FK chats to Annie and Shell from their lovely Mildura based shop, Fine and Sunny.

Tell us about your store Fine & Sunny and what things we can expect to discover?
To find Fine & Sunny, just follow the floral bunting, potted succulents and the aroma of coffee and sweet treats to find a little nook in the heart of Mildura, which provides a creative retreat that stimulates the senses…

What are your backgrounds and what led you to where you are today?
We are Annie and Shell, sisters from country NSW. We have both moved to Mildura at different times in our lives. Annie’s background is in hospitality and Shell in administration. We have always loved design, craft, fashion and shopping! We felt that Mildura was missing the kind of stores we love and after many discussions over magazines and cups of tea we decided to open our own store. Despite our lack of experience in retail and owning a small business we are still here and growing after 15 months.

What kind of treats and treasures can we expect to find at Fine & Sunny?
We stock an eclectic mix, focusing mainly on Australian designed and made products. We have jewellery and sandals and highly detailed maps, prints and crafty books and pretty wall decals, lamps and pillowcases and brown paper packages, tied up with string – these are a few of our favourite things! But there is heaps more that we couldn’t fit into the theme of a Sound of Music song!
We have also recently added a café corner to the shop that is perfect for having a cuppa and getting your craft on, we love seeing new friendships made after meeting at our communal table. We serve up organic fair trade coffee and Scullery Made Teas, Annie makes the home style sweet treats which must have one or more of the following ingredients to fit our requirements – butter, sugar, chocolate or condensed milk!

What do you love about running your shop?
We have met so many fantastic people in our shop, lovely customers make our day, we never tire of hearing that people love our shop as much as we do. It is fantastic to be surrounded by beautiful things and we wish we could take it all home with us, it is still so exciting to open up parcels of new stock. We have also had the opportunity of meeting and dealing with the stockists and often the designer and maker of our beautiful products.

What do you look for in the products you stock?
To start off, we have to love the product – we have had a few things in before that we haven’t loved so much and we just could not sell it! We especially love Australian designed and made goods and so do our customers. We love colour, quirky art and designs, quality workmanship, beautiful screen printed fabrics, not so perfect handmade ceramics and soaps formed by human hands.

What things can you see and do in Mildura?
You could visit The Farmers Market and see the fabulous local produce, spend a weekend on a houseboat on the Murray River and go through Lock 11, explore the Sunraysia area by air in a hot air balloon and then have a quick dip in the Wave pool. Walk around town and admire the art at The Art Vault, take a drive to Wentworth to visit Artback café and gallery and end the day with an indulgent meal at Stefano’s Cellar Restaurant.

What advice would you give to others starting out in a shop?
Know what you are getting into – you may not draw a wage for a long time or be an overnight success. You will be obsessed with your shop and unless you have staff, you won’t have much time for anything else! Go to any small business workshops that are available, you will always learn something. Be prepared for critics and learn that being called different is not a bad thing. Have a go, it’s a challenge to own your own shop but the rewards are worth it.

What were some of the highlights of 2011 and what are you looking forward to in 2012?
Our highlights in no particular order are: Celebrating Fine & Sunny’s 1st birthday, a big deal for small businesses! Growing friendships with our lovely customers and meeting so many people who visit Mildura who have discovered our shop and have since returned to see us again! Changing and growing the shop with our café corner. Hosting crochet classes for curious crafters and sharing the love of craft with others. Raising money for local charity Sunraysia Cancer Resources through World Wide Knit in Public Day. In 2012 we are looking forward to being more creative, making more stock for the shop ourselves, holding more craft classes and cooking lots of yummy treats for our café corner. We also look forward to finding more Australian designers and makers and visiting Adelaide and Melbourne for markets, such as the wonderful Finders Keepers.

All the specific details
Shop 7 141 Eighth Street
Mildura Victoria 3500
Ph. 03 5022 0007

Trading hours
Mon – Fri 9.30am – 5pm
Sat 9.30am – 3pm

www.fineandsunny.blogspot.com

FK chats to Liz Keenan from the Sydney based, contemporary Chinese art gallery, White Rabbit.

