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Clare Cosens Designs
Clare from Clare Cosens Designs is a surface pattern designer and printmaker that creates a range of home décor products inspired by nature. She designs her own fabric range and then uses this to hand make beautiful lampshades and cushions to compliment her customers interiors. Clare also offers a variety of homeware products in her collection including coasters, storage tins, plant pots and place mats which are are all individually printed in her home studio and make fantastic gifts.
We recently caught up with Clare to find out more about the brand. Read the interview below to discover more..
How did it all start?
I have been designing and making since a young age but have only recently decided to give up my career after teaching for 15 years and follow my dream of creating my own products and delivering creative workshops full time.
The story behind the name…
I use my own name as my business name as this represents what my brand is all about. It’s important to me that when a customer’s makes a purchase, they are buying a little piece of me. My prints are developed to create my designs and each product is individually made or printed by me.
Where are you based?
I work from my home studio based in Cheshire.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by nature and walk every day. This may be along my local cycle path or on holiday along the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline. I love plants and flowers but I am not a natural grower. I began producing prints from flowers and plants as a way of preserving them before they die.
What makes your brand or products unique?
Gelli plate printing is a form of Mono Printing. Traditional mono printing is done using a rigid surface like Perspex or glass. A Gelli plate is much softer and responds really well to texture. Therefore, when I take the stem of the flower and press it onto the inked plate it leaves a wonderful, detailed print behind. Every print is truly unique!
What are your plans for the next 12 months?
I would like to expand into a bigger studio that would entail me to invest in screen printing equipment. I love the uniqueness of Gelli plate printing but have always loved to screen print. I think 12 months is a little ambitious but it’s good to have a goal.
What is your next project?
When exhibiting with Country Living at RHS Tatton in the summer I treated myself to some new plants. I am hoping to keep them alive long enough to create some exciting new Gelli Plate prints that I can develop into a range of new designs.
What is your biggest achievement?
Firstly, seeing my designs on products was a fantastic achievement. You can’t beat the feeling you get when a customer picks up one of your products and loves it as much as you do. There is no greater achievement.
What is your best-selling product/line?
Lampshades are my best selling products. They come in 20cm, 30cm and 40cm. Customers love that they can choose what size and colour best fits their interiors. Some customers also like to come along to a workshop and make their own lampshade or try Gelli plate printing for themselves.
Your experience of your first Country Living Fair
I had a great time exhibiting with Country Living at RHS Tatton. It was lovely meeting customers and other exhibitors face to face. This is my first time exhibiting at Country Living Christmas Fair, I love Harrogate so it just seemed like an opportunity not to be missed.
What do you love about Country Living Fairs?
Country Living Fairs provide a great opportunity to meet with customers and other exhibitors. These days we often interact online, attending Country Living Fairs are a great way to put a face to the name and build lasting customer relationships and friendships with like minded people.
Your three top tips for crafters and makers…
Listen to your customer, it’s not always about what’s on trend.
There will always be good days and bad days. Focus on the good days and never give up!
Keep developing, there is always something new to learn.
Any advice for fledgling businesses…
Just go for it! Giving up your day job may feel like a massive risk, but the opportunities outweigh this.