The Linen Garden ~ Mentoring Conversations

"Your journey should become an ongoing conversation with all that inspires you".

A creative life is a happy life but at times working creatively, setting up a business or the general maintenance to a healthy and happy working life can be overwhelming if our direction is uncertain.  I have worked for myself since 1998 and the journey has been varied, colourful, challenging and inspiring.  I have allowed my role, my story, my direction to change over the years, opportunities occur that allow your path to alter direction.   It is observing the details that inspires me.  I adore how each working day is never the same, constantly forever changing, always trying to find a gentle balance to move organically with the times, always being mindful as to what makes me happy, what feels right.   

I have titled this page "mentoring conversations" and they are simply that.  A time for you to discuss your ideas, aspirations, ideal destinations, dreams.....

Whether you need just a day to discuss and establish ideas or need help with styling and finding your visual signature then these hours are perfect to work together and start the creative narrative.

I have worked as a designer, maker and teacher over nearly three decades embedded within this journey is the experience of the following:

Working as a freelance surface designer for stores and organisations such as Liberty of London, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Unicef, King & McGaw, and many more independent companies.

A maker of textile and paper based products since 1995 - ongoing.

A manufacturer selling to galleries, lifestyle and high street stores.

Researched and collated magazine editorials.

Contributed to business and design based books such as
Craft Show and Sell
Maker Spaces
Style Me Vintage: Weddings
Pearl Lowe's Vintage Craft
Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake
Outdoor Living by Selina Lake

Uppercase 'Vintage Life' book to be released Autumn 2019

Worked creatively within the wedding, greetings card and interiors industry, taking collections through from research, development, design and manufacturer.

Have had work or my home featured in magazines such as : Molly Makes, 91, Homemaker, Handcrafted Home, Luxe, Prima, You & Your Wedding, Brides, Cosmo, Country Living, House Beautiful, Reclaim, Landscape Magazine.

Experienced selling at trade fairs as well as appropriate stand design and styling with my own collections.

Worked in-house on online store development.

Business mentored for start-ups and established businesses. 

Knowledge and daily use of social media to build a close community of followers.

Currently run my own business The Linen Garden and own a partnership business A Still Life Workshops and Events

* * *

There are varied mentoring sessions available ( you can choose from the drop down menu above) depending on individual requirements:  

Mentoring by phone/messenger video/skype is £35 per hour.  Just type in the quantity box how many hours you wish to spend discussing one or more of the details stated further below in the suggested list.

half a day - 3 hour 'conversational' meet -  £125

one day - 6 hour 'conversational' meet -  £200 

2 days - (2 x 6 hour working days)  -  £380

Group mentoring sessions and workshops can be arranged and accommodation for up to 6 guests can be made staying in the local coastal village Staithes.  A beautiful and inspirational place to work on plans and ideas.  For prices please email with preferred dates, time length you require for workshops and amount of guests.

For one-to-one sessions, I will contact you after your booking has been placed to arrange a suitable time for the meeting to take place.

The mentoring session can take place via Skype/Messenger, your place of work/studio (this may incur travel/accommodation costs) or a more convenient inspirational space.  I am currently, at present, unable to accommodate days here in the studio. 

So, all you have to do is establish what you require and wish to develop and discuss (as a starting point).  You may find the list below helpful or you may already have a particular area of interest established. Please note that each title below could take a day to discuss and develop 'well'.  Some suggestions may be conversations only and some may involve a more practical use of time working with materials and colour etc .....

Initial business direction - general 'start-up' ideas/products development.

Business branding - colour/identity/theme/stationery/logo

Developing a business as a Designer Maker

Your Signature Style ~ styling/packaging/the personal touch

Selling platforms ~ preparing for on-line/retail fairs/trade fairs

Social Media & Relationships - what's important, engagement, ongoing community.

Marketing ~ local/regional/national/international

Image of me and the image of the Christmas table that I styled for A Still Life was captured by www.evewanders.com who I can't recommend enough if you require product/branding/portraiture photography for your business.