I am a weaver and founder of a small weaving workshop, where I produce handwoven textiles and run educational craft activities. My studio focuses on creating and selling woven fabrics and high-quality products. I also offer creative workshops, demonstrations, lectures, and educational content related to weaving and textile design.
My Host Entrepreneur, Roger Coll, is an abstract sculptor exploring form, texture, and material experimentation. I discovered the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) program while looking for ways to develop my studio. I decided to participate to gain new artistic perspectives, expand my practice beyond textiles, and learn how to position my work within a broader design context. I expected to benefit from hands-on collaboration, exchange of skills, and insights into running a sustainable creative business.
During my stay, I worked closely with my Host Entrepreneur, Roger, in a collaborative and open exchange setting. We analysed my woven samples together, discussing structure, material choices, texture, and their potential development towards more sculptural and design-oriented forms. These sessions helped me rethink my approach to textiles and explore new artistic directions.
I also conducted several structured interviews with my Host, focusing on his business model, customer network, marketing strategies, and craftsmanship. This allowed me to better understand how an independent artist builds and maintains a sustainable creative practice.
Our relationship was based on mutual learning and regular dialogue. Alongside discussions, I observed his daily workflow, studio organisation, and interactions with clients, gaining practical insights into managing and positioning a craft-based business.
The exchange brought significant professional and creative benefits. I developed new skills in analysing form, texture, and spatial composition, which I can now apply to my weaving practice. Working with an abstract sculptor encouraged me to think beyond traditional textile formats and explore more experimental and artistic directions.
I also gained valuable insights into building a customer network, refining marketing strategies, and communicating the value of craft to different audiences. This strengthened my approach to positioning my weaving studio and its products.
The collaboration gave me new ideas including potential joint projects combining textiles and sculpture, as well as ideas for exhibitions and workshops. Roger is a well established and visionary artist. His insights made me more attentive to how artistic practice can be sustained over time, and how openness to experimentation can shape both creative work and a professional path.
This experience reshaped how I see weaving – not only as craft, but as a form of spatial expression. The exchange of ideas, materials, and approaches opened new directions for my work and gave me confidence to grow my practice beyond traditional boundaries.