Friday, June 16, 2017

NEW IPSWICH STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR ROCK ON KITTY

Stallholder Profile for Rock on Kitty


Name: Marianna Shek

Business name and Facebook name and link:

Suburb/town you live in now: Brisbane

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I am a self published writer. I write for young adults and children. I usually collaborate with illustrators and editors and work on the layout myself. 




What inspired you to start your business?: I had been commissioned to write a pathfinding (Choose-your-own-path style) short story for Halloween by a magazine. After I submitted the story, I didn't hear from them again! However, I enjoyed writing my story so much that I ended up expanding it into a novella. At 16 000 words, it was an odd length to pitch to a traditional publisher so I ended up self publishing it myself! See link http://bit.ly/2rmkztB

How long have you been ‘creating’?: I've been writing on and off now for about ten years

Is it a full time/ part time/hobby or business?: For the first five years it was a hobby. I've only turned it into a business in the past year or so.

Where do you sell your creations?: I sell at a couple of bookstores (Dymocks Indooroopilly, Dymocks Chermside, Mary Ryan Milton and The Madhatter Wynnum). For my latest picture book The Stolen Button, I have actually just launched a Kickstarter to take pre-orders on the book. 

This is a beautifully illustrated fairy tale set on the Silk Road. I worked with the Australian-Iranian illustrator Leila Honari on this project for the past two years.
And this is the first time I've tried selling my works at markets such as The Handmade Expo.

What makes what you do special or different?: The beauty of self publishing is that you can experiment with works outside commercial fiction. All my works go through the same rigorous process as a publisher. I bring in professional artists and editors. I use beta readers to test my work. While traditional publishing is fantastic, they don't tend to take much risk. For example, my picture book Donald Doing is illustrated beautifully by two emerging artists who had just graduated from uni. Publishing houses usually request many more years experience before looking at portfolio submissions from illustrators. Also, my picture book The Stolen Button is a fairy tale for older readers (12 plus). It is 48 pages long compared to traditional picture books which are usually 32 pictures. Fortunately, Kickstarter is a distribution platform that lets you be innovative.




What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: I love watching my readers face expressions when they read something that make them laugh

What is your favourite product that you make?: Even though I really enjoy the collaborative process of making picture books, I am a writer at heart so my favourite product so far is my little pathfinding, macabre comedy novel Choose Your Own Death.  It's perfect for 8 -12 year old but also very funny for adults.

Do you teach classes or workshops?: Yes. Usually after the release of each book, I will offer a related workshop for libraries and schools across Brisbane. You can find out more on my website www.rockonkitty.com.au

NEW ROCKHAMPTON STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR MATILDA POPPY

Stallholder Profile for Matilda Poppy



Your name: Andrea Josephs.

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Matilda Poppy ....www.matildapoppy.com...https://www.facebook.com/matildapoppyaus/
The suburb/town you live in now: Emu Park (Zilzie Bay).
What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I hand make Matilda Poppy Buttonholes and other Merchandise.  
What inspired you to start your business?: Being a Veteran Suicide Survivor I wanted to raise money to support two charities called APPVA and V360



How long have you been creating?:1 year.
Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?:part time volunteer work.
Where do you sell your creations?: I sell online, at markets such as The Handmade Expo and shows or special events like ANZAC DAY and Remembrance Day.
What makes you so special or different?: I'm am the only Founder of Matilda Poppy, a brand new Initiative. 



What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: helping other Veterans and raising the community awareness.
What is your favourite product to make?: buttonholes
Do you teach classes or workshops?: not as yet but hoping to have other Veteran families involved eventually. 

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

NEW IPSWICH STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR MADE FOR YOU ALONE

Stallholder Profile for Made for You Alone



Your name: Lynelle Reeve

Your Business name and Facebook name and link: MadeforYouAlone Exclusive Handmade Gift Jewellery
Facebook: 
The suburb/town you live in now: Blackstone Ipswich 4304

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: Handmade jewellery of all types for personal or gift giving, using many different skills including faux enameling, metal colorization, Metal Stamping Manipulation, Torching, Wire wrapping of Beads and much more.






What inspired you to start your business?: I was inspired to start Creating my own jewellery designs back in 2004 when I was unable to buy quality jewellery that would last at reasonable prices.

Is it a fulltime or parttime business or hobby and where do you sell your creations?: I enjoy creating as my full time hobby and sell on my website, etsy, facebook, markets such as The Handmade Expo or word of mouth through friends and past customers.

What is your favourite product that you make?: My favourite part of what I do is creating an individual piece for my customer made to order to their own specifications....hence my business name MADEFORYOUALONE.




Do you teach classes or workshops?: I am available for lessons or workshops by appointment only. I have one long term student who has since gone on to have her own business. I can be reached on my mobile 0419021040


Tuesday, June 13, 2017

NEW IPSWICH STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR GOLD BY GRACE

Stallholder Profile for Gold by Grace


Your name: Anastasie 

Your Business name and Facebook name and link: Gold by Grace, https://www.facebook.com/goldbygrace

The suburb/town you live in now: Ipswich

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?:  Greeting cards, invitations and wall prints - graphic design and foiling skills used. 





What inspired you to start your business? I previously worked full time in the fashion industry and wasn't happy. I have always loved stationery and wanted to execute my own creative vision in a supportive, inclusive and friendly industry. 

How long have you been ‘creating’? I have been creating for 2 years. 

