profile : elliott my dear

Apart from possibly being the nicest and most gentle souls we’ve ever met, Sarah and Hamish Elliott are an incredibly talented duo. Sarah is an oil painter who has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the VCA in Melbourne and Hamish is a Jazz Double Bassist who now works full-time in design. Their range of original paintings and watercolours, many inspired by Sarah’s childhood are sublime….think a 19th Century garden, red and white toadstools, an owl hooting at bedtime, and a pear orchard, just lovely!

Do you have a day job, if so what is it? 
Our house is filled with music, cooking, sewing, painting, books and the creative space of a homeschooling family. We spend each day creatively treasuring our space with our children.

When did your business begin and why? 
We’ve been successfully running our own design business Ingres Violin for five years and with great reception to Sarah’s artwork decided to expand into a second business. Elliott My Dear began in 2011 bringing Sarah’s artwork and a unique aesthetic into a design environment.


Inspiration/design aesthetic? 
Sarah uses traditional painting methods in oils and watercolours and paints from the imaginative space of her childhood spent in a two acre 19th Century garden. Filled with red and white toadstools, an owl hooting at bedtime, platypuses in the creek, a pear orchard and a towering Wellingtonia with a silver star shining over the town; her childhood is an endless source of inspiration. Sarah paints her children and from a love of a childhood imaginative space. Elliott My Dear has a distinctly 1800’s, fairytale, poetic appeal.

Designers you admire? 
We love a unique voice and a story in the handmade and have travelled to England to see the Pre-Raphealite and the Arts and Crafts Movements work. We read the works of Ruskin and are constantly visiting the NGV to see the old old paintings. We love design that brings beauty and contemplation to the everyday.

What is your favourite part of Tasmania? 
We love family holidays at the Bay of Fires for quiet, space and sand that is like little gemstones.

What do you love about what you do...and any little gripes or niggles? 
We love working slowly and carefully in a meaningful way and feel privileged to be able to work creatively everyday without compromise. By designing, making and selling our own work we meet lovely people who appreciate our creativity and share in our story.


What can our lovely customers expect to see you exhibiting? 
We have a range of Museum standard Archival prints, brooches, pocket mirrors and accessories as well as some original artworks. We look forward to creating new artworks and designs for Elliott My Dear throughout the year!

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 Missed our February event? For more interviews with our exhibitors check out our look book.

profile : dick & dora

When we think of Dick & Dora we think of joyful and oversized decorations, a clever and intuitive collection of statement brooches and necklaces and an expanding range of wares in spot on colours and designs. This year the label will see an exciting new direction under its brand new owner and all round stylish lady Mel French. Keep your eyes peeled for some lovely new Dick & Dora home wares, we can’t wait!

Do you have a day job, if so what is it? 
This year sees me taking on my new role of Dora full time. I have worked as a photographer, visual merchandiser, in retail and event stylist, all whilst doing the markets on the side. This is the first time I have taken the leap to full time maker. Harriet and Georgina (former directors) warned me D&D would take over every nook and cranny in my house and then some – they weren’t wrong!

When did your business begin and why? 
Buying D&D in January was an exciting opportunity for me to design and make full time. Since 2007 I have been a regular at Tassie markets and wholesaling with my old business my paperdoll. This year brings a new challenge in continuing Harriet and Georgina’s hard work and a chance to play with designs and new 3D printing technology-very exciting.


Inspiration/design aesthetic? 
I find inspiration in many of my favourite things- childhood memories of books and games, industrial design, buildings, textures, old textiles. I love farm sheds in paddocks that are nearly falling down. My grandmother’s old kitchen utensils and smudged hand written recipe books. Frankly anything well loved - the more beat up and weathered the better. Quite keen on constellation charts, old world globes and aerial photography too. The MONA building is incredibly inspiring. Other times inspiration can strike at the unlikeliest moment.

Designers you admire? 
Nonda Katsalidis who designed the Mona building. It is awe inspiring.

What is your favourite part of Tasmania? 
I love the white sandy beaches on the east coast on a wild and windy winters day and I love the rich red soil of the NW coast that stains your shoes.