Tell us a bit about the White Rabbit.
The four-floor White Rabbit Gallery is a private museum of contemporary Chinese art near Central Station in Sydney.  It was founded to share the personal art collection of the philanthropist Judith Neilson with the Australian public; admission is free. The White Rabbit Collection includes around 700 works by more than 250 artists, so only a small part of it can be shown in the Gallery at any one time. The Gallery is completely rehung with a new exhibition twice a year (in around March and October). White Rabbit shows have attracted huge audiences and critical acclaim. Many visitors return often and bring friends and relatives. White Rabbit has become a Sydney landmark.

When did you open the doors and what was the motivation?
The White Rabbit Gallery opened in August 2009. Judith Neilson had visited China and been smitten with the creativity, energy and technical skills of its contemporary artists. She wanted to collect the best Chinese contemporary art of this new century and share it with other Australians. The Gallery’s guiding philosophy is that art is for everyone. Our visitors include parents and children, school students, artists, movie stars, other gallery owners from Australia and overseas, tourists, diplomats, and people who have never been to an art gallery before.

What can we expect to see at White Rabbit?
The White Rabbit Collection includes paintings and drawings, sculptures, installations, animation, video art and some wild and crazy pieces that defy categorization. Every show is completely different. In keeping with our Art-for-All philosophy, we have some of the best Gallery attendants in Australia: well informed, enthusiastic, and happy to chat with visitors about the works or stand back and let them contemplate. We also conduct twice-daily tours of the Gallery and special tours for groups ranging from students to senior citizens. Our shop has a large and constantly changing selection of homewares, toys, books, and trinkets, so it’s a great place to find unusual gifts. We also sell a selection of fine Chinese teas, as well as glass and porcelain tea sets.

What makes your space unique?
White Rabbit’s four-level building is beautifully designed. The spacious, well-lit floors make it a refreshing place to visit, calm and stimulating at the same time. The Gallery has a theatre, where we show animated and video works and where our Film Club meets to view Chinese movies once a month; and a library which is open by appointment and where our Book Club meets. The Tea House serves a range of Chinese teas as well as wine and beer and the most delicious dumplings in Sydney handmade to the private recipe of a local Chinese family.

When you are not in your gallery, what are you usually doing in Sydney?
We enjoy swimming at Bronte Beach, gardening, and visiting other galleries. We have two lively dogs who love a frolic in Centennial Park.

What are some of your other favourite galleries in Sydney?
The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Roslyn Oxley Gallery, Gallery 4A.

What challenges have you faced running and setting up your own business?
Converting a former factory to an art gallery was a challenge in itself, and conceiving and hanging each exhibition is also challenging, as well as exciting. We are constantly growing and learning. The White Rabbit has come a long way from what we originally envisioned, and it continues to grow and develop.

What future projects are you working on, and what aspirations do you have for the White Rabbit?
We have a great regular music night on Thursdays, with all sorts of acts, from electronic music to blues guitar. Our ukulele nights are a real hoot and a raging success: at our most recent one, 30 ukulele players performed for more than 600 people of all ages. We are always working on our next show, and Judith Neilson travels to China regularly to scour galleries and artists‚ studios for the most interesting and exciting works to bring back and share. Basically, we want to get the word out as widely as we can that the Gallery is here to be enjoyed by everyone.

All the specific details:
30 Balfour Street
Chippendale NSW 2008
Phone: (02) 8399 2867

Trading Hours:
Open Thursday to Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm
Open till 8 pm Thursday nights

Closed February 13 to March 8 inclusive.
New show opens March 9

www.whiterabbitcollection.org

Indie from Monolog shares her top 6 indie picks:
1. Red Love Heart Hot Water Bottle by The Propery
2. Black and White Gem Ring by Golden Ink
3. LoveSick (Letterpress card) by Malade Pathetics & The Hungry Workshop
4. Acid Tender scarf by Kish & Evie
5. Sequins and Sequence by Kat Macleod at Perimeter Books
6. Dish and Spoon brooches by So Little Time Co.

