Stallholder profile Amalia Fernand Leather Designs

Todays stallholder profile is Amalia Fernand Leather Designs

https://www.facebook.com/Amalia-Fernand-Leather-Designs-150345225036575/?fref=ts

Your name: 

Amalia Celeste Fernand

Your Business name:

Amalia Fernand Leather Designs

The suburb/town you live in now:

Boondall

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?

I make leather bracelets and earrings out of repurposed scraps from my father’s handmade shoe business. I grew up around leatherwork and use skills that have been ingrained in me since I was a child. Some of the techniques that I use include: tooling, riveting, punching, and braiding. 

What inspired you to start your business?

As a child, I was always creating something beautiful out of scraps on the shoe shop floor. As I got older, and travel became a part of my life, I used this passion to help fund adventures. I teach environmental education classes to local children in developing nations when I travel. I incorporate art as an important way to allow an opportunity for creative expression, and reinforce lesson concepts throughout the community. The money from Amalia Fernand Leather Designs helps to support my Nature Explorers International projects. For more information: www.natureexplorersinternational.com and www.gofundme.com/NEI-AroundtheWorld

How long have you been ‘creating’?

For as long as I can remember. When I was 5, I used to sell tooled leather scraps for 25 cents! I have been selling Amalia Fernand Leather Designs in stores and markets since 2000. 

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

A part time job that supports my passion for environmental education projects. I recently spent a year in Borneo working with orangutan and sea turtle conservation. Selling bracelets along the way helped to support educational volunteer projects. 

Where do you sell your creations? 

The Handmade Expo, Cleveland Markets, and Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmaliaFernandLeather

What makes what you do special or different?

Every bracelet can be customised on location to give customers a truly unique accessory or gift. I can add names, dates, initials, quotes, designs, etc. This is a perfect opportunity to make a bracelet that really means something to yourself or loved one. For example, I make “Mother’s Bracelets” that have childen’s names and birthstones in a leather bracelet. Because I use scraps, every piece is different, and handcrafted to what best fits the individual. These leather bracelets are also different because they directly support a good cause, Nature Explorers International. 

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

I love to see someone wearing a well-loved bracelet that I had made them many years earlier. I enjoy finding the right fit for each customer and adding a special custom touch. 

What is your favourite product that you make?

The double wrap bracelet with a spiral is currently my favourite! 

Do you teach classes or workshops?

Yes, I teach workshops for both kids and adults at schools and art centres. These leather working classes introduce students to the basic tools and skills involved with using leather as a medium. ​

To Market to Market !

Recently I read an article on Facebook that was singing the praises of a new platform for small businesses/SAHM /creatives/farmers on which all of these people could make an income.

 The article inferred that having a market stall, be that a handmade, a farmer’s market, a trash and treasure, a craft fair or even one where you can sell a car boot, was a new idea, one that was going to be the saving grace to all those with something to sell.

It got me thinking about how the market scene has changed over that last 8-10 years in particular and most importantly how people’s perception of markets has changed.

My, how the market scene differs to the one I started out in so many years ago.

Oh yes, didn’t you know markets have been around since Jesus was a lad, which was well before my time. No longer do farmers bring their crops and livestock to the village market to sell to make an income for their family…oh hang on yes they do..in a slightly different manner…we call those Farmers markets.

You see selling your goods at market is not a new idea, however the style and venue of markets has changed dramatically which may have been what the author of the article had mistaken for a completely new idea.

The thought of visiting a market on the weekend no longer brings up visions of Trash and Treasure markets (where often there was a lot more trash than treasure and it was more akin to a massive garage sale). Nor are visions of the humble street stall run by the local CWA, P&C or local church, the first thing that springs to mind.

These sorts are ‘markets’ on a Saturday morning were usually a big bake up of sorts with delicious treats made by the best cooks in the town in seemed, as they always seem to me to be new to my palette and just plain delicious. You might also be able to get a potted plant or a bit of knitting, all of which raised funds for the group holding the stalls.

Over the last decade, hundreds of new markets have sprung up, all with a new take on the humble street stall or Trash and Treasure. The venues have been varied, the local school, halls, sports centres, carparks, event centres and any available piece of land that can fit a few gazebos on.

Unfortunately, many of these markets were short lived and quickly replaced by another new entrepreneur, eager to run a successful market and rake in all those stall fees.

