Michelle from Chelleybean is today's Monday Maker

Michelle from Chelleybean has been around in the creative industry for a number of years now. Let's find out what her secret is.

Hi Michelle and thanks so much for sharing.

Were you creative as a child?

Yes, I was always creative as a child. I loved trying new things. It didn't really matter what it was, I'd always give it a go. One of my biggest loves is scrapbooking. I love using art to document my family's life. 

My Mum has always been very crafty so I have followed in her footsteps. She's my creative mentor.

How would you describe your work?

Bright, colourful and fun. I try to incorporate these 3 things into each and every one of my hair accessories.

Has your work evolved since you started?

It has changed ... A LOT! I look back now and think how plain and simple my hair clips were when I first began back in 2008. Now, I think I've refined it a little, creating special hair accessories for big and little girls alike.

How did you start selling online?

I started selling on Etsy after making some hair accessories for my daughter. 

Friends commented on how beautiful they were and that I should make them to sell. It all started from there...

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

I do to a degree. Nothing gets thrown out.

Like any good crafter knows. There just may be a need for it down the track.

Describe your workspace?

My workspace is located downstairs in our home. Half is our rumpus room and the other half is my studio. That way I can create and feel close to my family, while they are watching TV or playing Playstation.

What is your favourite thing to make?

I do love making bows. 

All sorts, shapes, colours and various sizes. 

It's amazing how one simple idea can change so much by using different materials and textures. 

I love how little girls get excited when they see a bow that appeals to them. It makes my day!

How did your shop name come about?

The name "Chelley Bean" is a nickname a girlfriend gave me many years ago. Being a Michelle, I get called Chelle quite often. I loved the name and it kind of stuck, so it became my official business name!

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

I'll continue creating my hair accessories. 

They are always evolving as I come up with new ideas. I have plans to add a side avenue to Chelley Bean, but that's still in the planning at this stage. You'll have to follow me on Facebook to find out about that!

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

If you're passionate about what you create and it makes you happy, I say go for it. 

Do plenty of research and be prepared for lots of hard work. 

Be open to advice, criticism and be willing to learn. I'm still learning.

Can you describe your typical creative day?

I'm not sure there is a typical creative day? I have two school aged children, so I get as much done between the hours of 9am-3pm.

And usually after everyone heads to bed at night, I'll catch up on anything I need to do or do some work on my computer, usually on my website.

Do you have a Favourite quote you'd like to share?

I have always loved this quote...

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort" ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

Do you like to listen to music or have a favourite movie you like to watch while creating?

I love a good podcast while I'm creating. When it comes to music, just about anything goes. I love country as well as latest hits and I don't mind a bit of old school rock either!

What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

I purchased a pin cushion on Etsy many years ago from a lovely lady in Sweden. I adore that pin cushion and it has seen so much of my creative journey, as it sits on my desk. It is still in great condition and going strong today.

So where can we find you online?

Website: www.chelleybean.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Chelley-Bean-Designs-182285159500/?ref=hl
Etsy: www.etsy.com/au/shop/Chelleybeandesigns

How long have you been a member of BrisStyle Michelle?

I've been a member of BrisStyle since the early days. I began Chelley Bean back in 2008 and I think I became a BrisStyle member the same year.

How did you find out about BrisStyle way back then?

I found out about BrisStyle online. I'm so glad I took the plunge and connected with this amazing group of creative minds. I've learnt so much because of BrisStyle and have made some wonderful friends as well.

What made you become a member?

I became a member to connect with other like-minded people and to learn a lot. I then became involved with the markets and am now regularly at the twilight markets.

Why do you craft Michelle?

I craft because I love it. It inspires and motivates me. I'm not one to sit in front of the TV. I usually sew or create something. I can't sit still and it keeps me busy!

Thanks so much Michelle! It was so lovely to hear your thoughts, especially from such a long time  BrisStyler.

Monday Maker - Mandy Made by Mandy Thompson

Grab a coffee and let's have a chat with Mandy from 'Mandy Made''.

Hi Mandy, well the first question we ask everyone is of course, 

Do you come from a creative family?

I really do come from a creative family. Both my mother’s and father’s side of the family are creative, and good at making things with their hands: woodwork, painting, sewing, watercolor you name it!

Mum is very creative with pretty much everything she puts her hand to – sewing, embroidery, cooking jams and preserves and even painting when she was younger. 

