Social Craftworking

Have you caught up with Northside Makers on Facebook? Our fan page is a great place to connect with other local crafters, share news and post photos of your latest craft success.

We've also created an event listing for Northside Makers Market, which you can use to invite all your favourite people along on Saturday 10th October. Just click here and start sending invites! The more the merrier.

Meet the Northside Crafters: Pivotal Xpressions

Pivotal Xpressions makes unique paper goods that are sure to delight ...

Tell us about what you sell ...
Pivotal Xpressions sell organisational stationery, gift wrap, cards, and paper craft items.

What inspires you?
I find if I go shopping down Brunswick Street, that always inspires me and gives me a boost, (I always take a camera with me). Also everyday activities and events. Recently I went to the Pink concert which had a circus / fun house theme. The event inspired me to design a trapeze greeting card. Inspiration appears at the oddest of times for me.

What's your favorite medium to work in?
Pixels and paper. I design a lot on my trusty computer, thus the pixels. I love to also create with paper. There is nothing like working with paper that has beautiful textures and patterns on them. I'm also starting to have an interest in working with ribbons as well.

What would you be lost without ....
I would be lost without my husband, who has given me lots of encouragement. Also be lost without my creativity and my computer.

What's your fave crafty read

I enjoy reading 'Mixtape', Real Living Magazine (Australian version) and Computer Arts.

What do you like to listen to when you craft?
I tend to listen to the radio through the Internet. Often listen to ABC News Radio or the BBC News Radio. Yes I am a news junkie.

What crafty forums do you lurk in ....
I don't venture into the crafty forums, however I read a lot of paper / stationery blogs that are from America. I have noticed there seems to be a lot more paper blogs originating from the US than Australia. My favourite paper blog would have to be 'Papercrave'.

Whats up next for you on the craft front?
I want to tackle making notepads and develop my gift wrap more. Also want to venture more into crochet. I found more success with crochet than knitting.

Do you have any UFO's (unfinished objects),what are they?
I have too many unfortunately. I have this terrible habit of starting a project, leaving it aside and starting on a new one. Not very productive. A personal project that I have worked on over a two year period, is a mask.

Where else can people shop for your goodies?
People can go to my etsy store www.pivotalxpressions.etsy.com.

Vintage Fabric Sale

Courtesy of Circa Vintage, notification of a vintage fabric sale! If you have never been to Camberwell Market before, be warned .. you need to get there early!

Meet the Northside Crafters: Piccolamia

Piccolamia is one of the newest kids on the block with some lovely home decor products for your kids bedrooms.

Tell us about what you sell ...
I sell hair accessories, bags, wall decor and kids aprons.

What inspires you?
It's all about colour! The internet is also a great source of inspiration, you have the creativity of the world at your fingertips.

What's your favourite medium to work in?
Fabric.

What would you be lost without ....
My family, my sewing machine and my computer too!

What's your favourite crafty read
Various crafty blogs

What do you like to listen to when you craft?
Sometimes I like to craft in silence...otherwise FM radio, my CDs or my daughter reading.

What crafty forums do you lurk in ....
Not really a regular in any forums, but I've recently found etsy dustteam and lurk there a little .

Whats up next for you on the craft front?
I have a few new projects in mind which I'd like to get started on for my market stalls coming up to Christmas, but whether that happens is another story!

Do you have any UFO's (unfinished objects),what are they?
My UFO are clothes adjustments...taking up pants or repairing zip, they never seem to get done, too many other exciting things to start on!

Where else can people shop for your goodies?
Piccolamia can be found at: Makers Market, Abbotsford Convent every 3rd Sunday
My Etsy Shop: www.piccolamia.etsy.com
My Madeit shop: www.madeit.com.au/piccolamia
My blog: www.piccolamias.blogspot.com

Market Newbie - Part 2: How can I show my stuff?

Stall presentation is not something that comes naturally to me. I'd happy just dump all my stuff on a table, let people rummage through it and if they find something they like they can have it!

However, a handmade market is not a car boot sale and my natural inclinations simply will not do! While hardcore handmade fans love nothing more than spending five minutes at every stall making sure they've seen everything you've got, the average market shopper will decide at first glance if your stall is worth stopping at or not, especially if they've got bored kids with them.

