Paper Houses Connects with Helen Ruth Scarves
We love talking with other makers, indie brands and shops. Connecting with other creative people drives our own creativity. We decided to create a new blog called Paper Houses Connects. Once a month or so we’ll interview someone or a brand we love and share them with you. Whether you know them or don’t you can find out a bit more about them and connect!
Our first interviewee is the North East scarf queen Helen of Helen Ruth Scarves.
We’ve been lucky enough to know Helen for a few years now and have done some amazing events together. Let’s find out more!
1. Tell us who you are and what you do?
Hi Mhairi, I’m Helen the designer, maker and owner behind Helen Ruth Scarves - a printed scarves and accessories brand that I started ten years ago. I design vibrant and highly detailed prints from my own hand drawn illustrations, which are digitally printed on to beautiful quality silk and wool fabrics in Scotland, then hand finished in my studio. I’m based in Aberdeen and grew up in rural Aberdeenshire - the landscape and setting of which has really inspired my work today.
2. Why are you a creative?
Because I can’t imagine doing anything else! I’ve loved art and design as long as I can remember - always drawing and playing with fabric. I went to Grays School of Art when I left school and that’s where I discovered my love of textiles and digital print. When I graduated I wanted to be able to continue my creative practice so put a few scarf designs together for an exhibition, and it all started from there. I like to design things that I would want to wear myself, so making a business out of it allows me to keep making and creating. There’s just something so fulfilling about creating something that’s come from your imagination, and then other people responding to it and getting enjoyment from your creation, it’s hard to put in to words how that feels!
3. If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing when you started out what would it be?
Don’t worry about being perfect and presenting an image of perfection to the outside world. Ten years ago when I launched I felt a lot of pressure to present this polished image of a brand, that it wasn’t just me working away from a tiny table in the corner of my flat. I think social media has it’s down sides but it has opened up the doors for small brands and makers to share their ups and downs, their process, the reality of running a small business, and it’s ok to do things your own way. I started this brand because I like making and working with my hands, not to do accounts, marketing and meetings, so I’m ok with where I’m at and my imperfect business model!
4. What's your favourite task/job to do and your worst?
Favourite task - well I wouldn’t even call it a task as it’s what I enjoy, but the design stage of a new collection, when I’m feeling really inspired by an idea or theme and I have the time and space to explore, read stories, draw and experiment with colours.
Least favourite - Accounts - I loathe it so much that I recruited my Mum to take over! I’m just not a numbers person at all.
5. What song/podcast gets you in the zone?
I’m listening to the radio quite a bit just for the upbeat music and chat, it’s nice company when I’m working on my own in the studio. Lately I’ve also been listening to Jenny Sturgeon’s new podcast The Living Mountain inspired by the book by Nan Shepherd - conversations between herself and other creatives and their connection to the outdoors and the Cairngorms.
Thanks to Helen for taking the time to be our first maker in our new blog series! It’s been so lovely to read about her influences, design business realness and podcast recommendations. Remember to sign up to our newsletter to get all of our latest posts to your inbox.
- Thanks, Mhairi
Images from Helen Ruth Scarves and Photographer Susan Castillo
Instagram - @Helenruthscarf
