Introducing Coby Stewart

As part of the Framing Marks Gate series we photographed and interviewed a series of local residents and key workers who have played an interesting role on Marks Gate.  Meet Coby Stewart of Coby’s Creations, local resident and a dab-hand creative who plays with jewellery, fabrics, interior design and more!

What’s your name?

 Coby Stewart

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in Chadwell Heath with my 6 year old grandson; we have lived there for three and a half years.

I love design. This love affair started when I was a child and I used to make Christmas decorations and design and make clothes for my dolls! I started making greeting cards and unique boxes from patterned card. I fell into jewellery when I couldn’t find anything unusual to wear. I initially designed and made jewellery for friends and family. I also took a dressmaking course; this led to designing and making bridal wear. My love of design led me to also study interior design; I worked as a designer for a short time.

Coby’s Creations enables me to use my interest in lots of different forms of design and materials to create new designs from start to finish.

How long have you known Marks Gate?

I first discovered Marks Gate when my grandson started Nursery there about 3 years ago.

What are your experiences of Marks Gate?

I had an opportunity to find out what was going on in Marks Gate, joined a few classes and joined a community forum and made a few good friends. I like that there IS always something going on, you just have to look, and there are loads of opportunities to do things or create new things.

Tell us a special memory that you have of Marks Gate.

My special memory of Marks Gate is when St Marks Church closed its doors for the last time. It was an important place in the community that represented good things in Marks Gate, when within the walls it had a very peaceful ambience that bought out the best in people.