Stallholder Profile EJ Creative Flair

Todays stallholder profile is for EJ Creative Flair

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

Your name: Erica Owens

Your business name : EJ Creative Flair.

   website: www.ejcreativeflair.com.au

The suburb/town you live in now: 

We’re situated in Bayview Heights, Cairns

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

I make handmade jewellery with particular focus on glass cabochon items. I also make various original designed bracelets made with semi-precious gemstones and cabochon charms.

What inspired you to start your business?: 

I worked in Community Services for 17 years in varying roles in Disability, Aged care and Youth Worker up until 2012 when I felt a strong desire to focus on ‘what makes me happy’ after feeling extremely burnt out and exhausted  – So I started researching making jewellery. J

How long have you been creating?: 

I started making jewellery in November 2012 as a hobby. I had no intention to sell my pieces but did start showing friends on Facebook. I am totally self-taught in all aspects of creating jewellery. My husband suggested starting a page to show others. So I related it to my childhood nickname of EJ (a.k.a. Erica Jane) and added the creative flair, to describe my pages content.

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

Began as a hobby for 18 months, but by 2014 we registered as a business.

Where do you sell your creations? 

We sell our creations online via the website and also at Handmade Expo Cairns and The Esplanade Market currently.

What makes you so special or different?:  I

 believe we offer many unique pieces within our collections of Cabochon earring and necklaces. The artwork we use is divine and appeals to many age ranges. My handmade gemstone bracelets are also quiet unique – totally designed by me.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: 

We are Corporate Traders for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, so making my Pink Ribbon products has been very rewarding, as we donate a portion of each sale to that cause. Also when customers contact us with photos of our jewellery when they’re wearing it, or send amazing feedback on our FB page in reviews. That makes me feel like I’m making a difference to other people’s lives still, after finishing my career as a carer.

What is your favourite product to make?: 

Anything with gemstones I particularly like, as I feel loads of energy from them, and have found that I really moved to incorporating gems in my pieces, very early on for that reason J

Do you teach classes or workshops?: 

I don’t teach classes or workshops, but certainly would love to be involved in doing that in the future, as my background is in training/instructor in Disability work.

Stallholder profile Allure Melts

Todays Stallholder Profile is Allure Melts

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

Your name:  Laurene Bartlem

Your business name: 

Allure Melts https://facebook.com/alluremelts

The suburb/town you live in now: 

Gracemere.

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

Soy Wax Melts, Reed Diffusers & Candles. All handmade & poured. 

What inspired you to start your business?: 

I wanted a variety of fragrances which I couldn't find & to be affordable.

How long have you been creating?: 

This is my 4th year of creating beautiful fragrances.

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

It is my hobby & my passion.

Where do you sell your creations?: 

I sell from Facebook & the Handmade Expo Rockhampton & other markets in the area.

What makes you so special or different?: 

I have over 40 fragrances to choose from with matching reed diffusers. My melts are approx. 20grams ea & have a burn time of 20+ hrs. Best part only $1ea. There is no cutting or breaking of my melts you simply place 1 in your burner.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: 

Repeat business & hearing people say how gorgeous they smell.

What is your favourite product to make?

Dragons Blood Melts, the smell is devine.

Do you teach classes or workshops?

Not at this time.

Stallholder profile Nutty Koala

Todays stallholder profile is Nutty Koala

https://www.facebook.com/Nutty-Koala-161171377288746/?fref=t

Your name: Gayle Lemmon

Your business name:

Nutty Koala 

The suburb/town you live in now: 

Kewarra Beach, Cairns

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

Hand sewn babies & children's wear for both girls and boys from birth to 3 years.  Skirts, various styles of dresses, shorts, button-up shirts, ruffled rompers, playsuits, overalls, baby shoes, and l also create cot size quilts.   I use an embroidery machine and hand make embellishments that adorn some of these garments. The patterns that l use are all my own as l have a certificate in pattern making for children's wear. 

 

What inspired you to start your business?

My love of sewing which began at a very young age that started with creating dolls clothes, then l had my own children in which l extended my talent into making outfit for my girls. I now  also sew for my 2 grand daughters and occasionally for my 3 grandsons.

How long have you been creating? 

50 years l have been sewing, which has ranged from creating my own clothes, curtains, doona covers, quilts, baby accessories as gifts for family and friends.

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

I would love this to be a full time business but as l help to run my husbands business, it has to be part time.

Where do you sell your creations?  

I sell through my facebook page and The Handmade Expo and Vintage Market in Cairns.
 

What makes you so special or different?: 

I like to do things different to other people, l take into consideration of who l am creating for such as little people need simplicity when it comes to clothing, the easier it is to dress a child the happier everyone is. Some times 'Less is More', as too many ruffles, buttons etc.....can be frustrating for a child when learning to dress themselves. l also love making my own embellishments such as bows and fabric flowers that makes my outfits unique.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: 

Seeing my customers children wearing my outfits, and returning to buy more of my outfits.

What is your favourite product to make?: 

Ruffled rompers, dresses and cute girly outfits.

Do you teach classes or workshops?: 

No, as l barely have enough time to do what l want to do now, but hopefully  one day l will have some time to pass on my creative skills to others.

Stallholder Profile Colourful Creations and Designs

Todays stallholder profile is all about Colourful Creations and Designs

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

Your name:    Yvette Tipo

Your business name : Colourful Creations and Designs

The suburb/town you live in now:  Cairns / Edmonton

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

Abstract painting using acrylic paints, watercolours, textured mediums and resin finishing.  Applying to canvas's and monologue letters to create signs, children's names and paintings to suit the home, office, children's bedrooms etc.

What inspired you to start your business?:  

I wanted a hobby that I can enjoy and if I could earn a little money from my hobby would be a bonus.

How long have you been creating?:  

about 2 months

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

Hobby with potential to be a business

Where do you sell your creations? 

This is my first so atm its The Handmade Expo Market Cairns.

What makes you so special or different?:  

I think because what I do is handmade every creation is unique therefore you will always have one of a kind.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?:  

To see the end product and receive positive & negative feedback.

What is your favourite product to make?:  

Monologue letters

Do you teach classes or workshops?:  

No I'm still learning by teaching myself.