PARTNER INTERVIEW: M.Y.O - YOUR CREATIVE FIX

A huge welcome to one of our latest additions to Experience Days: M.Y.O – your creative fix! And what better way to get to know our partners than an interview all about them?

M.Y.O. list an incredible (and extremely artsy) 8 experiences with us, including Calligraphy, Illustrated Maps Classes, Tshirts and Tiles workshops, and Tassel earring creation. There’s plenty for all you art enthusiasts, so let your inner-child run free and get creative!

Did I mention its BYOB as well? Let’s go!

1. How did M.Y.O begin?

As corny as it sounds, M.Y.O began on a cold New Year’s Eve stroll. Diana and I were chatting about start-up ideas and what we should do in the year ahead. I had gone part-time / freelance in my job the previous September on the pursuit of setting up a business, but didn’t know what! We had recently started doing more creative things together and really enjoyed exploring that side of ourselves, so thought it would be fun to spread the joy of creating to more people like us. Diana was still working full-time then. We found a lovely creative space we could share within a couple of months and tried doing creative classes a night or two a week every couple of weeks from April 2017 (we were very much winging it, but learning!), then both went full-time into it in September last year. It has been an amazing journey, we’re so happy to help people explore their creative side and to see the confidence and happiness it can bring.

 2. What makes you unique to other creative studios?

I think it’s the combination of offering over 10 creative activities to do, the relaxed homely atmosphere we strive to provide and the focus on ensuring people make something of quality they are proud of, makes us a little unique. We also really try to put people at ease and to help them connect with those around them if they’d like to, so everyone is comfortable enough to relax into being creative. There are other great creative studios out there, but those are the things we really focus on to make a special experience.

3. What / who inspired you to become creative?

Just putting myself in the position where I was doing creative things and seeing what came out gave me confidence and cemented the feeling that everyone is creative, they just need an outlet! If I can paint a rose for Diana, design a shirt, try pottery – anyone can! Really! Diana was also a qualified accountant like me and has a now flourishing creative side, which had been supressed for years. She loves trying out and designing new workshops! I am constantly amazed by people’s imagination and what they make during our classes, which inspires us to continue M.Y.O every day. I enjoy the works of lots of painters like Dali, Monet, Picasso and street artists like Banksy and would have never thought I could create something like them. But, now, I feel I can create anything in my own way, especially with some practice – much like anything in life.

4. What is your favourite piece of work you have created? Any proud photos?

The very first ceramic tile I painted was a proud moment, I was chuffed. It was also really nice learning to paint with my Mum – I painted the rose for Diana as a present. I got serious brownie points for that! I also enjoy making gifts for people, just feels a little more special. The Freddie Mercury tile will be a birthday present for someone soon!

5. Which workshops do you most enjoy holding?

They are all super fun and you make cool stuff – I have to say that don’t I? If I had to choose a top 2, would be ceramic painting and pottery (not as difficult as I expected!). Diana hasn’t stopped talking about how fun the Christmas Wreaths workshops were last year, so that is definitely hers. She can’t wait for them to start again!

6. What 3 words would you use to describe a creative workshop at M.Y.O?

Relaxed, Inspiring, Happy :D

7. Where do you see M.Y.O in the next 3 years?

We’ve recently opened a 2nd creative studio in Peckham Levels, so have no immediate plans for another studio. We’ll launch a membership scheme, continue to talk about the benefits of being creative as it’s important, host 1,000s more people who we hope enjoy getting creative with us, add some new creative classes, do creative packs for people, maybe even franchise if it makes sense. We’d also love to spend a summer in a campervan going around and doing creative workshops at festivals around the UK. And, we may open a studio in Dublin, Ireland (where I am from – sorry Diana!).

Amazing!! Huge thanks to Sam at M.Y.O for taking part in our partner interview!