Magazines we love :: tickle the imagination

Tell us a little bit about your magazine?
tickle the imagination is a new online magazine celebrating the handmade and creative industry in Australia. Released quarterly, it aims to inspire creativity - showcasing talented artists, crafters and designers, discovering emerging talent and sharing real-life stories and diy projects. Each issue will be the collaborative work of many gorgeous, creative people!

Our first issue was released on the 1st of Sep, and we have had an overwhelmingly positive response! If you would like to take a look, you'll find it here, better yet if you subscribe (it's free!) you'll be notified each time a new issue is released!

We are currently working on our special 'a handmade Christmas' issue due to be released Nov 1, and our summer issue, to be released Dec 1!





When/Why did you start your magazine?
Creating a magazine is something I have always dreamed of, and back in May this year the concept for 'tickle the imagination' popped into my head! It brings all of my favourite things together into one magazine...gorgeous handmade creations, beautifully styled photo shoots, stories of talented creatives, details of upcoming handmade markets and workshops and practical business tips.

What is the favourite part about running your magazine?
Experiencing the generosity and passion of people in the handmade and creative community.





Why do you love handmade so much?
Growing up my parents were both really creative, so my love of handmade was nurtured from a very young age. The act of creating something with my own hands makes me smile and brings with it a sense of achievement.





Name 5 feelings that your customers will feel after they finish reading your magazine.
inspired, creative, motivated, desire, joyful

Check out the tickle the imagination website tickletheimagination.blogspot.com

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Market we Love :: The Wollongong Art & Design Market

Tell us a little bit about your market?
The Wollongong Art & Design Market is unlike any other in Wollongong as it provides both emerging and established independent Australian artists and designers an opportunity to showcase and sell their handmade work in the Illawarra at a professional yet fun market. The next market is on Sunday 18th September 2011 at Pioneer Hall (84 Church St Wollongong - on MacCabe Park) from 11am - 4pm. We will also be holding another market on Sunday 27th November 2011.



When/why did you start your market?
We started this market in December last year - just before Christmas as a special event. We both were frustrated with the lack of options for us - and other creative people - to sell our handmade work locally. We also felt that Wollongong deserved a lovely event that promoted the talents of Australian designers. We suspected there would be a lot of people in the Illawarra who would be keen to attend and support the event - and so far we have been right!



What is the favourite part about running your market?
Meeting so many wonderful people. The handmade community is really a special thing to be a part of and we always get a warm feeling inside from the support and enthusiasm offered by the makers and our customers.

Why do you love handmade?
We love handmade so much because it has a soul, it has heart and it always has a story behind it. We love that handmade pieces have quirks, sometimes resulting from happy accidents and will often be a one-off thing. It's all about individuality and supporting creativity.



Name 5 reason why your visitors should attend your market?
Inspiration, fun, individuality, gifts, community

Next market: Sunday 18th September
Visit facebook.com/artdesignmarket for more details.

madeit new seller quick five :: Sugarbird

madeit new seller quick five :: Sugarbird
www.madeit.com.au/Sugarbird

How did you find about madeit?
I find an advert for madeit in the back of a magazine. I cut the ad out to look at later and then lost it for 3 months. It was rediscovered in my huge yearly clean up.

Explain your style
Swirly and decorative with a touch of whimsy.

What makes you happy?
A clean house and a happy and healthy family. Time to sit on the lounge and draw. A phone call from my Mum and Dad.

What makes you sad?
Rude people, paying bills and when my kids are upset

What can't you live without?
Coffee, chocolate and a hug from my husband.

craftumi seller quick five :: created designs by rina

craftumi seller quick five :: created designs by rina www.craftumi.com.au/createddesignsbyrina

Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Rina, I live on the Central Coast in NSW, I have a supportive husband, and have three children, the greatest gift of all, and about to be a first time grandma. I am so so so excited.
I have loved craft, and anything to do with it, since a young age. Each year I exhibit in our local craft fair, which I have been doing now for many years.

How did you find about craftumi?
I heard about your site on your big sister site, madeit and I also sell things on www.madeit.com.au/createddesignsbyrina and I am totally addicted to both sites. The first thing i do is log onto both sites, after making a coffee every morning. I thankyou for allowing me to be part of this.

What do you sell on craftumi?
I sell lots of different things on craftium - buttons, vintage buttons, books, stamps, charms, and more. I am only new at this and am always finding things to list on craftium.

What is your favourite craft activity?
I have many favourite craft activities, collecting buttons, making cards, jewellery, and i also love to paint.

