OUR mission statement

MADE ON THE LEFT was founded in 2008 by independent designers to support Western Australian creative talent. We hold bi-annual handmade craft markets to showcase local designers.

Being on the left hand side of Australia no longer

means you'll be at a disadvantage.

Our aim is to support all creative designers and events showcasing independent labels. MOTL is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organisation. You may wonder why we promote other markets besides MOTL; it’s because it’s not about us, its about you; the buyers and sellers of indie wares. Here at the blog, you’ll discover up to date information about our latest market, the low-down on some of Perth’s emerging talents, other opportunities for artists and designers and a little bit of fun stuff too. It’s all right here… welcome!

Wednesday, September 29

Markets at Mojos this Sunday



"A day of fashion, art and music with Felicity Groom, Sugarpuss, Helen Shanahan, Echoes of Django, Lucy Peach and Agent 85. Sunday October 3 10am - 3.30pm @ Mojos in North Fremantle"

That's all I know :)

Sunday, September 26

Kulcha Exhibition Space 2011




Student Sponsorship Deal for November Made on the Left



Student Sponsorship Deal

As a new Made on the Left initiative for the Christmas 2010 market, we are offering a sponsorship for Western Australian student designers. If you are a current art or design student or collectives from WA, you are eligible to
apply for one of the two stalls per day we have set aside to support you, free of charge.


Don’t panic if your course doesn't have the words ‘Art & Design’ in the title – we are looking for all sorts of creative people – fashion, woodwork, sculpture, graphics etc Successful applicants will be expected to provide proof of current enrolment in a recognised WA educational institution.

The applications are available here (on our brand new and shiny website) - fill in the form and make sure you fill in the student sponsorship questions at the end. Get in quick - applications close October 9.

We are really excited about the November market and really look forward to you helping to make it a vibrant, interesting and fresh place to buy WA handmade!

Friday, September 24

Applications Are Open!


Click HERE to apply online! We made it easy for you, you dont even have to download a form, or send an email!

Wednesday, September 22

Photographing Flat Products : Help from Etsy.com


photo from letterhappy

"Taking great photos of your work is key! How you present your artwork is just as important as the work itself, and more often than not it's what makes the difference between someone understanding/buying your work. Flatness is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome when photographing 2D work and presenting it online. Context is everything; it is important to remember the item isn't just an image on a screen! For flat 2D objects, such as drawings and prints, show a scanned version of the work, but also a shot with space around the work. You want to give your viewer an idea of the size of the piece, as well as its presence!"

Read the rest of the article HERE. Its really good, and has made me realise that I usually purchase prints that are well photographed more frequently than "flat"images.

xx Lauren & The Team

Sunday, September 19

Opportunity for Illustrators


Be part of Illustrative in Berlin!

Applications for Illustrative 2011 can now be submitted.

In May 2011, the 6th Illustrative- the leading international festival for contemporary illustration and graphic arts, will take place in Berlin again. Artists from all over the world can now apply for the festival: Until October 22nd, 2010 they can submit works in order to be considered for the Swatch Young Illustrators Award.

On November 5th, 2010 the nominees will be awarded in advance and invited to the “Illustrators Night”, a celebration at Direktorenhaus in Berlin.

The Swatch Young Illustrators Award is an unique competition awarding creativity and innovation in personal contemporary illustration and graphics. The award encourages and supports designers in their artistic practice and offers an international and worldwide recognized platform for them. In three categories, illustrative art works, art projects with graphic influences, animations, installations and book art objects qualify for submission.

A jury, consisting of international art directors, well-known illustrators and publishers, will nominate artists in each category in October 2010. At Direktorenhaus in Berlin, the “Illustrators Night” will take place on November 5th, where the nominations will be celebrated with an exhibition and a party.

The Swatch Young Illustrators Award offers the winners not only the opportunity to be part of Illustrative in May 2011 in Berlin. Also,there are prizes waiting worth 6.000 Euros, publications and agency agreements as well as the one-time opportunity to design a limited edition for Swatch.

For more information, check out www.illustrative.de and www.direktorenhaus.com


via Ali J's blog

Wednesday, September 15

Nominate an Awesome under 25 year old




National youth radio station Triple J is running an awesome project called
"25 under 25 and smashing it"
- its all about young people who are really making a name for themselves in the community... read on in their words...

