MP4 | YouTube | Vimeo | Blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes
(Animation by Julia Pott; Music by Gerhard van der Merwe)
The Etsy video team has invited experimental and documentary filmmakers to contribute to our original video series, Handmade Portraits, Process and There’s No Place Like Here. Ashka Wierzycka is a South African producer and director based in New York City. She’s currently working on a short documentary in Montauk, NY and spending way too much time staring out the window when she should be editing.
As a long-time fan of Heather Moore (a.k.a skinnylaminx) and her blog, I was excited to meet up with the designer in the spectacularly beautiful city of Cape Town, South Africa. Funny, informed and passionate, Heather is an entertaining guide. South African design has undergone something of a quiet revolution and there is a lot of really unique work being produced at the tip of the African continent.
Between running her fabric design label and blogging about her favorite local and international design, Heather has little time to spare. It was a privilege to spend a little time at her home and studio, observing her process in detail. Her urge to create is wedded to her desire to collect, a formula that results in a home that is a genuine expression of her organic flow of ideas.
What’s wonderful about Heather’s space is its inspired mix of high and low objects — bargain-bin vintage fabrics and adorable plastic animals acquired for a few cents confidently rub shoulders with outstanding antique ceramics and beautiful Scandinavian furniture. It’s all assembled with such a sure touch and loving precision, that it feels both completely accidental and somehow absolutely perfect.
This ability to recognize the finer qualities of an object — regardless of its price tag — is central to Heather’s creative outlook. Many of the humble “treasures” she has rescued over the years have found their way onto her fabrics. Her collection of vintage jugs and pots has been converted into a beautiful frieze-like cutout pattern that decorates a range of cushion covers; and a small hen from one of her mugs surely shares some of its DNA with a popular Skinny laMinx teatowel design, “Birds.”
Heather spoke movingly about how, as a self-trained designer, her first inspiration was the intrinsic loveliness of the objects around her. This is such an inspiring idea, especially in a time when design can seem so rooted in passing fads and divorced from the realities of daily life. One of the Skinny laMinx designs that I personally love the most is her Sevilla Rock range; inspired by the ancient San rock paintings in the Cedarburg Mountains of Western Cape. Though the paintings were created by the San people thousands of years ago, their wonderful poise and life-like grace make them seem completely relevant and contemporary on Skinny laMinx’s fabrics. And that is no surprise — good design is good design, even if it is 3,000 years old.
Tweet this video URL or embed it on your blog!
If you don’t know how to embed a video on your blog — no worries, it’s simple. Here’s how:
- Click the symbol that looks like this
on the video player at the top of this post.
- Copy the embed code from the “embed” tab.
- Paste the embed code into the HTML of your own blog post.
114 comments
Sign in to add your ownrikrak says:
oh this is wonderful! i'm a great fan of skinnylaminx and her amazing designs! so wonderful to read & see this glorious glimpse into her inspiring world!
1 year ago
TheTruffler says:
Wow, that was very inspiring, i absolutely love those cushions. x
1 year ago
BigBangCreations says:
so mesmerizing...
1 year ago
expressyourself says:
Great article and work!
1 year ago
VintageEye says:
So great to see how it all comes together!
1 year ago
susanleighwalsh says:
Long-time fan of skinnylaminx too!
1 year ago
lovelygifts says:
Beautiful work!
1 year ago
cassieloizeaux says:
Love her fabrics! Thanks so much for sharing!
1 year ago
SepiaSmiles says:
lovely designs and great seller :)
1 year ago
MadrigalEmbroidery says:
How cool! best from a long time fan. carla
1 year ago
youmakeyou says:
Such great designs! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
lindaketelhut says:
Thank you for the inside look into your world Heather! I Love your shop. Your textiles are extraordinary. It was so nice to hear a little bit about your inspiration + to see your beautiful home!
1 year ago
treasurebooth says:
Really neat. That act of seeing you spoke about, regarding your mugs, seems like such an important act in life...to really take notice of the little things that make up our environment. Sometimes we see much more than we thought was there ;)
1 year ago
maggiemaevintage says:
beautiful!
1 year ago
coolstuffartgallery says:
Love your designs!
1 year ago
Asianexpressions says:
Awesome!
1 year ago
littleloveblue says:
lovely.
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
The prints on your pillows are so unique, elegant, and pretty! Would make any room look chic and cozy!
1 year ago
ComfortandGreen says:
I love it!
1 year ago
loopinloop says:
OMG! I love your work! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Wonderful!!! Love =)
1 year ago
FiligreeCreations says:
Wow! Great as always!! It's great to have a "peek inside" :)
1 year ago
riorita says:
Great pillow designs!
1 year ago
gretchenmist says:
love this series, thanku! i'm also a long time fan :)
1 year ago
AREjewellery says:
I'm a big fan of Heather's work! Great video too - love the 50s/60s style of her house.
1 year ago
Lindensage says:
wow! just beautiful!!
1 year ago
Mclovebuddy says:
"This ability to recognize the finer qualities of an object — regardless of its price tag — is central to Heather’s creative outlook." love this. :)
1 year ago
blueskyclouds says:
I love the "I Wish We Had Ikea" towel! Great concept!
