Jemica is the brain behind MeekzContemporary and she is our Monday Maker this week

Jemica and I go way back, I can't even remember the first market we met at, and we share a common interest.

Recycling!

Hi there Meekz, so glad I finally nailed you down for an interview.

Hi Anita
Thanks, I would love to be interviewed thanks for thinking of me :P
 

Well my first question is:

Were you creative as a child and do you come from a creative family?

Yes to both. I loved to do art and craft with my mum when I was little. My mum you could say is a gypsie and has been everywhere and done everything. She is very skilled in sewing, carpentry, floristry, beauty therapy, hospitality etc and has always tried to teach me everything from an early age.

How would you describe your work? 

I would describe my practice as evolving.  I love the notion that I am creating something out of nothing and that a piece of throw away metal can be turned into something beautiful and inspiring.  

Art can be anything and it is the story or journey taken that makes it rich.   

So how has your work evolved since you started?

My jewellery has evolved dramatically since I started back at university. I explored using lots of recycled materials as a source of inspiration and substance for my jewellery from plastic buttons, to hessian rope, to fabric off cuts and finally to recycled acrylic signs.   As a silversmith this gave me great excitement to explore the possibilities, but something was lacking.  

A shift and focus back to using recycled metals last year as my sole source of materials has filled the void and given me back the enjoyment I missed as a metalsmith.  I now work entirely with recycled metal from road signs, electrical wire, kitchen fittings, recycled and preloved sterling silver and gold jewellery, crockery and cutlery and other metals including recycled copper, brass and aluminium.  

The tactile qualities of working with metal and using traditional tools and techniques has sparked alive again the joy I found at university in making jewellery and given me a more fulfilling purpose in knowing that the traditional art of silversmithing is still continuing today.

How did you start selling online?

I started selling online through etsy to begin with.  This was an easy manageable outlet for me to sell my jewellery online along side facebook. 1 year later, I decided to pursue my own website, after I felt it was hard to find or locate me as at the time there were no Australian search areas on Etsy to refine your search for local designers and I felt I was getting missed.

I have now refined and changed my website 3 times as technology has progressed and with new formats, layouts, and underlying codes have changed.  This however has meant that I now have the ability to manage and edit my own website using Wix.com and find this greatly satisfying knowing that I can control the entire look, feel and format of my website and don't need to pay any one else to add or change content.  

Who or what inspires you?

My fellow jewellers, friends, and family inspire me everyday.  Art in general as well as direct topics such as architecture, geometry and fashion are great influencers in my practice and help to shape the outcomes of my work.  My sketches play a big part in the design of each piece and usually form the basis of each piece.

I know you reduce, reuse, recycle as part of your creative process but can you tell us how your art is eco - friendly?

I pride myself in having an environmentally sustainable practice from the techniques used to the materials I source.  I love to recycle, reuse, up-cycle and incorporate preloved materials such as road signs, tea pots, lamp shades, electrical wire, sterling silver cutlery/crockery/jewellery as well as copper piping, hot water systems, brass kitchen fittings etc.  Everything I source is locally found.  The tactile nature of working with raw materials alongside existing forms always creates a dialogue for me and continually keeps me searching for ways to express new stories.  

Can you describe your workspace?

My newly renovated studio space is fantastic.  I now have 4 fully functioning jewellers benches by which I can hold regular jewellery workshops to teach the community about traditional silversmithing.   Made with the help of my parents the benches are all made from recycled wood including two table tops.  We resurfaced the concrete floor, added a splash of paint and dad even made me a gorgeous sign to go out the front.

Do you have a favourite thing to make?

I love making all my jewellery.  There are no two pieces that are alike across all my ranges.  

My wrapped up range - (The brightly coloured wire jewellery)  Each piece is hand weaved using my signature weave and no two pieces are ever alike.  The simple form and minimalist design of this range make any piece the prefect accessory for an outfit.  The array of colours available allow for perfect colour coordination or colour matching.

My hammer texture range explores mark making and texturisation.  Featuring nine hand forged designs along with a combination of letter, number and symbol stamping, this collection provides the most possibilities for individual, personal and custom exploration.  No two pieces are ever the same.  Colour, pattern, texture and theme are the most inspiring characteristics of this collection for me.

How did your business name come about?

My business name : Meekz Contemporary Jewellery  came about from a play on my nickname - Meeka.  Unable to register Meeka at the business registry, I changed it to Meekz and added Contemporary Jewellery as a descriptive element and hence Meekz Contemporary Jewellery was born.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?

