The Artist behind Hungry Designs!

This week the BrisStyle team caught up with Amanda Whitelaw, the talented artist behind Hungry Designs.

How would you describe your work?

I would describe my work as being an eclectic mix of comic book style illustrations, cheese cake pin up and macabre styling - such as Day of the Dead themed illustrations or zombies. I design and draw/colour all of the illustrations used in my wearable art collection. These designs are then laser cut out of wood and made into brooches, hair clasps, necklaces, earrings and rings.

How did your Etsy shop come into being?

I started my Etsy store when I started to revamp my website. I had ordered goodies off of Etsy before opening my own Etsy store. It seemed to be a natural progression, I needed an online store to link to my website and I was rather taken with Etsy's low fees and brilliant exposure.

Who or What inspires you?

I am hugely inspired by modern American comics. I have been an avid collector since I was 16 and I feel this is reflected in my illustrations. I am also inspired by horror novels and sci fi movies. Retro and vintage fashion seems to be a new theme that I am becoming linked to. I love 60's fashion and feel that this is the main inspiration for the "Retro & Country Living" collections. My partner, Colin, inspires me on a daily basis and I can always count on his constructive and honest opinion. He's my fresh set of eyes.

Can you describe your studio/work area?

My studio is a mass of papers, woodcuts, glue and components. It's a large space and I make use of the walls, often sticking up postcards and photos that inspire me. I love books and have dozens of photography and graphic design books which I use as inspiration. It's an artistic mess but I always know where something is kept and take great pride in having my own space.....although my work station does seem to take over the rest of the house if I have wholesale orders or markets - much to Colin's concern! *grin*

What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?

I will always have a soft spot for the 'A Little Rain Brooch' - in blue and red. She was drawn on a whim and has fast become one of the most popular pieces in the store. She has even been tattooed on a wonderful fan, Liberty, which came as a complete surprise!

Do you have any other places that people can view/purchase your work?

Flickr

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BrisStyle Indie Designer Market Wrap-Up!

Last weekend we welcomed the onset of Spring and enjoyed the delights of the BrisStyle Indie Designer Market. Filled to the brim with handmade goodies, sweet tunes, tasty delights and good times, this market was out to impress.

The Market Crowds

Market goers were treated to an impressive array of handmade goodies, with shoppers stocking up on treats for themselves or getting in early with their christmas shopping.

1. Collecting Feathers 2. {a creature strange}

1. Strat Designs 2. Jetta's Nest

1. Pannikin 2. Made by Maisie

1. Kellie Christie 2. BonTon Gifts

Sweet tunes from Dennis and Aiden Geraghty of Music4You filled the air, with their take on Jimi Hendrix's 'Foxy Lady' - 'Crafty Lady' being the favourite of the day and receiving a round of applause.

Our tastebuds were not disappointed on the day with tasty delights from a Wood Fired Pizza Van, fresh coffee from Xpresso Coffee and sweet treats from our very own Bel of Enticing Icing.

On the day, we offered our support to the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation. Our raffle raised an amazing $294 so thank-you to all who visited and purchased a ticket. The Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation does amazing work promoting the awareness and prevention of cervical cancer. They are currently working in Bhutan with the Ministry of Health providing the cervical cancer vaccine to women who would otherwise not have access to it. Over 90% of girls in Bhutan aged between 12-18 have now had 2 out of the 3 needed rounds of vaccine. The third is due in November. In Australia, by comparison, only around 80% of girls are being vaccinated. The work of the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation will save many lives in Bhutan over the next 20 years as cervical cancer is the biggest cancer killer of women there.

On a final note we would like to say a big thank-you to the lovely peeps from Hopscotch Films who provided us with a stash of '2 for 1' movie passes to 'The Kids are All Right' to hand out to our supporters on the day.

The next BrisStyle event is the BrisStyle Mother & Child Market

Saturday October 9th, 9-2pm

St. Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

New Products from {a creature strange} at BiDM!

Julia from {a creature strange} is proud to announce the release of her latest bag design, just in time for Spring! These cute and funky handbags will be making their debut at the BrisStyle Indie Designer Market tomorrow. There will only be a few of these gorgeous bags available, so get in quick if you like what you see!

Julia will also have a range of her large clip frame clutches and yo-yo necklaces and brooches available. If you would like to pop in and say 'hello' to Julia come along to the:

BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday September 4th (that's TOMORROW), 9-2pm

St. Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

Come Along to the BiDM Tomorrow!

Put a 'spring' in your step and head on over to the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market this Saturday at St. Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall, Racecourse Road, Hamilton for a day filled to the brim with all the top quality handmade goodies, sweet tunes and good times you have come to know and love. Showcasing a huge lineup of Brisbane's Indie Designers, you'll find an amazing array of handmade homewares, bags, jewellery, accessories, art and heaps more.

We most certainly haven't forgotten about your tummy amongst all this handmade loveliness! We're very excited to have an on-site Wood Fired Pizza van offering freshly made delights to tempt your tastebuds. If it's sweets that light your fire you'll find our very own sweetie-pie, Bel from Enticing Icing with an array of homemade chocolate crackles, cupcakes, cookies and lots more. Wash it all down with a nice hot coffee from our friends at Xpresso Coffee. They also have lots of other hot and cold drinks on offer too.....and no, we haven't forgotten about your ears. The BrisStyle Indie Designers Market will stimulate all your senses so while you're browsing and munching, treat your ears to the sounds of Dennis and Aiden Geraghty of Music4You.