1 year ago
sonyarasi says:
I love your designs!
1 year ago
BranchandBirdie says:
LOVE love love her work!
1 year ago
UNAshop says:
lOVE HER DESIGNS!
1 year ago
odiliafu says:
Love your design! Just wonderful to see your lovely home.
1 year ago
orsinimedici1951 says:
Wonderful post!! Sometimes the source of an inspiration really is right under your nose!! I still ask myself why it took me so long to incorporate the peacock feather into my Peruvian Inspired Folk Art Hats, that have become my bestsellers!!!
1 year ago
VeraidaGifts says:
Great post! Her designs are simple and modern, love it!
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
The designs are so beautiful in their simplicity. Bravo.
1 year ago
myvintagecrush says:
I am officially in love with those little birdy gift tags :)
1 year ago
IslaNewYork says:
Such an inspirational video! Lots of fun prints, and that work table you have is making me so jealous!! Congratulations on having such a beautiful, successful business!!
1 year ago
sappho123 says:
Love love love the duikers design
1 year ago
TropicalGarden says:
Love her works!! Simple & elegant!
1 year ago
thenorthstarstudio says:
lovely and inspiring story and beautiful work! love the photo of the studio.
1 year ago
babyjives says:
I've loved your work and I love it even more after seeing this. Thanks for sharing! Your work is so spare and elegant.
1 year ago
tomatored says:
Love Love Love your work!
1 year ago
AlissaRose says:
Very nice nice. Thank you for sharing this. I never watch the video bolgs, but this one had to see!
1 year ago
polkadotmagpie says:
Hello Cape Town! So fun to hear the South African accent...my good friend Linda Horn lives there and I called her as soon as I saw this video. Coming to see Rourke's Drift this year. Beautiful shop, and work. Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
reiter8 says:
Oh, I've been a fan of Skinny laMinx for a long time. How wonderful to get a peek into her studio and hear her approach to creating - Thank You Etsy!
1 year ago
jibbyandjuna says:
Love love her work! We have one of her protea sticky decals on our front door instead of a wreath or other decoration to remind us of our short stay in Cape Town 2 years ago.
1 year ago
weatheredsilo says:
Stunning, stunning, stunning.
1 year ago
kadydesigns says:
Great article! Your pillows are beautiful!!!
1 year ago
shecological says:
Fantastic!! so inspiring!
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Love your fabric designs! Congrats!
1 year ago
HaleyByHand says:
How beautiful! And a nice reminder to really stop and take notice of the lovely things in our surroundings :)
1 year ago
vakvar says:
FANSTASTIC. A favorite, for sure!!
1 year ago
gilstrapdesigns says:
Beautiful designs. I love your designs everything looks so fresh.
1 year ago
PlumeandPetals says:
lovely lovely lovely!
1 year ago
Lambert says:
Great portrait. I still wear my "Milnerton Market" Tshirt a lot :)
1 year ago
strawberryluna says:
I've loved this shop for so long now, it's really nice to see a more complete picture of your process and work. Super cool, thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
noblegnome says:
I've been a fan for years. Gorgeous, gorgeous work!
1 year ago
annieWHERE says:
Simply beautiful! Thank you for sharing :)
1 year ago
marysmithka says:
very good!
1 year ago
AZCreativeStudio says:
Beautiful work!!!!!
1 year ago
bstudio says:
What a talent she is, I love her designs!
1 year ago
TheCozyNest says:
That was really nice. :)
1 year ago
CreatureComfortsBlog says:
What a wonderful video! Thank you for sharing your home and little touch of your creative process with us Heather. You are such an inspiration.
1 year ago
skinnylaminx says:
Wow, I've just woken up and found the video was on the Storque blog. I'm thrilled to bits, and even more so by all the sweet, generous comments from everybody here. Thanks so much, you dear people. My day has had the best start ever! Thanks to Etsy for commissioning this video, and also to Ashka who is such an awesome person. I had such a good time working with her. xxx
1 year ago
HellenaLuna says:
Fantastic! Love your work!
1 year ago
cherrytime says:
beautiful designs!!
1 year ago
nadene says:
such a favorite! thanks for sharing, esp video
1 year ago
koenigottokars says:
Really cool designs and beautiful work. So great to hear about you. All the best from a fellow South- African designer and Etsy seller.
1 year ago
NoaSharonDesigns says:
great video and post! i really loved it and specially loved your designs!
1 year ago
elmstreetmarket says:
So glad to see this, Heather! I've been a fan of your shop for a while and it was awesome to see your space and what inspires you. Why I never checked out your blog before is beyond me. Thank you for sharing this :)
1 year ago
strangeinstereo says:
and i was just browsing your shop yesterday. your pattern design and choice of colors are fantastic. i will def. be ordering from you sometime in the not so distant future!
1 year ago
happyment says:
Fantastic! I'm great fan of skinnylaminx and her designs!
1 year ago
louise35flower says:
Heathers work is so inspiring, I have a number of pieces by her and they are perfect!