I would like to see myself still teaching and designing new pieces within 12 months. I would like to perhaps travel and explore maybe a residency or go on a jewellery tour overseas to see how other jewellers practice and gain some insight.  Learning and creating networks is a big passion of mine and keeps me motivated and passionate.

What's your top tip to others wanting to break into the creative market?

Be passionate, driven and self motivated.  It is a big scary world out there but if you put in the hard work you wont regret it.  

Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it and if you can ... help others as we are all in the same boat.

Describe your typical creative day?

A typical creative day of making in the studio is filled with great music, plenty of water and my mood boards.  The hours are long, the techniques and number of tools used is some days enormous but the joy I get out of creating something from nothing is priceless.  Knowing that I made a piece of jewellery that someone one day will cherish is all that matters.  

Do you have a Favourite quote?

My favourite quote is by Albert Einstein and is Knowledge is Imagination.   This to me is great and I understand where he was going with this, but as an artist I have reinterpreted this and created my own personal quote and mantra. - "Imagination is Knowledge".  If we first don't create, imagine and explore then how can we know! Knowledge can't be created without imagination and so hence Imagination is Knowledge.   

Do you prefer Music or movies while creating?

Definitely Music

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

My favourite handmade item that I have bought to date would have to be my original Little Brown Dog set of rectangular cushions made by the wonderful Bec Lewis.  They feature 2 guinea fowl's one on each cushion and are the perfect statement homeware in my room!

Where can we find you online?

I am on facebook, instagram and have a website.

Facebook - www.facebook.com/meekz.contemporary.jewellery

Instagram - meekzcontemporaryjewellery

Website - www.meekzcontemporaryjewellery.com.au

Plus I have 12  stockists at present and they include:

QLD

Perch and Pantry - Cleveland, Reverse Garbage Echoes Gift Shop - Woolloongabba, Miss Bond Jewellery - Fortitude Valley, Estelle Elliott Designs - Yeronga, KickArts Contemporary Arts - Cairns, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery Shop - Toowoomba, Bridget Bunchy - The Summit, Erin Lightfoot - Eat Street Market/Hamilton, Nicky's Fashion Fair - Laidley, Story Tree - Boonah, 

SA

E for Ethel - Adelaide

NSW

Zero Degrees - Thredbo

How long have you been a member of Brisstyle?

For ages now, I can't remember and don't know how to find out how long its been now.

How did you find out about Brisstyle?  
From a friend originally

Why did you become a member?

I became a member of Brisstyle to network, meet friends, surround myself with like minded people, to learn how to improve my business at workshops and discussion catch ups and to attend markets and sell my pieces while gaining recognition and get my brand out there. 

Why do you craft?

I craft because I love to make, get creative and experiment.  I am a hands on person and love to learn.

Thank you Meeks.

Anita

Monday Maker - Joy of Luminescent Glow Candles

This week we interview Brisstyler Joy, from the label - LuminescentCandles 

Hello JOY  can you tell us a bit about yourself.

Were you creative as a child?
Yes I believe that I was.  I remember (when I was about 8) that I used to collect coloured sands when I was a child to make into colourful bottled arrangements to give away to friends and family. 

Do you come from a creative family? 
My father is a very talented creative woodcrafts man and he has spent most of his spare time over the past 50 years or so building beautiful pieces of furniture and boxes. 

How would you describe your work?  
I would describe it as a work in progress lol.  

I started making soy candles over three years ago and have just started to introduce some jewellery items.  

On a personal level, I would describe my work as  therapeutic as well as unique in some ways. 

How has your work evolved since you started? 
My work is growing all of the time, especially in terms of presentation.   

My packaging for example is a lot more professional looking than it was three years ago.  

Do you sell online? And how did you get started? 
I first started selling to friends, from my Facebook page, on online garage sales and at a local flea market.

Who or what inspires you? 
My suppliers inspire me because without them I wouldn’t be able to create and produce the items that I do.  They offer the pretty things, I buy them then come up with even prettier things.  

Do you reduce, reuse, recycle as part of your creative process? 
Soy wax is eco friendly in that it is not produced using harsh chemicals.  It is also a sustainable product derived from the soy bean plant, which is a totally renewable resource.   

Describe your studio/workspace?  
I currently use a spare bedroom as my work room.  At the moment I like to describe it as organised chaos, it too is a work in progress.   

What is your favourite thing to make?  
At the moment I am really enjoying making jewellery pieces and packaging them nicely.  

How did your business name come about?  
Here is the part where I admit that I am clearly somewhat insane because I have two businesses going on.  Crazy huh?
I started with Luminescent Glow, which recently got changed to Luminescent Glow CANDLE CO.  

