Free Spirit Designs
My name is Natalie Butterworth and i created Free Spirit Designs to showcase my art and craftwork.
All of my designs reflect my passion for creating a warm, loving and inspirational place to call home.
I have had experience with a variety of creative disciplines and the designs displayed on this site all reflect a combination of my skills and influences.
I currently work from my home studio in Wiltshire where i am constantly developing new design ideas and experimenting with new creative mediums.
I take great joy from the development and manufacture of my products. I would love my work to bring as much pleasure to others as the process of creating it does to me.
All of my designs reflect my passion for creating a warm, loving and inspirational place to call home.
I have had experience with a variety of creative disciplines and the designs displayed on this site all reflect a combination of my skills and influences.
I currently work from my home studio in Wiltshire where i am constantly developing new design ideas and experimenting with new creative mediums.
I take great joy from the development and manufacture of my products. I would love my work to bring as much pleasure to others as the process of creating it does to me.
Behind The Scenes
Materials
I only use high quality materials that have a nice 'feel' to them. I also try to use environmentally sustainable products and practices wherever possible. For example, for my cushions i tend to favour linen as it has much better eco-credentials than cotton, with less pesticides etc used in its production. If i do use cotton, it is often organic, and i like to use bamboo too as this is a great eco friendly fabric.
The cushion pads i use are beautifully made by a company called Wool Soft, and are filled with wool from local cotswold sheep. I love them so much and wouldn't use anything else for my cushions. I also use environmentally friendly packaging - its more expensive but worth ever penny.
The cushion pads i use are beautifully made by a company called Wool Soft, and are filled with wool from local cotswold sheep. I love them so much and wouldn't use anything else for my cushions. I also use environmentally friendly packaging - its more expensive but worth ever penny.
Inspiration
A lot of the inspiration for my creativity comes from nature and its colours, shapes and cycles. The south West of England is a beautiful part of the world and i spend time outdoors everyday, taking it all in. I am also very drawn to the idea of home and the comfort, security and sense of belonging that is associated with it. Things like warmth, nurture and softness are recurring themes in my work as is family togetherness. Food features quite a lot too as i enjoy cooking, especially baking. I definitely see the kitchen as the heart of the home! Pets are part of the family to me and my dog inspires me too! I am a romantic idealist - 'All you need is love'... and i love to send love out into the world through my creativity, hence love and the heart symbol appear a lot in my creations!
Working Practices
I use a variety of techniques in my work and aim to achieve high standards of craftsmanship. I put love into it too - i think that matters just as much.
When using textiles i prepare fabric by pre-washing (if necessary) and ironing. I then draw patterns, cut it to size and use a sewing machine to stitch the components together as well as some hand stitching. I also do some fabric decoration using fabric paint which is heat applied.
I have worked with ceramics quite a lot in my life and i use the decorating techniques i've learnt over the years when hand painting porcelain. The enamel paint is a pleasure to use as it gives such a lovely vibrant colour and shine, but application is time consuming - one mug can take me several hours to complete.
When using textiles i prepare fabric by pre-washing (if necessary) and ironing. I then draw patterns, cut it to size and use a sewing machine to stitch the components together as well as some hand stitching. I also do some fabric decoration using fabric paint which is heat applied.
I have worked with ceramics quite a lot in my life and i use the decorating techniques i've learnt over the years when hand painting porcelain. The enamel paint is a pleasure to use as it gives such a lovely vibrant colour and shine, but application is time consuming - one mug can take me several hours to complete.
Stockists
Feedback
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"Absolutely gorgeous products as always! Everything is made with such care and attention. Absolutely lovely seller, can't recommend enough! Thank you so much for the beautiful gift also :) xxx" Sandhya bought a sailing boat bookmark
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"I recently commissioned Natalie to make some mugs for my husband's birthday, to include a portrait of our Giant Schnauzer, Digby. I can't tell you how thrilled we both are with them. She has his likeness so well and we smile every time we use them. Thank you Natalie, you are fab. xxx" Ann bough two commissioned hand painted mugs.
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"Smells great! Love it!" Lindsay bought a set of pinwheel lavender pillows.
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"Arrived today- both pieces as you said. First, the cup and saucer are so lovely! They were really well packaged too!! Thanks so much - will definitely be ordering more in the future!!" Deena bough a rose garden cup and saucer.
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"This really made a great gift, it was beautifully done and I had not expected it to be wrapped in such a nice box - that was a great bonus! Thanks a lot!" Tom bought a peace dove bauble.
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"Absolutely gorgeous! The seller was amazing. She was so wonderful and communication was excellent! and my gift came beautifully gift wrapped :) Can't recommend highly enough! Will definitely be back! Thank you so much! :) xxx" Sandhya bought a custom hand painted mug.
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"Beautiful heart. Looks gorgeous on tree. Great packaging. Thank you." Alison bought a peace dove heart decoration.
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"Beautiful heart. Packaging really pretty. Bought as gift and recipient really pleased. Thank you." Alison bought a porcelain love heart decoration.
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"Gorgeous cushions, beautifully packaged. Delighted. And thank you for the extra. I have no doubt I will be visiting your shop again." This customer bought an Seahorse Cushion and an Angel Fish Cushion
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"Great puddings to add to the collection Thankyou" Joanna bought a set of two Pom Pom Christmas Pudding Decorations
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"The lavender pillows are just what I need and have been put to use already. I have to say that your wrappings are wonderful too :)" Maureen ordered three apple design linen lavender pillows
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"Absolutely perfect! Arrived quickly and Natalie did exactly as I asked with the custom order, whilst putting her own creative spin on things. I am SO impressed. My husband will really treasure this :) Thank you!" Zoe commissioned a customised hand painted kite surfer mug (if you would like to discuss a commission with me you can do so here)
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"A-MAZING!!!! Super cute packaging, friendly seller and fast shipping!!! will be back again, and again!!! There's a special feeling that comes from enjoying a cup of tea in the morning hand made by a British artist..makes the world feel not so big :O)" Candace ordered a 'GB Runs On Tea' mug (you can read more about Candace's experience of buying a mug from Free Spirit Designs here)
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"I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THESE! So adorably wrapped and how did you know i love lady bugs? Will be back again :)" Lisa ordered 7 lavender pillows
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