after-hours crafter :: osier

after-hours crafter :: osier
madeit.com.au/osier

Tell us a bit about yourself?
Well if I was a dog I'd definitely be a "bitsa" - a bit of this, a bit of that. In one day I can be an architecture student, a medical receptionist, a swimming teacher and an indie business owner/designer. Same with my fashion sense - it's all over the place, but I love it that way. I have a passion for the new, and presenting the old in new and exciting ways - I think that definitely comes through in all I design.



Can you explain your craft/art and the materials you like to use?
OSIER has been described by others as "eco-friendly fashion that gives things with a past a place in the present" - and I would have to say that's a pretty good catchline. I love using quirky things like retro cupcake toppers, weird old buttons, vintage fabrics and feathers, and then mixing them with the more sedate and modern mediums like lasercut plywood or polymer clay. I really just love to sit there with all my things surrounding me and see what goes with something else, especially when I should be doing something more important - that's when I get my best ideas.

How long have you been creating and how did you get into making handmade goodies?
I'm pretty sure I came out of the womb with either craft scissors, pom-poms, or glue clenched in my tiny little fists (lets hope it wasn't scissors for my Mum's sake). I'd always been the child at school with the report card that said "Your child needs to apply the same enthusiasm she has for art class in other areas" - and by that they meant maths (I still don't know my times tables!). The business/label side of things sort of had a very innocent and natural start - beaded earrings and other pieces of jewellery for kids at high-school and a couple of my teachers, then I stumbled upon craftster.org, and through them onto the largest handmade website in the world! (before madeit was around). Through that the girls at Made on the Left gave me my first market opportunity in July 2008, and I pretty much haven't stopped since - oh, except to volunteer for MOTL duties (I'm now secretary!)

How do you juggle work & crafting/managing your business?
Sometimes not too well, I'll admit. Its not my two casual jobs that cause the most trouble, the main culprit is my other major passion; architecture. I'm halfway though 5 years at uni to be an architect, so during the break times, it's wonderfully easy- I really get to knuckle down on expanding my plans for OSIER, work on new wholesalers, and catch up with market stock levels. Not so great during term though, when you get a rush of orders just when your building plans are due in a week and you're still on concept...

Do you have any advice to other workers who are wanting to start creating handmade goodies?
My best advice is to make sure you're honest with people - if you havn't started something you should have finished, be upfront, honest, and apologetic about it. Lame excuses/fibs don't help anyone. Oh, actually - the best piece of advice would be to reach out to others in your area who are small indie creatives. Some of my best friends are other Perth artists I met at markets and on forums. Plus I think creating is really good for helping conflicting personalities mesh - in fact I think instead of everyone signing the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, I think they should be made to go to a craft workshop with each other - I'd love to see Kim Jong Il swapping knitting patterns with Barack, wouldn't you?

after-hours crafter :: Kikay Designs

after-hours crafter :: Kikay Designs
madeit.com.au/KikayDesigns

Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Monique and I'm the designer and creator of handbag label Kikay Designs. I work fulltime 40 hours a week and I hope that someday I'll be spending, not just after hours, but more time doing the things I love in my small studio here in Sydney.

Can you explain your craft/art and the materials you like to use?
I'm a self taught artist. I love art and I like to incorporate this into my craft by designing one of a kind bags mostly in bright and bold colours. I always believe that if it's worth doing, it has too be done right. I am very particular with the materials that I use, from fabrics to threads all the way to the humble notions such a D-Rings.

How long have you been creating and how did you get into making handmade goodies?
It all started when my daughter had the idea of making her own clothes. So I bought her a sewing machine. This idea only lasted 2 weeks and so the brand new sewing machine was left gathering dust in the corner. One day, I decided to give it a go, so I designed a bag and taught myself to sew. This was in Autumn 2007. I sold my first bag online in June 2007.

How do you juggle work & crafting/managing your business?
At first, I wanted to do everything all at the same. But then I realized that I am not a superwoman (duh!). So I learned to slow down and take it one step at a time. I guess, knowing your priorities is a good start.

Do you have any advice to other workers who are wanting to start creating handmade goodies?
If you love and enjoy what you're doing it will show in your creation. If you created something that you are proud of, put it out there. It's the only way to find out if people will like your handmade goodies. Just keep in mind that not everyone will like your product. Some people will criticize it and others will love it. You can't please everyone but I always believe that if I make something with love, somewhere out there, there's this one girl who will be proud to own a Kikay bag!

after-hours crafter :: Twinkietwink

after-hours crafter :: Twinkietwink
madeit.com.au/Twinkietwink

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a 37 year old mother of 2 who works up to 4 days a week in the airline industry.... and crafts in every spare moment.

Can you explain your craft/art and the materials you like to use?
I love trying new things and make a range of goodies mainly using fabric, paper and buttons. My current range includes hair accessories, jewellery, lip balm, solid perfume, magnets, keyrings and pocket mirrors. I am addicted to beautiful fabric and spend far too much time online searching for it.

