Tuesday, May 30, 2017

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR BELJAYS FELT

Stallholder Profile for Beljays Felt 




Your name: Belle Arnold

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Beljays Felt, FB https://www.facebook.com/BeljaysFelt

The suburb/town you live in now: Noosa Shire Hinterland

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I work with wool to create all kinds of things. When I say wool, I mean unspun fibre, sometimes straight off the sheepies back, but often already washed and combed. I dye it and then either make felted items out of it, or spin it into yarn and then use it to weave unique fabrics. Occasionally I knit or crochet something but I am more focused on weaving.
I do make a lot of scarves and shawls but my main focus with my feltmaking at present is 3D vessels. I call them glow lamps as I usually put a string of LED fairy lights inside and they glow with a soft light. Some a quite simple shapes and othes are very complex things with many layers of texture worked into them. Of course I realise that some others out there love special yarns so I also sell skeins of my hand-dyed hand-spun yarn.





How long have you been creating?:I have been selling my handmade items since I was about 12 (mostly pottery then).

Where do you sell your creations?: I have had stalls at local markets for many years, although now I prefer to sell online and have stalls at specialist markets like the Handmade Expo.

I have an Etsy shop

I also participate in an online marketplace, The Handmade Exchange


Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?:I did do this full time for a few years but prefer to have a part-time job in something completely unrelated. I then spend the rest of my time creating things. A nice balance really.


What makes you so special or different?: I think my work is special because it reflects the passion and excitement I have in making it. They are exquisite things made from beautiful materials. I have been working with these materials for many years now so I am very experienced in making quality products.




What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: When I sell something and the person who receives it gets back to me to say how much they adore the item and how their friends complement them on it, that is always a good feeling. It makes me happy making these things and that others gain joy from them too is a special bonus.

What is your favourite product to make?: At the moment I love making my glow lamps. They are always changing, evolving so I never get bored of it. I have to admit though, a special excitement when I weave up the yarn that I have dyed and spun, into a beautiful shawl or scarf. There are always little surprises in how the textures and colours meld in this process.

Do you teach classes or workshops?: I run two or three feltmaking workshops each month in my studio. Some are half day workshops, some full days, some for beginners and others for experienced feltmakers. If you are interested in what is coming up, check out the events listed on my facebook page. They range from flower making to scarves, bags and hats.

NEW HERVEY BAY STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR PRETTIES BOUTIQUE

Stallholder Profile for Pretties Boutique


Your name: Melonie MacManus 

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Pretties Boutique  https://www.facebook.com/pg/prettiesboutiqueqld/about/

The suburb/town you live in now: Pialba

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: Headbands,hairclips and hair attire. I use ribbon, hot gluing etc.




What inspired you to start your business?: My little girl.

How long have you been creating?: 3 years

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: Part-time hobby

Where do you sell your creations?: On my Facebook page, soon to be The Handmade Expo and upcoming local market events.

What makes you so special or different?: All my creations are not copied and made up by me personally so each item is unique.





What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Seeing people wear my creations.😍

What is your favourite product to make?: Headbands.

Do you teach classes or workshops?: No.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR MOLLY'S KALEIDOSHADES

Stallholder Profile for Molly's Kaleidoshades


Your Name: Shirley (Molly) Galpin

Your Business Name and facebook/website link: Molly's Kaleidoshades, https://www.facebook.com/MollysKaleidoshades/


Where do you live?: Has recently moved from country Victoria and now lives in Nambour.




Molly has over 20 years experience working with glass, copper foil, wire, hand painted fabric and other recycled objects to create beautiful richly coloured art, recycled vintage crockery made into jewellery.  


Her unique designs come in the forms of glass lampshades, mirrors, personalised figurines, leadlight windows, jewellery and other functional pieces.  More recently, Molly has been painting fabric with acrylic and sewing her paintings into tote bags, cushions, placemats and wall paintings with a naive style. These paintings have also been used as lampshades made out of a hand twisted wire frame to form tent like appearance.





She considers herself to be a hobbyist and has had a successful 20 yrs creating and selling her unique work.



Molly also hosts workshops to share her skills with others and will create pieces for you on request.

Monday, May 22, 2017

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR TEENY WEENY FAERIES

Stallholder Profile for Teeny Weeny Faeries
https://www.facebook.com/facepaintingfairys/




Your name: Tina Aleida 

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Teeny Weeny Faeries and https://www.facebook.com/facepaintingfairys/
The suburb/town you live in now: Sunshine Coast Qld 
What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: Children's Entertainer, Face painter, Costume creations.



How long have you been creating?: I started my business 16 years ago, I now have 3 extra faeries/pirates as helpers where I myself can't make it.

Where do you sell your creations?: We attend parties and events and will soon be attending The Handmade Expo. 

What makes you so special or different?: As a special extra we dress as a Faerie or Pirate to create that something special for any event or occasion, we aim to bring a smile to everyone's face, spread some love and happiness bring a special essence something to remember for that special occasion. We also bring a little gift for the birthday child, and treasures and stickers for all of the children for a little extra.




