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

Brooke from Vessel and Vine is today's Monday Maker

Hi Brooke and thank you for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to share your experience with us.

Were you creative as a child?
Yes very, I was the crafty kid. I did all kinds of art classes and went onto study art and then interior design and merchandising.


And do you come from a creative family?
Definitely influenced by family, my parents are very into DIY, we always lived in a half finished renovation!

How would you describe your work?

Cute, simple home wares. I always liked making my own home wares and objects to decorate with so it all sort of came about from that.

How has your work evolved since you started?

I think some of the first things I made were jewellery items, I used to work with leather a lot and then I started trying new materials and techniques.

How did you start selling online? 

I was a long time Etsy shopper and for a while in the early 2000s' I lived in a regional area and had to get my 'retail therapy' online. I

I found this cute little site called "Etsy" haha, and was hooked! 

I loved scrolling through and "favourite-ing" items and making treasuries and I always thought about one day opening my own shop, it took years but I finally got there!

Who or what inspires you?

I get a lot of inspiration from other handmade designers, as well as nature, colour. 

I admire a lot of Australian designers as well as local people and other BrisStylers too!

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

I used to do a lot or reduce, reuse and recycling work as part of my former job, I ran the handmade section at Reverse Garbage for 6 years before going full time with Vessel and Vine so that practice is definitely part of my creative process.  I don't use a lot of salvaged material anymore but I try to be thrifty and reduce my waste and consumption as part of my business.

Can you describe your workspace?

I work downstairs under our house and have a few tables and lots of storage and drying shelving in a corner of the downstairs space. Its not very stylish but it's practical. 

What is your favourite thing to make?

At the moment it's new things, I'm currently trying out some new designs and that's always fun. One of my items, a little marble tea light/planter has been so popular I've made 1000's over the past two years so it does get a bit repetitive! 

I'm looking forward to debuting some new items soon!

How did your business name come about?

I think it just popped into my head while driving to work one day....

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

We're expecting a baby in September so my plans for 2016 have changed dramatically! I wanted to do a lot more interstate design markets after having a go at Sydney Finders Keepers last year but those plans have changed! I just did the latest one down there a few weeks ago and it was hard work! I will be working on building up my online shop and adding new items to the range.

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

If you already make things that you think people will like go for it.! We're very lucky in Brisbane to have the amazing BrisStyle markets and development workshops, take advantage of learning everything you can and try a few markets cause everyone is so lovely and supportive. If you like the idea of being a maker and dabble in a few different things, find something you really love and stick with it. Be original, give your chosen craft your own signature style to set yourself apart in the handmade market. It's a long road, I didn't sell anything at my first market! but I learnt little things here and there and it eventually all came together. 

Describe your typical creative day?

My new year goal was to have devoted admin and making days and stick to a schedule, well its nearly June and that hasn't happened haha...I usually check social media and emails in the morning, head downstairs and make up any Etsy or wholesale orders until mid afternoon and then come back upstairs and do some emailing or invoicing. Everyday is different cause I don't have a schedule but it's organised chaos!

Do you have a Favourite quote?

I think I got this from the Create and Thrive podcast 'it's better done than perfect', I love that because I would procrastinate and put things off, like adding items to my online shop because I thought the photos weren't good enough or whatever the reason but I now think it's better to go for it and learn along the way! Another one is: "The best time to make mistakes is in the beginning when no one's watching!" haha

Do you have a fave anything to listen to while creating?

I usually listen to podcasts while I work as it helps me concentrate, I love BrisStyler, Jess Van Den's Create and Thrive Podcast its really great, lots of business tips and interviews with other makers.

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

I have loads of handmade items, not sure if I have a favourite! I just love ceramics, lots of things I've gotten from BrisStylers like a kitty planter by Bonnie Hislop, little dishes from Birdy and Clementine and Servant Ceramics.

Where can we find you online? 

the link to my Etsy shop can be found on my website:
www.vesselandvine.com.au or,
www.etsy.com.au/shop/vesselandvine
www.instagram.com/vesselvine

How long have you been a member of brisstyle? 
I think I joined in 2012

How did you find out about brisstyle? 

I had met Helen and Bel at a handmade exhibition and also met a lot of BrisStylers through my previous work.

Why did you become a member? 

I joined up to take part in some of the workshops and eventually started doing markets

Why do you craft?

Because I'm not good at sports?!

Avril is this week's Monday Maker from the label Avril Bowie

Hello Avril,

Were you creative as a child?

Yes!  My siblings and I sewed, knitted and crocheted our way through Brownies and school craft stalls.  Crafting and making was always there in our lives.