Rachel Wightman from not Tuesday shares her top 6 indie picks:

1. The Couple print by Ashley G and Drew
2. Screen printed tea towel by The Romanticals
3. Hair arrows by Little Teeth Marks
4. Lets Fall in Love pencils by the Carbon Crusader
5. Handmade fabric dolls by Timo Handmade
6. Clay hug and kiss balls by 645 Workshop

Beth Emily shares her top 6 indie picks:

1. Brighten Your Night with My Day by Little Circus Design
2. Bam Bnn Wall by Upon a Fold
3. Woollen Knit Cactus by Odds & Ends
4. Candy Hearts by Sweet Style
5. Samual Felt Button brooch by Whiskers Lane
6. Love You Letterpress Card by Parrott Design Studios

Leah Bartholomew from Beneath the Sun shares her top 6 indie picks:

1. Enamoured Pencil Set by Mr Kitly
2. Sorbet Hankey Blankey by Made By Mosey
3. Dreams Tote by Fieldguided
4. Handmade Arrow by Fredericks and Mae
5. Fasett Flower Vessel by Stampel
6. Moon and Stars Watermelon seeds by The Diggers Club Seeds

FK chats with Scarlet English  – one half of Sydney based duo Two in the Nest.

Tell us about Two in the Nest and your first collection?

Two in the Nest are two sisters with a passion for print – Scarlet English and Amalia Pearl. We design and hand print curious and whimsical fabrics together, on our 5 metre yardage table. Officially, we launched our label in December 2011, at the Finders Keepers market in Sydney, as wearable art in the form of fashion accessories. Since then we’ve had many requests for the fabric itself and are now focusing on specialising in yardage. Our debut collection, ‘The British Connection’ unites three different ranges: ‘By Decree’ – the tragic beauty of a crumbling empire, ‘Punctuation’ – film noir meets type and ‘Trans-atlantic’ – a return to the age of romance, the great voyage, adventure and reverie.

What are your backgrounds and how did you get started?
We grew up together as two peas in a pod, spending most of our lives living in the Inner West of Sydney. Amalia’s background is in costume and millinery and mine is in interiors. We’re always on the look-out for interesting, unusual prints but can’t always find what we’re looking for. Or when we do find what we’re looking for it’s the type of fabric that won’t cross over between fashion and interiors or is just too expensive. So we decided to study screen printing together and were amazed by what a beautiful, yet incredibly finicky medium it is – so many variables! Of course we had to be ridiculous enough to fixate on printing fabric yardage (as novices), which is a huge undertaking and offers even more variables. One thing it does mean is that Amalia and I cannot print one without the other – just how we like it. Over the last year we have been building our yardage table and workshop, perfecting our technique, studying pattern repeat, building our website and developing our label. It’s been an exciting but crazy year and sometimes I wonder if I could possibly fit any more information in my head…

Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?
We’re both interested in the history of fashion and architecture, hand-made craft, attention to detail, romanticism and things that are a little off-beat. But the inspiration for our designs tends to come from the conversations we have. We seem to be more verbal than visual when designing, creating fictitious stories based on fact, talking them through and using small sketches to illustrate our points. For example, the idea for our entire debut collection came from a conversation we had whilst walking home from screen printing one evening. We were discussing directional print and thought, ‘How much fun would it be to have a literal directional print of arrows all over some fabric and you could emphasise a point depending on which way you use the fabric?’ From this little chat we went and researched different types of arrows and happened upon the ‘broad arrow’, historically used by the British Empire to mark their property – inanimate or otherwise. We updated the design and named it, ‘Property of the Queen’.  From this little arrow, and a lot of lateral thinking and research came the whole debut collection ie.  – British Empire – English Language – New World Trans-atlantic crossing between Britain and America.

What do you love doing in and around Sydney?

Amalia and I love going for walks around the Inner West, chirping away, patting cats (especially their fluffy tummies) and picking up bits and bobs on the way. We also just started swing dance lessons, so are hoping to make some lovely dresses for that soon. Hmmm… what else? We like picnics at the Botanical Gardens, eating out in Newtown and hanging out at Carriageworks. But mostly we just love to get together and print.

Where would you like to see Two in the Nest in the future, and what aspirations do you have for the label?
In the future we would love to be working on Two in the Nest full-time, opening up the textiles market place in Sydney and catering to both fashion and interiors. It would also be lovely to develop an online sewing community through our website where people could share their interests and projects.

