Miriam Emerton is the maker behind Ailleagan Art
What’s the story behind your brand?
I originally began selling some of my art when I stopped “work” after having my first baby. I wanted to get back to being more creative again and have a go at making a living doing something I really loved. I live rurally and wanted to work flexibly around my family. Settling up Ailleagan Art has given me a creative focus and a way to bring together my work, paintings, prints, cards and jewellery. Ailleagan comes from the Gaelic word meaning little jewel or treasure.
What do you make?
At present I make prints, cards and jewellery made using prints from my artwork. I paint mainly using acrylics and mixed media – mostly on a small scale, landscapes and seascapes based on places that are known to me, or I have experienced. I make all the jewellery myself. Little prints are cut down to size and glued on to a wooden base before being sealed and set into pendant trays.
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My pendants and brooches are all handmade by me in my studio, using my own artwork and therefore are unique. I am constantly updating my range of cards and jewellery with new designs and I like playing about creatively in the process.
What are your most popular items?
Probably pendants, notably the Sound of Iona, Luskentyre, Harris, Blue and Gold, Mull and Free spirit, Fintry. The pendants can be made up into so many different designs (50+) and customised for those buying directly through my Etsy shop. I also sell little paintings and these are popular, as people tend to buy one or two and come back for more. The size makes these paintings more achievable for me (particularly when I didn’t have a studio) and it has also kept the costs down so they are original but still affordable, which a lot of art often isn’t.
Where are they stocked?
I am very grateful to have such fabulous stockists for my work: Janet and John shop (De Courcy’s Arcade, Cresswell lane, Glasgow) and Made in Stirling at their lovely new creative hub at 44 King Street. As an artist you do spend a lot of time working on your own (which I do love) but it’s also great to feel part of a bigger community of “creatives” who you can share ideas with and find support from others who get where you’re coming from.
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