Brisbane Finders Keepers Wrap Up

The Old Museum

Susan Simonini

Keep Resin

Smith and Others

Kijaro

Kim Wallace

Clara & Yema

vessel and vine

Zillpa

Patterson and Steele

Curiously Obsessed

 

Rabbit & The Duck

Zylo Design

Studio Cockatoo

   

Blouse Alice Nightingale, glitter earrings Each to Own, spoon Keep Resin, wooden rings Clarayyema and ceramic bowl Susan Simonini.

The Finders Keepers market is my very favourite way to discover new creative talent and meet many of the wonderful Brisbane makers and designers I follow on Instagram. I love the high quality handmade items, the unique designs, the interesting packaging and displays, I love meeting the makers and talking to them about their work, giving them positive feed back and expressing my admiration! I also love to support them as a fellow creative small business owner. Which means I can't help but purchase a few things... 

I didn't apply for Finders Keepers this time, so I thought I would have a much more leisurely look than I am used to. I am usually running around on my lunch break, or sneaking in a peek in the afternoon when the crowd thins out. However yesterday, with three children and a husband in tow, I didn't get quite as much time as I would have liked. Then again, I would have happily stayed there all day poking around and chatting. It is such a positive and charming community to be a part of after all.

I snapped these iPhone photos quickly, after seeking permission from all the lovely makers. If you didn't get a chance to go, I wanted to give you a little taste. Even if you were there, I hear that Saturday was so popular, you may have missed seeing a few of these stalls anyway.

Applications for the next Brisbane Finders Keepers have opened today, so if you have a handmade business and you want to share your pieces with like minded folk, get your application ready! Competition is tough, but stay positive. I will be applying again and hope to see you there once more in November! In the meantime, you will be able to find me and all my goodies at the Red Hill Fair in Brisbane in three weeks time.

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A List Of Goals I'm Working On

As February hurries on, I wanted to take a moment to post and reflect on the goals I set for the year, as well as my current progress. Thus. keeping myself accountable and sharing a little of what goes on in my head and behind the scenes in my business. There are four major projects on the burner this year.

Goal 1: Workshop

One of my ambitions this year was to teach a workshop and impart knowledge and skills to other makers. I have spent so much time learning, skilling myself, and I wanted a way to share those skills with others. I approached BrisStyle with the idea of teaching traditional Pearl Threading, and they were really excited about it.

Progress: The workshop is this Saturday (there are a few tickets left) and the kits are made up! I'm finalising the written instructions and resource list, and I shall be baking a cake the night before. I'm really excited about sharing a wonderful crafty morning with a group of creatives, while drinking tea and eating cake and getting to know more about the group.


Goal 2. Two Collections 

My goal for my store this year is to create, photograph and launch a March and August jewellery collection, consisting of at least 12 pieces for each.

Progress: I've designed the first collection, which will feature a selection of pastel gemstones set in white gold and silver. The first few pieces have been started and are in different states of progress - from ready to be cast waxes, to ready to be set rings. There are still more pieces to make before my deadline next month, when I have a photographer, model and location lined up to shoot the new collection, before releasing it online! Between working on the pearl threading workshop and crafting custom made pieces, I will be cutting it fine to fit it all in, in time for the shoot! (You can sign up to my newsletter to stay in the loop on.)

I've also started designing and researching the second collection I have planned this year, which will be launched in August. My next step forward is a range of wedding rings, both his and hers. I aim to have my everyday wear collection in The Sentimental Collection, the above mentioned Coloured Stones Collection, as well as the wedding ring collection. I already plan to follow it up next year with an Engagement Ring Collection. (Think Art Deco, diamonds and sapphires.)


Goal 3. Finders Keepers 

I've loved the few markets I have done since really starting my business. But when I was planning for 2015 I decided against doing all but one market this year. I wanted to focus my time and funds on developing the two new collections. Also, given that I have an eight month old, a two year old and a six year old, and I work from home without childcare, trying to build up enough stock and fit in regular markets is rather difficult right now. Instead, I am am concentrating on creating custom client pieces and my new collections, while slowly building up my stock levels, so as to apply for the November Brisbane Finders Keepers.

Progress: I have employed the lovely Didi, who was once my Intern, in helping me in this department. She is working on finishing and polishing some of my designs from her home jewellery bench, after clocking off from her other jewellery job. I love that we still are working with each other and have an excuse to catch up!

