Meet Natalie Lane, the crafty and quietly spoken yet undoubtedly clever lady behind Corner Block Studio. We have been eyeing off her Anesbury Book Frames for sometime, they are as stylish as they are sustainable.
You can find Natalie and her beautiful wares at The Village Markets Paradise Point this Sunday.
Tell us about how and when your label was created?
Corner Block Studio was born on a corner block in sunny Brisbane earlier this year (2015). It stemmed from an impulse to make things by hand, an urge to turn ideas into tangible objects and the desire to work with materials that respect our environment and all things wild.
What pieces are included within your range?
My range features the Anesbury Frame Collection. It begun with the Anesbury Book Frame; a clever, minimalist frame for displaying books, open on your wall. This spring it has grown to include a Record Jacket Frame and Card Frame, each handcrafted from recycled Australia hardwood and cotton cord. I also offer original greetings cards including a Christmas card for this jolly time of year
What is your creative background?
Before founding Corner Block Studio, I studied Product Design and worked as an Industrial Designer. The arts and craft have always been a big part of my life from sketching and sewing to sculpture and metal smithing. What I do now combines my background in product design with my love for the handmade.
Where is the label designed and made?
The label is designed in my home studio and handcrafted in my workshop in Brisbane.
What inspires you?
Gift giving inspires me, I often create the first version of a new design as a gift for a friend or family and it grows from there. The function of the product takes lead when developing a new design, and the aim is to create something that is simple to use and timeless.
Latest collection consists of?
The Record Jacket Frame and Card Frame are the latest editions to the collection. They continue the theme of transforming items from around your home into personal, ever-evolving wall art.
What's on your mood board?
A colour pallet influenced by my admiration for Australian bushland.
What’s your creative space like?
My studio is in a 1940’s Queenslander, in a room that was once the front verandah. The walls are classic VJ and the timber floor showing layers of worn paint. My desk is host to a pile of books, a sketchbook and my laptop. The workshop smells like timber and is full of handcrafted products at various stages of completion.
What music do you listen to while designing/creating?
Blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll have been spinning in the workshop lately; Brisbane local Mojo Web, British trio Daisy, Kitty and Lewis and Justin Townes Earle from the USA.
A day in the life of you consists of?
There is a lot of variation from one day to the next, but my favorites always starts in the workshop, hands on the timber, smelling the sawdust and listening to music.
Favourite TVM stall (besides yours of course)?
It’s a pleasure to set up next to Crystal Creek Flowers where the vibe is light hearted and the colors are glorious.
Favourite reads/blogs?
Regular reads are about what’s on locally; I follow the Four Thousand’s blog (www.thethousands.com.au/brisbane) and dig flicking through paper brochures from arts venues like Brisbane Powerhouse. It’s hard to pin favorites other than that as I swing between categories; psychology, Australian history, music, gardening, classic novels and craft magazines. The library helps.
What are your plans for the business for the remainder of 2015 and beyond?
The end of this year will take me to a number of Markets in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. It’s fun to get out in the sun and chat with people. It’s an important time of the year for makers as people start thinking about Christmas gifts. I look forward to growing my range in the new-year and to collaborating with local designers, craftspeople and artists.
Why TVM?
The Village Markets puts on an entertaining event with stalls, music, food and plenty of sunshine. It’s a place to support local small businesses offering boutique items and have a good time doing it.
What do you love most about attending TVM?
It’s a way to combine my work with a holiday – I bring my stall to the beach! I get to chat to people in the morning and always have a swim before heading back to Brisbane.
Connect with Corner Block Studio:
Website
Facebook
Instagram