I was quite content to meander along running this small (very small) hobby business when I accidentally stumbled across some lockets one day that had a little autism awareness charm in them. 

(I am a former sole parent carer of a boy with autism) Anyway, that was all it took for me to decide that I had to get my hands on them to sell.  So business no 2 arrived. 

To be perfectly honest, the name Luminescent Glow came about because after scouring the internet and registered business names page, it was the only name I could come up with that hadn’t already been taken.  

It has since grown on me though and is now recognised by quite a few people so it’s staying. 

Make A Memory Lockets And Accessories started just over a year ago. I chose that name due to these particular lockets being known as memory lockets. I decided that I could allow customers to create memories by adding little charms that reminded them of places or things that had happened in their lives.  

I now also make these lockets even more unique by designing the contents myself. 

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months? 
Hopefully with a little bit of luck and a heap more determination it will move past a hobby stage.   

What’s your top tip to others wanting to break into the handmade/creative market?
Don’t do it lol.   

Seriously though, it has been and still is a very rewarding pastime.  

It has given me a strong sense of purpose and allowed me to meet some very nice people who I am now proud to call my friends.   

Describe your typical creative day?
Do you really want to know?  I drag myself out of bed like I haven’t slept even though I’ve had a good 7 or so hours, down two cups of tea in quick succession then either hit the craft room or check emails and Facebook.  

On a really good day I might even get something done. 

Do you have a Favourite quote?
"You can make whatever you want out of your life, but first you have to not be afraid to try." 

Do you have a favourite CD to listen to while creating?
This might seem weird to some but I prefer (other than the odd bird chirping or dog barking outside) to work in complete silence.  

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?
Soap.  I know a local lady who makes high quality, addictively smelly, scrumptiously gorgeous soap. 

Where can we find you online?
 www.makeamemorylockets.com.au
www.makeamemorylockets.etsy.com
and also on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram as Make A Memory Lockets

How long have you been a member of BrisStyle?
This is my second year now, I can’t remember the exact date that I joined.  

How did you find out about brisstyle?
I found out through a friend

Why did you become a member?
Because BrisStyle is a high end quality market and I believe that the products I have to offer fit in with that level of quality. 

I also find other members to be friendly and helpful.

Why do you craft?
I have suffered a lot of adversity in my life so I craft as a form of therapy. 

Being able to show case my creative ability (I believe) is good for my mental health. 

I also get a small (cart wheels on the ceiling type) kick out of the positive feedback I receive from customers.  

Thanks so much for chatting with us today Joy, it was great getting to know a little bit more about your business. Anita x

 

Monday Maker - Meet Yvonne & Dolly from Lemondoll

This week we will get to know Yvonne from Lemon Doll Illustrations and her gorgeous caravan studio, Dolly.

Read on to find out what makes her creatively tick.

Hello Yvonne, and thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us today.

Firstly I'm curious to know.

Were you creative as a child?

I recall keeping a day to day Diary as a child and always wanting to draw little depictions of my very important or hugely dramatic day!  Mum gave me this Diary on a recent visit from Ireland and I couldn't believe she had looked after it all these years. My amazing Mum x

I enjoyed Art at school but never pursued it.  Instead I chose secretarial studies, however, when I had my first little girl we began drawing pictures on her chalkboard and low and behold my love for drawing was pretty much reignited.

Do you come from a creative family?

Definitely. They never sit still for a second. Mum is always rummaging around looking for her next project to upcycle/paint/wallpaper.

Dad has practically built their beachside cottage from scratch and my brother is a very talented hair colourist (proud sis here).

How would you describe your work?

My hobby is my work and I am genuinely delighted to be doing what I love most and making a living from it.  

I have a passion for everything and anything with a connection to the past. I seek out vintage crockery and hand draw a variety of illustrations directly onto the plates, cups, and vases.  

They can feature cute little buildings from my local village Sandgate, vintage suitcases, old world quirky characters and gorgeous plush antique household items and furniture.

I also love to draw illustrations on paper and create little characters who while away the hours frolicking with friends.  Each character has his or her own quirky personality.  

How has your work evolved since you started?

I took the transitional step from drawing on chalkboard to drawing on paper.  Although, I have been known to improvise and draw on whatever is close at hand i.e. chocolate boxes, paper plates, receipts and planks of wood!  

I love the sheer simplicity of drawing on paper with pencil.  I have recently begun creating digital images from my hand drawn illustrations and applying clean crisp lines.  My favourite part is the colouring in. Bliss!

How did you start selling online?  I went along to an Etsy market a few years ago after having my first bambino and was really impressed by the quality and professionalism on display. 