What would be your perfect day?
My perfect day would be not having to go to work, going to handmade markets, country fairs and spend many hours browsing the op shops, this is also one of the relaxing things i like to do. It is amazing, the things you find in these places.

madeit new seller quick five :: Red Elephant Creative

 




















madeit new seller quick five :: Red Elephant Creativewww.madeit.com.au/RedElephantCreative

How did you find about madeit?
Initially I came across madeit by accident many years ago when I was dreaming of turning my creative urge into something everyone can enjoy. A very special friend (and former shop owner) further supported madeit in advice to turning the dream into reality.

Explain your style
A little bit kooky, a little bit fun.
Colourful paper art. Designs to make you smile.

What makes you happy?
The sound of my little boy laughing, sunshine and of course sitting in my studio making designs ... that make me smile ;)

What makes you sad?
Sad clips about children on the news.

What can't you live without?
My family & friends, my daily grind (coffee) and at the moment ....chocolate (I am 8 months pregnant)!

Magazines we love :: Paper Runway

Magazines we love :: Paper Runway
www.paperrunway.com
Follow Paper Runway on Facebook

Tell us a little bit about your magazine?
Sharing a love and passion for paper Nikki Buckland and Maree Oaten have joined to bring Paper Runway to you. It began with virtual cups of coffee, glasses of wine, long nights, early mornings, grabbing a quick chat in between day time naps and school pick ups.

Paper Runway is a quarterly magazine that offers you a mix of paper goodness, hot paper products, beautiful paper, features about the hottest paper sculptors, artists, illustrators, creators and quick DIY projects. Each issue is packed with pages of inspiring images, easy DIY projects, the hottest products in the stores, ideas and projects that are affordable, stylish, practical and pretty, and caters for anyone looking to add a personal touch. We also bring to you feature articles on talented Australian and International paper artists, whether it be illustration, artist, graphic designers, paper sculptors or the like. They all have the common denominator of a love of paper.

Paper Runway is an independent publication. Designed, made and printed in Australia, Paper Runway uses cutting edge digital printing technology by an accredited FSC printer. The magazine is further enhanced by being on 100% recycled post consumer waste paper, which is a Carbon Neutral made stock. Each copy of Paper Runway also features a singer sewn spine and sexy curved edges.

Paper Runway is ageless, ambitious and creative. Paper Runway is where passions meets paper.































When/Why did you start your magazine?
We started Paper Runway in February this year and launched our first Issue on 1 May 2011. We are both captivated by paper in all its form. There are so many gorgeous inspirational magazines for our homes, kids and fashion but none that truly focussed on paper. We wanted to show the world that paper is not boring or mundane it is understated and regal. It is a niche market but the response from like minded people has been overwhelming. Paper Runway has certainly hit the ground running.



























What is the favourite part about running your magazine?
There probably isn’t one favourite part but lots of great moments that we enjoy. There is so much to enjoy, even those pages that end up on the cutting room floor we love! We love grafting an idea and breathing life into the pages. We love interviewing and talking to many many talented and amazing people who work with paper and sourcing paper goodies that we cannot wait to share with our readers. We love receiving emails from our subscribers after the postie delivers Paper Runway to them telling us how much they love Paper Runway. It is hard work and long hours but so thoroughly enjoyable.



















Why do you love handmade so much?
There is nothing better than something that is handmade. A machine can't add that handmade quality to a product. A product that is handmade has little quirks and the little touches. It has an emotional quality attached to it.
















Name 5 feelings that your customers will feel after they finish reading your magazine.
Inspired, Creative, Delight, Wanting More, Happy.

craftumi seller quick five :: Miss Ethel

craftumi seller quick five :: Miss Ethel
www.craftumi.com.au/MissEthel

How did you find out about craftumi?
Through Madeit. I was delighted to find so many wonderful crafty supplies and immediately signed up.

What do you sell on craftumi?
I have a little shop called Miss Ethel where I sell vintage postage stamps from my own collection for card making, collages and scrapbooking. I love how they add a little bit of history and vintage-y loveliness to projects! At the moment I have a few different types, ranging from King George VI to Australian birds and animals, and there's still more to come!

What is your favourite craft activity?
Whilst I love working with paper crafts, writing on china for Zinnia Pea will always be my first and favourite love!

What would be your perfect day?
A lovely Spring day spent browsing little antique and op shops in small towns, followed by a lazy yet delicious dinner party with friends!

Advertising options for madeit & craftumi sellers

In July we changed our advertising strategy and now we only promote madeit & craftumi sellers or outside business that don't compete with our madeit or craftumi sellers.

So... what do we have on offer for our lovely sellers you ask!

Madeit Website
Both madeit & craftumi sellers can advertise on the madeit website. The adverts will appear on Designer Spotlight, Newsletter, Contact, About Us, Advertise, Search and various other pages.