This makes it very important to make sure all your wares can be easily seen and your most unique and eye-catching stuff is what a shopper sees when they run that first sweeping glance across your stall.

You probably won't want to go to the expense of custom-made display furniture for your first markets - unless that's what your craft is! I know an awful lot of craft marketers who head straight for IKEA when redesigning their stall, including myself. Half my market display furniture can be found in IKEA's small storage listings. An equally popular option is your local op shops for more unique finds.

Before you go shopping try to have a clear image of your stall aesthetic - clean and crisp, earthy and natural, dark and gothic, funky and bright, arty and hip. Decide if each item you pick up is in keeping with the look you want for your stall. Also take along a list of the wares you need to display so you don't miss anything, or buy more than you can use.

The phrase I keep in mind when choosing my stall setup is 'Golden Age of Travel'. This is in keeping with my old tram theme. I choose display boxes that look like old luggage (and if I ever find some affordable old luggage I'll use that!). I also like unusual retro fabrics, so my tablecloth is made of fabric I bought for $2 a metre on Sydney Road. I use fabric boxes from IKEA to make a tower for my cushions.

Northside Makers committee member and market veteran (compared to me) Jay and shares this advice:

"Look in your own sheds and kitchen cupboards before heading to the shops. I use a CD rack lying on its side for my gift cards, kitchen platters for my earrings and an upside down ice tray for my rings. It's important to think outside the box, and utilise what you have, but maybe in a way you just hadn't thought of yet."

Here's some photos of appealling stalls I've found online or in person.


Originally uploaded by Covetables


Melbourne maker Rabbit & the Duck. Originally uploaded by Rabbit & the Duck


Northside Maker Pepperberry & Co. Originally uploaded by Pepperberry & Co


Originally uploaded by Marisa Bogg


Melbourne maker Penny Walker-Keefe. Originally uploaded by Craft Victoria


Melbourne maker Brittany Veitch. Originally uploaded by Craft Victoria

My last tip is that if you plan to do a lot of markets, you can save a lot of money buying your own trestle table rather than paying table hire fees. Officeworks has a bi-folding trestle table that'll fit in any car boot, and at only $69 you'll make back the investment in no time.

If you've got any more suggestions of where to find great stall designs, leave a comment and share!

Missed something? Find Market Newbie: Part 1 here.

Main photo: Northside Maker Finki. Originally uploaded by Finki.

Meet the Northside Crafters: Little Cooties

Tell us about what you sell ...
Little Cooties started out making clothes for the little cuties in my life, and after a few requests to make some for other parents’ cuties, I decided to try my luck in the markets. I make dresses, and other clothes for girls as well as tops and pants for boys. I also make softies that range from cute and cuddly to vampire inspired creations. Today I thought about creating some pendants out of found objects that I came across today.


What inspires you?
Other crafters out there are a definite source of inspiration, the amount of talent and creation out there is incredible. My children inspire me to make things that they would like. They are my critics (although to date, they love everything, so I think they are a little biased!) Movies and tv series also inspire me to create – hence the vampire dolls/


What's your favourite medium to work in?
At the moment polar fleece has got my attention, as it is so versatile. Fantastic as clothes, hats and toys, such a textural fabric.

What would you be lost without ....
My computer, which is my classroom. If I ever need tips on how to do something new, I look it up. I can source materials using it, and of course communicate with other crafters.

What's your favourite crafty read
I recently bought Bend the rules sewing by Amy Karol – she is a truly inspiring woman!

And also Sew what! Skirts by Francesca Denhartog and Carole Ann Camp – which is funny as I don’t normally wear skirts! Ha! But I like what I see and I can feel the creative juices working away.

What do you like to listen to when you craft?

Koop, Koop Islands is fantastic for chilling out and creating with
Sugarbabes, Suga Babes to really get me pumping
Ministry of Sound Chillout sessions are always a great thing to have in the back ground.
And lastly Coastal Chill 09 which is a compilation of Australian artists and really fantastic.

What crafty forums do you lurk in ....
Crafster of course! Threadless is also a fount of information 

Whats up next for you on the craft front?
Will be trying my hand at resin jewellery…. I spent the day the other day catching red-back spiders, and my husband suggested resin to preserve them, so it’s a thought.

