In the Spotlight: Silver Spoon Vintage

Please welcome Silver Spoon Vintage to Piccadilly market on Sunday 3rd August. I am in LOVE with these stamped pieces, great gift ideas too.

Tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, I'm Anna - the face behind Silver Spoon Vintage. I'm a work from home mum of 3 little people - 4, 6, & 8 years as well as a part-time Uni student about to graduate from studying Library and Information Studies. I’m also the organiser of the local makers market in our area and I love keeping busy. I definitely not one to sit still.

How did you come up with your business name?
I wanted the name to reflect the product that I was making. I started with thinking it definitely needed the words silver and vintage in it and then added the word spoon to the mix as well.

Tell us how your product/range came about? 
I originally started with stamping cake fork pairs for wedding gifts and the product range just grew from there. Customers’ personal requests helped to build the product range in the beginning, with custom orders for unique stamping on selected pieces, helping to grow a new product that became popular with future customers. From cake forks, it grew to cake spoons, butter spreaders, cake knives and servers, soup spoons, and more. I've even had the pleasure of stamping some full dinner sets that I've sourced from around the world in almost new condition and in original vintage storage boxes for a number of customers. They have certainly been a highlight knowing that these customers are going to use these for everyday use and pass them on from generation to generation.

How long have you been in business for?
I officially started Silver Spoon Vintage back in November 2013, but had been tinkering on the idea for a while before then after winding down another business.

What inspires you?
I love searching on Pinterest for new quotes and sayings that I can use on the silverware pieces to come up with new pieces for the collection. Many of my customers also inspire me with ideas for new pieces to add to my collection with special sayings. I also love searching through old vintage stores and antique treasure troves for inspiration.

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?
I guess I've always been crafty. Art was certainly one of my better subjects through highschool and I've always loved drawing, painting, knitting or sewing to keep my hands busy at some stage of my life. When I discovered I was having a girl back in 2008 I began the children's clothing label 'tillytom’. The label was a wonderful business venture for almost 5 years before I decided to close the doors last year to take a break and try something new.

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
Hmmm...I certainly wouldn't call myself 'cool', but a lot of people wouldn't know that I use to drive trucks. And not just small trucks, but great big 120 tonnes mining trucks in the gold mines, which is where I met my husband in Kalgoorlie back in 2003.

If money was no object what would be your dream destination right now?
Hubby and I have always talked about going to Canada to seeing the Rocky Mountains, and I would also love to spend some time travelling through Europe.

Favourite book? 
I don't have just one favourite book, but am enjoying the books by Aussie authors Charlotte Nash and Fiona McCallum at the moment.

What is your favourite website(s)?
I love Pinterest for the inspiration - not just for my business, but also for pretty much everything else! I also love Madeit for its wonderful showcase of talented Aussie makers.

Have you ever met anyone famous?
Not that I can remember, but I did have a few celebrity names buy my ‘tillytom’ clothing pieces back when I was making for that label

In The Spotlight: Mandi's KItchen

Meet Mandi from Mandi's Kitchen who will have her amazing range of Christmas Puddings and Desert Logs at the next Piccadilly Market in Geelong on 3 August.

Tell us a little about yourself?
My family moved to Tasmania when I was one and so my younger years were spent in Launceston & Hobart.  We moved back to Melbourne in my teens where I finished school and business college.
I have worked with children most of my adult life – as a Kindergarten Assistant and private nanny to several families and have two grown up children myself.

How did you come up with your business name?
Mandi’s Kitchen – not exactly original is it??

Tell us how your product/range came about?
I started making Traditional Christmas puddings because I didn’t like the taste of what was available  and realised after much experimenting that I loved the citrus flavour, but didn’t like the peel so use fresh orange juice in my pudding & no peel.  There was also a  lack of quality fruit and brandy missing – so I only use the best vine ripened fruit available in Australia, and I am very heavy handed with the brandy (which is why they have such a long shelf life)

From there, the range has grown with the help of my friends and family,  and now I have a range of delicious hand-made boiled in the cloth dessert logs in a variety of yummy flavours which make a great alternative to Christmas pudding and a fantastic treat to have in your cupboard all year round.
My son is vegetarian and therefore I only use butter (not suet) and my daughter had a problem with lactose so I make a Gluten free, sugar free, wheat & lactose free version of the Traditional Christmas pudding to cover all the allergies!

