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Creatives at Home: Bec Andersen in Her Textiles Studio
We take a look inside the cottage-style studio of Bec Andersen and see how she makes her range of beautiful handmade rugs
In our new series, we get to know some of Australia’s talented creatives and the innovative spaces that allow them to let their imaginations run wild.
Welcome to the home studio of textile artist Bec Andersen. Perched in the back garden of her quaint Tamborine Mountain property in the lush Gold Coast hinterland, Andersen says her delightfully rustic studio is the perfect place to make, do and mend. It is here that she designs and creates her unique hand-tufted rugs, made purely from wool that she dyes herself from naturally derived pigments.
Creative Space at a Glance
Name: Bec Andersen
Age: 45
Occupation: Textile artist and community artist
Location: Tamborine Mountain, Queensland
What’s made here: Hand-tufted rugs made from 100% naturally dyed wool
Welcome to the home studio of textile artist Bec Andersen. Perched in the back garden of her quaint Tamborine Mountain property in the lush Gold Coast hinterland, Andersen says her delightfully rustic studio is the perfect place to make, do and mend. It is here that she designs and creates her unique hand-tufted rugs, made purely from wool that she dyes herself from naturally derived pigments.
Creative Space at a Glance
Name: Bec Andersen
Age: 45
Occupation: Textile artist and community artist
Location: Tamborine Mountain, Queensland
What’s made here: Hand-tufted rugs made from 100% naturally dyed wool
Andersen has been making rugs for 25 years, and originally learnt the skills of her art form in Germany. Her creative talents are varied, however, as she also previously trained as an industrial designer. “I worked in a whole lot of creative places, from furniture manufacturers, design firms, architectural model making, as a mosaic artisan and even a visual merchandiser,” says Andersen.
On the eastern end of the front verandah, the artist stores large heatable drums where all of the wool and dyes are immersed in boiling water to soak and stew. This dusty pink wool has been dyed with just 30 grams of carmine, a pigment which is extracted from female cochineal bugs.
On entering her studio, the most notable feature is the huge vertical frame that Andersen uses to create each of her pieces. The afternoon light from the west filters softly through the mesh screen, creating a warm and friendly ambience throughout the entire space.
The west-facing end of the studio is where the rug making magic takes place. “When I get to the actual making of a piece it’s like colouring in with wool,” Andersen says. “I wear ear protection and put my music on and hide away from the world.” Here you can see the artist at work with her trusty tufting gun.
Numerous spools of dyed wool decorate the wall in an orderly and functional fashion, alongside one of Andersen’s handmade rugs.
The artist made the space her own by filling it with her large selection of natural dyes, wool, books and personal creative energy. Every corner of this humble home studio is brimming with colour and inspiration. “I keep my space tidy and I don’t hold onto things if they are not beautiful and useful,” Andersen says.
Large baskets and hanging rods are used to store and display more of the dyed wool and some smaller textile creations.
The ‘wishing chair’, as Andersen calls it, seen here beneath some of the storage rods, is another one of her creations, which she upholstered with her hand-tufted wool. Phrases such as ‘Make a wish’ and ‘Forget Facebook’ were written in wool around the front and sides of the seat.
The ‘wishing chair’, as Andersen calls it, seen here beneath some of the storage rods, is another one of her creations, which she upholstered with her hand-tufted wool. Phrases such as ‘Make a wish’ and ‘Forget Facebook’ were written in wool around the front and sides of the seat.
When she’s not sitting in her wishing chair, Andersen will often be found at the dining table, picked up at a garage sale in Brisbane 13 years ago. It provides a seated workspace as well as being a great area to gather with other like-minded creatives.
On top of her own practice, Andersen also regularly shares her passion for making via a series of community workshops and social gatherings. “This is where I host my ‘Happy Hookers’ group. We drink tea and make things once a month,” she explains.
The artist recently lead a series of workshops to create a colourful community installation featuring rag rug and paper bead curtains. This was unveiled at The Centre in Beaudesert, South East Queensland in September of this year, as part of the cultural events program for the commemoration of 100 years of Australian war stories.
On top of her own practice, Andersen also regularly shares her passion for making via a series of community workshops and social gatherings. “This is where I host my ‘Happy Hookers’ group. We drink tea and make things once a month,” she explains.
The artist recently lead a series of workshops to create a colourful community installation featuring rag rug and paper bead curtains. This was unveiled at The Centre in Beaudesert, South East Queensland in September of this year, as part of the cultural events program for the commemoration of 100 years of Australian war stories.
This bench runs along the east-facing side of the studio and looks out onto the garden area. The wooden device set at the end of the bench is an electric wool winder, which is used to turn the skeins of wool into balls.
When Andersen originally bought the property, the studio had no plumbing or amenities. After moving in and setting up the space, the artist added a sink into the studio, which is necessary for dye mixing and general clean up.
On the dining table sits this bunny ornament, one of Andersen’s most treasured items here in the studio. “His name is Calm,” she says. “My mum gave him to me when I was a bit stressed out about something.”
Another favourite item is pictured here; it is a comfortable talking point, which is referred to as the ‘make, do, mend chair’. The chair was reupholstered during one of Andersen’s workshop gatherings, covered in a patchwork of denim cut from various items of clothing.
Andersen says the front verandah is a lovely spot to sit and ponder, which she does often. It looks out onto her garden which is well loved and tended to.
For the creatives out there who are still on the lookout for the perfect space to let their imaginations run wild, Andersen’s studio life in the mountains is an inspiring tale. She best sums up her special space in three words: “Inspiring. Busy. Functional.”
TELL US
Do you have a creative space at home? Share it with us by posting a picture in the Comments section.
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TELL US
Do you have a creative space at home? Share it with us by posting a picture in the Comments section.
MORE
Creatives at Home: Two Architects in Their Backyard Office
How to Nurture Your Creative Side at Home
Creatives At Home: Tamara Armstrong in Her Painter’s Studio
The rustic aesthetic of this cottage studio was one of the first things that drew Andersen to the property, and is one of the most charming aspects of the space. Wide and inviting timber steps lead up to three sets of barn doors, which stretch right across the front verandah and give the space farmhouse appeal.
When asked what she loves most about her studio, Andersen is quick to credit the lovely energy of the building. “It is also near to home with everything in it that I need to produce my work,” she adds.