inside out - MiMi FiRST

Simone Leete - MiMi FiRST

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?

I regroup myself from the chaos of the previous month, create a new featured product and take pleasure in working out how I will set up my display.

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?
From all that I surround myself with, the environment, my customers, current trends,


What do you like to do to relax?
I enjoy time spent with my husband, our morning walks on the beach, long lunches and simply hanging out together.

Tell us something other than your craft/work that you feel passionate about?
My handsome husband of course.


Is this your full time job, if not what else do you do?
Yes I am a full time designer and director of the MiMi FiRST business.

Where do you want to be with your business in the next 5 years?
MiMi FiRST will be sold throughout boutiques nationally and will be recognised and respected by industry peers as a product and a business with integrity.
MiMi FiRST will be operating a financially successful online retail store.


Tell us something interesting about yourself (not related to your business) that we never would have guessed.
One of my many jobs which helped to pay my way through college was as a go go dancer in a cage at a 1960’s club. It was like stepping back in time. All of the music played was on original black vinyl, all of the men and women who stepped inside the club dressed for the occasion, sat around clothed tables and took delight in sipping on their whisky sour.

You can visit MiMi FiRST on the Boutique Markets website, here,
or pop over to her website here

inside out - the paper tie affair

inside out : The Paper Tie Affair

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?

Spend loads of late nights with my dear friend Cadbury and make as much stock as possible, pack the car and check it twice, get a super early night because 6am and I do not get along!

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?
One of my new year’s resolutions was to take one day out of every month to spend meandering through all the art galleries, libraries and creative spaces that Brisbane has to offer, so far so good! I feel totally inspired after a day out with the masters! My family and friends also provide great inspiration on a regular basis.

What do you like to do to relax?
Relax??? I’m a self-confessed work-a-holic! Although I do try to spend as much time as possible near or in the water – there is nothing quite like the sound of the ocean to calm the soul.

Tell us something other than your craft/work that you feel passionate about?
Live music and the Australian Music Industry is a big part of my life. Music is such a powerful tool and is responsible for bringing so many large and varied groups of people together for some really great causes. I have a song for just about every memory.

Is this your full time job, if not what else do you do?
The Paper Tie Affair is a part time venture, however, I am lucky enough to work for myself full time running a promotional merchandise and printing company called Rippin Threads.

Where do you want to be with your business in the next 5 years?
Hmm 5 years . . . ideally I would like to be working “on” my business not “in” my business from the comfort of my seaside penthouse. We have big plans for the next 5 years and are big believers that anything is possible when you put your mind to it!

Tell us something interesting about yourself (not related to your business) that we never would have guessed.
Interesting fact: I have an 82 year old pen pal whom I have never met . . .

visit the paper tie affair online
facebook web madeit

inside out - Nikky E Photography

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?

I always re-stock, that is the 1st thing. I’m always thinking of new ways to sell my images and they need to go through the process of being ready. The 2nd thing is pack the car correctly. Everything needs to be packed right so I don’t waste time when I unpack for the set up. The 3rd thing is don’t put my alarm on snooze in the morning when I get up. Cold winter mornings are hard but it’s harder if I have less time and have to rush around while trying to be very quiet at home.

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?

There is an obvious one travel and culture. Its inspiring experiencing a different place and learning things about their history. I’ve also always found music to be a big part of my creativeness as well.

What do you like to do to relax?

I drink tea. I find holding something warm is very calming. People who know me well know that I do like my tea :)

Tell us something other than your craft/work that you feel passionate about?

I do believe in things and support things like everyone but being asked this question I don’t think there is anything that I’m extremely passionate about other than my photo’s and traveling. That’s my thing.


Is this your full time job, if not what else do you do?

Unfortunately, this is not my full time job but I would love it to be. I work with a talent agency and have done waitressing jobs at events.


Where do you want to be with your business in the next 5 years?

I would like to be doing what I do full time in 5 years time with my work appreciated by many all over the world. Wouldn’t that be great! My work sold in countries that I’ve experienced and photographed! I also would love to be commissioned on photographic projects that appear in fashion and travel magazines, photograph a famous person’s portrait and one day own my own studio.

Tell us something interesting about yourself (not related to your business) that we never would have guessed.

My family has a Chinese background on my mother’s side. My great grandfather was Chinese.

Thanks Nikky!

visit Nikky on our website here, or pop over to her website and whisk yourself away to a foreign land through her photography

inside out - ruby and belle

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?