What can we look forward to seeing from Two in the Nest this year?
We’re pretty excited (and nervous) as shortly we will be opening our own online fabric store at www.twointhenest.net. The store will offer our current collection of designs with the versatility to be used for fashion, craft and mid-weight interior creations. The designs will be made to order and allow people to choose their own base colour. In the meantime you can find our prints in the form of fashion accessories at www.youngrepublic.com.au/twointhenest. Also, we are already chirping about our next collection and maybe a fabric party? Ooh yes, that would be sew glorious! Ha ha…sorry, couldn’t help myself!

www.twointhenest.net

FK chats to Molly about all things vintage, and her clothing and accessories label Molly-Made, with Love.

Tell us about your lovely fashion & accessories label.
Molly-Made, with love is me! It’s what I love, make, create and sew. Molly-Made is feminine, fun and flirty, and a nod to all things vintage. I want it to encapsulate the fun feeling of youth, the bright and buoyant colors of the 60’s, the femininity of the 50’s and the classic silhouettes and classiness of the 40’s & 30’s. It’s the thing that every girl needs in their wardrobe.

What is your background and how did you get started?
It all started with my blog (molly-made.blogspot.com), where I began my adventures in sewing a year ago this month. It was there that I began my mission to sew my entire wardrobe using original vintage patterns from the 30’s through to the 60’s. I was soon getting requests from friends and even strangers on the street, asking If I would make them a dress; so after a lot of planning and practice and a class or two I decided to start sharing my creations with others and opened my etsy shop in August 2011.

What inspires you most about the 40′s, 50′s and early 60′s?
I love all things vintage, and always have. I am very much the 50’s devotee and any excuse to don a petticoat is snapped up fast. I have always been won over by the femininity of the era, how the clothes were designed to accentuate and glorify a woman’s curves.  As for the 60’s, it’s the colours and the pop culture that I love. Everything was bright, bold and lively. Borrow a peplum and a collar or two from the well structured silhouette of the 40’s and there you have it – the inspiration behind Molly-Made, with love.

What are some of your favourite websites & blogs for inspiration?
I am a bona fide Etsy addict; I can spend hours upon hours trawling the treasures of that site. I love the combination of handmade and vintage, it’s everything that I love in one place. Once I’ve had my daily perusal there I spend some time on Burdastyle.com, a fantastic community of sewers, the inspiration there is endless, as in the support and encouragement is second to none. For my vintage fix I visit blogs like The Bright Young Twins, Diary of a Vintage Girl, Pretty Odd Wonders, Ravishing Retro and Vixen Vintage just to name a few!

What do you love most about having your own label?
I love the creative freedom and the challenge that it provides. It’s all you, planning, organizing, designing, buying, sewing, and selling. You’re responsible for your own failures, but you’re also responsible for all your successes; something which is a truly rewarding feeling. Running Molly-Made is everything I was looking for; it nourishes both my creative and analytical sides and provides perfect measures of challenge and therapy. I can only imagine as time goes on, it will become even more challenging, and therefore all the more fun.

What can we expect from Molly-Made, With Love this year?
Many things! I am currently designing my first winter range which is very exciting! I hope to debut it soon, and frequent a wider range of markets in 2012 to spread the word of Molly-Made. You will also see some updates to my shop and blog too.

www.mollymadewithove.etsy.com

FK chats to Terrarium Gallery‘s Mia about their gallery space in Wollongong, NSW.

Tell us about Terrarium Gallery and what things we can expect to discover in your space.
If you were to come on up to our gallery this week you would find an incredible range of illustration and poster designs by the talented folk from Zookraft Design + Illustration from Newcastle. We also stock an ongoing and eclectic mix of original and digital prints from Australian and international artists and designers.

What was the inspiration with opening Terrarium Gallery?
There are some great wonderful galleries in the Wollongong area, but we felt that design was yet to be represented. There is street art, paintings and photography but our passions encompass graphics, illustration, analog photography and typography. We also wanted to bring a broader range of artist’s work into the space for the community to experience.

Can you tell us about the building and the space Terrarium Gallery occupies?
Its an old, quirky building off the main street in Wollongong, its mostly office and studio spaces with a few great shops tucked away, we’re on Level 1 of the arcade in a light filled space, a little hard to find, which we kinda like… there’s nothing like stumbling upon a hidden gem whilst your out and about shopping.

