mum who makes :: michvanetta

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

Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Michelle or Mich for short. I'm a stay at home mum to two gorgeous little girls aged 6 and 3. I have a wonderful and supportive husband. We live in a beautiful outer suburb of Melbourne that has an artistic and creative community. It's filled with native Australian wildlife and a short distance to the city which is perfect for our little growing family.



Can you explain your craft/art and the materials you like to use?
I love taking beads and metals and transforming them into wearable pieces and other such pretties. I find great pleasure in seeking out rare and different beads, from vintage to the more organic feel of natural gems for my jewellery. You will see me using alot of Sterling Silver and Vintaj Natural Brass, I especially love to use different metals in the same piece.

How long have you been creating and how did you get into making handmade goodies?
My sisters and I have been creating for as long as I can remember. My mum, her sisters and my grandmother were/are all very crafty too. When my first daughter was born I began a collection of beautiful beads, jewellery making evolved in that time. Soon after I discovered online selling venues, which I found a great way to converse and show my creations whilst sitting in my pj's looking after our little one.

How do you juggle motherhood & crafting/managing your business?
I create at night whilst my girls are in bed and I now have an iphone which is fabulous for checking orders, emails etc at those times in between doing other things outside the house. I'm thrilled that I have girls who love to create and do puzzles, so if I ever need a bit of extra time to put orders together they'll be creating at the same table with me or doing a big puzzle.

Do you have any advice to other Mothers who are wanting to start creating handmade goodies?
There's alot of us mums out there doing it and we're very supportive of one another, find a great (online) group or team of crafters for support and a laugh. Have fun and enjoyment in what you create. Go for it!

St Patricks Day!!

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new seller quick five :: SmallTown

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

How did you find about madeit?
I stumbled across madeit in my quest for colourful clothes for my little ones. This discovery, plus an encouraging nudge from my friend Bec (LittleShopOf) has inspired me to start creating colourful clothes for little ones.

Explain your style?
Playful, eclectic and global. My family is a melting pot of different nationalities so I draw inspiration from different cultures.

What makes you happy?
Collaborating with my gorgeous husband to create Small Town, motherhood, sunny park days, and creating fabulous feasts.

What makes you sad?
Bullies, wastefulness.

What can't you live without?
My camera for capturing all those extraordinary little moments of everyday beauty.

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!