NEW HERVEY BAY STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR NET RAE ART

Stallholder Profile for Net Rae Art

Your name: Lynette Dimmock

Your business name Net Rae Art

Facebook/website name and link: www.facebook.com/net.rae.7    www.netraeart.com.au

The suburb/town you live in now: Gympie

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: Original paintings on canvas, using acrylic paints 

What inspired you to start your business?: another Artist (Lyn Olsen)  and having a love of the coast as well as The Great Barrier Reef, Sea life especially Sea Turtles. 

How long have you been creating?: Two Years. self taught. 

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

Where do you sell your creations? : Online, local Markets from Sunshine Coast up to Wide bay as well as Sunshine Coast and now The Handmade Expo Hervey Bay. 

What makes you so special or different?: I'm not special, I just love to share my art. I hope to evoke a happy memory or feeling for who ever gazes upon my art work. I love to use bright colours to warm hearts.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: creating something that was in my head and then comes to life on canvas. It was never there before I put paint onto canvas. 

What is your favourite product to make?: I don’t really have a favourite, creating every painting is truly rewarding. 

Do you teach classes or workshops?: Yes I have workshop’s at my Studio here in Southside (Gympie) 

NEW PROSERPINE AND MACKAY STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR AUTHOR PAGAN MALCOLM

Stallholder Profile for Author Pagan Malcolm

Your name: Pagan Malcolm

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: 

P.S.Malcolm

Website: https://psmalcolm.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPM/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.s.malcolm/

The suburb/town you live in now: Proserpine

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I write and publish young adult fiction novels using my writing skills.

What inspired you to start your business?: I've always been passionate about writing and it was never a question of 'if' I'd be an author, but when. I decided to take it seriously in high school and started my business as an author not long after I graduated. I find the business side of publishing very fun and challenging, which keeps me motivated. 

How long have you been creating?: I've been writing for 10+ years, but I've only been publishing for the past 3. It's been a bit of a rocky start--I've re-released my debut novel since the first release, but now it's onwards and upwards with my other books. 

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: It's definitely a business. 

Where do you sell your creations?: 

I sell my books primarily online via distributors such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. However, I also sell them at writing workshops, book signings, and of course at The Handmade Expo! 

What makes you so special or different?: I'm only 21 years old and I've written 8 manuscripts (and counting!). I consider myself to be incredibly ambitious and driven for a young person, and really value my books and writing career. My first submission to a publishing house ever was accepted just after I graduated Year 12 (which is unheard of), but I've gone on to self-publish as well since then. 

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: I love hearing back from readers about what they thought of my books and what they loved about them. I write for myself and my own enjoyment, but it's very special to know that my work can impact other people's lives. 

What is your favourite product to make?: Books! Haha. I'm an eBook kind of girl myself but that's so easy to do. I feel very accomplished when I can publish and get a print book into my own hands, which is a little bit harder!

Do you teach classes or workshops? I do! I have a whole other separate business where I coach and teach fiction writers how to write, publish and market their own books! It's called Paperback Kingdom and you can find it here: https://paperbackkingdom.com/ 

NEW HERVEY BAY STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR AUTHOR ROBYN OSBORNE

Stallholder Profile for Robyn Osborne

Your name: Robyn Osborne

Your business name Robyn Osborne

Facebook/website name and link: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theSox/ Website - https://robynosborne.com/

The suburb/town you live in now: Tinnanbar

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I write stories, mainly for children and Young Adults. I have won a number of writing awards and been published in national journals, newspapers, anthologies and magazines. To date I have had seven books trade published (not self published), with my latest picture book - Bruno, the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush - being released in September 2018.

What inspired you to start your business?: I have always loved reading and writing. Once my first junior novel was published, I began to view writing as more than just a fun thing to do. 

How long have you been creating?: All my life! I started to write seriously about 15 years ago. 

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: I am a primary and special education teacher, but took a leap of faith in 2018 and resigned from teaching to concentrate on my writing career. This means I can actually call myself a full time writer!

Where do you sell your creations?: My books can be purchased directly from the various publishers, through on line stores and all good book shops. Local markets, such as The Handmade Expo are also an opportunity for me to sell my books directly to readers.  

