Creator Profile: Epheriell & *bespoke*

Tell us about yourself!

I'm a 30-year-old full-time crafty lady from outside of Brisbane.  A few years back, I went from not even being able to knit in a straight line to being an obsessive crafter.  I went on a bit of a crafty odyssey till I found my craft of choice - silversmithing!

From there, a whole new world opened up for me, and I dove into the craft community.  I'm still here, and now my creations are my full-time business. When I'm not reading a novel on my kindle, that is.

My partner-in-crime is my awesome husband, Nick, who runs the household and helps me run the business, too!

 

What do you create?

I have two main businesses - my eco-friendly jewellery range, Epheriell, and my crafty zine, *bespoke*!

Epheriell is my first love and main business, and *bespoke* came along a little later. *bespoke* is a print and digital zine that comes out quarterly, and it's filled with interviews, stories, tutorials and more aimed at the creative and crafty community in Australia.

I also have a full-time daily lifestyle blog - Epheriell Designs - where I blog about craft, creativity, life and business.

 

 

Are your products vegan friendly?

Well, all of the silver I use for my Epheriell designs is 100% recycled. That is - it's harvested from old photos, industrial processes, etc, then re-refined. No newly mined metal is included. So, not specifically vegan, but certainly earth-conscious!

 

 

How long have you been making things?

I think I enjoyed making stuff as a little kid, but that kinda disappeared as I got older. I have a hideous unfinished scarf I tried to knit in my early 20s, but I think the first thing I actually finished was another scarf, once the crafting bug hit me in my late 20s. I wish I could remember which one it was now!
 

Where do you get your inspiration?

Oh, I never know how to answer this question! I'm so immersed in the creative world these days, inspiration hits me from all angles. For my jewellery designs, sometimes I'll just get a bolt out of the blue... a 'what if I tried this...' sort of idea. Sometimes I'll see a shape that sparks off an idea, or just sit down with my sketchpad and doodle till I come across a design I like.

 

 

How can people contact you?

Blog - EpheriellDesigns.com

Shop - Epheriell.com

*bespoke* zine - bespokezine.com

Twitter - twitter.com/jessvanden

Facebook - facebook.com/epheriell

Creator Profile: Cubies

My latest blog interview is with the lovely vegan behind the adorable Cubies!  I found them on facebook (somehow) and they were so cute that I just had to tell you all about them!  Then it turned out that Megan is also rad!  Read on to find out about this awesome person and their creations.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Megan, I like to sew. I'm the crafter behind Cubies. I'm vegan and I am dedicated to helping animals any way I can. I am a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse, working in a Vet Clinic by day and crafting by night. I am a bit of a nanna, I like to stay home and craft instead of going out and doing young people things. I have three fur babies; a diabetic Silky Terrier named Sam and two cats Baxter and Bruce.

What do you create?

I make Cubies. Which are cube shaped plush toys! I also make cushions and I am in the process of developing a new line.

Are your products vegan friendly?

Absolutely. Being vegan myself, I make sure to source only vegan materials.

How long have you been making things?  What was the first thing you made?

I have been making things since I could hold a crayon. I initially spent all my time drawing as a kid. Then when I was given a very old sewing machine that belonged to my grandma I began sewing. I made clothes for my dolls, plush toys and all sorts of fabric goodies. Then into my teens I flittered between drawing and sewing. Drawing will always be important to me but lately I am just crafting as I do not have a lot of time to draw. I don't have a photo of the first thing I made but I do have a photo of the plush that Cubies originated from. It was a flying tofu cube with wings. Then after that I made the first ever Cubie who was pink and had a bandaid on her head.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from a whole host of places. My fur babies, animals at work, horror movies, friends, family, my surroundings and other plush artists. I try to always carry paper and a pen with me because you never know when inspiration will strike. I have a lot of little scraps of paper with sketches on them all around my sewing room.

How can people contact you?

My email: m.wilding@live.com.au
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cubies/127931663658
I also try to frequent the Unwrapped Markets as often as possible. They work tirelessly to help creative people get their businesses off the ground. They run these markets a few times a year.

