Made on the Left first came across Lauren Mills at the KickstART Youth Markets in April of this year. We were so impressed with her display, we awarded her Best Stall Display with the prize being a free spot at the July Made on the Left market. Here we get the scoop on Lauren, her inspirations, creative processes and market tips!
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| Lauren with her prize winning display at the KickstART Youth Markets |
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Lauren Mills; I am 23
years old and currently finishing my final year of Interior Design at
university. I started up my small business Little L at the beginning of this
year and have loved every moment of it since.
What inspires you to create?
The materials I use are my main
inspiration. I love repurposing old materials and giving them a new life, for
example: my stamp collection from my childhood has now turned into necklace
pendants and brooches, old books from the top shelf of a second hand store are
now a myriad of ornaments and artwork, paper dress patterns are now mini and
large bouquets of flowers.
Turning trash into treasure and
just making beautiful things is what inspires me to keep on going.
What materials do you use?
As said above I like to reuse
old items and repurpose used materials. Books, dress patterns, postage stamps,
sheet music, lace, buttons, dominos and scrabble letters make up to main
collection of my materials. I also use all recycled pieces of furniture for my
market displays, all found at bulk rubbish collections or at second hand
markets.
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| Little L at the Made on the Left July 2012 market |
What steps do you take to prepare for a market?
A lot of preparation goes into
the week prior to a market, usually I clear out a space in the house like the
living room or garage and layout my whole display with all my furniture and
pieces so I can get it just right. I get my whole family involved getting
feedback and help with planning so everything runs smoothly on the day.
What’s your number one market tip?
Be prepared! I always pack a
toolbox with everything I might need from masking tape to blue tack to safety
pins to my pliers. You never know what might happen. For outdoors markets tarps
are always a good idea especially in winter, and for indoor markets materials
to fix your signage and displays with are a must.
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| Lauren's workspace |
What is your favourite part of the creative process?
The best part of the creative
process is that moment in the middle when you can finally see your ideas taking
shape and coming to life. That point where whatever you’re working on starts to
resemble the finished product you have pictured in your head. That’s such a
rewarding moment to know you’ve overcome the difficulties of creating and
things are finally turning out right!
What’s been your most popular item or line to date?
My most popular item has
definitely been the handmade paper flowers from recycled dress patterns. They
have consistently sold out and I can’t seem to make enough of them fast enough!
What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your designs through markets?
The interactions with all the
other market organisers, stallholders and potential stockholders. The contacts
and networking that can come from just one market is so inspirational it really
keeps me eager to continue my hard work and keep pursuing this dream.
What advice would you give someone who wants to sell their crafts?
I think the best thing to do
from the beginning is to research. Research the market, the product, the people
you want to sell to and where you will be selling. The market scene in Perth is
booming at the moment so now is definitely a good time to get involved, so have
confidence in your products and take the chance. It’s a fantastic experience
and the people in the Perth market scene are just lovely J
What goals do you have in store for the future?
Ideally I would like to open my
own store selling refurbished furniture, and more of my handmade wares. I love
what I am doing and love the creative process, but I also love the thought of
the people of Perth wearing my wares and having them in their homes. For now I
am just happy to get out there and keep holding stalls and enjoying every
moment of it.
Thanks Lauren!
xx MOTL Team
