How Caren Hartley became a bicycle builder

What I do

I make bespoke and production steel and stainless steel bike frames and complete bikes. The bikes are all handmade in my workshop with me focusing on the bespoke bikes and myself and a small team making the production bikes. Each of the bespoke bikes is completely unique and tailor made in terms of size and function for a particular client. With the production bikes I have taken the knowledge and experience that I have gained from making the bespoke bikes and designed off the peg bike models that cater for a range of people and in a broard range of sizes.

Jobs in cycling industry

I don’t really work in the craft sector per se, but the cycling industry. There are many different jobs in this industry. In the area of bicycle manufacture and sales there are jobs such as bike mechanics, engineers, sales and marketing people, graphic designers and administrators.

Why craft?

I had always wanted to work in the art or craft industries. It was through studying 3D Design Metalwork that I first got into the industry as a jeweller and silversmith. It was really a love of making and working with metal that inspired me to follow this path.

What I studied at school

For GCSEs I did maths, English language and literature, science (double award), art, graphic design, geography, French and German.

For A-levels I did art, biology, and AS photography.

I know that I probably wanted to work in the arts so chose the most relevant subjects that my school offered. I also really liked science and maths, but I flunked out of maths as it became too hard!

What I studied after school

I did an Art and Design Foundation Diploma course at my local college and then went to Surrey Institute of Art to study 3D Design Metalwork and Jewellery. Then I did a year’s residency at Bishopsland Educational Trust and then on to the Royal College of Art for an MA in Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork & Jewellery.

Challenges

Balancing money and time is a constant challenge as earnings are never high for the hours that go into the work you do/pieces that you make. I’ve tried to not to get disheartened or take things personally when I’ve applied for projects/exhibitions/commissions etc. and not got them. I didn’t get into the Royal College of Art the first time I applied and this was a real emotional set back, but I tried to work out the weaknesses in my first application and work on these areas so that when I applied again I was in a much stronger position. I’ve also often had to do things that I don’t enjoy or find uncomfortable to move the business forward, such as being filmed and photographed regularly for press articles, which is something I dislike doing on a personal level but is an integral part of promoting my company.

My advice to you

Be prepared that it’s likely to be a challenging, varied but rewarding career. You will work hard and are unlikely to earn a high salary (although it’s not impossible!). Most craft practitioners develop a portfolio career and have to do other work alongside their practice for a number of years and some indefinitely – such as teaching or working for other practitioners. You will also need to develop a good level of resilience as competition is high and you will not get every opportunity you go for, but do try and take every opportunity you are given as seemingly irrelevant opportunities can lead to better, more connected ones and are also a really good way to meet people and network. There will be setbacks along the way and these can feel quite personal if you let them, but they usually aren’t. Try to be objective if something doesn’t go to plan and think about if there is something you can change or improve for next time.

Most of these ‘downsides’ also mean it can be a really interesting, you have a high level of autonomy over what you do and you will never stop learning.