An Interview with Julia from Woodfolk
Q: When did you first begin Woodfolk and what motivated you to do so?
A: I’m a designer and jeweller by trade with 10 years experience creating fine jewellery for prominent jewellery houses around Australia and for private clients. Feeling the need to work with earthier materials combined with my love of all things natural and ethical, I launched Woodfolk in August 2013. It felt like a natural progression. In starting Woodfolk, I began a more authentic expression of my creativity and application of my trade. I’m proud to say that Woodfolk is now stocked in 60 stores around Australia, and over the last 2.5 years has developed a strong and loyal following.
Q: We understand that you work closely with Nepalese craftspeople to help bring your designs to life, including family-run businesses as well as Women focused organisations. Please tell us more about this?
A: Feeling the need to work with only natural materials and having read about Nepal, an impoverished yet culturally rich nation, I travelled there in 2013 to find artisans to work with. I wanted to know exactly who would be making my products and that they would directly receive fair pay for their efforts. I feel very privileged to now be working with the loveliest, talented Nepalese family. They are of Newari culture from Kathmandu Valley who have been woodcarvers for generations.
Having travelled to Nepal on further occasions, I have also since developed a strong relationship with a Women’s run co-op that hand make my scarves and bags.At Woodfolk we seek to demonstrate a fairer alternative to businesses seeking trade with third world countries by partnering with small family-run businesses and women-focused organisations, not exploitative sweatshops. Our relationships in Nepal are built on trust, equality, fair trade and a long term goal of bringing meaningful change to their lives, creating opportunity, self-determination, support and hope to these communities through social entrepreneurship.
Our craftspeople in Nepal foster master skills developed over generations. Whether it be traditional carving, natural dying, wheel-work, weaving and knitting techniques, these skills contribute to our uniquely beautiful and quality made products while simultaneously preserving authentic art forms.
Q: How would you describe your brand in just three words?
A: Authentic, Natural, Feminine
Q: When it comes to your designs, what inspires you the most?
A: My inspiration comes from nature, authenticity, my travels in third world countries and collaborations with these artisans and their cultures.
Q: What does an average day in the life of Julia look like?
A: I don’t really have a typical day, however, mornings generally start with emails and a smoothie. Days can be filled with stringing and finishing all the wooden jewellery; making ceramics; getting orders ready and sent; preparing for different design markets and trade shows; liaising with stockists and contacting new stores; developing new ideas to build on the Woodfolk range; all the usual business stuff; lots of cups of tea and the list goes on.
Q: Lastly, what do you hope to achieve with Woodfolk in the not-too-distant future; Do you have any upcoming, exciting plans that you would like to share with us?
A: At the moment I’m focusing on building a solid foundation of stockists and customers in Australia. There is a lot of opportunity here, particularly now that people are starting to recognize how important it is to support local businesses and buy ethical products. I’m also in the process of designing a new range which will be available in August which is very exciting. More natural jewellery, accessories and homewares goodness to go around!
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We want to thank Julia for taking the time to answer our questions and we encourage you to check out her work by visiting her website or following along on Facebook and Instagram. Woodfolk products are sold directly from the website, however you can also find a list of Australian stockists via this link. Enjoy!