Markets we Love :: The Bluebird Market (Blue Mountains)

Tell us a little bit about your market?
The Bluebird Market is an all handmade artisan market in the Blue Mountains of NSW and is held in the grounds of the beautiful historic Alexandra Hotel. The market overlooks the pretty village of Leura and has some spectacular views of the mountains. It's held on the first Saturday of each month, with a second market in December on the third Saturday of the month. We also have live music playing outside for most of the day and a charity raffle of donated items from local businesses. November's raffle benefits Save the Children's East Africa appeal.


























When/why did you start your market?
The Blue Mountains is renowned for it's creative community and although there were quite a few local markets, I felt that they were missing something. I had attended quite a few handmade only markets in Sydney and surrounds as a stall holder with my own clothing and accessories label and thought hey! this is what the mountains needs!

It was kind of one of those things that I thought about doing, but stuck it on the back burner until one day two months ago I made my mind up to go ahead with it, started getting the word out and voila! The Bluebird Market was born. The market launched in October and has gained so much in popularity that the November market is booked out for stall holders already.


























What is the favourite part about running your market?
My favourite part would have to be meeting and seeing all the talent in the region and bringing it all together in the one space. People are so incredibly talented, it's really nice meeting other like minded creative types. It's also nice to meet local people, stall holders and shoppers alike.


























Why do you love handmade so much?
Creating a handmade item makes me feel happy :) I use a lot of upcycled and vintage fabrics with my clothing and accessories line so I enjoy promoting sustainable fashion that is both functional and fun that is kind to our environment. Plus coming up with new ideas keeps
me on my toes!

Buying a handmade item also makes me feel happy:) I'm purchasing an item that is individual. A person who made it may make something similar, but the nature of handmade means that no two items will ever be the same. I also love supporting their talent and hopefully my purchase will help encourage and push them along further in their creative endeavours (I know it does when I get a purchase of something I have created!).



























Name 5 reason why your visitors should attend your market?
Atmosphere, Individuality, Friendliness, Magical, Fun.

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Visit the The Bluebird Market Facebook Page for updates www.facebook.com/thebluebirdmarket

Next market 5th of November 2011!

Photos taken by Butterflyzee Photography
(click on the photos to visit madeit sellers)
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madeit new seller :: patchwork families

madeit new seller :: patchwork families
www.madeit.com.au/patchworkfamilies

How did you find about madeit?
I was introduced to madeit by a friend earlier this year. She suggested I check out the site! I was really pleased to know there was a site that was all Australian! When I visited I immediately decided I would work towards putting my illustrations onto madeit

Explain your style
My style is definitely something that I have put a lot of thought into! I would call it a little bit shabby chic, a little bit retro. I use water colours and ink to create my illustrations, once they are drawn and painted I use vintage fabric, usually bed sheets which I free motion sew to complete the design. My themes are influenced by my love of family mixed with my love of vintage.

What makes you happy?
I have simple tastes. I am made happy by fun times spent with family, walking along the beach and watching my girls jump in the waves in their clothes, and time to create!

What makes you sad?
I can be overwhelmed at times of the busyness that creeps into our lives. I prefer things to go at a slower pace.

What can't you live without?
hmmm so many special things in my life but I would have to say my faith, my family, time with friends and box of watercolours

craftumi quick five :: bysagedesign

craftumi quick five :: bysagedesign
craftumi.com.au/bysagedesign

Tell us a bit about yourself
I am lucky! I love art and I love business, and I get to spend my days creating things and doing what I love. My background is in graphic design, I love to paint when I have the time and like most creative people my mind is always full of new ideas and possibilities for things to do and make.

How did you find about craftumi?
I found Craftumi through the Madeit website which I found somehow pottering around online one day a few years ago

What do you sell on craftumi?
At the moment I sell small laser cut wooden jewellery pendents and buttons for other crafty people to use in their creations. I am also making some bag handles which I will be posting on Craftumi soon.

What is your favourite craft activity?
I just love drawing stuff and thinking of new product ideas I can apply illustrations to. I also like aimlessly cutting and pasting things and seeing what comes out of it.

What would be your perfect day?
A run on the beach. A delicious healthy breakfast. Hours free to play with ideas and create. And some great conversation mixed into it all as well. Ahhh I think I just described today.

Seller who Blogs :: CalicoLane

Seller who Blogs :: CalicoLane
Blog :: calicolane.wordpress.com
Shop :: madeit.com.au/CalicoLane

Tell us a bit about yourself and what do you sell on madeit?
I'm a stay-at-home mum to three boys. I have a background in the paramedical field so it was a lovely change to take up some creative pursuits when I stopped work to be a mummy. I must admit though, I never knew just how busy I would be - the boys are all under school age right now, and I feel like I spend all day getting food, doing washing and cleaning up after them!