And do you come from a creative family?

One grandmother was a talented painter and the other a tailor and excellent seamstress, my mother sewed and my father liked to dabble across a lot of mediums but his final one was leadlighting.  

How would you describe your work?

My jewellery pieces are elegant yet simply designed using beautiful big glass beads that pack a wow into any outfit.

How has your work evolved since you started?

I think it's becoming more colourful, which is nice.  

How did you start selling on Etsy?

A friend mentioned Etsy to me years ago, 2007 or 2008, and it sounded great.  So I signed up in 2009 but I really didn't use it to its full potential until a little while ago.  I've also set up my own online shop finally which has been a great learning curve that I had been resisting.  Looking back I now ask why did it take me so long to do that!

Who or what inspires you?

I grab a lot of inspiration from other creative mediums like textiles, textile patterns, ceramics  and even architecture.  Looking outside of my medium gives me huge amounts of colour inspiration and design elements that I can ponder on for days trying to think how I can utilise it in my glass work.   I collect a lot of fashion and interiors magazines for inspiration. And I mean a lot. One book case shelf broke and 2 more are threatening to go.  Oops.

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

I've recently learnt that my small glass chips can happily go into resin work, so I'm collecting the smaller bits in jars for future projects.  My larger beads and broken bits get donated to a friend's plant pots to dazzle them up.  And also I've found someone needing colourful shiny glass bits to decorate a sculpture in a mosaic style.  So that will be great to offload the numerous containers taking up space in my studio. 

Is your art eco-friendly?

I've recently installed solar panels so I make sure I make during the day to take advantage of them.

Every little bit helps.

Can you describe your workspace for us?

I have a purpose built home studio with ventilation and safety built in which is great.  I get the morning light in my studio which is lovely and lights up the glass so it's easy to get distracted with the colours at that time of the day.  Right now it's tidy and I'm loving it this way.

What is your favourite thing to make?

I love making hollow beads.  I can't stop making them.  Big glass beads can be heavy so making them hollow lightens up their weight.  And I love big beads.  A bonus to making transparent beads hollow is that the light passes through the bead and highlights the clarity and colour of the glass.  Pure beauty.  Distracting, but very beautiful.  :D

How did your business name come about?

I use my name as the business name as it seemed creative enough as it is!  

Thanks, Mum and Dad!

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

I'll still be creating and designing new pieces. The possibilities with glass are almost endless, so I'll be there thinking up something new.   I think I'll be even more colourful. And I'll definitely have bracelets in my line up by then.

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

Make sure you're paying yourself as well as paying for your materials when pricing your work. It's nice to make something that you love, it's even better when you're getting paid for it.

Describe your typical creative day?

After dropping my daughter off to school, I'll get changed and jump into the studio and start melting glass to take advantage of that time that she's away and to take advantage of the natural light.  I might take photos of finished pieces or beads in that time too.   Once my daughter is home again I'll clean beads, string necklaces or do computer work so she's not in the studio with me.  I try to fit it all around her, so I may even do some computer work after she's gone to bed, too.

Do you have a favourite quote?

I love the one that's plastered on the underpass on McLachlan St in Fortitude Valley.  The more I think about it the bigger it gets.  I love how "it" can mean anything to anyone at any given time, changing the perspective on whatever you're thinking about.  I never tire of that one.

Do you like to listen to Music or watch movies while creating?

I like Podcasts best because I found that listening to music while making beads is detrimental  as I start wiggling or singing the words and that just throws the flame around and I can't keep the beads in the flame. So podcasts it is.  I love getting wrapped up in a good story.  Hello, Serial and Undisclosed. I ruined 5 beads one day because I was so focused on that story and not on the flame melting the glass.But usually I'm listening to Radio National segments - The Science Show is a favourite. This series, Plants: From Roots to Riches from the BBC is a good one.  It made me want to become a botanist!Jess Van Den at Create and Thrive is a good Aussie crafting business podcast that I'll listen to.  

So it's a mixed bag really.

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

Oh, that's tough.  I bought a Tiff Manuell clutch recently.  I love her paintings - they make me happy.  I have a small selection of gilded ceramic pieces from Jennifer Orland and Bridget Bodenham in a cluster with a Liana Kabel sparkly resin vessel on my desk that I love to gaze dreamily at when I'm supposed to be working.

Where can we find you online?

You can find me:

 - www.avrilbowie.com

 - etsy.com/shop/AvrilBowie

 - instagram.com/avrilbowie/

 - www.pinterest.com/avrilbowie/

 - facebook.com/avrilbowieartist/

How long have you been a member of BrisStyle Avril?

