Blogger(s) wanted!

Made on the Left is looking for volunteers to help with our blog dedicated to promoting handmade WA design.
We require bloggers for a few different areas:

Gift Guide blogger
It will be your job to collate gift guides comprised of WA made products for various occasions e.g. Mothers Day. It would be useful if you are familiar with WA makers and their products. You will be required to compile the image to accompany the post.

Profile blogger
It will be your job to create posts centred on people in the WA handmade scene. You can email them questions or interview them personally, it's up to you. This would suit someone interested in writing/journalism/photography.

Opportunities blogger
It will be your job to inform WA makers of upcoming opportunities or items of interest e.g. market stallholder callouts, interesting exhibitions, crafty workshops, etc. You will need to make slight edits to text and source or create appropriate accompanying images.

If you are enthusiastic about WA arts and interested in being part of our volunteer team, please email admin@madeontheleft.com with the area(s) you would like to help us with.

Thanks for your support!

About Made on the Left
Made on the Left is a not-for-profit association founded by independent designers in 2008 to support Western Australian creative talent. The association aims to support all WA-based creative designers, artists, craftspeople and independent labels, by sharing information and creating events.

BYO Craft Meet Up

Craft Bound is hosting a social craft group meet up on Sunday, 1st March, 2015, 10.00am to 12.30pm.
BYO new or unfinished craft projects, make new crafty friends and share ideas. The cost is $7 (18+ adults only meet up). Please make a booking via www.craftbound.com.au. 

Date: Sunday, 1st March, 2015
Time: 10.00am to 12.30pm
Venue: North Perth Lesser Hall, 24 View Street, North Perth.

Fringe World night markets

Fringe World 2015 returns to Perth from Friday 23 January to Sunday 22 February 2015. For the first time, they are looking for creative artisan stallholders to trade in their bustling precinct at the Pleasure Garden, Russell Square in Northbridge for the duration of the Festival.

Fringe World Festival attracts over 370,000+. The Night Markets will form an integral part of the Festival environment and provide a colourful village style atmosphere amongst a range of performances, events and eateries. 

They are looking for stallholders who sell vintage clothing, trinkets, DIY experience and local artisan wares promising an eclectic product mix with emphasis on the innovative, fun and unique.

TRADING DATES AND TIMES

Fringe World Night Markets will operate everyday of the Festival, Monday to Sunday. 

The hours of operation are:

Monday – Thursday: 5pm – 11pm

Friday: 5pm – 1am

Saturday: 3pm – 1am

Sunday: 3pm – 11pm

Applicants can apply to trade in 2-week blocks or the entire 4-week block.

First Block: Friday 23 Jan – Sunday 8 February

Second Block:         Monday 9 February – Sunday 22 February

SITE HIRE INFORMATION AND FEES

Site Fees

$500.00 + GST per week, per trader

Fee includes

1 x 3m x 3m marquee, 1 x trestle table, 2 x chairs, 1 x overhead light, Power, Onsite Secure Container Storage, Site Manager Support

There are limited trader places available. To apply, download the application form here. Applications close Thursday 11th December 2014.

Side Project zine launch

Side Project is a new Perth-based quarterly zine about making things, living a creative life and fitting it in around all that other stuff by three ladies who all love craft, design and art. They share a passion for creativity and have put this magazine together over lots of meetings with cake and cups of tea.
If you’ve ever admired another person’s creative skills but felt lost as to how to get there yourself, Side Project is here to help. The zine and blog are brimming with craft projects, tutorials, inspiration and creative advice for the time-poor dabbler to the seasoned artisan.
No matter what your profession or daily routine, carving out time to create something beautiful for yourself is an important part of a balanced life. Take a break, have a cup of tea, flip through the zine and be inspired to start your own side project.

Join the Side Project team for the launch at 6-8pm, Friday 21st November at
Beau Est Mien (458 William St, Northbridge).
www.sideprojectmag.com

Rumble in the Jumble

Rumble in the Jumble is a jumble sale, mini market and fundraiser. 

Sellers, snap up a ‘Jumble Plot’ and trade off your pre-loved goods. Buyers, get down early for a morning coffee and pick up a vintage gem or bargain. There's space for the made-with-love market retailer and a spot for kids to get gluey in the craft corner too! Expect music, snags, coffee and plenty of trawling treasure! 

