Hello, my name is Julia – welcome to my world!

Emmy & Esther is named after my daughter Emmy and her two grandmothers who both happen to be called Esther.

I have been a maker and craft lover ever since I could use my hands. I made my first Waldorf doll when I was about 6 years old, and going to a Waldorf kindergarten has certainly left a mark on my creativity.

Both my grandmothers, one Greek and one Austrian, were extremely skilled at handwork – from intricate embroidery, crochet and knitting to sewing. My mother was a keen Waldorf doll maker back in the 80s, and she and my grandmothers taught me so much of what I know about my crafts. I think of them every day when I pick up a crochet hook they gave me or use a technique they taught me.

I love working with natural fibres, and I feel hugely inspired by nature. I never come back from a walk empty handed. Pebbles, sea shells, conkers, pine cones, leaves, feathers… they are objects given to us by nature that want to be picked up and treasured.

Since becoming a mother I have been more inspired than ever to make. This inspiration was not only rooted in a need for hand made toys for my daughter to play with, but also in my belief that my daughter’s own creativity will flourish out of mine.

To create is to live twice