The cost is $20 for 7 days of advertising, which is just $2.86 per day!
You can expect to receive up to 200 clicks per week and you'll pay between 34 cents to 10 cents (or lower) per click to your madeit or craftumi store

For more info & to purchase madeit website advertising spots click here

Madeit eNewsletter
Sellers have the opportunity to advertise in our eNewsletters that are sent on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Our newsletters are sent to over 25,000 handmade & craft lovers with only allow 2 advertising spots per newsletter.

You can expect to receive anywhere from 150 to 400 clicks to your website or madeit store
{Our madeit sellers seem to get the highest number of clicks}

You can advertising in our eNewsletter for $44
At the moment we are offering $10 off for madeit sellers who advertise in our Friday's eNewsletter.

Our newsletter adverts are a great way to advertise a sale, new range or simply promote your madeit store. Our madeit newsletters are also added to our Facebook Page (over 16,100 likers) and our twitter account (over 3,000 followers) which means extra exposure for your advert.

For more info & to purchase Monday eNews advertising spots
click here
For more info & to purchase Wednesday eNews advertising spots
click here
For more info & to purchase Friday eNews advertising spots
click here


Craftumi Website
We have just opened up advertising on the craftumi website, both madeit & craftumi sellers can advertise on the craftumi website. The adverts will appear on all the same pages as madeit as well as the front page!

$10 for 7 days of advertising, that's $1.43 per day
You can expect to receive up to 100 clicks per week.

For more info & to purchase craftumi website advertising spots click here

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Don't forget if you're a madeit seller you can advertise on craftumi & if you're a craftumi seller you can advertise on madeit as we are one happy family :)
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madeit new seller quick five :: Hey Boom

madeit new seller quick five :: Hey Bloom
www.madeit.com.au/Heyboom

How did you find about madeit?
I found madeit on google as I was searching for a marketplace online website in Australia.

Explain your style
Simple design and construction,functional, hardwearing and gets better with age.

What makes you happy?
Sunny days, new ideas, family and friends visiting.

What makes you sad?
Rainy days, when an idea does not turn out the way I want it to be ,when friends and family are away.

What can't you live with out?
Hobbies, tv, MacBook, sewing machine, family and friends.

Holiday Mode

Our blog is having a little holiday at the snow. We will be back on Monday 22nd August.


Bend Ze Knees

craftumi seller quick five :: Jewellery Tutorials

craftumi seller quick five :: Jewellery Tutorials
craftumi.com.au/JewelleryTutorials

Tell us a bit about yourself
I worked for many years looking at four walls in an office until one day my creative side started to take over and I'd rearrange furniture, print accounts in multi-colours and start to feed the staff with my culinary inventions. I realised I needed to leave and find an outlet. I happened upon a bead shop where they were teaching people to make simple pieces as part of a promotion and I was hooked!

How did you find about carftumi?
My niece was telling me about an Australian online shop where all products are made by hand, Madeit.com.au and suggested I open a store. I loved the look and the friendly feel of the site and eventually discovered the link to Craftumi (the candy store for sugar addicts).

What do you sell on craftumi?
I have started to create Tutorials in jewellery making.
Not just a lesson in the technique but also an attractive design that can be used to create a few different looks for personal use, or for giving as gifts and in some cases for people to make and sell themselves.

What is your favourite craft activity?
As with many craft people, I like to dabble in a bit of everything. At the moment I'm learning to crochet and what I love most about it, besides the variety of colours and types of fibres to work with, is the satisfaction of having created something functional as well as beautiful.

What would be your perfect day?
To create a beautiful work of art. Something that is unique and that I can be proud of.

Retail Store We Love :: Brusselsprouts (Kalgoorlie, WA)

Tell us a little bit about your store
My store is situated in the mining town of Kalgoorlie, WA which is located 600klm east of Perth & primarily cater for 0-6yrs with a few items for grown ups too. I sell a mix of handmade, local & imported products with the majority of stock being handmade.



When/why did you open your store?
I opened the store last November. My own label was doing well & I would get alot of emails from other wahm's asking for advice on how to get their products into stores & the difficulties some had experienced with store owners not appreciating the uniqueness of handmade. This inspired me to open a store where my own & other handmade items could be showcased & sold with the respect they deserved. With only Target or Kmart to shop for childrens items I believed there was a need for this type of store here n Kalgoorlie & since opening the response has been overwhelming.



What labels designers do you stock in your store?
My own label Brusselsprouts, Primrose Lane Creations, 76 Tilly Lane, Alice & Lilly, Smoochy Kiss, Iszle, Millaruby, Inner Earth Soaps, Sweet William, Only Midge & many more.



Why do you love handmade so much?
Most importantly for me it would have to be the quality, there is so much love & attention to detail put into each product. I also love that each item is unique, if its from new materials, vintage, upcycled every piece has its own story or history. They are items to be treasured & passed on, not disposed of easily.






