Earlier this month on a crisp Thursday morning, we had the pleasure of meeting Hana Bauman-Lyons, Founder of online homeware shop Eesome. We visited Hana's house in East London to find out more about the story behind the brand and to see her amazing collection of vintage ceramics. Read on to find out how Hana turned her hobby into a business!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and Eesome?
Eesome is an online shop selling vintage homeware, predominantly ceramics. It offers a sustainable way to fill your home with beautiful objects, investing in a small independent supply chain and reusing items that already exist. It is a hobby turned full-time job which I run alone. I worked in unrelated fields before-hand but started buying and selling ceramics as a side project. I always felt so unfulfilled in my work life and needed to do something for myself that I knew I could do well and enjoy. The development of it as a business was extremely organic, I built the brand and website as a fun project, and I tweaked and changed it as I went and as my taste evolved. It is still evolving and I'm excited to see where it goes next.
Where does your passion for homewares come from?
My mood is very affected by my surroundings and the vibe of a space, as are most peoples (even if they don't know it). I think homewares are an accessible way to create a nice atmosphere and bring a small happiness to everyday life. My interest in it probably began quite young. Both of my parents are architects, so family holidays often consisted of city breaks to go and visit iconic buildings, design shops and exhibitions. They were always seeking to learn from and be inspired by what others had created, which I absorbed from them. Small homewares were often an easy and affordable thing to collect from travels, so I would always look out for them wherever I went. But my real love developed as Eesome grew. The more I find items that people have been hand making for decades and the story that goes with them, the more my passion grows.
How would you describe the Eesome aesthetic?
I never set out to create a specific aesthetic, but as I started to refine what I was buying, a very clear style appeared. It is texture and form that grab my attention, earthy tones, raw textures and handmade forms. I love items that look like they were built for a purpose rather than finished to perfection.
Where do you draw inspiration from when researching and sourcing new pieces?
I'm inspired by makers and craftsmen, traditional making methods, utilitarian craft and one-offs by unknown makers. I love amateur pottery, the naivety of someone who is still experimenting with clay can produce amazing results. Researching where to source always starts in the history books. All the places I source from have a long history of ceramic production and design, which I like to understand before I go shopping so I know exactly what I'm looking for.
We love that you are encouraging more people to shop second-hand. Can you tell us
more the importance of conscious consumerism?
In the Western world are putting so much strain on the planet with our consumer behaviour. Our land and oceans are filling up with junk and chemicals from factories that churn out cheap products. We are buying more then we need, we are buying items that need replacing every few years, we've forgotten how to look after and care for our belongings. We should all be investing in companies and individuals who are tackling this, and one of the greatest powers we have as individuals is buying power. Deciding how to spend your money can have a huge impact. Using Eesome as an example, it is a circular economy, we extend the life of items, keeping them in use for as long as possible and if they were to go to landfill one day they would biodegrade right back into the earth where they came from. Consumers have the power to support businesses that have a positive impact like this.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting up their own business?
My biggest piece of advice is to absolutely love it. You are going to spend more hours on it then any 9-5 job and it will occupy most of your brain space, which isn't a problem if you love it. I would also say to really identify your strengths from the beginning, and to develop the business around them.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
My days are all very different. I do every part of the business so days will include photography, editing, uploading, researching, planning, packing, finance, meetings and e-mails. The best days are when I get in a car and go to source new stock. I don't have deadlines or targets, so I work at my own pace and take on whatever I feel like in a day.
How do you make your clothes work for you and your busy lifestyle?
My whole wardrobe is made up of items I can wear day into night. I don't like to spend a lot of time choosing my outfits, so I've built up a wardrobe of clothes that are easy to wear.
What are your go-to wardrobe staples?
Jumpsuits are my absolute key. Comfy to work in in the day, and smart enough to go out in in the evening. I hate being constraint by clothing.
And finally...
If I wasn't running Eesome... I'd be a little lost.
The best thing about my job... The freedom of getting in a car and setting off on an adventure to source new stock.
My day isn't complete until... I've eaten some delicious food.
Words to live by... The advice my Grandad gave me about living a fulfilling life, have purpose and be happy.
My ideal breakfast... Comes with a very strong coffee.
On my Christmas wishlist... Something handmade by one of my many talented friends.
My favourite London hangout... I'm a sucker for a candle lit wine bar.
 Boiled Wool TunicDress > |
 Cropped Jacket > |
 Alpaca Cotton Stitch-detail Sweater > |
 Black Wide StraightCrop Jeans > |