what we have achieved so far. I suppose I am proud
for not giving up, and for having the courage to start a business in the first
place. It is a privilege to be able to do my job and I will be proud if I can
manage to continue making and educating for the duration of my career. Hilary
Clinton once wore an outfit made out of fabric I wove - that was quite
memorable - but these days I’m less proud of my contributions to the fashion
world and more proud to be a teaching to the next generation of weavers about
the impact the textile industry has on the environment, and how to make better
choices as designers and consumers.
For more information on Sarah and her beautiful work, please
check out the links below!
www.larkandbower.com
sarah@larkandbower.com
https://www.instagram.com/larkandbower/