Name 5 feelings (single words) that your customers will feel when they enter your store
Happy, Intrigued, Satisfied, Calm, Surprised

Visit the Brusselsprouts Blog for more information.

Perth brides go upmarket this Saturday!

Western Australian brides-to-be now have the chance to make their wedding a unique event that stands out from the crowd thanks to first ever Wedding Upmarket, showcasing the best of the state’s wedding wares.

The brains (and operational legs) behind Wedding Upmarket is Justine Barsley, who couldn’t find Perth’s best artists and designers she’d heard so much about, and set up the iconic Perth Upmarket three years ago where 50,000 punters now flock every year for the best of Perth’s designer wares at the quarterly event.

“Perth Upmarket customers started begging us for high quality wedding products as they tried to organise a wedding or event and were finding it increasingly hard to stand out from the crowd and create a truly unique affair that wasn’t your stock-standard, off the shelf number,” Justine said.



With well over 100,000 weddings each year across Australia1, and around 13,000 of these happening in WA alone, Justine wasn’t surprised there was the need for quality, handcrafted, designer elements when planning for the big day.

“There are around 250 weddings every week in WA, and brides nowadays are really looking to set themselves apart from the next wedding – looking for something personalised, bespoke and memorable – an event that guests are still talking about years later,” Justine said.

Wedding Upmarket is a one-day, one-stop-shop showcasing the best of what Perth has to offer by way of wedding products including invitations and paper product, decorations and props, bonbonniere, flowers, photography, gourmets, jewellery, stylists, couture and so much more.

“Not only will customers be able to come and buy or order from our handpicked, best of the best designers, they will also be able to gain inspiration, purchase DIY kits and source unique and inspirational touches for the all-important day.”

“Don’t think wedding expo or wedding fair, Wedding Upmarket will be a top-notch event no savvy bride should miss.” Justine said.



Saturday, 13 August 2011 from 10am to 4pm Mosman’s Restaurant, 15 Johnson Parade, Mosman Park.

Tickets are $20 prepaid through www.perthupmarket.com.au or $25 at the door.

For more information, please contact Justine on 0432 897 516 or visit www.perthupmarket.com.au

To view the retailers who will be exhibiting at wedding upmarket: click here

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madeit new seller quick five :: aTeaspoonofRubyLou

madeit new seller quick five :: aTeaspoonofRubyLou
madeit.com.au/aTeaspoonofRubyLou

How did you find about madeit?
I was recommended to madeit by a lovely creative friend of mine who makes mosaic pendants.

Explain your style
My style is inspired by the colour and design of the Mid Century Modern Period. I love interiors and furniture and have been enjoying collage as it combines upcycling old magazines and it keeps my creative outlet satisfied in a small space.

What makes you happy?
Seeing my daughter Ruby up to her elbows in paint and paper.

What makes you sad?
Indulgent people.

What can't you live without?
I absolutely cannot live without good food, family and friends.

craftumi seller quick five :: Supplies from The Studio

craftumi seller quick five :: Supplies from The Studio
craftumi.com.au/SuppliesfromTheStudio

Tell us a bit about yourself
Married, 3 cats, live in a city by the sea, live in front of my puter (3 online stores) and sewing machine, treasure my craft days with Joolz and Laura, love to listen to talking books while I work, dream about living in a peaceful and beautiful corner of the country, adore all things from days of old, retro is slowly growing on me, wish I could find the proverbial balance with my craft & my blogging & my work & my personal life! Oh and I'm Pam! :)

How did you find about craftumi?
I'm a seller on madeit with a shop called Nest in The Attic, and I read in one of our regular madeit newsletters about a new sister site opening up where we could sell supplies, and as I used to sell them, along with my handmade items on my own web site, I decided it would be worth trying.

What do you sell on craftumi?
I suppose you could describe it all as 'crafty bits and pieces' including rusty springs and bells, baggage tags that have been stained to look aged, wooden blanks for little birdhouses. But the majority of my stock is probably mostly vintage chenille fat 1/4's and 6" squares and craft books. I hope to be adding bags of buttons, beads and laces etc, in the very near future too, as these are all things that I use in my own mixed media and altered art/couture projects.

What is your favourite craft activity?
I love to create assemblages or collages that are composed of found objects, buttons, lace and linens, all of which are just perfect if they are vintage and give my pieces that aged look! I also find great pleasure in altering pre-loved clothing and giving it a new life by turning it into something completely different, such as a skirt into a full apron, and incorporating vintage linens(teacloths and doileys etc) and laces.

What would be your perfect day?
Oohh, so many to choose from........I would love to wake up and find I was going on another trip to Canada with a cruise up the Inside Passage to Alaska!!! My sister took me with her back in 2005, when she won a trip in a competition, and it's been the highlight of my life! Leaving on a (jet)plane for an overseas trip.......PERFECT DAY, I'd say!