Creator: Josh Rufford & Ruffbat Creative

I've always loved checking out the art by Josh and the items for sale at Ruffbat Creative.  Now I have finally been able to interview Josh.  Do yourself a favour and check out his stuff!

Tell us about yourself

Hello I am Josh Rufford. I like to make things. I enjoy using paints and pens and drawing on stuff. I also like lots of coffee and lots of beer. I made a website: Ruffoart.com.

What do you create?

I make drawings, doodlings, sketches, little animations, sculptures, sandwiches, illustrations, stickers and paintings and etc. I'm also one half of the creative collaboration me and my fiance like to call 'Ruffbat Creative'. And as 'Ruffbat Creative' we make all sorts of badges, earrings, artworks, gift cards and bookends. 

Are your products vegan friendly?

I guess if vegans don't mind getting a few splinters from the recycled timber we use they - could chew on our bookends? Um, actually I think most of the arts and crafts I do would be vegan friendly, I really like to try and use recycled materials whenever I can and don't use any animal products that I know of.

How long have you been making things?  What was the first thing you made?
Ever since I could hold a pencil or crayon I've been hooked on drawing and my Mum always says she had to limit the amount of crap I would bring home from kindergarten after we'd spent the day making things from tissue boxes and toilet rolls. Here a recreation of the kind of stuff I reckon I would made:

Where do you get your inspiration?

Coffee and beer. And stupid videos on YouTube.
 

How can people contact you?

Find me here: Ruffoart.com
or here: RuffoArt on Facebook
or here: Ruffbat Creative on Facebook

Creator Profile - Sailor Mouth Soaps

I recently got to interview the awesome brains behind the all-vegan and all-awesome Sailor Mouth Soaps.   I absolutely love her creative, colourful and sometimes creepy soaps.  Read on to learn more about this amazing person!
 

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Aliya and I'm the woman behind Sailor Mouth Soaps. I live in Brisbane with my fiance, our two dogs, Herman the Pug and Gomez, our rescued mystery dog. I also foster dogs through Animal Rescue QLD and help find them a forever home. I'm a huge Sci-Fi nut, in fact, I have Doctor Who apron that I wear whenever I'm in the soap kitchen! I love to read, go on long nature walks and listen to music while I work. I'm also a huge fan of tv shows like The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Torchwood and other mystery/funny shows.

What do you create?

Soap is my favorite medium. I've dabbled in all sorts of crafts and really enjoyed them but nothing makes me spring out of bed like soap does. If you had have told me 10 years ago that I'd end up being a soap maker, I would have laughed! It sounds so random but it's the most fulfilling thing I've ever done. I love the artistic outlet and practical nature of soap. Having special little soapy treats around the house makes me smile. I'm a big clean freak so making and using soap suits me perfectly.

How long have you been making things?

I've been making soap for over 2 years now but my journey into naturally based skin care started when I was much younger. I used to make my own scrubs, shampoos, cleaners and toners straight from old fashioned recipes and marveled at how many modern skin care treatments were based on ancient wisdom. I've have a deep appreciation for nature and when I found an artistic way to make soap, I jumped at the chance! The first soap I ever made was fairly ugly, it had Calendula petals which are brilliant for your skin but boy, it was an ugly duckling. I don't have any photos of that *cough*.
 

Where do you get your inspiration?

Absolutely everywhere. It can come from music, books, quotes, food, nature, design and fragrances. I've based entire soaps around childhood memories and the scent of wild untamed places.
 

How can people contact you?

You can find me at:

http://www.sailormouthsoaps.com 

www.facebook.com/sailormouthsoaps

www.etsy.com/shop/sailormouthsoaps 

www.madeit.com.au/sailormouthsoaps
www.twitter.com/Sailormouthsoap
www.sailormouthsoaps.blogspot.com

Creator Profile: Bakker Beyond

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Katie Aakala Bakker.  I'm 35, divorced and a mother of three.  My middle name Aakala is an indigenous word for parrot, I love birds!  I have 3 pink and grey galahs, an alexandrian parrot, a sun conure parrot, an australian ringneck parrot, lots of budgies and 2 weiros. They are my babies!
 

