Mollie Makes #72

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH Rob Ryan PAGE 26 KNIT A POLAR BEAR

MAKE IT!

CROCHET BOBBLE HAT & SCARF

CHRISTMAS

C U S T O MPi SOEM a POM H! W R EaT

EMBROIDERY

KIDS' PUPPET THEATRE

KITSCH FESTIVE

STOCKING

METALLIC & BRIGHT

CANDLE HOLDERS

BOTANICAL

ADVENT CALENDAR

JEWELLERY GIFT SET ORIGAMI BAUBLES

&more..

JO Y!

ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP SOWELS, STYLING: HELENA TRACEY & BECKI CLARK, MODEL: ALEXANDRA FIA

CONTENTS

18

POM POM WREATH

Talk to us! facebook.com/MollieMakes

pinterest.com/MollieMakes

4 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 72

@MollieMakes

MollieMakes

youtube.com/user/MollieMakes

issue number seventy two

72

64

Knitted polar bear

INTRODUCING... LIVING

The latest news from the world of handmade

Fill your life and home with crafted goodness

9 INTRODUCING…

47 LIVING

Handpicked crafty happenings

Our top picks of the loveliest home buys

14 TRENDS

50 HOME TOUR

Metallic looks, plus make candleholders

Christmas at Allison Sadler’s family home

18 POM POM WREATH

57 FESTIVE STOCKING

Decorate with a fun wreath and garland

Add a touch of kitsch to your fireplace

26 TEA AND A CHAT

61 CHEESEBOARD

With artist and papercutter Rob Ryan

Upcycle a wooden board and bake crackers

32 HAT AND SCARF

64 KNITTED POLAR BEAR

Crochet this woolly set for winter

Kids will love getting cosy with this knit

36 GOOD READ

69 TEA COSY

Would you call yourself creative?

Keep your teapot warm in graphic style

39 ADVENT CALENDAR

75 PULL-OUT PAPERS

A rustic hanging to count the days

Get ready for Christmas with Aless Baylis

43 JEWELLERY SET

107 TEMPLATES

Craft a delicate bracelet and earring set

All you need to make this issue’s projects

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE 24 Subscribe UK

Subscribe today and get a John Lewis sewing machine – while stocks last!

88 Subscribe overseas International subscribers save up to 40%

39

Advent calendar

‘TIS THE SEASON

43

Jewellery gift set

89

Christmas jumper

LOVING

16

I can’t believe it’s Christmas again, but we’re definitely in the festive mood after putting together this month’s issue. Whether you’re planning to give handcrafted gifts, or want to add Christmas cheer to your home, there are plenty of creative makes to inspire you.

Talking of inspiration, take a peek inside Rob Ryan’s fascinating London studio on page 26. We were thrilled to interview one of the biggest stars of UK art, and even happier to discover how absolutely lovely he is.

We’re also looking ahead to 2017 with the annual Mollie Makes calendar – it’s going to be filled with creativity if Teri Muncey’s beautiful makes are anything to go by. Don’t forget to share your Christmas crafting with us on Instagram using #molliemakers.

Metallic candleholders

Treats and treasures to fall in love with

Cath Dean Editor

83 LOVING Beautiful things to adore and make

84 COLLECTOR Retro-fabulous Christmas decorations

85 ORIGAMI BAUBLES Geometric shapes to hang in your home

89 CHRISTMAS JUMPER Use this kawaii-inspired embellishment to give your wardrobe a seasonal feel

93 PUPPET THEATRE Keep kids entertained with a puppet theatre based on The Nutcracker

93

Puppet theatre

102 STITCHED MOTIFS Cute yuletide embroidery designs

114 BACK PAGE PROJECT Silkie Lloyd from The Forge discusses the importance of creative spaces Subscribe at molliemakes.com

over Turn the page to disc your bonus gift! Turn to page 75 for your papers

INTRODUCING trends

THIS MONTH WE’RE OBSESSING ABOUT...

METALLICS

Get your glitz on with this season’s decadent metallic hues...

