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.

Restaurant - Vege Rama

After lounging around drawing on my friend while he was on the phone, then seeing him off to work, it was time for lunch.

I don't normally eat out as I'm trying to live off about $70 a week for food, transport and any other miscellaneous things that might crop up, but I had failed to pack myself a lunch so could not resist the siren call of vegan curry.

Brown rice with white chickpeas curry - $7.00 – And yes, I ate it all.

Vege Rama is located in the food court of the Myer Centre at Queen Street Mall in Brisbane. They serve all vegetarian food, with vegan and gluten free options available. There are pizzas, cakes, salads, curries and snack foods.

The staff is always friendly and you can ask them if you're not sure about the food that is available. I come here often and always love it.

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