In a house in Featherston, surrounded by second hand treasures (including a lounge suite originally given to her great-grandparents as a wedding gift), Emma McCleary crafts fabric, paper, ink and words into the unique handmade stylings of Emma Makes.
What do you make?
Mainly bags, purses and pencil cases from vintage and new fabrics as well as notebooks and witty pencils.
I sell on Felt as well as through a range of great stockists in New Zealand and Australia. While I don’t do many craft fairs, I am planning to do Craft 2.0 (Wellington) in October, Alt. Shift. Craft (Palmerston North) in December and Craft Country (Greytown) in December, which is one I also organise.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
Yes and no – I have a degree in Fine Arts (majoring in printmaking) and a post graduate diploma in Museum Studies. Both those were based around creative study, which helped me develop ideas, which helps me run Emma Makes. However, neither gave me the technical skills I use now.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
Hands down it’s my sewing machine, which I got for my 21st birthday, vintage op-shopped fabrics, and sewing. I taught myself to sew at art school by unpicking op-shopped clothing, seeing how it was made and then re-sewing it into styles that I liked.
Now I draft my own patterns and have a hilarious series of paper squares and rectangles, which look like nothing to outsiders but tell me exactly what I need to sew my products.
What was the last handmade item you bought?
I buy handmade all the time because it’s great and because I can’t expect people to buy from me if I’m not supporting handmade and buying local. I’ve most recently bought a teacup print from oyprints to reward myself for meeting a month-long challenge and a crochet coffee cup warmer from Alexandra Mackenzie – I’ve also got a great blue felted bag by Ramari Textiles on layby at Craft Country in Featherston.
Five words that describe your mind: Curious, great memory, optimistic, wilful.
Your favourite feedback from a customer:
I love hearing from customers because they often tell me really special things. Many of my notebooks and pencils have travelled the world or they’ve recorded notes for expectant mums and have been thank you presents for bridesmaids. I once sent a Plans & Schemes notebook to Parliament, which I thought was appropriate!
I love spotting random strangers wearing my bags – and people make a point of texting me or posting bag sightings on my Facebook page, which I love too.
My most intriguing customers – who never give feedback – are the men who join Felt just so they can buy a present for their wife. I always wonder if they’ve chosen it themselves or if their wife has emailed through a shopping list.
Describe your workspace:
I was really lucky a couple of years ago and got the builders in to make part of our garage into my studio. They lined it out and put a little recycled window in the back so that’s my craft space. And there’s always a little pile of stuff at the end of the couch too.
I painted my studio green (Geraldine by Dulux) and used old drawers to make shelves. It’s also pretty heavily laden with treasure from op-shops.
It’s always well packed with stuff – supplies, half-made projects, half-made printmaking works and finished products ready to ship off to Felt buyers and stockists.
What are you reading now?
I work in the book trade (my ‘real job’) as web editor for Booksellers New Zealand. I’m really lucky because I get to see a lot of new books and have the opportunity to review them too. Right now I’m reading Gorse is Not People by Janet Frame and NW by Zadie Smith. I implore mothers reading this profile to let their daughters read When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead – it’s incredible with a wonderful central girl character.
A favourite quote: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” – Teddy Roosevelt
What are you currently listening to?
I listen to heaps of podcasts because my studio doesn’t get National Radio. I love: This American Life, All Songs Considered, Selected Shorts, The Slate Culture Gabfest, The Moth, Desert Island Discs, The Friday Night Comedy Podcast, Savage Love and Great Lives among others.
Your hero/heroine:
I don’t really believe in putting people on a pedestal – instead I have a group of well-known people as well as friends who I admire for parts of their character, personality or resolve.
There’s something for just about everybody in Emma’s Felt shop, Emma Makes. To celebrate her love of floral prints, one lucky person who comments below will win an Emma Makes pixie bag in gorgeous retro fabric…and you might even find a handful of those fab pencils inside. The draw is open to New Zealand residents only until Friday 14 September.
I’ve purchased several items off Emma lately and I can honestly say she is Lovely (that’s lovely with a capital L) to deal with and a super crafter!
Yay! I am so glad that we can leave a comment, because I wanted to say how lovely your work is, and reading about you has energised and inspired me. Thank you.
I love Emma’s work, so pretty and her pencils make great gifts 🙂
I love, love, love the daffodil day purse and it’s chocca full of all my bag stuff (keys, cards, pen, lippy etc) & my friend loves the pencils I got as well.
totally love your bags as well, would love to win one 🙂
So sugary sweet miss Emma makes – I like your goodies!
I love your style Emma… you have so many lovely products that are all so different. What a talent you are!
I like not only your products but also your excellent taste in podcasts 😉 May I recommend The Vinyl Cafe as something you may enjoy. I was sorry I missed your Daffodil Day bag… must be quicker on my click-to-buy button next time.
