Jo Dorey is the creative force behind Ethel Loves Me, one of Rye’s most distinctive independent shops and a joyful showcase for artists, makers and all things a little different. With a wonderfully quirky eye and a real passion for championing local talent, Jo has created far more than a shop: it is a celebration of creativity and individuality. A great supporter of Rye and its community, Jo seemed the perfect person to put under the spotlight for this week’s Three Degrees of Curiosity.
Over to you, Jo.
What three words describe you best?
Thoughtful
Dreamer
Confused
What are the three things you love most about being part of Rye?
Community
History
Quirkiness
What three qualities do you look for when choosing an artist or maker for your shop?
Originality – we want something different, not what we already have.
Passion and enthusiasm.
That we like them – this is so important because we are going to hopefully have a long relationship with them and it’s no good starting off on the wrong foot.
What three things do you wish you could take home from Ethel loves Me?
Our stunning decoupage tables.
Jackie Summerfield’s fantastic ceramic sculptures.
And all the chocolate!
What three things catch your artistic eye?
Colour.
Has it been up-cycled? I love it when something starts its life as one thing and turns into another.
Does it smell good?
Which three famous artists or designers, living or dead, would you choose to create something especially for the shop?
Vivienne Westwood – what a wonderful, decadent window we could have.
Rebecca Louise Law – I saw her amazing creation at the Saatchi Gallery last year with preserved flowers and was instantly transfixed.
Nick Archer – I’d be happy to have his art on every wall.
What three pieces of advice would you give to someone trying to make a living from their creativity?
Don’t expect to.
Be different.
Keep trying until you find the right thing.
Which three things make Rye such a good home for artists and creative people?
Sea and skies.
History.
Tourists.
If you had three completely empty shop windows and an unlimited budget, what would you put in them?
It would have to be a magical Christmas scene from one end to the other with movement and snow falling, transporting you to another time.
What are three things that people would be surprised to discover about you?
A tortoise weed in my mouth: never pick one up so they are facing you!
I used to be a second-hand car dealer.
I volunteered in a hospice.
What three things make you laugh?
My husband Jason.
Hide and seek (I just can’t keep quiet).
Flatulence (see my first answer!).
Which three people would you like to invite to a dinner party?
Charlie Mackesy: his drawings, stories and kind voice are a joy.
Billy Thompson from the Animal Retreat in High Halden – for his love of animals and hilarious anecdotes.
Ludvico Einaudi playing the piano.
What three courses would you serve?
Little amuse bouches made by Luke from Aster Broadstairs. What he can do with foraged food is amazing. Look him up.
What three things would you save if your house was on fire?
Our dog Riley.
My phone: I literally have everything on it and with it!
The Secret Garden Art Novel, it is a collector’s edition that Jason bought me. I love it but haven’t read it yet as I need to be in a grand mansion, with a secret garden of course.
Three moments in my life where you have thought, “This is exactly where I want to be”?
When I married Jason.
When we moved to Oxfordshire and on our first night we got introduced to everybody in the local pub!
I’m waiting for the third.
If Ethel could talk, what three things would she say about you?
She is turning into me!
She LOVES to chat.
Where next??!!
Image Credits: Jason Dorey , Jason Dorey , Kt bruce .
Jo was the first person I met when we moved to Rye, quite literally as she ran out of her house with cups of tea for me and the moving team. I have loved Ethel Loves Me from the beginning and wish I had more room to buy more art from them. It makes me happy that the shop offers such a huge range of price points and that it’s full of items you just can’t find anywhere else. There are so many artists locally whose work deserves to be seen and bought — other shops selling the same ol’ same ol’ please note!
Lovely, interesting but fun article.
Thank you Jo.
Beautiful shop you and Jason have created from the smaller version along East street.
Congratulations.
Thank you Jane, this has made my day
So kind of you to comment Judith and that you think we have a lovely shop!
Jo’s warmth and jolliness attracts people into Ethel: she and I have chatted about various topics, our most recent was bra’s and haircuts! (thanks to Jo, I discovered the most wonderful stylist and salon – Zoe at Sculpture Salon). Although I now live in Hastings Old Town, Rye still has the great vibe that it had when I was at school there in the mid-late 60’s, and Ethel Loves Me is definitely one of my favourite shops.
Jo and Ethel are immensely generous to all of the students who practice art at Art at the Farm over at the COT Rare Breeds Centre on the Marsh. Our students have autism, learning difficulties and complex needs. Jo and Ethel sell their ceramics, hand made cards and artworks and all the money they make buys new art materials. We get no direct state or council funding and fund raising is exceptionally tough right now so thank you Jo and Ethel and your customers.