Meet the makers: Carly Telford

Carly Telford is a self-taught cake maker whose repertoire has expanded from chocolate brownies to cup cakes and wedding cakes.

1. Why Pi Cakes?

I used to have a top with “Sweetie” written on it, so my friends nicknamed me “Pi” – without an “e” at the end, because two of them were American and said it with a southern drawl! Then when I was thinking about a name for my stall, Pi Cakes seemed appropriate because of the association of pies and cakes.

2. Have you always been fond of baking?

I only started around seven years ago. My mum didn’t cook much, so I had to teach myself. I spent a lot of time in America and I loved their chocolate brownies, but they didn’t taste the same over here – they were too dry. They should be crisp on top but moist and chewy in the middle. So I got a recipe off the internet and had a go at making them myself. The first batch was overcooked – but still tasted much better than anything I could buy commercially!

3. What made you decide to start selling your cakes to the public?

I started buying recipe books and experimenting with other recipes, like caramel shortbread, and all my friends and colleagues gave really constructive feedback. Then last year I made some brownies for my partner’s Christmas do and got several orders, including one from a café owner. This made me think that my cakes were good enough to sell.

4. How have you found dealing with the regulations for food makers?

I’ve done a lot of research. I’ve done the food hygiene certificates 1 and 2, and I’ve been inspected by Lambeth Council. It was a bit nerve-wracking – but a lot of it is common sense. I keep all my baking ingredients and utensils completely separate to ensure there is no cross-contamination.

5. How can Makerhood help you?

When I went to a Makerhood meeting and met Kristina and Karen I loved what they were trying to do. It really gave me the confidence to try selling my cakes online. I had thought about setting up my own website, but it was a very scary process. I already had some great photos of my cakes taken by Sami Dinelli, a colleague at work who is also a photographer. So I set up my stall immediately! I make everything fresh to order, so people can ask if they’d like a different colour or ingredients.

6. So what ambitions do you have for Pi Cakes in the future?

Ultimately I’d like to have my own tea or coffee shop, with all my cakes on display. I’m also expanding into wedding cakes – I’m making a two-tier cake and 80 cup cakes for a friend who’s getting married in October.

7. What’s your top tip for a bit of “hidden Brixton”?

My favourite place in Brixton is the Windmill pub on Blenheim Gardens, off Brixton Hill. It’s a fantastic music pub with great bands and dancing. It doesn’t look much from the outside, and the dog on the roof can be a bit offputting, but it’s a fantastic place.

You can get Carly’s amazing cakes here: http://brixton.makerhood.com/picakes

Interview with Fiona Douglas, Oh Sew Brixton

This is the fourth in an occasional series of interviews with local people who inspire us.

Oh Sew Brixton is a sewing school & workshop based in south London, concentrating on teaching creative dressmaking. Fiona Douglas, the owner and founder of Oh Sew Brixton, took time out to tell us about her love of sewing, good puns and the occasional
cross-dresser!

1. When you meet someone for the first time, how do you describe Oh Sew Brixton to them?

It isn’t complicated – we teach sewing and dressmaking! If you want the sales pitch, then we have a lovely spacious studio dedicated specifically to teaching. We also aim to be welcoming to everyone, whatever age, size and ability level you are.

2. Where did the idea come from?

I’ve always loved to sew as a hobby and I could see that it was at last undergoing something of a renaissance. I wrote the business plan for fun whilst I was between freelance contracts. This might sound a bit weird, but I used to work in marketing so this was relatively easy for me and was my way of seeing whether it was viable. Then I saw the space in Piano House and couldn’t think of a reason why I shouldn’t have a go.

3. At Makerhood we love a good pun – did you have any good alternative names you discarded?

I do have a very fabulous alternative name, but it’s top secret as it will most probably be used for my next sewing related venture. But Brixton Sewcial was in there, also Brixton Stitching, Dream Seams. Oh Sew Brixton was a working title which made everyone smile so it kind of stuck.

I have also threatened to start a blog called ‘Do you really want to sew your armholes together?’….

4. How did you get into sewing in the first place?

My Mum was a keen sew-er so I picked it up from her at a very early age. Over the years it has always been a great way of calming down after a stressful week of work.

5. How can people get involved with you?

Check the website and then give me a call and sign up for a course.

6. Does it matter if I’ve never done this before?

Beginners are very welcome and we have plenty of classes for those new to sewing.

7. I bet it’s a great place to meet women – do you get many men coming along?

Only one or two, mostly aspiring fashion designers and the occasional cross-dresser!

