Chic-yCow Designs is a local crafty maker, who makes bags and accessories from leather. Here we have interviewed owner Jo all about her inspirations and designing process. We also interviewed Chic-yCow before, you can read it on Chic-yCow by Jo Noble and we did a Chic-yCow Product Review: The Leather Choker.

Where do you start with your initial research for your designs?
'Most of my ideas pop into my brain at daft times of the night and day, I then try and get them out of my head by sketching and scribbling my thoughts onto paper. I use Pinterest to create a secret mood board and spend many hours researching and gathering colour schemes, patterns and shapes that help to develop my design. Once I've decided on a colour scheme, I go through my supplies and find all sorts of mixed media that compliment the colours I've chosen and pile them together. That helps me to decide what
blends and fits.'



What inspires me the most and why?
'I am a big fan of Mother Nature's palette of colours and shapes, so I think I'm most inspired by flowers and leaf shapes and the textures and patterns found all around us. I also like Architecture so I am fascinated by lines and geometric shapes and how it all fits together.'

What making/sewing techniques inspire you most?
'I'm very interested in painting and printing techniques and fabric manipulation. At the moment I'm researching textiles, embroidery and altering metal. I'm working on a collection of jewellery using mixed media, so combining my leather with textiles, metalwork, beadwork and paint.'

How do you decide which ideas to move forward with and which to scrap?
'I've discovered over the past few years that the ideas you have in your head don't always translate into a physical piece of work! I often find myself going off on a tangent and what I started out making somehow turns into something completely different! It's only when you begin to make a 'mock up' of a design, you find out what works and what doesn't.
You also discover whether the costings and amount of labour that goes into the piece makes it a viable product to sell. I often make one - of -a -kind pieces that cost more, but then take a portion of the design and re work it to produce something feasible to sell on a regular basis that is more profitable.'

How do you continue to evolve and push your ideas to the next level?
'When I look back at some of the work I made when I first started Chic-yCow in 2011, I can see just how much my work and the business have evolved.

I have gained many more skills along the way, all self taught, learnt lots about business in general from my fellow Artists and Makers and adapted to different ways of working - I think when you're self employed you are learning all the time, mostly by trial and error!
I am now going back in time a little and revisiting my costume jewellery skills and incorporating them into my work for the future.'

Chic-yCow are a local handmade accessories business all based on leather. These almost artistic pieces can finish off any outfit and with being such high quality, will be finishing your outfits for years to come. Through the seasons Jo likes to switch things round and try new designs and ranges from natural floral forms to geometric shapes. You can find her Etsy shop here and follow her Facebook page here.

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Jo: These are some of my favourite 'Geometrix' designs, combining leather that has been hand painted in metallic colours and combined with stainless steel hardware like studs. I've always had a passion for all things crafty and over a number of years, I've learnt how to sew, knit, crochet, paint watercolours and make costume jewellery, many techniques I now use in my work.

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Jo: These are items from my best selling 'Autumn Leaves' designs and are again hand painted in metalics and then embroidered over the top, with added beads. Chic-yCow was set up in 2011 when I started to incorporate my love of Art, Colour, Textiles and Painting to produce individually handmade Leather Jewellery, Handbags and Accessories.

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Jo: From the 'Daisies' range, these are also my favourites and some of my best sellers. My products are made using leather that has been embellished with intricately printed and painted designs before being cut, layered and combined to create softly textural pieces of jewellery and accessories.



Jo: Here are a mixture of bracelets, necklaces and brooches. Whilst I am occasionally distracted by geometric shapes and repeating patterns, my main love is working with natural forms.



Jo: These are the updated version of the 'Flower Bracelet', which I've been making now for over 5 years. During the summer, my work features hand painted and printed flowers, combined with glass and ceramic beads and in the winter you can see pieces that are covered with embroidered metallic leaves and bold hand painted leather, combined with metal hardware.

Emi B Designs by Emily Roberts creates beautiful handmade bags and accessories. She uses vintage themed fabrics like polka dots and florals whilst keeping a modern touch. All her items can be catered towards your needs, resulting in something that's amazing quality and incredibly useful. We asked her what were her all-time favourite designs and why she loved them.

 Linen Spotted Bag
Emily: "This bag is brilliant for everyday because of all the different coloured spots on the fabric I have used. This is why I love this one. The fabric is linen so feels lovely to touch. I lined this in a bright green cotton and this really makes this bag pop and really stand out."

We think this would make a great day bag, maybe go out shopping with it and would match any outfit with its neutral tones and then pops of different colours. The fabric makes it long-lasting, meaning you can get plenty of use out of it and more value for your money.
Cross-Body Pleated Bag

Emily: "I made this bag as I know lots of people like a decent sized bag that can be worn across the body in order to keep there hands free. This particular bag has 2 pleats in both the front and the back and this is what gives it that lovely shape. This is one of my favourites because of the fabric I love the vintage look of it I even finish most of my bags off with a genuine vintage button."

The vintage print on this fabric is so gorgeous and I'm a strong believer of cross-body bags. The vintage button just finishes off this beautiful bag.
Triple Pocket Bag

Emily: "This Bag was made for someone who doesn't like to cart around a bigger bag but still likes room for everything they need. it contains 3 pockets that are nice and compact when together but expands and opens out when opened. This is my favourite bag to make at the moment and this particular one I love the fabric it has that vintage look to it again which I really like across my designs. The fabric is definitely quirky and something you can't find on the high street."
Triple Pocket Bag

Functionality is something that a lot of mainstream, high street bags lack in. But this one has it all! Perfect for someone who tends to carry everything and the kitchen sink in their bags, hands up if you're one of them. Coupled with a pretty vintage print and a flap opening to complete this beauty.

Emi B Designs can be contacted through her Facebook page and also be sure to check out here blog!

All Pictures belong to Emi B Designs.