Sew, sew and sew

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?
Fabrics, magazines, shops. I love taking an idea like a metal birdcage and creating something purely handmade.


What do you like to do to relax?
I like to sew to relax. Listen to music and read other blogs. It keeps me inspired to hear other people who are passionate about what they do.


Tell us something other than your craft/work that you feel passionate about?
I have a degree in Textile Design, this is something I love and would like to explore more in the future. I have a passion for home wares and interior design.

Is this your full time job, if not what else do you do?
My full time job is being a Mum, Sewing I fit in when ever I can.


Where do you want to be with your business in the next 5 years?
In five years I plan to have a shop selling furnishings and home wares.

Tell us something interesting about yourself (not related to your business) that we never would have guessed.
Before I married and had children I was a Bridal Designer and shop owner.

Thanks Mekaela!
You can visit Mekaela at her brand new website Ruby and Belle, or read what she's been up to on her blog

inside out - baby bird clothing

I asked Katie from Baby Bird Clothing a few questions above her craft, her loves and her life...

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?
Sandbags, change for that early morning coffee and sleep! I always end up staying up late and doing some last minute sewing the night before market day.

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?
My inspiration comes from the simple things really. My kids and the world around them. Scouring op shops and fabric stores. Often I will buy fabric before I know what it will become.

What do you like to do to relax?
I used to sew to relax, but now that it's my business, it's not so relaxing anymore! Walking the dogs is a good one. Or just a cup of tea on the lounge at night with my husband

Tell us something other than your craft/work that you feel passionate about?
I am one of those crazy dog people. I'm really passionate about putting an end to puppy farms by buying dogs only from ethical, registered breeders or reputable rescue organisations. Using dogs as breeding machines in horrific living conditions for the pet shop trade is disgusting.

Is this your full time job, if not what else do you do?
Baby Bird has been my life for 3 years now, since my first son was born and I struggled to find clothes that I liked for him. It's not full time, but I am a stay at home mum as well. Before then, I worked in Animal Ethics.

Where do you want to be with your business in the next 5 years?
I would love to grow Baby Bird to a point where it could provide enough income for me to continue with it full time. It would be amazing to do what I love and be paid for it!

Tell us something interesting about yourself (not related to your business) that we never would have guessed.
I have two new loves - Photography and Roller Derby. Both are so much fun.

visit Baby Bird Clothing website, here
or become a fan on their Facebook page, here

inside out - denim by deborah

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?

As far as I think I never can have enough stock!!!! So there is always a panic a few days before the market making bags frantically!! Secondly I learnt early in the market game to have a check list as there is always I leave at home, so the night before when packing the car the check list has to ticked off. And then I try to decide what to wear to the market, which lately has been a real guessing game as it just been so hot!!!, I think to myself that we are at the Wharf and near the water so there is always a breeze and it is April and May so it has to cool down sooner or later......and the later it is. The weather has been anything but cold, magnificently hot!!

Tell us something other than your craft/work that you feel passionate about?

I am really enjoying the recycling side of my business. It has been an eye opener for me as I was never really an op shopper! so to pay a visit to many op shops looking for certain things is amazing in the way that there is just so much stuff that we give away, a real throw away society!! So with the kids being young and recycling being an important part in looking after their future world, I love the fact that I am contributing in this way, but then also just loving so much what I am doing.

Where do you want to be with your business in the next 5 years?

I would love to expand to having all things denim in my stall. So introducing belts, hats/caps, key rings, shoes, vests, covered notebooks, bathmats made out of denim, jewellery, like having a little boutique. My youngest is 2 so I still have a few years of having Georgie at home but once she is at school I would like to get moving with designing my own of the above mentioned products.

Tell us something interesting about yourself
(not related to your business) that we never would have guessed.

I am doing a 96km trek through the Gold Coast Hinterland in July called the Kokoda Challenge. This information is enough to tell you that I am insane!!!!I Have been training obsessively for the event so hopefully will have the stamina and mental capacity to see me to the end of the torturous hike!!My team of 4(my brother convinced me to do this with him - how?? I still don't know!) and I have been training on the actual event track so I know what to expect, and fear!!! The Kokoda Challenge is a Fund Raiser for troubled youth, the Kokoda Youth Program is an experiential learning program offering young people the opportunity to realise their full potential and gain a brighter future for themselves and their families. I will be calling on the spirit of the ANZAC to see me through this distance - Endurance, Courage, Sacrifice and Mate ship. It is no doubt going to test my inner strengths and weaknesses as I push my body and mind to its limit. Any sponsorship or donations very welcome and appreciated!

you can visit Deb on our website, here, or over at her blog, here.

inside out - Salsa Designs

this weeks inside out focuses on Alex from Salsa Designs

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?

