Meet the Maker: emertea.studio

Welcome to another Meet the Maker feature! This series is all about getting to know the brilliant people behind some of Wales' independent creative businesses.

At Byw, we love sharing the stories, ideas and inspiration behind the makers and their work. Every small business has an amazing story to tell. This time, we're catching up with Marta from emertea.studio to find out more about her journey, what inspires her and the story behind her work.

Tell us a little about you and your journey, how did your business begin, what inspired you to start?

I’m a lawyer by day, but outside of my 9–5 I’ve always been into art, architecture, and photography. Before becoming a lawyer, my dream was to be an architect. Although it didn’t happen for various reasons, the creativity and my love for arts and crafts never really went away. Emertea.studio initially began as a quiet creative outlet (and yet another idea for handmade Christmas gifts for friends and family) but quickly grew into something more than just a hobby.

How does living and working in Wales influence your products or your business?

I love nature, mountains and travelling around Wales. To reflect this in my products, I have recently introduced Welsh-inspired Cymru Collection, which incorporates the contour lines of Bannau Brycheiniog and is an ode to the Welsh landscape.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?

The creativity and freedom to do anything I want.

What does it mean to you when someone chooses to buy from you?

It makes me so proud and happy. The fact that someone chooses to spend their hard-earned money on something I’ve made, especially in a world where the cost of everything is so high, means the world to me. It makes all those hours I spend creating outside of my day job feel really worth it.

What does a typical day look like for you?

As I have a full-time job outside of emertea.studio, I try to make the most of my mornings, lunch breaks, evenings and weekends whenever I can. Whether it’s making products, coming up with new ideas and designs, or keeping up with socials, there’s always something to do, so my days tend to be pretty packed! That said, I love being able to work on something that’s my own and I do treat it as a hobby, rather than a job.

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?

Cycling and travelling are my two biggest hobbies (often combined!), so you’ll most likely find me out riding during the sunnier months. I also enjoy playing badminton and weightlifting. I’m a massive foodie, too, so cooking and baking are my favourite things to do on a cold, rainy day!

What's the best piece of advice or support you've received from another small business owner?

One bad experience with a customer or one market that doesn’t go as well as you’d hoped isn’t a reflection of your products.

What's one thing you've learned from running your own business that you wish you'd known at the start?

That the marketing and social media side of it is so much harder than it looks!

What do you enjoy most about being part of the small business community?

Having the chance to meet some fantastic and very talented people.

Why is supporting small, independent businesses so important to you?

Because I’m one of them! But in all seriousness, in the world of AI and mass production, it’s important to value and support makers who do spend their valuable time on making something unique and meaningful.

Share one fun fact about yourself or your business

My business name is my name (Marta), spelled out in Polish. Well, technically, it’s missing an “a” because no one would be able to pronounce it otherwise!

Do you have a favourite product? And what makes it special to you?

The new candle holders I’ve just released are definitely my favourite products I’ve ever made, and the ones I’m most proud of. I had a specific idea in mind but couldn’t find the right mould, so I decided to learn basic 3D design and create them myself. I designed them from scratch, 3D-printed them, and then made silicone moulds to cast the final pieces. So, they’re quite literally 100% designed by me!

What are you currently working on or excited about next?

I’m currently getting ready for my upcoming Christmas markets which will run from 21 November pretty much until Christmas!