Add a First Class feel to your luggage. www.mi-pac.com

14 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 72

INTRODUCING trends 03

01

02

01

Top glamorous

gifts with jingle bells. www.coxandcox.co.uk 02

Show off some of

that star power. www.tattydevine.com 03

Dipped baubles give

a grown-up festive look. www.notonthehigh street.com/poshtotty designsinteriors 04

Get your dancing

boots on in time for the Christmas party. www.office.co.uk 05

08

Add some positivity

to your pad. www. bloomingville.com 06

Who doesn’t love

04

a gold scallop? www. allenandbear.etsy.com 07

Ring the changes

with a copper garland. www.coxandcox.co.uk 08

09

Oh go on, please?

www.notonthehigh street.com/berinmade 09

Go dotty for these

porcelain tumblers. www.howkapow.com

06 05

MAKE IT! TURN THE PAGE TO 07

Subscribe at molliemakes.com

DIY THE METALLIC TREND 72 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 15

Deck the halls

PHOTOGRAPH: DAVE CAUDERY, STYLING: HELENA TRACEY & BECKI CLARK, ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK/GETTYIMAGES

Make this Christmas pom pom-tastic with Christine Leech’s playful wreath and garland

72 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 19

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

YES

I would like to subscribe to Mollie Makes and receive my BONUS sewing machine*

UK – 13 issues by Direct Debit at £49.99 + £5.99 P&P** EUR – 13 issues at £66.99 ROW – 13 issues at £91.99 *Sorry, offer only available to UK subscribers only paying by Direct Debit ** Your first UK payment will be £55.98 including sewing machine P&P, payment for the following 13 issues will be £49.99

YOUR DETAILS Title

Initials

Surname

Address Postcode Telephone number (in case of queries)

Don’t miss out on this amazing offer to receive a John Lewis mini sewing machine worth £49 when you subscribe! This pretty mint-coloured sewing machine is ideal for beginners – enough functions to let you experiment and have fun, but not so many it’s overwhelming.

And, there are plenty of projects inside Mollie Makes for you to try it out, too! Plus, you’ll save 23% on the shop price, paying just £49.99 for a year’s worth of magazines, so subscribe today!

Email address

HOW TO PAY: UK ONLY I would like to pay £49.99 by Direct Debit every 13 issues plus an initial £5.99 P&P* (please compete the direct debit form below)

Instruction to your bank or building society to pay by Direct Debit UK only Please fill in the form and send to: FREEPOST IMMEDIATE MEDIA

Cath Dean Editor

Originator’s identification number

7 1 0 6 4 4

To: The Manager

Bank/building society

Address

Name(s) of account holder(s)

Postcode Bank/building society account number

Branch sort code

Instruction to your bank or building society Please pay Immediate Media company Bristol Ltd, Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with Immediate Media company Bristol Ltd and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.

Signature(s) Date Banks and building societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.

HOW TO PAY: OVERSEAS Please debit my

MasterCard

Visa

Card no:

Expiry date

Valid from

Signature

Date

FREEPOST YOUR UK ORDER TO FREEPOST IMMEDIATE MEDIA (no further address or stamp required)

POST OVERSEAS ORDERS TO Mollie Makes, Immediate Media Company Ltd, PO Box 326, Sittingbourne, ME9 8FA

Terms and conditions This offer ends 30th November and is subject to availability whilst stocks last. Bonus sewing machine available for UK subscribers only, paying

by Direct Debit. Your sewing machine will be dispatched via courier within 28 days of your order. If you are unavailable a further two deliveries will be attempted. After this time any subsequent delivery will be charged for. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. This offer is strictly limited and Immediate Media Company Ltd reserves the right to send an alternative product.

Data Protection Your personal information will be used as set out in our Privacy Policy, which can be viewed at immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy.

ORDER REFERENCE: MMP72

SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS

■ sewing machine – worth £49 ■S ave 23% on the magazine’s shop price ■ J ust £49.99 for a year’s subscription (plus £5.99 P&P for your sewing machine) ■M agazine delivery direct to your door at no extra cost ■H urry – this offer is strictly limited!

sewing machine worth £49 when you subscribe to

great christmas gift idea!