Do you have any UFO's (unfinished objects),what are they?
No unfinished, but lots of “I’d love to start”

Where else can people shop for your goodies?
Etsy has some dresses of mine, and I had a few items on made it, but sold them elsewhere, so need to put some more things on there, otherwise, my blog is a good place to look at my wares and contact me further.

Meet the Northside Crafters: Mrs Beckinsale

Mrs Beckinsale is one of the Northside Makers and she will her wonderful vintage-inspired travel wares for sale at our October Market.

Tell us about what you sell ...
W Class Cushions and accessories for the discerning public transport user. Myki pouches, magazine covers, diaries, fabric postcards and whatever else I feel like making.

What inspires you?
I'm inspired by Melbourne icons like trams and old buildings, old school tattoo images and costume dramas.

What's your favourite medium to work in?
I'm pretty much limited to textiles. I can't draw, sculpt, paint, woodwork, silversmith or throw a pot. But I've used only thirty years of my life so far, so there's still heaps of time to expand my repertoire.

What would you be lost without ....
My Melways. A ha ha. No, Easyfix. It's my preferred brand of Vliesofix equivalent.

What's your fave crafty read
John Peacock's Fashion Sourcebooks series.

What do you like to listen to when you craft?
If I'm lucky, the sound of silence while Little Jack has his nap.

What crafty forums do you lurk in ....
I haven't been a forum user for a few years now. It's hard enough keeping up with my huge blog reading list.

Whats up next for you on the craft front?
A few more diary designs for 2010 and some very special new cushions.

Do you have any UFO's (unfinished objects),what are they?
A pile of W Class Cushions for custom orders, my new cushion prototype and a cocktail dress for my sister.

Where else can people shop for your goodies?

My website: www.mrsbeckinsale.com
and my Made It shop: www.madeit.com.au/MrsBeckinsale

Meet the Northside Crafters: Little Ray

It's time to find out more about crafter Little Ray!

Tell us about what you sell ...
Handmade baby and children’s clothing and accessories (hair clips/ties and booties) - generally from 3 months to 4 years. I mainly focus on girls dresses but am currently broadening my range to include little boys clothing and tops/skirts etc.



What inspires you?
The wide range of gorgeous fabrics and seeing my niece in my wares

What's your favorite medium to work in?
Fabric.


What would you be lost without ....
My sewing machine

What's your fave crafty read?
I like reading mixtapezine and all of the articles etc on Etsy. I also really enjoyed the Meet Me At Mike’s book.

What do you like to listen to when you craft?
I normally don’t listen to much when I’m sewing – sometimes I’ll just put my ipod on and listen to a random selection of music.

What crafty forums do you lurk in ...
I don’t really have time for forums at the moment, although I do read the odd blog.

What's up next for you on the craft front?
I hope to broaden my range of clothing and accessories and start doing some more markets. I also should venture into the blog world!

Do you have any UFO's (unfinished objects), what are they?
I only really have a couple of UFO’s, basically because I’ve had to move onto other things. I did cut out and prepare some stuffed owl toys which have never made it off the sewing table.

Where else can people shop for your goodies?
I have an etsy shop www.littleray.etsy.com
and a madeit shop – www.madeit.com.au/littleray

Meet the Northside Crafters: Little Waltz

Today's featured crafter is Celeste from Little Waltz

Tell us about what you sell ...

I sell jewellery and accessories for children and adults both. These are suitable for all occasions really. They can either dress up or dress down your outfit depending on how you wear them. Take the piece below for example , Cosette could just as easily go with a shirt and jeans or with a flowy dress. Versatility is something I firmly believe in!

What inspires you?

Nature, food, music.. these are all things that inspire me! I love watching musicals: the My Fair Lady choker was a result of a late night's rerun of (you guessed it! ) My Fair Lady. The Rain, Rain Go Away brooch was made during one of my musings as to why it always rains when I need to go out... I love birds, flowers.. and these are all things that inspire me! I spend a lot of time looking out of my windows to just stare at the sky and marvel at the colours.

What's your favorite medium to work in?

This is a hard question and there's no real favourite medium... I suppose if I really had to answer, I'd say metal? I'd like to make jewellery with precious metal clay some day, but for now, I'll concentrate on my wires and beads.

What would you be lost without ....

I'm a sad sad creature of the modern ages. I'd be really lost without my laptop and iphone. But other than my electronics, I'd also be lost without my pliers and a good book to read.

