Celebrating Women in Craft this International Women’s Day!
7th March 2025
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we spoke to six remarkable QEST Alumni to gain insight into their craft journeys. We asked them about what inspires their craft and how it has shaped their practice, the pivotal women who have influenced their careers, and any advice they have for young women and girls considering a career in craft.
Thank you to silversmith Caitlin Murphy, puppet maker Carolene Yawa Ada, bookbinder Felicity Bristow, wallpaper designer and conservator Justyna Medon, hand weaver Momoka Gomi and glass artist Zoe Garner. Read on to discover their stories.
Caitlin Murphy, Silversmith
Your inspiration? I draw inspiration from geometry and optical illusions. I make sculptural work that migrates between the wall, table, and body. My inspiration therefore crosses over into other disciplines such as textiles, fine art, and interior design. This shapes my practice whilst allowing me to explore a broad range of ideas.
Who inspired your career? Both my mum and granny have played a pivotal role in inspiring my practice and advancing my craft career. Growing up, I was surrounded by craft. My mum, Cara Murphy, is a silversmith, and my granny, Deirdre McCrory, is an enameller and printmaker. They are both huge inspirations to me.
Advice for aspiring craftswomen? I would encourage them to give it everything they’ve got. The craft industry requires hard work and determination. The reward and sense of pride you feel is beyond words. It’s so important to have confidence and belief in yourself to navigate the journey.
Carolene Yawa Ada, Puppet Making
Advice for aspiring craftswomen?
“There are so many ways to work in puppetry: from making to performing to designing… Find the practitioner you like the best and contact them.
I always found them incredibly welcoming.”
Your inspiration? Puppetry is a VAST art form! It includes making, performing, abstract and non-abstract styles, ancient and newly invented skills, verbal or non-verbal. It can be shadow, glove, marionette, object theatre, theatre for one and much more. Puppetry co-creates with the audience’s imagination. I am fascinated by cultural transmission and how puppetry is alive in all cultures.
Who inspired your career? Vicky Tsikplonou is one of a handful of African women puppet theatre directors, based in Lomé, Togo. In 1996, she founded her puppet company Evaglo, which consists solely of female puppeteers. Evaglo’s work relates to women’s issues: health, healthcare education, marriage and behavioural issues.
Momoka Gomi, Hand Weaving
Your inspiration? Memory is at the heart of my work. My grandmother, a dreamer later diagnosed with dementia, wove stories that blurred reality and imagination. This fascination with memory shapes my process — embracing organic accidents, honouring materiality, and weaving narratives that reflect time’s passage and the beauty of imperfection.
Who inspired your career? My grandmother deeply influenced my perspective. Her way of reshaping memories, transforming reality into beautifully altered recollections, inspired my exploration of time and identity. Her presence — and absence — linger in my work, reminding me that nothing stays the same, and change is an essential part of every story.
Advice for aspiring craftswomen? Trust the slow process and find your own story to tell. Let materials guide you. Craft is about patience, persistence, and embracing imperfections — often, the most beautiful discoveries come from unexpected moments.
Justyna Medon, Wallpaper Design & Conservation
Your inspiration? Nature and art history are where I look for inspiration every day. I particularly adore vintage botanical prints, watercolours, and historic embossed patterns for book covers. Since working in wallpaper conservation, I often find inspiration in the archives.I research and document historic patterns to reimagine original designs.
Who inspired your career? In 2012 I lived and worked in a truly magical house in Warsaw which belonged to multidisciplinary artist Hanna Rechowicz and her late husband, illustrator and painter Gaber Rechowicz. I will always appreciate the time with Hania, our discussions about art and seeing her at work. At the age of 99, she still works with mixed-media techniques (textiles, metal, glass) sculpting an unusual world around her. She continues to inspire with her vision, energy and original visual language. Hania’s approach is that everything is possible. You can be creative with a minimal resource, the key is imagination, knowledge of your craft and collaboration.
Advice for aspiring craftswomen? Believe in your dream; work hard, stay focused and dedicated to your chosen craft, but experiment with other techniques too. The journey of a craft person is never a linear one. Be open and let yourself grow together with your craft. It will take you to places that exceed your dreams.
Zoe Garner, Glass Work
Your inspiration? I am inspired and curious about the illusion of what appears to be magical, the intrigue of what appears to be impossible, explained visually by scientific theory. The precision of scientific glass lent itself so well to realising my ideas, I was naturally drawn to it.
Who inspired your career? My Mother Sue Garner who has supported me in all my ventures. Without her I would most definitely not be pursuing what I love. She is most definitely the most supportive and giving human I know, who gave huge amounts of energy and commitment to make sure I pursued my passion.
Advice for aspiring craftswomen? In the words of Philosopher Alan Watts, ‘This is the real secret of life — be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.’
Felicity Bristow, Bookbinding
Your inspiration? I’ve loved reading and book design from an early age, encouraged by my mum, herself a skilled maker in botanical painting and embroidery. I inherited her passion for craft and creativity, discovering my own love for bookbinding when I returned to art college part-time. Originally trained as an architect, I now bring an understanding of materials, form, and structure to my work as a visual artist and bookbinder, creating both functional books and abstract installations.
Who inspired your career? In reflecting on the women who have significantly impacted my development as a visual artist and bookbinder, the all-female Bound: Unbound artist collective has played a key role in encouraging my creative practice. I have also drawn inspiration from DB Fellow Faith Shannon’s extraordinary series ‘Stone: Ten Bindings’ and DB Licentiate & QEST Scholar Gillian Stewart’s contemporary approach to bookbinding design. Their exceptional craftsmanship and innovative approaches have motivated me to strive for excellence in my own work. While much of my growth has been influenced by the women around me, I must also acknowledge the pivotal role of Tom McEwan in my development as a fine bookbinder through my QEST training.
Advice for aspiring craftswomen?
My advice to young people considering a career in craft, especially women and girls, is to seek out opportunities to train alongside a Master craftsperson. This might mean adopting a flexible way of learning, but the hands-on experience you gain by working with someone who has years of expertise is invaluable. In bookbinding, for instance, you’re not just learning a skill; you’re embracing an art form with endless opportunities for creativity and personal expression. A career in craft offers personal and creative fulfilment and every day is different, you will never be bored! It’s a journey of learning, growth, and creativity — and I can’t think of a more empowering path for young people to follow!
These six women highlight the diverse inspiration within the craft world, where patience, persistence, and creative exploration thrive. By sharing their personal experiences, we hope to inspire and encourage others to pursue their passion, ensuring a vibrant future for craft.
