In 2013, Lauren Holloway decided to turn her passions for sewing and fabrics into a business; from this Maybe Mabel was born. Just in time for their third birthday, we called in to Say Hello.

Lauren’s studio is bright and colourful, with beautiful fabrics adorning every wall. It comes as no surprise to us that she draws her inspiration from travelling.

After growing up in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Lauren moved to Wellington, New Zealand. When she returned to the UK the following year, she bought back an inspired mind and plenty of ideas for handmade crafts. She invested in a vintage 1954 Singer machine and started teaching herself how to create small purses and bags.

After just a few months, Lauren had created her first product range, and Maybe Mabel began. Designing and making handbags was initially a small hobby for Lauren. She would never have guessed that in a few years time she would be running her own business full time.

For Lauren, the creative process starts with the fabric itself. When she finds a fabric, a design will start to form in her mind. She then makes sketches or mock patterns to test the design, before moving on to the final piece.

Travel is still a recurrent theme in Lauren’s work. She recently visited Vietnam, where she was inspired by masses of wonderful handmade handbags. She bought some fabric home in her suitcase, which we can look forward to seeing in her upcoming collection.

Of all her work to date, Lauren’s favourite design is her Medium recycled leather handbag with navy blue bird cotton (pictured below). We can see why!

As you can see from the recycled leather in this design, ethical production is of high importance in Maybe Mabel. Using recycled materials is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, and buying local handmade goods ensures both quality craftsmanship and support for local businesses.

In summer of last year, Maybe Mabel was able to relocate to Bristol, something Lauren had hoped to do for a number of years.

“I love working in Bristol, it’s full of culture and creativity.”

From discovering the stories behind entrepreneurs to making friends with those around her, working in Deben House has provided constant inspiration for Lauren.

“Everyone is like-minded, so the interaction between us is great, especially as I’m working on my own throughout the day.”  

Lauren has met many self-employed people through the creative scene in Bristol, many of which have become good friends. Her creative network has helped her with advice and support, which has ultimately helped Maybe Mabel grow to what it is today. On top of this, Bristol citizens and tourists have been very appreciative of her work.

If you want to see more of Lauren’s beautiful designs, or want to track her next appearance at a Bristol craft show, you can head to her website.