Meet the Makers
A Morris-Inspired Q&A with Our Crafting Experts
As part of our incredible Hope & Ivy x The William Morris Society launch weekend, we invited a selection of exceptionally talented local artisans and craftspeople to the POM London Boutique to demonstrate their artistry live in-store. From stained-glass painting to basket weaving, the event offered a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship, with a nod to the revolutionary artist, writer, and textile designer William Morris whose prints served as the inspiration for our latest collaboration collection.
Following the event, we sat down with each of the makers involved in this extra special weekend to learn more about them, their work, and how Morris continues to influence all that they create.
Sasha Compton
H&I: Hi Sasha, thank you so much for creating such a spectacular painted window display for our in-store pop-up at POM London! Tell us more about what you do!
Sasha: I am a British Artist and Designer based in London. I am known for my colourful freehand style in painting or ceramics, often inspired by nature and romance. I studied Illustration and Graphic Design but adore the skill of craft, ceramics in particular. By straddling the role of an Artist and Designer, I am able to apply my stamp to different mediums; for example, ceramics, decorative painting (such as windows, murals and lampshades) and designing stationery. Throughout all areas of my work, I use the colour theory to create whimsical and dreamlike artworks with the aim of bringing joy into people's lives. Essentially, I aim to transport viewers into a timeless world of Art by creating modern reinterpretations of traditional concepts.
H&I: What’s your relationship with the work of William Morris? Is the Arts & Crafts Movement an inspiration to you?
Sasha: The Arts and Crafts movement is a huge inspiration to me, especially as women artists such as May Morris and Annie Garnett were acknowledged. So, to create a William Morris inspired window was a dream project and I loved every second (even painting in the rain). Some of William Morris's prints are slightly too Victorian for me but I have always admired his skill and imagination to work across many mediums. The technical drawings and compositions are just incredible. His love for nature and colour is still very current to this day.
H&I: and which of our Hope & Ivy x The William Morris Society dresses was your favourite?
Sasha: I chose The Bower, as I was drawn to the subtlety of the print and the autumnal colours as I think ahead to the seasons to come and transitional styling. I liked the lace details and thought it would be most flattering to my curvy figure.
Follow Sasha @sashacompton_design
Flora Jamieson
H&I: Hi Flora, could you describe your craft to us? Do you tend to work in one particular field, or do you have several artistic skills in your toolbelt?
Flora: I’m a stained-glass artist, working predominantly to commission. I specialise in traditional kiln-fired glass painting in the Victorian and Arts & Crafts style, which is characterised by decorative hand-painted designs inspired by flora and fauna.
H&I: How did you start out in your field? What drew you to your craft?
Flora: I was drawn to stained glass because it encompasses so many of the things I’m interested in – colour, pattern, interior design, period houses and architecture. I started by taking an evening class to see if I enjoyed the process, and it turned out I loved it and was instantly hooked! I then took a year-long course, followed by a full-time position at a London studio where I learnt all the aspects of designing, making, painting and fitting stained glass windows.
H&I: Incredible! What tools are involved in creating your beautiful pieces?
Flora: The tools for making stained glass windows are still very much like those the medieval stained glass makers used – a simple hand-held glass cutter that has a wheel to score the glass, pliers to hold and break the glass, a sharp lead knife to cut the lead, and a soldering iron to solder the lead joints together (although this is an electric iron now, rather than having to heat it up in a furnace). I also have a kiln to fire the glass paints to fuse them on to the surface of the glass. They need to be fired at between 540 – 650 degrees Celsius, depending on the type of paint and stain.
Follow Flora @theroundwindow
Tabara N’Diaye
H&I: Hi Tabara, tell us a little about your crafting business!
Tabara: My label La Basketry offers hand-woven homeware and accessories made in collaboration with female artisans in my native country of Senegal. My passion for basket-weaving began back in Senegal’s bustling markets and I’m hugely inspired by colour, finding beauty in the everyday vibrancy of life. I've had a deep affection for baskets since as far back as I can remember. To put it simply, I've always been a crafty person, and I've had this burning curiosity about how these beautiful creations were crafted. The vibrant colours and intricate patterns have always fascinated me and that's really what kick-started my own journey into the world of basket weaving. Over time, I've taken some courses to hone my skills, and I've found a way to blend traditional techniques with materials more widely available. It's been a rewarding journey and most importantly it has allowed me to reconnect with my Senegalese roots - the country where both of my parents were born and raised and where I still have a lot of family.
H&I: and how has William Morris served as an inspiration to you and your work?
Tabara: I am of course familiar with William Morris’s work and his approach to textiles and patterns. What resonates most with me is his commitment to preserving and valuing traditional craftsmanship as this aligns closely with my own work in basket-weaving, one of the oldest crafts in the world.
H&I: We couldn’t agree more, and it’s one of the many reasons we wanted to highlight the work of artisans such as yourself across the launch of this collection! Speaking of the collection, which dress has stolen your heart?
Tabara: My favourite is The May, due to its vibrant use of colour, the luxurious velvet detailing and its versatility. It can easily be dressed up or down to fit various occasions and I loved wearing it for my in-store demonstration.
Follow Tabara @labasketry
Sian Zeng
H&I: Hi Sian, can you tell us about what typically inspires your work in creating unique, hand-crafted wallpapers?
Sian: Growing up in China and Hungary has deeply shaped my artistic vision, infusing my work with a mix of Oriental and Western elements. I’m inspired by everything I see, whether during my travels or in films I watch. I often begin with quick sketches in my notebook, capturing imagery or ideas that come to mind. I love depicting nature, as it brings tranquillity to homes, and I enjoy experimenting with different styles to ensure each new collection feels fresh and unique.
H&I: and what would you suggest to people who are looking to pick up a craft or expand on a hobby? What has your craft taught you about the creative process?
Sian: I highly recommend exploring various crafts to discover what truly excites you. Often, what we think we'll enjoy differs from reality. Observe the types of magazines you read or activities you naturally gravitate toward, as these can reveal hidden interests. For example, during my foundation course at Central Saint Martins, I initially thought I wanted to become a fashion designer because I enjoyed drawing women. However, when I looked at the magazines I owned, I realized they were all home decor magazines like Elle Decoration, which pointed me toward a career in home interiors.
H&I: What kind of projects do you really enjoy working on? Which project are you proudest of?
Sian: I enjoy projects that challenge me to blend creativity with technical skills, particularly those involving large-scale, hand-painted murals. One of my proudest projects is the Hua Trees mural wallpaper, which took about a year to paint and design. I've always imagined my wallpaper designs as art for the walls, so creating large-scale wall art has been incredibly fulfilling.
Follow Sian @sianzeng
We are so grateful to all our wonderful Makers for their participation in our launch weekend! Our new capsule collection is now live and we can't wait to see you wearing it!