What do you love about what you do...and any little gripes or niggles? 
I love being able to ‘make’ everyday. I could be making balaclavas and I’d be happy. I love slight craziness of market days but maybe not the early starts.


What can our lovely customers expect to see you exhibiting? 
Designs that make them smile. A touch of whimsy and nostalgia. Must have homewares. Just because. 

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 Missed our February event? For more interviews with our exhibitors check out our look book.

profile : penny black project

The Penny Black Project is a clever little art project for people who want to be more creative but find that they are short on time….so pretty much most people with a creative bone in their body! Participants are encouraged to follow project briefs to create a series of miniature artworks. Illustration, collage, crochet, textiles, sculpture and photography and any other medium you fancy can be submitted. In 2012 the Penny Black Project has also expanded to incorporate a range of vintage postage stamp paper products aimed for everyday inspiration.

Do you have a day job, if so what is it? 
I am currently a fulltime student, studying business and majoring in accounting, and work part time as a book keeper for the Design Centre Tasmania. After I finish uni my goal is to become a qualified accountant and start my own fulltime business supporting creative people in business (and pursue my own creative interests).

When did your business begin and why? 
The Penny Black Project started in August 2009. I was working fulltime, studying part-time, and was looking for a way to incorporate more creativity into my everyday life. I had just finished an art project 4 Words 4 Paper which encouraged participants to create a series of artist books, I had gotten so much from participating in this project that I decided to create an art project of my own. The key for me was to keep the projects small and by chance I stumbled onto the idea of basing the projects around postage stamps, starting with the first postage stamp the Penny Black, and so the Penny Black Project was born.


Inspiration/design aesthetic? 
I am a big fan of Scandinavian design and the idea of design that is available to everyone. I love their idea of having beautifully crafted things for everyday living. I am also drawn to Japanese minimalism and the concept of shibumi - the beauty in the simple, subtle and unobtrusive. I am also a big fan of design that uses recycled and reclaimed materials - in my own work I try to keep the use of new materials to a minimum.

Designers you admire? 
Lately I have been very much inspired by the work of Japanese Architect Tadao Ando. He has been described as one of the most influential built environment designers of the post modern era, but what I admire most is that he is entirely self taught, having only completed the first year of an architectural degree before deciding to drop out and go his own way. I love this as it goes to show that if you put your mind to it you really can achieve anything (even if that means going against the system). But I would have to say that my favourite designer is Matty C Smith, who has been helping me with the design work for the Penny Black Project, from branding all the way through to a potential retail store for the future.

What do you love about what you do...and any little gripes or niggles? 
Running an art project I am constantly amazed at the creativity of the participants. I send out the same brief to everyone and then 6 weeks later I get an impossible range of responses, all completely different and totally individual. It is incredibly inspiring and motivating. However with all this inspiration and motivation around I do find that there is just not the time to get everything I would like done. I am hoping that this situation will improve once my studies are finished (at the end of this year!).



What can our lovely customers expect to see you exhibiting? 
Expect inspiration and hopefully a little motivation to pursue your own creativity. If you don’t think of yourself as creative then there is always the lovely stamp ephemera for you to keep or perhaps share through the post with a friend (but really if you don’t think of yourself as creative, but secretly wish you were then I think the Penny Black Project is exactly the project for you).

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 Missed our February event? For more interviews with our exhibitors check out our look book.

profile : lumbini house

Christine Scott, besides being the Art Curator of The Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart, is also a printmaker of considerable talent. Not only does she make wonderful prints, but her paper-based work extends to a jewellery line, which is delicate, wearable and different, in a really good way! Exhibiting under the Lumbini House label, Christine’s products are often inspired by her travels, making them utterly intriguing and nicely varied.

Do you have a day job, if so what is it?
I am the Art Curator The Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart.

When did your business begin and why? 
It began as an ancillary practice to my printmaking. There were so many prints from proofing that were left over after doing an edition, so I started reworking them into other small paper based things that I could give away to my friends as gifts or use myself at home. I also have had some serious back issues, which forced me to reduce the scale of my printmaking. This led me to where I am now, focusing on print and paper based jewellery.