What makes you so special or different?: My stories are predominantly inspired by my canine companions and many people refer to me as the dog author! D.O.G., my very first junior novel was about a boy who desperately wanted a dog. Next came Dog Logic:a pooch's guide to dogs behaving badly. This was a dog training book with a twist - it was co-pawthored by my dog Sock. There is even a picture of him on the back of the book. Sock was also a famous canine columnist, writing for bark! Australia and Dogs Life magazines. Picture books Going Fishing and Going Camping were upbeat stories looking at the foibles of family life, with my dog Snowy making an appearance. Snowy was also the author of my next novel Midget Bones' Diary - a quirky look at life through the eyes of a feisty mongrel. My Dog Socks (2017) was a picture book based on Socks, who sadly moved onto the Rainbow Bridge, aged 14. My Dog Socks has proved to be extremely popular with young readers and adults alike. It is a 2018 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable Book, a 2018 Speech Pathology of Australia Book of the Year Shortlist and is on the Premier's Reading Challenge Book List for Queensland, NSW and SA. Most recently my picture book - Bruno, the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush - has been released. Bruno is an an alliterative tale which celebrates mateship and introduces young readers to the quintessential language of the Australian bush. Once again, it was inspired by a dog, this time my dear old dad's dog. 

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?:I get a real thrill seeing a story I have been working on for a long time transform into a real book. There is something magical about reading my stories to children too. Sharing a picture book with an entranced audience is hard to beat!

What is your favourite product to make?:I love creating new stories based around my wonderful four legged furry friends. 

Do you teach classes or workshops?: Yes, I have presented author talks and run creative writing workshops for children and adults at libraries and book shops. 

SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR ARTIST RACHAEL CURRY

Stallholder Profile for Artist Rachael Curry

Your name:
Rachael Curry

Your business name and facebook/website name and link:
Artist Rachael Curry
facebook.com/dishyduckdesign/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/rachaelcurryart

The suburb/town you live in now:
Sunshine Beach, Noosa

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?:
 I am predominantly a wildlife artist and do some landscapes also. I use a variety of different mediums, concentrating on pencil and watercolour. I have a range of styles; my main style currently is drawing animals so that their softness and emotion is shown with tenderness. 

What inspired you to start your business?:
I have been an artist all my life, but only started looking at it as a career about a year and a half ago. I was busy looking for additional employment that suited my skill set but with the help of friends and family was encouraged instead to look at using my love of art to create my own employment.

How long have you been creating?:
I actually started selling my art when I was in grade 2! I was obsessed at the time with drawing ducks and I used to sell these for 20 cents each to people in my school.
 I have been creating all my life but also took long periods away from art to do ‘real jobs,’ and got carried away in the busy fluster that is the world.

 I started entering into art shows over 10 years ago and was thrilled to have my artworks so highly received. This gave me the confidence to keep creating and I made myself a habit of finding time in my life for art.

When I am drawing/painting, there is a freedom. Creating can create a space in your mind where time ceases to exist or be relevant, and those little pressures and time constraints in life recede and you realise how insignificant our daily worries can really be.

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?:
My art is now close to full time. My normal schedule is two market days a week, plus expo’s when they are on, I also always draw or paint at my markets and  at expo’s as I think it is nice for people to see how the art is created.
 I use one day per week for painting at home and another day for restocking, attending to emails and updating my online listings. I also spend one day per week as an account manager for my husband’s business so my days are pretty full!

Where do you sell your creations?
I sell my artwork in person at the Handmade Expo, at the Eumundi Markets on the Terraces Wednesdays and Saturdays, at the Noosa Alive Festival and at other festivals and events as they occur throughout the year.
My artwork is also for sale at Australia Post, Moffat Beach and online through my two Etsy shops.

What makes you so special or different?:
I have a background in working with animals as a veterinary nurse, so when I draw and paint animals I find it easy to understand their physical structure as well as their emotion. I also have travelled Australia extensively and love to convey the light and movement in my landscapes.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?:
It is hard to say what is the most rewarding part as there are so many factors to consider. The three predominant rewards are the ability to work hours that suit raising my lovely family, spending time ‘working’ when I am only doing what I absolutely love to do and hearing the emotive reactions from my wonderful customers at my markets and expo’s.