Are you shaking shit up? Or know someone who is? Has your bestie just nailed an awesome project and won't shut up about it? Are you inventing killer techno gadgets or is your sister the best wine-maker you know? Maybe you're an awesome car mechanic or you’ve got a mad activist mate.
triple j's putting together an annual list of Australia's most extraordinary under 25's doing great freaking things. We want to hear from people working or playing in any industry. Nominate yourself or the movers, shakers + makers in your life.
Nominations close next MONDAY September 22nd
Tell us how you or someone you know is SMASHIN IT!

To nominate someone CLICK HERE

xx Lauren & The Team

Saturday, September 11

Have you got a great image of your product range?



Have you got a great image of your product range, where it shows off all the different styles? If you havn't, GET OFF YOUR BUTT! Its a really important and great marketing tool, and is much better to hand out at markets than a boring business card, because people will actually remember why they picked it up in the first place!

If you're a WA artist, and have a really nice product range image, share the link to it in the comments and I'll pop it up on the blog... a little reward for putting in the work!

I really love this one by Janice Law over at little miso who belongs to the super-wonderful Made of Awesome collaborative - click to see it big.



EDIT :: there seems to be a bit of confusion, we're after images that show 3+ DIFFERENT items in the one images; i..e the one above shows 16 in one image. xx

Friday, September 10

Semi-Permanent Design Festival 2010





Hey, it's that time of the year again, hoorah!

The Bakery
is relaunching with a bang!

To buy tix and get in on the action ; clicky

The 5th Semi-Permanent Perth Conference returns to The Bakery with a new format and killer line-up of speakers.

This years speakers include graphic designer Leif Podhajsky, super cool creative agency Tin & Ed, stylin urban creative Beastman, renowned photographer Claire Martin plus more speakers and side events to be announced shortly.

Each ticket purchase to Semi-Permanent include a copy if the 2010 Semi-Permanent Publication and entry to the Official After Party feat. Chico Mann & guests.

For more information on Semi-Permanent speakers & side events, log onto www.semipermanent.com

xx The Team

Thursday, September 9

What to do this Weekend

Hey All!

Pining for some Perth design? Made on the Left November too far away?

Well, other markets are on this weekend, both on the Sunday!

So either choose one, or go to both!

Perth Upmarket



Perth Upmarket is at UWA and has a huge range of stalls - food, art, jewellery, clothes, home wares, photography etc, with all products designed in WA (not necessarily handmade), they also have a neat kids market on at the same time - visit the website for deets!


Unwrapped: The Marketplace




Unwrapped is at the Perth Cultural Centre and as part of the Perth Fashion Festival is focused on fashion - that is Handmade in WA designs in fields such as jewellery, accessories, clothing (mens, women and kids), plus a little bit extra - again, visit the website for details!

Don't forget to support these wonderful WA designer markets - its you that keeps the WA handmade scene going!



xx Lauren & The Team

Wednesday, September 1

Curtin University Needs Survey Participants


Give WA arts a voice!
Understanding the Creative Workforce: A study of artists and arts practice

Curtin University are looking for 300 artists to help complete a survey about the way they work. They need artists, actors, writers, designers, musicians, street performers, dancers, sculptors, photographers, or anyone working in the creative industry to help. Through your completed survey, it is hoped more will be learnt about the role of artists, how they work and art’s critical role in society. The information will be used to boost the visibility of the Arts in WA, inform funding and skills development, and help to build a more sustainable creative workforce.

A few notes about the survey:

  • The survey can be done online at this link http://research.humanities.curtin.edu.au/creativeworkforce/ or via the facebook page – Creative Workforce WA
  • Hard copies are also available on request by email creativeworkforce@curtin.edu.au or by phoning Julie on 9266 4747
  • All surveys will be treated with the upmost confidentiality and any personal information will be de-identified
  • All participants will be in a draw to win a raft of prizes from local businesses
  • Anyone who completes a survey will receive feedback on the results if desired
  • Participants will also have the chance to have their story told in a book that will be published.

Oxford St Markets Back On Again

From Katrina, from Oxford St Markets =

Hi Everyone,


I hope you have been enjoying this mild winter season, and are looking forward to all the great events which embrace us in the spring and summer.

The Oxford St Market has grown from its launch in summer 08 from an initial small community collective, into an established cultural highlight in Perth. The market promotes independent fashion designers, jewellery designers, home decor, photographers, painters, fair traders, collectors, and the aspiring creative alike.We have now secured our dates for the Oxford St Market 10/11 season, and will launch for another 20 week summer series as of November 6, 2010 - April 2, 2011.

Applications to exhibit are now open, and can be downloaded from our website www.oxfordstmarket.com.au
Please feel free to pass on this email to anyone you know who may be interested in participating this season, and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.