Inspiration/design aesthetic? 
Travel is one of the most important factors in my art practice. I seem to gain most inspiration from having new visual information lodged in my brain after I go somewhere new. My travel photos are like a vault of images, which I can refer to when having a lull in ideas. I look at many things; art exhibitions, spaces, shops, people, and have a keen interest in fashion photography and styling, fabrics, especially pre-80’s. My prints mainly evolve from Japanese art and aesthetics. I love how they do full-on color, and then full-on nothingness. Local makers and designers are also very inspiring in that they remind me that it is important to do what you are naturally good at, then all else will follow.

Designers you admire? 
I like viewing the work of many global designers, most whom I stumble across while online. But I love following the growth and success of our local designers. And that is across furniture, jewelry, fashion and graphic design. There are some who are very astute at marketing, promotion and running their business while still maintaining their creative drive. That is something I am always seriously lacking!

What is your favourite part of Tasmania? 
Hobart. Home. The Mountain and her sunsets. Sullivans Cove, looking seaward.

What do you love about what you do...and any little gripes or niggles? 
Having to wait until I have a creative urge to start making. It never seems to work for me if I am not in the mood. Having a day job really drains out my energy and I often get in a rut worrying about not making. Mind you, as soon as I step inside my teensy studio I start to feel better.


What can our lovely customers expect to see you exhibiting? 
I am currently extending my printed jewelry range into earrings and other items to complement the necklaces. The prototypes my friends have been wearing are proving popular, so time to expand.

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Missed our February event? For more interviews with our exhibitors check out our look book.

april event

Our April event is just over a month away. Pop Sunday 22 April in your diary to come and visit the market! Look forward to seeing you there.

ps. the awesome work gracing our poster this month are from the uber talented Tara Badcock, HiiRagi + Bek Burrows.

profile : quiescence candles

Gorgeous in their simplicity, Quiescence candles are made from soy wax (no nasty chemicals here!) and are housed in a cleverly and purposefully chosen collection of recycled glassware. The candles are scented with pure essential oil blends….delightfully delicate, the scents are decadent and gently uplifting at the same time. Lovely lady behind the label Kate Allen, handcrafts all of her products, pouring each candle into its one-off jar or glass container. Quiescence candles look lovely on their own, but we have to say, rather stunning in twos or threes!

Do you have a day job, if so what is it?
I studied science and have worked as a researcher in agriculture for the last ten years. This is now a part-time job that I balance with Quiescence Candles.



When did your business begin and why?
I poured my first candle almost three years ago and enjoyed the intricate process of paring up wicks and containers, melting wax, checking temperatures, blending oils - to my mind it was a bit like cooking (I prefer to follow recipes exactly and use precise measurements!). That year I made candles to give as gifts to friends and family. I have always had an appreciation for things handmade, and it was a great way to experiment with something new, and to receive honest feedback from people close to me whose input I value and am guided by. My background has helped me to understand the physical properties of the materials I work with, and problem-solve some of the many challenges that soy wax can present, but I have also learned to be guided by my intuition and accept that there will always be variations from one candle to the next, no matter how accurate my measuring is.

Inspiration/design aesthetic?
My inspiration comes from all things natural and respectful to the environment, expressed foremost through the use of recycled jars, and decision to use soy wax and pure essential oils. When I first started making candles I used empty jars and bottles that I already had in the cupboard, instead of buying new glassware. I quickly developed a love for the vast shapes and designs and started going to junk shops and garage sales in search of unique and appealing containers that have had a previous life. Fowlers Vacola jars, an iconic Australian brand, were the usual suspects on my travels. The imperfections in the glass hint to the years of use they have had and create a unique finished product. It is important to me that the beautiful glasses and jars stay in circulation and continue to be used long after the candle has been enjoyed.

Designers you admire?
Anyone who shares their creativity with the world. I have a huge respect for the relationship that craftspeople have developed with their chosen tools and materials.

What do you love about what you do...and any little gripes or niggles?
The people I meet. The experience of collecting preserving jars has been more enjoyable than I could have imagined. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to connect with people who once enjoyed preserving as ‘a way of life’, and to recreate the story of each glass for another generation. The interactions with people at the market, whether they are seeing my candles for the first time, or are returning with an empty jar, is also a very rewarding feeling.


