Makiko from Makis Art is Monday's Maker

Today we get to meet Maki the Maker. Maki is such a busy little bee with workshops and origami classes. It seems as if she is everywhere making paper cranes, flowers and even cute little animals. Let's find out what keeps her going in the creative world. 

Hi Maki and thank you for allowing us to get to know you a little bit more.


Can you tell us about your family, do you come from a creative family?

My grandmother was a very crafty lady, so she influenced me a lot. Whenever she would be making craft, I would be next to her watching and helping her. Specially she taught me lots of origami skills. She used to make many thousands of origami cranes after she couldn't walk around easily any more.

How would you describe your work, Maki?

My jewellery is a very Japanese take on traditional jewellery making. I use a lot of Japanese materials that are from Japan

How has your work evolved since you started?

As I have had more exposure to jewellery making, I have had more inspiration to create new designs and new types of jewellery items. One example of a process change for me is switching from wax coating to resin coating when treating my folded creations.

How did you start selling online?

I take online orders for my jewellery, but I haven't started my Etsy store yet. I plan to in the future if I have enough time. 

Who or what inspires you?

The look on people's faces when they see my creations gives me a really good feeling. They always give me nice comments on my jewellery creations. I also want to show and share with everyone what is possible with origami and crafts from different cultures.

Do you or what inspires you?

The look on people's faces when they see my creations gives me a really good feeling. 

Describe your workspace?

I always create in my home at a large table that is protected from wind for the resin coating process. 

What is your favourite thing to make?

My  crane brooches are very fun to make, as the patterns on the washi really stand out, plus they're easier to fold for me.

My crane earrings and other tiny parts are fun, but it takes a long time to make each piece.

My favourite things to make are new products! It's fun to think about new products and new designs. 

How did your business name come about? 

I wanted to keep it simple, so I wanted a name that had impact and which showed that I was involved in the making process of every item. 

And where do you see your creative journey taking you in the next 12 months. 

In the coming months I will have a new baby to take care of. I see that a lot of my work will be put into making my online store and selling online.

Stalls at markets will be a bit more difficult to manage, so I will pick and choose my preferred markets to attend. 

Do you have a top tip to others wanting to break into the creative market?

I think you should stick to your strengths, and try to create something that is unique and hard to find in other markets. Choose your target market, age group and budget that you want to share and sell to. 

It's also important to understand that your creations aren't for everyone, so focus on and listen to people who love your creations.

I think that it's also good to have a set of core products that people enjoy, and try to keep things interesting for them by developing and desig new products which can introduce new customers to your business.

Describe your typical creative day?

I work during the mornings and afternoons at outside school hours care, so I have a gap in the middle of the day to take advantage of.

Mostly I create things during this time period. When there is a market coming up I normally work late into the night (sometimes until midnight - 1am)  to make sure I've got enough products to display.

Do you have a favourite quote?

"there is always someone out there who will love your creations"

Do you like to listen to music or watch TV while you are making?
I always watch and listen to Japanese TV shows on Youtube while I am creating.

Do you have a favourite handmade item you
have bought?

I love my navy blue leather bracelet from myclectic and also my gold glitter earrings from Each to Own.

Where can we find you online?

I put photos of my creations on Facebook and my website.

Facebook: Maki’s Art

Website: www.makisart.com.au

How long have you been a member of BrisStyle?
I've been a BrisStyler for nearly 2 years,


And how did you find about BrisStyle?

I wore a necklace that I had made to a BrisStyle Twilight Market in 2014 and a stallholder there liked my handmade necklace and told me about the BrisStyle community, I joined soon after.

Why did you become a BrisStyle member?

I use to make as a hobby. I also use to make lots

of different types of jewellery, then my friends and family suggested it would be a good idea for me to try and sell these sorts of things at markets. This is the reason why I joined the community - they could help me get my products in front of the public.

Why do you craft, Maki?

I love making, creating and designing things. I like to think about new designs. Craft is so much fun for me.

Jenny from Thorigami - Monday Maker

Jenny must be one of the cheeriest creative people I've ever met. Always helpful and often helping out as one of our gorgeous 'market Angels'. I've been wanting to interview her for quite a while. Well the opportunity finally came.

And here it is. Hello Jenny and thank you so much for being this week's Monday Maker.

Do you come from a creative family?

Both my parents are creative in different ways, so were my grandparents. My mum always knitted, crocheted, baked and stitched. As a child l would watch her, she was also very good at sewing, as was my grandmother, who was a seamstress. My parents are also very creative with their garden, creating an amazing space in their back yard and at their summer house in the forest. 

My Dad is incredible at creating things from his own designs, he builds outdoor rooms from recycled windows, outdoor showers, he can basically build anything and is a very creative person. They have both inspired me in different ways to be creative.

Were you creative as a child?

As a child l was sick a lot, so l guess l always had a lot of time being creative. I loved drawing and cutting things out and sorting my grandmother's buttons into colours. 

My grandmother taught me how to crochet at the age of about 7. She was a cool grandmother as she also taught me to play poker, with tooth picks as money, it still makes me laugh thinking about it. 

l would make Christmas gifts for my family, pretty wonky potholders mainly.  My dad also would take the time to teach me how to make my own wooden butter knives, cutting boards etc, which found their way into Christmas presents. 
I basically loved doing things with my hands and creating little things from a very early age.

How would you describe your work?

I would describe my work as a little bit whimsical and very much inspired by nature. 
I love to watch things come to life, it really gives me a happy feeling. 