Oh but how I love those fabrics! Nice stuff Emma.
Good work 🙂 Lovely things.
Great to read an interview and put a face to the name. I LOVE the witty pencils and notebooks.
So nice to see you as a featured seller. You are so committed to your art which is wonderful to see. Your pixie bags rule, especially the hot pink ones. We need people like you in the world, lovers of nana things that get reinvented to be loved all over again.
I love your stuff, Emma! And what a great interview. Your studio is the best, and you have fine taste in podcasts.
What a fabulous write up – and an inspiring crafter! She has a lovely eye for detail and design – winning a pixie purse would be a true gift, Love that favourite quote too x
I’m a big emmamakes fan! I’ve got loads of pencils saying sassy things. Yay Emma!
Loved this interview and the insight into Emma’s world and I have fallen in love with her bags!! Oh my gosh!
Yay for yellow! I love your stuff and especially the cover pic with the yellow floral bag. Cute as a button!
Lovely to meet you in the featherston store. Your products are great and I can’t wait for my next visit.
Hi Emma. Thanks for sharing your story and your creations with us. Good on you for living your life doing what you love and being creative 🙂
I love your bags, definitely on my wishlist for Christmas!
Oh Emma, how lovely and your work is FABulous! Just a little bit jealous that you have a space for all your bits and bobs and it’s filled with such lovely stuff!
A very clever happy girl.I just love poking around your studio and seeing whats new and whats been shifted.
Your home and studio reflects your personality. XX
Just beautiful work as ever Emma!
Thanks for the window into a wee segment of the world of Emma Makes.
Its lovely to have a little context about where crafty people get inspiration from and are informed by. Happy days Emma Makes and Felt!
I love everything about your creations – the designs, the fabrics and most of all their uniqueness!!
Simply gorgeous – such an inspiration to us all!
Hi there, love your bags, will have to see about buying one for myself, Thanks so much
Nice spread Emma.
Hi Emma, I love your work especially your bags! (I make bags out of recycled fabric too)
This is so cool. Great idea.
I stumbled across Emma on Facebook and have spent hours admiring all her gorgeous creations! I hope one day (very soon!) my husband picks up on my hints! Aftter all, a new accessory is a must when you have a new bubby aye!!!??
Hi Emma, i have purchased several of your ‘hopes and dreams’ and ‘plans and schemes’ notebooks for friends at transition points in their lives. They are gorgeous, and just the right little gift for that moment.
Love your stuff Emma, congrats on the feature! xx
Hey Emma, I’ve been inspired by the things you creare for some time – thank you so much for sharing your incredible talents with us all.. keep up the fantastic work 🙂
I loved reading about your crafts, how you came to be doing it and what you’re currently doing. You make very lovely things. I’ll be back! 🙂
Ooh I would love to win one of your beautiful bags! I’m a big fan of your lovely creations. Great styles and fabrics. 🙂
Have been a fan of the “plans and schemes” line for ages, so it’s great to see Emma creating in her workshop! It’s as cute and creative as I’d imagined. Very cool.
Hi, Love your work and bags, make the handles wider out. Its great to through the bag over the shoulder when two hands need to be free. Lovely!
Your work is just gorgeous! I have found someone who loves floral prints just as much as me!!! Such a delightful little description of your studio space too – love the work and love that it is so well made. well done!
Emma, I love your creations, you are so clever! I wish I could have my own space like your studio & the time & talent to do what you do
I’m in love with Emma’s aesthetic, and a long-time fan. I like to make gifts for the people I love but sometimes there’s just not time. In those instances I turn to Emma Makes for perfect pressies for friends and whanau that I know will bring purpose and delight in equal measure. Not to mention the occasional treat for me!
I love these bags! The pencils are super cute too. So glad to have found this.
Love the floral print bags, and just in time for some spring cheer!
I’m new to Emma Makes, but it looks right up my alley. I love all the fabrics and style of bags!
What beautiful bags and creations Emma – gorgeous fabrics. You are very talented. Hope to win one of your beautiful pixie bags to see one up close. Cheers :o)
I love seeing creative people using recycled fabric (and other items!) to create beautiful things. Love your work Emma. Oh and the pencils are fun, I may have to order the ‘Obstinate Headstrong Girl’ ones, sounds familiar…….
I love Emma Makes! She’s my favourite Felt seller.
Emma – such cool stuff!! LOVE the bags and the pencils…. just about to buy some and some notebooks. Super cool stuff! Very clever!!!
Lovely to learn more about your creations 🙂
Emma, I have just bought some witty pencils and plans and schemes booklet, and now I shall conquer the world. I love your stuff!
Emma you rock! I have one of your beautiful pixie bags which arrived yesterday and I love it! You are a very talented lady.