What labels do you stock in your shop and what are you always looking for?
Currently we stock the Sydney based jewellery label bRainbow, we especially love their super 8 video camera necklaces! We have Kidrobot vinyl toys, which include their range of limited edition Dunnys and DIY Munnys that you can draw on yourself! We also have a unique selection of art, craft and design books that you can’t get anywhere else in Wollongong, as well as limited edition prints on there way from Jeremyville and US artist Beth Hoeckel.

What inspires you about Wollongong and which other local labels/spaces are you loving at the moment?
The enthusiasm and creativity that is bubbling away at the moment is really inspiring. There’s an upsurge at the moment where people are taking the initiative to self-start some amazing projects. Some of these included in our very own arcade, Emma-Lee from Milk Thieves and Zema from Medieval Disco have been very supportive and also run really amazing unique spaces.

What is the hardest part, and what do you love most about running a business?
The amount of paper work! I had no idea how much time I would be spending chasing up bits and pieces, doing the book orders is a mammoth task but its also a lot of fun, drooling over amazingly beautiful design books its pretty amazing. The best part is meeting new people and chatting about design, and usually where to get the best coffee in town – its important! And of course fighting the urge to buy all our lovely prints for our own home!

Who is the team behind Terrarium Gallery and what are their roles?
Terrarium Gallery was started by Mia Brown and Adam Woods. Adam is the business brains behind the gallery, without him the gallery would still be a dream. I work as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator which means you’ll often find me behind the desk working on various projects, but I always love an interruption – any excuse to chat to someone! We both love gallery hopping and are excited by the prospect that, with the changing face of Wollongong, soon people will be able to gallery hop in town.

What new shows are coming up for Terrarium Gallery?
We have a group photography exhibition up next, then we have an exhibition of rock posters by Melbourne illustrator Rhys Cooper in March. We have lots of exciting plans for this space, we’re hoping to start screen printing classes in a few months, and expand our range of books, so “watch this space” so to speak!

All the specific details
Shop 30/157 Crown Street,
Wollongong NSW 2500
Trading hours: 11 – 4 Wed – Sat

www.terrariumgallery.com

FK chats with lovely lady Jodie Etchells about her accessories label, Whiskers Lane

Tell us a little about your label, Whiskers Lane.
Having grown up in a crafty household I think creating was in my blood from a young age. After years of dreaming and planning, Whiskers Lane was finally born in 2010. What began as a one woman show has grown, and now my lovely mother Tricia has joined the team. She is truly an inspiration, and taught me everything I know. If you have a crafty question Tricia is one of those ladies that either knows how to make it, has done it before, or will find a way! Tricia is the crochet & ceramic Queen at Whiskers Lane. She hand pours and glazes all of our ceramics and crochets all the teapot cosies. I (Jodie) make all the jewellery and accessories; and hand-pour the teacup candles. We use only vintage and pre-loved fabrics, doilies, and teacups, and our candle wax is soy so I like to think we are a little eco-friendly. It’s all about mixing old with new and adding a dash of whiskered love.

Tea, cats, sewing… can you tell us more about your creative process and surroundings?
I don’t have a set creative process but usually an idea or design will come to me when I least expect it. I find if I try to sit down and plan new designs they don’t usually work out. Depending on what I’m working on sometimes I’ll start a design with the fabric or sometimes I’ll sketch it first. I never follow the rules. Sometimes I make my own technique up and mum will tell me later “you could have done it like this”.

I work from home where my spare room has merged into the “Whiskers Studio”. The room is decorated with an antique desk that I restored myself, vintage plate wall hangings and cute wooden shelves housing ornaments. Most days my cheeky cat joins me on the window sill whilst I sew and sip tea. Most people find it hard to believe that I actually pour the candles in my kitchen! It’s definitely a very homemade environment and I kind of love that. Tricia pours the ceramics in her own home studio and she also has whiskered feline friends for inspiration.

