It’s safe to say that maker Cinne Worthington may have single-handedly renewed our interest in decorative scarves. Located in San Francisco, she spends her days in her in-home design studio on the old industrial waterfront of a vibrant historical neighborhood called Dogpatch. You’ll find her splitting time between her graphic design business and her Etsy shop, C.Banning Accessories, where she sells uniquely designed scarves. Get to know Cinne and see her beautiful work below.
My day starts with: “a wake-up nudge from my dog’s snout, a bright sunrise over the bay and a little stretch/core workout topped off with a strong espresso. After breakfast I slip into my studio and get to work. My schedule is pretty unpredictable but I can usually get my graphic design work done by lunch so I have the rest of the day to focus on my own things. I fill the gaps with social media promos and admin for my Etsy shop and occasionally act as a curator for the maker’s blog, Found Made Modern.”
I fell in love with making goods (back) when: “I was a kid. I grew up in a family where creativity was the norm. Doing anything that did not involve using one’s artistic ability to make something was just not an option. I have two sisters and a brother who are also professional creatives, who I often have the pleasure of collaborating with.
Having dreamt of working for Marimekko, I majored in textile design. Part way through my studies, I fell in love with typography and conceptual design and switched to a graphic design emphasis. This eventually led me to a career in graphic design, a field that allows me to collaborate with entrepreneurs and explore a variety of disciplines. I have since seriously dabbled in a variety of creative sidelines including photo styling, stage design, painting, accessories design and a recent return to my early dream of designing textiles.”
When I’m in my studio: “I feel like I’m working in a life-size Pinterest board buzzing with color, graphics, and art. My work space has always been a more-is-more environment and my central source of inspiration! I keep it very organized in order to accommodate the variety of concurrent projects and hoardings.”
Who or what influences or inspires your work and why? “Color fuels all! I believe my childhood in Hawaii and adult life in California surrounded by rich nature and bold colors has had a profound impact on how I approach any visual project, especially now with my textile design. I also love wandering around my mother’s garden, urban streets and markets (flea and farmers) locally and abroad. I am inspired by artists such as Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin, David Hockney, Maira Kalman, designers such as Marni, Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten, Mina Perron, and textile designs from Marimekko, Orla Kiely, Josef Frank.
Day to day in-studio stimulus comes from rummaging through my fabric or ‘special finds’ drawers, as well as on the web or flipping through interior design magazines.”
What’s in your toolbox as a creative maker? “Designing tools: depending on my mood, I might start a project by jotting down ideas, sketching, or collaging random colors and images until a fresh idea clicks. I think it’s important to stay away from the influences of computer at the start of a project. I have three tables in my studio, one main surface for creating and cutting fabric, one for sewing, and one for my desktop computer. Scarf sewing tools: an assortment of scissors (I rarely roll-cut) in all shapes and sizes, a soft bristled Faber-Castell dusting brush (works great for smoothing out lightweight fabrics), scotch tape, 12” long knitting needle (for turning skinnies right-side-out), pattern weights and a pair of technical pointed tweezers.”
My proudest accomplishment over the last year: “is the serious move I’ve made towards creating my own surface patterns for my textile products. I still have a long way to go but it is so much fun, and so rewarding to sell an item where I’ve been a part of the entire creative process.”
What piece of your wardrobe best represents your style? “I’d have to say it’s my brightly printed wrap skirts which I layer over pants…usually this is how I add interest to my otherwise almost all black wardrobe.”
Before starting a small business, I wish someone had told me: “‘Don’t hesitate/hold back when it comes to introducing new ideas, but to be prepared to work harder to sell them.’ My motto is…always strive for freshness. Don’t overthink it. Say yes then figure it out later! Not all your questions will be answered at the start.”
What has been an important resource to you as a small business owner? “I can’t even imagine what path my career would have taken had it not been for Apple and Adobe. I use Illustrator, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver every day. I am so proud that I took the initiative and time to advance my skills to carry me into the digital age. I’m so grateful for all the online learning sources available today. Skillshare being one of my favorites where I’ve learned how to create repeat surface and sewing patterns.”
My favorite Spoonflower textile to work with is “Poly Crepe de Chine because of its soft feel, its weight (which is perfect for my skinny scarves), and the color quality.”
Thanks for joining us for our latest maker feature. We hope you too will “always strive for freshness” in your life and work: words to inspire us all!
Cinne!
I wrote your name correctly! I love reading all this about your work and seeing your smiling face! Your dog looks so great draped in your material!
I am so proud of your continued creativity! Keep on keeping on your original stuff- it’s gorgeous and this spring I ‘d like to find a skinny scarf to wear with a simple shirt for a work call to look hip in your style.
love and aloha for now,
Cindy
We miss you!
Love you and your talent. I own many of your beautiful scarves and feel unique and special every time I wear them. Ter Ter