As with every newcomer, new ideas are plentiful at the start of their market career and with all our new social networks, it is easy to make the market sound attractive and groundbreaking and one of its kind, just by having a pretty Facebook page.

However, without true passion to create events that are as good in reality as they are on our screens, these markets often falter at the first hurdle.

Insurances, venue hire, advertising, signage and the sheer volume of man/woman hours needed to bring a market to life, often pushes the price of stall fees beyond affordability and if the stall site prices are too low then often something is lacking in one of those areas.

Being a new stallholder in a new market that promises the world is hard work. Whilst your product might be fantastic and your sales on social media very promising, it takes more than just one market event for you to become well known on the market circuit. Unfortunately, that also means that your sales may be woeful for the first few markets until people get to know you and your product.

They also have to get to know about the new market, so it becomes difficult as a new stallholder on two counts.

I think it is fair to say that if you are venturing out into the market world as a new stall holder, you need to do your groundwork first, visit markets both in real life and on screen, what is the theme of the market and does your product fit in? Perhaps if you have a product that is already available at a particular market that you would really like to attend, how can you make your product differ?

Once you decide on a market you wish to attend as a stallholder you have to treat yourself as a new business. Just like any new retailer you have to look at your prices and your overheads and the reality that it might take a while to make a profit.

Many, many stallholders do make a small income to enable them to be able to supplement their family income and perhaps stay at home, create and be a SAHM (or dad) and I admire them.  They have done the hard yards though, been patient and built up their little stall over the years.  There have been many failed products along the way until they find their own niche within their niche market, but they are creative people who don’t let a few bad days define their business.

There are many whos work is so professional that in theory and on paper they could probably give up their day jobs and make a handsome living but the security of that weekly pay check holds them back. They are the envy of many a  hobbyist who attends a market as a stallholder.

So whilst markets are not a brand new shiny way of making money, they might be new to you and your business or product and I wish you luck.

Good word of mouth and self-promotion are awesome tools to possess and if you find a market that gives you feel good vibes and encourages you, you are well on your way to being successful.

If this article has your creative juices flowing and you are considering a stall at a niche handmade market with a proven track record and a national award winning resume,  then please google Handmade Markets Queensland to find The Handmade Expo in the top google rankings, page after page. 

The owners will welcome your application with open arms and will nurture your creativity and offer a long term relationship with great customer service and respect.

MB

Stall holder profile - Positively Organic Skincare

Todays post is profiling Positively Organic Skincare

https://www.facebook.com/PositivelyOrganicSkincare/?fref=ts

Your name: Julie Boundy

Your Business name:

Positively Organic Skincare 

The suburb/town you live in: Highfields

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?  

I formulate and make organic skincare using certified organic ingredients ,working out of my solar powered studio.

What inspired you to start your business?

I was inspired to start my business after always suffering with sensitive skin issues myself and trying endless products only to discover that they didn't help my skin. My skin was always red and it  reacted from so called 'organic' and 'natural' products. While travelling around Australia for 3 years with my husband and 2 children,my skin would react with the changes in climates and water. I desperately tried dozens of products,but it wasn't until after researching the ingredients that  I realised that even the so called organic and natural products still had a percentage of synthetic ingredients in them.I came to the realisation that I would have to produce my own skincare so that I knew exactly what was going into the product which I was putting on my skin.

How long have you been ‘creating’? 

I have been selling Positively Organic Skincare for almost 3 years now (2 years before that spent formulating until I was happy with the end products) and we sell worldwide,we have a loyal customer base in the UK,United States,France and still building our overseas market. We have a big customer base Australia wide with loyal customers that have been buying our products since we first started. 

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

Full time business

Where do you sell your creations? 

Our online store http://www.positivelyorganicskincare.com.au/, Etsy shop -https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/PositivelyOrganic,Queens Park Markets-Toowoomba, Markets at the Manor-Highfields, The Twilight Markets-Highfields, Cabarlah Markets-Cabarlah, 

The Handmade Expo-Toowoomba,  Childers Festival-Childers. You will find a list of markets and expos that we will be attending in 2016 on our website under the link Pop- Up Shop.

What makes what you do special or different?

I use Indigenous  Australian Native extracts which makes our products unique as well as the highest quality organic plant oils and 100% pure essential oils. We have just released our new Ultra-Sensitive Range which doesn't contain any essential oils for people that are highly sensitive and for pregnant women.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do? 

I absolutely love what I do and my passion is driven my emails that I receive from people that say our products have made a noticeable difference to their skin and that they have been receiving compliments about how great their skin looks.