How long have you been creating and how did you get into making handmade goodies?
I've been creating since I was a kid. My mum was an avid crafter and we grew up with or lounge room covered with craft supplies..... I'm keeping up the tradition.....

How do you juggle work & crafting/managing your business?
I have many late nights making stuff because I start after everyone is safely tucked up for the night. Time just flies when I am creating and I have to force myself to go to bed otherwise I know it will be ugly in the morning getting organised for school, daycare and work. I try to organise a lot the night before before I begin making. (that's the theory anyway)

Do you have any advice to other workers who are wanting to start creating handmade goodies?
My advise to others wanting to start creating is go for it. Madeit makes it so easy to sell your wares because you can commit a little bit of time or a lot. Depends what you can manage. No pressure - some weeks are more productive than others.

after-hours crafter :: Plushka

after-hours crafter :: Plushka
madeit.com.au/Plushka

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I was born in Vladivostok, which is in the Far East of Russia on the boarder of China. I came to Australia to study Business Management and now live with my husband in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.I work full-time at my husband’s helicopter business and craft is my passion and something I do after work.

Can you explain your craft/art and the materials you like to use?
I love rough texture of linen that I use for my cross-stitch, cute Japanese fabric and felt. I get inspired and influenced by French and Japanese styles. Handmade for me is all about quality and unique feel of items stitched by hand.

How long have you been creating and how did you get into making handmade goodies?
I've been crafting since I was 12, doing embroidery and hand sewing. My culture taught me to treasure handmade craft and creating something helps me not only indulge my creative side but also honour my heritage.I started Handmade by Plushka because I felt the urge to express myself and be creative. I love when something I created brings joy to other people.

How do you juggle work & crafting/managing your business?
It's not always easy to find time for both. During the day I need to concentrate on crunching numbers and helping my husband running his company. I love that we can spend all day together. The best time of the day is the drive to and back from work when we can talk and enjoy each others company. After work it’s all about finishing my projects and getting creative.

Do you have any advice to other workers who are wanting to start creating handmade goodies?
Just get creative and have fun, you never know where craft can take you! Making enough stock, can be stressful some times and you still need to have a normal life so I keep my little craft business small and manageable. I focus on my Madeit shop, Shop Handmade in Canberra and do Mathilda's markets occasionally. I still feel that it’s just the beginning of my craft journey and there are so many new things that I want to make and so many possibilities.

after-hours crafter :: Polka Dot Rabbit

after-hours crafter :: Polka Dot Rabbit
madeit.com.au/PolkaDotRabbit

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm in my thirties and I live in Brunswick, Victoria with my husband Chris. I work full time for Green Renters www.greenrenters.org which is an organisation providing information, resources and workshops for people who are keen to make their rental properties more sustainable and environmentally friendly. I also work casually as an education advocate for tertiary and TAFE students.

Can you explain your craft/art and the materials you like to use?
I have a great love of all things vintage and retro and where possible I like to upcycle pre-loved goodies such as old Girls Own and Asterix Comics, old linen, cassettes, old crockery and whatever takes my fancy. I acquire a lot of my materials from second hand shops and it amazes my how often the labour of others (usually women) embroidering tablecloths and making tapestries is so easily discarded! I also adore embroidery and I spend a lot of time in winter making embroidered gloves.

How long have you been creating and how did you get into making handmade goodies?
I've been crafting on and off since childhood when my mother taught me to knit. I've always enjoyed creative pursuits like gardening, sewing, drawing and making things from scratch. I collect a lot of vintage wares and combining this with my love of craft seemed a natural extension. I started Polka Dot Rabbit in 2007 after friends started asking if they could buy my craft, had my first market stall and it carried on from there!

How do you juggle work & crafting/managing your business?
It is at time, extremely difficult. My 'day jobs' often require long hours and can be quite mentally draining which can mean the last thing you feel like doing after a day writing, researching, running workshops, dealing with difficult or very distressed people is sitting in front of the sewing machine or making a stack of stock! Crafting as a practice can be physically demanding (sore neck, RSI etc) and I learnt to work in small chunks of free time rather than wait for a whole free day of interrupted time.

Do you have any advice to other workers who are wanting to start creating handmade goodies?
Accept that unless you can't do it all. When I first started I felt that to be a successful business I had to be everywhere - online, other stores like madeit, consignment and markets. After spending hours at home alone after work crafting like a one woman sweatshop while everyone else was out socialising and having fun I and realised that I simply couldn't make enough stock and keep up with demand whilst holding down a full time job. Unless your products are extremely quick to make you'll never have as much volume of stock as you would like handy! Now I focus on Made it and shop consignment and it's much less stressful as it gives me time for product development as I'm not a machine and they joy is in the creating. Remind yourself that it's about the process as much as the end result and enjoy what you do.