IPSWICH STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR SUZARTZ

Stallholder Profile for Suzartz

• Your name: Sue Kirk

• Your Business name and Facebook name and link:   Business name SUZARTZ          Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suzartzcomau-123781814393948/ 

• The suburb/town you live in now:   Greenbank

• What is it that you make and what skills do you use?  I like to paint quirky unique artwork and then turn it into merchandise like card, calendars, cushions and bags.

• What inspired you to start your business?  My love of painting and sewing.

• How long have you been ‘creating’?  I have been paint most of my life but only started my own business a couple of years ago.

• Is it a full time/ part time/hobby or business?     It’s a part-time business.

• Where do you sell your creations and what makes what you do special or different?   I sell online via my own website and at local markets.  I believe using my own artwork to create my merchandise makes my work very unique.

• What is the most rewarding part of what you do?  I enjoy everything,  the planning, the painting, the creating and the selling.  I particularly love to make people smile.

• What is your favourite product that you make?  I love them all but if I had to choose one I think it would be my bags.

• Do you teach classes or workshops?  I am self taught so have never attempted to give lessons.

AIRLIE BEACH STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR ECLECTIC CREATIVE DESIGNS

Stallholder Profile for Eclectic Creative Designs

Your name: Ashleigh Adamson

Your business name and Facebook/website name and link: Eclectic Creative Designs

Facebook link - www.facebook.com/eclectic.creative.designs/

Instagram link - www.instagram.com/eclectic.creative.designs

The suburb/town you live in now: East Mackay

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I create original and commissioned abstract Resin & Mixed Media artworks and home décor pieces from my studio in Mackay. There are many skills involved with this medium, a lot which I can not go into - if I gave away my secrets I wouldn’t be unique!  All the colours I use are mixed to your desire, some pieces are single layered and some multi-layered, but each piece takes a substantial amount of time to create.

What inspired you to start your business?: After becoming a Graphic Designer, and struggling with a few things in my life, my creativity stopped and I began resenting my job. I came across the medium but never thought I would have the skill or creativity to be able to try it myself.

A couple of years later I lost someone very close to me from suicide and I had so many mixed emotions that I didn't know how to overcome. I also had the realisation that life is too short to hold yourself back and that you can be your own worst enemy, so I decided I was going to try it.

I created my first artwork called "Peace" which is dedicated to the person I lost and a reflection of the emotions I encountered with their loss. It is one that I will always hold close to my heart.

My mission is to make people understand that it's ok to be yourself, that you're not going to be coping or ok 100% of the time, as all lives have great times and tough times, and no matter how alone you may feel there is always some form of beauty within it, you just have to look at it. This is why I create, I take inspiration from all parts of my life and nature and I create something beautiful for this exact reason.

Creating is my sanity and my business just evolved because of it.

How long have you been creating?: I have had my business for just over a year but was creating with this medium for a year or so before I started my business. 

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: I create in my spare time as I unfortunately work full time. I aspire to be doing this full time soon.

Where do you sell your creations?: I sell my pieces on Facebook, Instagram, The Handmade Expo and hope to be at a couple other markets this year.

What makes you so special or different?: All Artwork is handcrafted one off pieces, each piece personally designed and unique, adding functional abstract art with sophistication and uniqueness to your very own home. All my artwork is influenced by all things in life, especially nature, and I strive to share the beauty I see in these gifts through my artwork. Due to the nature of Resin I am able to capture all the complex details that life and nature bring, and combine them in my artworks. They are a way to express where all my inspiration has come from, and for me inspiration occurs at any moment in time and can spark all types of emotions.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: The reaction & emotion when someone sees the work I have created for the first time in person!

What is your favourite product to make?: I love to create large wall pieces as they allow much more freedom, but enjoy making all my products. 

Do you teach classes or workshops?: Not at this stage, but it is something I would love to do in the near future.