What is your favourite product to make?:
I don’t have a favourite product to make. My art is very much about what I am feeling at the time. When I am feeling light and happy I create animal art that is light and happy, when I am feeling deep and emotional I create a landscape that reflects this.
 I guess you can say my favourite product to make is one that I am satisfied making and that will bring out a response in others.

Do you teach classes or workshops?:
 I am a qualified teacher’s aide and I have taught a variety of different primary school art classes voluntarily over the last few years.  I will look at providing lessons outside of school to children and adults in future.

NEW PROSERPINE STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR LITTLE BUMBLE

Stallholder Profile for Little Bumble

Your name: 

Laura Eddington

Your business name and facebook/website name and link:

Little Bumble

www.littlebumble.com.au

www.facebook.com/littlebumblewraps

www.instagram.com/littlebumblewraps

The suburb/town you live in now:

Drouin, West Gippsland, Victoria

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

Little Bumble beeswax wraps are a sustainable and natural alternative to plastic wrap. Simply wrap food to keep it fresher for longer then rinse and reuse! Lovingly hand made with local and natural ingredients in Gippsland. You can even make your own with our DIY kit with our scientifically developed recipe.

What inspired you to start your business?

I’m Laura and I’m a proud Gippslandian. While on maternity leave from science teaching, I became frustrated at the food wastage and plastic pollution that was occurring in my home. Being raised on land and striving to be a more sustainable, I began to research an alternative to plastic wrap, beeswax food wraps. I put my science skills to use and developed an all-natural formula that produced premium wraps that could be customised, refreshed and made into a DIY kit. With the support of my family, friends and community, Little Bumble was created in June 2017.

How long have you been creating?:

For just over a year, since June, 2017.

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

Little Bumble a sustainable focused business which employs a team of dedicated locals to hand craft gorgeous wraps. 

Where do you sell your creations?:

Little Bumble sell online, at markets and have stockists nationwide.

What makes you so special or different?

Our wraps are scientifically developed, Australian Made certified and locally produced with strict food safety standards. This, along with our premium recipe, makes us unique! Another way we stand out from the pack is that our wraps can be refreshed and rejuvenated after its lifespan, with the pre-blended DIY kits, to keep them going strong for years. 

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

At Little Bumble we are passionate about educating and empowering all households to rely on a more sustainable way to keep food fresher for longer. By handcrafting premium, reusable beeswax food wraps we are helping households reduce plastic pollution and also food wastage. 

What is your favourite product to make?

We love to mix up big batches of our special blend of ingredients so the whole studio fills up with the delicious smell of beeswax. It often draws a crowd with curios bees dropping in for a visit at the open windows!

Do you teach classes or workshops?"

Little Bumble runs workshops at the Studio in Drouin as well as other venues in Victoria. For more details please see the website.

SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR LEE & LOU COLLECTIONS

Stallholder Profile for Lee & Lou Collections

Your name: Kasey Tennant & Amy Lawrence

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Lee & Lou Collections

Website - www.leeandlou.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/leeandloucollections/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lee.and.lou.collections/

The suburb/town you live in now: Mooloolaba

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: We are an eco-luxury home fragrance studio on the Sunshine Coast, we hand pour Soy Wax Wood Wick Candles, Scented Diffusers & Car Fragrance Diffusers.

Lee & Lou was Inspired by a love of homewares and an obsession with all things that smell delightful.  “As a sister duo, we pour our connection into every product. Each day we get to create new memories whilst doing something we love.”

Car Fragrance Diffusers - These are super popular! They hold a lasting aroma that will keep your car smelling amazing!!! A sleek & stylish design, available in a wide range of gorgeous modern colours and filled with delicious high quality fragrances.

Soy Wax Wood Wick Candles - Bespoke, Luxury, Glamour...

Our stunning Soy Wax Candles are presented in Copper & Clear Iron Plated Geometric Cut Glass vessels, designed to create an element of luxury and sophistication in any space. They include wood wicks, which are reminiscent of the sound of a log fire.

Scented Diffusers - Our premium Luxury Scented Diffusers are infused with our finest fragrance oils, these fragrances were selected for their individual characteristics and carefully blended to deliver an unmatched scent throw.