What's your fave crafty read

Creative Beading! I've gone through so many different beading magazines but Creative Beading is still the best.

What do you like to listen to when you craft?

It depends on my mood! Sometimes it's chinese drama dvds playing in the background, sometimes it's korean drama dvds.. sometimes it's just my itunes on an endless loop... right now it's the soundtrack to Chicago the musical.

What crafty forums do you lurk in ....

I spend a lot of time with the DUSTers on the DUST forums, and some time in the Australian Beading forum

What's up next for you on the craft front?

The Northside Makers Market actually! I've stopped all projects to get ready for the market, so hopefully it will be a really awesome one!

Do you have any UFO's (unfinished objects), what are they?

Plenty of unfinished projects around here. I like to work on different things all at once, keeps it exciting! There's a sweets and candy charms bracelet that I need to finish up, a lot more cameo necklaces and chokers to finish up; and some sewing to be done to get some brooches done up.

Where else can people shop for your goodies?

My Blog: http://petitevalse.blogspot.com
My Etsy store: http://littlewaltz.etsy.com
My Zibbet store: http://www.zibbet.com/littlewaltz
My Madeit store: http://www.madeit.com.au/littlewaltz

IKEA Hacker

The members of the Northside Makerts committee are big IKEA fans, so I couldn't resist sharing this blog I just found with our members!

IKEA Hacker shows you how enterprising individuals have customised IKEA furniture to suit their own needs. An Ivar box becomes a play kitchen for kiddies. Perfekt plate racks become perfect paper storage. A Trofast storage unit (and some other bits) become an urban chook house.

Image by Jules

Head over to IKEA Hackers to get some inspiration before your next trip to Victoria Gardens for market stall supplies.

Stockist Opportunity - Dear Gladys,

Dear Gladys, (comma included) at 296 High St Northcote is looking for exciting local accessory makers to be stocked in their shop.

All profits received from Dear Gladys, support Fitted For Work, so not only is this a sales opportunity for local crafters but you'll know that you're also raising money for this worthy cause.

If you're interested in finding out more give Dear Gladys, a ring on 9489 4793 or drop in and say hi to the lovely staff.

Meet the Northside Crafters: Tinniegirl

We are all getting excited about the first of our markets on Saturday the 10th of October, only a few places left so please email in your applications if they are still kicking around!

Today's crafter is Tinniegirl, a Melbourne craft legend! She produces the most amazing original pieces of artwork and is famous for her tinnies, filled with crafty goodness.

Tell us about what you sell ... Tinniegirl
I sell original collages that incorporate paint, paper, felt, fabrics and embroidery.

What inspires you?
I'm really inspired by nature, and especially birds. I think underlying that are ideas about freedom and flight that I often feel manifest themselves in nature.

What's your favorite medium to work in?
I think I would have to say paint. Almost everything I do involves painting. I have become quite enamored by embroidery and stitching lately and this seems to be showing up in my work a lot more.

What would you be lost without .... Gel Medium, my partner and our cats, and creative friends

What's your favourite crafty read I love craft magazines and particularly some of the publications out of the US. Cloth Paper Scissors and Artful Blogging are my two favourites.

What do you like to listen to when you craft? I often listen to Craftcast podcasts when I'm crafting.

What crafty forums do you lurk in .... I haven't discovered any forums, which is probably a good thing given how much time I already spend on the computer!

Whats up next for you on the craft front? I ponder that question pretty much on a daily basis. I'm not sure where I want to take my art next. I want to make sure that I give myself plenty of room to explore mediums and ideas, and to enjoy the journey of being/becoming an artist. I definitely want to keep selling my work and I'd also like to try and exhibit work next year. I'm also interested in teaching workshops and encouraging other people to explore their creativity and different techniques.

Do you have any UFO's (unfinished objects),what are they? I've got a few, not too many I'm pleased to say. I don't like to have too much unfinished business lying around. I've got a beautiful hand-pieced patchwork quilt that I started about 3 years ago that needs to be finished and a handful of collages that are in progress, and I think that's about it. Well OK, there's a couple of others but I'll let those sleeping dogs lie!

Where else can people shop for your goodies? My Etsy store is closed at the moment but it should be back up and running in the next few weeks (fingers crossed) - www.tinniegirl.etsy.com