3 years

How did you find out about BrisStyle?

I found out about BrisStyle through the Etsy newsletters when they mentioned a Brisbane team.

Why did you become a member?

Because of the shared information and the helpful community.

And my last question, which is always my favourite one to ask is, Why do you craft Avril?

I craft to express myself artistically and technically. Glass is part craft and part science, so it ticks all the geeky and arty boxes that I need. The beads become my canvas and also my personal science experiment. A total win win situation for me.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us today Avril.

Anita

Monday Maker - Meet Julie from Ministry of Handmade

Let's find out a bit more about The Ministry of Handmade. Cool name huh!

Hi Julie and thanks for taking the time out to answer a few questions so we can all get to know you a bit better.

Now firstly, we'd love to know if you were creative as a child and if you come from a creative family?

Yes, to both questions.

I always loved sewing, knitting, crochet, collecting pictures of amazing houses from magazines, using my dad’s tools to make doll’s beds, etc. And while my mother was a dressmaker, my dad could build anything out of anything. Both my parents were very resourceful and loved to recycle and re-purpose wherever possible.

How would you describe your work?

We have two arms to our business….teaching and making. We run workshops and I teach dressmaking, soft furnishings, lampshades, upholstery, shibori dyeing, etc. We also make and sell a range of our own unique designs of lampshades, lamps and ottomans.

How has your work evolved since you started?

We have expanded our range of workshops to include upholstery and shibori dyeing and have added our own range of retro rocket lamps. 

We have had a chance to develop a line of products that reflect who we really are and look forward to growing this area further.

Do you have a website? 

Yes, we have a website that has a small store and we have sold some products but we are in the process of revamping our website to include a bigger and better online store with a range of handmade products, not just our own.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Bright bold colours, graphic prints….these energise me! 

And I like people who are prepared to take risks with colour and don’t play it safe!!!

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

I love recycling wherever possible, I love reupholstering old pieces of furniture and teaching others to do the same. I talk about the responsible use of resources, in particular, textiles, in my workshops.

Describe your studio?

We run our business from our home that is on a 1/3 acre block in a green leafy suburb. We have a range of creative spaces that include: 

• three studios that are airy, light filled and spacious. We use these for running workshops and working on our own projects. These are our “clean” spaces that are full of textiles and upholstery project samples and lots of other creative things!
  
• a timber workshop that is dusty and full of big fun tools that make lots of noise (routers, table saws, drop saws, etc.) This is used to build the ottoman bases, bed head frames, rocket lamp bases, etc.
  
• a large verandah (that overlooks a park and bush) that we can use for upholstery, shibori dyeing, chalk painting, etc.

What is your favourite thing to make?

Ooh, that’s a tough question….dresses, ottomans, lampshades, upholstered bed heads.

How did your business name come about?

We figured if Jamie Oliver could have the Ministry of Food, we could have the Ministry of Handmade!!

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

We are keen to really develop the online selling side of our business including more virtual products as well as a range of kits and patterns. We are also developing the workshop side of things with new workshops and also workshops in other locations….we are keen to travel to deliver workshops particularly in country areas that often miss out on the range of fun creative activities available in the cities.

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

Make sure your product is top class and be yourself…let your work be a reflection of the real you!

Describe your typical creative day?

Every day is so different…a range of activities including: running workshops, teaching private lessons in sewing and/or upholstery, sourcing supplies, answering emails, doing admin, developing and prototyping new ideas, creating new samples of workshop projects, despatching sold products, fulfilling custom orders, preparing talks for speaking engagements, updating the website, writing the newsletter, marketing, social media posts…….drinking coffee, a bit of gardening hopefully, a nice glass of wine with dinner! I am up early and late to bed at night!

Do you have a favourite quote?

"If you step out in faith, you will be given wings to fly or a floor to walk on."

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

A clutch purse by Sybella.

Where can we find you online?

www.ministryofhandmade.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/MinistryOfHandmade 

How long have you been a member of BrisStyle?

About three years

How did you find out about BrisStyle?

Another member told me about it.

Why did you become a member?

Mixing with other creatives, opportunities to participate in markets, networking

Why do you craft?

To me, it is like breathing…a necessary part of life! I am sad without it!!! 

Thank you Julie for allowing me to interview you. And thank you to everyone so far who has participated in our Monday Maker series.

Considering the summer holidays have started we will be having a break for a few weeks but we will be back with the Monday Maker series in January 2016.

Have a safe holiday break and see you next year.

Anita - Myclectic