February 10, 2022Bazaar Babes

Bazaar Babe - Jayme from Studio Pennilou

Welcome to the colourful world of Jayme, the visionary behind the oh so groovy Studio PenniLou. Experimenting with different art forms lead to the creation of her one of a kind tufted textiles. Studio PenniLou's aesthetic is a combination of bold colours mixed with pop art charm. I was first introduced to her mirrors at one of our favourite local cafes and I immediately fell in love! I needed to find out where this mirror came from!

When meeting Jayme, I could immediately sense how magnetic this woman is - turning her dreams into reality as if she was born to share her art with the world. Jayme is a true inspiration, not only for the creatives but for any woman in business and we can't wait to see what she creates next!

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF - WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU'RE FROM AND WHAT SETS YOUR SOUL ON FIRE?

A 22 year old dreamer, creator, music-lover, and artist behind Studio PenniLou - I’m Jayme.

Born in Queanbeyan NSW, my youth was spent riding horses, dirt bikes and waterskiing alongside two older brothers. At around 11 years old, my family moved to South Brisbane and I’ve been in this area (Brisbane/Gold Coast) ever since.

I’m lucky enough to live somewhat of a double life. On the weekend I live in a charming beachside unit in Coolangatta and during the week I trek up to South Brisbane to my studio. It’s on a couple of acres with the fresh air and space to let my creative juices flow.

My soul is set on fire when I’m being creative and playing. Whether it’s a painting, a song, collage or a melody. Whether it’s with friends, a stranger or just on my own - this gets me excited. I’m brought back to being a kid, where we were all creative without the worries or judgements of the end product not being good enough, whether others will like it. Just doing it, because it feels good. Because it makes you feel alive.

WHAT’S YOUR STAR SIGN?

My sun is in Gemini, my moon in Libra and my rising in Scorpio.

YOU’RE AN ARTIST AND THE CREATOR OF THE OH SO GROOVY STUDIO PENNILOU. TELL US ABOUT YOUR STUDIO!

Studio PenniLou is where I design and create my hand tufted mirrors.

It’s my favourite place to be and holds such a special place in my heart. Picture a big creamy, barn style shed. A few tiled working benches on wheels (so needed since I rearrange the studio almost fortnightly haha). There’s this groovy, green suede looking couch - and plenty of storage for the messy things! Summer gets hot as hell, but the character is what has me in love.

Studio PenniLou started around March 2020. It all started when I made a couple of mirrors for fun, and I had a positive reaction from friends who actually reached out asking for one. From there, it started to grow and I’ve still just kept doing what I love.

HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED INTO THE WORLD OF TUFTING?

I’ve always been a drawer and was painting a lot at the time. I was looking for inspiration on Pinterest where I found punched needle art. I started with just small pieces, creating these patterns felt like doodling in my notebook - and the opportunity to experiment with different colours and textures really excited me!

A LOT OF WORK GOES INTO THE CREATION OF YOUR MIRRORS CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PROCESS?

From start to finish, the process is about two weeks. This includes everything from creating the mirrors, to shooting images and uploading them on to my online store.

The process begins by drawing up the design. The physical tufting takes about 3-4 days. A lot of glueing, cutting rugs from the boards. I then cut out the backing board, sand, a little more glueing, sheering, cleaning, and finally time to take some photos.

I LOVE THE WHOLE AESTHETIC OF STUDIO PENNILOU! HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?

I wouldn’t say I have a particular style, just like sticking to one genre of music is hard. I wear what makes me feel good!

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE STYLE ICON?

Florence Given! She is the author of the book ‘Women Don’t Owe You Pretty’. If you haven’t read it or don’t know her, you need to look her up now! I just think she is the coolest, her style is like a seventies rock star and I’m so here for it.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS HAD A CREATIVE FLAIR AND WHERE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM?

I think I just got really lucky that I had my mum as a role model, just watching her make things all the time has been so a part of my life. One of my earliest memories was selling art and handmade shell bracelets with my brothers that we made with mum. We would sit out on the side of the road at the caravan park, boogie board on some chair legs that we used as a table.

School I always struggled to pay attention, other than art and woodwork. There has always been that deep desire to create, and being able to do that full time - I really do feel so lucky.

I find a lot of inspiration through fashion, magazines, album covers and music.

WE LOVE SEEING WOMEN IN BUSINESS! WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR STARTING A BUSINESS AND BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR?

My best advice would be to just start. Whatever the idea you have for a business, whether it's a clothing store, an artwork, refurbishing furniture - just start. Even if it’s not the ‘thing’ that will take off and become your full time, it’s your step to getting there, you’ll learn how to start a website, where to order from, or where to register you name etc.

Don’t be afraid to put your work out there and don’t worry about what other people will think, there is no failure in trying so just start already!

WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED?

Having time off. From people, from work. It’s so important to have days where you put an emphasis on not feeling guilty for not doing anything at all, and recharging. The days where you make art out of existing, cooking beautiful meals, cleaning, spending time with loved ones, off your phone. Hanging out with the people that make you feel good.

I find that when I’ve been looking down a barrel doing the same routine/weekly grind, I get uninspired and feel as though I don’t have any good ideas. Almost pushing too hard, but as soon as I let go of the voice in my head trying to force something, it's usually when some new ideas pop through your head and it’s exciting to then chase that inspiration again.

DO YOU HAVE ANY DAILY RITUALS OR MANTRAS?

I’m a big fan of journaling and affirmations, I always have one with me. I’m a daydreamer and air head so writing down my thoughts helps me stay present.

My most repeated mantra would be, ‘You’re exactly where you need to be right now’.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR STUDIO PENNILOU?

Digital art prints, larger floor length mirrors. I do really want some totes and T-shirts!

In the short term, I want to digitalise more of my art to sell on my store, as the process of making my mirrors is quite a long process so having products with a shorter turn around time would be ideal.

I want to experiment with more designs, shapes/sizes and colours. I get bored quick and love to play around so expect to see a few unique one offs in the mix when I get the time.

Long term, hopefully hiring someone to help out, I would love to get more stock out quicker. I’m also looking at creating Studio PenniLou clothing pieces, I have lots of ideas so hopefully in the not so distant future.

For now everything is exactly as it is meant to be and I’m so excited for the future.

Jayme wears the Eva skirt in sage