I think the fact that I live in an all-male household (even the cat is a boy!) makes me want to play with pretty fabric, so I do enjoy making girly clothes for the store, but I will try to add some boy things every now and then! I so enjoy fabric shopping - I love choosing lovely combinations of colours and patterns for my items, and I tend to avoid pink, giving mums of girls lovely other options for dressing their princesses!

I occasionally add gifts to the store too - fun things to creatively inspire kids, like aprons and bean bags - things I would love my own kids to play with.



How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
I have been blogging on and off for over six years. I've always loved writing but haven't had an opportunity to write for fun since I left high school. I love having my little corner of the internet. Blogging is so self-indulgent in that way - you can write about whatever you like because your blog is all yours! There is also such a fun community out in blog land, especially where craftiness is concerned. Crafty people are so lovely.



Do you have any advice for other sellers who are thinking of starting a blog?
Don't worry that you won't have anything interesting to write about! Readers love getting a glimpse of your everyday life - your crafty mess, your crazy kids, a random internet find. Similarly, don't limit yourself to just blogging about your business and what you make. Include other businesses that you love, the places you find inspiration, other bloggers you follow. The blogging world is big and there is room for everyone!

What are some of your favourite blogs and why? I read lots of different blogs and they all give me inspiration in different ways.

onpolkadotlane.blogspot.com : Kell also has three gorgeous kiddies, and has been crafting the most amazing things lately!

nicolefinlayson.typepad.com/just_like_heaven: Nic is so super talented - she is an amazing photographer AND a beautiful Made It store selling funky hair accessories

lovelife.typepad.com/my_weblog: Kal makes me wish I could paint!

dearestsomeday.com: Jen's blog is just beautiful and her home decor projects are so super inspiring.

fatmumslim.blogspot.com: I recently discovered Chantelle's blog and it inspired me to revamp and ramp up my blog!

thedesignfiles.net: This Melbourne based design blog features pretty things every day.

When you aren't blogging or making what do you like to do?
There aren't all that many minutes left in the day if I'm not blogging, making or mummy-ing, but I do love to read a good book, look at pretty things on Pinterest and chill out with my girlfriends having a good laugh. I also love to cook, and dinner at our house can be quite a gourmet affair!

Handmade Canberra - Photo Essay!

Handmade Christmas campaign launched

This week we launched our Christmas Campaign
Choose Handmade this Xmas - We are! Are you?

Once again this year we will be encouraging buyers to buy Australian handmade at Christmas. Our campaign includes adverts in print & online, sellers & buyers competitions as well as a Facebook campaign. We will also be turning our blog into a Christmas gift guide and encouraging our sellers to be Christmas pick editors.

Madeit Seller what can you do?
Join our Facebook event here and encourage friends to join
Add a madeit Christmas badge to your blog
Pick 10 items based on a theme and send to hello@madeit.com.au
Start a weekly Christmas guide on your blog!

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Sellers Referral Competition

To say a big thank you for promoting madeit we are giving 10 sellers a choice of 50% off their listing fees or an advertising pack worth $64.

The winners will be the 10 highest referrals between now and 31 December 2011, winners will be announced on the 1st January 2012.

Winners will receive 50% off madeit listing fees for all of January 2012 or an $64 advertising pack to be spent before March 2012. The referrals (links) to both the madeit website & the madeit blog will be used to calculate the winners.

How do you get referrals? All you have to do is link to madeit website from your blog or website using a Christmas badge and do regular posts of your favourite madeit finds on your blog. Too easy!

Together we can Choose handmade this xmas!

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Choose handmade this Xmas Sellers Magazine advertising

We still have spots available in our Shop4Kids & Real Living adverts.

These adverts will be apart of our Choose handmade this Xmas campaign and we will be promoting the adverts online for extra exposure.

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Perth Upmarket this Sunday!

Perth Upmarket is Perth’s premier quarterly market for original and handcrafted wares. The market brings together over 150 of Perth’s most talented artists, designers, craftsmen and gourmets all under one roof at the University of Western Australia’s Winthrop Hall. Incorporating a dedicated Junior Upmarket and Gourmet section.

When: Sunday 2nd October 2011
Time: 10am-4pm
Where: University of Western Australia’s Winthrop Hall, Stirling Hwy Crawley
Parking and entry are free and the venue is easily accessible.Two ATMs onsite.

Click here to check out the Perth Upmarket experience.
For more information visit www.perthupmarket.com.au

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Below: madeit sellers who will be selling at Perth Upmarket this weekend. Click on the items to view their madeit store.

Our blog will be offline this week

Our blog will be offline this week as our lovely sister-law Shanean passed away from cancer on the weekend. Shanean was the loveliest person we had meet and we will sadly miss her and she will be forever in our hearts.

Love Bec, Jayc & Tian

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)!