How long have you been in business for?
This will be my 21st Christmas!!

What inspires you?
Honesty, generosity & courage

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?
Later in life – definitely!

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
 My hobbie is mosaics – I only use glass and could spend forever designing things

If money was no object what would be your dream destination right now?
South America

Favorite book?
I read about a book a fortnight so there are too many to name but recently finished  ‘the Happiest Refugee’  by Ahn Do and really enjoyed it.  Love a good thriller though and think Simon Kernick writes really well!!

What is your favorite website(s) ?      
Gumtree.com

   

In The Spotlight: Artichoke Designs

And yet another lovely newcomer to Piccadilly Market on Sunday 3rd August in Geelong, Artichoke Designs. Meet Michele.

Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Michele Hume and I studied textile design at RMIT.  I started up the label artichoke so I could showcase my products. I once had a shop with some friends on High St. Northcote that was fun.
On a more personal level,  I have a weakness for collecting chairs, the designer type. I don’t like cooking….all that work and then you eat it. I do most of my designing when I’m horizontal which often interrupts my sleep.

How did you come up with your business name?
I love artichokes, they remind me of my grandfather in his magnificent veggie garden……and the name starts with ART.

Tell us how your product/range came about?
My handcrafted bags are always simple and practical. You can feel and smell the beautiful solid hides I use. My designs are governed by the texture, weight and colour, of the leather.If the leather is soft and subtle I design a more relaxed hobo style, and if it’s thick and heavy I design a Tote or Messenger styled bag.

How long have you been in business for?
I’ve been designing leather bags for about 5 years.

What inspires you?
Colour and texture.
Light and shade.
Wabi Sabi.

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?
I have always been creative; I’m known to stare into space, when I’m working on new designs, to the dismay of people around me.

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I can still do a 360’ on the monkey bars.

If money was no object what would be your dream destination right now?
I could eat my way through Scandinavia again, but I would choose Japan for its great and quirky design.

Favorite book?
The Australian Ugliness. By Robyn Boyd

What is your favorite website(s) ?    
Pinterest.
 
Have you ever met anyone famous? 
I said hi to Annie Lennox at an Art exhibition in London.

In The Spotlight: Rockabilly Adventures

To start gearing up for the Geelong Revival in November we are very excited to have Rockabilly Adventures on board at the next Piccadilly Market in Geelong on Sunday 3 August to give you a taste of what will be on offer.

Piccadilly Market will be on for 2 days this year on 29/30 November to coincide with Geelong Revival.

Tell us a little about yourself?
We are Rockabilly Adventures, a husband & wife team bringing back the 1950-60's rock 'n' roll/rockabilly & kustom kulture lifestyle through vintage inspired & unique clothing, shoes, & accessories for guys, dolls & the kiddies, catering for the entire family. We welcome you all to come visit & enjoy a Rockabilly Adventure with us ;-) Ryan & Mizz Beckey

How did you come up with your business name?
We are "Rockabilly" and we are loving the "Adventure" of travelling around Victoria & hope next year to do interstate with our trade stall business. It was actually put up as a competition when we first started the business - and people gave us their name idea's through our facebook site.

Tell us how your product/range came about?
We source from many different suppliers to give a diverse & unique range of clothing, shoes & accessories. We love to support Australian hand made- so our most popular are ladies vintage style dresses & skirts & guys shirts from Lennys Custom Clothing, custom made right hear in Geelong. We also stock Bop Jonny's Dance shoes that are made to order in any colour range for both men & woman.

We then source from oversea's suppliers including Collectif, & Helly Bunny from the UK & Sourpuss, Kustom Kreeps, Pleasure & Hot Rod Hell Cat from the USA.

Included in the accessories range includes stylish handbags, scarf's, earrings, socks, petticoats & much more!!