I was an Etsy virgin if it’s okay to say that!! I walked away hugely inspired with a head full of dreams and possibilities and that general feeling of “Wow there are other people besides me that enjoy sitting down and doing something creative.

Who or what inspires you?

My illustrations have been inspired by a ridiculous amount of both personal and awe inspiring memories in my life.

♥ watching old world movies with my cousins

♥ being mesmerized by the beautiful, glamorous and glitzy stage costumes

♥ inhaling the elegant and jaw dropping vintage fashions of the day or as my Nan would say the ‘rig outs’

♥ being fascinated by the neat as a pin and not a hair out of place vintage hairstyles. I have truly unruly hair!

♥ I am smitten when I see beautiful hand crafted antique furniture and gorgeous Georgian/Victorian round silk cushions, and last but not least;

♥ My heart skips a beat when I see some of the beautiful ornate colonial buildings in Sandgate and Brisbane surrounds.

Do you reduce, reuse, and recycle as part of your creative process?

The three R’s are most definitely the way to go.                                         

How is your art eco-friendly?

By Recycling and reusing vintage crockery and injecting them with a little extra personality whilst not completely taking away from the integrity of the piece.

Saving these beautiful treasured pieces from landfill is paramount to me.

Can you tell us a bit about Dolly

My Art Studio is my 1954 Vintage Caravan “Dolly”.  I found her on gumtree and it was love at first sight.  Dolly is my Art and Craft sanctuary!  Originally grey and white in colour she is now a combination of colours and textures.  Think Kath Kidston meets Laura Ashley meets Retro!  

I miraculously house pretty much most of my stock in Dolly. My pencils, watercolour paints, brushes, ink pens, paper, cardstock, jewellery pieces, and crockery.  I have even managed to squeeze in my supersized Printer!  

It took me a while to organise a place for everything.  I now know where most of my stuff is which a miracle in itself for me! Plus I had to clean her up for photos for this interview! 

What is your favourite thing to make?

Of late my favourite thing to make is patterns.  What a wonderful feeling it would be for me to see one of my patterned designs on fabric. I have that one on my list of goals to achieve. 

How did your business name Lemon Doll come about?

I had been trying to come up with a name for ages and just couldn't seem to find anything that made me reach that va va voom moment until one day I heard someone ask for a label in a shop called Living Doll and the name “Lemon Doll” sprung to mind.  I felt it had a vintage twist (pardon the pun!)

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?

I would ideally love to see Lemon Doll Illustrations holding a really strong market and retail presence over the next 12 months.  

It would be a huge sense of fulfilment to see my stock selling well at the Markets, at the gorgeous local Hand Made Artisan stores in Brisbane, and last but not lease selling wonderfully Online over the next 12 months.  How good would that be? Must put that down on my Vision Board!!

What’s your top tip to others wanting to break into the handmade/creative market?

Keep an Ideas notepad on you at all times! 

Open an Online Shop.  It’s extremely easy to set up…it really is!  This will push you to create what you want to create because you will feel that your Online Shop’s shelves are in desperate need of stock.  This will hopefully push you even more.

Focus on one thing at a time! I tell myself that day in and day out.   

What is a typical creative day for you?

 7.00am​I love my sleep so I really have to push myself to get up & walk zombified to the coffee machine!!  All good to go now! I keep on top of the kids to get ready for school etc.   

8.15 ​Drop off kids – do a little happy dance…No of course I don’t do that!!! 

9.00​Come home – Clean my topsy turvy house 

10:00​Pick job at hand for the morning – i.e. Draw a custom Vintage Plate Design, Create pencil illustration, Watercolour completed illustrations, Create digital illustration, Print Final illustrations on my Printer etc.2.00pm​Package finished Brooches and store

2.30​Pick up my little angels

3.30​Have snack – Catch up on all our day’s events

4:30​Get everything organised for the next day

6.00​Dinner

11.00 ​Sleep J zzzz

Do you have a  Favourite quote?“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” 

And "If the mountain won’t come to Muhammed then Muhammed must go to the Mountain” 

Do you have a favourite movie or CD you love to listen or watch while creating?

Caro Emerald, Ellie Golding, Lily Allen, and Eliza Doolittle. Generally anything upbeat that keeps me motivated.

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?”

 A cute aqua coloured crochet Beret from a local lady who is just starting up her own little business.  

Where can we find you online/stockists?

www.lemondoll.com.au

www.lemondoll.etsy.com

www.facebook.com/lemondoll

www.instagram.com/lemondollillustrations/

How long have you been a member of BrisStyle?​2 months now – Yippee!

And How did you find out about BrisStyle?

