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Ever wondered who’s behind the shopfront of Made in Hastings?
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 Judith Rowe makes colourful earthenware pottery for everyday use. She grew up in Gloucestershire near the village pottery in Winchcombe and recalls: “It was working here in the holidays that taught me the value of handmade, beautiful and functional pots.” In 1992 she set up her own workshop on Eel Pie Island in Twickenham where she developed her own style of pots, cups, jugs, bowls, vases and candlesticks. Five years ago Judith and her husband Andrew moved to Hastings and set up a new workshop on the West Hill, where she continues to use the traditional techniques of throwing, slipping and decorating with metal oxides and glazes. Recently, one of Judith’s most popular designs has been put into production at a country pottery in Bulgaria. Made in Hastings was established shortly after her move to the seaside: “I wanted to try to contribute in some way to the regeneration of the town and was looking out for a shopfront for my own pottery, so when I met the group of women who were destined to become “Made” we realised that we all wanted the same things. Collectively we had the right skills to create the kind of shop we all wanted to live near, and form part of the local community. And here we are three years later..!” |
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Josephine Doolan was born in Ireland. She studied Textile Design in Galway but left to find work in 1988. She ‘hung out’ in London for 20 years, working in retail and as a manager for a national charity, then gave it all up to have her daughter in 1999. Her retail experience paid-off nicely when Made in Hastings later came about. After her first child was born, Josephine noticed how hard it was to buy knitted cotton, machine-washable clothes in nice colours for children. So she set up a business called ‘Cottoned-on’ making knitted clothes for kids. She started with a friend hand knitting little hats, but they soon realised that to meet potential demand they would have to knit a bit They bought a knitting machine and, after some practise and odd-shaped items, they sold through a wonderful little shop in Twickenham. Moving to Hastings in 2003 put an end to the partnership but Josephine continues to knit, concentrating on hats and some accessories. Setting up Made in Hastings has allowed her to sell her knitting locally and be part of this wonderfully successful business. The birth of her second child in 2005 meant less time for knitting for a while “but plans are afoot for a new range as soon as my ‘pampered little pooch’ starts nursery.” |
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Sophie Azimont trained and worked as an illustrator. Her wonderful pencil crayon work is mainly based on bright colours and simple shapes. Since the opening of Made in Hastings she has developed her knowledge and experience in book binding, creating various ranges of note books, note pads and photo albums. “They are all made using old books, recycled paper sewn together with vintage and new fabric that I’ve been collecting for many years,” says Sophie. Her strong interest in using paper as a medium has also led her to design collages as well as all sorts of fabulous products that compliment the rest of the unique stock in the shop. |
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Claire Fletcher - painter and illustrator, graduated with an MA from the Royal College of Art in 1990 with distinction. She was winner of the Mother Goose Award in 1993 for her first children’s book, The Sea Shell Song and was short listed for the 1994 Smarties Prize. Claire has illustrated numerous books and publications since. She spent most of her childhood in Antrim, Northern Ireland, living by the sea, then spent nearly 20 years in London before moving to Hastings with her family, to be by the sea again. “Hastings and the sea are a constant source of inspiration for my work. I’ve really enjoyed being able to draw on my experience as an illustrator to develop designs for Made in Hastings,” she says. Claire applies her designs to cards, prints, badges, enamelled children’s buckets, painted furniture and even tambourines. Many of her products have been featured in Country Living Magazine, including her hand crafted Christmas fairies and paintings of children’s toys. She is currently working on a new children’s book project. |
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Melanie Juckes started selling handmade jewellery from her classroom desk aged 13. But it wasn’t until the advent of Made in Hastings that she seriously thought about returning to this career path, designing and making earrings, necklaces, bracelets, keyrings and toys, both for adults and children. “Seven years ago I chose to move to Hastings to bring up my family by the sea, surrounded by beautiful countryside and creative people,” Melanie says. Alongside nurturing her family and her commitment to Made in Hastings, she is also a teacher for students with severe learning difficulties, and she teaches drama at Glyne Gap, a fantastic school for students with complex needs. In July this year she received a distinction in the National Teaching Awards. |
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Sue Harrison worked for several years painting ceramics and working as a freelance illustrator and in 1993, moved to Hastings. By the time the youngest of her three children was starting school, she set up a small screen-printing business with her mother. Initially, Sue was inspired to use her children’s drawings of animals and faces, which she printed onto cushions, pillowcases and t-shirts. The ideas expanded, often involving nature such as shells, plants and birds. She began to sell her products at craft fairs, where she met Judith, Josephine, Sophie, Claire and Melanie. “The shop has allowed me to increase my own range of products and the collective responsibilities of working at ‘Made’ provide an excellent back-drop for combining family and work life as - like many women nowadays I’m trying to find a perfect the balance between the two.” |
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You can find Made in Hastings at 82 High Street, open 10.30-5pm, |
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