Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Stallholder profile Faerytale Mountain

New stallholder profile today is Susan from Faerytale Mountain


Name:Susan Gaye DeBeyer

Business name :Faerytale Mountain 

The suburb/town :Freshwater, Cairns

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?
I make everything FAIRY and MAGICAL.I use creative craft skills and knitting skills....and skill of great patience with all the little tiny things I glue, knit, tie....together to make beautiful handmade fairy gifts.

What inspired you to start your business?
I have always, since I was a little girl loved making things, creating cute little trinkets..My love of fairies has always inspired me.



How long have you been creating?
For over 25 years, since my children where little  babies. Now they are all grown up and I'm still playing with the fairies.

Is it a full time/ part time/hobby or business?
It is part time and turning into a business.

Where do you sell your creations?:
On facebook and to friends and overseas friends from facebook and now at the new Handmade Expo starting in Cairns.



What makes what you so special or different?
I make everything with great care and a huge amount of love. My fairies seem to bring a touch of magic into peoples hearts, thats really special:)

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
Seeing my customers smiles and appreciation for the things I make.  I find crafting so soothing and calm so that in itself is absolutely rewarding.

What is your favourite product that you make?
I absolutely love making my ~Fairy~ kisses Beanies! Each is a one off design and its fun getting orders for so many different colours and ages.

Do you teach classes or workshops?
Not as yet.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Stallholder profile Jennifer Arthur Ceramics Cairns

Stallholder Profile today is Jennifer Arthur from 
Jennifer Arthur Ceramics.
Name:Jennifer Arthur

Business name:Jennifer Arthur Ceramics  http://facebook.com/jennifer.arthur.ceramics

The suburb/town :Kewarra Beach, Cairns

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?
I make pottery. I have my own wheel and small kiln. I make all my own work, including the glazes that I use on my pots.

What inspired you to start your business?
This is more of a passion. Not a business. I like to see people want my work enough to take it with them.


How long have you been creating?
I have been creating one way or another since I was small. My background is advertising. I am also a Botanical artist.

Is it a full time/ part time/hobby or business?
Hobby

Where do you sell your creations? 
At local markets in Cairns, including The Handmade Expo and exhibitions throughout Australia

What makes what you so special or different?
My work is unique in that no two pieces are the same. I'm constantly experimenting with form and glazes. I often combine my ability to draw and paint into the pieces.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
Having someone love my work so much that they want to take it home with them.

What is your favourite product that you make?
My Salties. These are double walled pieces that stop the humidity from getting to the salt and clogging up.


Do you teach classes or workshops?
No, not at this time. I have taught Botanical drawing at Port Douglas in past years.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Stallholder profile Sarbet Designs Cairns

Stallholder Profile Cairns Market 
Sarbet Designs


Name: Beth Kerr

Business name : Sarbét Designs    

The suburb/town: Edmonton, Cairns QLD

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?
I specialise in unique custom-made cushion covers and lamp/pendant shades. I use high quality fabrics to make my products all by hand. 
My cushion covers are all machine sewn and over locked in a variety of sizes from standard to large cushions ideal for lounging on the floor. 
The shades are made with a professional rolled edge and I source many of the materials for these from down South. I also offer the service of the client providing their own fabrics for me to work with, this offers them a personalised product that will compliment their home.

What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired by the fact that a family member was looking for lamp shades to compliment a makeover she had recently done in her home. As she became very frustrated with finding nothing but bland plain shades it was then that I decided to go ahead with my idea that I had had swimming around in my mind for a few months. After making a successful shade I decided to compliment it with cushions and from there Sarbét Designs evolved. 


How long have you been creating?
I had been thinking about starting my own business for awhile and procrastinated over it for months before taking the plunge in February 2014. I have always enjoyed working with fabric and creating things with my hands since I was a child. 


Is it a full time/ part time/hobby or business?
At the moment I would classify my business as part time, however I am hoping to turn the tables this year by getting myself out there and known and turning it into full time.

Where do you sell your creations? .
Currently I have my products at Stella Florist and Gift Gallery in Cairns and The Cairns Furniture Gallery. I have a shop on madeit.com and I am hoping to also attend the Tanks Markets on the 4th Sunday of every month between April and November as well as Carnival on Collins which is a huge event each Fathers Day in Cairns, attracting lots of wonderful hand crafted products and amazing food, plants and entertainment. Of course I can't go past this question without mentioning my stall I will now be having with The Handmade Expo.... very exciting!

What makes what you so special or different?
I would have to say I am different from other artisans in the area as I have not come across anyone else who does what I do and the fact that I offer the service of the client supplying their own fabrics which result in an item that gives them their own personnel product.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
I really enjoy watching a piece of fabric be transformed into a lovely decor item. 
I thoroughly love what I do and everything I make is done with all my heart and love, I find it very satisfying to watch my work evolve into something someone will appreciate and place in their home.