We cater for the kiddies too, with kustom kulture baby's body suites, dresses, shirts, t-shirts & petticoats.

How long have you been in business for?
We started in January 2014.

What inspires you?
The 1950's/60's. The lifestyle of the era... The cars, the clothes, the pin up's!

We love everything about that time & want to bring it back. Dressing the part makes us feel fantastic- Ryan enjoys taking on the "Greaser" look, while Mizz Beckey enjoys the elegance of heels & petticoats, hoping to do more pin up styles in the future.

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
We own a 1948 Fordson Breadvan that we are doing up for "Rockabilly Adventures" and a 1954 Pontiac that's also our family car project.

We have 3 mini Rockabilly dudes (son's).

If money was no object what would be your dream destination right now?

A USA family holiday.

What is your favorite website(s) ?    

For business & personal purposes we use Facebook.

E-Bay is great for shopping too.

       

Have you ever met anyone famous?

 Seeing my favorite Beatle Ringo Starr was a highlight for Mizz Beckey.

Travis Pastrana for Ryan.

In The Spotlight: Lauren Williams

Another newcomer to Piccadilly Market on 3 August is Lauren Williams who makes gorgeous Japanese inspired jewellery.

Tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Lauren, I live in Melbourne with my lovely husband and two very gorgeous sons. Jack is 7 and Edward is 4. I work from home on my little business while caring for my boy’s full time. Before I became a mum I was a qualified Horticulturalist and studied Visual Arts at RMIT.

How did you come up with your business name?
Easy, it’s my own name.

Tell us how your product/range came about?
It has evolved over the years. I first started out making cards, which quickly developed into jewellery using chiyogami papers. I made resin bangles and rings for a while. I became interested in all the Japanese fabrics that were available but couldn’t sew. So I started making jewellery/accessories with cover buttons.

 How long have you been in business for?
Quite a while. I started seriously in about 2006. In that time I’ve had two children so it’s been a bit stop and start.

What inspires you?
The fabrics I work with and making stuff. My best ideas have usually come about when I’ve been crating or sorting fabrics. My children’s artwork is a huge inspiration as well as the internet.

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?
Always.

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I didn’t get my license until I was 33 weeks pregnant with my first son.

If money was no object what would be your dream destination right now?
Japan of course!

Favorite book?
A Secret History by Donna Tartt  One of my faves too

What is your favorite website(s) ?        
Made it and Pinterest…I could literally spend hour’s and hours browsing. I hear you

Have you ever met anyone famous?
When I worked as a horticulturalist I assisted different celebrities; Delta Goodrum,  Red Symons and a few different news reporters.

Elevare, a leg shaving miracle

Were you born in the 60's?
Did you start shaving your legs with a razor in the 80's?
Do you still shave your legs most of the time rather than wax?
When you shave in the shower are you doing some crazy leg up on the wall sliding down and about to topple A over T?

I am all of the above so when I met the lovely, clever girl from elevare recently who has designed and made a product to revolutionise the whole shaving process I was excited and immediately took one home to try.

I try to keep my non market type products to a minimum on here but I think every girl needs one of these in her bathroom.

I love it!!!! It is great for shaving, tanning, exfoliating and moisturising with ease.

If you don't want to feel and look like a dork in the shower anymore check this out, you can buy it online here.

I love reading your comments so let me know what you think.

In the Spotlight: Bebe's Bakehouse

Introducing Bebe's Bakehouse to Piccadilly Market on 3rd August. This is one super creative lady. I LOVE her edible art cookies.

Tell us a little about yourself?
I trained as an analytical chemist, before moving into IT, returning to study for a Masters, and then working as manager of online training for the movie and game industries. After our little monster arrived on Halloween 2011, I decided to turn my baking hobby into a small business starting with gourmet gluten-free puddings for Christmas 2013. After Christmas I expanded my product range with cookies, and most recently with EdibleArt cookies which feature printed artwork like movie posters or holiday-inspired illustrations.