So basically my work is colorful and mainly inspired by nature. The shape, the colours all play a big part, even in my daily life. 

What is your favourite thing to make?

Big crochet toadstools, cacti and colorful mandalas are some of my favorite things to make, as well as folding origami into tiny little creations and then making them into earrings. 
I find the process really calming.

Focusing internally on one little thing, and being very repetitive, is almost like meditating.

Has your work evolved since you started?

I guess l am always evolving, l think if l stop evolving my craft, l would get immensely bored.

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

I try to use as much recycled paper as l can, as well as buying recycled silver findings. Op shopping for yarn and ripping up sweaters. I like to do as much as l can, another example is that the stuffing l use for my toadstools and cactus are usually from old cushions. 

Most of the things l make can also be taken apart and recycled or reused for other things, if you get tired of them.

Describe your workspace?

I work from many places in my house, in front of the TV, on my sunny deck, out in the back yard or cafes. My craft is easy to take on the road, l guess because both paper and yarn are very portable.

l also have a sunroom, which l love sitting in, on my old yellow vinyl, late 60's chairs, around my octagonal table. The space is so full of light and also very close to my yarn and other things l need.

How did your business name come about?

My name came about, talking to my partner about names and just mucking around. He said "how's about Thorogami? Your surname and origami merged!" l liked it and from there it went. 

Hopefully l will still feel happy and inspired in the next year or so and keep coming up with new things to make. But l will never stop being creative, making and creating makes me happy and challenges me in many ways, l love it!

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

I would say to any one wanting to start selling their crafty creations, just do it, be brave, jump in! Join a creative group like BrisStyle and get involved, talk to other creative people and make things you love.

Describe your typical creative day?

The great thing about working from home is that l can stay in pj's if l want, drink tea all day and be around my two dogs, who sometimes get tangled in my yarn, especially my Chihuahua, Pippi, who likes to sleep on my lap. 

I really like it. But I guess my typical creative day doesn't just last 9-5, it goes into the evening, weekends and pretty much anytime. I love that it's flexible and that l love doing it, l never feel bored.

Do you like to listen to music or have any fave  movies while creating? 

I love listening to all sorts of music whilst creating, and also binge watch series on Netflix, naughty, l know. Sometimes l just love sitting outside with only the birds and the sound of my little back yard, it all depends on my mood.

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

One of my favorite handmade things l've bought is a pair of silver earrings from a silver village in Sumatra, it was a really lovely place to visit and it took us a couple of hours to walk there, something l will never forget. 

But l also love many local Brisbane makers. Buying handmade is wonderful.

Where can we find you online

I am a bit of a procrastinator and have been saying for about 1 year that l'm going to start my etsy and madeit shops, l have started filling out everything, but then l get distracted. 

But you can find me on Instagram @jemthorsan_thorogami
and here www.facebook.com/thorogamibythor

Thank you so much for wanting share my journey

Do you have a Favourite quote 

One of my favourite quotes are 'My religion is simple, my religion is kindness' HH Dalai Lama

How long have you been a member of BrisStyle?

l think l am on my third year now that l have been a member. 

How did you find out about BrisStyle?

I was invited to the Christmas party at Southside Tearoom, by Sharon, from Treble Two. We met at a crochet group, she thought l should come along. l am so glad l did, l loved it, even though l think it took me another 6 months to join. 

Why did you become a member?

l became a member because it felt like such a lovely community, easy going and encouraging, very friendly. l also wanted to feel part of a group of other creative people. 

Why do you craft?

l craft because it is part of me, l always have and always will craft, make things and think of things l want to try. Crafting challenges me and also keeps me happy, 

Well thank you so much Jenny, it's been lovely talking to you.

Crafty D.I.Y

Oh Where is the bunny??

Lets share some cute "hoppy projects" today.

Image Source via Tipjunkie

Lets fold some origami bunny boxes, with some awesome guidances via Tipjunkie!

Image Source Eat drink chic

How gorgeous are those free printable tags from Eat drink chic blog!

Image source craftzine blog

And finally, an adorable amigurumi pattern can be found on craftzine blog

Happy crafty  Friday!!

New Kimono Reincarnate products to be launched at BiTM!

With only 3 more sleeps till the new BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market, Melanie from Kimono Reincarnate shares some exciting news for the big night!


"Only a few more sleeps until the BrisStyle Twillight markets! And quite possibly even less actual sleeps as I’m so excited with still lots to do. Not only do I have a new marquee for the occasion, but I also have two new lines ready to debut on the night.

I’ve been stitching and folding away, preparing my new vintage kimono origami cranes with embroidered wings. Many have “love” and “joy”, but there is also “hope” and “peace”, and a “health” in the making. As the Japanese origami crane is not only a symbol of peace but also traditionally of longevity and fidelity, they make a great gift for new babies, weddings and for any lover of things Japanese.


I keep joking that as my kimono offcuts keep getting smaller and smaller, my range continues to expand as I can’t bear to throw them away. Well, with my new range of sterling silver studs, I don’t think even I can get any smaller. They are lovely delicate little pieces that you wouldn’t believe the detail found in the vintage textiles I use. The resin captures the light to really make them shine as well as preserving that tiny little sliver of history forever.


Now I have one big job left before our lovely market under the stars; a new hanging display for the cranes. The power tools come out tomorrow! Come by and say hi at the market, and I won’t mind if you sneak a peek to check that I still have all my fingers intact."


Check out Melanie's exciting new products at the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market this Friday 30 April at King George Square, Brisbane City from 5-9pm!