Stockist Spotlight - Ineke Designs

Who are you?

Hello, my name is Angela and I have been living in Bendigo, Victoria with my fiancé and our two beautiful children for about 5 years now.
I have always been a lover of everything and anything handmade and come from an artistic background. Being lucky enough to spend some quality time at home with my children, and after admiring the work of so may talented work at home parents (WAHPs), I decided to have a go at making my own dress for my daughter. I enjoyed so much that I made another…and another….and the list goes on!! After receiving so many amazing compliments from friends and family and requests for me to make clothes I was encouraged to continue with my sewing and so hence “Ineke Designs” was born!

What do you make?

Currently Ineke Designs’ main focus is on the Ineke Dress and variations of, however, I am happy to say that there are many new designs and product ranges on the way, which also include clothing for the boys! You will also find a range of hand appliqued tops and soon to be released Full Front Waterproof Bibs for Toddlers! Ineke Designs only uses the highest quality designer fabrics and trims. Some of the regularly featured designers are Michael Miller, Amy Butler, Joel Drewberry and Riley Blake amongst many others.

When did you get started?
 

Ineke Designs was born in March of 2011, and have just celebrated out 1st Birthday!! It's been a very exciting first year and I am looking forward to the one ahead! Now to get all these ideas out of my head and onto fabric!!

 

Why do you make your thing??

 

Oh that's easy... I just love doing it!! I think it all stems from my arty history. I studied Fine Arts and Crafts at school and actually received top marks for the school for that year and had a piece accepted into the states touring gallery! It was very exciting! I really love doing quite abstract pieces using dye and charcoal! I was then accepted into university to follow this path...but I had other stronger passions at the time and wanted a career in medical science. I even did year 13 to strengthen my grades...but, alas, it wasn't for me. To cut a long story short I went on a very long and windy journey to get to where I am today. I still pick up a pen and some paint and have a play every so often but it wasn't until I had my children, particularly my daughter, that I decided to try sewing! I am a self confessed fabricoholic and LOVE  all the gorgeous designs and playing at matching colours together. I find it really feeds my arty side and I so very much enjoy putting it into exercise! I hope to one day put together my very own design to be put into print!! The other big part of why I like to do what I do is hearing and seeing the joy that my items seem to bring to others. I have had so many lovely comments about how much a customer has loved their dress or top and that it makes it feel all worth while! I love to make others happy!!

 

Whats in store for you?

 

I am really looking forward to participating in some markets this year, both local and around the state if at all possible. I am full to the brink with ideas and I am just itching to get them all into action. I have some great new lines I would love to see released in the near future, and some are already in the works! I am currently having a website designed so that should come on line in the near future. It will be a great place to view my previous creations, purchase ready to go items, order pre-designed items and it will eventually contain a place where you can create/designs your own dresses!! Very exciting!! I have in mind a new concept of bringing Ineke Designs to you at home as well... I can't say too much about that one at this stage...Ssshh! I am also participating in some great new online markets this year. Stay tuned to my facebook page to hear all about those! And.... I have been lucky enough to work with a brilliant Victorian doll maker on a recent collaboration making matching doll/mermaid dress sets!! Just loved doing it and we are planning on doing more, so stay tuned for more of that as well!! All in all, an exciting fun filled year ahead for Ineke Designs!!! I hope to be able to share it will you all!!

 

Djonn Cosgriff - Visual ENdjinnEER Exhibition

Stockist Spotlight - Naomi of Calumma Images

Who are you?
I grew up in Elmore and Bendigo before heading off to North Queensland to study Marine Biology and Zoology. Since finishing my studies I have worked in a number of countries around the world, mostly on the conservation of endangered species. My job as a Marine Biologist and Zoologist has meant I have been able to travel to some of the world’s most amazing places and see firsthand many of its amazing wild creatures. My family still live in Bendigo and so I am home as often as I can be and always look forward to spending time back in Central Victoria.


What do you make?

I make handmade cards and bookmarks that feature original photographs. I focus on wildlife, especially endangered animals, and landscapes from around the world. Many of the handmade photo cards I make use recycled or handmade card or envelopes. I can’t always control this so I ensure a percentage of the profits from my products support conservation work and projects around the world. I have also started to print and mount larger versions of a number of the photos.

When did you get started?

I have been carrying my camera around with me on adventures, above and below the water, for many years now and making handcrafted and designed photographic cards from my favorite wildlife images for a while. I had mostly just by printing the photos and sticking them on handmade cards and initially I made them just for friends and family. With everyone spending more and more time using email and computers to stay in touch I made an effort to send postcards to my friends from places I was visiting from work and so also started using my images to make postcards. I have recently branched out a bit after some encouragement to share some of the images a bit wider and a friend helped me set up a photo blog website.

Why do you make your 'thing'?

I have always been fascinated by animals and landscapes and often got frustrated by the lack of postcards and greeting cards available in locations around the world that feature images of the amazing wildlife I was seeing, especially the endangered ones and the smaller little known ones. So I started to make my own to send to friends and family. I always try and include information on the animals featured on the cards and bookmarks as time permits.

Where to next for you? (what direction do you see your work heading in?)

I want to continue to take images of wildlife from all over the world. With a new position working in South East Asia combating illegal wildlife trade I want to try and use my work to raise awareness of some of the unique, threatened and little known animals from around the world.

Stockist Spotlight - Your Organ Grinder

Who are you?  Simmone Spring, the creator of Your Organ Grinder

What do you make?  Anatomical, Biological and Medical Art and Accessories, made from Wool Felt and Fleece, sewn and needlefelted.

When did you get started?  I started making my "specimens" about 4-5 years ago (2007), but have always been a "maker" and before Your Organ Grinder I was only doing my other label The Little Orchard (cute and quirky felt and fabric goodies).

Why do you make your 'thing'?  I ask myself this a lot, and cannot say for sure why I am interested in Body parts and medical oddities.  I have always liked things that are "interesting" and "detailed."  I used to collect bugs as a kid, had a microscope and wanted a telescope, and have wanted to be a taxidermist since I was about 12.  I also really love the learning that goes along with making Body parts.

Where to next for you? (what direction do you see your work heading in?)  After finding some very awesome anatomy books and making more and more specific and odd things for people I really want to continue in making more medical anomalies, as well as studies of how parts intereact and work, such as the links between the liver,pancreas and spleen.  I also want to do more bones that really look like bones and joints. I also want to do more and more large pieces.  I've made a life sized Spine and a Anatomical Woman (5ft tall), and really want to keep working on large displays.  I also want to make Zombie Marionettes!