Where do you draw inspiration from for Whiskers Lane?
We both have a love for vintage items and old world crafting techniques so often an old piece of fabric, embroidery, children’s story books or ornaments contribute to our designs. There is also a strong influence from whiskered animals in my embroidery, hence the name. I really love to bring pre-loved pieces to life. All the teacups are vintage and it’s nice to see them used in a different way. My great-Aunt passed a lot of vintage fabrics & embroidered doilies onto me and I was inspired to give them a new lease of life rather than letting them collect dust in the cupboard. I believe creativity is genetic, and can be passed down through the generations. Both of my grandmothers were amazing at sewing, embroidery and crochet. I would hate to see old crafting techniques fade away, which definitely gives us the drive to keep creating modern designs whilst still incorporating the techniques of older times.

What advice would you give to other small labels about finding stockists and getting your label out there?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and approach stockists. I think some labels sit around waiting to be “discovered’. About 80% of my stockists I have approached myself and mostly not even in person. I have found emailing stockists to be really quite successful. Don’t just find a whole bunch of shops you love and send out a group email. I’m talking about really researching the type of stores your product suits and finding out whether they already stock a product similar to yours. Find out about the company and be interested in their business.

What have been some valuable lessons you have learnt since starting?
Don’t always expect things to go as planned. Whiskers Lane almost began as a fashion label and look at us now! Being prepared is a big one. I think I underestimate how long some of my designs can take, particularly in the busy times, in the lead up to markets or Christmas. In the end, I feel it comes down to always doing what you love and creating what makes you happy.

What can we expect from Whiskers Lane in 2012?
We will be trying new markets – possibly outside of Sydney this year. We have a few new stockists on the cards – hopefully reaching other states we haven’t yet explored. We will be experimenting with new products we haven’t tried before. We will be incorporating some new mediums and techniques. Think along the same lines as embroidery and crochet.

As always, hunting down beautiful vintage fabrics & teacups is inevitable. A personal trip to Europe for me may bring new inspiration into my designs at the end of the year and also I may sneak a few special vintage fabric finds into my backpack for you all.

www.whiskerslane.com.au

FK chats with Tenille Evans about her scrimshaw jewellery, eels jewellery

Where does the inspiration for your label come from?
I specialise in the traditional technique of scrimshaw. It was originally practiced by the Yankee whalers of the 1800’s. The word scrimshaw is actually derived from Dutch nautical slang meaning ‘time wasting’. That’s basically what it was, a way for the sailors to waste time during many years at sea. They would recycle the left-over pieces of whale teeth and ivory, carving intricate patterns into the surface, then rub ink into the designs. They would make trinkets for their loved ones when they returned, or just use the objects to tell stories about their journey. The name of my label, ‘Eels’ comes from my name, Tenille. I guess it began, like most crafts, as a fun way for me to waste time too! Then progressed into my way of telling stories.

What lead to you where you are today?
I studied Jewellery and Object design in Sydney. I learnt so much during my studies, but none of it was about scrimshaw. I just happened across the technique and taught myself, with a lot of trial and error. My design studies did help me learn how to play and experiment and how to engage with materials. It definitely taught me the importance of following a process and developing concepts. Saying that though, I really think it takes something other than education to start and grow your own label. Insanity maybe. I think in my case, it was driven by a very strong desire to work for myself, to have more flexibility around my family and work from home.

Can you tell us about the materials you love working with and how it makes your label unique?
The jewellery I make is really centred on the material I use. Scrimshaw was originally practiced using left-over sperm whale teeth, bones, and baleen. Of course I don’t use whale bone but I use other recycled organic material like buffalo and cow horn and bone. Before I even start crafting them, these materials I use often seem to have a story of their own because of their organic nature. Whether it is in the swirling caramel variations in the surface of horn or the fine mottled grain within a piece of bone, these materials have a history.

This is part of the reason I love working with them so much. It is inspiring. I also love organic materials because they are warm, light and imbue each piece with a sense of individuality. In addition, recycling an organic, bio-degradable product that would otherwise be discarded is ethical and sustainable. This makes me feel better about adding to the glut of objects people own!

When did you launch the label and what has been some of the highlights so far?
I started working under the label Eels at the beginning of 2011. I had made scrimshaw jewellery before that and had also been making other work for exhibition but I really didn’t start on the type of thing I am making now until I was having a maternity ‘break’ from fulltime work after having my son Cash. I think it was honestly out of a desire to not have to go back to a ‘real’ job! One highlight was being asked to make an exclusive range for Edition X (www.editionx.com.au). Being featured in Tattoos Downunder magazine was pretty exciting for me too! Another was the Finders Keepers SS11 markets in Sydney. It really topped off an amazing debut year for Eels.

