Get to know the stallholders!

With the Made on the Left markets at the Perth Concert Hall happening tomorrow we thought it would be a good idea to meet a couple of the stallholders that will be there so, get to know...

RED COPPER FOX

My name is Georgina Drury and I'm a New Zealander living in Perth (don't hold it against me). I have been here now for four years and I've always been interested in anything crafty whether it be painting or jewellery making. The items I have been creating for Red Copper Fox are wooden geometric necklaces, they are all hand painted with my own colour combinations. Recently I have gotten into making geometric concrete pots that my partner designed and made the mold for and taught me how to pour the concrete. I have just started making concrete pendants too- these are a work in progress, but I should have a limited number available at the upcoming market.

Red Copper Fox is fairly new, I only created the etsy page in May, but I have been making Jewellery for myself for over 5 years if not longer. I started making jewellery for myself after seeing a particular colour combination of a necklace and discovering my love for geometric beads. People started asking me for them so it grew from there. The concrete pot side of it was because I wanted one for our house, but couldn't find them anywhere so my partner made me one and from there we just kept making them.

Although I love the necklaces so much I think my favourite thing I'll be selling this weekend at the markets will be the geometric pots- I think they are very special, especially the ones I have hand painted on.

I wish I could do this full time but not yet so I have a full time job as a Merchandiser for a greeting card company in Perth. I have a huge love of painting and have done so ever since I was a kid so on the weekend you would probably find me with a paint brush in my hand trying to create something. 

You can find me at:

www.etsy.com/shop/RedCopperFox

www.facebook.com/RedCopperFox

instagram.com/red.copper.fox

RUGGED AND REFINED

I'm Jenna Love, a metalsmith and jewellery designer from New Zealand. My current work often features faceted geometric forms made from sterling silver that have been embellished with random, spontaneous layers of fine gold. The result is jewellery that is angular and bold to wear, whilst being warm with a rich palette. 

Rugged and refined is my new brand name, but I've been making jewellery since 2008. My best performing subject in school was sculpture- I surprised myself and tutors by having an eye for detail and having a knack for putting interesting materials together. I also spent time years living in Nelson, a well known town for many talented jewellers and artists. On returning to New Zealand after a handful of years in the States, I was inspired to give Silversmithing a go after seeing lots of beautiful work in galleries around the country. After my first class, I was well and truly hooked! 

My current favourites are geometric shaped earrings, adorned with splatters of gold, also my oxidised domed round studs are sweet. 

Being a mother to my three year old daughter is my other gig. The jewellery fits in alongside that perfectly and I have some exciting plans for building my jewellery business over the coming months. Please check back in!

Instagram: @ruggedandrefined

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuggedandRefinedJewellery

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/RuggedandRefined?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Melbourne Collective: http://www.ikeandflycollective.com.au/

New website coming soon and online shop. 

ONE HAPPY LEAF

I established One Happy Leaf in 2013 to inspire people to reconnect with their authentic selves. In a fast paced and sometimes stressful world we often lose touch with ourselves and how we used to be. For some of us, that means spending less time in nature and fewer moments experiencing the richness of the world. I create jewellery to remind the wearer to live true to their individual selves, because living authentically is when we are at our happiest. We can see joy in the simple things in life and we find the courage to follow our passions. We experience all the wonder of the world while being true to ourselves. 

My favourite jewellery piece is my "bubble necklace". It's my number one seller and a personal favourite of mine. (See picture)

I quit my day job in 2014, so One Happy Leaf is now my full-time job. I am an environmental scientist by education and was working in a government job previous to working full-time on the jewellery business. By starting One Happy Leaf I found a new passion in creating beautiful, simplistic jewellery that is designed for authentic women to be their happy, natural selves. I love my new day job and am happy I took the leap to working full-time on what was my "creative hobby".

W: onehappyleaf.com

F: www.facebook.com/onehappyleaf

I: www.instagram.com/onehappyleaf

Stores in Perth - Common Ground Collective (82 Hight Street Fremantle)

You can find these amazing creators and a whole bunch of others at the markets this weekend- Perth Concert Hall, Sunday 26th July, 10am - 4pm, see you there!

