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Meet the Maker - Flowers for Susie

For this month’s meet the maker post, Charlotte Simmonds of Flowers For Susie welcomes you into her print-based studio. This is where she carves her unique lino cut motifs, which reflect her love of mid-century colours and print and form the basis of her eye-catching, modern lampshades and desirable textile products.

 

Charlotte initially began Flowers for Susie as an annual creative charity project in memory of her late mother, but since 2020 has established a successful creative business, that stays true to its charitable creative roots, as she continues to work with local and national charities.

 

Join us, as we chat to Charlotte about her design inspiration and process and what she has learnt growing the fabulous Flowers For Susie.



How are you today and what’s on your workbench?

I’m quite busy at the moment developing some newness in readiness for the upcoming gallery event in May.  Currently on my bench are new single shade table lights and some paper mock ups of new colours for my bird & fox designs. 

 

Where does your design inspiration come from?

Oh gosh, lots of things inspire me but I suppose there are 3 key inspirations for the work that I produce.

 

1. My motifs are inspired by the world which surrounds me, be it the wooded chine & beach a short walk from my home or the urban landscape of London from my art school days, so each motif I create has a story to tell.  Mr Fox came from a beautifully bold Fox that slept in my veggie patch for most of lockdown which made us all smile and the scallop that features across a lot of my work comes from the patterns in the sand that we get on the windy days at the beach.

 

2. Repeat pattern is my obsession and I adore repeating my simple motifs and silhouettes to create bold patterns that create modern design statements for the home.

 

3. Mid Century colour & print have always inspired me be it the mark making, style or the colour palette and so this is something I lean into each and every time I create a new design.



How do you start the design process for your beautiful lampshades and products?

All my designs start their life as a simple sketch and then move quickly into lino. I love the handcut graphic nature of the lino cuts I make, which absolutely give my designs their unique Flowers for Susie Aesthetic.

 

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as Mid Century Modern

 

Can you tell us how ‘Flowers for Susie’ came about?

Flowers for Susie was originally established as a creative charity project in 2014 in memory of my mother Susie who passed away from cancer.  My first project was hand sewn flower brooches which I sold for £5 each to raise money for an amazing cancer charity, The AMMF and so Flowers for Susie was born.

 

I continued to develop a different charity project each year on mum’s anniversary and that’s how I discovered Lino printing. Fast forward to 2020 and a lockdown of homeschooling and I decided to turn my yearly fundraising event into a business. I do still try to support charity through my business when I can, it’s important to me to give back and to stay connected to the reason it all began.

 

When and why did you start making lampshades?

I started making lampshades in 2022, my prints came alive when printed onto textiles. Having been a lighting designer with other companies for 16 years prior to setting up Flowers for Susie, it felt like a natural fit.

 

What’s your favourite part of the lampshade making process?

Folding the seam and rolling the edge, that’s when the lampshade really does come alive.


What do you need to consider when designing prints specifically for lampshades?

I hate mismatched seams, so the repeat of the design is critical to getting this right.  I also create quite linear repeats so ensuring there is enough of a border top and bottom so that the design is framed well is important to my designs.

 

Can you talk us through the creative process of making your lampshades and products?

All my designs start life as a simple sketch and lino print this is the most important part of the process giving the design it’s simple block print aesthetic.  Once I am happy with the motif, I take the print into illustrator, and this is where the print comes alive through the colour and the repeat. 

 

It can take a little time to get the repeat and colour combination right and so I always create paper mock ups at this stage to check the repeat works well on the product and that the colour combinations work with the rest of the range.  Once the fabric is back from my printer in Staffordshire, I can then make my lampshades and I work with a local seamstress to make my cushions and pouches.


You sell your own lampshade making kits. Can you tell us what’s included and who these kits are aimed at?

My kits are definitely aimed at crafters, you need to have a creative mind, a patient hand and a sharp pair of scissors.  The kit itself comes with everything else you need including rings sets & tape, fabric & backing materials, a simple tool and an easy-to-follow tutorial, I also add in a little card with top tips if you want to make your lampshade extra special.

 

Can you tell us more about the charity projects you are involved in?

When I started Flowers for Susie I developed a creative charity project once a year that I then sold to raise money firstly for AMMF which is a Cancer Charity and then For Michael House which is a hostel for the homeless local to where I live. More recently I’ve given product donations to various charities.

 

This year I’m about to start a project with Michael House to give back to the residents through creativity. Craft & Art can be great sources of comfort and healing in difficult situations so hoping my creative work with Michael House will help the residents as they navigate the journeys.

 

What other products could we find at ‘Flowers for Susie’?

Alongside my lampshades and kits, I sell pouches, cushions, aprons and tea towels. I also have a small number of cards too.



We noticed that you attend Craft Fairs and Festivals. What do you feel these bring to your business?

Craft fairs and festivals are amazing ways to build your customer base and get your story out there. They take you to new audiences and if you pick the right ones they connect you to your people. They are also a great opportunity to meet other makers to build your creative community.



Any new advice for lampshade makers in business?

Start small and work in small batches, researching as you go. Always ensure that your quality is the best it can be and use the right fabrics and materials to help you realise your designs. 

 

What does a typical day at Flowers for Susie look like?

At the moment a typical day is full of colour and print trials as I prepare for a big 2 person show in May/June 2025. I’m also developing a new plug-in table light shade so there’s lots of research into the best wiring and packaging for that right now too.


When are you at your most productive?

Creatively I’m better in the afternoon or the evenings as I like to be free of admin to allow my mind to wonder and create.

 

And your favourite sustenance when you’re working?

Earl Grey tea and cheese oat cakes.

 

Can we take a peek at your workspace, and can you tell us a little about it?

I work from home, so my workspace is also my spare bedroom so needs to be changeable for when we have visitors. I also work as a freelance designer and the space needs to work for that too.  I have lots of storage so that things can be hidden away.  My desk is trestles with a wooden top which is great for sketching at but can be raised to the perfect height for lampshade making.  I use the same desk for all my shows as well, so the desk definitely earns it’s money. 



Where would you like to be in 10 years time?

Ideally, I want Flowers for Susie to be my full time job and I would love to run print and lampshade workshops alongside developing my own products.  I also want to continue to use my creativity to help others as I firmly believe that creativity can be a perfect mindful practice and can help with all kinds of mental health situations from grief to anxiety and much more. 


What have you learned that’s been invaluable to your creative process?

Slow and steady wins the race and never look at the top of the hill.  When I look back to where I started back in 2020 with a few card designs and a desire to create a print-based business of my own I could never have imagined where I am today and what I have achieved. By taking one step at a time and by not looking too far ahead you don’t get overwhelmed.



Anything future plans for Flowers for Susie you could share?

In the near future I’ll be at New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham from the 3rd May until the Middle of June for my first 2 person show. I’m also planning to develop my wholesale business this year to enable me to spread the joy of print across the whole of the British Isles.





Shop Charlotte's intricate and playful handcut lino designs, available as lampshades, cushions, teatowels, pouches, aprons and cards, in a mid century colour palette at www.flowersforsusie.co.uk. Give Charlotte a friendly follow as she grows her business on her socials below.


Instagram: @flowersforsusie

Facebook: @flowersforsusie


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