Meet the Northside Crafters: Finki Handmade

Jay from Finki is a Northside Makers Committee Member, that will also be a stall holder at Octobers Northside Makers Market.

Tell us about what you sell ...
I have a rather eclectic range. Spanning from art pendants, rings and hair bobbies to stitched baskets, journals and vintage tea towel stools.What inspires you?
All things retro, vintage and wildly colorful.

What's your favourite medium to work in?
I would have to say fabric. 50's, 60's and 70's prints are just out of this world. I still get ridiculously excited when i find good lengths of retro fabric at oppies.

What would you be lost without?
The computer...that sounds so nerdy I know. But I do a lot of graphic design. My images begin on paper, but come to life with the magic of illustrator and photo shop. Not to mention my latest addiction to blogging. Where would I be without that.

What's your fave crafty read
I just bought 'Handmade in Melbourne'.
So inspirational to read about so many talented people that I might even bump into at my local Woolworths.

What do you like to listen to when you craft?
I'm a bit of a silence girl. Is that odd. I get into the zone when I'm the only one in the house and it's dead quiet.....Bliss.
If I'm doing something that's a no brainer and music won't distract me, then I'll go for 'Ministry of sound' or Triple J's like a version.


What crafty forums do you lurk in ....
Are blogs forums... I read lots of blogs. Real people, real experiences. I love the human connection.
I'm such a visual person too, so if i find sites full of art, design, and good taste then I'm lost for hours.
Whats up next for you on the craft front?
A big crafty Christmas.
I have a market every 4 weeks or so, and always challenge myself to have a new product on the table each time. So this month I have funky little 'weekly bill ledgers' and next month I'll have my knitting bags ready to go.
Having this personal challenge is what keeps it interesting.

Do you have any UFO's (unfinished objects),what are they?
Lots and lots and lots. Mainly, I would have to say it would be clothes i tried to make for my self. I'd see stuff on other people and think I could make that! I sort of overlooked the little fact that maybe I also needed that hot bod, to pass it off. I'm not always too good on the visualizing part...


Where else can people shop for your goodies?
www.finki.etsy.com
I also do the sisters market, www.sistersmarket.com.au
Made n' Thornbury market www.madenthornbury.blogspot.com
and of course our new Northside makers market www.northsidemakers.com

Meet the Northside Crafters: Curlypops

Curlypops is another crafty Northside lady who will be selling her wares at our October Market.

Tell us about what you sell ...

I sell a rather eclectic range of products (which I blame on my short attention span). My first love is handbags, but I also sell brooches, aprons, bibs, blankets, and bookmarks.


What inspires you?

I'm mainly inspired by colour and texture. I tend to not follow convention with my crafting, and so I love reading blogs that feature lots of experimentation and new techniques.

I don't have any favourite inspirational websites.... just 300 favourite crafty blogs.

What's your favourite medium to work in?

For the last few years, textiles have been my favourite medium. In my younger years, I loved to paint.

What would you be lost without ....

My sewing machine for sure!

What's your favourite crafty read?

I have a huge selection of 70's craft books that I've collected from the op shop...great for a bit of kitsch. I think my favourite of all time would have to be Bend The Rules Sewing, as it's the book that started me onto this path a couple of years ago.

What do you like to listen to when you craft?

I love any of the Ministry of Sound Chillout Sessions CD's. They're the perfect low key groovy tunes to play in the background.

What crafty forums do you lurk in ....

I don't tend to lurk in any forums - crafty blogland and facebook are enough for me!

Whats up next for you on the craft front?

I'd really like to get back to my high school art days but combine it with textiles, and create some textile art.



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

I always have a huge UFO pile - things that haven't worked, things that I just got bored with - they range from bags, headbands, bibs, clothing repairs..... then there's always the half finished mosaic artworks circa 2003.

Where else can people shop for your goodies?

I have an online shop - www.madeit.com.au/curlypops and I also take custom orders and direct orders via email - mscurlypops@gmail.com

Meet the Northside Makers: Chuckles Designs

In the first of many blog posts, we will be showcasing the crafters that have a stall at our Northside Makers Market.

Chuckles Designs is a homemade team making homemade stuff for homemade kids. The founders are sisters Jen Briggs and Sally Kingi, along with their lovely mum, Barbara Douglas.

Tell us about what you sell ...

Chuckles Designs sell stuffed fabric toys, sock toys, and baby blankets.

What inspires you?

We make a few designs from Melly and Me, and also Audrey and Maude . Otherwise, our buyers often make special requests and Etsy is a great place to get inspiration.

What's your favourite medium to work in?

Sewing socks and fabric is our thing.

What would you be lost without ....

Chuckles herself and my sewing machine.

What's your fave crafty read?

I love sock monkeys so this book is great inspiration.

What do you like to listen to when you craft?

My daughter, Charlie (aka: chuckles)

Whats up next for you on the craft front?

We are about to launch a clothing range for littlies and I'm currently experimenting with a sock frog.

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

Grandma chuckles is playing around with a stuffed pig and I am working on some specialty monkeys to join "Pirate Monkey"

Where else can people shop for your goodies?

Chuckles can be found at our brand new and first ever stockist, Mandrake and Willow, 66 Anderson St, Yarraville, VIC
Our blog: http://chucklesdesigns.wordpress.com
Our Etsy Shop: chucklesdesigns.etsy.com
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=70654655691&ref=ts
and the Teeny Tiny Sisters Market on November 7, www.sistersmarket.com.au