"I’ve always been a maker! For as long as I can remember, it’s always been a passion of mine." Lauren begins by sharing her love for making and recalls on some memories, "The first time I can really recollect beginning to make jewellery, however, was in year eight. I loved to make statement pieces from little metal things I’d find around the house, like old keys and Coke can tabs. I EVEN tried to make the whole ‘wear one massive statement earring’ a trend. Needless to say, my year eight peers didn’t follow suit with that fashion statement."
Lauren shares that while growing up her parents "were unfortunately a little lacking in the creativity and craft department." But that didn't deter her, "I looked to my school art teachers for inspiration!" During school Lauren was not largely exposed to art and crafts, although she still today values and is inspired by the quality of exposure she did have, "I went to a country school that was very small (and I mean VERY – we only had nine kids in the WHOLE school at one stage!). As such, art class wasn’t something that was taught on a regular basis due to a lack in resources. However, we did have a ‘mobile’ art teacher who came to visit our school every fortnight. Those visits where heaven! Not only did we get time off of boring school work, but we also got some great one-on-one time with the teachers, as there were so few students! I still really vividly remember some of those classes, and get some great inspiration looking back to them."
Made By Morton is now entering its second year of trading. Lauren considers herself "a polymer clay artist." Making a range of jewellery, homewares and statement art pieces entirely out of polymer clay. She shares that she is now experimenting with polymer clay in other ways, "I’m working to move away from that [jewellery] a little bit and explore the possibilities of polymer clay (to which they are endless!)"
Made By Morton is now entering its second year of trading. Lauren considers herself "a polymer clay artist." Making a range of jewellery, homewares and statement art pieces entirely out of polymer clay. She shares that she is now experimenting with polymer clay in other ways, "I’m working to move away from that [jewellery] a little bit and explore the possibilities of polymer clay (to which they are endless!)"
When running a small business many difficulties arise in the competitive industry, Lauren discusses the difficulties she has been faced with and how she has developed Made By Morton to overcome these, "I think the biggest difficulty for any small business owner is being unique and different. I’m totally aware that there are many other makers out there who create similar products. I’m also aware that I definitely wasn’t the first to be making things out of polymer clay, and I definitely won’t be the last! I hate feeling like I’m encroaching on other designer’s territory by making items with polymer clay. That’s why, I really try and make my designs as individual and unique as I can. I want people to be able to recognise my designs as a ‘Made By Morton’, and not as anything else. It’s also a reason why I’ve made the move to produce more homewares within my range, as I believe it’s a market that has not yet been explored."
Lauren expresses with optimism to aspiring hand-makers, "It’s important to keep at it. At times, you may feel like you’re not getting anywhere, but you never know what might be around the corner if you just keep trying." She then shares from a business perspective "something I’ve learnt from experience is keep on top of your accounting! It’s definitely not one of my strong suits and it hurts you in the long run…
I think, if there is one thing that I’ve discovered during this whole journey, is that you have to be REALLY passionate about creating from the beginning, because if you’re not, you’ll never persist. Sometimes, it’s hard, and it’s complicated to fit around your life, but if you love what you do, you’ll always be able to find time." And its not just a passion for creating that Lauren admirers in the craft of hand-making, it is also the pleasure received by the maker from the support of the buyer, "You really have no idea how much happiness just one sale can give to a local maker – it’s able to not only support their work financially, but also give them reaffirmation that their dream to make a living off of handmade isn’t just a dream!"
For Lauren, "the best highlights from running my own business come from customer feedback. I love knowing that I’ve made a customer happy and that they’re a fan of what I’m doing. Nothing makes me want to continue doing what I’m doing more than that."
You can find all of Lauren's designs on her website and social media pages:
https://www.facebook.com/madebymorton
https://instagram.com/madebymorton/
http://madebymorton.bigcartel.com
I think, if there is one thing that I’ve discovered during this whole journey, is that you have to be REALLY passionate about creating from the beginning, because if you’re not, you’ll never persist. Sometimes, it’s hard, and it’s complicated to fit around your life, but if you love what you do, you’ll always be able to find time." And its not just a passion for creating that Lauren admirers in the craft of hand-making, it is also the pleasure received by the maker from the support of the buyer, "You really have no idea how much happiness just one sale can give to a local maker – it’s able to not only support their work financially, but also give them reaffirmation that their dream to make a living off of handmade isn’t just a dream!"
For Lauren, "the best highlights from running my own business come from customer feedback. I love knowing that I’ve made a customer happy and that they’re a fan of what I’m doing. Nothing makes me want to continue doing what I’m doing more than that."
You can find all of Lauren's designs on her website and social media pages:
https://www.facebook.com/madebymorton
https://instagram.com/madebymorton/
http://madebymorton.bigcartel.com
