‘Meet the Makers’ – Maker Nya!

We are pleased to be a part of the Bunting Collective project and we love showcasing the amazing makers involved! Our next maker is – Nya!

The Bunting Collective is a community project aimed at bringing vibrancy and colour to the Petticoat Lane Market by hanging community made bunting, using the materials and fabrics from the local fabric shops in the market.

The Aldgate Connect BID, City of London Corporation, and the Borough of Tower Hamlets are proud to present a ‘Meet the Maker’ series. The series is showcasing the makers of the bunting, who are all members of the community with a passion and love for the area!

Meet our youngest maker of this series, Nya!
See what Nya had to say about the project below:

My name is Nya and I am 9 years old. My connection with Aldgate is through my mum as she works for Tower Hamlets council and was one of the organisers of the Bunting Collective. I used to live in the area and went to St. Matthias Primary School near Brick Lane until we moved.

I go to school and am now in Year 5.  I love gymnastics, performing arts and making things. I started to make a cardboard dolls house last year and then started to make miniature pillows and covers for my dolls house. I also made a cushion cover out of my old unicorn sequin t-shirt. My interest in sewing began here. My mum asked me if I wanted to participate in the Bunting Collective and I said yes straight away, especially as it was in lockdown and I wanted something fun to do!

An interesting thing about me is that I am 9 years old and I am the CEO and founder of my own business called Own It Snacks (on Instagram). I run a mobile healthy tuck shop that sells healthy snacks that give back. I choose and make items that give back protein, energy, fibre and have low or no sugar. I also do healthy snack boxes, cookies and party bags. I started this as I was on a business course for kids that helped me. I have had a few bookings so far at a football club, a party booking and selling to family and friends. In the second lockdown I could not go to the football club to sell, so I had to think of a new idea and that is when I thought of sending healthy snack boxes in the post.

I really enjoyed when the creative pack came in the post, looking at the different materials and being part of the project. I also liked the material that other people had when I saw their photos. The best part was when all the parts came together, and I had finished my part of the bunting!

I did a walking video of Petticoat Lane Market last year and I think the bunting will be good because the designs are very colourful and it will make the market look more alive.

Three words I would use to describe Aldgate is busy, interesting and tempting (when I went to the market, there were so many things I wanted to buy!)