What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: This work is a beautiful and rewarding thing to do as it brings smiles excitement and happiness to that special occasion or person. We also create Faerie costumes and wings, made to order, especially to suit your taste in colour and style
Do you teach classes or workshops?: No but we are available through bookings and anytime, and will travel.



NEW HERVEY BAY STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR OOPSY DAISY KIDS, CHILDERS

Stallholder Profile for Oopsy Daisy Kids, Childers



Name:  Sue Anderson

Business name:  Oopsy Daisy Kids, Childers            https://www.instagram.com/oopsy_daisy_kids_childers/

Where do you live now?: Childers 4660

What do you make and what skills do you use?: I make Vintage Clothes for Children and Boho baby Rompers. Also Nursery décor.





What inspired you to start your business?: I am also a photographer. I was having great difficulty sourcing unique and good quality clothing, so I started making my own. People loved them, wanted to purchase them, so that's how it began.

How long have you been creating?: My Aunty taught me to sew as a child. I have always sewn. But as a full time business, only 5 years.

Full time or part time business?: It is now my main business. I still love my photography though.

Where do you sell your goods?: The Handmade Expo.  I will be selling online when my website is completed. Also online...For the Love of Australian handmade

What makes you so special?: I am so particular, so my products are of the highest quality.  I source fabric from all over Australia and also America. I have a particular brand, and I adhere to it. This being Vintage and Boho. I don't mass produce clothes. So each one is pretty unique.





What is the most rewarding part of what I do?: For sure hearing wonderful comments from the customers. Also I am delighted to see a customer return for more clothes.
Not often do I see kids wearing my creations, but when I do, my heart is fill with joy and pride

Favourite product to make?: Without a doubt ....Rompers. I love them to bits

Do you teach workshops?: No, I don't do workshops

Friday, May 19, 2017

NEW ROCKHAMPTON STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR COTTON AND COAL

Stallholder Profile for Cotton and Coal

Your name: Mel Hanlon
Your business name and facebook/website name and link: cotton and coal - Instagram @cotton.and.coal 
The suburb/town you live in now: Rockhampton 
What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I sew baby and nursery accessories 
What inspired you to start your business?: I'm a minimalist at heart and whist setting up my first bubs nursery I couldn't find much that I liked so I decided to start making things. I have always had a passion for design so I decided to expand my ideas keeping the minimalist ethos  


How long have you been creating?: 6 months
Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: a hobby in between raising me son and renovating a house
Where do you sell your creations?: I sell through my Instagram page and now at The Handmade Markets!
What makes you so special or different?: I love making mix n match collections using contemporary and modern prints. 



What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Seeing peoples faces or comments when they receive their order
What is your favourite product to make?: My circle floor mats 
Do you teach classes or workshops?: no

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR KIN KIN BEADS

Stallholder Profile for Kin Kin Beads

Your name:  Robert Fleming
Your business name and facebook/website name and link:  Kin Kin Beads   https://www.facebook.com/Kin-Kin-Beads-157025417683903/

The suburb/town you live in now:  Kin Kin Qld!
What is it that you make and what skills do you use?:  I’m a lamp worker - I make both solid and hollow glass beads and jewellery.
What inspired you to start your business?:  You know, I’ve taken many years to find an art form that I can really connect with.  I can’t draw, paint, sing or dance, but I can make beautiful glass beads!




How long have you been creating?:  I first started lamp work on a very noisy torch back in 2002.
Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?:  This is my only income, so I rely on it to pay the bills and fund my fishing addiction.
Where do you sell your creations?: I sell at Eumundi markets and at Riverside in the Gardens and Young Designers markets in Brisbane. And soon The Handmade Expo & Vintage market on the Sunshine Coast.
What makes you so special or different?:  Lamp worked glass has a history spanning thousands of years.  Taking solid glass rods, melting them and creating beautiful jewellery the scan last for many years is a wonderful thing. 



What is the most rewarding part of what you do?:  Creating new designs, working in collaboration with my wife, Simona, to make special pieces combining silver and glass and return customers all give me a thrill.  
What is your favourite product to make?:  Oh, many, maybe my Mondrian inspired necklaces or solid glass hearts fumed with pure silver.
Do you teach classes or workshops?:  I have in the past and will again soon.  

Saturday, May 13, 2017

NEW HERVEY BAY STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR SHARP WOODCRAFT

Stallholder Profile for Sharp Woodcraft


Your name: 
             Ron (Gus) Sharp

Your business name and facebook/website name and link:
            Sharp Woodcraft                     
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/SharpWoodcraft

The suburb/town you live in now:
            Torquay (Hervey Bay)

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?:
Sundry small wooden items using mostly recycled wood saved from going to landfill.  Bangles, boxes, crosses, bowls, platters.
Woodworking skills including turning (lathework). Many items are enhanced by the use of home designed and made CNC devices.