FEATURES INCLUDE

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE O rder online at www.buysubscriptions.com/MMP72 Call now on 0844 844 3797 and quote code MMP72

■1 0 stitch options, two needle positions, drop-in bobbin and free arm ■D ouble presser foot and push lever reverse to reinforce stitches ■S uitable for light to medium fabrics John Lewis sewing machines are compatible with Janome sewing machine accessories

Lines open weekdays 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm

Freepost your completed order form

OVERSEAS READERS: SEE PAGE 88

Describe your style in a few words.

Sort of stupid and complicated and innocent but knowing at the same time.

Taking a creative journey with...

ROB RYAN The ubiquitous papercut artist tells us how he took his work out of galleries and introduced it into living rooms round the country Words: JESSICA BATEMAN Photographs: RACHAEL SMITH

Rob Ryan’s influence has spread so far, you don’t have to be into craft – or even into art – to have come across his work. His distinctive style has graced everything from coffee mugs to carrier bags, and he’s collaborated with names such as Liberty, Paul Smith and Stylist.

Rob originally studied fine art at Trent Polytechnic before going on to do an MA in printmaking at the Royal College of Art. Always seeing himself as an artist primarily, he ran a screenprinting service from his studio after graduating, which led to him creating and selling 26 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 72

his own products. However, it wasn’t until a friend introduced Rob to the commercial world that the high profile projects that made his name followed.

Known for his rigorous work ethic, Rob has also published three books and, up until recently, had a shop on London’s Columbia Road. Now scaling down this side of his business to concentrate on his art again, we visited his Bethnal Green studio, where he works with his team of four, to discuss how he became one of the most successful commercial artists around.

What led you to study printmaking?

When I was at art college in the early 80s, you could do whatever discipline you wanted, as long as you could justify it as art. I always loved drawing, and it led me to the print room as traditional printmaking is actually quite similar to drawing – you’re essentially just doing an etching. I enjoy the immediacy of working with paper as I like to get something right straight away, unlike with a canvas, where you have to prepare it first then work on it for ages. I also liked that you can make multiples of your work, which makes the final pieces more affordable and spreads your work to a wider audience.

How did you grow your business?

I got a studio as soon as I left college, but back then I was just doing gallery work. I wasn’t making enough money from it, so I was also working evenings and weekends as a cycle courier – it wasn’t until 2000 that I gave up working for other people. A friend of mine ran an agency that took artists and introduced them to the commercial world, and through that I did projects such as record sleeves and a Liberty collaboration.

Shortly after, I started working in my

INTRODUCING tea & a chat

‘I always loved drawing, and enjoy the immediacy of working with paper’

02

01

papercut style, which was fairly pioneering at the time, and it all took off from there.

Tell us how you got into papercutting.

I was doing a lot of writing in my work, creating pictures that were all words and very little imagery, but I wanted to force myself to get my message across using just pictures and no words. I had a book of Swiss papercuts which were all perfectly symmetrical, and I knew if I created work in this style, I couldn’t add words because they’d be back to front. So it was a form

of self-censorship, really. I did this for about 18 months before the words started sneaking back in, but they ended up fitting really well with the designs. I’ve always enjoyed using writing in my art, so it works.

When did you first start making and selling your own products?

It all came about fairly haphazardly. I used to do screenprinting for other people, so I learnt how to print on lots of different items, such as T-shirts and tea towels.

Someone was throwing away an old kiln

03

01

Rob’s studio in

02

Inks and paint

Bethnal Green. He

palettes on Rob’s

describes buying the

desk. Rob has got

studio as “one of my

back into painting

best investments.

and is planning an

A lot of other

exhibition next year.

creative people have

03

Creating one of

been priced out of

Rob’s trademark

the area now.”

papercut designs.

