The Women Who Shaped My Creative Journey

As I reflect this International Women’s Day on Sunday 8th March, I’m reminded of the incredible women who have shaped my path—both in life and in my creative journey with leather. Each of them has left an indelible mark on the way I approach my craft, my business, and my vision.

FAMILY

From a very young age, my mum was my first mentor. She introduced me and my sisters to the world of art and craft. As an artist herself and an exceptional seamstress, she showed me the magic of creating something with your own hands. I remember the dresses she made for me and my sisters growing up, the wedding dress she created for her own wedding and even the tiny, perfectly stitched outfits for my Barbie and Cindy dolls. Her skill, patience, resourcefulness and creativity left a lasting impression, teaching me that attention to detail and love for your craft can transform ordinary materials into something extraordinary—a lesson I carry into every piece of leather I work with today. Then there are my siblings! My older sister, Katherine, is the ultimate planner and voice of reason—she’s the one who keeps me grounded, encourages me, and always helps me think three steps ahead. My younger sister, Belinda, is a creative whirlwind—a brilliant painter (see her work here) with an uncanny eye for design and detail, and she is a great supporter of my work and business – from modelling in photo shoots and videos and buying my work for friends - as well as herself (at mate’s rates of course!).

My younger sister Belinda modelling some of my earliest bag designs created on my Mum’s old Elna sewing machine she gave me.

MENTORSHIP

Mentorship continued to play a pivotal role in my journey. Patricia Van Den Akker of The Design Trust, has been an incredible guide since the start. Straight-talking, no-nonsense, and endlessly supportive, Patricia has helped me refine my approach to both design and business. Her courses and advice, particularly the ‘Dream Plan Do’ monthly planning program, have been instrumental in helping me achieve my best financial year yet, surpassing my goals by over 10%. The right mentor doesn’t just guide you—they challenge you, inspire you, and help you see possibilities you might not have dared to imagine.

Supportive communities have also made all the difference. Moving from Surrey to Essex could have been isolating, but joining The Hook Project—a monthly networking initiative run by two inspiring ladies – Lucie & Charlie—opened up a world of encouragement and connection. Sharing ideas, experiences, and inspiration with other women in business gave me the confidence to continue growing, even in moments when I’ve been uncertain of the path I want to take.

Patricia from the Design Trust & Lucie & Charlie from The Hook Project

Finally, seeing other female makers thrive in what has historically been a male-dominated industry gave me the courage to start my own brand. Women like Sarah Williams of Williams Handmade and Jane Hopkinson (also a former school teacher like me) of Jane Hopkinson Bags showed me that passion, skill, and perseverance could translate into a successful leather craft business. Their success inspired me to believe in my own abilities and to take the leap into creating a brand that honors both craft and sustainability.

Looking back, the challenges, lessons, and milestones of my journey are woven together like the very leather I work with - layered, resilient, and full of character. On this International Women’s Day, I celebrate the women who taught me to dream, the mentors who guided me, the communities that supported me, and the trailblazing female makers who inspired me to create something meaningful every day.

Here’s to the women who inspire, challenge, and uplift—one stitch at a time.

#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInCraft #ReclaimedLeather #MentorshipMatters #CreativeJourney