Can you tell us about your working space and your design process?
I work from home. So firstly my drawing and designing is done all over the house. In front of the TV, while playing with my son in the yard, on the train. Most of my scrimshaw designs are stylised from old nautical books, traditional tattoo flash, antique illustrations and woodcuts so I also spend time looking for inspiring images and photographs that I can draw from. Saying that though, I could scrim a whale ship with my eyes closed! Because I repeat designs and am familiar with my unique images, although each one is hand etched, I never use a stencil and always scrim freehand.  I have a small ‘dirty’ workshop area where I cut, carve and polish pieces of horn and bone using saws, files, drills and polishers and then usually do the scrimshaw detailing at the dining table with my tiny custom-made scrimshaw hand tool.

You were recently at Sydney FK markets – what was your experience like?
To be honest, at the start it was a little daunting being in such amazing company! The other artists and designers there were all so talented and the calibre of work at FK just keeps getting better and better every year. Everyone I met was just so lovely though, and inspiring. I felt really privileged to be involved.  I found one of the best things about it was the opportunity to talk directly to people buying my work. As someone who usually sells through retail stores or online, I don’t often get the chance to have such direct feedback and hear immediate positive reactions to my work. That was really fun. The follow up responses in the weeks after have been really overwhelming too.

www.eelsjewellery.com

FK chats with Kirsty Eckard from jewellery label, So Little Time Co.

Can you tell us about your super cute label, So Little Time Co?
So Little Time Co. was started by myself and my husband Josh in 2010. We make illustrated and hand-painted wearables, such as brooches, earrings and necklaces from laser cut wood. Some of our wearables move, some have material or needle work involved and some are just delicately hand-painted, but each piece in individual and one of a kind. Im the designer and Josh is the muscles, I draw, paint and stitch and he hammers, glues and sands. I really feel like So Little Time Co. is an extension of my own creativity. I wanted to make something that I enjoy, and to watch others enjoy it just as much is an incredible feeling.

The name So Little Time came from the original items we were making when we first started, that being watch items, but even though we have stopped making those items, I really feel the name applies to so many aspects of the business and life, and people so easily relate to it.

What inspired you to start your own label?
It all began in my first year in the real world as a graphic designer. After quickly realising that so much of the work I was doing was controlled by the client and not creativity, I soon found myself wanting create on my terms rather than someone else’s. After a night of talking about what I could do with Josh, I spent hours writing down ideas, sketching, researching and working out what exactly it would be that would allow me to create something that would make me happy, and something that I could share with others. I had always loved jewellery, particular pieces which included wood and my ever supportive husband quickly went out an bought a jigsaw to try his hand at cutting the first piece ourselves.

After much testing we decided laser cutting was the best way for me to combine illustration, wood and wearables as I like to call them, and and after receiving a small laser cut sample back, I soon realised how fun the process was.

I think there is this need in me to create with my hands rather than a computer, and to create for me rather than being controlled by a client. I get alot of joy and satisfaction out of that and it’s probably where the whole thing started in the first place.

What materials do you work with, and what is your design process?
When we first started researching and coming up with ideas, I decided early on that I wanted to support local business with my own business and make sure that everything was sourced locally. That meant finding a local small laser cutter, sourcing the wood from a local supplier and even down to making sure I was supporting my local art store, by buying my paint from them. I wanted to do my very best to support local business, even if the product wasn’t made locally. Each piece is cut from Tasmanian Blackwood veneer, locally cut within the CBD, and are hand painted, stitched and pieced together. We also like to integrate little bits of fabric and string, as well as pins to create movement in the pieces – like the car and penny farthing brooches.

All of the concepts start on paper – I am a big believer in thinking on paper before the computer comes into the equation. Especially the illustrated pieces, all of these are hand drawn and then scanned in and manipulated to become cuttable files. After they are laser cut, it’s just a matter of paint, stitch, glue and we’re done. It’s all rather fun.

