A MULTI-SKILLED mum who changed career to become a specialist upholsterer is celebrating 10 years in her new role.
Louise Folkard has been an ever present at the Cane Workshop in Alston since 2010, and continues to evolve her offering with the support of other local craftspeople and artists.
She uses rattan cane to repair and re-upholster chairs, including those which are antique and have sentimental value.
“This is a heritage craft at risk,” said Louise. “I have an eight month queue for my services, but people are very patient and it’s something I absolutely love doing.
“It’s very rewarding and seeing the final result, when a chair has been given a new lease of life, is great.”
Originally from Whitley Bay, Louise did a fine art sculpture degree in London, and spent 15 years working in the computer games industry as an environment artist.
But while living in Manchester over a decade ago, she was asked a favour by a relative which was to change her life.
“My granny wanted her chair repaired,” said Louise. “I’ve always been quite good at fixing things so I thought I’d give it ago.
“I realised I could work with cane, and I started doing repairs in my spare time for family and friends.
Louise is a friend of Syl Macro, a ceramic artist who at the time occupied the historic building she now occupies, Stokoe House, just off Alston’s famous cobbles.
“Syl was planning to move into new premises across the road,” explained Louise. “She suggested that we came to Alston and took over the shop.”
After mulling it over with a glass of wine, Louise and her husband Matt moved to Alston, where they live with son Thane (8), and have enjoyed being at the heart of the community.
The Cane Workshop is more than chair repairs, for Louise also offers a selection of her own brand of homemade jams and marmalades.
That side of the business came about after Louise won bronze, followed by a gold award in marmalade competitions, and decided to make a go of it.
In recent years, the building, which dates back hundreds of years, has undergone vital maintenance and sensitive refurbishment as part of the Alston Townscape initiative, with backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Now Louise supports other artists and craftspeople, who are able to showcase their own work within the premises.
More information can be found at the Cane Workshop page on Facebook, while to discover Louise’s jams and marmalades, visit www.stokoehouse.co.uk.
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