Our unique scents are absorbed by the Black Diffuser Sticks made of Dacron for an enhanced scent throw. They fragrance an entire space for approx. 8 months.

What inspired you to start your business?: Lee & Lou started as just a fluke for us 3 years ago when we attempted to make soy candles for Amy’s wedding favors! They turned out being a success and loved by all, so we just continued to keep making & coming up with new ideas and the business has just grown from there!

How long have you been creating?: Since 2015

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: Lee and Lou stared as just a hobby, as both of us loved candles, we taught ourselves how to make the Candles & Diffusers through a lot of trial and error. Lee & Lou has been growing strong ever since, and we are now at the stage where the business can be taken to the next level! We have a strong customer following, a number of stockists and we are regulars at monthly markets. We both have very busy lives outside of Lee & Lou - Kasey is a full time mum, and Amy always did and still does work Full time in the pharmaceutical industry. So hopefully in the near future, we can both give 100% to the business allowing it to keep growing strongly & to keep aiming high!

Where do you sell your creations?:

We sell our products from -

- Our website – www.leeandlou.com.au

- The Sunshine Coast Collective Markets at Coolum (4^th Sunday of the month)

- The Young Designers Market at Southbank Brisbane (1^st Sunday of the month)

- The Handmade Expo

What makes you so special or different?: As candles now days are a very saturated market, we always strive to stay ahead of the pack releasing hot new products that our customers love!! Lee & Lou Collections create luxury high end pieces, we are different to most of the Sunshine Coasts other candle makers, as we feel you can never have too many luxury décor pieces in a home.

We believe in making the best there is, and doing it locally. Each product in our bespoke range is personally hand-made with intention and love by us.

We firmly believe that beautiful customer service should reflect a beautiful product.

Passionate about delivering high end, handmade products that are good for the environment, we source sustainable materials & vessels from all Australian companies. This is such an important factor for us in supporting our economy & the fair working conditions.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Our customers love the fact that our beautiful products are hand made by us! We are proud to be selling them such a luxurious high end product, which has also been hand made, by us! This would be the most rewarding part of the job for us, hearing all of the beautiful feedback from our valued customers…   

What is your favourite product to make?: All of our product ranges are all totally different to make – Candles would have to be the most time consuming, but also the most rewarding when everything goes right! When the finished product smells delicious, has a seamless creamy top (in other words the wax looks on point!) and it also burns perfectly… this makes us pretty happy!

There are lots of components to candle making & it takes A LOT of trial and error to get the perfect finished product. We have a love hate relationship with our candles… its not just a case of melting some wax, pouring it into any old jar, with any size wick. Its like doing a science experiment to get the exact ratios right to create the perfect candle that burns exactly how it should. When everything goes right, and they turn out perfectly, candles would be our favourite products to make.

Do you teach classes or workshops?: Not yet, but would love to in the future.

NEW PROSERPINE STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR PRINCE AND CUB

Stallholder Profile for Prince and Cub

Your name: Melissa Mulliss

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Prince and Cub, https://www.princeandcub.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/princeandcub

The suburb/town you live in now: Proserpine

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I make Produce Bags, Nursing Pads, Wet Bags, Cloth Wipes, Bamboo Trifolds & Nappy Inserts. I use a sewing machine/overlocker.

What inspired you to start your business?: I wanted to offer environmentally friendly alternative products to try and help reduce the amount of waste/plastic being put into the environment.

How long have you been creating?: 1 year

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

Where do you sell your creations?: I sell online through my website, The Handmade Expo and Airlie Beach Markets when I can get to them.

What makes you so special or different?: My products help to reduce single use items which help the environment.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: I like being able to help people on their journey to reducing waste.

What is your favourite product to make?: Produce Bags

Do you teach classes or workshops? I do one on one consultations for Modern Cloth Nappies.

ROCKHAMPTON STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR THE CAST IRON CROWN

Stallholder Profile for The Cast Iron Crown

Your name: Karena Galvin

Your Business name and Facebook/website name and link: The Cast Iron Crown
https://www.facebook.com/thecastironcrown/

The suburb/town you live in now: Berserker

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I make practical and pretty decor items from reclaimed pallet wood and recycled bits and pieces using basic woodworking skills and different painting techniques. I offer a custom painting service for heirloom furniture pieces, I upcycle and recreate pianos into new pieces such as desks or bars. I'm also a photographer and hope to introduce wall art into my repertoire in the near future.

