Barbican and Golden Lane inspired cushions

[Stefi Orazi]

Hello neighbours

I've designed and produced two designs of textiles inspired by Golden Lane Estate and Barbican.
Available as cushions here:

http://www.thingsyoucanbuy.co.uk/shop/textiles.html

All hand made and produced in the UK.

Hope you like them!

(I posted this before, but the comments got a bit out of hand regarding other designs. Please note, these are the only designs available)

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

May I ask in what way an earlier comments were seen as 'a bit out of hand', simply because a question was asked if you did 'Crescent House cushions, for example?  Seems like a reasonable question, as you don't know till you ask. 

Anyway, good luck.  Am sure it will attract some Great Arthur House residents.  A bit out of my price range though.

[Steve Daszko]

"Out of Hand" comments?   I simply asked if there was a cushion design for Cullum Welch House!   That said, £48-00 per cushion is beyond my financial limits!

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

That's right Steve.  We only asked a couple of questions!  Nothing wrong in that.  That's what a discussion site is all about.

[Steve Daszko]

Exactly Maria!

[Bosques]

Is it £48 for a set of 4?

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

If you look at the link I believe its £48 per cushion.  So that would be £192.00 for a set of 4! 

Bosques said:

Is it £48 for a set of 4?

[Bosques]

Wow, now that would be an expensive set for my pocket. I really like the designs, shame, but this is one of the things I like most about GLE, there are some people who would find it obscene to spend £48 on a single cushion and some who would not think twice about it, the range of incomes on GLE is incredible, vive le difference!

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

I agree Bosques,  that some would pay the money, but others would not.  It all depends on individual tastes, and opinions.  I have made cushions in the past, and done so by always hand sewing them.  Its very satisfying.  So these are 'handmade', too, but it does not specify if machine sewed, or done by hand.  There is a big difference. 

Bosques said:

Wow, now that would be an expensive set for my pocket. I really like the designs, shame, but this is one of the things I like most about GLE, there are some people who would find it obscene to spend £48 on a single cushion and some who would not think twice about it, the range of incomes on GLE is incredible, vive le difference!

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

Stefi, may I ask if the local 'craftspeople' sew these cushions by hand or machine?  If by machine, then surely it does not take a lot of talent and time to do that. Unless, the material is especially produced in such a way that it justifies the price. Am most interested as I have made so many things entirely by hand, including miniature embroidery, hand sewn dolls clothes,  and furnishings for dolls' houses, including cushions, curtains, carpets etc, so know exactly how much work goes into individual items.  Would you also kindly reply to my, and Steve's queries further up your post.  Many thanks. 

Stefi said:

That's the cost for one. The cushions are bespoke printed and hand made, in small quanitites by local crafts people. I.e. not mass produced, hence not Ikea prices, but totally inline pricewise with cushions from SCP, Twentytwentyone etc.

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

Hi Stefi

Thanks for the vote of confidence.  Would love to get together with you, but at the moment my partner is seriously ill in hospital, so all my attention needs to be in that direction!  However, hopefully, in the not too distant future we can have a chat, not that I know anything about Barbican cushions, which is why I asked. 

Unfortunately, any skill I may have does not extend to printing fabric.  I can't even use a sewing machine.  Always sew everything by hand.  Am very old fashioned in that department. 
Stefi said:

Dear Maria,

who knew a cushion would be such a hot topic of discussion! I'm delighted you have such interest in it. If you had the time I would love the opportunity to discuss the breakdown of costs with you. Perhaps you are free this evening and I could run through how business works in terms of VAT expenses and profit margin. Are you free this evening for a glass of cava?

Also, if you would like the opportunity, as you have sold your skills so well, I'd be delighted if you would sew the cushions for me.

You are obviously more talented, quicker and cheaper than anyone I have used.

Do you also have skills in printing fabric, as that could come in handy too. To cut costs perhaps we could potato print them, what do you think?

And how shall we reduce the costs of the feather cushion? Get some ducks for the Barbican perhaps and pluck them? I'm a bit squeamish so I'll let you do that.

[Steve Daszko]

I see a reply to this thread has been "deleted"................mysterious!!!