MY COUNTRY BUSINESS
She now has a shop, but Poppy Treffry started out in her bedroom
Making a living from sewing her own sketches was just one of the ideas Penzance-based designer Poppy Treffry had when she finished college. Fortunately, Poppy’s early ideas, based on her drawings of Cornish scenery, nature and the charm of seaside living, created a lot of interest. Soon she had a successful home accessory brand on her hands and the belief she could establish her own creative path in life.
‘After my degree doing textiles and a stint helping creative cooperative companies launch themselves abroad, I ended up back at home exploring career options,’ explains Poppy. ‘It was then that I developed a way to machine-stitch my sketches on to home accessories.’
With a portfolio of drawings shuffled through and selected, the process of bringing the images to life began. ‘I started off cutting materials on a large wooden board on my bed and using an old sewing machine, which would short-circuit my dad’s house,’ recalls Poppy. ‘But the machine embroidery brought lots of character to my
work and after spending time creating a collection, I was able to show my ideas.’ A business adviser saw these early designs at a friend’s gallery on the Isles of Scilly. Spotting a gap in the market for such original pieces, she offered to help and booked Poppy’s first trade fair slot at The British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate. Within a week a workshop had been found and less than a year later, Poppy was able to give up a part-time job and devote all her time to making and selling her products.
Having only £200 to spend when she started, the brand’s early development relied on finding vintage and upcycled resources, so Poppy scoured charity shops, remnant boxes and sales for fabrics and vintage sewing machines. While originally this approach was to save money, they have now become part of the character of the brand. ‘Not long in, I got a loan from the Prince’s Trust for £1,000, which was a life saver and fundamentally changed my thinking on how I ran the company,’ says Poppy. ‘I had to write a business plan, I was mentored, they gave me pricing advice. They also introduced me to other makers, taught me how to market
myself and importantly, to believe in myself. It was great support to have.’
Poppy did a lot of market research on where her products could sell. Local galleries were an obvious place to start and she spoke with a number of different makers for recommendations. ‘There are a good number of artisans and crafters here and we’re all very supportive. I had a number of people I could ask about where was the best place to be seen, what the mark-up was and if galleries supported and promoted artists,’ explains Poppy. ‘When I first started I hadn’t envisaged where else my accessories could be sold, but after going to trade fairs my eyes were opened.’ Realising the sales potential went far further than just the local market, researching different shopping experiences and the overseas market was hugely exciting and a great way for Poppy to get her homeware to a wider audience. ‘There were concessions areas in department stores to explore and the growth in mail order, especially beyond the UK which has been extremely successful,’ says Poppy.
Beginning with sewing machine-embroidered pieces including tea cosies, bags and cushions for the first few years, before going into printed textiles, it was clear that Poppy would need to get extra workers on board to keep up with demand. ‘Early on, my sister helped me with the sewing side of things,’ says Poppy. ‘I wasn’t sure at first about someone else replicating my work, but I showed examples and no one else could see the difference! Even now with the people who work in the studio, I can tell it’s not my hand, but I’m the only one who can.’
There’s been lots to celebrate along the way, from opening the shop to emails from happy customers. The latest highlight is the launch of a new collection featuring St Michael’s Mount, a popular attraction off the coast of Cornwall, accessible by foot at low tide. Poppy’s island sketches have been made into accessories which are sold in the island’s shop. ‘It’s such a celebrated and iconic place, which locals are very proud of, so it was thrilling to be asked to work with them,’ says Poppy.
As the company and family has grown, there is now a team of 12 – plus daughter Bibba, who regularly visits the studio with her dad. Poppy is still the creative force behind the company and products, as well as being a mum. ‘I used to wonder about making the company bigger, but have realised that it’s the right size and it’s vital that my family and the brand can cohabit,’ says Poppy. ‘I hope we’ve set a good example in the pros of doing something you love and having a healthy work life balance.’ Poppy Treffry Shop, 42 Fore Street, St Ives TR26 1HE, 01736 795494, poppytreffry.co.uk
What I love most about my work... ❝THE RESPONSE WHEN PEOPLE COME AND VISIT THE SHOP. THEY ARE JUST THRILLED TO SEE MY PRODUCTS UP CLOSE. IT’S LIKE THEY ARE IN A SWEETIE SHOP!❞