Introducing Annette from Annette Winter Designs. Where every item is unique and handmade !! From her home in Loxton, South Australia, Annette uses her own artwork to create stunning bags, glass cases and so much more.
Find out why Annette started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
I utilise my graphic design expertise with my illustrations to arrange the elements into seamless repeat patterns or unique art pieces. Once the designs are perfected, I prepare the artwork files for fabric printing.
I work closely with a couple of Australian fabric printing companies whose quality and fast turnaround times ensures I can continue to keep products in my range.
When the fabrics arrive back, I enthusiastically cut the panels and begin sewing the products. I have a real passion for both the design and sewing elements and I love that each finished product is entirely my creation.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
Creativity is in my bones!
From a young age I've had a passion to design and create. Creativity was encouraged at home and I remember the fun I had drawing on my 'Etch a Sketch', sewing on our mini Singer sewing machine, hobbytext and rug making just to name a few!
When our boys were young I made some of their clothes and enjoyed craft groups where we stitched, appliqued and quilted many projects. I was an early adopter of the computer and started dabbling in desktop publishing. I edited and produced many newsletters for community groups and this led to a thirst for more.
I started my own business 'That's Graphic' in 1994 where I offered logo, business card and brochure design and would get them produced by a trade printer. This also led into bespoke website design. In 2016 I had a desire to learn the art of fabric design and was fuelled with enthusiasm for it.
I started transitioning out of the graphic and website design and spend my time now creating designs and sewing them for my own product brand.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration comes from everywhere! Obviously nature is one, but ideas for new designs can be sparked by just a colour combination, a texture or other things I'm viewing, either in a book, TV or Internet etc.
'Many a time I've woken up during the night with ideas for a concept I've been working on or in the shower is another place where ideas just seem to present themselves. The subconscious mind is strong!'
Where did you learn your craft?
My whole life I've been surrounded by creativeness. Both my grandfathers were craftsmen, one crafted cane furniture, the other was a saddler with his own leather making business. My Mum was a seamstress and mastered so many other crafts and Dad was a woodworker and had a lathe in the shed, which I really enjoyed using too.
Today I am a 'Surface Pattern Designer' which is the art of creating pattern prints that can be printed onto all types of surfaces including fabric and paper, which is what I've chosen for my Madeit products. I am self taught and spent a couple of years learning the craft, doing lots of tutorials online and experimenting to really hone the craft of repeat pattern design utilising my illustrations.
As far as sewing goes, it's only something that I've taken up again after many years, but am loving the whole process of developing my skills. Sewing with the faux leather was another learning curve that I have really enjoyed. Youtube has been a fabulous resource for learning this.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
I enjoy the 'human touch' that handmade brings along with the imperfections that arise. An item being crafted and touched by a human hand instead of production line machinery, brings a warmth to the buyer and a sense of worth to the maker.
Annette is a much loved member of the Madeit Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Home of Australian Handmade ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Annette Winter Designs already, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi!