HERVEY BAY STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR INKY FINGERZ

Stallholder Profile for Inky Fingerz

Your Name:  Wendy Andrew

Your Business Name: Inky Fingerz

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/WendyHasInkyFingerz/

I am in the process of setting this up

The suburb/town you live in now: Pialba/Hervey Bay

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: Handmade cards and gift tags

What inspired you to start your business?: My love of papercraft

How long have you been creating?: 20 years

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

Where do you sell your creations?: I am only just starting to sell, using facebook page and The Handmade Expo

What makes you so special or different?: I try to make my cards a bit different, I use a lot of inspirational wording rather than the standard “happy birthday” etc

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Seeing people enjoying my cards

What is your favourite product to make?: Cards, cards, cards lol

Do you teach classes or workshops?: No

STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR RESART DESIGNS

Stallholder Profile for ResArt Designs

Your name: Nina Berg 

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: ResArtDesigns 

www.facebook.com/resartdesigns 

www.resartdesigns.com​

The suburb/town you live in now: Coes Creek QLD 

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I make eco-resin jewellry and homewares. I use a bio-resin called Entropy Resin Super Sap CCF/CCR, which is a renewable plant based carbon, NOT petroleum based carbon, resin. This uses waste products from other industrial processes, and it does not compete with food sources or displace food based agriculture. 

I take the resin in its liquid state, mix, and place into ready made moulds ( with store bought or made by me) with either pigments or inclusions I collect such as dried flowers, leaves, seaweed, or foil etc.  I then sand through 4 grits of sand paper, polish and buff each piece. 

I then hand craft earring hooks for earrings or attach chain or cord to necklaces. 

What inspired you to start your business?: I’ve loved resin jewellry for many years, and when the time came for me to move on from my job of 20+ years I started ResArtDesigns! 

How long have you been creating?: All my life tinkering with something here and there, resin around 2 Years. 

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: Full time at the moment. 

Where do you sell your creations?: 

I sell online and also at markets such as Handmade Expo at the Noosa Leisure Centre 4 times a year and also Sunshine Coast Collective Markets at Coolum State primary school each 4th Sunday of the month. 

What makes you so special or different?: I use eco resin whereas a lot of other makers use petroleum based resin...I try to do my bit for the environment even though it costs a little more. I also collect my inclusions in a thoughtful way, and each piece is carefully created by hand. 

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: hearing people go ooh and ahh when they pick up an item and get a good look at the colours and shimmer, or tiny maiden hair fern and marigold petals, or bits of fine seaweed that have been painstakingly tweezered into the mould... it’s all worth it then!

What is your favourite product to make?: At the moment it’s definitely drawer pulls/knobs...they’re getting awesome feedback at the markets, are so pretty and have so much depth to them. And they bring a boring piece of furniture to life instantly! 

Do you teach classes or workshops?: I’m hoping to start workshops mid year..but at the moment our shed is not the prettiest place to work! I’m crossing my fingers for a studio workshop on our property sometime this year. Working out of my lounge room is fine for just me, but some more professional digs would be amazing. Hint hint ;)

AIRLIE BEACH STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR BEEGOOD WAX WRAPS

Stallholder Profile for BeeGood Wax Wraps

Your name: Loren Vanzella

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: BeeGood Wax Wraps  

https://www.facebook.com/BeeGoodWaxWraps/

The suburb/town you live in now: Mackay

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: BeeGood Wax Wraps are the perfect replacement for plastic, in particular, cling film. We hand make them in Mackay using only Australian beeswax, pure jojoba oil and tree resin infused into cotton fabric. Each ingredient is selected for its natural preservative qualities.

What inspired you to start your business?: I am passionate about the overuse of plastic in our everyday lives and decided to try to make a difference. 

To help our planet, our local environment and reduce waste!

How long have you been creating?: We have been creating these wraps since November 2017

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: BeeGood Wax is a part time business as with my Photography Business "Loren Jon Photographer" - I also work full time.

Where do you sell your creations?: I sell these Eco Friendly wraps all around Australia via my Facebook page shop.  My best sales to date have been at craft/artisan markets and now I'm joining The Handmade Expo in the Whitsunday region.

What makes you so special or different?: I saw this product two years ago at a market & thought "I can do that so other like minded people can help me reduce the use of plastic". I did my research in regards to the ingredients & put it all together. The Wrap, packaging & logo is my design and I only use recycled paper right down to the brown paper bags so the customer can recycle them as well.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Customers coming back time & time again & buying BeeGood Wax Wraps for family members & friends - these customers become friends & are great advertisers for our wraps.