Finders Keepers is such a lovely market, with a great atmosphere. I've met so many of my clients and blog readers there. And honestly, I think I would go just for the compliments alone that I get on my jewellery! So fingers crossed, my application will be accepted and I will see you Brisbane folk there in November. :)


Goal 4. Make Marks Daily 

As an artist with a love of sketching and journaling, I was inspired last year by Claire's Instagram project - Make Marks Daily. And while I sketch when the mood takes me, or when I am designing for my shop or a client, turning the process in to a daily challenge has been so rewarding.

Progress: I have discovered a new relationship with my sketch book. I am getting more confidant in my designs. I have been experimenting with new mediums, like sketching jewellery with a calligraphy pen and ink. I have been learning new styles and techniques from new teachers, like Lisa Congdon, Yao Cheng and Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls. And as we all know, to improve at anything, one must practice. Allowing myself the time to do so has already had so many benefits.

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It feels good, and a little scary, to write that all down in a post. Do you make similar plans for your year, and psuh yourself out of your comfort zone, or challenge yourself with new projects? What's on your list? How do you keep yourself accountable?

Finders Keepers Wrap Up

The Old Museum

My table

Yardage Design

Foolhouse mini art, Beneath the Sun cushions, behind the scenes on my table - the necessities (tea and dummies)

Days of August

Sharon Muir

Beneath the Sun, Sharon Muir, Surfing Sloth

Now that I have three napping children (!) and a cup of tea, I can write about the Brisbane Finders Keepers market this past weekend. My intention to write this post yesterday was abandoned as I caught up on chores and took Oscar for his six week immunisations. My boxes from the market still have not unpacked themselves however...

Finders Keepers was just as lovely as it always is. There was so much creative energy packed in to each of the three rooms that you could have powered a small City for a year. The crowds weren't as thick as they are at the November market, which made it easier to see all the goodies on show and chat to the stall holders. I fell in love with several hundred items and started following several new makers on Instagram, ready to purchase in their online shops when birthdays and special occasions come around. I managed to do the stall holder wander in the last hour on Sunday too, and brought myself some goodies.

So many lovely people came and visited my stall too. I could do these markets for the compliments alone! It was a lot of fun and dear little Oscar was content to be a market baby, so long as he was well fed and had a clean nappy. He surprised more than a few people when they saw him stirring in his rocker behind the table as he woke up from yet another nap. It was great to be able to meet the people my jewellery pieces were going home with, something that doesn't happen with online sales. I left the market with lots of inspiration and ideas and look forward to working on them in the coming months.

In the meantime, new designs that debuted at the market will be making their way into the store in the coming week. And as an extra thank you to those who visited me at the market, and those who would like to have come but couldn't, I'm offering free postage in my bigcartel shop for the next two weeks. Just enter 'FINDERSKEEPERS' at checkout.

Thanks again for all your support, kind words and purchases! Because of you I can continue to stay at home with my children and work creatively, and that means so much to me. xx

*Excuse the dodgy iphone photos. I ran around on the second morning and snapped a few pics in the third room before the doors opened. 

I'm in! Brisbane Finders Keepers

I am so incredibly pleased to announce that my application to the Brisbane Finders Keepers Market in July has been successful! I'm so excited. There really is no other market in Brisbane as wonderful as the two days on offer at The Old Museum. The crafty goodness, delicious food, the gorgeous flowers and the talented musicians - I'm wrapped that I get to be a part of it again.

For a small handmade business like mine, this is such a big deal. It's such a great sales opportunity for sure, but it is also so wonderful to be able to get to meet and chat with the lovely people that buy my pieces and really feel a part of a bigger community of crafters and business owners. I learnt so much at the last market, and it really pushed me to aim high and take my business forward.

This time you will find me inside, with a bigger table, new display, new packaging, a new collection I've been working on especially for the market, as well as several new one of a kind pieces. Giving you lots of reasons to come and visit. I will also most likely have a five week old baby asleep in a sling on my chest too! Thankfully Didi, my talented intern, will also be joining me.

I really want to thank you for all your encouragement and support. I promise to keep you up to date with our progress and I hope to see you there!

Finders Keepers Wrap Up

Photo taken by Nic @yardagedesign


My goodies! Test Pattern bib by Curly Pops, La de dah Kids crochet fox rattle (a gift to baby from Kylie), Deadwood creative recycled skateboard bangles (one for myself and one for Fiona for Christmas), Rabbit and the Duck washi tape (mustaches and spots!), doily stamp from The Spring Shop, glass beakers from Kara Rosenlund's darling caravan, and the gorgeous hydrangea was a lovely surprise from Sarah.

