Perth Upmarket Market

Tell us a little bit about your market?

Perth Upmarket is Perth’s premier quarterly market for original and handcrafted wares. The market brings together over 100 of Perth’s most talented artists, designers, craftsmen and gourmets all under one roof at the University of Western Australia’s Winthrop Hall. The market showcases high quality wares such as handcrafted clothing, jewellery, skin care products, handbags, wall and paper art, wood products, toys, cupcakes plus lots more. Parking and entry are free and the venue is easily accessible.

Next Market:
When: Sunday 28th March 2010
Where: University of Western Australia
Time: 10am-4pm
Entry: Free
Future Market Dates: Sunday 27th June, Sunday 12th September and Sunday 28th November.
This event proudly supports the Starlight Children’s Foundation.


When/why did you start your market?
The brains (and operational legs) behind the Perth Upmarket initiative is ex-Sydneysider Justine Barsley, who moved to Perth in 2006 and couldn’t find Perth’s best artists and designers she’d heard so much about. Justine went in search of a regular high quality market to sell her own limited edition kids clothing range and couldn’t find one, thus Perth Upmarket was born.


What is the favourite part about running your market?
My favourite part of running the market is the buzz of seeing the connection of designers and shoppers on market day. I also enjoy the entrepreneurial freedom of having my own business and deciding on what direction to take it.


Why do you love handmade so much?
I love handmade because it has a story. From the hands of the creators to something proudly worn, used or displayed. Handmade always creates a conversation.


Why your visitors should attend your market?
- meet over 100 of Perth’s most talented designers, artists, creatives and gourmets all under one roof
- will be supporting local small businesses and keep their money in the local economy
- can buy the best handcrafted wares designed or made from WA locals

For more information visit www.perthupmarket.com.au

Calling entries for Eckersley’s Design Competition

WIN a 2 Day Semi-Permanent Event Melbourne Experience!

Eckersley's is offering you a chance to WIN an inspiring 2 day Semi-Permanent Melbourne experience worth over $4,000! Including return airfare*, 3 nights accommodation at the stunning art hotel, The Cullen, 2 tickets to Semi-Permanent Melbourne (17th & 18th Sept), and a $500 Eckersley’s shopping spree,** you will be in creative overdrive.

With past speakers including George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic, Droga 5, Grafik Magazine, artist’s Jeff Soto, Ron English and Banksy, the 2010 Semi-Permanent line up will immerse you in all the latest and greatest in art & design globally. 3 runners up will receive a ticket to Semi-Permanent Melbourne.

Visit www.eckersleys.com.au/competition for more details.
CLICK HERE to download an entry form for their Design Competition.
Entries close 15th April 2010.

*Flights from Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart & Darwin airports only.
** Visit www.eckersleys.com.au/competition for full competition terms and conditions

DON’T FORGET: Get your 2010 Eckersley’s Student Card available in-store now for year round discounts!

♥ more bouncy bunny love ♥

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mum who makes :: boorah designs

Mum who makes :: boorah designs
madeit.com.au/boorahdesigns

Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Tammy and I am a self confessed girly girl. I love all things pretty, I love fashion and I have a weakness for shoes. I am a stay at home mother of two gorgeous children zachery 6 and Lillianna 2.

Can you explain your craft/art and the materials you like to use?
I make a gorgeous array of childrens clothes, dresses, tops skirts and pants. I love to use designer fabrics in flowers and patterns. I especially love polka dots. I try and make all my waists elastic, because I think children need to feel comfortable.
How long have you been creating and how did you get into making handmade goodies?
I started sewing just over a year ago. I stumbled across a gorgeous skirt pattern by Toni of makeitperfect and just had to have it for lillianna. It turned out just perfect so I had to make another. A friend of mine asked me to make one for her daughter and so I decided to keep on sewing.

How do you juggle motherhood & crafting/managing your business?
I find the thing that works best for me is definitely settling the children and working around them. Provided I don't have a deadline to meet I usually work when the children are asleep, at school/kindy or busy playing. However I have been found to work with children under my feet or on my lap.

Do you have any advice to other Mothers who are wanting to start creating handmade goodies?
Definitely follow your heart if you have a passion or want to try something new. It's so rewarding. I think as mothers we sometime forget to do things we love to do for ourselves. This is definately my creative outlet and there is a big market out there for handmade goodies.

Handmade Clip Garden!!

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new seller quick five :: marley and lockyer

New seller :: marley and lockyer
madeit.com.au/marleyandlockyer

How did you find about madeit?
I had seen advertisements in Real Living and had a look every now and then, but it was Sophie Hill from That Vintage that really got me going to finally put my work on. I am happy to have a venue for my Aussie followers to purchase me products instead of relying on my other web store.