Do you teach classes or workshops?: At the moment no - I have just a little too much on my plate, but I may consider it down the track.

HERVEY BAY STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR ON THE BEACH LITTLE TREASURES

Stallholder Profile for On The Beach Little Treasures

Your name: Bronwen Hall.

Your business name On The Beach Little Treasure’s

Facebook/website name and link: https://www.facebook.com/bronwen60/

The suburb/town you live in now: Burrum Heads Qld

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?: I do all types of sewing, which includes, microwave bowl & plate holders, Sewing Caddies, Craft & Travel Iron Caddies, Baby accessories, Coasters, Fabric Covered Books, Children’s cloth books, Play mats/Cot quilts.

What inspired you to start your business?: I just love sewing and I'm enjoying meeting my customers.

How long have you been creating?: about 6 years.

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: Part-time as I'm still working.

Where do you sell your creations?: Local markets and the Handmade Expo.

What makes you so special or different?: Some of the items I make are my designs.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?: Enjoying the smiles and lovely comments from my customers.

What is your favourite product to make?: Sewing Caddies, and Microwave accessories.

Do you teach classes or workshops?: No.

TOOWOOMBA STALLHOLDER PROFILE FOR WORDS AND FLOWERS AU

Stallholder Profile for Words and Flowers AU

Your name: Sonia Bassingthwaighte

Your Business name and Facebook name and link:

Words and Flowers AU

Facebook.com/WordsandflowersAU

The Town you live in now: On a property outside Jandowae, Queensland.

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

I make original, inspirational watercolour Art work for display in homes!

Original paintings and also prints of my work. I mainly focus on handlettered words, quotes

or verses, decorated with watercolour florals.

I also make cards and bookmarks.

I paint on watercolour paper, cardstock and canvases.

The skills I use are design/layout, illustration, brushlettering,

modern calligraphy and watercolour painting.

I would also like to start making handlettered wooden signs.

What inspired you to start your business?

Family and friends seemed to like the Art Work I was creating and so I thought

Others might like it too…..

How long have you been ‘creating’?

I started getting into the watercolour painting and lettering towards the end of 2016.

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

My Art Work is a hobby at this stage, but I have started to sell some of my work.

Where do you sell your creations? What makes you special or different?

I have an Etsy Shop http://etsy.com/WordsandflowersAU

and a Facebook Page. I have done some Art Work for friends and family.

I think my work is special because it is inspirational and encouraging!

It can also be customised and personalised.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

I find spending time painting and lettering is very peaceful and relaxing. I really enjoy doing it!

It is also exciting when other people love my work and it brings them joy!

What is your favourite product that you make?

Handlettered quotes or verses with beautiful watercolour florals in a frame ready to display.

Do you teach classes or workshops?

No, not at this stage.

FIRST BLOG FOR 2018 FOR ROCKHAMPTON STALLHOLDER GRANDPA'S TOYS

Stallholder Profile for Grandpa's Toys

Your name: David Burrage

Your business name and facebook/website name and link: Grandpas Toys

www.grandpastoys.com.au         https://www.facebook.com/grandpaswoodentoys/                 Instagram.com/grandpastoys

The suburb/town you live in now: Alton Downs (20 K north/west of Rockhampton Central Queensland)

What is it that you make and what skills do you use?:  Handmade wooden toys and toys furniture

What inspired you to start your business?:  I lost my job and being 5 years from retirement age I couldn’t obtain work

How long have you been creating?: I actually commenced building toys for my own children from 1988 however I started Grandpas Toys in 2013

Is it a full time/part time hobby or business?: It is full time all year but much busier leading up to Christmas. I am now shipping all over Australia and get a few enquiries from overseas.

Where do you sell your creations?:  Online, The Handmade Expo Market, Stocklands (popup stalls), Canelands (Popup Stalls), The Mackay Handmade and some selected Shows.

What makes you so special or different?:  I make quality wooden products to last and encourage creative play with my products. I can also personalise my trucks etc.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?:  Seeing the eyes light up when children and adults see my products.

What is your favourite product to make?: Probably the trucks and trailers as they are all different

Do you teach classes or workshops?: No I am too old and grouchy now.