Present something that is different and unique, make sure I also take something that has been a popular design and make sure Rafter, the salsa dancing dog is rested and groomed for his show.

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?

From people, their personalities, their precious memories, photos or ideas. They give me their inspirations and I create sensational custom canvas art for them. My techniques are based on current trends with a twist of experimentation and boldness. I keep a few scrapbooks with international design trends and inspirations.


What do you like to do to relax?

A Saturday cinema session or a leisurely stroll through a garden or bushwalk with a camera, music & cocktails.

Tell us something other than your craft/work that you feel passionate about?
I have family here in Australia and scattered all over Europe and South America, I am an uncle and great uncle and keeping ties at such distances is something you have to be passionate about and makes me happy.

Where do you want to be with your business in the next 5 years?

I want to be in the UK, experiencing a new culture and bringing my work and services to that part of the world.

you can visit Salsa Designs website, here, or the blog, here.

inside out - Earthly Jewels

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?

To prepare for market day I always like to get a good nights sleep - but unfortunately sometimes this doesn't happen because fearing the alarm won't go off.
Also I always may sure I have everything I need - tablecloths, signs, business cards, lunch and a smile packed for a big day.

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?

I love things a little different. All my jewellery pieces are basically a one off piece. I am never able to make two the same way. I usually get on a roll when I start
making some new jewellery and alot of it starts off with a particular colour. I may do 3 black pieces and the move into say some red ones. I have always loved
chunky jewellery. Something that stands out when you wear ja simple plain coloured top. I love mixed media jewellery which I am able to take inspiration from
in my pieces - wool, polymer clay, beads, shells and fabric. All these different combinations always brings out something different.

What do you like to do to relax?

As funny as it sounds I love to relax by getting into the craft room and creating something. Once I get on a roll, I just switch off and suddenly look
at the clock and it could be midnight. Definitely after a long week at the office my craft space helps me chill out.

Is this your full time job, if not what else do you do?

I wish this was my full time job - maybe someday. I am a secretary from Monday to Friday and with a wonderful Husband, 4 step-children and my craft
keeps me pretty busy. I also love spending time with my parents, my brother and his wife and my 3 beautiful nieces.

Where do you want to be with your business in the next 5 years?

I would love to have a full-time jewellery business, but for the moment I am happy just to see the looks and wonderful comments from my customers when
they find something that is a little different and they really appreciate. Jewellery doesn't have to be expensive to make someone feel special.

Tell us something interesting about yourself (not related to your business) that we never would have guessed.

As much as I enjoy making my original pieces I must admit I am a little addicted to Masterchef at the moment. Love watching them cook and getting new
ideas. The only trouble is that my Husband is always to first to try them out and sometimes they are nothing like what I saw on television - but i like to give it a go.
Also besides the long flights and little leg room we love Italy.

visit Earthly Jewels on the Boutique Markets website,
or catch up on what Julie's been up to via her gorgeous blog.

inside out - the creative cycle

my grandmothers sewing machine - taken by Taryn Newland

thinking about today's inside out post, and with Mother's Day so close, I thought it would be nice to reflect on what the word Mother means to me..... In my world, the word Mother represents a cycle of creativity........

My mother had a major influence she had on my own creativity. A very fine seamstress, she was always whipping up something on her machine, and I remember vividly falling asleep as a young child to the hum on the sewing machine at night.

my grandmothers sewing machine - taken by Taryn Newland

She sat patiently and taught each of her four daughters how to sew, just as her mother had done with her many years before. Now, I can't sew at all, I obviously didn't get that gene from her, but would she did impart was a sense that being creative was a normal part of daily life, something that I live everyday. A few years ago, when my grandmother passed away, we had these lovely photographs taken, and it's not surprising to see that many of them were of the 'creative' things in her life.

my grandmothers knitting magazines - taken by Taryn Newland

I think warmly of those retailers at our markets with small children who will be up late at night this week, trying to finish off products for Sunday's market and know that if they haven't already, they will at some point impart their skills and knowledge onto their children and foster a new generation of creativity.

my grandmothers Knitting needles - taken by Taryn Newland

So as my role as a mother to my own children, it's important to me to continue to nurture that sense that being creative has no boundaries, no limitations and allowing them to reach into their imaginations and just give it a go! I wish all the retailers at our markets with children a happy Mother's day for Sunday, and I thank them for keeping the cycle of creativity alive and well!