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Profile: Soft Constructions

We would like to introduce our new 'profiles blogger', Alira Callaghan. Alira has a strong interest in supporting local artists, designers and creatives and she will be bringing you articles on talented local creatives. The subject of her first profile is Seonaidh Murphy’s Soft Constructions.

What sort of things does Soft Constructions encompass? 
Soft Constructions is a Perth based illustration and design studio focused on creating unique, original and playful designs and products for their customers and clients. I use popular culture as inspiration and then utilise both hand worked and digital techniques (combined with a twist of humour) to create designs that can find themselves on any number of products.  There is a retail side to the business as well as a design side that is more focused on creating custom designs and products for clients such as menus, uniforms, logos etc.

I know you have a background in both art and design, what was it that attracted you to the textile side of design?I had always been involved in working with textiles.  Even at art school I did a lot of experimentation with textiles and sculpture.  I guess there is something about the tactility of it being able to be used to create 2d and 3d shapes.  I enjoy working between the two spheres of art and design because it gives me a creative outlet but I can still be business focused.

Can you briefly explain what is involved in your design process?
I do a bit of trend research and come up with some ideas.  Then I collect imagery and after that I start piecing together my designs.  From there I start incorporating puns and drawing them and painting them as I see fit.  Next I scan the design in and do any digital alterations and edits to it and it gets made into whichever product it needs to be.
 

Images courtesy of Soft Constructions

Does Soft Constructions offer you a creative outlet that is different to when you have done work in the fashion industry?
Definitely.  Soft Constructions allows me to utilize more of my skills and gives me the freedom to cross over into multiple disciplines.  I also get to indulge in my illustration skills, which is great!

A lot of your designs incorporate humour, have you always enjoyed the pun game or did that come through developing your practice?
I’ve always had a bit of a sense of humour.  Some people enjoy it and some people don’t, it wasn’t always very well received when I was in art school.  I feel like I have the ability to switch between serious and funny though and know the circumstances in which to use my comedic devices. 

What is your favourite aspect of your work for Soft Constructions? 
My favourite aspect is constantly growing the business into new and exciting places.  As I grow more opportunities come up and I really enjoy the challenge of being faced with new problems to solve.

Do you try to source your materials and services locally?
I try to source as much locally as I can and if I can’t source it locally I use Australian suppliers.  It can be hard but I seem to be able to make it work at the moment.

Images courtesy of Soft Constructions

How important has it been to the success of Soft Constructions to have support from the community and likeminded people?
It has been really important.  Being able to be inspired by the people around you gives you the strength to grow and flourish as a business.  I love being around people that are as excited as I am to make a difference and create unique and successful businesses.

What project/s are you currently working on?
I have lots of little things in the works.  I have a few custom products with local businesses that I’ll be able to let you in on soon.  I also have plans to grow the business into a very exciting place next year but I can’t say too much.

Where can we find your designs and products?
You can find our products at www.softconstructions.com and in:
Sugar and Nice, Inglewood        The Little Cheese Shop, Bayswater
Common Ground, Fremantle      Kakulas Sister, Fremantle
The Tenth State, Nedlands         Perth Upmarket

And soon to be in: 
Compendium, Fremantle       Addison and Steele, North Perth
Beehive, Fremantle


Alira Callaghan

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.

Spotlight: Kelsie White

Gift wrapping at its finest

Kelsie is a newcomer on the block and my-my are we excited to tell you about her! She is a young creative who is adding a bit of fun and a bucket of love to wrapping anything and everything! Kelsie uses paper-based products that are mostly recycled materials to jazz up any little goodies you might have. You can see her wrapping up at our next MOTL event!

How would you describe K Gets Organised?

K Gets Organised is a paper based organisation goodie store. It’s for everyone out there that can’t find the perfect diary, to-do list and the most on-trend paper goods in Perth. It’s also in large about collaboration and supporting other WA creatives around me.

What do you use as material for your products?

It’s all about paper for me! I like to bring it back to the basics and strip back the toxics. I try to use recycled materials wherever I can and I see texture as being integral to what I do. Kraft paper in particular has such a unique feeling to it. Similarly, I like to include wood in products and the grain of blackboard paint when it’s dry.

Is there anything in particular that inspired you to create K Gets Organised?