What inspired you to start your business?: When we moved into our first home 5 years ago we had furniture items in all shades of timber and I wanted a more consistent look throughout our home so I decided to give painting a go. At first it was a bit scary but once I saw the transformation process it became addictive and I haven't looked back. Most of my inspiration come from shabby chic, rustic and primitive decor styles.

How long have you been creating?: I've always been creative, I often get an overwhelming urge to make, paint or photograph something. Sometimes it can be a curse!

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

Where do you sell your creations?: Through Facebook and The Handmade Expo. 

What makes you so special or different?: I think my willingness to give it a go, be brave and embrace the creative process. I didn't know I could make a box until I tried, and using timber that would otherwise be thrown away to make something beautiful that will hopefully be treasured for many years to come.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: The way people react to something special that I've made.

What is your favourite product to make?: The piano recreation is my favourite, but I have a thing for wooden boxes, theres something about a special little place to put things, it's kind of nostalgic to me.

Do you teach classes or workshops?:
No, I'm still the student.

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR RESCUED BOOKS

Stallholder Profile for Rescued Books

Your name: Shelley Mulvenna 

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Rescued Books is our business name. Facebook:  www.facebook.com/rescuedbooks

The suburb/town you live in now: Peregian Springs.

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: Book art pieces from salvaged books. Skills include creative vision and patience.

What inspired you to start your business?: A desire to upcycle old books destined for landfill.

How long have you been creating?: Four years.

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

Where do you sell your creations?: The Handmade Expo Market, Eumundi Market.

What makes you so special or different?: All pieces are unique; personalised items are my specialty.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Creating personalised pieces for customers.

What is your favourite product to make?: Sculpting a name and/or image into a book.

Do you teach classes or workshops?: Not at present.

NEW SUNSHINE COAST STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR CHERISHED CREATIONS

Stallholder Profile for Cherished Creations

Your name: Sharon & Casey Donlan

Your business name and facebook/website name and link:

Cherished Creations

https://www.facebook.com/cherishedcreationshandmade/

https://www.instagram.com/cherishedcreationshandmade/

Our website is currently under construction

The suburb/town you live in now: We currently live in Highvale, in the beautiful Samford Valley

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: We design and create unique one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces. Each piece is bright, colourful and with an added touch of sparkle. Designing and creating jewellery requires a lot of handwork and patience. We use a variety of tools including pliers, cutters and hammers.

What inspired you to start your business?: We all have the special group of years when life is incredible but storms have a way of sneaking up on us sometimes- and when they do the challenges begin. These challenges lead you down certain paths which ultimately take you on unexpected journeys.

I have always been creative and I wanted to share this passion with Casey.

Jewellery designing and creating has given Casey a new purpose and given us both the private and very personal space to explore a range of ideas close to our hearts.

How long have you been creating?: We have been creating jewellery for almost three years now.

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: We started out designing pieces as a hobby, creating something special for ourselves, family and friends. Little did we know we would end up where we are today- starting our very own business. 

Where do you sell your creations?: Until recently we were selling our Jewellery Collection in a lovely local boutique shop. While our website is currently under construction we are selling our Collection on our Facebook page and of course we are very excited to add The Handmade Expo Sunshine Coast as the beginning of another creative adventure.

What makes you so special or different?: We don’t consider ourselves special but like to think that our jewellery is unique and different from other talented creatives/ artisans.

"What makes you different, makes you Beautiful!"

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: A smiling face says it all!! Hearing the beautiful compliments from customers and knowing that they truly love and appreciate the quality and uniqueness of our pieces.

On a personal note: seeing the joy and excitement Casey experiences when any of our pieces are sold (happy dance). She has endured many challenges in her young life but is ever so positive and always with a smile on her face.

What is your favourite product to make?: We create many pieces in our Collection so this is a tough one. We couldn’t choose just one.

Do you teach classes or workshops?: No, not at the moment.