1 year ago
saraaires says:
So nice to "meet" the artist behind the stage... what a great video!
1 year ago
lorenabr says:
Lovely work :)
1 year ago
DesiCloe says:
I love your patterns and I liked the videe so much! Thank you for sharing it with all of us!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Beautiful pieces, I really like how bold and simple the designs are yet they're really effective!
1 year ago
pouch says:
you've got to love skinnylaminx, she is completely awesome :)
1 year ago
littlemoandfriends says:
beautiful video and heather's home is divine! xoxox
1 year ago
Gynx says:
Great video! Thanks for the interesting interview.
1 year ago
SouthernSkirts says:
I loved hearing about and seeing the process by which her collection of tea cups became a printed tea towel - how fun!
1 year ago
CocoaBeans says:
loved this, so glad you did the video, this was awesome!
1 year ago
divinedesignstudios says:
I have been a fan of Skinny laMinx for some time now! It was so wonderful to take a little peak into her life and home. I love how her art career emerged so perfectly by accident!
1 year ago
wantsky says:
So inspiring! It gives me hope I can become a selfmade designer;)
1 year ago
Patriacontemporary says:
Congrants!!! Beautiful art!! I like her studio!!!
1 year ago
jammerjewelry says:
Great article.
1 year ago
summersville says:
heather is seriously one of the nicest people i've ever 'met' on the internet. she's a star :)
1 year ago
rusticrevivals says:
It is always so neat to read these articles, and see their studios, etc. I LOVE the print of the deer - looks like they're running down the hill! Also really like the bird tags - very nice pattern and cut. Will heart them for my next treasury on rustic Feed The Birds!
1 year ago
rakshniyavintage says:
You have such a beautiful home and shop - congrats :)
1 year ago
breadandroses2 says:
Another long-time fan of Skinnylaminx here! Great work space and cameo. Thanks so much!
1 year ago
beatyboutique says:
What a cool shop!
1 year ago
crankbunny says:
her tea towels are to die for!
1 year ago
lalalandArt says:
we love your creativity and your story is really inspiring!
1 year ago
PyxusPassionProject says:
Gorgeous!! Keep up the great work - love all your textiles!
1 year ago
jenniferfinnart says:
Such beautiful designs!
1 year ago
SacredandProfane says:
I'm a big fan of SkinnyLaminx and it's so wonderful to finally see the person (and the space) behind this beautiful shop! Simply gorgeous!
1 year ago
Menuchachic says:
beautiful artistic work!! love it...
1 year ago
imadeyouabeard says:
I am such a huge fan of Heather's work, thanks so much for featuring this little insight into her world!
1 year ago
drawcity says:
Yay, SA crafts!
1 year ago
rusticrevivals says:
As promised above, I just HAD to use the lovely bird tags featured in the article, in a treasury: Feed the Birds, Tuppence A Bag. (Then I felt guilty for using someone so highly profiled right now, so I also chose three new Etsians!) http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ce4192a10286d918e6bce6b/feed-the-birds-tuppence-a-bag-mary?ref=pr_treasury Thank you for sharing Heather's unique ideas, as well as her interesting geographical location! Julie
1 year ago
rusticrevivals says:
As promised above, I did use Heather's fantastic bird tags in a Treasury "Feed the Birds". (Then I felt guilty that Heather was already being highly profiled right now, and added three NEW Etsians)! I dedicated the treasury to an elderly gentleman who made nothing but birdhouses and feeders, who just died: He called himself "Chips'n'Chirps" and did great work! Heather's work is beautiful and unique, and I LOVE that she has such a great geographical location. Thank you for featuring Skinnylaminx!
1 year ago
mck254 says:
That was so much fun- I've been a fan of skinnylaminx for a while now. I love seeing her working and her space.
1 year ago
MiniCyn says:
Ooooooooooohhh I love her designs and make. I own a cushion of hers but soon I'll have morrreeee muahahahahah!
1 year ago
pearlygrae says:
how beautifully creative...and the colors are an inspiration. love love your collection!
1 year ago
pearlygrae says:
what a beautifully creative collection...the colors are amazing! I love...love your work!
1 year ago
ThePrintYards says:
Skinny LaMinx I love you! Wonderful designs and such a lovely home. Thanks for sharing, great video!
1 year ago
frenchtoastfriday says:
A real inspiration. Love your designs.
1 year ago
SavoyFaire says:
To be able to make your own designs and fabric! Wow! Totally fabulous and best to you!
1 year ago
Slowshirts says:
AMen sister!
1 year ago
faveblanket says:
A true artist, seeing beauty and sharing it.
1 year ago
joajewellery says:
Just so wonderful to meet the maker behind Skinny-laminx! I have admired her designs for as long as I have been at Etsy. She is an inspiration! Thanks for this really lovely insight into her life (and I love her furniture!!!)
1 year ago
papersquid says:
Truly love her work. I've been eyeing a few fabrics for a while now but can't make up my mind, inspiring video & wonderful designs.
1 year ago
ahadzipopovska says:
like ,like and like:)
192 days ago
LavenderField says:
I love your designs! And you have a beautiful home, congrats!
158 days ago