I live in the Chittering Valley in Western Australia on 10 acres, surrounded by bushland and native animals, no neighbours, no traffic, no rush!
 

What do you create?

I create fantasy, fey, realistic and strange creatures and sculptures, wearable art, and functional pieces using polymer clay.
 

How long have you been making things?  What was the first thing you made?

Below is a photo of the first little Fairies I made.  They are air dry clay, which I don't like to use! It's very brittle and I am way too impatient to wait for it to dry. I moved onto polymer clay after these.

I started using polymer clay in February of 2011 and I started the facebook page in April or May 2011, when my Mum and my daughter thought I should try to sell what I was making.  It took off big time! I had so many orders and still do!

"Forest Floor"

  
The page continues to grow, the orders continue to keep coming in, but I have had to start refusing them. I really need time to continue gaining experience and creating whats in my imagination.  I am an artist first and a business woman second. I want to continue to love what I am doing for a very long time :).

Where do you get your inspiration?

I love to create!  This has been my year of knowing I can express myself through my arts and crafts.  I use mostly polymer clay, wire and beading in my work.  I am still very new to this and have a lot to learn.  I create the things I like in my life; animals, nature, myth and fae.  I love colour and love to use it!  This started for me as an escape from my anxiety and depression; art therapy.  I'm not cured but much happier, more centred and balanced.

How can people contact you?

I have a page on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/BakkerBeyond

Creator Profile - [Em]etic

The brains behind the amazing paintings and drawings at [Em]etic got in touch with me a little while ago and answered some questions.  I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you all about this amazing talent!

Tell us about yourself?

My name is Emma. Or Em. I paint and draw under the name [Em]etic. An emetic is a drug that induces vomiting... :P I have a fascination with the bizarre. I dream a lot. I like to tell things how they are. Or how I think they are :P Everyone shits and everyone has picked their nose at least once. So nobody is too classy for anyone else. I like to paint the world how I see and imagine it. I think a lot of people can relate to snot and vomit. Everyone’s been there, whether they’ll admit it or not. I take the piss a lot. People seem to like that. 

What do you create? 

I paint skateboards, paintings on canvas and wood, design t-shirts and other bits and pieces. I would love to be a tattoo artist. So one day I may be inking some bodies as well. :)

How long have you been making things?  What was the first thing you made?

 

I have been creating since I was old enough to hold a pencil. As cliché as that sounds, I’ve been interested in art from a young age. The first thing I remember making is a cotton ball stuffed monster in Kindergarten. I remember the teacher putting a blob of paint onto each of our desks and we finger painted patterns into it before pressing our monster pictures down on top to be printed with our designs. I love that about art. Making a mess with paint is so fun. :)

Where do you get your inspiration?

 
Life. This question is so difficult to answer in any less than a million words. Everything inspires me. Mostly quotes and phrases, books and films and my life experiences. People I have met and people I see on the TV. Things I want to say or things I have dreamt or think about. It’s endless.

How can people contact you?

 
My facebook page is where most of the action is.

www.facebook.com/emetic.art

Or drop me an email – emetic_@live.com.au

I have a website in progress, hopefully that will be up and running very soon!

Creator Profile - Catamation

I recently got to interview the amazing Catamation.  I had previously seen her beautiful items in Bleeding Heart Gallery and met her at the Marky Markets.  I'm currently bidding on these cute beetles for the Online Auction to Help Brisbane Valley Cat Rescue.  Scroll down to learn more!

Tell us about yourself!

I’m an animator, illustrator, printmaker and artist. I need to keep the analogue/digital balance so I spend as many hours making kooky origami and in the print studio as I do sitting in front of my computer animating. I like cats and words that end in ‘ation’ (illustration, animation, contemplation, procrastination ...) hence the name of my business ‘catamation’. I also fill in the time waiting for renders to process by knitting, spinning and crocheting, and had my first sewing machine when I was 4 years old.