What is your favourite product that you make? 

I don't have a 'favourite'...I love just being in my studio making each and every product. 

Do you teach classes or workshops?

No,I really don't have time in my business at this stage.

Stallholder Profile Simply T's Accessories

Stallholder Profile today is Simply T's Accessories

www.facebook.com/simplyts.accessories

Your name: Natasha Dimitrijevic

Your Business name:
Simply T’s Accessories

The suburb/town you live in now:
Moggill

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?
I make one-of-a-kind accessories ranging from hair accessories (flowercrowns, hairbands and hairclips), to heels and handbags. I enjoy exploring and incorporating various themes like Indian Henna, American and Japanese Popculture.

What inspired you to start your business?
My desire to help people find and express their individuality. Over the years, I’ve grown to dislike mass produced goods and sought to design one-of-a-kind accessories which would represent like-minded people on a unique and personal level.

How long have you been ‘creating’?
Simply T’s was founded in Jan 2015, but I have always had a need to create; I practically live and breathe it!

Is it a full time/ part time/hobby or business?
It was originally just a hobby- a way for me to find balance in my life, but now it has transformed into a part-time job.

Where do you sell your creations? 
- My Cube: Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Level 3

- Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyTsAccessories
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyts.accessories/
- Instagram: SimplyTs_Accessories
- RAW Brisbane Art Exhibition
- and (ofc) The Handmade Expo Ipswich! :P

What makes what you do special or different?
My promise to my customers and clients to only ever make one-of-a-kind accessories.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?
Knowing that I have helped someone out there to express themselves in a unique way.

What is your favourite product that you make?

All of them!
But since I have to choose one, I would have to say the commission “Snow White” Wedding Heels I made for a special bride.

Do you teach classes or workshops?
No. I would like to think that there is always a possibility to start a youtube channel someday with online tutorials of my work though.

Stallholder profile Kerry Valley Keepsakes

Today our stallholder profile is Kerry Valley Keepsakes

https://www.facebook.com/kerryvalleykeepsakes/?fref=ts

Your name:  Paula Leigh

Your Business name: Kerry Valley Keepsakes 

The suburb/town you live in now: Darlington QLD

What is it that you make and what skills do you use? 

I make resin jewellery and keepsakes using things collected from 

nature, flowers, feathers, leaves, seeds, shells, stones and even bugs and spiders!

What inspired you to start your business? 

My first spark of inspiration came from my sons first haircut. It was the sweetest 

little blonde curl and I wanted to be able to keep it forever. I couldn't find any businesses that could preserve it for me at an affordable cost so I decided to do it myself! Then I thought "what else can I put in resin?" It just grew from there. My jewellery is full of all the things I love, flowers, leaves, feathers and anything else me and my son (the littlest sidekick) can find on our adventures together.

How long have you been ‘creating’? 

I have only been creating and experimenting with new ideas for about 9 months. But I already know it will be a lifelong passion

Is it a full time/ part time/hobby or business?  Resin is my "self-care" its a hobby I share with my littlest sidekick and a great way for us both to be out exploring and discovering. Mostly its just for me though. My escape, my creative outlet and my big deep breath after a long day

Where do you sell your creations? 

I sell my jewellery and keepsakes through my facebook page- facebook.com/kerryvalleykeepsakes, on etsy- etsy.com/shop/kerryvalleykeepsakes on instagram- @kerryvalleykeepsakes and at the Handmade Expo in Ipswich

What makes what you do special or different? 

Each piece I create is completely unique. I strive to ensure all my jewellery and keepsakes are of high quality but also affordable.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do? Being able to share my passion with the people I love most. My husband brings home all sorts of interesting rocks, feathers and flowers that he finds during his day. My Nanny collects feathers for me when she feeds the birds in the afternoon, the littlest sidekick brings me rocks and flowers that he finds in the yard while playing. Family, friends, work mates... they have all developed a newfound interest in the little things in nature and I'm often surprised by a little gift of a flower or a text message asking "would this work in resin?"

What is your favourite product that you make? Feathers! I love every piece of feather jewellery I make, but the rainbow lorikeet feathers are my absolute favourite. My Nanny is 94 and one of the most beautiful souls I know, I love and admire her. She feeds the birds in her garden every afternoon and has a little glass jar she keeps in her kitchen where she places the feathers she finds for me to use. 

Do you teach classes or workshops? No