If not for the Big Hearted Business morning tea, where Clare Bowditch filled me full of inspiration and challenged me to write down my business plan, I would never have found myself chatting to Nic, Kylie and Jennie afterwards about my dream of 'one day' having a stall at the Finders Keepers market. That 'one day' seemed so far off though. Maybe when the kids were in school and I had more time. Maybe when I had more money. (Maybe when I had more confidence.) Nic asked me why not now? She told me I was ready, and she, Kylie and Jennie all encouraged me to take the plunge. And they continued to encourage and support me each step of the journey from the entrance of Metro Arts to the verandah of The Old Museum three months later.

I hardly slept at all Friday night. I woke up with butterflies in my tummy, which didn't go away until the first customers started chatting and buying. My fears that no one would buy my jewellery were unfounded - we all think things like this in the middle of the night though, don't we? But I felt so welcomed and received such positive feed back about my work. It's so easy too, when you are a stay at home Mum working from home, to feel cut off and loose perspective on your work. It was so rewarding to hear what worked, what people like about my designs and my colourful, vintage-y stall. The bowl of beads to design your own necklace was especially successful and I so enjoyed seeing the amazing combinations that people came up with. And it was really satisfying to see so many pieces find new, loving homes.

I met so many fantastic people too. It sounds like such a cliche, but it's so true. Complete strangers came up to me to tell me that they read my blog and they admire my work (hello!), instagramers introduced themselves and tagged me in their photos, friends and family visited too. I was blessed to have fantastic stall neighbours, Workshop 8_5. Sophie and Johnno were so friendly and supportive. I was especially fortunate to have my dearest twin sister, Fiona, working at the stall with me all weekend. She was the perfect assistant. Not sure how I am going to cope when she moves to Canberra next year...

So thank you once again to everyone that came to visit, brought my jewellery, or sent words of encouragement and support! 

It really does pay to follow your dreams. 

New for Finders Keepers

'Springdrop' Pink Tourmaline and Pearl Pendant

'Starry Night' Onyx Pendant

'Beautiful Day' Art Clay Brooches

'Finders Keepers' Drop Earrings

These are a few of the pieces I have been working on lately, which will be coming to the market with me on the 16th and 17th of November. For those that can't make it, I have added the new brooches and earrings to the shop. 

I'll be doing another update after the market. 

'Beautiful Day' Brooches + a catch up

My life lately has predominately revolved around children, domestic concerns and Finders Keepers Market preparation, (but not blogging, it would seem). It is the life of a stay at home Mama, with a small creative business. Full of routines and surprises, satisfaction and drudgery, creativity and preparation. My little darlings have certainly been keeping me occupied. While my precious 20 month old Emerson discovers the joys of stealing caster sugar from the pantry, or flinging drawers full of clothing on the floor, my almost-five-year-old Cohen has been testing his independence, and practicing the art of selective hearing. (A friend once said that you can tell when children are ready for school, because at least once a day you wish you could send them. Oh, how I understand!)

Apart from Mothering, I have managed to read a few books - and can recommend The Yarn Whisperer (for lovers of knitting) and The Forgotten Garden (an easy, enjoyable read). I've planted a few seedlings in the veggie patch - silver beet, onion, rhubarb and beads - while the self sown tomatoes are going strong, the parsley has taken over the compost pile, the capsicum is fruiting in large quantities and the sweet potato is threatening to take over more of the garden that I had anticipated. I've added some delicious new meals to our meal plan, after falling in to the habit of cooking the same ten meals over and over. I've caught up with some of the amazing women in my life at book club and a crafty morning tea. And of course, I've washed basket after basket of laundry, wiped up cup after cup of spilt milk, prepared approximately 2,000 meals, picked up several tonnes of toys and worked on stock, packaging and all manner of other things related to market prep. 

Which leads me to the pictures above. While cuddling Emerson to sleep recently I decided I needed a lower price pointed product for the Brisbane market. Something sweet for everyday wear, that would also make a great gift or stocking stuffer. I mulled over several possibilities before hitting on the idea of making brooches from the same art clay I make the beads from. As soon as Emerson was asleep I started experimenting with clay, doilies and lettering. These new 'Beautiful Day' brooches are the result. Affordable cuteness at $12 each. I'll be bringing them to the market with me and updating the shop in the aftermath. There's a mixture of embossed doilie patterns, marbled clay designs and text, like 'knit', 'maker', 'quilter' and 'craft'. Though I'm happy to take custom orders too.

Oh, and look, here I am on the Finders Keepers blog.