Finding Inspiration in Patterns: Explorations of an Artist and Maker

In this interview, we get to know Aurélie Noël, a preschool teacher and the creative mind behind Léonie’s - Handmade Earrings and Pottery. Aurélie talks about how she got started with polymer clay, where she finds inspiration for her designs, and her favorite tools and techniques.

Tell us about yourself. When did you get started? What led you to start your own business?

Hi, my name is Aurélie Noël and I'm a preschool teacher. I’m the creator and owner of Léonie’s. The name of the business comes from my last name: Noël. In French, Noël means Christmas, and written backward is Léon and I really like this name because my grandfather was called Léon Noël.

Since I'm new to teaching, I don't always have a job, so I sometimes stay a few weeks without working. In September 2021, I didn't have a job at the start of the school year so I decided to keep myself busy by tinkering. I had already tested the creation of earrings with beads and fabrics. I discovered Fimo on Pinterest while looking for ideas to keep me busy. I found it so fun that I invested in some equipment on Vinted to start for fun: a pasta machine, a little polymer clay, and here we go!

I had fun posting my creations on my private Instagram account. since people liked it, I started to offer my creations to those around me. I saw that it appealed externally to my close friends so I decided to sell my creations to invest in new material. And so it went, Léonie's has become official and now, I create pieces whenever I have some free time or on school holidays.

Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

I'm a big fan of patterns so I have a Pinterest folder filled with lots of different styles for when I'm running out of inspiration. Sometimes, I don't have any ideas in mind and I start with colors that I like and I create without thinking about what it will look like. Other times, I have a very specific idea but if disappointed, I change my mind at the last minute.

I also listen to my clients who tell me the colors or styles they like and that inspires me too.

How would you describe the art you make? What is your signature style or technique?

I don't have a particular style. I create according to my desires and the technique I want to try so sometimes I will have a very geometric and ethnic pattern or I will have a very colorful and abstract pattern and other times it will be elegant and minimalist.

My favorite technique is when I have to create a cane to make an ethnic pattern or cement tile.

What is your most successful design?

I don’t do big collections so I can't really say which style was liked the most but I know that last summer people loved this colorful pattern.

What is your favorite design you’ve ever made?

My favorite pattern was the translucent cement tiles. I love it when the sun crosses the translucent blue and completely changes the tone. Of course, I kept a pair for myself.

What is your favorite tool or material right now?

The only one I could not live without is my pasta machine so I’ll say this tool since it helped me a lot with clay conditioning and color mixing.

Where do you sell your designs?

Mostly on Facebook. My site is an online catalog so people send me pictures of the earrings they want to buy.

I also have 2 or 3 deposit points where my products are sold and I do a few markets over the year.

What are your main goals for the business?

My main goal is to continue on this path and try to have a better balance with my main work.

Having a more stable job to be able to change the status of my business so that I can create an online store (and not just a catalog) and put my work on sales platforms like Etsy and therefore expand my business outside of Belgium.

I also make pottery so I would like to extend my product range and also offer pottery.

Who are your favorite accounts that others should follow?

I really enjoy following @mintedmire and @roclayco. I learn so much and I’m so amazed every time they post something.

You can see all the latest Léonie’s designs on the Instagram profile and website.