Hello dear friends,
Today we have another new and beautiful place to share with you!
The very talented creator and BrisStyle member Nicole Lacey (also known as Hot toffee) has taken her dream into reality.
Few weeks ago, I took a little drive up to Laidley and was totally charmed and inspired by Nicole's beautiful shop "Potato Studio"
Please make yourself comfortable, I can assure you will love listening to the gentle voice of Nicole telling us about that big dream of hers coming to life while taking a virtual walk through my lens...
*Tell us a little about your
background and what path led you to open Potato Studio Nicole.
Since 2005 I have been working for myself under the label hot toffee. I
started out at West End markets peddling my wares under a beautiful big fig
tree every Saturday. It was around this time I discovered Etsy and opened my Etsy shop.
After 12 months at the market I ventured into wholesale. The very first store to stock Hot Toffee was Lyssy May. Owner,
Alyssa Milton has been a great inspiration over the years and has become a dear
friend.
Since then I have been supplying my fused glass accessories
to lovely boutiques and galleries.
Working for myself, by myself, from home has given me way too many hours
to be in my own head and for at least five years I have wanted to work out of a
little shop in the town we live in.
I contacted the owner years ago and have
just patiently waited for the space to become available.
I feel so lucky to now have a beautiful light filled space, be surrounded
by beautiful products and to be meeting so many lovely people!
I am feeling a
lot of positive energy around me and with that has come a new wave of
inspiration.
Potato Studio is a little space to share the treasures we have come
across through selling at markets, exhibiting at trade shows and travelling to
Ryo’s home country Japan.
I have met some amazing artists, designers, crafters
and small business owners over the past few years and now it is time to
showcase their products.
It is also our way of bringing the world closer to us. Having these products at our finger tips makes
us feel more connected to the places and people that inspire us.
It is important no matter where I am that I remember this quote:
‘The door to the world is inside of you’.
We wanted something light and fun that could grow and change as the
business does. A lot of ideas were thrown around but Potato Studio was what we
kept coming back to.
* How does Potato Studio support independent artists and crafters
and/or the handmade community?
We handpick a range of products from artists, crafters and designers at
various stages of their practice. If you
make something and feel it suits the space let me know!
Creative people are drawn to the space so I am hoping it will become a
meeting place of sorts.
How can local designers and crafters get involved with Potato Studio?
Please drop me an email or come in and see me!
Living a creative life
can be so isolating, so I really want locals to feel they can drop in to say
hello and talk about new projects.
Eventually I would love to have an afternoon a
week where an artist, crafter or maker can come in and work in the studio. Working
side by side on different projects can help keep that buzz and energy we
creative souls thrive on.
* What does a typical day at
work involve for you?
As part of my practice is still run from home, my morning is spent firing
the kiln, checking and responding to hot toffee emails to ensure I stay on top
of everything.
I then head to my shop which is conveniently right next door to
the largest op shop in town – so naturally I have a peek in there before
opening Potato Studio.
From that point each day is different but includes several of the
following activities: unpacking deliveries, pricing stock, merchandising (so much fun!), dusting, sweeping, chatting to visitors & customers, working
on production for hot toffee, packing orders for hot toffee, and some days I
even manage to squeeze in a little creative play.
At present facebook is the only way.
Once I do my branding I will contact
the local papers.
I have started a mailing list and plan to send out monthly
newsletters with what’s new and what is going on in the studio.
If you would like to join the mailing list please email me at
potato_studio@hotmail.com
* What is your favourite item
in the shop at the moment?
Oh this is tough!
If I have to choose just one then it would be the Kinetic
Bubble series of Brooches by fellow Bristyler and local contemporary
jeweller Jemica Ostrofski.
They are so fun and affordable!
I am still feeling my way.
It’s important to take my time to grow and
change as I see the business needs to.
There is a strong community of artists
in the Lockyer Valley and I would love to have one of the walls in my shop as a
gallery wall with monthly exhibitions.
I am working 6 days a week with Hot
Toffee & Potato Studio as well as studying one day a week until mid November.
There are so many ideas floating around in my head and on the pages of my sketch
books which I hope to start implementing in the new year.
I can feel that 2013
is going to be an exciting year!
* Do you run or plan to
run any craft workshops at Potato Studio?
Over the years there has
been a lot of interest in fused glass workshops so I may pursue that.
My kiln
is tiny so classes would need to be quite small.
It would be great to have
guest crafters, artists to run workshops.
I really want to listen to my community
and then respond to what they feel they need.
More details about Potato Studio:
Address:
147 Patrick Street, Laidley QLD 4341
Wednesday 9.30 – 5.00. Friday 9.30 – 5.00, Saturday
9.30 – 2.00, Sunday 9.30 – 1.00
Email: potato_studio@hotmail.com
What an amazing story Nicole!
I hope you could feel a little the fantastic atmosphere of this gorgeous light filled space.
I hope you will be able to go and say hello to Nicole
and most of all
experience Potato Studio for yourself.
A real big Thank you Nicole
for taking the time to share with us, while it is still such a busy time for you!
Happy Weekend!
Sandrine x
