excuse me for stating the obvious, but you have a funny name.
Yes, it's true. Kia is Scandinavian, Hing Fay is Chinese and I am 3/4 Scottish. It makes for a nice combination though, don't you think ?
have you always been interested in design ?
As a child, I was fascinated with the design of household items. My favourites being plastic jugs that held bags of milk, old fashioned egg beaters, and workshop pegboards (with each tool outlined).
and craft...?
My mum taught me to crochet. I started with a little granny square that kept getting bigger and bigger until i disappeared underneath it. As a child, I made just about everything available in kit form...Holly Hobby cross stitch (tick), latchhook lion (tick), copperart wallhanging (tick), macrame owl (tick). A true product of the 70s.
what influences your designs ?
Nature, domestic life, Japanese and Scandinavian design. Underlying everything I make is the Danish concept of hygge. Scandinavians use the term to describe a space, object or gathering that generates a sense of warmth and homeliness. Hygge is about taking pleasure in ordinary everyday things, like sharing a pot of tea with friends or picking flowers for your kitchen table. I love the idea of viewing daily life as a special kind of artform, and try to reflect this sentiment with each piece i make.
where do you work ?
In my studio, in the park, at the local cafe. All I need is a hook, yarn and sketchbook. It always makes me smile when passers-by stop to ask me what I'm making. I think people find it curiously comforting to see old fashioned skills being revived. Oh, and everyone always has a story or pattern to share.