What do you create?

I go through phases – at the moment I’m doing a lot of origami and origami collages as I don’t get into the printmaking studio as often as I’d like to. Previously I did a lot of beaded work, photography, carved leather work and couture sewing.

How long have you been making things?

I’ve been making things since I was very little. I was probably scheming to make things when I was in my mother’s belly. When I was a kid I used to make clothes out of large rolls of newsprint, colour them in with my crayons and then staple my younger sister into them. I also used to steal food dye from the pantry and use it to colour in my drawings. Strange as it may seem, those drawings/paintings haven’t faded a touch in many years. Goodness knows what food dye does to your insides!

Where do you get your inspiration?

I like the macro world – plants, flowers, insects, beetles, moths, dragonflies. I moved up from Victoria to Brisbane because the beetles up here are huge and I like to be warm. Also fascinated by anatomy (human, animal and insect) and mechanics (probably why I’m good at rigging characters). I like to study and sketch my pets in motion – two black cats and a rhino beetle called Cleo. And being an old school geeky goth, I’m really getting into steampunk over the last few years.

How can people contact you?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Catamation/161122813924643 : my blog where you can keep up to date as to what exhibitions, markets and projects I’m currently working on

http://www.catamation.etsy.com : where I sell my prints and origami creations

Creator Profile - Little Lala's Jewellery

Finally I got to interview my new market buddy Ella from Little Lala's Jewellery!  She's a very creative and talented person, not to mention just fun to chat with.  Read on and learn a bit more about the person behind the brand!

Tell us about yourself

Hahoyhoyhoy!  My name is Ella (Ell-a, L-A, LA) and I call my little project Little Lala's Jewellery on account of I'm short, I like to say my name, and I like to make jewellery. I'm a Brisbane girl that was brought up around the Mullumbimby/Byron Bay area. I made my way to Brisbane to study two and a half years ago and between doing that I work a few days a week at an art shop in the city called Eckersley's.

I spent those last two and bit years studying Industrial Design at QUT just to learn how much I dislike mass produced items. I'm on a little bit of a mission now to hand make everything I can, and to share a few things along the way as I go. I’ve started out making rockabilly/psychobilly jewellery, because that’s the style that interests me the most. I like to draw pictures, render them on the computer or with paints, print them, cut them, cook them, coat them, and glue them together in all sorts of arrangements to make necklaces, earrings, brooches, bracelets and hair accessories. 

Jewellery is about as far as I've gotten for sharing handmade things, but here's a few things we make ourselves around the home:

*Dresses, tops and underwear (I'm not good at this, but am getting better with practice and online tutorials)

*Olive oil cold pressed soaps (these moisturize the skin and are good enough to wash your hair with!)

*Mineral eyeshadows (no animal products and not tested on animals)

*Beeswax lip balms (I used to use pawpaw, but since I emptied my container last I re-filled it with strawberry kiwi beeswax lip balm, yum!)

*Laundry powder (we reuse the same container filling it with a combination of grated ingredients to make VERY CHEAP laundry powder. It works fine enough, whites just need to be soaked ever month or so), *Aquaponics (this is fairly new and mostly done by my partner. In less than a year we should be eating some nice big fat fish with freshly picked salad!).

 

What do you create?
 
Hand made plasticy-resined jewellery with my own images.

How long have you been making things?

I've been making things for as long as I can remember. My dad's a painter (William Mobbs) and my mummy was trained as florist (but now works as a seamstress for Wicked Weasel, hehe) so I was always encouraged to be creative and especially to make my own things where it meant I didn't have to buy something instead. This meant that we could use our monies to go on an amazing holiday each year :)

Where do you get your inspiration?

Tattoo magazines, iron fist (love!), alternative clothing, people and every now and then I pick up something awesome from one of these real trashy hollywood magazines. My boss ALLLLLLWAYS buys them!
 

