Hi everyone!

In my previous post, I mentioned 3 markets in May, but it turns out I'll be doing 4, as I heard back from a market I applied for a while back (it was way early when I applied). I also am going to talk a little about the market I'll be doing at the end of May, which I really tried hard to contain my excitement for - now that the space and everything is absolutely confirmed, I'm happy to announce I've made it in to The Coal Loaders Artisans Market! *throws some confetti*

My original goal embarking on this maker journey was to be at an artisan market - it would have been even better to "debut" at one - things didn't quite work out (timing wasn't quite right and I hadn't even touched polymer clay at the time... oops - but by then I was making a lot of things, hoping to have a stall, and ended up having one anyway, just not where I initially intended) - but this opportunity popped up and I'm really honoured to have a space! 

The Coal Loader Artisans Market is a quarterly market by the water up in North Sydney (Waverton), and I'm expecting it will be a fabulous day. There will be so many amazing and talented artisans, so please come along, have a browse and be inspired - if you can, support a small business, support handmade, and support made in Australia!

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My May schedule as per the above image:

Sunday 2 May 2021: The Cannery Markets, Rosebery

Saturday 8 May 2021: Coogee Beach Club Markets

Sunday 9 May 2021: Kirribilli Art, Design & Fashion Market (Burton St Tunnel)

Sunday 30 May 2021: The Coal Loader Artisans Market (Autumn)

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Ooft! What a line up! I'm lucky I have them all spaced out, but I will be restocked and ready at pretty much all of them, just in time for you to get that last minute (or not so last minute) Mother's Day gift, be it for yourself, mother, a mother you know, or any other occasion you need some unique accessories for.

Last market my bows and clips were almost wiped out, so they will be making a return in May in more prints and colours. They are plastic wrapped (because customers like to flick through them like records, and that was the way I wanted it to be), but from May onwards, I will be removing this plastic packaging upon point of purchase, to reuse the plastic and keep environmental impact as low as possible. 

For the three markets prior to and on Mother's Day, I will be releasing another 2 new collections (I know, 2 more collections - that's almost crazy), and for the Coal Loader - time permitting - I will release a very special collection, if I have time to make it by then (image and palette is already in my mind).

Which also brings me to this topic - where do I get my inspiration from?

If you have been following my Instagram, I do post a lot about my processes. I know not a lot of makers like to share this, but for me it's a bit like a diary in that sense. Nothing I make is ever random - I usually just get ideas, and somehow they are always translated into earrings. For me, polymer clay earrings are like mini canvases, so to display "art", or something beautiful in my mind. It's either triggered through research, an experience, a sudden "let's challenge this today" thought, or even when a song I like starts to play, and something pops into my mind. It's a funny process, but I think it's working for me, and I hope you like how I've translated these into my work.

Hope to see you all in May!

PS: I will be launching the new collections on Instagram over the next week or so, just before The Cannery - I am still debating on whether or not I put the collection up online, because it does add a lot of admin work for me (especially when I am at a market, and if I get an order mid market, I panic because I can't sell one item twice as everything is one of a kind - eep). The last time this happened I had a bit of a mini heart attack (I can't update the website from my phone very well at all), but I was thankful the item hadn't sold yet... so I took it from my display and put it into a gift box and into my trust luggage case for safekeeping.

So if you do see something you like, you can always email or message me on Instagram to ask me to reserve it for you! Usually I would offer payment upon pickup (by a certain time, before I put it back to sale if you don't turn up), or if you want it posted out, I can make a custom listing online/ release particular items for you at a certain time so you can purchase.