Well, I opened the Facebook account while I was on a one-week study break in the middle of my last semester of my undergraduate degree. I had just moved out into my first house and had set up my first studio desk. The name came to me after trying to find the perfect to do list (which is still a pretty unsuccessful search!). I have always loved paper goods and the first product I ever sold was a line of little quote cards for people to use as motivation. K Gets Organised has always been about finding freedom and reaching goals through being organised by paper and that’s what inspires me every day.

Do you prefer to wrap things in a messy or a neat fashion?

Always crisp and neat in a very minimalist style – there is nothing better than the perfect crease along the edge of a present or the perfect fold at either end. I’m a complete perfectionist when it comes to wrap. The messy part comes in getting creative with personalization for me – creating a beautiful card or a gift tag is where the mess and the fun is had!

How do you think that your paper products will stand out against other wrapping products sold in larger stores?

Like everything at Made on the Left, instead of my product coming from somewhere, changing hands many times and being served to you from a shelf; I can see you, speak to you and understand your personal needs. My products are made with my hands allowing for so much more, including personal touches, tweaking products and designs and even just simply conversation!

Do you have a favourite design that you're keeping all to yourself?

I have a little something special for the first 10 customers at my market stall – they’ll get an incredible gift-wrap service that will be gorgeous and very Christmas. If there is anyone out there that wants to have that experience, they’ll have to get in nice and early!

Have you appeared in markets before?

I’m 21 and I started KGO earlier this year (May) and have been doing product design, marketing, sales and everything in between since then leaving little time for me to organise a stall – but Made on the Left has made this process so easy and exciting for me for their Christmas market. This will be my first market (but certainly not the first market I’ve attended!!).

Will you be opening up a store in the future?

I’ve been in contact with some beautiful retailers in Perth and I’m hoping to have my products in stores very, very soon. I’m always looking for new opportunities though – there are so many gorgeous stores in Perth I day dream about having KGO sitting proudly in their stores!

Do you feel that your brand represents you as a person?

I am the K of K Gets Organised, so of course my brand represents me and people like me – people that want value for money, people whom desire beautiful as well as on-trend paper goods and people that want to speak to the person creating their goods with a personal touch.

Where do you see your brand in 5 years?

I see KGO sitting proudly on the shelf, wall, on the desk and in the hearts of a lot more beautiful people around WA. I’m incredibly excited and honoured to see where this journey is going to take me.

www.facebook.com/KGetsOrganised

Stallholder Profile: St Saviours

St Saviours are Matt Bale and Kate Hulett. They were first time stallholders at the July 2013 market and here is a bit more about them:

Tell us a bit about your business.

The concept for St Saviours actually started when Matt and I were on holiday in Perth a few years ago. We re-trimmed one of Matt’s hats while we were in Margaret River, and chatted about how it’s impossible to find non-mass-produced and affordable hats suitable for everyday wear. We both already had a thing for hats at this point…

Fast forward a year and we held our first market stall in London selling a load of hats we’d trimmed with vintage materials, flowers, feathers, interesting ribbons and so on. We sold one hat at our first market, and were completely stoked!

We slowly attracted a dedicated following, and were soon selling weekly at London’s Sunday Up Market, and at summer music festivals across the UK. We ended up quitting our ‘day jobs’ when a buyer from Topshop picked us up for their flagship Oxford Circus store… then Anthropologie on Regent Street… then Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. The most exciting day was when Kylie Minogue bought one of our hats. We then saw a photo of her in a St Saviours hat, with Stella McCartney at the Madonna concert (cue overexcited screaming)!!

St Saviours was named after the converted vicarage we lived in, in East London. It’s where we did all our work. We left London in January 2013 to start a new life in Perth.

How does the UK compare to Perth in the handmade trade?

We have been doing A LOT of research in Perth, and are totally excited by what we’ve seen. There appears to be a super healthy handmade scene – I think the difference in Perth (when compared to the UK) is that there are less opportunities for the designer-makers to be exposed to the consumers. For example, less weekly markets, less festivals with curated shopping areas, less independent shops looking to stock local product, and so on. That’s why design markets, pop-up shops and support from existing retailers are so important – these opportunities encourage growth and development of the creative, handmade scene.