What inspired you to start your business?:          
            I make the items for the pleasure it gives me. Selling them is a secondary consideration.

How long have you been creating?:
            I have been doing this type of work for many years – but since I retired (over 5 years ago) it has increased.

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?:
            Part time hobby

Where do you sell your creations?:
            Online through Etsy.  The Handmade Expo is a first for me – a bit of an experiment.




What makes you so special or different?:
            I really enjoy making wooden items and developing the skills that are required.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?:
            Applying the finish to a wooden item and seeing the beauty of the wood appear.

What is your favourite product to make?:
            Wooden bangles

Do you teach classes or workshops?:

            No

Thursday, May 11, 2017

NEW ROCKHAMPTON STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR POPPY COTTON HANDMADE

Stallholder Profile for Poppy Cotton Handmade

Your name: Frances Luckey and Michelle Ruddell
Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Poppy Cotton Handmade, https://www.facebook.com/poppycottonQld/
The suburb/town you live in now: Emu Park 
What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: Handmade/sewn insulated lunch bags, reusable snack pouches and food wraps, all lined with a food grade PUL, which makes them suitable for "nude food".



What inspired you to start your business?: Initially to cater for nude food school requirements, the small size lunch bags are specifically designed to fit in a school bag, hold a days lunch and don't require an "ice brick" to maintain chill, as long as you put your food in cold.  
How long have you been creating?: Lunch bags are new innovation, but sewing has been a creative outlet for some time.
Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: Part time for now........ 
Where do you sell your creations?: We have been selling by word of mouth and most recently launched a Facebook page, we are very keen to attend our first The Handmade Expo in May and introduce our lunch bags to a wider audience.  



What makes you so special or different?: Our bags are quite unique in that they don't require an ice brick, they hold a days lunch for your child at school and the medium size is great for a work day or even a day trip, the large size is big enough for a family outing,  yours will stand out in the crowd.
What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Creating something pretty funky and different, while being somewhat Eco friendly - no more cling film 
What is your favourite product to make?: Kids lunch bags, so many wonderful fabric prints available, they make a packed lunch fun !
Do you teach classes or workshops?: not at this point

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR NET RAE ART

Stallholder Profile for Net Rae Art

Your name: Lynette Dimmock
Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Net Rae Art, https://www.facebook.com/net.rae.7 
The suburb/town you live in now: Gympie
What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: Acrylic paintings, mainly on canvas. Paint Seascapes, Coral underwater scenes, Sea Turtles. Almost anything to do with the ocean.



What inspired you to start your business?: My great love of the ocean, beach, sea turtles and The Great Barrier Reef.
How long have you been creating?: Started painting September 2016  (8 months)
Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: Part time passion.
Where do you sell your creations?: Markets, Online, friends and of course The Hand Made Expo. :)
What makes you so special or different?: I just love to use the bright colours, They are feel good colours. To paint what I love and to make others smile and feel happy when they look at my art.



What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Feeling free while I paint, its like a meditation. When someone makes a positive comment on my work and puts a smile on their face. Gives the viewer a happy memory or feeling. To share this experience with others.
What is your favourite product to make?: Every piece of painting.
Do you teach classes or workshops?: Not Yet, but will sometime in the future. 

Friday, May 5, 2017

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR SO-REAL ART AND STONE & CANVAS PORTRAITS

Stallholder Profile for So-real Art and Stone & Canvas Portraits
https://www.facebook.com/3Dresinbysorealart

Your name: Jan Singleton
Your business name and facebook/website name and link: So-real Art and Stone and Canvas Portraits
http:/www.soreal-art.com
http:/www.stoneandcanvasportraits.com
The suburb/town you live in now:  Kiels Mountain, Sunshine Coast
What is it that you make and what skills do you use?:  I create 3D Resin Art and also paint pet portraits and other animals on river rocks.  3D resin art is a process of painting on layer upon layer of resin to produce artwork with the perception of depth and realism.



What inspired you to start your business?:  I was creating art for my friends and family and decided to take it a step further and try selling at markets.  I loved it and eventually started up an online Etsy shop and website.
How long have you been creating?:  I have been painting and drawing pretty much from the time I could hold a pencil in my little fist and any flat surface was fair game. I started pet portraits about 4 years ago and my 3D resin art 2 years ago.
Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?:  It is a full time business
Where do you sell your creations?  I have two Etsy stores and also attend the Etsy Market and other local markets .. and will soon be at the Handmade Expo Market Sunshine Coast!



What makes you so special or different?:  My 3D resin artwork is different because there are not many artists doing this type of work.  I believe I am one of only a few in Australia that create 3D resin art so a lot of people have not seen anything like it.
What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Seeing my artwork come to life … from a little bit of paint on the first layer of resin to a creation with depth and realism …or a river rock that turns into a loved pet.    
What is your favourite product to make?:  I don’t really have a favourite .. I love to create 3D resin pieces but I also get a big kick out of painting someone’s precious pet on a rock.
Do you teach classes or workshops?:  No