And Dad has an eye for colour and is great when it comes to wood or metalwork, he has also been fantastic when it has come to art projects... more on that in a moment! My sister is also very talented with free hand drawing in black and white.

How about you Mandy, were you creative as a child?

I learnt to sew at a really young age probably before I could reach the foot control. I would make things with the offcuts when my mum would make clothes. 

I have always been interested in painting, jewellery and sewing and have always had various stashes of art supplies. 

I learnt most of my skills through my family or have been self taught over the years. 
In high school though - I got frustrated with myself easily because I didn’t learn “art skills” the traditional way, or it didn’t work the way I wanted it to. 

There has been more than one instance where Mum has helped me finish Home Economics sewing projects, or my Dad has come to the rescue and helped me build a Junk sculpture out of recycled materials....

and between you and I –

Dad got an A+ for that one (not me!)

How would you describe your work?

Colourful! Lots of fun colour, and I’m hooked on the charcoal linen fabric, natural linens and denim. I'm also loving the geometric, or floral prints.

How has your work evolved since you started?

My product has had more definition, and my brand definition is probably the biggest change since Mandy Made began. 

It sounds cliche, but I guess through art/sewing you get to learn more about yourself and understand your own personality, talents and I guess “what makes you, YOU”.

Being self taught, my skills and abilities have also been refined.

How did you start selling on Etsy?

I actually started selling handmade when I was in high school, I would make jewellery and sell my work on a stand at our local hairdresser who was so lovely and a huge support to me.


And with “Mandy Made” specifically, it started online through Etsy, and the same place most of us started – making for friends and family.

Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by making everyday life more organised.

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

I’ve always made a point of using all my fabric scraps. In either smaller projects or jewellery.

Can you describe your workspace for us?

My workspace is in my spare room. It consists of 3 sewing machines and LOTS of fabric choices and is completely dedicated to Mandy Made: 
production, stock, supplies and *ahem* my sewing LIFE.

It truly is more than a handmade business, or hobby. I could happily live in there... so long as there was coffee.



What is your favourite thing to make?

When I’m not making for Mandy Made, I really enjoy teaching myself new skills. For the last 12 months I have been teaching myself to make /sew clothes for myself. A slightly different skill set to handbags and accessories. 

My favourite item for Mandy Made would have to be the “First Aid Clutch” love these little guys to bits.

How did your shop name come about?

My business name is a pretty self explanatory “Mandy Made” essentially meaning made by me, plus the alliteration makes it fun to say!


The tag line however is a bit of a play on words. It reads “handmade for Me and You” when you look at the Me and You it reads “Mandy”

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

Hopefully having the courage to try wholesale selling, and I’d love to try my hand at textile design / surface pattern design.

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

If you can’t stop thinking about it... DO IT! 

If it makes you happy... DO IT.

I thought about it giving it a go for about 7 years. It made me nervous but so excited. I didn’t want to have the regret of never giving it a go, and my only advice is to don’t try and do it all at once – add on little components in small manageable chunks.

Describe your typical creative day?

Creative day? .... Really it’s a creative moment, or a creative weekend.


I still work a full time job, I spend my weeknights editing photos and working on my online store / listing information, reading and doing any planning. 

And my weekends are either spent with BrisStyle markets or in my creative workspace sewing when not spending time with the family or other commitments.

Do you have a favourite quote?

Quotes and positive affirmations can be something quite inspiring, of which I have many. So many fit our everyday or our creative lives. Here's a sample:

“just keep swimming” – Dory

“whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right” – Henry Ford

“Everything will be all right in the end, if its not all right, its not yet the end” - The best exotic marigold hotel

Do you like to listen to music or watch TV while creating?

Music + podcasts....


Music - I can't lie, I’m a sucker for Keith Urban while sewing. (Just don’t listen to my singing!)


Podcasts – I have many, but my top three that I Love, love, love, and won't miss, would be:
* create & thrive - great info and really inspirational and SO relatable
* she percolates - great girls, always a good laugh and interview some really creative people and even discuss everyday life 
* elise gets crafty - love her interviewing style, and the subjects she talks about!


What is your favourite handmade item that you have bought?

I have many... also if I'm not making a gift, I generally try to purchase handmade.


My favourite items I've bought recently as a gift to someone, would be the little cement planters by “vessel and vine” or fudge from “I heart coffee, tea, fudge” - seriously good!


One item I would like to buy one day in the future is basically anything from “Hello Halsted Jewellery".  If I can snap something up before it all sells out!