How did you come up with your business name?
My business name is called Bebe’s Bakehouse. Bebe means 'baby in Serbian and when I was born that is what I was called and continued to be called for the whole of my life. To this day no one in my family calls me by my christian name as it would appear too formal.

Tell us how your product/range came about?
All my products are gluten free (with a few exceptions). I had been cooking and baking for friend who is a coeliac for some years now. She has always loved what I make for her and one Christmas a few years ago she asked me whether I had thought of selling my products at markets.  I started with gourmet gluten free fruit puddings: Double Chocolate and Bailey’s, Orange Spice with Cointreau, Double Chocolate and Orange with Cointreau and Traditional with Brandy and we have since included biscuits, cupcakes, fudge, brownies, blondies  and EdibleArt gingerbread cookies.

How long have you been in business for?
I officially started in October 2013

What inspires you?
I am inspired by stories of people who have struggled to succeed through extreme adversity.

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?
I think I had the average amount of ‘crafty/artiness’ that people have growing up but I’ve taken more interest in creating things now that I’m older so you could say I’m a late bloomer :)

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
Not sure how cool it is but I have a current motorcycle license and I rode through the beautiful Rockies in Canada when I stayed there.

If money was no object what would be your dream destination right now? 
I would love to go back to Banff or Canmore in Alberta, Canada. I spent 15 months living in Banff in the early 90s while on a work visa. I have returned twice since then but it’s always in my thoughts to return again.

Favorite book?
I had a few favourite books growing up because they touched a nerve at the time. As an adult I have many favourite books but one of my all time favourites would have to be
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

What is your favorite website(s) ?    
 I spend a lot of time on imdv.com where I love looking through current and old movies as well as the actors who starred in them. I love exploring and ‘surfing’ the net and spend a bit of time on youtube looking at a lot of things from including cooking, music, documentaries and comedy shows.
     
Have you ever met anyone famous?
I met Dick Van Dyke many years ago at a convention in LA. He was lovely.

In The Spotlight: Myindah

Another fab newcomer to Piccadilly Market on Sunday 3rd August in Geelong is Myindah and I have to say I am pretty excited about seeing their products especially the boots.

Tell us a little about yourself?
We are two Mornington Peninsula girls with a love of fashion, summer, Bali and of course, leather!

How did you come up with your business name?
After trying every combination of both of our names, we went back to our “roots” so to speak. Indah in Indonesian means beautiful. MyIndah is “my beautiful”.

Tell us how your product/range came about?
It started from making our own leather for ourselves. We got so many comments on our products collectively, that we decided to sell our products. We started our journey in Java, then came back to Bali and found our suppliers there.

How long have you been in business for?
The concept was 12 months in the making, but we launched our brand November 30. So we are only 8 months old. We started with a summer range, expanded our range in winter by adding Boots and ballet flats. Now we are about to launch Summer 2014.

What inspires you?
Summer and sunshine. A love for fashion. Most of our inspiration happens around sun, water and wine! Ha ha

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?
Neither of us are “crafty”. We both have a love of fashion and Beck worked in the fashion industry as a buyer for over 12 years.

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
We are both “open books”. If we had something cool, others would know about it. Sadly we probably aren’t!!! Ha ha

If money was no object what would be your dream destination right now?
Anywhere with sunshine and bubbles! But Bali is our second home and we would love to spend more time there. Me too

Favorite book?
That’s too hard to give a favourite? There are too many! We both loved The Fault In Our Stars that we read in Bali just recently. A beautiful love story.

What is your favorite website(s) ?        
 That’s easy! Ours!!! Ha ha

Have you ever met anyone famous?
A couple of famous people. Not Beyonce J

In The Spotlight: Eat Sweet

Who doesn't love some sweetness in their life? I am a self confessed chocolate addict but have also been a long time nougat lover. I start with a little slice and continue slicing until the block is looking much smaller.

I am super excited to have Shannon from  Eat Sweet at the next Piccadilly Market on the 3rd August. I just want to jump into this drool worthy photo.