The event will occur indoors at two large warehouses in Morley, located between Coventry village and the BP station. (Cnr Wellington Road and Walter Rd.)
ll spaces for the swap meet will need to be pre-purchased prior to your arrival. All spaces have been sectioned into 3mx3m spaces.

There are 2 types of stalls available for selling your items.
Jumble Plots are $15.00 for a 3m x 3m space. Plots are for sellers wishing to offload used (but in good condition) items, clothing, furniture and general swap-meet or garage sale style goods. No food, electronics or new items to be sold.

Mini Market Spaces are $35.00 for a 3m x 3m space. These spaces are for small business or hobby retailers looking to sell new products, hand made items or reconditioned vintage wares. This area is best for those retailers looking to sell items at market value prices. All mini market stall holders will require their own public and products liability insurance.

Purchase a Stall Here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rumble-in-the-jumble-registration-12548038521 

Rent Free Shop Space Opportunity in Montage

Montage Collective Pop-up Shop together with Propel Youth Arts WA, are accepting applications from young Perth makers/sellers for a ‘Rent Free August’ guest spot in their current pop-up shop in William St, Northbridge.

The chosen young maker will also be able to work in store and learn from the group of experienced makers and sellers. Working in-store will be on a voluntary basis - not essential but a great opportunity to learn about selling their own creations.

If this sounds like just the thing for you, then go here to access the application form and get your samples in quick smart!

Important Info
Applicants must :-

• be under 25 years of age
• design and make your own products. The more ‘hands on’ you are the better!
• complete the application form and return it by 24th July
• bring samples of your work in-store to Montage 454 William St Northbridge by 24th July. (Physical samples of your work are needed to assess quality and originality and can be dropped in to the shop during opening hours. Tue - Fri: 11-6, Sat: 11-5, Sun: 11-4)

The rent-free spot begins on Saturday 2nd August, so applicants must have enough stock in hand to fill a space approx 1m x 35cm or equivalent, depending on product, by this date.

The successful applicant will be designated their own spot in the shop totally rent-free (usually $20/week) for the period 2nd – 31st August 2014.

The only cost to the maker will be a small percentage on any sales made during the month (10% for cash and 15% eftpos sales). This charge goes towards the shop and bank overheads. No sales = no costs.

24th July – applications due
28th July – lucky winner announced
2nd – 31st August – winner's work available for sale at Montage.

Links
Montage Collective Facebook 
Montage Collective Blog
email Montage

Sell at Montage
If you are not eligible to apply for the free space, you can still join in! Montage is looking for hand crafted products to sell as one of their guest artists for August.

If you would like to apply, please fill in the online application form here.

Subiaco Craft Collectibles and Community Fair Stallholder Callout

The Rotary Club of Matilda Bay is hosting its annual Subiaco Craft, Collectibles and Community Fair on Sunday 26 October 2014 at the Oak Lawn at the University of Western Australia. They are offering an Early Bird Registration until 31 July. Early bird stall prices range from $140 - $180. To book a stall go to http://www.subiacocraftfair.org.au/ 

WAFTA workshops

The WA Fibre & Textile Association (WAFTA) has a few workshops coming up ranging from learning the basics of crochet and knitting to the more unusual working with gut and mud dyeing.

Images (L-R): qiuyuehanjiang01.blog.163.com; knitfrillsfood.com; craftsbee.com

WORKSHOP: Introduction to Knitting & Crochet – 1 day

Where: Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde Road, Menora
Date/Time: 16/03/2014 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Price: Members $75, Non-members $125
With Anne Williams and Susan Walsh

Spend a day in the company of two fantastic tutors learning the basics of knitting and crochet either from scratch or as a refresher.

Many of us have dabbled in knitting and crochet, but how many of us really understand how to read a pattern without getting lost, how to shape and create all those amazing stitches, how to fix problems, and how we might use these skills in our creative or artistic projects... or just to yarn bomb that tree in your front yard!

Use this as a standalone course to up-skill, or to prepare for WAFTA’s Prudence Mapstone’s freeform knitting workshop coming in the autumn. Choose between spending the day knitting or crocheting, or do both with half a day on each.