What is your favourite product that you make?
I enjoy making both Cushion covers and Lamp/Pendant shades. I have days where I prefer to make one item over the other, but as a whole I have no favourite.


Do you teach classes or workshops?
No, I have thought about it, but at this stage just been focusing on getting myself into markets and getting my products and name out there.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Bundaberg is the place to be for The Handmade Expo Market this Sunday.

Looking for something to do this Sunday, well look no more if you are in the Bundaberg vicinity.
Bundaberg - 2015 spells the beginning of some important changes for the Bundaberg venue. Our very exciting news is that, as of our first market we will be moving to The Bundaberg Civic Centre. We are thrilled to be announcing this venue along with its many attractive features. The quality of this venue is incredible with wooden floors throughout as well as kitchen and bar facilities. We now also have access to an air-conditioned stall area which will be an amazing asset to many of our vendors with fresh flowers, food and produce.
 
We are also excited that The Handmade Expo Markets will now be held on a Sunday, giving the people of Bundaberg an additional Sunday morning activity.
Our new venue will also host a particularly new feature with the introduction of 2 ‘café style’ patrons’ areas where you can sit and enjoy a coffee, cold drink or delicious food as well as relax and watch the market in full swing. ‘Tea with Maree’s’ will take full advantage of the air-conditioned Supper Room and kitchen facillities to bring you a beautiful relaxed experience with a ‘elegant vintage’ theme while ‘The Cake Garden’ will use the bar area and surrounds to serve up their ‘quirky garden influenced’ creations. 
 
Our first market of the year will also see the introduction of many new stalls as well as some popular favourites with well over 50 stalls to tempt you with their creations. You are sure to be pleased with the variety on hand including; wine, clothing, vintage upcycled items, jewellery, furniture, custom piñata, face painting and balloon twisting, fresh floral bouquets, gourmet chocolates, home wares and fudge.
 
We are also pleased to announce the introduction of a ‘student stall’. This free stall will be given each month to a high school student from the local area who achieves the required ‘handmade’ guidelines of The Handmade Expo Markets. We are excited to encourage more of our youth to become involved in ‘handmade’ businesses and see this as an opportunity to foster this. The ‘student stall’ is granted based on our normal stall guidelines and application process with full details available on our website.
 
With so much happening it’s sure to be an exciting year… I hope to see you at market soon. Amelia

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

What is on this Weekend - The Handmade Expo Markets Saturday 21st March?

IPSWICH - Saturday the 21st March 2015
The first market of the year for Ipswich is now Saturday the 21st March and our stall holders are all keen to be back at our Ipswich venue, it has been a long time since December and our stallholders get so much joy in making all the items in their little pop up shops and are thrilled when their products find new homes with excited customers. We will be welcoming back some of your favourite stallholders and also some new stall holders. We'd love you to pass this on to a friend, or better still contact your family, friends and work friends and meet them for a Coffee Club Coffee, Dutch Pancakes for morning tea. Perhaps Bacon and Egg rolls or a BBQ lunch is more your style? Wash it all down with delicious Iced Tea. Take home some Fudge, Popcorn or a Chocolate gift arrangement.
One of our stallholders, Jan from FunkyJ’s Handmade Soaps with be shaving her hair for The Worlds Greatest Shave. You can join her for a donation, or perhaps colour your hair on the day for a donation. Colouring for a cure will be Cr Paul Tully, What a great sport!
We also have a children’s planting workshop for the children to learn a bit about planting a vege garden. Bring an empty container to take home a planted seeding to start their own garden at home. Gold coin donation to cover plant and soil. There’ll be a free Hula Hoop area on the grass this month for everyone to use up some energy and a colouring in station as well. On a more sombre note, We are very sad to let you know that a dear stallholder of many years and friend, Lisa-Anne from Elf Industries, passed away suddenly at the beginning of January. Barb, always did the markets with Lisa- Anne. They were a team for sure! We will be leaving her site empty for an unspecified time as a sign of our respect for Lisa. RIP Lovely Lady.
 
 
Rockhampton- Saturday the 21st March 2015


Rockhampton’s first market of the year was fabulous and their next market is on Saturday the 21st March. In between these two markets, Rockhampton has been through Cyclone Marsha and many are still finding their feet again.
Your support for the Rockhampton market at The Rockhampton Showgrounds Complex Walter Pierce Pavilion, 1-47 Exhibition Road, Wandal, is appreciated every market but will be especially more so, this coming Saturday the 21st March.
The Rockhampton market is held on the third Saturday of the month, plus other dates, head to the website, www.thehandmadeexpo.com.au for all the details .
 
 
We hope to see you at either of these markets on Saturday, they are both going to be wonderful!
If you would like any other information, you can head to our website, www.thehandmadeexpo.com.au