Handmade with Love!

This Saturday is the very last BrisStyle Indie Designer Market of the year which will be closely followed by the very last BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market of the year on December 16.

Our super crafty BrisStylettes have been burning the midnight oil to bring you some lovely new handmade products to spoil your loved ones with this Christmas.  Below are some of the fresh new wares that will be available at the BrisStyle Indie Designer Market this Saturday.....

hand embroidered city pendants by edward & lilly

new range of womenswear by Elk & Ina

cinnabar style bangles by whizzbangle

doll's bedding by wimcee - orders can be taken for specific sizes

'Shop and Win' Competition from the Racecourse Rd Business Group

Make a purchase at any of the BrisStyle market stalls or Racecourse Road boutiques on Saturday and you will go into the draw to win one of three great prizes:

• 1st Prize - Tangalooma Island Resort - Dolphin Getaway Accommodation Package - Value $940 -for 2 adults and 2 kids, 1 nights accommodation, launch transfers, buffet breakfast, wild dolphin feeding, ATV quad bike tour, desert safari tour.
• 2nd Prize - Tangalooma Island Resort - Dolphin Adventure  Tour Day Cruise Package - Value $350. - for 2 adults, return catamaran transfers, full buffet lunch, wild dolphin feeding, desert safari tour
• 3rd Prize - Eagle farm Markets - $200 worth of Market Money

BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday, 10 December

9.00am - 4.00pm

St. Augustine's Church Hall & Grounds

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

Art Bites.....

We're so chuffed to announce that BrisStyle has won the support of Brisbane City Council via their amazing Art Bites program.  You may have noticed the little hint we dropped a few posts back when we announced that our next two BrisStyle Information Sessions would be supported by this very program!

Today, we're really exicted to announce that Art Bites will also be supporting three creative workshops at our upcoming BrisStyle Indie Eco Market on Saturday, November 12. So read on and get ready to book your spot:

Eco Workshop :: Rags to Roses

Make and take a unique statement piece of fabulous wearable art using recycled fabric and materials…plus…tips and tricks for extending your repertoire of eco-friendly hand-made.

Facilitator: Steph Morris from Wimcee
What: At the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market

When: Saturday, Nov 12, 2011, 10.00 – 11.00am
Where:St Augustine's, Hamilton

Eco Workshop :: Origami

Learn how to make eco origami models using pre-loved & salvaged papers. From traditional cranes to more curious objects this course is not just for the girls ... samurai warriors used to make small origami models too!

Facilitator: Gill Pyke from Catamation

What: At the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market

When: Saturday, Nov 12, 2011:: 11.00am – 12.00 noon 

Where:St Augustine's, Hamilton

Eco Workshop :: Cactus Pincushion

Create a quirky cactus pincushion from salvaged felt, eco-friendly toy filling, pins and vintage buttons. No need to water, and perfect for black thumbs!

Facilitator: Teneale Muir from Wicked Child Designs

What: At the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market

When: Saturday, Nov 12, 2011, 12.00 noon - 1.00pm
Where: St Augustine's, Hamilton

You may also be interested in the below workshop which is being run by BrisStylette Trish, from TrishAlan Designs, as part of the Art Bites program:

 

 

Kumihimo :: The Art of Samurai Braiding

Kumihimo is a Japanese form of braid making used by samurai warriors. Awaken your inner warrior when you learn two braid techniques.

Facilitator: Trish Goodfield from TrishAlan

When: Saturday, October 15, 2011, 10am – 12pm

Where: Bracken Ridge Hall, Bracken Ridge

:: Booking Information ::

All bookings for the above events must be done through qtix.

Bookings Open: Monday, 19th September

Bookings are Essential: call qtix on 136 246

Embellishment 101: How to make the ordinary extraordinary!

The ever delightful Steph, from wimcee, will be running a crafty workshop as part of the Saviours of the Lost Arts program of events. The workshop is titled, Embellishment 101: How to make the ordinary extraordinary. If you would like to learn the skills, materials and resources you need to create stylish embellishments for clothing and accessories, then this workshop is for you.