12 places available. To book a place visit www.wafta.com.au/events/workshop-introduction-knitting-crochet/

Images: Judy Dominic

WORKSHOP: Gutsy Stuff with Judy Dominic

Where: Alexander Park Craft House Clyde Road, Menora

Date/Time: 23/04/2014, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Price: Members $150 (Early Bird $125 until March 10th); Non-members $175

When not being used to hold sausage together, gut is a very elastic material that sticks to just about anything and dries firm and semi-transparent when stretched. It can hold structures together, be used like a string, create walls or form a flexible shape. A great material to use, play outside the box – or rather, outside the tube – in this off-the-wall workshop.

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience from beginners to practising artists in a small dedicated class.

To book a place visit www.wafta.com.au/events/workshop-gutsy-stuff-judy-dominic/

Images: Judy Dominic

WORKSHOP: Mud Cloth with Judy Dominic – 2 days

Where: Alexander Park Craft House Clyde Road, Menora
Date/Time: 26/04/2014 - 27/04/2014 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Price: Members $300 (Early Bird $250 until March 10th); Non-members $350

The seemingly simple white design on black background cloth represents the serious artistic manner of telling the stories of village life in Mali, Africa. Learn about the traditional method of bogolan fini - dying cotton cloth with mud – as well as how that process is modified two different ways in the Dominic version.

During the workshop you will create your own story designs using local muds on cotton and other natural fibre cloth. Connect with the earth and gain an appreciation of the Mali culture.

This workshop is suitable for all levels from beginners to experienced dyers wanting to try something different in a small dedicated class.

To book a place visit www.wafta.com.au/events/workshop-mud-cloth-judy-dominic/

REGINALD – The CAE Portrait Prize for Softies

It's the craft world's version of the Archibalds - the Reginalds!

You are invited to make a Softie Portrait of someone you admire/appreciate and send a photo of it together with a photo of the person that the portrait represents.

A Softie Portrait (soft toy) is a handmade soft sculpture/toy made from fabric or yarn, incorporating hand and/or machine stitching, knitting or crochet, which emulates a specific person or pet. Your Softie Portrait MUST be your own original work.

Judges Pip Lincoln (left) and CatRabbit (right) with their Reginalds

The judges are Cat Rabbit, nationally and internationally revered soft sculpture/textile artist, and Pip Lincolne, Melbourne crafter, author and Meet me at Mikes blogger. They will select 10 finalists who will then send in their actual softie portraits for a fabulous exhibition, to be held in the CAE (Centre for Adult Education) info shop in central Melbourne.

The Reginald winner, selected by Cat Rabbit and Pip Lincolne, will receive:

• A Brother NS55 Sewing Machine, valued at $699
• A commissioned soft sculpture by Cat Rabbit
• Inclusion on Pip Lincolne’s ‘Meet me at Mikes’ blog
• Inclusion on frankie magazine’s blog
• Subscription to frankie magazine

In addition, there will be a People’s Prize awarded, as voted by the general public. Chosen from the ten finalists, People’s Prize voting will be online and in person.

Photographic entries must be received by 7 March 2014. DON’T SEND ACTUAL SOFTIE PORTRAITS!

To enter the Reginald competition follow the instructions and fill out the entry form which you will find here.

Look up @reginald_cae, #Reginald and #makingareggie on Instagram to see other people’s entries.

Do you have an Etsy or Madeit shop?

Do you have an Etsy or Madeit shop? If you don’t have one, and you want one, then what’s stopping you? There’s no time like the present to start making your dreams a reality.

Cross Stitch Jewellery Blank - rabbit shape by osmosis on Etsy

Lots of our Made on the Left blog readers are big handmade fans that dream about selling their own designs but haven’t fully committed to taking that step of opening an online shop and filling it with what they make. So why not? What are you waiting for? Turning your craft into a thriving business is really hard work but opening an online shop and selling what you make on there is a simple step that doesn’t require masses of time and dedication.

You can just start with listing one item.

Don’t keep your amazing designs hidden from view. Get out there and show everyone what you can do to the rest of the world. Once you start you’ll see that you really can do it. Start small but dream big.

