“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Interview with Designer Nicole DeCamp
It’s a question most of us get asked during childhood. For artist and designer Nicole DeCamp, the answer was an easy one. DeCamp started drawing, and getting paid for doing so while in elementary school, selling her doodles to friends and customers at her family-owned restaurant. From that point on, she says she knew art and design would be a life-long passion. “I started my design career as web designer for high profile clients including Finishline and NCAA Basketball. This eventually led me to teach design and illustration at university level. At the same time I created a side business selling handmade stationery that made its debut at the National Stationery Show,” said DeCamp
From there, DeCamp spent the following 15 years designing products for an international party supply retailer. But her focus shifted about ten years ago, to building her own business. That’s when she connected with Benartex, where she has showcased dozens of her designs, including her most recent creation, this perky “Coffee Time” panel you can see here. DeCamp told us “I'm starting to find a niche in vintage looks so I am always on the lookout for themes that could possibly fit in with that look. I look closely at what trends are constantly popping up in retail stores because that will show me there is consumer demand.”
Another big consideration when it comes to fabric designs, as any long-time quilter will know, is holidays. And DeCamp says she works closely with Benatrex to satisfy every quilter’s craving when it comes to celebrating. “Most of the time Benartex will like art I have already created for other licensing efforts and then we will collaborate to expand that art into a full fabric collection. There are other situations where they have come to me and asked if I can put together something for a theme, for instance, St. Patrick's Day. It can really work either way,” said DeCamp.
We’re always fascinated by the new designs we see, and curious to know what inspires the artists we feature here at The Country Quilt Shop. DeCamp told us “I find inspiration in different areas of my life. Family members, nature, and even childhood memories. I also look at how other designers are developing themes and then make them my own.”
Look for even more fabulous designs from DeCamp in the coming months, as she revealed there’s plenty more in the works for 2023 and beyond. “I have so many collections coming out within the next year. My upcoming ‘Sew in Love’ collection is certainly a favorite of mine because my mom (who is an avid quilter) was the inspiration. Everything about it reminds me of her so it's near and dear to my heart. ‘Sew in Love’ comes out in stores in July 2023.”
We’ll definitely be on the lookout for that and much more, and a huge thank you to Nicole for taking the time to answer our questions! And click here to visit her website for much more!
Happy Quilting!