Where: Bleeding Heart, 166 Ann Street, Brisbane

When: Wednesday, June 8 2011

Time: 3.00-5.00pm

Cost: Free!

Bookings: click here to book your spot!

If you can't make it along to the Embellishment 101 workshop with Steph, then you might like to pop along and visit her stall at the SotLA Craft Fair on June 1, King George Square, Brisbane City from 8.00am - 4.00pm! For the full Saviours of the Lost Arts program of events click here!

The crafty world of Wimcee

This week the BrisStyle team caught up with Steph from the colourful and eclectic world of Wimcee.

How would you describe your work?

Colour and pattern dominates, simple foundational styles and mainly natural fibres. I started out with aprons, then tried skirts, and went on to children's clothes, hats, bags, toys, jewellery, altered books, cards, tea cosies, knitted scarves and woolly hats, belts, hangings, and soft furnishings, so like so many of us, the output is extremely eclectic.

Crazed Shopper Bag

I also paint, upholster and upcycle furniture, and dabble in mosaic! In my other life I've been a painter and illustrator with a background in portraiture and oils for 30+ years, but a secondary interest in pastels links more closely to the colour world of fabrics.

'Green Apples' Pastel

I fell into sewing only very recently (birthday present of a new sewing machine) and now think crafting must be my niche - I am so much happier doing this than when I'm painting (so angst-ridden!) I hope also that there's humour in much of what I do…let's not let me get too serious about apron making as an art form!

How did your Etsy shop come into being?

My eldest son suggested Etsy as an outlet for my aprons - he and his girlfriend also set me up with my first market stall at West End as a Mothers Day present a few years ago. This is a special son (although of course all three of my sons are special!)

Posies and paisley adult's full apron

Who or what inspires you?

Ethnicity inspires me, and evocative patterns and colour combinations. I avidly collect books and magazines - temporarily from the library and permanently from book shops. There is a zone to get into when ideas feed other ideas about projects. Cressida Bell ("The Decorative Painter") maintains that there is no such thing as a new design, just new interpretations, and I firmly believe that's what we all do - put ourselves into the process to make something individual and unique. I also love the fact that people who buy from me are usually on a shared wave length, and that some pieces really speak to other people.

Persian princess child's dress

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

A small part of what I do involves recycling - like embellished second hand cardies and straw bags - but my main thing is that I can't bear to throw away my scraps of fabric so I try to find uses for them…cards, brooches, collage and so on. My mum is also a great source of buttons, fabrics, trims and so on that she has collected or reclaimed over many, many years (she is the real seamstress of the family).

Head-dresses and doll

Can you describe your studio / work area?

Camp Chaos. It's when I find myself moving into other rooms as well just to find some open space - what middle son calls the creative creep - that I know it's time to clean up my act.

Wimcee supplies

What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?
La vie en rose blouse. The rose fabric is so special, a Japanese cotton print designed by an Australian it has, bizarrely, a French feel to it, and the pinks, reds and teal blues of the other fabrics seem to inter-relate. Mainly I enjoy fabric for the way it works with other fabrics, but occasionally there's something that's really special in its own right.

La vie en rose blouse

Do you have any other places that people can view/purchase your work?

I do but I neglect them, sorry…New Year's resolution is to get better about those things.

Thanks Steph, check out loads more gorgeous Wimcee creations here.

BrisStyle Indie Designers Market (BIDM) this Saturday!!!!!

There's only 4 sleeps to go until Brisbane explodes with handmade goodies and there's no excuses......you must make it down to St Augustine's Church Hall and Grounds at Racecourse Road, Hamilton this Saturday.

This week in BrisStyle land we're checking in on the dynamic sister duo, Bec and Jade of Beckybean. The girls have ditched the dishes in favour of turning the humble tea-towel into one of a kind bags and clutches that are sure to be a talking point. You can see more Beckybean creations here.

(one of a kind fairy penguin tea towel shoulder bag - beckybean)

Julia from A Creature Strange is having her first market appearance. A great range of A Creature Strange shoulder sling bag styles in new exciting fabrics will be available at the BIDM, as well as a selection of funky drawstring bags, frill clutches and iPhone/iPod cases! Check out the latest items on Julia's blog.