Where can we find you online?

Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/MandyMadeForYou

Instagram: @mandymadeforyou


Facebook: www.facebook.com/mandymadeforyou

How long have you been a member of brisstyle and what made you join?

Approximately 12 months. I participated in the Etsy pop up November 2014 and joined soon after as it was great to be involved and I felt it was a great community environment, everyone was encouraging and supportive.

How did you find out about BrisStyle?

Because I visited the city hall market one day when I was in the city, before I even had Mandy Made as a business.

Why do you craft Mandy?

SANITY! Honestly, that’s the short answer! 
The long answer is – it’s a creative inspiration release. 

I can’t sit still, and go a bit loopy if I don’t have the opportunity to do something creative. 

Thank you so much Mandy for sharing your thoughts with us.

See you at the next BrisStyle market.

Crafty D.I.Y

Good morning,

It is Father's Day on Sunday here in Australia, so it was the sweetest excuse for some inspiration to help making Dad's day a lovely one!

Some free Father's Day printables from papercraftsinspirations.

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How gorgeous is this vintage inspired card from Sassaby Blog ?!

Perhaps you are ready to sneak in some sewing and make Dad a nice Laptop sleeve?
Oh well...Sew, Mama, Sew has a free pattern here.

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How cool are those monogrammed Cuff Links with the Purl bee....

Happy Crafty Friday!

Frock Out @ Piece Together

Steph in The Tribute Dress

Steph from '3 Hours Past the Edge of the World' would like to invite you to 'Frock Out' to be held at one of our favourite Brisbane craft and sewing destinations, Piece Together on Saturday May 26.

For the past few years, Steph has been teaching sewing at Sewco Sewing and Patchwork. Last Autumn she decided to move on from retail and focus more on the individual sewist and creating a sense of community amongst like minded people in and around Brisbane.

After years of sewing inappropriate-for-her-lifestyle-dresses that only got worn once Steph decided that their must be a night dedicated to all those lovely dresses out there that should be swooned over but unfortunately get left at the back of the closet. Have you been known to make dresses with 50s style skirts, silk lovelies, wiggle dresses and couture stuff that never gets to see the light of day? Then 'Frock Out' is a must for you and your lovely gown!

Steph in The Wholesome Dress

Come along to 'Frock Out' and ooooh and aaaaah over lovely dresses, enjoy a drink or two, a light dinner and a pretty craft! If that's not enough there will also be sewing related games and a few awesome lucky door prizes. You could win yourself a $75 gift voucher from 'The Fabric Store' or a free spot in one of Steph's two upcoming classes at Piece Together - Perfectly Fitting Pants and A Day of Knits. Only those who are wearing a self-made creation are eligible to enter the prize draws, so pull out that forgotten creation or get sewing and make something new to show-off!

Frock Out

Piece Together Sewing Studio

2/33A Logan Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane

Saturday May 26

5.00pm - 9.00pm

TICKETS: $30.00. Click HERE to book your ticket!

Crafty D.I.Y

Hello,

With the holidays over (or nearly for some), you may have a little collection of beautiful pictures...and not sure the best way to display them?

What about trying some transfer experiment with those amazing projects  on Better homes and gardens blog...

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 like this?

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Or this way?

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A little buzz of ideas now?

Before going and looking for those cute pics to transfer, lets mark our "Australia Day" (of yesterday) 

with this super cute Softie D.I.Y found on womansday.com!

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Happy Friday everyone!

Sew Gorgeous

Today, we are so excited to be introducing you to one of our new website advertisers, Sew Gorgeous!

Sew Gorgeous runs fun and modern sewing workshops around Brisbane. They teach ways of creating different effects on your projects, enabling you to create a number of different looks with the one pattern - there is no inside the box sewing at any of the Sew Gorgeous sewing classes and workshops!

From vintage inspired dress workshops to 'Learn to Sew' classes Sew Gorgeous caters for all skill levels,  and all their classes are perfect for ladies who want to be able to create their own gorgeous clothes either through beautiful fabrics, vintage patterns or just inspiration!

All of the Sew Gorgeous sewing classes and workshops are carefully designed, combining the right level of fun and education and are really social as well as a great opportunity to learn sewing tips and tricks that will see you creating professionally finished projects.

You must pop over and have a browse around the beautiful Sew Gorgeous website. It is utter eye candy! Sew Gorgeous also have a facebook page so show them some crafty love by skipping over and 'liking' them!