We collaborated with Yolanda from Atlas Atlas on a limited edition coaster. All coasters are hand-made by Yolanda herself in her Melbourne studio. 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I am a service designer and design lecturer. I am passionate about designing an inclusive and sustainable future for all beings and our planet. I hope to take up little space and live simply while ensuring the precious gift of love and presence is at the forefront of all my decisions. I live in a sun-drenched warehouse apartment in the old MacRobertson’s chocolate factory in Fitzroy, where I spend most of my time listening to music, dancing with friends, giggling over a yum wine and cooking for loved ones, or deep in stillness with my absolute favourite past-time; dreaming/sleeping.

 

What/who inspires your Design style?

My friends and loved ones are a constant source of inspiration. I don’t know how I got so lucky with such inspiring, cool, talented friends. I love the beauty of the in-between and things not quite finished or styled. I like things and places that feel spirited and otherworldly. The lived-in and unpolished. Coffee cups and books on the floor, cotton sheets on unmade beds, and much-loved objects and furniture that have character and secrets. Atlas Atlas, is inspired by antique weavings/tapestry, the interconnection of material that makes an object, common household objects, long braided hair, J Franz Erhard Walther, the repetition of honeycomb, abstraction, and the iconic seventies, beaded-car-seat; fun tidbit, my late grandad, a rodeo champion, Smokey Dawson, was also a Queensland cab driver in his older age and used to make those uber-common beaded car seats to help keep him from sticking to the hot, vinyl seats. Perhaps he is my biggest inspiration.

 

What drew you towards making beaded coasters? How did you start?

As a designer, I live on the computer, which can be draining and feels like it takes a toll on my presence in the world and how I interact with time and space.  I was drawn to using more physical and tactile elements to create for the sake of creating. I wanted to find a way to use my hands and stay off the screens when I needed to calm my body and mind. I found beading enabled me to both focus my thoughts and calm my breath, in its repetitive, simple meditative process. I have been beading all sorts of things for a while now, coasters being the first I am sharing with the world, but many other special beaded objects/items are in the works.

 

What is the process of making them? How long does it take?

The process is consuming and repetitive which is great to focus on and meditate. I find myself in a trance when braiding. They can take about 1 hour to create depending on the bead and its weight and what new materials I utilise. 

 

Where does the name Atlas Atlas come from?

In ancient Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan burdened with the Herculean task of holding up the heavens for all eternity. Carrying the weight of my heart with the strength of a thousand titans is also Atlas my three-legged dog. His love and character endlessly guide me through life,  and so, Atlas Atlas was born out of both legacy and honour to my heavenly earth-side companion.