(goodies from A Creature Strange)

The SMBoutique market stall will be filled with hats, fascinators and loads of hand-felted goodies. Sandrine's also been making some scarves, brooches, wraps and silk tops for yourself and for your home as well as some 100% Australian Merino wool hand felted items that will make the perfect gift for your "cooler" friends and family this festive season.

(SMBoutique silt top)

Amanda from Twinkle Star Art has extended her artwork into four new mediums! She will be launching her illustrated badges, pocket mirrors, gift cards and art pendants this Saturday at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market. There's certainly something for everyone in the new Twinkle Star Art range. Check out more here.

(Twinkle Star Art gift cards in packs of 5)

The Selvedge House Girls, Ellie and Danielle, have been busy printing their newest designs onto their beautiful signature hemp/organic cotton fabric. Check out the Selvedge House blog to see their latest printing adventures at the Chook Shed. Ellie and Danielle have also been busy making new craft kits and patterns for the BIDM, all tied up with string ready for gift giving or making for yourself. They'll also have their range of Skate Jewellery, hand crafted by Sam. And many new treasures and pretty little things, including some new softie friends, and of course, they'll have their fantabulous badge and mirror making machine, where you get to pull the lever and have the fun!

(Offerings from Selvedge House)

Steph from Wimcee has been making aprons for angels, frilly bottoms for Christmas bubs and silly season skirts for petite party-goers. You can see the whole Wimcee range at the BIDM.

(silly season skirts from Wimcee)

Patricia from PByers Design will be debuting two new products at the BIDM. Get a closer look at these amazing summer fun dresses here.

(fun summer dresses from PByers Design)

Anyone for a coffee? El from rocknwrap is bringing along freshly home-roasted coffee beans to the BIDM. She's also been making classic hoop earrings, Labradorite Ear Candy and well, actually El's gone completely earring mad!! Check out all the designs on the rocknwrap blog.

(labradorite ear candy from rocknwrap)

In addition to felt brooches and fabric clutches, Chris from littlechrissy will be unveiling her fabulous felt and fabric necklaces at the BIDM. You can see more on the littlechrissy blog.

(felt and fabric necklaces from littlechrissy)

Sally from Flight Industries has been busy getting her prints ready for the BIDM. As requested at the July BIDM, a large owl print is now available and of course there's the absurd coat of arms print. Each print is wrapped in a biodegradable cello bag, with some sturdy card backing to ensure no dog ears! Check out more of the range here.

(urban avine lino print from Flight Industries)

Bel from EmBelISH has been working like a whirlwind creating super sweet pincushions for the BIDM. They're all so cute, which one will you pick?? Check out the EmBelISH range of onesies and other great products on the blog.

(sweet pincushions by EmBelISH)

Sam from Jetta's Nest has been working poor old Suzy Scroll-saw into the ground this week cutting little timber frames and other wooden shapes to create her new range of brooches. You can see more Jetta's Nest market chaos on the blog.

(timber brooches by Jetta's Nest)

Now for the finer details. The BrisStyle Indie Designers Market is this Saturday folks (5th December) from 9.00am to 4pm at St Augustine's Church Hall and Grounds, Racecourse Road, Hamilton. There's plenty of parking available and most importantly lots of ATM's sprinkled along Racecourse Road (not to mention yummy places to eat!).

Should you require a caffeinated or chilled beverage whilst you enjoy all our handmade goodies, you'll be pleased to find the Di Bella Coffee stand serving coffee, tea, frappe's and other cold drinks too. Just follow your nose!

Right next door to Di Bella Coffee you'll find the amazing cupcakes of Tabitha's Place. These cupcakes are a feast for the eyes and the belly and are made from the finest of ingredients. Get in quick though, these tasty morsels are always in high demand!

(YUMMY!!!)

When you've shopped till you're about to drop take a load off and listen to the sweet sounds of Rob and Kev. There's nothing like some good jazz and blues to unwind with after a super day out at Brisbane's HOTtest destination for all things handmade, the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market!!!!

See you there :)