72 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 27

Winter woolies

PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP SOWELS , STYLING: HELENA TRACEY & BECKI CLARK, MODEL: ALEXANDRA FIA

Brighten up chilly mornings with Lucy Djevdet’s cosy crochet hat and scarf

72 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 33

PHOTOGRAPHY: PHILIP SOWELS, STYLING: HELENA TRACEY & BECKI CLARK, MODEL: ALEXANDRA FIA THIS IS NOT A TOY. WARNING! NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 36 MONTHS. WARNING! SMALL PARTS – CHOKING AND ASPHYXIATION HAZARD.

64 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 72

Bear hug Knit Louise Walker’s cuddly polar pal and add serious cuteness to a kid’s room

72 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 65

LIVING home tour

Allison Sadler fills her family home with warmth and magic at Christmas Words: LARA WATSON Photography: INGRID RASMUSSEN

If you were in any doubt as to which house on a certain street in Birmingham belonged to Allison Sadler, you’d know as soon as you’d saw it. The beautiful, clean aesthetics of The People Shop’s co-founder have made their way outside too, and you can tell from her home (and her popular Instagram feed) that this woman’s love of life and beautiful things cannot be contained.

Allison is known for her hugs, and when the door opens, you’re greeted with the warmest

50 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 72

SUPER FROSTED SAGE CHRISTMAS TREE, STARRY STOCKING AND STAR DECORATIONS: COX AND COX WWW.COXANDCOX.CO.UK

This page: Allison made the embroidery hoops on her bedroom wall. The frame is from The People Shop and the upcycled wardrobe from a second hand store.

Opposite: The Cox and Cox Christmas tree is decorated with pom poms made by Mr C, hearts painted by Allison, bunting from The People Shop and star decorations, also from Cox and Cox.

LIVING home tour

72 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 51

US READERS

TRY 3 ISSUES FOR JUST $10 WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TODAY*

MISSED AN ISSUE? Complete your collection with any of the back issues below. Order any issues you’re missing for just £5.99 inc postage & packing.

Issue 71

Issue 70

Issue 69

Issue 68

Issue 67

Issue 66

SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS Try 3 issues for just $10 – that’s a saving of over $28 Delivery direct to your door Never miss an issue

SUBSCRIBE NOW Try 3 issues for $10 and then $27.49 by quarterly continuous credit Or $108.99 for 13 issues, $196.49 for 26 issues

www.buysubscriptions.com/a031 or call toll-free on 1 800 428 3003 (Quoting code a031) Terms and conditions: *North American savings compared to buying 13 full priced issues at $12.99 from the US newsstand. Payment is taken in US$. This offer is for new print subscribers only. You will receive 13 issues in a year. Prices correct at point of print and subject to change. If at any time during the first 60 days you are dissatisfied in any way, please notify us in writing and we will refund you all unmailed issues. Prices correct at point of print and subject to change.

Offer ends: 30th December 2016

ORDER TODAY Order online at www.buysubscriptions.com/ molliemakes-backissues Call 0844 844 3797 Prices include P&P. Overseas prices for back issues (including P&P) are Europe: £7.35 and Rest of World: £8.35. Lines open 8am to 8pm weekdays, 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

LOVING

72

OH, YOU PRETTY THINGS! MOODBOARDS & MUSINGS TO INSPIRE US

Get your festive fix of all things sparkly with Meri Meri’s Christmas collection.

The tasselled party picks will brighten up a mug of mulled wine a treat, but the gold foiled napkins are almost too pretty for mopping up spillages. We’re also demanding that every cocktail we drink between now and January 1st is rimmed with edible glitter. www.shopmerimeri.co.uk

Subscribe at molliemakes.com

72 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 83

102 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 72

Jo l l y h ol id ay s Stitch up some festive fun with Sarah Watson’s quirky Christmas motifs

72 MOLLIEMAKES.COM 103

facebook.com/molliemakes

@Molliemakes

@Molliemakes

molliemakes.com 26 MOLLIEMAKES 3

MAIN IMAGE STYLING: HELENA TRACEY & BECKI CLARK, PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVE CAUDERY

64