on your bike...

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new seller quick five :: nilly

new seller quick five :: nilly
madeit.com.au/Nilly

How did you find out about madeit?
My sister introduced me to madeit as she loves trawling the net and since that time I have a good friend who has started a store on madeit called “Cha Cha Rose”. I have been wanting to start my own store ever since.

Explain your style.
I think I probably tend towards classic, elegant, timeless but with a contemporary twist. I have always loved beautiful fabrics, like linens, fine cottons, paisleys and soft florals. I love ruffles and pintucks and beautiful detail in children’s clothing of which my daughter benefits!

What makes you happy?
I love to sew. It is my passion, my outlet, my serenity from the bustle of juggling family, home and work. I could happily sew and create from dawn until dusk. My Mum taught me to sew and sometimes in the holidays I spend a couple of days with her doing just that!

What makes you sad?
Not spending enough time with the family and friends I love the most. How quickly each year slips by.

What can’t you live without?
A shot of caffeine to get me started in the morning and a glass of wine to relax me in the evening!!!
My hubby and three beautiful, energetic children.
I couldn’t live without being busy!!!!!

Made on the Left Winter Market this weekend!

Saturday 17 & Sunday 18th July, 10am – 4pm

Savour the selection of unique goods by local designers at the Made on the Left Winter Market, upstairs at The Saint Hotel, Innaloo.

WA’s premier handmade market showcases fashion, accessories, homewares, illustration, jewellery and more, over two delicious days. Check out some of your favourite Made it sellers in the flesh!

With free entry and different designers each day, enjoy a beverage from the bar while you browse or meet your friends for lunch at the Saint’s excellent bistro and make a day of it.

Due to the licensed venue, under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Please note that the market venue is upstairs with no lift access.

Google Map reference here

www.madeontheleft.com

happy sunny weekends

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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.

WARNING - skull & crossbow finds

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new seller quick five :: collecting feathers

new seller quick five :: collecting feathers
madeit.com.au/collectingfeathers

How did you find about madeit?
I knew about it for a long time, I think through blogging. Then, suddenly, one weekend it was everywhere! I couldn't ignore it. People I spoke to in shops mentioned it, I saw it in Frankie and stumbled upon it on the net. Someone was definitely telling me something!

Explain your style
There is a little bit of kitsch, a bit of romance, a dash of nostalgia and lots of memories in everything I make and find. I love vintage and love to repurpose and remake items. I don't commit to one style. I suppose finding some kind of beauty in everything I make and do is my style. (sounds cheesy...but you asked!)

What makes you happy?
Creating,creating creating! Also (in no order) music, country drives, my family, my sister, good food, gardening, op-shops and markets, art, watching TV with my daughter...all the good stuff.

What makes you sad?
Not creating. I have tried to live other lives, but I can say with complete conviction that unless I am creating and making things, I become a sad shadow of my true self.

What can't you live without?
My husband, who is the most supportive man in the world and, of course, my children. Also, my sister (blood blister) who gives me so much inspiration and support. And last, but not least, op-shops. If there were no op-shops in the world, I would have not option but to create one!

NEW Sydney Hide & Seek Market

Tell us a little bit about your market?
Hide & Seek market is a hidden treasure in the “hills”, with a love of all things handmade. Hide & Seek market is a collection of young and independent designers, a place to find quirky, unique handcrafted goodies, grab a coffee and be inspired by the handmade community. For our first market you’ll find gorgeous handmade baby & kids goods! Future markets will include goodies for all crafty folk, not just the littlies. I'm currently working on bringing a selection of craft workshops run by artists to the market

When/why did you start your market?
Hide & Seek market was created by Aloma, a Melbourne girl, who missed all things Melbourne, especially all that handmade goodness out there, so Hide & Seek was born.

Our first market is on 25 July 10am-3pm at Wrights Rd Community Centre, Wrights Rd Kellyville. Pop over and say hi! Then it will run monthly.

What is the favourite part about running your market?
Discovering and meeting new crafters hidden out there. It makes me giddy with excitement! I have given myself a limit as to how much I can spend on market day :-)

Why do you love handmade so much?
I loved that very piece is different and has a story to tell and it's been made with love.

Name 5 reason why your visitors should attend your market?
You'll find quirky handmade goodies, FREE entry, meet the makers and support local crafters. Oops and there are cupcakes + coffee+ crafty zines on sale!

For more information visit the Hide & Seek blog

little black jewellery

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