How can people contact you?

www.facebook.com/lalajewellery
lalajewellery@hotmail.com
http://lalajewellery.tumblr.com/ (I'm pretty bad with updating this one!)
http://www.redbubble.com/people/ellamobbs/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LalaJewellery

Or at markets (I post on my facebook page the ones I'll be at) or at Eckersley's :)

Creator Profile - BabyButton

I've been a bit slack with my crafter profiles and I am so sorry guys!  Uni just took over my life for a bit there!  This time I got to talk to Janell from BabyButton :).

Tell us about yourself

My name is Janell and I am a mother to my daughter Addison age 15 months. I am originally from California, USA and have been in Australia for almost 4 years now. I came over for school (I now have my degree in Psychology) and met my husband and had our daughter and this last November got married! I spend a lot of my spare time sewing and find that it is my hobby and relax time. My husband is always amazed at the level of patience I have when it comes to sewing!  

What do you create?

I mainly create baby/young kids items. I started the line by making breastfeeding covers and then I decided to continue expanding my line to include tag blankets (which are great quiet blankets that have ribbons around the whole thing for the bubs to suck on and play with) and dummy clips to save dummies from hitting the floor and even shorts and pants for older kids!

 

How long have you been making things?

I have been making things since I was a little kid. I remember being willing to make a small craft and try and sell it to the same sweet neighbours who were always willing to buy! I started seriously sewing in 2010 when my daughter was born and I didn't want to pay so much for all the cool baby items available out there. So I started to sew them  myself.

What was the first thing you made?

I started out making breastfeeding covers because I was not always comfortable feeding in public places. I thought I could help other mums who wanted to go out for a coffee with the girls, be comfortable feeding infront of others or even stop the distracted baby from looking around by making them. I have now made well over 300 breastfeeding covers for numerous women! :)

Where do you get your inspiration?

My daughter is my inspiration. I see so many great products out there that are overpriced and I just think to myself that she can have all the same things that are in the stores only mummy will make them. I enjoy being creative and seeing the end results makes me want to do it all over again.

How can people contact you?

I can be contacted through my website, facebook, in markets (Fairy Floss Bulleen) or a simple email.

Website: www.babybutton.com.au
Facebook: www.fb.me/babybutton.com.au
Email: info@babybutton.com.au

Creator Profile - Manx Minx

This month's first crafter profile is about the lady behind the wonderful creations of Manx Minx.  Read on to learn more about this talented eco-conscious lady!

Tell us a little about yourself
 

Manx Minx is art & craft created from salvaged textiles.  I first started the Manx Minx workshop in 2002 with the creation of the ‘Prehistoric Fish’ toy, quickly followed by the ‘Auntie’ handbag range.  Over the years I’ve created a kaleidoscopic range of toys & handbags that are eco-designed as much of the fabric used has been salvaged from showroom upholstery sample books, remnants, & discontinued end-of-line fabrics.  I’m not just interested in the shape, colour & texture of producing a unique product, but also the environment after generations of a throwaway mass-production based culture.  As I’ve always worked full or part-time, it meant working part time on my craft but now I’m a WAHP I’m trying to dedicate more time to creating.  However my 1yr old Heath keeps me busy!

What do you create?
 

There’s a few things I dabble in:

Handmade Toys:  individually crafted toys made from salvaged upholstery samples. 

Bags & accessories:  inspired by naive romanticism early 20^th century style, with a bohemian twist.  Sewn from salvaged upholstery material & new trims, each one is different from the next. 

Jewellery:  designs incorporate stones & crystals, salvaged Perspex, & found objects.

Previous stock lines have included boutique cushions and clothing.  These items were sold on consignment at various shops and also market stalls at 4ZZZ Market Days, Adventjah festivals, and market locations around Brisbane .

How long have you been making things?
 

I’ve been making things for as long as I can remember.  

Originally I started as an exhibiting artist, having studied Visual Arts at QUT.  I worked mainly with stocking material, wire & hard plastic,  & exhibited at places like Soapbox, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Source 22, & various nightclub events in the Valley.  