What can our lovely customers expect to see you exhibiting?
Each of my candles is hand crafted, and poured into a one-off jar or glass container that has been purposefully collected. I retail my Fowlers Vacola range of candles through a small number of stockists as well as the market, but I also bring an assortment of vintage glassware candles to the market that are distinctive in their shape, colour and design. Lots of thought and energy has gone into sourcing these, and I hope people enjoy the fun in finding something unique!

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Missed our February event? For more interviews with our exhibitors check out our look book.

profile : giggling gertie

We’re so looking forward to seeing what wonderful things Giggling Gertie produces this year. From her teeny tiny mini purses to the decadent double clutch, her products are perfection. Lovely and limited run fabrics, pretty linings, a good range of size options and the cutest product names (because of course that’s important when we’re talking purses!) This year, we’re pleased to say, Giggling Gertie designer Calista Anderson-Leitch is also producing cushions and lovely collared tops to keep her range of bags company. 

Do you have a day job, if so what is it? 
I am an assistant manager at Spacebar Gallery. When did your business begin and why? Giggling gertie started out as a college graphics project where I designed a look-book and fashion label identity. I made a couple of t-shirts and bags with giggling gertie swing tags and labels. It was pretty fun! I started making wallets and purses for friends and they were a hit! So I approached a local boutique and people actually started buying my purses! In a shop! In 2010 I began my final year of Diploma of Fashion Design and Technology and I had my first market stall. I learnt a lot in the fashion course and six years after that first college project giggling gertie is doing really well. I have lots of plans for the next 12 months too, so, as they say, ‘watch this space!’


Inspiration/design aesthetic? 
I thoroughly admire the era of design from the 1900’s through to the 1950’s. The colours, patterns and fabrics from that era are just divine! Art Nouveau and Art Deco are definitely my favourite movements which have dictated the style of my house, studio and wardrobe. That era also inspires me because of the multitude of changes that occurred, socially and morally, and also within the fashion industry; the epic shift from custom made wardrobes to off the rack is amazing. It inspires me to find a middle ground between the two extremes to satisfy present day wants and needs. The other big influence I have from that era is that the regard for quality back then was a lot higher, as was the importance of endurance in both the design and functionality of products and fashion.

Designers you admire? 
Charlie Harper, Florence Broadhurst, Lisa Gorman, Rodarte, Nancy Bird, Sophie LeBlanc, Lucienne Day.

What do you love about what you do...and any little gripes or niggles? 
I really love the satisfaction of making something from start to finish; to see that finished and useful product at the end of the process is a joy! Even more so, I LOVE that customers appreciate what I do. Having market stalls, explaining the features of an item, or telling someone about the history of the fabric pieces I’ve used and sharing my passion, is thoroughly enjoyable. I also love the process of matching the fabrics together for each purse or bag; it involves big piles of fabric, rummaging, consideration and the occasional surprises! The only complaint I would have about what I do is that super-glue is really sticky! That’s the only part of my process which is irreversible and permanent, mistakes are hard to correct!


What can our lovely customers expect to see you exhibiting?
An everchanging collection of purses, as well as some new items such as cushion covers and simple tops with collars too. There will also be a collaboration with a fabulous Tasmanian illustrator and designer, stay tuned to see the results of our work together. And, as always, giggling gertie will be putting the fun in functional.

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Missed our February event? For more interviews with our exhibitors check out our look book.

february wrap-up

A very big thank you to all who participated in and visited our February selection for the market.


Despite the heatwave (a balmy 38 degrees to be precise) we were thrilled with the attendance, the response to our new layout + extra special line up of exhibitors, and our new (nicely air conditioned thank goodness!) foodie room. Thanks ever so much for all the lovely feedback we’ve received about our new direction for 2012, from both exhibitors and customers…we’re chuffed!



For those of you who missed out, do be sure to flick through our February look book, featuring 20 + wonderful labels. All their contact details are there, so you can still purchase their lovely wares at your convenience.


Our next event is on April 22nd and we’re so excited to share the next instalment of beautiful products and the clever exhibitors who create them with you.

Shannon + Holly :o)