Random Button - Designer Giveaway!

We're really excited as today we have our first artisan interview including a fantastic giveaway to win this beautiful shabby chic cushion, pictured above, part of the 'Parlour Chic' collection from Random Button.

 Details of how you can win this pretty cushion are at the end of the post, but first lets meet the talented designer maker behind it -  Laura Sollis of Random Button.

Random Button 

Based in the Oxfordshire countryside Random Button is a creative design partnership producing distinctive and exclusive fashion, accessory and home interior pieces. 

When did Random Button come about and how has it grown since you first launched your business?

Random Button came about from a passion for handmade and a love of all things crafty! From an early age I've always been creative and eager to learn new skills. After graduating from Buckinghamshire New University where I studied BA(Hons)Textiles and Surface design (specialising in Knitted Textiles), I decided to go it alone and set up my own business using my new found skills creating pieces that I and hopefully other people loved. 

 It originally started off as a bit of a hobby, working on Random Button alongside a day job doing a few craft fairs at weekends. One day I just decided if this is what I want to do then I’m going to do it! So I gave up the day job and set up a basic website and started to sell online and to a wider audience. Two and a half years on (with a lot of hard work and late nights) I now have 14 shops and 3 online outlets including Not Mass Produced.


You have a collection called 'Parlour Chic' at the moment, how far in advance do you work on your next collection?

I usually don't work that far in advance when it comes to my collections - I'm starting to think about colours for autumn/winter now but I won't start working on any actual pieces for a good few months yet. I like to work 'off the cuff' and make things up as I go along! I'm always playing around with new ideas and once I’ve made something I like to get it out straight away – That way there is always a constant stream of new pieces coming out which I think keeps Random Button fresh and also keeps people interested in what I’m making. A lot of my designs can be easily adapted and personalised so it’s easy to come up with new ideas straight away.

What do you feel are the most difficult parts of running a handmade business?

As a creative person it would be a dream to just make all day and not have to worry about the more 'business' side of things! The most difficult part of running a business; especially one like mine where everything is done by myself, is keeping the online and paperwork side of things up to date! Also a big part of my work is taken up by advertising Random Button and trying to get my pieces into public view – social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are great platforms to get your work seen but it takes time and effort to build a fan base up.

You sell to a large number of bricks and mortar stockists, what does it feel like to see your work on display in shop windows?

It's great to see my pieces in real shops! When you're in the workroom making all these pieces you don't really think about the people buying it - you just make it because you enjoy doing it but when you see your work in a shop it brings home the fact you’re making things for people to buy (hopefully!) and have in their own home!

Giveaway!

For a  chance to win the 'Irish Bow Cushion'  from Random Button

1. Visit Laura's product page over on our website Not Mass Produced - found here Random Button and then come straight back here to leave your comment telling us what your favourite Random Button item is and why you love it.
2. To increase your chance of winning, tweet, facebook, blog about or Pinterest pin this competition blog post and for each we will add an extra entry into the draw for you!
3. To clarify - You only need to leave one comment, just let us know if you have shared and how and we will add an extra entry for each.
   
   The winner will be picked at random, entries will be counted up to 12pm Saturday 16th June! Please ensure we can find you if you win, don't leave an 'anonymous' comment or we wont be able to enter you into the draw.  We will announce the winner shortly after the draw takes place.

Good luck! x