Stitches & Craft Show - Volunteers Wanted!

A year ago I had the most wonderful day out at the Stitches & Craft Show at the Melbourne Showgrounds. I went to a felt doughnut workshop and met Holly Two Cheese Please*, then at a PVC wallet workshop I met Jodie Ric Rac of the selvedge frock, and little did I realise at the time but one of the crafters I sewed next to went on to become Miss Sandra Pepperberry! I was awed by the talent shown in the Incubator section, by far the most out-of-the-box stalls at the show. There was a refashioning zone, skill displays by lacemakers and feltmakers, and sooo much to buy. Looking at 2009 photos on participants' blogs today is getting me excited all over again.


Two Cheese Please's Incubator stall, 2009
I've spent the last twelve months counting down to 2010's Stitches & Craft (and vowing to take along more cash next time). The big event will hit Melbourne from Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th of May. And I've just found out from Jodie Ric Rac's blog that they're looking for volunteers!


Ric Rac's lifesize selvedge projects via Whip UP
If you can hand sew, crochet or embroider and love to share your skills, the Craft Bars need you! Craft Bar volunteers will teach visitors new skills and have a laugh while doing so**. In return for you hard day's crafting and teaching you'll be rewarded with two free tickets to the show! That means that as well as spending one day at the Craft Bar, you can spend another two attending workshops and shopping! Or if you're feeling altruistic you could give one to your bestie and spend a crafty day together. I advise leaving your kids with a babysitter***.


2009 Craft Bar photographed by The Lark
If you'd like to find out more about this opportunity get in touch with the organisers via enquiries(AT)stitchesandcraft(DOT)com(DOT)au.

* There's an interview with Holly in the latest Mixtape, which you can buy this Saturday at the Northside Makers Collective Table!

** Laughing is mandated. Or I may have made that up.

*** Says the woman who didn't get to see the Handmade Nation doco due to the demands of her friend and herself shepherding a six month old and 19 month old all day long. I did however manage to schedule a breastfeed during a presentation on building a craft business. And the parents room was quite well appointed apart from the lack of a change table.

Meet the Crafters: Two Cheese Please

One of the many crafters making their Northside Makers Market debut this Saturday is Holly from Two Cheese Please. Hola Holly!

Tell us about what you sell ...
I suffer from craft ADD so I tend to make a lot of things! When I first started my wee crafty 'business' I was just trying to sell whatever I had fun making, but I think that worked out to be too broad a range, so I've narrowed it down to custom plushies, hand-carved stamps, and my felt/needlefelt range of toys, jewellery, and needlefelt sculptures.


What's your favourite medium to work in?
I love felt and fabric! And polar fleece which is kind of like a softer, stretchier felt. I started off using felt as a medium because it's so forgiving and you don't need seam allowances, which is great for a beginner. I've since moved on from store bought pre-made acrylic felt to hand dyed 100% wool felt and of course, my new love, needle felting! Oh and of course how can you forget the carving rubber for my stamps!

What would you be lost without ....
I'd be lost without my kitchen paper which I use for drafting patterns, tracing, and pattern templates. I'm also a big fan of my rotary cutter and quilting ruler - I have a neat little set-up on a kitchen cutting board with my cutting mat to fit and my rotary cutter - great for cutting fabric while watching TV on the couch!


What do you like to listen to when you craft?
I have a rather ecclectic range of music but for crafting I prefer softer music with a good upbeat beat and a nice melody. I love too many artists to possibly name!

Your proudest crafty moment?
Definitely attending the Stitches & Craft Show last year. I hadn't done any markets before and so it was completely nerve-wracking. I was filled with self-doubt but it was one of the best experiences I've had since starting my craft journey, so I'm so glad I could take part!


Are you working on something new for this market?
I'm madly working away on some needle felted jewellery, which I hope to have finished in time for the February Northside Makers Market! I'm a big fan of treating yourself to something new and pretty to wear, and I think needle felted rings and earrings (and maybe a few necklaces) will be something interesting and different.

Where else can people shop for your goodies?
I have an etsy store people can visit at twocheeseplease.etsy.com but since a lot of my work is custom/commission, a better idea is to pop over to my flickr portfolio and check out the sort of work I have done before (and could do for you!).