This month, we get to know the incredibly talented Gemma from modern lettering company Mother Wild. I am thrilled to have her as the star of our ‘Supplier Spotlight’ feature this month, as a I recently worked with her on a wedding at Mile End Ecology Pavilion (this June) and couldn’t love her work more! From start to finish, from quote to delivery, I found her so easy, personable, but totally professional to work with, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her in the future. Plus her work was stunning!
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her a little better here on the blog… After frantic table plan emails back and forth initially (all me), I was keen to get to know the woman behind the calm stationery magic!
Here she is to tell you a bit more about herself….
Please Introduce Yourself
I’m Gemma, also known as Mother Wild. I supply a modern lettering service for weddings and events, and I also create signage and run Brush Lettering workshops. I love to hand-letter onto any surface I can get my hands on! I’m self taught, and I’ve been Mother Wild since 2016, as well as being a mother of two.
Your business…
1. What made you want to set up your business?
After helping my sister organise her wedding, I realised the wedding bug wasn’t just from my own. I then dived head first into wedding styling but got more requests for my signage and stationery; Mother Wild was born.
2. What’s the best part of your job?
That I can work from home around my family, allowing myself to be creative by being in this industry literally changed my life after having my first child, it makes me so happy.
3. What’s the worst part of your job?
The midnight Instagram messages, when Brides are organised to the extreme! The brides who are not letting their wedding take over their lives are the most pleasant to work with.
4. What’s the weirdest request you’ve ever had from a client?
I haven’t had any ‘weird’ ones… if anything I really want the quirky jobs. My favourite pieces are the unique ones like the paper aeroplane place cards as the couple owned a flight school for girls.
5. What’s been your favourite ever wedding you’ve worked on/at?
My favourite wedding was my second ever clients, Natasha and Mark at Dewsall Court. My first Perspex work and Capiz Shells were nestled in the most incredible flowers and styled to perfection. It got me my only magazine feature!
6. You’re surrounded by beauty in your job. What do you find beautiful?
My children, Wes Anderson films, old Photos of my family, Italy, Ibiza, Art Deco, and Mid Century interiors. Listening to Shoegaze, Italian Opera, and Elvis in general is beautiful.
7. Best piece of advice to offer to those getting married?
If you want to go overboard then do it, but as long as you’re creating something that represents you both and not just desperately trying to copy what is on your Pinterest board. Pinterest is just a helpful tool, it shouldn’t dictate too much.
8. Anyone you particularly admire in the industry?
So many! Modern lettering is huge in America but in the UK we are catching up. Lauren at Oh Wonder Calligraphy sent me my first calligraphy pen and worksheets and is an inspiration to me, I love Alice Gabb’s style, and Penny from The Little Lending Co has the whole package, from styling to signage
9. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
After a Branding chat with photographer AJ Burrows, Alison taught me that ‘I’ am Mother Wild and showing myself out there as my brand is my best tool. Many people could make what I make, but there is only one me.
10. What was your career plan B?
Before children, I was working as an outreach worker in Tottenham, I taught parenting classes, ran baby massage, Stay and Play groups and worked alongside Social Services. But my own children will need to be OLD before I return to that world again.
You…
11. Where do you call home?
Home is Hertford, Hertfordshire. But with both parents Londoners, I am a City girl deep down!
12. Favourite shop?
Any chance I get I go to IKEA!
13. Favourite restaurant?
Wagamama for a Katsu, or for a full on treat Zedel Brasserie.
14. Who would you have play you in a movie about your life?
Drew Barrymore from E.T all the way up to present day… But in reality and on a budget it would be Nikki Grahame from Big Brother.
15. Cocktail of Choice?
A French Martini, especially from Zedel Brasserie.
16. Your biggest extravagance?
Gucci Loafers – the two pairs I have have been gifts, but if given the funds I would have a pair of Gucci Loafers on rotation for the rest of my life.
17. Do you collect anything?
I collect old and new photos of my family & friends, at uni I always had a disposable camera to hand. All of my digital photos seem to just slowly disappear over time, so I treasure the hard copies in suitcases and albums.
18. If you could buy any building, which one would it be?
Alexandra Palace in North London, it holds so many memories for me from childhood to adulthood. I would keep the darts and music events, keep the art deco elements, and open the ballroom and cinema for weddings.
19. What’s the most romantic thing someone’s ever done for you?
The main thing would be that my husband has always loved me for me, he celebrates everything about me and that is true romance.
20. Where do you go to let your hair down?
Anywhere that plays proper UK Garage (that doesn’t include Craig David and Daniel Bedingfield just to be clear!).
And finally…
21. Tell us something about yourself
People are surprised at how many and the types of jobs I’ve had. Since 14 I’ve always had a job, ranging from Camden Antiques Market, tea rooms, to an East End rag factory picking vintage clothes, and a short stint at Ann Summers in Soho.
22. Invisibility or flight?
Invisibility! My sister and I would always dream about owning Bernard’s Watch…!
23. Tell us your favourite Instagram accounts at the moment!
@rileyandgrey, @theweddingenthusiast, @mostcuriouswedfair and @Jasminedowling for creative content. And @TheMamaHive run by Jess for giving me a platform locally to thrive in my business.
24. Any regrets in life?
I regret being so hungover to attend important seminars at Uni where I could have learnt more about Photography and Film, and hiding behind my work because I felt I wasn’t ‘Arty’ enough like some of the really eccentric people in my class.
25. If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
The cost of living in general, there are so many families living in poverty in and out of affluent areas. Children shouldn’t be going to school hungry and parents shouldn’t be frightened of homelessness and relying on food banks, It’s 2019.
Thank you so much to Mother Wild for taking part. I couldn’t love her more and some of these answers completely resonate with me – Frech Martinis, Ikea, not feeling ‘arty’ enough for art school, and homelessness; me too. Plus I adore her work and her calligraphy style is just beautiful!
Thanks for taking part Gemma!
