Toronto Craft Alert

Interview by Kim Hume

Hilary Cosgrove – Crafting with character

Hilary Cosgrove is a crafter and emerging entrepreneur based in Kingston. She makes felt figure people, sweet stuffed owl pillows, origami mobiles and more. Her fabric cuffs make it possible to wear fun quilting fabric. On a recent trip to Toronto, she successfully placed some of her work in two stores.

How did you get started in craft? How long have you been making things to sell, and what prompted you to take it beyond a hobby?
I started as a kid, when I was seven or eight. I tried selling my craft. I made construction paper purses. Nobody bought them! Really, I started when I was working at Dwell, my cousin’s store. I made an origami mobile and she encouraged me to sell it. I wanted to price it for $35, and she said, “No, $75!” And it sold.

One of Hilary’s Origami Mobiles. She also makes them out of repurposed paper such as maps.

You are working in a variety of media – textiles, silver, wood – can you speak about that?
I have many interests. I’ve always sewn. And my dad is a carpenter, so he’s helped me figure things out. I come up with an idea and Dad helps me make it. I love working in pattern and colour. I began working in silver when I wanted to make a cork pendant and I couldn’t figure it out. My friend Lindsey Fair, a Kingston artist, consultant and craft organizer, told me about a silversmithing course and lapidary club, so I pursued that and it’s gone from there. The fabric cuffs came about because I wanted a way to wear my pretty fabrics. And they’re reversible. I sourced cufflink blanks so I can make my own cufflinks using cork.

Fabric cuffs to wear. They’re reversible!

Your owl pillows are so whimsical. What’s the story behind them?
I came across some pictures of some owls, and I thought, “I can do that – but differently.” So I tried to make my own. They have wool bodies – it’s such a nice texture. I use quilting fabric for the chest. Each owl is different. They don’t have names, but I do get attached to them!

Hilary’s Owl Pillows have soft wool bodies, hand-stitched felt eyes and chests out of fun quilting fabric.

You are based in Kingston, where your work is available at Dwell Interior Design Boutique. You recently travelled to Toronto and had some success placing your work. How did you prepare and what was that experience like for you?
I designed and printed a brochure of my work and mailed it out. I know from working in retail that emails get lost. From that, a store in Vancouver, room6, has taken some pieces. For Toronto, I tried to make appointments before my visit. Distill Gallery remembered the brochure and took some pieces. In Kensington Market, Blue Banana Market lets you rent shelf space, and they had a shelf available that wasn’t too expensive. You also have to have unique pieces that aren’t similar to the stock they’re already selling.

You have a blog and an Etsy store. How does hands-on, in-person retail compare?
I’ve only had two sales on Etsy so far. I’m not sure how you get noticed. I’ve sold my work mostly through Facebook. Friends know or see what I’m making and ask me to make them something. From working in a store, I get to see people’s reactions. I’ve seen how people are drawn to the handmade items.

Hilary with Pa, a felt figure.

You also do commission work – textile portraits, felt figures – could you describe those pieces and how that started?
I do fabric wall art of animals in fun fabrics – hedgehogs, squirrels, owls and trees. A man saw my work and wanted me to make a fabric version of a photo. He picked out the fabrics from my collection, and I reproduced the photo. It was challenging, but it turned out well. He was very happy with it. The felt figures came out of a needle-felting course I took with Andrea Graham, a feltmaker and fibre artist. In that workshop, I made “Pa.” He used to be on display at the store, but he’s not for sale, so he’s with me now. The felt figures get a lot of notice and comments. One couple, who were getting married, got me to do a portrait of them instead of rings. I did my parents for Christmas!

Fabric collage wall art.

Any suggestions for the travelling crafter stopping off in Kingston?
Drop by Dwell– we’ve got brochures on local galleries and stores to visit. The farmer’s market in the square behind City Hall is on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with antiques on Sundays. There is also a Kingston Craft Directory.

What’s next for you? Any upcoming exhibitions or new pieces you are developing?
I’m doing Fanfayr at Confederation Park in Kingston on July 3, 4 and 5. My latest project is a coffee bag. I found a source of burlap bags that had been used for coffee beans and I’m making them into large shoulder bags and clutch purses. I’ve ordered some apple tree buttons from Etsy to make the clutches. I’ve also started making alphabet pillows. They’re made from old suits – they even have buttons and pockets. And I’ve just heard I’ve been accepted to the Queen West Art Crawl in Toronto, September 18-20.

Alpha pillows are made out of old suits, complete with buttons, pockets and elbow patches.

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Kim Hume is crafty in her spare time making stitched city greeting cards and enthusing about crochet. She’s teaches the three-hour Crochet Crash Course at The Knit Café.