8. There seems to be an increased interest in these type of skills. Why do you think that is?

A timely collision of increasing environmental concerns and the onset of recession, I reckon.

9. How do you see Oh Sew Brixton growing and expanding?

I’m looking at opening a fabric shop, together with an online sewing business targeted at beginners. I have considered an additional school (Oh Sew Camden?), but I already work too many evenings as it is!

10. How can Makerhood help you?

Find me customers, of course, but also it has been really nice to meet other local sellers and I do hope that that aspect of Makerhood does continue.

Bonus questions: Share a bit of ‘hidden’ Brixton with us…

It’s a bit predictable coming from a sewing school, but I would have to recommend Simply Fabrics on Atlantic Road. Very good value, a bit random in its selection but you can always guarantee finding some really nice fabric for £2-3 per metre. If only Robert would stop telling my beginners dressmaking students that “your first dress will be rubbish anyway, so it doesn’t matter what fabric you use”…

Interview with local artist, Pam Williams

Pam is an inspiration to us at Makerhood. She’s a terrific artist and has been a great source of friendship, support and advice as we have developed our ideas over the past year. So, who better than to kick off an irregular series of interviews with “people who inspire us”?

Kindly taking time out from her busy schedule to talk to us about drawing, running away to Greece, and how South London has changed in recent years, here’s Pam’s answers to our most probing questions.

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1) Art appears to be in your blood. Is it something you wanted to do from an early age?

I went to 13 schools due to my father’s profession. It was the only subject that had any continuity!

2) You’ve sketched and painted a lot of events and festivals. How does this differ from your other work? I would imagine it’s quite challenging?

The main challenge is to be super disciplined. To produce great results…which is expected ….while keeping up with the events program. It’s very demanding.

3) You run a lot of workshops. How did you get into this?

By default. In the ’70s, I used to teach on the side, for bill money. I now have 30 years experience as well as up to date teachers training. It was important to experiment with myself and skills so, worked as a freelance from day one. Not great re a regular pay cheque!

4) We note that a number of these are in Italy. What draws you to that part of the world?

That environment is a perfect place to develop thoughts and activities in beautiful surroundings….

I always liked the bright sunny postcards from Europe and wanted to see if it was real. At 25yrs, I went to Greece with £30 I had saved up, working at the local village pub for a month, to see how people lived out there. The sun was real and the long meals, wonderfully sociable. Italy is the revival of that very happy time in Greece.

5) Lest we forget, of course, your home and studio is in South London. As an artist what’s its appeal?

Having a solid base of my own…..it could have been anywhere.

6) Has the area changed a lot since you moved here in 1991?

100%. In 1991 it was uncared for, people felt and looked hopeless. The main street near me, was known, London wide, as the place to buy drugs…..not cool…at all….Fortunately, it was nothing compared to living in New York in the 80s. Now the community is beginning to grow ‘together’ and ‘up’ in a fascinating and positive way.

7) How do you think Makerhood could support your work and fit into your vision?

Makerhood is a gift from ‘whomever your God is’, if you are an independent artist. Makerhood could become the perfect business partner to help market local (more personal) products. In the making, it already looks well designed and could provide a secure online platform to advertise and sell within Brixton.

8 ) You seem to be passionate not just about the area, but art in general. How did you get involved in The Big Draw?

I was tired of working alone and wondered if others shared my passion… to revive the power of drawing in our society. So, I signed up as a volunteer in 2004. Have been a strong supporter and c ever since.

What would be your advice to any inspiring artists?

Draw something everyday. Choose a pen/pencil you like and stick with it until you can control it and every mark it can make.

9) If you could be anywhere, bar South London, right now sketching and doing watercolours, where would you be?

Mmmm, in reality?, at the moment… Exploring a North London borough, known for its street market. Every community is unique… Capturing the mix of people and mood of living and working together… There is always humour…

To sketch and paint….On a riverboat in the midst of a Thai river market, capturing the speed and colour of transactions from the boats to the land market traders? the prize… buying and trying their delicious food. the promise of perks help me to concentrate and their energy would fire mine.

10) How can people find out more about you and your work?

www.pamwilliams.co.uk

Send me a message from the site with their email to add to a list for future exhibitions or news update.

Bonus question: If you were to share a top insider tip for someone new to Brixton and the surrounding area, what would it be?

Sign up to everything Brixton…Get involved, even if you don’t like meetings….you will meet locals of all types….start off friendships and understand Brixton from the inside out….volunteer….at your own pace…you will be part of the community and feel at home, not a stranger in a box in London.