Tall Rabbit panda brooch on Etsy

And it doesn’t take much time either. Just a commitment of 15 minutes a day will get you slowly but steadily to a fantastic looking shop full of products you have made with your own two hands. The feeling of satisfaction and joy it will give you is indescribable.

Some Etsy and Madeit sellers have been able to quit their day jobs and work from home doing what they love the most. Others take it easy and sell what they make as a hobby, using the profits from each sale to buy more materials. It’s the perfect hobby, one that pays for itself.

It doesn’t matter where you want to end up, now is the time to start it. Take action. Dream big and take those small steps to a creatively satisfying lifestyle.

Head over to Etsy or Madeit today and open that account.

Jacquie Hughes is on the Made on the Left committee and is the founder of delightsociety.com

Stallholder Profile: Spotlight on Anna Hadwin Crochet Toys

Anna Hadwin of Anna Hadwin Crochet Toys has been a stallholder at Made on the Left markets for many years, always making us squeal at the cuteness of her creations! Let's see what goes on behind the scenes...

Tell us a bit about yourself
I have been crocheting and knitting since I was 5 years old. We moved from the UK to California and it was a great way to keep me occupied. My baby sister was only 6 weeks old. Moving back to the UK I made my first jumper at 8 years old, and I haven’t stopped crafting since.




What inspires you to create?
The joy of making. My husband (Toby) and daughter (Orlando) are both very artistic and their drawings and doodles supply me with many ideas. 
I love yarn, and have a “Wool Mountain” at my house (pictured left).

What materials do you use?
Wool in acrylic, cotton and specialty yarns.

What steps do you take to prepare for a market?

Each market has a different customer base, so I try and tailor products for that market. Then I crochet like crazy!

What’s your number one market tip?

Stay positive and listen to advice from those around you - customers and stallholders. There is a wealth of knowledge out there.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?
Taking time out to plan new designs and seeing them take shape.

What’s been your most popular item or line to date?
Owl, Penguins and my Pirate Bunny. But who wouldn’t love a Pirate Bunny??



What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your designs through markets?
Knowing that my products make people happy. I have many repeat customers and am now wholesaling.

What advice would you give someone who wants to sell their crafts?
You might need to compromise with your product. I started out selling baby/children’s knitwear. But in our climate it was just too hard. So I thought toys and hats and home wares was a better choice.



What goals do you have in store for the future?
To keep on crafting and evolving my products. It’s really important to me to make everything myself and I think customers appreciate that.

Thanks, Anna!
xxx MOTL

The Craft & Quilt Fair is on now with displays, exhibitions, workshops, make-and-take classes and retailers selling thousands of unique craft supplies.
Tickets includes entry to the QuiltWest Exhibition with quilts designed and made by members of the West Australian Quilters Association Inc.

When: Wednesday 22 May 22 to Sunday 26 May, 2013
Open 9am – 4:30pm daily

Where: Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road

How much: Adults $16
Seniors Card holders $14
Children (from 5 to 16 years) $9, under 5 years free
Family – 2 adults & 2 children $40

Stallholder Profile: Spotlight on "Osmosis Designs"

Today's stallholder profile is Annie of Osmosis Designs. Annie has been a stallholder at Made on the Left markets since the third one. Let's go behind the scenes!

Tell us a bit about yourself
I came from a creative family so making is in my DNA! In my time I’ve sold paintings, mixed media work, freehand machine embroidery, hand drawn embossed cards. Now, with osmosis designs, I’ve taught myself vector graphics so I can design pieces for laser cutting and etching. Each piece I make is hand finished, embroidered and assembled.

What inspires you to create?
Anything and everything, but most ideas have a basis in science – the natural world and geometric shapes

What materials do you use?
I use coloured acrylics and bamboo ply for my laser cut pieces and some of these have cross-stitch embroidery on them in either wool or cotton threads.

What’s your number one market tip?
My best market tip is to start as soon as possible and write lists. Tick things off as you go – list stock you need to make, things you need to buy, items you need to take with you etc. Plus be inventive in your display. You need something, either a product or a prop that people will notice and make them look longer at your stall.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?
The design stage – I work hard to make each design idea really work in reality.

What’s been your most popular item or line to date?
My positive/negative shape earrings where one earring is the bit cut out of the other (see picture) They have become my signature piece.

