A kettle can hold its audience captive, fixed to the spot. Hoping, no dreaming, that today the current surging through the tepid water will bring it to the boil quicker than normal. A ding, a flutter or the sweet, sweet sound of plastic moving to an upright position brings the audience closer, now facing the protagonist. Before you know it, the kettles curves are wrapped up in its lover’s hand.

A pot of coffee enters stage right, whilst a cup of Yorkshire tea rises within the audience. A silent gasp, heads turn; their lips are flooded with a familiar warmth.

 Each day, every performance, begins the same. The flick of a switch. The ding of delight. The fuel behind every workforce. A kettle.

 So, pop the kettle on and get settled with a cuppa. It can even be a herbal, I don’t mind.

So, dear future employer, client or fascinated colleague,

 I’m Jasmine and I would be thrilled to work with you. To get to know you. To steal a quote from you. Please have a flick through my portfolio and discover a designer, filled with a love of craft and a champion of feminism.

 A year ago, I took the tumultuous 55-minute train journey, into the big city of London, to study visual communication at the Royal College of Art. I took five mugs with me, three different types of tea and spent far too much money on coffee from the university café. I got to know the kettle down the end of the corridor. I also got to know how much I truly love the craft of design, the way an image or a word, even a little conversation can unravel into a vast project. A project filled with layers, connections, materials and excellent people.

 Most weekends I visit Nanny in Westgate-on-Sea. We talk, and Nanny tells me her stories. She often repeats them. I make her tea, sometimes even a ‘frothy coffee’. On one visit I took home a Tobacco tin from Nanny, filled with buttons. My masters project became one all about Nanny and the buttons encased within the Tabacco tin. I realised I liked writing. About Nanny, her stories, my stories; and so, followed 6 buttons, 6 stories, 6 characters in a 6-act show. Titled: ‘Perfect Laughter’. My independent research project.

 I like holding mugs. Materiality matters to me. I did a bachelor’s degree in Textiles at the University of Edinburgh with honours! (brag). I like getting to know my materials. To hold a piece of fabric or plywood. To feel a weighty ceramic mug in my hand. I am a versatile maker and feel strongly that craft is just as important as design. I think together they curate space and a joint understanding of creativity.

 I am lucky to have worked with prestigious textile companies, ‘John Lewis’ and ‘Bespoke Atelier’, where I utilised my top-notch digital print and design skills. I have spent too many hours to count on Adobe suite.

I hope that you consider working with me. That you like my design style and voice.

I would be honoured to make you a cup of tea.

With warmth & best wishes, Jasmine.