Saturday, December 4, 2010

Stallholder Profile {Frankie Gusti.}

Today we meet Genna from Frankie Gusti :)

Who do you live with? Any pets? My Husband and my wolfikins Sabbath.

Where do you do your crafting? Kitchen table, studio etc...I use my Mums studio, our study (which, much to the hubby disgust, is slowly being consumed by fabric!), our kitchen table...anywhere I can dominate space really.

Why did you choose your business name and what does it mean to you? Frankie Gusti. is the nickname I gave my nephew Archer. Originally though, Laine, the amazing little one of a friend of mine, had and imaginary friend named Frankie, who lived under her chin and tickled her if she was naughty. Frankie Gusti. to me is capturing the essence of childhood and reliving those memories with my products.

Why do you do your craft? I love creating for friends and family and anyone who appreciates it. But I guess crafting to me is just second nature.

When do you find the time to do it? I do bits and pieces everyday after/before work but I'm most productive late at night. Some crafternoons turn into 3am stints.

How else do you spend your time? I've recently started a veggie garden, so being a reformed plant killer, I'm making a HUGE effort to keep these babies alive. Op shopping, dancing, catching up with friends, exercising...not enough.

What are your favourite materials to work with? I love using vintage items I can reclaim, recycle, up-cycle. Finding something old and giving it a new purpose is something I find very satisfying...I hate waste. 

Where did you learn your craft? Classes, self taught, trial and error? Mumsy taught me majority of my crafting skills. She is amazingly talented and very good to me and Frankie Gusti.


How would you describe your style? I would say its vintage inspired. Whimsical. I was born in the wrong era.

Why do you think you opt for your particular style? I cant say as I opted for it...I wouldn't make anything I didn't love, so the "Frankie Gusti." style just evolved from my own personal style.

What is your most precious possession? I wish I could say it was something sentimental but I love my bed, which my hubby and I have named The Cloud. When your little, you really have no concept of the joy that sleep can bring. Bedtime was dreaded and now the extra 10 minutes of sleep from the snooze button, makes me so happy.

What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? I must have been around 5..I'd decorate gum leaves with glitter and sequins and sell them as bookmarks in my street. $3 and 10 sold leaves would make my day.

What are your passions? Food....anyone who isn't passionate about food is crazy!! Or I'm just crazy about food! Dancing. After 16 years, I'm still learning and am continuously inspired.

What couldn’t you live without? Other than the obvious loved ones, sleep,  etc. I'm pretty addicted to my iPhone.

Thanks Genna, in know we are totally in love with everything she does:)

Frankie Gusti will be at our next Market on Sunday December 19th 8am -1pm and at our Twilight pre Christmas Market Wednesday December 21st 6-9pm 

A perfect chance to polish off the handmade Christmas shopping! 

cheers Fi
xoxo

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

November Market

Well the Melbourne weather gods shone on us for our second market but um, not in the way they did for our first Market!
{the glamorous life of a Market Manager!}


However the weather didn't deter our committed stallholders or the steady stream of 3000+ eager shoppers. For some it was their first ever Market experience ever so well done guys:)

{Dorothy Bills}

Our next market is Sunday 19th December 8am-1pm. All your favorites plus some newbies as well.

{Two Cheese Please}
We are also super excited to announce a Twilight Christmas Market Wednesday 22nd 6-9pm

The evening will again occur along side the farmers market and include a great night of entertainment including:

•         ‘Dinner on the lawn’
•         35 farm stalls
•         A visit from Santa @ 6.30pm
•         Farm Animal Pet Zoo
•         Live music from Bolivia  www.acequiamusic.com.au
•         And of course some of our fabulous makers!

Ill be back soon to share some super exiting crafty collaboration news from some talented folk.I cant wait!

Little Tree Kids 

Thanks again for the amazing support you have all shown so far:)

cheers fi xo

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Stallholder Profile {PETITE MARGUERITE}

We are very lucky here at the Makers Market to be blessed with lots of pretty ace crafters.
We figure everyone has a story of how they got to where they are and where they are going.


