the market.

stall holder profile:

Katrina Galloway from lottie cordelia & friends

In one last hurrah for winter, we welcome to our August market, Lottie Cordelia & Friends (Kat Galloway), and her range of extra special heat packs. Made with love...and a fair bit of quirkiness, these heatpacks are adorable, and beautifully crafted. SO much more fun to cuddle up to a foxy friend, or a cosy dinosaur than a boring old hot water bottle. And SO nice to see a uniquely designed and made product and it’s owner that just belong together. We can’t wait till August 1st, to see the Lottie Cordelia zoo, full of warm friends, waiting to go to a new home.

When and why did your business begin?
I have loved sewing all my life – learning at high school. But Lottie Cordelia and Friends started in 2009 when my daughter moved to Launceston for Uni. Nights are cold, so a heat bag was required. Who wants a boring heat bag? I set to work on creating a fun and quirky bag and soon it was named Cecil, then he had a friend Stanley Stegosaurus – there was no stopping us.

What are your creations inspired by?
I find inspiration in everything. Nature, pets, family (oops) children’s books, magazines anything really. I think- what if I was just a little person what would I like to cuddle up to, that was my friend to keep me warm, tell secrets, keep me company and to make me feel better when not well. The ideas are endless.

What’s your favourite thing about what you do?
I love to think I have made something that is quite different and are more than just a heat pack. I enjoy the look on my customers face when they realise that these are not toys but a useful winter warmer. Every child has toys but do they have a heat bag that yells CUDDLE ME. Everyone smiles and always knows someone that this one or that one would suit. Something else about my product is that I have realised that they are not just for children but for all ages. Children, teenagers, mums, dads and grandparents. They look good, feel good and can fix absolutely anything!

Favourite colours/materials to work with?
I like to use block coloured fabric. Materials have to be warm, comforting, and soft. Mostly my fabric is upholstery fabric because of its ability to last, hold heat and the feeling it has when you cuddle up to it. I can then use pretty prints to add colour and uniqueness to each individual creation. I use whatever I can obtain. I have a wonderful friend that allows me to have his leftover pieces of material that cannot be used for his work. So essentially you could say that we recycle.

What can customers coming to the market expect to see at your stall?
A colourful and amazing array of eclectic, quirky creatures that are made with love. These little Lottie Cordelia’s are able to sooth your aching body, keep you warm, be a friend. They can also be put in a freezer to be used as a cold pack. There are new designs all the time. I try to have something different most of the time, but of course favourites are always there – Stanley Stegosaurus, pirates and puppies, birds and cats each one a little different to the last. I have people requesting all sorts of Lottie Cordelia’s, like a Pea in a Pod for a pregnant friend. A neck warmer for a boyfriend- so wrap around Croc was born.

Favourite piece you make?
My favourite piece is the one that makes my customer smile and you know the receiver is going to just love this new friend. How can I choose – I love them all, maybe Ellie Elephant, or Pedro Pirate, or African Elf or ... No , no too hard.