inside out - ookeemee

I wanted to feature some of our retailers in a new blog post called "inside out" which is designed to get to know our retailers at Boutique Markets. We will feature a new retailer on a special post prior to market day. Our first post, and first "focus", is Lyn from Ookeemee.

Lyn designs beautiful ladies clothing made from pure wool, linen, cotton and blends. Each item is created personally and is unique in that no two items are created the same.

Lyn has a long relationship with Boutique Markets and is a retailer that followed us on our journey from our Designers Emporium days. So who better to start our new segment off than Lyn, whose loyalty and commitment to making Boutique Markets a success is truly valued by Leasl, Rachael and me.

Get to know Boutique Markets retailers from the inside out as they share with us some personal thoughts and tips, in answers to the questions below!

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

To always have different designs in stock,

to make sure everything looks good,

always have something unique to make my stall look different.

What inspires you to create/design?

The love of traditional Japanese and Asian designs and coming up with new ideas in men's wear and home soft furnishings.

What do you do when you are not creating or designing?

Always creating something different around my home and dabbling in art. I'm a great believer in giving back to the community through volunteer work.

Your favourite relaxation method or activity?

I'm quite fortunate to live at Burleigh Heads, a walk on the beach, coffee with friends and beautiful drives to Northern NSW.

I feel passionate about.....?

Family and friends and most of all my beautiful daughters and grandson.

Come and see Lyn and all our other fabulous retailers (now over 50!) at Portside Wharf on Sunday 9th August 8am to 1pm.

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 - wimcee

…and here we are in February already. For this month’s inside out feature, the very creative Stephanie from Wimcee has obliged and shared some of her story, so enjoy…

What are the 3 most important things you do to prepare for market day?
Iron, pack, and remember the head-ache tablets! I am not the most organised marketeer around, but I do enjoy set-up…although never entirely sure how my stall will turn out or if I've got everything that I should have with me.

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?
I've been a painter (oils and pastels) for 30+ years which has always been about colour, pattern and shape, so when I sew the same things apply. I am attracted to ethnicity…patterns or styles that have an historic cultural language…and to fabrics that are evocative. That's the straight side of it, but really I just have a lot of fun, particularly putting together some of the more extreme aprons, and what I love is that customers are so often on a shared wavelength.

What do you like to do to relax?
Sew…! (It’s very calming). I like cooking and casual entertaining, and we do short breaks as a couple (this is the domain of those with grown-up kids) which I love every minute of because I'm allowed lots of pottering around galleries and craft shops and markets by a very kind, very bored husband, who in return gets to choose hiking destinations and music events.

Tell us something other than your craft that you feel passionate about?
Family - my three sons, my mum and dad, siblings, nieces and nephews, and now my new great-nephew and great-niece. Also the occasional really indulgent breakfast.

So there it is another insight into some of the more personal stories of our wonderful retailers at boutique markets. With Stephanie’s strong love of family and her creative flair and passion for colour and design, you will find many treasures upon her tables and racks…

Leasl

inside out - cute as buttons

This month see’s the two wonderful souls from ‘Cute As Buttons’ featured in our inside out blog spot. Lisa and Sharon teamed up over a year ago to design and create all that is gorgeous for you little one and have a wonderful collection of baby and toddler wear to suit all tastes. Read their story below…

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

Sew, Sew, Sew. After every market we take time to consider our customers' feedback and to plan for the next market. Once we know where we are headed, we really do put our heads down and sew, sew, sew. We also try to fit in some button shopping each month!

2. Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?

The small buttons tend to have fairly strong opinions on what they like to wear and this shapes quite a few of our designs! We also try to listen to the feedback from our customers at markets and through the blog. We really enjoy tailoring designs to suit our customers by changing fabrics, buttons or shirts. It's great to bounce ideas off each other and we find that feeds our creativity. We tend to think that if we like something enough to put it on our own children, it is worth sharing it with others.


3. What do you like to do to relax (outside of your art)?

Time with the family is always a priority. Sharon loves working on projects around her home which she and her husband have renovated over the years. They are currently working on a major backyard renovation which probably isn't relaxing to most people but they are enjoying the challenge. I am a book worm and have to make myself wait until the market rush is over before I bury my head. I've also recently taken up photography and living on acreage I am constantly finding things to photograph and play with.

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

We are both passionate about our families. One of the reasons we enjoy Cute as Buttons is because we see it as a family friendly business and we work hard to keep it that way. Sharon is passionate about her home and creating a stylish but warm place for them to belong. Her husband might translate this as a passion for shopping! Some would say I am passionate about making the perfect cup of tea - with leaves, not bags, of course! In reality, I am passionate about organ donation. My husband has recently had a kidney transplant and throughout his treatment we have seen families and individuals whose lives are being extended and changed through this most precious gift. Registering through the Medicare website is the way to ensure your wishes on this issue are carried out. We will soon have a link on our blog to enable people to access the organ donor register.

We thank Lisa and Sharon for sharing their personal journeys and support them in their future pursuits and dreams.

BM team.

inside out - mags bags

This month for our inside out article, I have chosen to spotlight one of our trusted and faithful ‘oldies’ who has been pottering away at her craft for many years now. Maggie from Mags Bags has been with boutique markets and the former designers emporium for just over 12 months and has proven that the key to success is persistence, a love of life, love and family and a genuine passion to be around like minded creative people.