Happy Mother's day!

inside out - Helen Thomas

For those of you yet to speak with Helen on market day, we thought we'd give you the opportunity to learn a little more about this fascinating lady! Helen Thomas is a Psychic Medium. Helen has built a strong reputation as a psychic medium having read for hundreds of people throughout Australia, the UK, USA, Asia, Europe and South Africa – and she's now giving mini readings at the Boutique Markets.

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?

Before I leave home, there is usually a little bit of meditation to ‘warm me up’ for readings. As soon as my stall is set up, I head down to the river to help calm my mind after all the frantic activity as everyone is setting up. Then I ask my Guides to help me so market day runs smoothly and that I can get through lots of readings – and thank them at the end.

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?

Creativity has taken on a whole new meaning since doing these readings. My Guides remind me (and the people I read for) over and over how important it is that we have a creative outlet. I have a pin board above my desk where I keep pictures of people and things I find inspiring. I love to get outdoors to a park or a river and relax, usually that is where the greatest creative inspiration comes to me. I’ve always been a writer, so my creative pursuit right now is writing.

When did you first realise your ability

I had many psychic experiences as a child, but only realised what they were as an adult. I remember around age six ‘seeing’ two men in our home. It wasn’t as scary as that sounds! One turned out to be my grandfather who died about eleven years before I was born. The other was one of my Guides. I caught up with an old school friend recently who was able to tell me about the stories I used to tell her back then. The older I became, the more I blocked it out. On occasion there were things I would ‘just know’ but always dismissed it as coincidence.

The major turning point for me came about nine years ago after my aunt passed away. She came through in such a way that my life was never going to be the same. I am so grateful to her for opening up my abilities as a medium. From there my psychic ability grew as well. Not all psychics are mediums. As a psychic I pinpoint your current situation and how it may pan out in the future. Being a medium means I can connect with people who have passed away.

What do you feel/think when you are doing a reading?

This is actually really difficult to describe! It’s almost like I step aside and my Guides do all the talking. I liken it to being a telephone line – the information comes through from the caller to the receiver. This is why I tend to forget most of the readings the minute they are over, I don’t have a record button.

There are also a lot of physical sensations which occur for me during a reading. I can actually feel someone else’s pain (ie, if you have a bad back, mine will hurt). This sensation feels quite different from other messages I receive physically. With medium readings, different parts of my body will heat up depending on who is trying to get my attention – my left arm burns if a female who has passed is trying to come through and right is usually for a male. I’ll also get strong emotions attached to the reading as well. There’s a lot going on for me during a reading!

Who are your favourite people to do readings on?
I meet so many different people from such diverse backgrounds and parts of the world - that in itself is really interesting for me. My passion is helping people realise their life purpose, identifying where they might be blocked and then looking at what they can do to make it happen. I’ve gone through the process of leaving a safe, well paid job to do something ‘risky’ but love the idea that what I’m doing might help someone else take the leap into something meaningful for them.

Would you ever go back to your old job?

I’ve been lucky enough to find something which gives me such an overwhelming feeling of meaning and satisfaction and I get to pass that on to other people - I can’t imagine ever giving it up.

To find out more about Helen, you can visit her website
www.helensreadings.com

or pop over to her blog
www.helensreadings.com/blog

inside out - Daydream Press

Today I am featuring one of our newer additions to the market place ‘Daydream Press’ who have been trading with us for about 4 months.

Cameron is the creative force behind ‘The Stroogle’ and you will often find him drawing one of his characters to add to his collection of wonderful art. Jenny on the other hand, is always there to support and help organise and prepare for the many other avenues this business ventures down.

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?

1. Restock the market boxes in the afternoon directly following a market so everything is ready to go for the next market day.
2. Determine what special offers or sales focus to take for the day (eg Summer Sale, Holiday reading, Birthdays, Christmas)
3. Check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly!

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?

Looking at other picture books, running creative workshops with school children, travelling to interesting places and imagining what new adventures characters could go on.

What do you like to do to relax?

Swimming, walking and making colourful cocktails.

Tell us something other than your craft that you feel passionate about?

Having a strong ‘team’ focus in work, family and friendships where there are common goals and shared joys.

We thank Cameron and Jenny for their inclusion and contribution to the market place and encourage you to view their colourful collection.

Leasl.