What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your designs through markets?
Meeting a wonderful group of like-minded people. There is something quite special about the craft community. They are so supportive and generous.

What advice would you give someone who wants to sell their crafts?
Try to develop your own style with whatever it is you make. That style can be a theme, a colour scheme or a variation of something that nobody else has done. Be original.

What goals do you have in store for the future?
No specific goals – just to keep making and developing my ideas.

Thanks Annie!
xxx MOTL

Crochet for Beginners class

Calico and Ivy in Mosman Park are offering Saturday morning crochet classes. Learn how to crochet granny squares and make them into a blanket! 
They also have classes to learn how to crochet hexagons or flowers; how to knit socks or shawls; patchwork and group sessions. For more details, see the Calico & Ivy website.

The Artful Business Conference

Are you a micro business owner, entrepreneur, artist, writer, designer?
Are you incredibly creative and desperate to make a successful business out of your passion, or grow your already booming business?

Spend the 5th & 6th September learning, connecting and sharing experiences to take that next step in your business.

The Artful Business Conference is bringing together six superstar speakers to offer you skills and tools to build your business - Russell Allert (Baked Social Media), Jess Van Den (Epheriell, *bespoke* zine), Lisa Walsh (The Market Mill, Cookie Dough Biscuits), Megan Auman (Designing an MBA), Tara Gentile (Scoutie Girl), Jennifer Lee (coach, author, and artist).

They will cover topics such as social media, branding, pricing, profit and more. They will discuss, in detail, ways to get comfortable with making money from your art, what creative types need to have in their business plan and even how to set up your online shop.

The conference is being held in Brisbane but you can buy a virtual pass and watch it all live online!

See the program, buy tickets or visit the website for more information.

This e-book sounds like interesting reading for market stallholders. It's by Jodie Maloni of The Habby Goddess and Cintia Gonzalez-Pell of My Poppet.

"The Craft of Markets - How to achieve market stall success, An Australian perspective" is aimed at those who are just starting out in markets or even just considering running a market stall and covers topics such as Picking the right market for you, Market applications, Products, Pricing, Merchandising, Logistics, contains a handy printable Essentials checklist and a Resources guide with links to packaging and display item stockists and more. There are also extra handy hints from some market organisers.
Comes in a PDF format that you can load on your iPad or mobile device, read on your computer or even print out. Available here or here.

Canning Bridge Arts Markets

Canning Bridge Arts Markets are held on the first Sunday of every month 9 am to 2 pm at Kishorn Road between Moreau Mews and First Avenue in Applecross. The next market is on Sunday 5th August and will feature musical performances, singers, actors, strolling minstrels, bush poets, as well as Australian-made art-and-craft stalls selling locally designed jewelry, sculpture, furniture, housewares, pet supplies and decoration.

For more information and stallholder applications, see the website http://www.canningbridgemarkets.org.au/

Craft-O-Saurus!

The Western Australian Museum is hosting a craft day on Sunday 1 July and encouraging Perth sew-ers to come along and make toy dinosaurs.

It’s a free event and hand sewing is encouraged – so no machines please!  But knitting, crocheting, hand sewing etc. are all good. Craft kits will be available to purchase for those who don’t have supplies.

You can register for the free event at http://museum.wa.gov.au/whats-on/craft-o-saurus

2012 Craft & Quilt Fair

The Craft & Quilt Fair is coming to Perth from Wed 23rd to Sun 27th open daily 9am – 4:30pm at the Perth Convention Centre. There will be displays of handmade crafts, workshops, presentations, live demonstrations and retail stands selling unique craft supplies. See the latest products for stamping, scrapbooking, knitting, crochet, cardmaking, embroidery, sewing, quilting, jewellery-making and more.
1, 2, 3, and 4 day passes are available or go with some friends for a group discount. See http://www.craftfair.com.au/Perth2012/ for more information and to buy tickets.

Perth Brown Owls

You may have heard of the Brown Owls craft group. It was originally started by Pip of Meet me at Mike's in Melbourne. Well did you know there is one here in Perth too? In Bayswater to be precise and they meet on the third Sunday of the month from 2 - 4pm. The next meeting is on 19th February, 2012. If you would like more info, please contact Sarah or Megan or join the Perth Brown Owls Facebook group. Happy crafting!