Happy Birthday BrisStyle!!

It's hard to believe we've just celebrated BrisStyle Inc.'s 5th birthday, the years seem to have flown by!  What a whirlwind it's been since that very first chat over coffee to our now thriving little community of amazing artists, crafters and makers of all kinds.

We celebrated with a well deserved night out at the fabulously cute Southside Tearoom where the cider's on tap, the sweet bar guy, Ben makes ace cocktails and the chip platter is an assortment of Twisties, Pringles and potato chips with a generous serve of delicious homemade french onion dip!  Did I mention the pizza?  The pizza was amazing also and then there was cake...three different flavours in fact with candles too.  I highly recommend not only the caramel carrot cake but the vanilla cake which was a sweet, sweet journey to sugar land!

So many wonderful members came out to play and we all had such a lovely time catching up away from the usual market environment.  

The air was electric with creative conversations, market anecdotes, general silliness and lots and lots of laughter from our very newest members to those who've been with us from the very beginning!

Big thanks to everyone who donated a lucky door prize and congratulations to everyone who won!  For a full run-down see below:

$50 Collective Store voucher - Barry Johansen (Barry Johansen Creative)
$50 Nook voucher - Jennifer Bell (i do it yourself)
$25 Tangled Yarns voucher - Candy Barnes (Candykins Crafts)
$50 Incube8r voucher OR 1 month shelf space - Kathy (Ra Ra Superstar)
Earrings and hair-clip set from Hot Toffee - Sandrine Marsh (Imagein Cafe)
Movie Passes to the preview screening of First Position at Palace Centro - Dyani (Little Deer Creations) and Maciek (Marta Walenda)
$50 Handmade High Street voucher - Clare Collyer (Zillpa)
$50 Ministry of Handmade workshop voucher - Kirsten (Each to Own)

Check out more fabulous photo's from the night here.

Until next time, as they say, that's all folks!

xSam

Shop Handmade: The Collective Store

Welcome to another month of BriStyle's 'Shop Handmade' series. This month we caught up with Leonie McIntosh from 'The Collective Store'.  Read on to find out how it all began, how you can be involved and what Leonie has in store for 2011 and beyond.

Tell us a little about your background and what path led you to open 'The Collective Store'?
I’m a married mum of two ratbags (Ollie who’s 9 and Rose who’s 4).  Most of my working life has been spent behind the controls of photo processing machines and in retail.  I’ve always been crafty and about 6 years ago I discovered silver smithing.  I completely fell in love!!  I worked an online store and did the long haul at the markets before embarking on the grand adventure of opening The Collective Store – a shop that exclusively sells, exhibits and promotes handmade items by independent artisans across Australia.  It’s an amazing place!

Tell us what 'The Collective Store' is all about?
The Collective Store is all about handmade and the artists, designers and craftspeople that make it.  It’s an affordable boutique space where handcrafters can sell their wares, be promoted and network 5 days a week without having to do that work themselves.  It’s about the customers being able to buy amazing unique, high-quality goods from jewellery, handbags and health and beauty items to baby toys, home décor and original art.  It’s a great little boutique packed with beautiful treasures, that supports indi handmade.  It’s wonderful!

Where did the name ‘The Collective Store’ come from?
The name The Collective Store came from a need to reflect what the store is really about – a collective of artisans under one roof.  It really is a little community of  different people displaying and selling their unique work. 

How does 'The Collective Store' support independent artists and crafters and/or the handmade community?
A big part of any independent artist or crafter’s job is finding the right avenue to sell, display and fine-tune their wares.  The Collective Store supports them by offering practical, real-life (as opposed to online) and affordable space in a lovely, fresh boutique.  Their work is viewed, spoken about, sold and packaged beautifully, spreading the word about their work and the handmade community. The Collective Store’s only job is to support independent artists, crafters and the handmade community!

How can local designers and crafters get involved with 'The Collective Store'?
People can get involved with The Collective Store by emailing a short description of their work to info@thecollectivestore.com.au to request an info pack or come in to the store for a chat.  The Collective Store welcomes artisans from all over Australia.

Does 'The Collective Store' have any exciting upcoming events?
Absolutely!  The Collective Store is always planning new events and exhibitions so if you’d like to be in the know just head to our Facebook page –The Collective Store. For our most recent event I teamed up with several other craft boutiques in Wynnum to create Wynnum Up Late – a shopping event which was held on Thursday March 17 from 5:30- 8:00pm.  It was a magical night under the stars where lit lanterns lead you from store to store, discovering the beautiful treasures within.  Each store that was involved hosted a special event of their own.

What’s in store for 'The Collective Store' in 2011 and beyond?
2011 is going to be a big year for The Collective Store.  It’s our first year open so we’re looking forward to growing our network and being a part of other handmade enterprises including partnering with local markets to extend the exposure opportunities for artisans and the wonderful world of handmade.  Instore there are some wonderful art and photography exhibitions coming up as well as special event nights planned.  It’s going to be huge and I’m so excited!

Thank-you so much Leonie for taking the time to chat with us and share your story! If you would like to visit 'The Collective Store' pop into:

78 Bay Terrace (main street) Wynnum QLD

 Phone :: 07 3129 4606

Web :: www.thecollectivestore.com

Open :: Tuesday to Friday 9:30 – 4:00

Saturday 9:30 – 2:00