I would like to introduce to you one of my fabulous stallholders Michelle who is also very funny, I am sure you will enjoy reading about her. She will be at Piccadilly Market on 4 August.
How did you come up with your business name? It took me a very, VERY long time to come up with a business name and in fact it came to me in a haze when I was ill. Once I recovered and thought about it some more, I realised that I really liked the name so I registered it that day. I get a lot of comments on the name when I do markets and it usually makes people smile, especially when I say it my best chicken-like voice while dancing around flapping my 'wings'! Perhaps she could provide the entertainment at the next event
Tell us a little about yourself? Hi there! My name is Michelle and I am a Ballarat based mum of two little ones, aged 3 and almost 2! I create laser cut jewellery under the label Bok Bok B'Gerk, which is stocked in a number of retail stores throughout Victoria.
Tell us how your product/range/business came about? I had seen laser cut jewellery in shops but found it too expensive for my budget and not quite what I wanted. Like a typical creative person, I thought "I could make that!" and so I did just that. It took me a while to source a local business that could do my laser cutting but once that was sorted, the business was off and running.
How long have you been in business for? I am just heading into my third year of business and I am SUPER excited about it. In a few weeks I will be wrapping up my part-time corporate job to focus on Bok Bok B'Gerk full time. Yippee!!!! I have a lot of new product ideas swimming around in my head, so it will be great to have a bit more spare time to get them out.... hang on, who am I kidding? Spare time! What's that??
What inspires you? Most of my inspiration comes from things the kids ask me to draw, or from things I daydream up myself. I find the more creative I am in my spare time, the easier the ideas flow, so I try to do regular creative activities to keep those juices flowing. Not all of my ideas for designs make it in to production. Some of them are just a little too crazy for public viewing!
Have you always been ‘creative’ or has it bloomed later in life? I was creative when I was younger, but that side of me became a bit stifled in my teens. It has only been since I had the kids that I have allowed myself to get back in touch with my creative side. I believe that expressing yourself through the art of making things is beneficial to the soul... and a lot cheaper than therapy :) I wholeheartedly agree..
When you are not busy creating what do you love doing? Driving fire trucks, fighting dragons and building elaborate structures out of cardboard - All the things you do when you're a mum.
What is something cool that most people wouldn’t know about you? I am absolutely awesome at Dance Dance Revolution. Like seriously, if you're at a party and you see me approaching a DDR mat... do yourself a favour and just walk away. I am laughing out loud over here and seriously need to book her for entertainment
If money was no object what would be your dream destination? Without a doubt it would be where ever David Bowie was at the time. It would be preferable if I could live WITH him, but if not then I guess next door would be good enough.
What are you reading right now? The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. I just finished another of his books (Do the Work) and I found it really inspiring. I usually opt for non-fiction books, but on the odd occasion I feel like reading fiction, I opt for teenage/young adult books that require little brain power.
What is your favorite website(s) ? I have to say Pinterest at the moment, though I need to set a timer when I visit there as I can waste away hours and hours (and hours) of my life on there.I am nodding like crazy
Michelle is kindly donating this gorgeous Fox Brooch to our Hamper giveaway on 4 August.
