Sunday, May 26, 2013

Meet The Maker......Viv Hayes

We really do have some VERY talented makers in our midst at Made 'n Thornbury Craft Market.

We're very lucky to be joined by artist, Viv Hayes and her beautiful watercolour paintings.

Open Door......... A Pop Up Shop by TWNH
Meet the Maker –Viv Hayes


Tell us a little about your business ?

I work from a small space at home, where I produce paintings and drawings that reflect my local urban environment, or natural scenery from Australia and New Zealand.



How long have you been in business ?

In 2011 I attended the ‘make craft your business’ course run by TWNH, and since then have participated in a number of Made ‘N’ Thornbury craft markets as well as a couple of other markets around Melbourne.

Who inspires you ?

A teacher at RMIT convinced me that watercolour is a versatile and beautiful medium gaining popularity in contemporary art.
Craft people, particularly those at the Made ‘n Thornbury market, who display a wide variety of creativity and originality, are a great source of inspiration.



How has TWNH and it’s programs, including Made ‘n Thornbury Craft Market, assisted you in your handmade business journey ?

The ‘Make craft your Business’ course was extremely enjoyable and informative, and the volunteers from TWNH work tirelessly to promote and run the Made ‘n Thornbury market.



What are you plans or dreams for your business ?
I would like to experiment and diversify with the view to exploring other methods of displaying my work to the public, however I intend to continue participating in the Made ‘n Thornbury craft market at present because I really enjoy and benefit from the feedback and encouragement I receive in this environment.

Thank you for joining us Viv.

Made n Thornbury Community Market

Meet the Maker.......Just Jacinta Designs

We're a week into our Pop Up Shop adventure 
and everyone seems to enjoying it ! 

Saturday saw lots of happy shoppers in the shop.

Brightening your world and home this Sunday is Just Jacinta Designs.

Open Door......... A Pop Up Shop by TWNH
Meet the Maker – Just Jacinta Designs


Tell us a little about your business ?

Just Jacinta designs is my little escape from the madness of the World.. I try to create something that makes people smile and brings a little happiness to their day. I'm all about doing what makes you happy; at the end of it all, that's what matters the most.

I love colour and pattern and anything with Pom poms!!! I think this is fairly obvious when you have a look at my creations!!





How long have you been in business ? 

I started JJD (Just Jacinta Designs) in 2011 when I was studying interior design - between the assignments and all the late nights I was craving something else. I made my 21st signature book for my 21st and had so many compliments and had some friends ask me to make one for their birthdays.. It sort off started that way and just grew.
I have now done 5 markets, started a Facebook page as well as a website.

Who inspires you ? 

I'm inspired everyday, I look at things in a different way - I love repurposing and giving  loved items a new lease on life (sounds corny I know!!)
Interior design and decoration still plays a huge role in my inspiration - I love designers like Trisha Guild and Laura Ashley who embrace colour and pattern.
I am constantly printing pictures, tearing out pages in magazines, collecting bits and pieces and creating something different from what I did last week.



How has TWNH and it’s programs, including Made ‘n Thornbury Craft Market, assisted you in your handmade business journey ? 


TWNH has been imperative in my craft business journey - doing the make craft your business course was the push that I needed to commit to taking my business that step further.
I have learnt so much and met some amazing women by not only through the course but the markets as well.
It's amazing what I have learnt and now have such a wealth of knowledge that I can run my own successful business on the side!!


What are you plans or dreams for your business ? 

My ultimate dream for JJD would be to have my own interior decorating and homewares shop. If I could play with colour and fabric and make cushions all day I would be one happy girl!!
In the mean time, as long as I can keep making all these wonderful things that make other people smile I will be quite content. 


Thanks for joining us Jacinta.

Made n Thornbury Community Market

Friday, May 24, 2013

Meet The Maker : Liz And Bob Designs Greeting Cards

Another fantastic day in our shop today,
is definitely inspiring some present buying from our local customers. 

And every great gift needs the perfect card. 

Thankfully we have the very creative Liz....

Open Door......... A Pop Up Shop by TWNH
Meet the Maker – Liz And Bob Designs





Tell us a little about your business ?

Lizandbobdesigns uses original digital designs with made using iPad apps.  I started making greetings cards and branched out into a few other products including prints on canvas and vinyl posters. Liz does all the work, Bob is her dog who allows his image to be used as the logo.


How long have you been in business ?

We've just had our first birthday, though it feels longer because we've come such a long way in just 12 months.

Who inspires you ?

People who have bought my cards inspire me.  The best part is knowing that hundreds of special occasions have now been marked by the giving of a Lizandbobdesigns card.


How has TWNH and it’s programs, including Made ‘n Thornbury Craft Market, assisted you in your handmade business journey ?

I wouldn't be doing this at all if it wasn't for the Make Craft Your Business Course and subsequent Made 'n Thornbury  Craft Markets. It really was a lucky day for me when I signed up for the course.


What are you plans or dreams for your business ?

To keep developing and trying new things. To keep having fun with it. To be rich and famous!

Thanks Liz (and Bob) ! 

Don't forget our Open Door....Pop Up Shop is open all weekend. 
We look forward to seeing you at 825 High Street, Thornbury over the weekend. 

Made n Thornbury Community Market

Meet the Maker : Z Twist Art

I have to tell you, it's fun having a shop ! 

Our little Pop Up Shop is a riot of colour and handmade goodness.