The great thing is that the people of Perth are really supportive of the markets, interesting shops, art/artists, and so on, so it’s the perfect storm of fantastic local supply, and eager demand.

In London, a lot of the markets are starting to become overrun with the ‘same-old-crap’ – lots of mass produced jewellery and fashion imported straight from abroad, so you start seeing different stalls within one market, selling the same stuff. This is so tragic, and means the people who really hand-make their goods are struggling as their products are inevitably more expensive and are swallowed up by the mass-produced rubbish. In addition, the customers start staying away. Why bother coming to a ‘designer’ market, when hardly anyone there is actually involved in the design process?

We found that organisations running the markets In the UK had lax screening criteria for their sellers – this is totally opposite in Perth. It’s like applying for a flipping Visa trying to get into Perth markets! But that’s great, and means customers know they are seeing products which are unique, interesting, well made, locally made, and so on.

Also we’ve seen some fantastic and innovative products, designers and artists in Perth – there is a real buzz in the creative scene which is evidenced through the fab markets, the pop-up shops and the concept stores dotted about town.

The key issue I can see in Perth, and this would apply to many designer-makers, is the access to, and the availability of, materials. It can be a struggle sourcing raw materials locally, and therefore you’re forced to ship items over from the East Coast, or abroad. And of course this means your costs increase before you’ve even started.

What inspires you?

We are very inspired by colour, texture and pattern, so you will see lots of our hats make use of interesting colour combinations and textured trimmings. Matt is currently obsessing over patterns and is designing some patterns for printing onto silk for hat trims and linings, and ladies scarves.

I guess we have an underlying aim to make hats for ‘people like us’, so that inspires us when we’re designing. We want ‘people like us’ to be able to afford them, and have access to them, and want to wear them – we have no grand aims to become the hat supplier to The Queen!


What do you love most about selling at markets?

The market is where we began our hat trade, and we both adore it (though, to be honest, the weekly Sunday early mornings/late nights in London did become mildly tiresome).

The markets are the best way to really ‘sell’ the features of your product to a customer.  I can’t count the number of people who have said “I’m buying this hat because you’re so passionate about it.”

I always say that talking to customers about your product is like going on a City Tour. You learn so much more, and the buildings, monuments and history are much more meaningful when you are with a guide. As a market trader, you are that guide.

And we really love that – chatting to customers about the hats is great fun. We completely missed talking to customers when we launched in Topshop, so much so that we’d often go in and hang around our stall in order to chat with customers.

What materials do you use?

Almost all our winter hats are blocked with wool-felt and the summer styles are generally woven paper, or Panama. We have worked with fur felt, straw, siminay, and other fabrics, but wool and Panama are our favourites. The trims range from millinery petersham, feathers, silk flowers, vintage silk ties, leather, laser cut vinyl… all sorts of things – trimming is the fun part.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?

We don’t work with collections; we are slap-dash and make things as they take our fancy. So this is really fun. If we spot a great silk scarf in a vintage shop – we then see how many uses we can get from the fabric. Pill box hat cover, a bow tie, hat trim… we love transforming vintage items into new products. It’s also exciting when we have new felt colours coming in for the hats, or a batch of newly dyed ribbons. There is always a flurry of excitement when there are new colours to play with…

What’s been your most popular item or line to date?

We sold thousands of hats in Topshop in Oxford Circus, and overall - the ladies fedora shape, was probably our most popular. It’s easy to wear, can look both smart, and casual – and (lucky for us) celebrities are always spotted wearing fedoras. We made an affordable, interesting, not-mass-produced product, which really resonated with the audience.

What new products are you working on?

We are looking into doing more unique hairpieces and hats suitable for weddings/races – without going down the fascinator or huge-80’s-style-hat road.

We are also really keen to continue make our hats with local supplies – which is proving tricky so far…

Where can we find you?

We are in the process of working out how we are going to get our hats ‘out there’ in Perth. We have a very exciting concept in the pipework, which entails hats and more… but it’s too early to talk about that now. In the meantime – we will be signing up take part in Perth’s designer markets, including of course, Made on the Left (if we make it through the screening process!).

Web: www.constructedinlondon.com

Write: hello@constructedinlondon.com

Follow: www.twitter.com/StSavioursHats

Like: www.facebook.com/StSavioursHats