We Are Open Talks to Designer Michelle Parratt

Opening today at the Pop Up studio on 9 Newport road is Designer Michelle Parratt with her collection of unique jewellery, fine art canvases and beautiful handmade scarves (We particually liked the scarves, we had our eye on them all the way through the interview :D)

We Are Open: So, tell us a bit about your background in design?

Well, I’ve got a BA (Hons) in interior textiles and floor coverings, specialising in floor covering design. I came up North 11 years ago working for the commercial and residential markets, So far I’ve worked for two design companies, (Amtico ltd and Armstrong World Industries)

We Are Open: Impressed! What influences your Art work?

I love looking at architecture, because of my background in surface design, I love incorporating the

texture and patterns and building layers on the canvas. I work in mixed media, I

love to draw but also incorporate that abstract modern feel, I like using gold leaf, acrylics, I started doing jewellery, I make my own beads in polymer clay. I like to try and keep my jewellery and my art similar in both colour and theme, I try to be individual do something different to what everyone else is doing, some of it is a little bit wacky, unusual and quirky.

We Are Open: I like those scarves….

The scarves are handmade too! I customise them, adding buttons and beads, Arty scarves with a little twist!

We Are Open: How’s it been setting up a shop for the first time?

At home its difficult to see how (all the art) is going to come together in the shop, but the pinks and purples in the canvases have tied in well with the shop colour, I’m quite pleased with it.

We Are Open: The shop opens today, how do you think people are going to react to your work?

I’ve already had a lot of interest before we’ve even opened!. On Saturday we were in the back room and we heard a rattle someone was trying the door, we came out and there was a big massive crowd, it was scary! A lady spotted some of my stock in the window and placed an order for some handmade buttons. I think my art works well as gifts, that’s always what I intended it to be, I love the gift shops in Yarm, that’s what I love about the north east, all the quirky little towns and gift shops. It’s really affordable art! The canvases are a little bit more expensive, but it’s all original.

Visit The Pop Up Gallery Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm @ 9 Newport Rd Middlesbrough