Some of this bright goodness is coming from the very clever hands of Z Twist Art.

Introducing the second of our Meet The Maker interviews :

Open Door......... A Pop Up Shop by TWNH

Meet the Maker –  Z Twist Art 

Tell us a little about your business ?
Z Twist is a handmade, hands on micro business. It’s all about fibre : colour and texture. I spin, dye, knit, crochet and stitch lovely little things to warm up your world.



How long have you been in business ?
It’s been about 6 years  but starting very slowly and getting more intentional about Z Twist in the past year.

Who inspires you ?
All sorts of things inspire me : people, places, but most of all the natural world around me.



How has TWNH and it’s programs, including Made ‘n Thornbury Craft Market, assisted you in your handmade business journey ?
TWNH has provided above all, a nurturing community for me as a maker. Make Craft Your Business taught many insights and skills and introduced me to a sympathetic cohort of like-minded women.


What are your plans or dreams for your business ?

I plan to keep it small and personal. Continuing to explore creative opportunities, sharing my love of textiles and teaching are priorities for me as a maker.

Thanks for joining us Z Twist Art.

Remember Open Door.....A Pop Up Shop by TWNH is only open til Sunday June 2nd.

We look forward to seeing you at 825 High Street, Thornbury. 

Made n Thornbury Community Market

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Meet the Maker : Kate Campbell Designs

Open Door......A Pop Up By TWNH
is well and truly open ! 

After a big team effort on Monday, 
our Pop Up Shop is filled with beautiful handmade wares from local makers. 


Today, I'd like to introduce you to one of our Makers.

Kate from Kate Campbell Designs is a local maker of beautiful jewellery.

Tell us a little about your business ?

I am a Melbourne based jeweller with a focus on 'Works in silver re-framing the definition of precious'.
So often I feel that our world reflects as precious values that I don’t understand or that simply don’t resonate with me. Jewellery has so many layers of meaning – wealth, style, culture, relationship and more. The idea of trying to use it to challenge ideas of precious and value really appeals to me.
I love taking everyday things and framing them in silver to redefine them in the viewers eyes, from old copper pipe to knitting and weaving – anything can become precious depending on how you look at it.
Each piece of jewellery is individually designed and crafted. The main body of each work is created using sterling silver. Many of the pieces are forged using hammer and anvil. The beauty of hand forging is that it allows each piece its own form and using ancient techniques to make contemporary jewellery is a juxtaposition that I enjoy. It also plays on my premise – allowing me to make beaten and bent metal something precipious.




How long have you been in business ?
I started in business in August 2012, right after finishing the Make Craft Your Business Course at TWNH.

Who inspires you ?
Women inspire me! Doing the MCYB course and meeting the amazing women, like Deanne Wild, Deanne Wildinvolved in the neighbourhood house and Made 'n Thornbury Craft Market who support and nurture women and their ideas has been life changing for me. It has lead to a whole new career opening up and an ability to have faith in myself and put my works out in the public eye in a way that I never had the confidence for before.



How has TWNH and it’s programs, including Made ‘n Thornbury Craft Market, assisted you in your handmade business journey ?
As I said above, I completed the MCYB course in mid 2012 and my very first commercial venture was at Made 'n Thornbury Craft Market in August 2012. The support i recieved was amazing and it has enabled me to build the confidence and faith in myself to really engage with the idea of making my hobby my career. Being able to explore the idea of starting my own business in a supportive and encouraging environment meant that i was able to move at my own pace, building confidence as i went. The continued support of TWNH and its staff has been invaluable and i really appreciate the opportunities that they have given me.


What are you plans or dreams for your business ?
I am hoping that one day my business will be able to support my family. I am looking into opening an online shop and venturing into coordinating markets to showcase handmade wares.

Thank you for joining us Kate. 

Made n Thornbury Community Market

Sunday, May 19, 2013

a 14 day long market....

Well, not quite  ! 

However, we are opening a shop ! 
For two weeks only....





Together with TWNH and 12 incredibly talented stallholders, 
Open Door.... Will open it's doors tonight, Monday 20th May. 

We are incredibly excited to bring a small slice of Made 'n Thornbury Craft Market
to bustling high street. 

There'll be jewellery, art, homewares, kids clothing and accessories 
and more.

Just Jacinta Designs, Gus&Kitty, Made by a Mungzu and madebytimpano


We'll also be running workshops and TWNH programs at the Pop Up Shop during the two weeks.
Keep an eye on our facebook page for details.

So come along to our shop !
We'll be at 825 High Street, Thornbury daily from 10 am from Monday May 20th.
Made n Thornbury Community Market

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

And just like that....

And just like that, our second market for 2013 is over ! 

Thankfully, with six markets this year, we are never too far away from our next market.

Our May 4th Market was another beautiful market.


 Full to overflowing with talented stallholders, creative children and happy shoppers.

We welcomed new stallholders :

the lovelee girls


And welcomed back some regulars : 


Liz and Bob Designs

I'm quite sure  many mums woke to lovely handmade cards and gifts bought at the market : 

Millie n Daisy

We're now looking forward to our next market, Saturday July 20th.


Thank you to everyone who came along on May 4th.
And a  big thank you to our volunteers,
especially the lovely Kates from Gus&Kitty and Kate Campbell Designs.

We look forward to seeing you in July. 

Made n Thornbury Community Market