Meet the Designer: Sharon Turner aka scrummy | Spoonflower Blog

If the name ‘Scrummy’ sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Nottingham, UK resident Sharon Turner, or scrummy as known in the Spoonflower Marketplace, has been a Spoonflower designer for the past seven years and a creative maker for even longer. “Growing up, whenever anyone asked me what I was working on, I’d say ‘something scrummy’ (short for scrumptious). I was always drawing, painting, sewing, crocheting, making paperweights, just about anything crafty and colourful. I used to make soft furnishings and jewellery before designing full time. So ‘Scrummy Things‘ worked well as a business name.” We’re thrilled to have Sharon visiting us on the blog today, so let’s dig right in! 

My day starts with:

“Much coffee. Emails and Facebook. Then about 5 or 6 movies. I can’t work listening to music as I end up bopping around, so it’s pretty much back to back horror and sci-fi. As a general rule, the scarier the movie, the cuter the design.”

Fabric design by scrummy | Spoonflower Blog
Mandala Cirque Indigo Cream by scrummy

What’s in your toolbox?

“A pencil, ink pens, and really smooth heavy paper. Loads of other stuff too obviously, but my everyday tool box is pretty teeny.”

What is your process when creating a new design?

“Pencil (sometimes), ink drawing, scan, clean up, photoshop ~ ta da! Please note ~ I spend a ridiculous amount of time getting to the ‘ta da’ bit.”

Scrummy in her studio | Spoonflower Blog
scrummy in her studio

When I’m in my studio, I feel:

“Like I really should get outside a bit more. Time really flies when I’m engrossed in a design.”

Who or what influences or inspires your work and why?

“Nature, animals, architecture…Basically anything, nothing and everything. I think like most artists, inspiration just pops out of nowhere. Even a dream can be the start of a design. That thing about an artist having too many tabs open in their brain? That.”

If I could live in a painting, I would live in:

Butterflies by Dalí. I have this print above my desk. It’s magical.”

‘Butterflies’ by Salvador Dalí

I fell in love with design when:

“That’s a hard question! I’ve always been creative, but I didn’t start designing until I discovered Spoonflower. I actually studied biological chemistry and biomedical science at Uni. I did an interior design diploma too.”

What piece of your wardrobe best represents your style?

“All obsessive designers will appreciate that I have many pairs of amazing pajamas. Not exactly ‘wardrobe’ but I did have my rooster inked as a birthday treat this year. So my shoulder most definitely represents my style!”

Meet the designer: Sharon Turner aka scrummy | Spoonflower Blog
scrummy’s rooster design as a tattoo and her New York Watercolor design

I’d love to see one of my designs turned into:

“A hot air balloon.”

The secret to a strong collection is:

“A busy focal and lots of coordinates that those great sewist type peeps can’t live without. A fancy, some spots, a stripe, good colours.”

What is the best advice you have ever received as a designer?

“I guess I don’t really listen to advice all that much. My bad, I’m not very good at taking criticism or direction. I just do what I love.”

Meet the designer: Sharon Turner aka scrummy | Spoonflower Blog
scrummy’s art in the Art and Design Licensing Sourcebook, the artist and her kitty, and Solar Eclipse Mandala by scrummy

What drew you to Spoonflower?

“Spoonflower YAY! I discovered Spoonflower in 2010 and instantly became addicted to the contests. I taught myself how to design fabric! Now I make a living drawing and making patterns. I’m eternally grateful to you guys. It’s such a thrill to see my art out in the world on fabric as well as lots of other things.”

For someone new to trying the design challenge, what advice would you give them?

“Stay on theme, but try looking at it from a different angle. Play to your strengths and don’t be a sheep.”

Meet the designer: Sharon Turner aka scrummy | Spoonflower Blog
sketches for scrummy’s Animal ABC design

We’re not done here yet! Keep up with Scrummy on Instagram or get lost in illustrated goodness by visiting her website.

Are you a surface pattern designer or maker using Spoonflower fabrics? Don’t forget to tag your Instagram photos with #Spoonflower for the chance to be featured on our feed!