Emily Farncombe, furniture upholsterer

Emily Farncombe is one of a growing number of arts and craft practitioners turning to the Factory4 workshop to get their business moving. 

After completing an art foundation course at Newcastle she moved to Edinburgh for a tapestry course where she focused on sculpture, film, photography and installation. For three years she also worked as a community artist while carrying on her art practice. A move to New Zealand led to an exhibition of film, sculpture and projection based on wind energy, which she created whilst living there.

Searching for a change of direction she moved back to the UK in May 2007. Around this time one of her elderly uncles had passed away and left a collection of antique furniture behind. Emily said: “It was in a really bad state of repair so it was then I decided to learn upholstery so I could rescue it all.”

She continued: “Whilst learning to do upholstery at Burnley college people kept asking me to reupholster their furniture. It turned out I had enough orders coming at this time to register as a sole trader and start the business.”

Emily heard about Factory4 through Leeds Visual Arts forum after posting up a note asking for workspace.  “Factory4 is a great place for me to network with other creative people. The workshop is fantastically equipped, especially the wood-working area which is an essential part of my upholstery and without which things would be very difficult. I also get the support and encouragement I need to keep going with the business, ” she added. 

Emily’s future plans include her own range of bespoke furniture, creative workshops and lots more upholstery for the people of Yorkshire.

She said finally: “In the current climate I think people are more likely to mend and make do especially if it’s nice furniture which is worth investing time and effort in. It’s tough work, but when you see a client’s face light up there is nothing more satisfying. It’s like CPR for chairs!”