Don’t forget about the person that loves you the most in this world next week. We’ve got lots of fun and pretty things for her.
happy mother’s day to all those amazing mums out there from the Personify team
I’m excited to share this Artist Series with you all! I saw Yu Square socks not long ago online and I knew they belonged in Personify Shop with their bright colors and bold patterns.
Yu Square is a knitwear, textile design studio started and run by Ringo Yu. The first year she started the company, she knitted all the clothing garments herself, gradually adding scarves and beanies to her collection. After careful consideration, she started working with local manufacturers to produce knitwear pieces and socks. She currently works full time as a textile designer and a machine knitter at her studio in Taipei, Taiwan.
It’s been a joy working with Ringo and I loved reading her answers to our interview questions below. After reading, head on over to our New Arrivals section to see our collection of Yu Square socks!
1. How did you get started with what you do?
I’ve loved to draw and make stuff since I was little, so it was a natural path for me to study textile design. There I can combine my passion of both drawing and making. After graduating from CSM I started to work in the high fashion industry, but the fast-paced intensive lifestyle left me stressed out and uninspired, surrounded by bling sequins and luxury fabrics. In order to find my passion again, I began to design and knit some garments in my free time and tried to sell them online. With more and more orders from people I realized that this is what I should do! Eventually I quit my job and working full time for YU Square.
Vibrant and cheerful. I can’t live without colours and I want to design things that make people happy and smile while wearing them, or even just looking at them. Life can be awful and we need colours to rescue our souls.
The greatest thing about my job is that I enjoy it more than anything else. No kidding, I love knitting THAT MUCH. Besides it’s nice that I have full control of my time, for example during low season I can arrange a short vacation time without approval from a boss…
The muscle of my right arm gets bigger and stronger due to constantly knitting. Errr Nrrrrrr!
Grab every chance to learn new things. Be brave to accomplish your goals, though some of them may not work out in the end. Trying and learning it doesn’t work is better than not trying and regretting not doing it, at least now you know where it can be improved.
Those amazing bottle openers! I love drinking with friends on Friday nights and these openers would definitely add some fun to it.
Nigel Peake, Nicola Rowlands and Kelly Puissegur! They are my most favourite illustrators by the way.
My top happy picks for this spring at the shop
1. I think this mermaid bottle opener lady is the perfect bar accessory.
2. Boost you lunchtime routine with the popsicle pop quiz lunch box.
3. This tote does anything but blend in.
4. I’m probably going to take one of these herschel supply x hudson’s bay little america backpacks home with me. I love them so much.
5. Love the minimalist take on the classic squash blossom design in wooden beads.
6. This confetti handmade catch all ceramic dish is my favorite
7. These felt birdhouses are fully functional and adorable. Invite your bird friends over this spring.
8. Say thank you with this colorful card.
9. Spruce up your outdoor space with these gorgeous ceramic lanterns. Nothing beats soft candlelight on your porch.
Introducing Etymology Jewelry to Personify Shop has been so fun. I found Natalie Jacob through Etsy’s open call and I just couldn’t live without her line. I’m currently wearing one of her bracelets right this second. I love the colorful pieces, mixed media, and bohemian vibe of the line… It’s jewelry that’s ready to party! You can find her pieces under our New Arrivals tab. Read my interview with Natalie below.
The occasional back ache from doing all that handmade jewelry fabrication!
Thanks so much Natalie! It’s been a joy to work with you. I love your line so much and look forward to working together more in the future.
Justina Blakeney is my all-time favorite designer and one Tammy and I just can’t get enough of. Her style is eclectic, bohemian, and jungalicious (full of patterns & plants). We sell her design book The New Bohemians. This book is the perfect gift for the vibrant people in your life. Do yourself a favor and follow her Jungalow and Justina Blakeney Instagrams. Check out some of my favorite of her designs below as well as when she answered my Instagram question on Periscope! Yay!
Her book The New Bohemians. You need it. Trust me.
Her design for Claypso Maison.
In her home. That Charley Harper books is one of my favorites.
Her kitchen redo aka the best thing ever. Watch out for these green tones this year. They’re coming…
This Blush cabinet in her home/studio has inspired me to paint more furniture pieces this year. Also, it’s the perfect pink. I want.
Her new wallpaper collection from Hygge & West is unreal beautiful. This one is my favorite.
At the Gather Weekend I attended last year (see my previous post), they encouraged us to make a “design tree” of our favorite designers aka find out who they are inspired by. So, I asked Justina, “What are you creative influences and inspiration?” AND she answered!!! Ahh! She answered my question live on Persicope. It was amazing.
2. The Women Painters of Mithila
3. Midcentury Modern Art in Nigeria
4. Picasso Linocuts
5. The Ultimate House Book by Terrence Conran
6. Frida Kahlo
So there you have it. That’s what inspires the amazing Justina Blakeney.
