Our Gallery Shop offers original, contemporary and heritage craft from renowned local and national makers, alongside an eclectic range of original art, prints and cards.
Maker of the Month
SARAH JANE HEMSLEY
A desire for more creativity in her life led to Sarah Jane Hemsley retraining as an upholsterer.
12 years ago, whilst doing the daily slog into London, Sarah decided to try evening classes in something creative yet practical. She plumped for upholstery and the evening classes eventually led to training with a Master Upholsterer in Cornwall.
In 2014, Sarah gained my AMUSF (Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers) Advanced Craft certificate with credit. The same year, she took the plunge and went full time with my own upholstery business, Sarah Jane Hemsley Upholstery.
Living at the time in Twickenham, her client base was mainly South West London but extended to elsewhere in the UK with even a commission for a castle in the Black Forest, Germany and cushions to Hong Kong. As well as taking on commissions, Sarah restored and reupholstered vintage chairs and stools to sell at local fairs and markets, along with handmade cushions.
In June 2022, Sarah Jane returned to live on Bute, her childhood home, and continued her upholstery business from her home workshop on the island. Although Sarah Jane tackles most upholstery jobs, she specialise in traditional upholstery, using traditional craft methods and materials. Sarah Jane’s intention is to ensure new life for tired pieces of furniture, making them beautiful and useful once more.
Living at the time in Twickenham, her client base was mainly South West London but extended to elsewhere in the UK with even a commission for a castle in the Black Forest, Germany and cushions to Hong Kong. As well as taking on commissions, Sarah restored and reupholstered vintage chairs and stools to sell at local fairs and markets, along with handmade cushions.
In June 2022, Sarah Jane returned to live on Bute, her childhood home, and continued her upholstery business from her home workshop on the island. Although Sarah Jane tackles most upholstery jobs, she specialise in traditional upholstery, using traditional craft methods and materials. Sarah Jane’s intention is to ensure new life for tired pieces of furniture, making them beautiful and useful once more.
Sarah Jane loves working with different fabrics and in 2019, she started to explore a new, but related, direction by designing a range of printed textiles.
The Bulloch Collection is currently 3 unique designs using original artworks by her late art teacher and family friend, Lyn Bulloch. Each design features ink sketched landscapes of, or around, the Isle of Bute.
Digitally printed on organic cotton or natural linen union the designs have been handmade in the UK (bags and tea towels in Scotland and fabric and cushions in the North of England) into a range of interior soft furnishings, home and gift accessories and used to reupholster restored vintage furniture.
Sarah’s most popular design is undoubtedly the Waverley, featuring the 75 year old last ocean going paddle steamer in the world!
The Bulloch Collection is currently 3 unique designs using original artworks by her late art teacher and family friend, Lyn Bulloch. Each design features ink sketched landscapes of, or around, the Isle of Bute.
Digitally printed on organic cotton or natural linen union the designs have been handmade in the UK (bags and tea towels in Scotland and fabric and cushions in the North of England) into a range of interior soft furnishings, home and gift accessories and used to reupholster restored vintage furniture.
Sarah’s most popular design is undoubtedly the Waverley, featuring the 75 year old last ocean going paddle steamer in the world!
A new design, Burnt Islands, is in the final stages of development and Sarah Jane is always researching and creating possible new items to add to The Bulloch Collection.
@sarahjanehemsleyupholstery