Made on the Left market applications open!

Applications for our July market are now open! Go to our website to apply and make sure to read the FAQs first. 

Poster reveal for next market!

We are pleased and excited to reveal the artwork for the next Made on the Left market by the talented Sally Ridge Illustration.

Sally says, "For me, the loveliest part of Made on The Left is arriving home with a treasure or two in tow. I put on the kettle and enjoy a sweet treat from a Made On The Left seller and finding a home for my newly acquired goodies. The feeling of bringing a treasure home to the nest was my inspiration for the poster design.

I chose Sacred Kingfishers because they are such beautiful, native WA birds – my husband and I often see them in our garden. The composition is a bit of a nod to Audubon’s ‘Carolina Parakeet’ – he is my favourite artist and an Ornithologist who had such an astounding knack for capturing the beauty of birds.

You might also notice some wonderful work in the birds’ nest from some of my favourite retailers and market buddies Enid Twiglet, Little Sketchy and Charlie and James too!"

Thanks, Sally! We hope everyone likes it as much as we do.

If you'd like to apply for this market, we will be opening applications soon, so keep an eye out here and on our Facebook page.

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

Mother's Day Gift Guide

We are flying through the year and Mother's Day is only 2 weeks away! I have put together a small selection of sweet gifts that are all locally made in Perth for you to consider.
1. These little Dreamy Mountain brooches made of polymer clay are created by The Forest Mori. Find these brooches and her other creations in her new Etsy store: www.etsy.com/au/shop/TheForestMori
2. Jayde's Braille Cards are truly an imaginative and creative idea. Each card is made featuring braille code which is used to create cards with braille writing as well as cute pictures you can both see and touch! Contact her via Facebook to order your cards: www.facebook.com/jaydesbraillecards
3. Keeping Sunday produces spa and beauty products for both men and women with products sourced locally. Consider an ideal Lip Scrub before winter sets in or have a look at her other products in her online store: www.etsy.com/au/shop/keepingsunday
4. If you haven't heard of her you should. K Gets Organised designs and makes the most beautiful of stationery, gifts and cards and she has collaborated with a local florist to offer a wonderful package at an amazing price. Find it on her site here: kgetsorganised.bigcartel.com/product/mothers-day-gift-pack
5. Little L has been cross stitching for only a few years but her has passion has created modern and quaint cross stitches. She has in stock a number of different cross stitches so you are bound to find one you or your mum would love. See them here: littlelonlineshop.bigcartel.com/products
6. Made from authentic vintage watches, Hello Mr Badger creates truly one of a kind pieces of jewellery from necklaces to rings. Find her at her next market or purchase something special online: www.etsy.com/au/shop/Hellomrbadger

RAW Perth presents EXPOSURE

On Thursday, 30th April Exposure will bring together 30+ local emerging artists spanning fashion, music, visual and performing arts, music and more for a one night extravaganza at Rosemount Hotel in North Perth. Exposure is the first of five emerging arts showcases to be run by RAW Perth in 2015 and this first showcase is packed wall to wall with Perth's best emerging creatives.

When: Thursday, 30th April // Doors open at 7:00pm

Where: Rosemount Hotel, 459 Fitzgerald Street, North Perth

How: Tickets are $16.50 (+bf) and are available through www.RAWartists.org/perth/exposure or $20 on the door.

Bassendean goes arty with 'Open'

The Town of Bassendean will once again showcase their creative townsfolk and celebrate art in all its forms. ‘Open’ is a day of open studios, creative workshops, exhibitions, installations and more. It’s all happening on Sunday 3rd May, 10am - 4pm in various locations throughout the suburbs of Bassendean, Ashfield, and Eden Hill.

More than 50 artists have registered their involvement, there will be 4 creative workshops, 8 exhibitions/displays and a design market.

Made on the Left stallholders Enid Twiglet and Sally Ridge Illustration will be there offering an embroidery workshop and pet portraits.

Download the brochure for more information or contact the Cultural Development Officer on 9377 8000 or email mail@bassendean.wa.gov.au.

Easter Goodie Gift Guide

Christmas doesn't seem that long ago and now Easter is right around the corner! I have put together a selection of goodies to treat yourself or others. Included are a range of products that you can pick up at WA markets or online. Be sure to check out the links!
1. Spool Courture has these amazing little dresses for children with printed patterns on them that can be coloured in with washable markers meaning they can be coloured differently after each wash! Find these dresses online here http://www.spoolcouture.com.au/
2. Alexibelle has created these adorable bunny toys in a range of patterns. Find these available on her Madeit store https://madeit.com.au/Main/Item?itemId=1053589
3. SELF Organics has a selection of delicious sounding soy candles to treat yourself with. http://www.selforganics.com/product/self-organics-natural-soy-wax-wood-wick-candles
4. The GiftBOOtique found on Facebook has a range of sweet kids clothing and toys. Depicted above is an adorable heard of little lamb toys! Do check them out https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Giftbootique/429074567183728?sk=timeline
5. Pip & Printer has a sweet range of plant bags to brighten up your house. These are made with the environment in mind and come in different sizes. Find them in her online store http://www.pipandprinter.com/products
6. Sally Ridge doesn't just do special pet portraits but also has some amazing prints available in her Etsy shop. The print above is of Henry Hare with a sailor's hat on! https://www.etsy.com/listing/221921464/henry-hare-print?ref=shop_home_active_22
7. Truffles by Trish has an assortment of truffles at her normal stalls but now has solid Easter rabbits and crackle road solid eggs available for order. Check out her Facebook page to find out how to order! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Truffles-by-Trish/140662466134282?fref=ts

Last little goodies for Easter that you should consider:
These sweet little ceramic flowers by BronsCeramics found on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/225913462/ceramic-flowers-10-small-only-handmade?ref=shop_home_active_3
And these colourful kids bracelets by ilyas honey. http://www.ilyashoney.com/7/jewellery-shop/16-Kids-Collection

I hope that has gotten some ideas going. Look out for more gift guides in the future!

52 Week Illustration Challenge exhibition

The 52 Week Illustration Challenge commenced in January 2014 with children’s author, Tania McCartney, challenging herself to produce an image per week for 52 weeks. The challenge has since grown to a Facebook group with more than 1800 members from across the globe contributing images on a weekly basis. Themes range from selfies to sandcastles and provide artists with a subject, whilst leaving the creative execution to them. 
The exhibition features one carefully selected piece from each of the 52 themes in 2014. Range of art include: sketches, oil paintings, watercolour and acrylic, coloured pencil, collage, printing (ie collagraphs and gelatine prints) varied digital art, stippling, crosshatching, ink work, line work, clay work, 3D paper crafting, dioramas and even food creations.

This exhibition will be on display from Monday 9 until Friday 27 March 2015 at Brookfield Place, 125 St Georges Tce, Perth, 7am - 7pm.

Rockingham Summer Twilight Market

Stallholders wanted for Rockingham Summer Twilight Markets on Friday 27th of March, 4pm to 8pm at Rockingham Foreshore.


Email: markets@streethassle.com.au for an application form and further information.

Mount Hawthorn Streets and Laneways Festival stallholders wanted

The inaugural 2015 Mount Hawthorn Streets and Laneways Festival is being planned for May 2015. They are looking for expressions of interest from local hand-made artisan stallholders.

When: 12pm - 8pm, Sunday 3rd May.
Cost: 3x3 stalls from $200.
Deadline: applications close 23rd March.
Contact: Email laceincorporated@gmail.com for further information.