My work took a turn when I was employed at Reverse Garbage as part of the CJP initiative.  I was one a few artists employed to make items from salvaged materials to sell in the (then new) gift shop.  Previously I hadn’t experimented with upholstery material having worked predominantly in weaving, dying fabrics, welding, ceramics, the usual dressmaker fabrics, & even leather/sheepskin off cuts.

One of the strangest things I’ve made was for one of my chickens:  Szechuan Chicken was her name & she always used to lose all her feathers in the middle of winter, so we’d have this scrawny, poor little shivering chicken running around our yard.  So I got some polar fleece & fashioned a chicken poncho for her to wear.  She lived til about 8 yrs old (that’s ancient for a chicken) so it must’ve helped!

Where do you get your inspiration? 

From the fabric textures and colours.  The impetus is consistent: a love of pattern, colour and texture to form quirky characters that talk through shape and form.   I try to utilise as much reclaimed and salvaged material in my products, as one thing we don’t need is more land fill!  I’m very environmentally conscious & try to do what little I can: whether it be the materials I use; supporting local businesses and artists; utilising eco-friendly products in the renovations of my house; the choices of my diet (I’ve been vegetarian since ’93); and the native plants in my yard grown to attract and feed birds.

How can people contact you?

People can find Manx Minx online at etsy and made it.  Every now and then I’m at various markets around Brisbane, stay updated via my facebook page and blog.

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/manxminx

Madeit:  www.madeit.com.au/manxminx

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ManxMinx.designartcraft

Blog:  http//:manxminxdesignz.blogspot.com/

Creator Profile - Hungry Designs

I recently got to interview the brains behind the beautiful creations at Hungry Designs.  I somehow found her on Facebook a few months ago and I've been envying her talent.  After seeing her items for sale at the Bleeding Heart Gallery Gift Shop, I just had to get in contact with her.  Read ahead to learn more about this talented artist and don't forget to check out her Facebook page :).

 Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Amanda Whitelaw and I own and run Hungry Designs, a small business that specialises in drawing, designing and creating wearable art.  I have a full time job working in Brisbane but actually live on the Gold Coast.  I'm 25 (soon to be 26) and live in a lovely home with my partner, Colin, and our 2 guinea pigs, Bud Lucky and Champ Kind.  I'm a BIG comic book collector and have a huge collection.  I'm a self confessed geek and a gamer and I LOVE to bake!

Button Shortbread

What do you create?

I make and sell wearable art.  I hand draw illustrations that I then digitally colour.  From there I then laser cut them from wood or cut them from plastic.

Derby Necklace

How long have you been making things?

I recently moved back to Australia after studying Illustration & Printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Scotland.  Originally I started Hungry Designs in Scotland but since moving back here it was really like starting again and it's a completely different beast.  Making wearable art and accessories is completely new since moving back to Australia.  
s

Day of the Dead Interchangeable Lockets

What was the first thing you made?

The first design that I ever had from the wearable art range was my Zombie Girl.  Although she's not for everyone and is a little grim, the response to her was wonderful and that sparked the new look for Hungry Designs.  The biggest seller for Hungry Designs was the A Little Rain - Red brooch.  She was drawn on a whim and I didn't particularly like her.  She's still a favourite with my customers. 

A Little Rain - Green

Where do you get your inspiration?

Because I'm such a massive comic book collector, a lot of my inspiration comes from the comic books I read.  I am also hugely inspired by fairy tales, whimsy and romantic sentiments and my family and friends.  

Pirate Illustration

How can people contact you? 

I attend a lot of markets every month.  The regular events I attend are:

The Village Markets - 1st Sunday of the Month

The Marky Markets - 3rd Sunday of the Month

The Sun State Roller Girls Bouts - Seasonal (roughly every 6 weeks)

The BrisStyle Twilight Markets - Seasonally on a Friday evening.

The BrisStyle Indie Designers Markets - Seasonally on a Saturday 

Website:  www.hungrydesigns.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/hungrydesigns

Blog:  blog.hungrydesigns.com

Email:  amanda.whitelaw@me.com