mundyewalsh The Creative Women interview series chats to women in creative fields, and explores what is at the root of their artistic drive. Creative thinking is fundamental for a fulfilled life, and so understanding and cultivating it through shared experiences, challenges and achievements helps us all thrive.
Cushendale is a sixth generation woollen mill, crafting quality textiles from wool since 1778 in the luscious Irish countryside. Today, Philip and his daughter Miriam continue this incredible story. They design and weave throws, blankets and scarves inspired by and for our environment. Cushendale textiles are made slower and are crafted with bespoke colours to create lifelong pieces for a more sustainable world. To experience Cushendale is to be connected to centuries of knowledge, deep-rooted passion and warmth.
How did you get started and what continues to inspire you about your craft?
Working in the mill has been a journey for me. My parents live a few yards from the mill so growing up, the mill was part and parcel of our lives whether that was spending time in the mill itself or helping my gran make buttons for hats at the living room table. As I got older I always kept a strong tie to the mill spending my holidays throughout school and college working in the mill. I studied a few courses in college, initially as a full-time student and later in evenings while I worked, doing courses in hotel management, business and accountancy. My first post college job was in Diageo which, while a huge global company, gave me a great understanding of all the facets of a business, the importance of people and relationships and the importance of being proud of what you do.
After years working in the corporate world I continued to gravitate towards the family business and ultimately made the full move to work beside my father. My education and work experience has helped me to navigate the business side of things while my love for our craft, my upbringing at the mill and working side by side with my parents and our loyal team is helping me hone my creative skills. As a small maker owner I think one of the biggest challenges is balancing the business aspect as well as making, both need time and attention in order to flourish. Thankfully with a great team and my father and mother on hand as the “retired supervisors” I’m able to give time to both and not become burnt out in the meantime!
What is your process from ideation to finished product?
For me creativity is an ongoing and evolving process. I see and observe colour and textures all day at the mill and sometimes it is the accidental placement of different cones side by side or an accidental weave pattern that inspires a colour way or new design. Like in life, I feel that if a design is forced it appears as such and are not a natural fit. It’s always really important aswell to get the teams input, they too see and know our colours and yarns in-depthly so I really value their ideas and input.
Read the full interview on Creativity Through a Female Lens on Substack.