Explain your style?
Its all about white, neutrals, French,Hamptons, Swedish and Scandinavian with me...with some Aus country thrown in. I love to find old grain sacks and fossick through op shops, country markets and any sort of storage...like attics and barns!

What makes you happy?
Being able to use my talents to create beautiful spaces for people and to help support our family. I am not truly happy unless I have found something scungy and turned it into a beauty. Doing all of this on basically no budget is even more of a buzz!!

What makes you sad?
The lack of beautiful linens here in Australia is a little depressing and the lack of attics! Also shopping in the city - it's all the same stuff in every shop...I love handmade and online shopping =0)

What cant you live without?
Besides the obvious choices, my camera, sewing machine, screen printing, laptop, Ipod, diary and my talent!

Tangerine Thursday

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade goodies

Mum who makes :: ButtonsbyLouLou

Mum who makes :: ButtonsbyLouLou
madeit.com.au/ButtonsbyLouLou

Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Lou. I live in Melbourne, although grew up in country Victoria. I have 2 little boys aged 1 and 3 and they keep me very busy of course.

Can you explain your craft/art and the materials you like to use?
I make fabric covered buttons into all sorts of accessories for adults and children - from earrings and cufflinks to sewing buttons, hair accessories and magnets. I love beautiful fabrics and am continually inspired by new prints and designs. I can't sew so this is the perfect excuse for buying too much fabric.

How long have you been creating and how did you get into making handmade goodies?
I started making buttons in 2008 as gifts for family and friends and things got out of control when I started selling some things online and people actually bought them! I have now made thousands of buttons and more than I ever thought possible. All by hand, all one at a time.

How do you juggle motherhood & crafting/managing your business?
With difficulty. I make things during sleep times/quiet times and I snatch bits of computer time throughout the day and at night. I need to make things at night but I find it difficult because I am so exhausted by then. I have recently got a babysitter for a half day a week to give me some productive 'day time' making. My sister is also starting to help me out with bits and pieces. I am looking forward to reading 'The divided heart: Art & Motherhood' by Rachel Power as the juggle (and struggle) of creative mums is ringing true for me at the moment.

Do you have any advice to other Mothers who are wanting to start creating handmade goodies?
Make what you like, not what you think others will like. Develop your own style rather than copying others. Try new things and enjoy!

Spotlight: Mishmash Designs

Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Michelle Vella I live in Sth Morang Victoria. My partners name is Bruno and we have 6 sons, Rhys 20, Leigh 18, Alex 15, Ben 14, Samuel, 11 and Max 10. I work at Spoltight Sth Morang, I managed the craft Department there for two years but stepped down as it was way to much for me (Hours) although I am a work freak. I now organise all events at Spolight including all craft workshops..I love it. I love to spend time with my family and I love to go for a swim and also enjoy walking.

What's your best advice for someone starting up? 

My best adive to starting up would be to stay positive, things don't happen over night. Take your time in taking photos and listing your items. I am very focussed on customer support so always answer emails as soon as possible. List new items regulary.

Do you have any advertising/promotion tips for sellers to be successful?

Twitter is a great place to promote your items in your store - twitter.com/mishmashdesigns. Also having a blog is a great idea - mishmashdesigns.blogspot.com. Blogs are great for free giveaways. I think Business cards are great to have as well. Also remebering that family and friends are a great way to get you name out there.

Can you share any lessons that you have learned the hard way?

I can remember when I first started I put the incorrect email down as my paypal. I was so excited when I received my first sale that I didn't even notice that I hadn't been paid for days. So now I always make sure to take my time through listing and enter correct information. Also a good lesson is communication. If you are running late with an order it's always best to be honest and communicate with your customer. Normally people are very understanding but just like to know what is going on.

To read the full interview visit the
Mishmash Designs's spotlight page

new seller quick five :: kittycollects

New seller :: kittycollects
madeit.com.au/kittycollects


How did you find about madeit?
A friend asked for my advice on a bag she was about to purchase from madeit, and I was immediately enamored. I love the fact that madeit supports Australian crafters, and thought it would be the perfect place to start selling my wares.

Explain your style?
My style was recently described as "gramorous" - a combination of grandma and glamorous. Hopefully with a little less gran and more of the glam, but you be the judge!

What makes you happy?
Finding gorgeous fabric from friendly and efficient online sellers.

What makes you sad?
Forget the GFC, the SFC (Sydney Fabric Crisis) is devastating! The lack of original and affordable fabric in Sydney makes me sad.

What can't you live without?
Love, laughter, some good tunes, spare time for creative outlets, and my camera.