Rebecca Strahan
{PETITE MARGUERITE}



Who do you live with? Any pets?
Husband, ten year old son, 3 year old daughter, 8 month old cat!

Where do you do your crafting? Kitchen table, studio ect...
A corner of the Bedroom. But, hey, it's better than it was - it was originally in the kitchen!! When I grow up I want to have a studio!!

Why did you choose your business name and what does it mean to you?
Marguerite is my daughter's middle name and she was 810grams when she was born - so she was REALLY petite! It also rhymes and sounds sophisticated and European (not like my cards at all!!)

Why do you do your craft?
I have always made cards and invitations for people - particularly my kids. I love ideas. I'm always making, decorating, playing.


When do you find the time to do it?
After midnight usually - when no one is stirring (not even a mouse!). I always have an ideas book with me wherever I am too.

How else do you spend your time?
I am a freelance graphic designer. I still work for some big publishing companies but I am concentrating on helping out small businesses with their design needs. I also do design work for a premature baby charity. It's nice to be able to use my skills other than for just selling washing powder (etc.)...

How do you relax?
I go to sleep!

How has your style or craft evolved over time?
It's an evolving thing! I seem to have a continual stream of ideas so I'm constantly wanting to update, refine, explore.
I do have some particular favourite designs though that I try to leave alone. Hazard of the job I think though!

How would you describe your style?
Quirky, witty, bright. It comes naturally. It's the only way I can draw!! And I love vintage kids books and retro fabrics - and visual gags!

What is your most precious possession? 
The diaries I wrote to my children when I was carrying them and all of their baby pictures. Possibly some of my shoes!!!

What is your most prized project?
My wedding invitation. 

What advice do you have for a beginner, or someone interested in learning your craft?
Do something that makes you happy - and stick to your own style. 

What is the first thing you can remember making by hand?
A book about me when I was 4. I still have it. It has a finger painted cover and is full of insane drawings and backwards writing!
It was a school project. Not that I needed any encouragement to make anything...

Where do you draw your inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere! Anything that makes me laugh, the unexpected, original thinking (that kind of sums up children!)

What couldn’t you live without?
Music, chocolate and my friends and family. Sadly, also probably my i-phone. 

What do you expect the future holds for you and your craft?
I have no idea! And that's really quite wonderful. Personally, I am hoping to do less computer stuff and get into something more raw - like screen printing and I'd also like to do more with my photos. 
In conjunction with that, I hope to build up more small design clients. I've met some amazing, talented and brave people over the past 6 months. It's such an inspiring environment to be in. I hope there is room for all of us to follow our little dreams and succeed. 


Why should people support handmade?
I love the fact that there's a rebellion brewing - a rejection of mass production and disposability. It's time to get some soul, to seek out things that have been made with love and to really appreciate what you're buying and how that impacts your life. 


Well said Rebecca! Petite Marguerite will be at our November 28th and December 19th markets. 
I know what alot of peeps on my Christmas list will be getting this year:)

cheers fi xoxo

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Our first Market

Our first ever Mulgrave Makers Market was a huge success!


With an estimated 5000 + visitors it was a day full of color great food and loads of handmade goodness


Thank you to all our fab Stallholders, lovely shoppers and to Melbourne for blessing us with a fantastic sunny day.





We cant wait for our next Market on Sunday28th November.
A perfect time to make a start on the Christmas shopping don't you think?

MMM team xoo

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

the wait is nearly over..

This Sunday the 24th of October will see the very first Mulgrave Makers Market. Lots of crafty stuff is happening behind the scenes, stallholders are busy making their final market preparations.
Bunting is being sewn, table cloths pressed and the ribbon is being tied on a fantastic hamper that will be raffled off on the day.

So come and enjoy a relaxed Sunday with us. Pick up some yummy goodies from the Farmers Market,make a start on the Christmas shopping and discover some of Melbourne newest and emerging crafters :)Perfect! See you there xoxo