Instagram and the Markets. I went onto the BrisStyle Instagram account and followed their page.  I attended a Workshop and spoke to one of the Events Co-ordinators and it peaked my interest from thereon in. 

Why did you become a member Yvonne?

I wanted to create as many opportunities to get Lemon Doll Illustrations widely known in the Handmade and Artisan world.  My head and my heart advised me to jump on board with BrisStyle to promote my small Business and learn from other well respected and highly regarded creatives in this industry.  BrisStyle also have an excellent reputation in the Handmade and Creative world.  I also love how they have a passion for supporting small businesses.

​Last but not least, Why do you craft?

For the pure LOVE of it x

Thanks so much Yvonne and Dolly for sharing a little bit of yourself with us all.

We look forward to seeing you very soon debuting at the next Brisstyle market.

Anita x

Monday Maker - Meet Diana from Unique Lulu

Today in our Monday Maker Series we are chatting to Diana from Unqiue LuLu...

    

Were you creative as a child/do you come from a creative familyI come from a very creative family, but I was the one whose creativity was lost somewhere in the universe. As a child, I was never creative, struggled with it and felt a bit left aside as everyone in my family was so creative. 

How would you describe your work?

As a fun creative process where I can express myself and be who I really am.

How has your work evolved since you started

I have to say it has evolved A LOT, when I started it was just something that I liked, now it's something I feel passion for and that has given me the tools and motivation to look out on how to improve my products, the production, materials and designs. 

I was a bit terrified of doing this and telling the world who I am, creating my social media pages, the gatherings, meet ups, etc. has given Unique Lulú a chance to be out there, for me that is a massive evolution considering I only started a couple of months ago.

How did you start selling online/ Etsy?
I was encouraged by my sister to start an etsy shop with the few products I had at the moment.

Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by tribal, nordic and modern patterns. I’m obsessed with pastel colours but have found lately that neon colours go really well with my products. 

Do you reduce, reuse, recycle as part of your creative process?  
I do reuse and recycle some of the materials. For the handmade stamps, I use the leftovers of the cork that I use for the coasters. And the leftover from the fabric that I use as lining is also used as part of the packaging process of my product.

Describe your studio/workspace?
I work from home, my dining room/studio is where I create and produce.

What is your favourite thing to make?

I would have to say creating the stamps and creating fun designs with them for my products.

How did your business/shop name come about?

Unique Lulú comes from my middle name, which is Lucía, it was also my grandmother’s name who was VERY creative.

I love my middle name but it has always been that… “Just my middle name” so I wanted to be able to actually feel identified with it and, in a way, it also honours my grandmother.

‘Unique’ describes my products; they are all different and funky.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months?

I see myself working full time in Unique Lulú, it might take more than 12 months, but I’m sure I’m on the right path and of course, my main goal is to make people feel happy with what I produce. 

What’s your top tip to others wanting to break into the handmade/creative market?

To STRONGLY believe in yourself and what you are capable of!

Describe your typical creative day.

Everyday is different for me. No day is the same, they are all creative, just expressed in different ways. One day you are smashing your designs and then another day you are a star managing your social media networks (for me they consume a lot of your creativity) and so on. 

I try not to fight with myself if I’m not creative one day with one thing in particular. I will swap to another (of the many) tasks that have to be done. 

Favourite quote?

“As you place more and more of your energy on what you intend to manifest, you’ll start seeing those intentions materializing”  - Dr. Wayne Dyer

What is your favourite Music or movie to have playing while creating ? 

Folk/Indie music is my favourite 

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

A bird painting made by an amazing Colombian artist. It was painted on a paper made out of vegetable fibre which gives it a really cool rustic vibe and outlines the details of the bird. 

Where can we find you online/stockists (links etc)?

    https://www.facebook.com/UniqueLulubne

    https://www.etsy.com/shop/UniqueLulu

    Instagram: @uniquelulu_homewares

How long have you been a member of brisstyle?

I’m very new, I became a member at the beginning of August 2015.

How did you find out about brisstyle?

I went to one of the BrisStyle Indie Markets in May, saw all the information about Brisstyle and started looking more into it.

Why did you become a member?

Apart from all the benefits they give you as a member to make your handmade business grow, I love what Brisstyle do as a community to support craftisans. It’s not just about having a lot of members, but what I feel is that Brisstyle is creating a family where everyone supports each other and brings the best out of each member.

Why do you craft? It allows me to be me; I enjoy crafting, experimenting and creating. I also find crafting as a very useful tool to work on my mind and thought.

Thank you so much Diana, for sharing your creative story with us, we look forward to watching your business grow over the coming months! Stay tuned for next Monday as we introduce you to another Monday Maker. 

Anita x