You are why I do what I do
How you helped Art On Silk Accessories
become a reality
I am thrilled that everyone who uses my scarves, knows they are getting a beautiful unique wearable worthy of making them feel special.
Paula Maxfield – Art On Silk Accessories
I am thrilled that everyone who uses my scarves, knows they are getting a beautiful unique wearable worthy of making them feel special.
Before I created Art On Silk Accessories, I worked as a designer dressmaker, making brides and bridesmaids dresses. My hobby was art and I used to play with watercolour paints and pastels at my local art club, never producing anything I was truly happy with.
Then one day I visited an exhibition about Batik painting. I had painted on silk before, but the batik method just resonated with me and in finding out more I discovered Shibori a form of tie-dye. The shibori method requires lots of dye to pass through several layers of silk resulting in some truly beautiful patterns, allowing me to play with colour.
I was concerned that I would end up with lots of colorful pieces of silk.
But then . . .
a friend was going to a family wedding and wanted to wear this particular dress she had. She’d been all round the shops and not found a suitable scarf. But I had a piece of silk that was perfect, not only for a scarf but I was able to make her a brooch as well!
I decided to create the most beautiful unique scarves for those who wanted one-of-a-kind something special.
It turns out . . .
The road was more difficult than I imagined.
I started to sell my scarves at local events, but only a few. Everyone loved them and customers where delighted, but if only I could show them to a wider audience.
Suddenly . . .
it dawned on me, why don’t I have an online shop. I started an Etsy shop and successfully ran it for a year or so.
I had to close my Etsy shop a couple of years ago as I didn’t have the time to spend on it – my Dad was ill, and Mum needed help looking after him. Long story short I ended up with trapped nerves in my back and hips, very painful – which took months to get under control and I also lost my Dad. Eventually both Mum and I are getting on top of things and I’ve started to paint again.
Through it all,
I released my products and the response has been wonderful from everyone who sees the scarves, I feel the urge to create colour, coming back.