Tell us a little about yourself?
After being stuck in a job that I hated, I decided that I wanted to do something for myself but I didn't know what! One Christmas, I made nougat and everyone loved it. So that's what made me decide to go with nougat as a starter. Then the experimenting started :)

How did you come up with your business name?
It took me about 18 months to find something that would suit. I didn't want nougat as part of the name as I want to expand into other products down the track. As I love sweet things, Eat Sweet was born

Tell us how your product/range came about?
After making the nougat for Christmas, I started thinking of different flavour ideas as a-posed to traditional flavours. My first creation was the raspberry and white choc and is one of my biggest sellers. My latest is chocolate and smoked salt. Everyone is doing the caramel and salt thing, this is my version I have so many ideas for new flavours but all in good time :)  All sound yummy

How long have you been in business for?
We launched in December last year, so we are still new and getting out there so to speak.

What inspires you? 
My greatest inspiration for flavours is Adriano Zumbo. He comes up with fantastic flavours for all the macarons. My other inspiration was my mum. For someone of her age, she did amazing things - mostly running full marathons and doing the Rialto Stair race (aged 70!) She was also very supportive with the starting of my business. Unfortunately she passed away late January this year after an extremely short battle with cancer. Sorry to hear that

Have you always been ‘crafty’ or has it bloomed later in life?
 I have always loved to cook and bake, starting really young when my nan would let me help her in the kitchen.  I have also been a "foodie" and worked in the food industry for a short while.

What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you?
 I did a stunt driving course and I have jumped off the Auckland Tower

If money was no object what would be your dream destination right now?
 France  Me too

Favorite book?
How to be a domestic goddess - Nigella Lawson

What is your favorite website(s) ?        
 Temple and Webster

Have you ever met anyone famous?
 Adriano Zumbo, Nigella Lawson, Curtis Stone (he gives great cuddles!)  Lucky you

Shannon is very kindly giving 2 lucky people a chance to win some nougat, pop over to our Facebook page to enter.

Christmas in July at Sovereign Hill

I am not sure why or how it happened but I have never been to Sovereign Hill. Maybe I was away the day my school went or when I changed primary schools I missed out.

Finally I went yesterday and wow, I never realised what I was truly missing out on. It was great to see and experience something new with my children that I had not done before.

Bestie Peggie and her 3 came along also. On our drive from Geelong to Melbourne the rain got heavier and the temp was steadily dropping, when it hit 7 degrees we were worried. We decided to soldier on and give it a go and it was fine. A little drizzle here and there but thats it.

My son Master 10 said he knew it was going to be the olden days but didn't realise it was going to be truly olden days and that great.

Panning for gold was super fun, all 3 kids managed to find themselves some AFTER asking a local how to do it correctly, there is a trick to it.  3 little jars of gold specs came home with us with loads of memories attached.

We sent the kids down the mines as we both get a little woozy in confined spaces, apparently it was the girls highlight.

Sovereign Hill has been running Christmas in July for the past 3 years and I have to say it is a pretty special experience. It really did fill us with feelings of joy. There was a snowfall at 11.30 and it was super cool. I thought it would be a tiny thing for a few minutes but it was more like 15 minutes and felt very authentic. I am a big all things Christmas lover so all the decorations about made me happy.

We had to do the photo experience which was one of my highlights. Dressing up with all the kids was fun and more memory making. It made the 2 Mummy's very happy. The girls loved it but I am pretty sure the boys were not so keen. A little bribery may have been thrown in to help it along.

The kids really enjoyed the schoolhouse which honestly did not feel that different from my own primary school days. Not a screen in sight. Learning to write with the nib and ink was a new thing for them all.

Olden days bowling was fun if not a little challenging, a VERY long alley. I am normally pretty good at that kind of thing.

If you do go you absolutely MUST stay for the lightshow, photos do not do it justice but with the snow and the lights and the music it is a truly magical experience. We already want to make it an annual thing. Next time we would stay the night in Ballarat and do some more sightseeing.

Thank You Sovereign Hill. Hats off to your amazing, helpful, friendly staff. A most wonderful day out.

Christmas in July runs from June 28 - July 13