Where do you go for inspiration, and what are some of your favourite indie labels?
I find inspiration in all sorts of places, just as so many other creatives do, but most of all, I’m so inspired by my local community of makers. I don’t need to look far for inspiration – Melbourne has this great vibe within the craft community and I am so inspired by so many people and their commitment and dedication to their craft, especially those that do it full time. My favourites (and friends) are Dawn Tan, Harvest Textiles, Simply Phoebe, the Hungry Workshop, Pom by Pomegranate, Made by White, Monolog and so many others… Their passion and dedication to doing what they love is the most inspiring.

What are your aspirations for So Little Time Co?
I write down goals for So Little Time Co. every year, and last year I achieved most of them, especially the one where we started making baby mobiles – that was fun! Short term, I’d say more markets, a long overdue website and blog update (which I have been working on so watch out for that) and maybe a bit more of a branch out product wise. Long term, my husband is always telling me to make things for men… so probably something along those lines.

What things have your learnt about managing a label, and what advice would you give to others?
It sure has been alot of work. I know everyone who starts a little business says this, but it really is true. If it’s not the website needing updating, its the new business cards, or painting new stock for the next market or updating stock level records, or posting an item to a customer – the list goes on and on really – and as soon as you’ve got to the end of the list, you usually have to start all over again, and for me it’s not even a full time thing.

There has also been alot to learn about the accounting and business side, and even the little things like visual merchandising and taking good product photos. It’s been such a steep learning curve and I have no doubt I have more to learn, but despite the lack of sleep and the never ending list, it’s be hugely rewarding and so much fun. The amount of creative satisfaction I have gained has far outweighed everything else and getting to the end of that first year and saying to myself “I started a business” was such a good feeling.

I say this to anyone who asks about starting a little business – do it! It’s really such a rewarding feeling and all the hard work completely pays off when you know that none of it would have happened without you. You have to be dedicated and passionate about it, and I’d say ask lots of questions, email people who have done it and research before you start, but don’t let the logistics of it daunt you. Especially if it’s just for fun!

www.solittletimeco.com

FK chats to Jamie and Michelle from their gorgeous children’s label (and a little bit for adults!), Minyaka Design

Can you tell us about your label and how it all began?  
Minyaka Design is created by Jamie Lee and Michelle Lee. We are university buddies (nope, we’re not sisters) and Minyaka Design is our first collaboration. It was always so difficult to find beautiful, quality gifts for children, so we decided to do something about it. Now one year later and after many all-nighters, we are very excited and proud to finally see the fruits of our hard work with the launch of our first summer collection and the winter one just around the corner!

Both of us are passionate about the well-being of children and the environment and this has inspired the way we do things and our decision to use eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton,bamboo and hemp. We are also supportive of the local industry. All our products are made in Australia and we try to produce and source locally where possible.

What are your backgrounds and roles within Minyaka Design?
Jamie has a background in interior architecture and Michelle in fashion design. Although we come from different disciplines, we share the same vision so it works! We work as a team – we just love how we can share ideas and make all decisions together. Michelle does more of fashion design side from sketching to stitching and Jamie does graphic design from creating graphics to screen printing. We are actively involved in all aspects of business from running to manufacturers to screen printing our own bags. Our products come in calico bags that are sewn by Michelle and screen printed by Jamie!

What do you love about designing for children?
It can be fun, exciting and cute!! Children’s clothes need to be functional but they can be so much more. All our clothes make us wish we were children again, just so we can wear them! Take our bubble dress for instance, how we wish we had one when we were little! Childhood is so short and precious. So we put a lot of love into all our creations and hope that our beautiful and fun things can add something special to the photo albums and memories of mums, dads and families.

What inspires your range, and what keeps you motivated?
We believe the simplest, most natural creations are often the best. We aim for each creation to reflect Mother Nature’s simple, elegant style with our own playful twist. We have so many ideas that we want to explore and that keeps us motivated.

What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about managing your label?
Appreciation is the most rewarding! We feel so grateful when people appreciate and recognize our designs. We wish to explore so many ideas and produce thousands of good designs but one of the realities is that it takes money…$$ finance is the most challenging.

Can you tell us about your other products (totes, aprons and cards) that are also available?
We wanted to have something for everyone! They are all personally sewn and screen printed by us. This is just the beginning, there’s a lot more to come!

www.minyakadesign.com.au