How long have you been knitting for?

I have been knitting since I was about 8 yrs old. In my generation young girls learnt to sew and knit quite young, in my case largely due to the nuns and a convent education.

How many balls of wool would you have used in your knitting career?

I have no idea. In my younger days I knitted most of my heavy jumpers and cardigans, but when I married and moved to the States that all changed thanks to central heating. I have only started knitting again in the last few years.

What are your thoughts of the young designers of today and the emerging talent showcased at boutique markets?

I love the young designers of today. I only wish I was young enough to wear some of the fun clothes I see in the stores. But the term ‘Mutton dressed up as lamb’ comes to mind and I resist the urge. The emerging talent I see at the boutique markets I find amazing, even those not so young. I just love Mondo cherry, Ookee Mee, Sandrine Marsh and Hemaka to name just a few. What a great group of people they are, very sharing and helpful.

Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?

Being creative is something in your genes, just like musical talent or a gift for languages or maths, all of which I'm terrible. My inspiration can come from many different sources, maybe a piece of fabric or a bag I see in a store. Sometimes my best bags result from one that is not turning out as I had intended so I will do something to correct it with good results. When I start a bag I generally don't quite know how it will end up.

What do you like to do to relax in your non-sewing time?

I am usually pretty busy with many other activities. My husband and I belong to Probus, we are active in our church, run a Bible study group in our home and I teach R.E. in the State schools once a week. I love to go to the movies with my husband, read books when I can stay awake long enough and gardening is another pastime I enjoy - although right now I'm fighting a scrub turkey for possession.

I take this opportunity to thank Maggie for sharing a small snippet of her life with us here at boutique markets.Come join us for the adventures hidden within on September 13

Leasl

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 - 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 - 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 - heart on your sleeve

For this month’s edition of Inside Out, I have chosen to feature the talented and always present Tennille from Heart on Your Sleeve. While Tennille has two young and vibrant children, she is making a real go of her successful business as a stay at home Mum, giving her the flexibility to nurture and find balance with a couple of her passions.

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

Making sure I have plenty of stock made up, email my customer database to let them know of the upcoming market, and making sure my Eftpos machine is fully charged!


2. Where do you draw your inspiration from to be creative?

I find inspiration in many ways, from my children, the latest fashions, the current season or gorgeous fabrics. Some of my creations have also been inspired by my lovely customers, like the time a little 4 year old girl asked me for a hair bow that had her favourite colours - purple, green and yellow!


3. What do you like to do to relax?

Listen to music, read books, taking the kids (and dog) for a walk to the park.

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

I'm quite passionate about awareness of Post Natal Depression. Having suffered from PND myself, I understand the importance of making Mothers aware of the help that is available to them and to let them know it's nothing to be ashamed of and they're not alone.

We thank Tennille for sharing her personal story with us and wish her well in her future with boutique markets. Come down to view all she has on offer.

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 - 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

Make

 The same oilcloth that covers your kitchen table can transport your children's lunches -- or your own -- in leak-free style. These reusable bags will cut back on waste since they can simply be washed with a damp sponge (oilcloth is not washing-machine safe). Use a single print for the whole bag, or cut out complementary patterns or solid colors for side panels. You can attach small Velcro tabs to hold the bags closed, or clip the tops with colorful wooden clothespins.

 

 Lunch Bag How-To

Cut main piece 75cm by 20cm and two side panels, each 31cm by 13cm.

Fold long panel, inside out, into U shape with 13cm bottom.

 Make 1/2cm cut at bottom corners of side and middle pieces so bag folds smoothly. Sew-in side panels, leaving 1/2cm inseam allowance.

 

 Turn right side out and top-stitch all around, 1/2cm from edge.

 

inside out - hemaka

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to buy jewellery,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.”

Well at least, that’s how I thought it went and I thought it was a year round jingle…

Bringing me to our feature retailer of the month, the creative and talented trio of HeMaKa. Helen, Mary and Kathy have shown their diversity over the last 18 months that they have been a part of our market and it is with pleasure that we share a different side to support their jewellery passion.

1. What is the most important thing you do to prepare for market day?

We're all busy making lots of fabulous jewellery and making sure we have something great to wear on market day to show off our new creations.


2. Where do you each draw your inspiration from to be creative?

Everywhere - magazines, what people are wearing, what's in the shops. We're also inspired by the beads we've bought during our travels, especially if they have an oriental/Asian influence. You'll see that influence reflected in our designs.



3. What do you like to do to relax (outside of your art)?

Our favourite activities are to read books, go to the movies and catch up with friends. Oh - and check out other markets (especially the jewellery).


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

We're passionate about a lot of things - a desire for people to live and let live despite race, creed, colour or religion; aboriginal land rights; building better schools and transport instead of sending troops where they are not wanted and without sounding like an entrant in Miss Universe...world peace. Surely not too much to ask.


While writing this once a month feature, I always find it refreshing and often insightful to hear about each of our retailers passions other than their craft.

Why not come down and check out HeMaKa’s ‘wears’ at both our Twilight and Christmas markets.

Leasl