Meet the Makers: Zoe Scott from Worrywarts by Cured

Please introduce yourself and your business.

Hello! I’m Zoe Scott, the maker behind Worrywarts by Cured.

My studio is located in my rural garden near Glasgow, with a view of the Campsie Fells. It’s a joy to see the seasons change through the windows. Winter is lovely, but in summer, I enjoy opening the double doors to hear the sounds of birds and wildlife. We’re fortunate to have cows and sheep in the nearby fields, along with a family of deer that visits almost every day. Nature truly inspires me.

I’ve always had a passion for creating. As someone with dyslexia, I find that working with my hands allows my imagination to flourish. After completing my studies in printed textiles at Glasgow School of Art, I was lucky to have two daughters. However, I found suburban motherhood quite challenging and craved a creative outlet. After trying my hand at various crafts, I discovered concrete, which offered a delightful start-and-stop process that fitted perfectly into my daily routine, especially during nap times! I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge along the way and have become somewhat of an expert in this niche area, allowing my business to grow organically. I started eight years ago with concrete plant pots, then expanded into homewares, and eventually ventured into creating the mindful figurines I make today. It’s been an exciting journey!

What products do you create? 

The Worrywarts by Cured are an absolute treat to make. They tap into the ancient idea of talismans and totems while celebrating storytelling, all in a very modern way. Each Worrywart is handcrafted individually using slip-cast concrete in my reusable silicone moulds before being waxed and polished. They’re incredibly pleasing, tactile objects made to be held, displayed, and snuggled into pockets.

What makes your business unique?

I’m a storyteller at heart, and that’s what the Worrywarts do. Rather than just being a cute figurine to sit on your shelf, they capture people’s imagination. Each design has its own wee personality, which is enhanced through the packaging. Their mindfulness element really resonates with people, and I love creating their profiles. Take Hardy Worrywart the Highland cow, for instance; he is a 12-year-old gentle giant known for his resourcefulness. The characters are always based on the real animals, tales, or legends that inspire them. Over the years, I’ve become quite the researcher.

Are there any interesting materials that you use?

I think concrete is quite unusual! I always get a few raised eyebrows at the school gates if I have to dash straight from the studio, usually covered in wax and dust. It’s not the most glamorous, but creating such delicate, desirable, and pretty objects from a material that most people assume is ugly and basic is incredibly rewarding. 

Are there any sustainable credentials you can mention?

As a maker, I feel a huge responsibility to ensure the products I create will benefit the Scottish environment. The Worrywarts are made in tiny batches, so there’s zero waste, and they are all mixed, weighed, set, and dried without the use of any power. It’s one of the reasons I prefer concrete over glass or ceramics, which need high energy consumption kilns. All I need is cold tap water, fresh Scottish air and time. Concrete needs about four weeks to fully ’cure’ so patience really is a virtue! Contained within each Worrywart are recycled plastic fragments and glass chips, which I collect from another micro business in Glasgow. The plastic comes from Precious Plastics, which specialises in shredded plastic waste. Everything from juice bottles, kids’ toys and even old school chairs can be ground down and sorted into beautiful big tubs of colourful chips. The glass comes from an eco-friendly sandblasting company that happened to be removing the paint from my 200-year-old farmhouse! I was fascinated by the material. It behaves and feels like fine sand but is made from old wine bottles. We have a deal that I take their wet glass, which they can’t use. It’s a win for everyone. All my packaging is made from recycled cards in Scotland and printed on a real press. Each figurine profile gets a unique eco-rubber stamp custom-made by Get Stamped in the UK.

What’s your favourite thing about your business/running your business?

My daughters are now 10 and 12 and have had such a huge input into the creative process. We’re currently working on a custom project telling the story behind ’Hickory, Dickory, Dock’ and they’re full of ideas about colours, design and scale. It gives me such joy to share my business with them. They’re also handy when I have 300 boxes to fold and assemble! I also love how reactive I can be to new ideas and customer requests. Because everything is made right here in my studio, I can whip up a brand-new product in a matter of weeks, consulting with clients throughout the process.

What’s the proudest moment of your business career?

Last year, I was incredibly proud to be a finalist and was highly commended for the Gift of the Year hosted by the Giftware Association. It was a tough competition with thousands of entrants from all over the UK. It’s great to get that kind of seal of approval from such a large industry body; the CEO even said in an article that the Worrywarts were her favourite entry! But honestly, every order is a proud moment when you’re a tiny business, and being able to provide for my family by making things I love makes me so proud.

What is your favourite Trust place?

I studied textiles with a specialism in Print at Heriot-Watt in Galashiels in the Borders, a beautiful part of Scotland, and I loved visiting Robert Smail’s Printing Works. I love huge old industrial machinery. I think real print has such beautiful quality compared to digital print, which can be a little soulless. It’s micro imperfections that make things unique and special. The Robert Smail’s Printing Works has beautiful trays full of letters, stamps and interesting things. It’s a unique Trust property for people like me who are less inclined to climb mountains!

How did you start working with the Trust?

I worked with the Trust’s Retail team to grow the original Worrywarts range into something that would appeal to visitors. The Highland cow’s cute little hairstyle is all thanks to Gemma McQue, the Trust’s Product Manager. Scotland is a tiny place full of talented makers, artists, and designers, so it’s an honour to be selected to grace the shelves of some of Scotland’s most iconic destinations.

What’s your favourite product that you supply to the Trust, and what was the inspiration behind creating it?

I’m a huge fan of Majestic Worrywart, the unicorn. Each one has a hand-painted gold leaf horn. It is such a tranquil task that I save it as a reward for doing hard work like sanding. I love that a mythical creature is Scotland’s emblem; it says a lot about our mentality. They’re an enduring, legendary creature that’s become very ’on trend’. I love the idea of them travelling all around the world in suitcases to find new homes.

What do you love about Scotland?

I love Scotland’s diversity! We have wild coastlines, tranquil beaches, bustling cities and ancient monuments all squeezed into our wee patch of land. Whatever type of adventure you’re looking for, you can find it right on the doorstep, with a warm welcome, tasty scran and great chat guaranteed.