Is it a full time/ part time/hobby or business? This is a part time business. 

Where do you sell your creations?: I sell on my online store and off instagram and Facebook plus now at The Handmade Expo & Vintage Market.

What makes what you do special or different? . My product is different in that I strive to have original designs that are cutting edge in the stationery industry and that can stand alongside big name stationery brands in terms of design and quality. My work is also fully customisable for my clients which I think is a special aspect of what I do. 




What is the most rewarding part of what you do? Positive feedback from clients. Exceeding their expectations and creating something they are so proud to have in their homes/gift to someone is really rewarding and makes going the extra mile a joy.

What is your favourite product that you make? My favourite product would be either my new Hamptons inspired card range (which I'll be selling at the market) or my book-cover inspired wall prints (which I will also be selling at the markets). 

Do you teach classes or workshops? I haven't ever taught classes before but would be open to teaching graphic design/DIY invitations and wall prints in the future. 

Monday, June 12, 2017

NEW MARKET VENUES A HIT!

New markets for the Sunshine and Fraser Coasts


Over the past two weeks we have opened two brand new quarterly markets! May 28th saw the opening of the new Hervey Bay market while June 11th was the day for the Sunshine Coast.

Both days were a huge success with fantastic support from local handmade businesses who came along as stallholders and the general public who flocked to check out all the amazing handmade, handbaked, homegrown and vintage products on offer. So successful in fact that each venue ran out of the over 250 car parking spaces for customers!!!

Each market provided a variety of stalls from children's clothing, candles, soaps, plants, and art to papercraft, baked goods, woodwork, jewellery and so much more.

The Hervey Bay market was held in the local PCYC which is a fully indoors venue and was filled with almost 80 stalls and catered for by the PCYC canteen.






While the Sunshine Coast market had over 70 stalls and was held in the Noosa Leisure Centre, also an indoors market with outside area for food and drink stalls.




Both venues offered free entry and free parking and are wheelchair and pram friendly. The next markets for each venue will be held on Sunday August 27th (Hervey Bay) and Sunday September 10th (Sunshine Coast). 

Applications are welcome for both venues on the website at www.thehandmadeexpo.com.au

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR FALAFEL BARAKA

Stallholder Profile for Falafel Baraka

Your name: Joseph Shaich Yusuf
Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Falafel Baraka https://www.facebook.com/falafelbaraka/ & falafel.baraka on Instagram
The suburb/town you live in now: Hunchy
What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I make falafel wraps, falafel plates, middle eastern sweets (baklawa, ma'moul, helbe)


What inspired you to start your business?: I was looking for a change from building and I love food... my father had a falafel stand in our home town in Israel and I used to help him with it, from an early age. It's hard to find really good falafels here so I thought "Why not?" And it's worked out really well!
How long have you been creating?: Falafels? Since I was about 7 years old
Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: Full time
Where do you sell your creations?: Farmers markets such as Yandina and others like Eumundi, Peregian Beach and Mooloolaba Collective... and The Handmade Expo of course!
What makes you so special or different?: I'm creating authentic Middle Eastern food that's healthy and delicious... all is vegan and the falafels are also gluten-free.



What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Meeting so many people and offering food that is not only delicious but healthy, helping others be well!
What is your favourite product to make?: Falafels of course, with fresh local products and no additives or fillers, and everyone loves the theatre of the way they are cooked.
Do you teach classes or workshops?: I can do falafel or Middle Eastern sweets classes

Monday, June 5, 2017

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR TINY TREASURES

Stallholder Profile for Tiny Treasures

Your name: India Gladwood
Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Tiny Treasures. https://www.facebook.com/TinyTreasuresAU/
The suburb/town you live in now: Cooroy, QLD
What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: Tiny Treasures are handmade, hand-drawn, tiny wearable pieces of art! These intricate sketches make for beautiful jewellery and are perfect as gifts or just a unique accessory! Each Treasure is lovingly created by me and made into necklaces, rings, earrings, and accessories.


I start by drawing a miniature pencil sketch and then making it into a unique piece of wearable art.
As every Tiny Treasure is hand crafted each one is unique. Custom designs, feedback, or individual ideas are always welcome via email!
What inspired you to start your business?: I ordered a craft kit off Etsy and I didn’t open it for about a year. I started making as a way to give my art to friends as gifts. Friends of friends began admiring my creations and it snowballed from there.
How long have you been creating?: I’m a new maker so only about 6 months!
Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: This is just my hobby at the moment but I’m hoping people will love my creations which will allow me to create more! Each time someone buys one of my Treasures they are buying me more time to do what I love – create!
Where do you sell your creations?: As Tiny Treasures is so new I am currently selling my jewellery at local fairs, such as the upcoming Art Market in the Paddock (Pomona, May 27th) and the Handmade Expo (Noosa, June 11). In the future I will also be attending the Eumundi Markets.
My creations are also available at Makersville at Montville.
What makes you so special or different?: All of my tiny treasures feature REAL tiny drawings! No prints are made, they are all original tiny pencil sketches set in jewellery trays for a unique piece of both art and accessory!



What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: I’ve always loved creating and I love seeing people wearing and enjoying what I have lovingly created!
Please also feel free to tag yourself on my Facebook or Instagram page with your purchases!
What is your favourite product to make?: I love making all my products! As each is very different, every tiny treasure creation is a unique experience. Each piece brings moments of frustration, experimentation and creation!
Do you teach classes or workshops?: Not as this stage.