In this episode of "Along the lines of encounters", we explore the inspiring journey of Elsa, a passionate artist who has transformed her love for drawing into a thriving business. Born into a family of artists, with a painter father and a gallery owner mother,
Elsa has always been immersed in a creative environment. But it was the discovery of 3D printing that truly revolutionized her artistic approach. With her partner Maxime, they started by creating toys for their children, before Elsa brought her own creations to life.
Thus was born Filomen, a micro-enterprise specializing in the creation of eco-responsible wall decorations, designed in a single continuous line. Each piece tells a story, bringing lightness, humor, and dreams into homes. Join us to discover how Elsa, through Filomen, is drawing a world where each line connects art, family, and sustainability.
Elsa, can you tell us a little about yourself and the origins of Filomen?
My name is Elsa, I am 36 years old and a mother of 2 children. I grew up in an artistic environment with a father who is a painter and a mother who is a gallery owner.
Filomen is the result of my partner Maxime's curiosity and my desire to create and undertake.
How did 3D printing enter your life, and what prompted you to explore it further?
The adventure began when my partner bought his first 3D printer. He loved the concept of being able to create anything he wanted (or almost).
So he started printing small toys for our son, then some decorations. That's when I had the idea to draw a character.
We printed it in 2D, so it looked like a sticker. Once it was on the wall, our relatives noticed it and loved it. So I continued to draw small characters in the same style.
I had more and more custom orders for the family, which gave me the confidence to launch my micro-business and create Filomen.
Your inspiration for drawing characters comes from La Linea. Can you tell us more about this choice and how it influences your creations?
I was immediately inspired by La Linea; I loved that character, the idea that a drawing could come to life and interact with its creator.
My drawings must be drawn in a single stroke, just like La Linea, to be easily exhibited.
Can you explain the importance of using bio-based materials in your creations? And why choose Francofil?
The idea was to create eco-responsible, local decorations without overproduction by creating on demand.
We had heard about Francofil at a trade show, so it was obvious for us to source from them.
We thought it was great to have a French and, moreover, Norman supplier!
How does the choice of the name 'Filomen' reflect the values and spirit of your company?
We wanted a name that captured the idea of a continuous line or filament, which represents our world. We chose Filomen, "Fil" for filament and "Men" which are the initials of our first names and those of our children.
And I thought the name Filomen suited the characters well!
Do you have a particular project in mind for the future of Filomen? What new ideas are you planning to explore?
I would like to create more characters (not everyone is represented yet), further develop my reseller network, and perhaps form some partnerships with other artists/creators.
As an artist and entrepreneur, what impact do you hope your creations will have on people and their living spaces?
My creations bring lightness, naivety, humor, and dreams to a world where they are sorely lacking. I like the idea that everyone can find themselves in a character, hear someone say "look, that's you" with a smile.
Where can we meet you next? Trade show, open house?
I will be at the home, decor and garden show from October 4 to 6, 2024, and at the Made in France show in Louviers from November 30 to December 1, 2024.
In the meantime, you can order from my website, filomen.fr.
By following Elsa's journey with Filomen, we discover how a personal passion can transform into an enriching and meaningful professional project.
Elsa has combined her family's artistic heritage with cutting-edge technology to create works that not only decorate but tell stories, touch hearts, and bring smiles.
Filomen is not only the result of overflowing creativity, it is also a celebration of eco-responsibility and local craftsmanship.
By continuing to design new characters and explore artistic partnerships, Elsa extends her influence far beyond the walls of living rooms and homes, proving that art can be a powerful force for change and human connection.
To follow FILOMEN
- Instragram: filomen3d
- Facebook: Filomen
- Website: filomen.fr