But wait.....there's more! Visit the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market and WIN! Pay a visit to the Promo table and tell us how you heard about the BrisStyle Indie Markets and you'll receive a '2 for 1' ticket to see the new award winning indie film, 'The Kids are Alright' starring Annette Benning and Mark Ruffalo. You'll also get a bonus pass for every ticket you purchase in the big BrisStyle raffle so you can take the whole family along.

Once again we'll be offering our support to the amazing work of the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation in the form of a donation from the proceeds of our raffle. Make sure you grab yourself a ticket to be in the running to win a great selection of handmade delights!

With Father's Day on the following day, there's no better time to head on down to the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market, Brisbane's HOTtest destination for everything handmade! We would love to see you there!

Kimono Reincarnate SALE at BiDM!

Kimono Reincarnate is having a sale and encourages you to go "nude" at the BrisStyle Indie Designer Market this weekend. There have been some changes happening over at Kimono Reincarnate lately, with new pendant bases, new brooch designs and soon, new packaging.

For the last couple of months, Melanie of Kimono Reincarnate has been slowly changing her fabric and resin ring and pendant bases over to sterling silver plated pieces, accompanied with sterling silver plated chains. She's excited to announce that the switch is now complete! After this weekend, some of the prices will have to go up to reflect the new materials, so this will be a chance to grab a few at their old, lower prices.

At the upcoming BrisStyle Indie Designer Market she will also have her popular landscape pieces back, a format she hasn't used since her work was done with glass. Melanie will also be bringing a sales box of her older pieces and a few good-condition-but-not-quite-perfect seconds. A great chance to grab a few bargains for the Christmas stocking!

Her "Kyoto" series of bamboo and vintage kimono fabric brooches has also recently expanded. The Japanese "kokeshi" dolls are now joined with origami cranes, cast iron teapots, butterflies and "Zen Garden" circles. The Kyoto series boxes have yet to arrive, so they will all have a $5 discount this weekend.

Actually, all of Melanie's boxes are yet to arrive and her pendant tin stock is running low so anything that you see in a tin, feel free to tell Melanie that you'd like to "go nude", or if you're shy, just that you'd like it without a tin, for a $5 discount. She'll happily pop it into a little bag for you to keep it nice and safe.

If you would like to see the entire range of Kimono Reincarnate products and pick yourself up a fabulous bargain pop along to the

BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday September 4th, 9-2pm

St Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

New Jewellery from Kellie Christie at BiDM!

This is a sneak peak at some of the brand new Kellie Christie creations that will be available at the BrisStyle Indie Designer Market this Saturday. All Kellie Christie jewellery pieces are one-of-a-kind and most cannot be recreated. Inspired by spring, Kellie says 'I have created some colour combinations that I have not made before, including rainbow!'

Fancy Flat Button Necklace - Rainbow

Fancy Flat Button Necklace

Kellie will also have some of her popular extra large rings available as well as a great offer on her polymer clay button earrings.....$12 each or 2 for $20.

Limited Edition Holly Hobby Rings

Extra Large Rings
Polymer Clay Button Earrings
Polymer Clay Button Earrings

Polymer Clay Button Earrings

If you would like to see the full range of Kellie Christie jewellery come along to the BrisStyle Indie Designer Market this weekend.

Original Flat Button Necklace

BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday September 4th, 9-2pm

St Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

Pinwheels from Bubba Chenille at BiDM!

Miriam from Bubba Chenille has been at it again.....creating gorgeous products from her beloved chenille. Dying to try something different for her stall at the BrisStyle Indie Designer Market this weekend, Miriam has whipped up these gorgeous chenille and fabric pinwheels. While these beauties don't turn like the old fashioned ones, they would add some delicious vintage chenille colour to your bubbas bedroom or playroom. Miriam suggests teaming them with some bunting for even more colour and pizazz!


To see more of Miriam's beautiful products come along to the:

BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday September 4th, 9-2pm

St Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

Designs of the Heart at BiDM!

Sarah from Designs of the Heart will be launching a new product at the upcoming BrisStyle Indie Designer Market - Pocket Mirrors! All of the Pocket Mirrors have been hand pressed and are 2.25" or 5.5cm in diameter. The image side of the mirror is protected by a sheet of mylar with the reverse side being a real glass mirror. Sarah says 'the mirrors are the perfect size to put in your pocket, purse, car or desk'. These cute little mirrors are sure to be the envy of all of your friends!

The mirrors come packaged in their own little organza bags making them the perfect little gift for a friend or as a treat for yourself.

Sarah will also have some new styles of her popular glass magnets at the markets.....these would also make a great little gift.

If you would like to see more from Designs of the Heart be sure to pop along to the:

BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday September 4th, 9-2pm

St Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

DAUGHTER of James at BiDM!

Amanda from DAUGHTER of James has been working hard designing a range of new jewellery pieces for the upcoming BrisStyle Indie Designer Market. Amanda uses a mix of leather, wood and stone (and anything else that catches her eye for that matter) to create statement pieces that you will want to wear everyday, safe in the knowledge that no one else in the world will be wearing something the same!!!

If you would like to see more from DAUGHTER of James come along to the:

BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday September 4th, 9-2pm

St Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

Hats by Elvenhair at BiDM!

Eliza from Elvenhair has taken a new direction this year with her newest creations - hats! These will be unveiled at the September 4th BrisStyle Indie Designer Market. The new Elvenhair hat range has something for everyone, fishermen hats for men, hats for babies, newsboy and bucket hats for boys, pretty little hats for girls and beautiful sun hats with wide shady brims for ladies.

The past year has been an interesting journey for Eliza. After taking a year off to look after her friend Zoe who had a spinal injury she was raring to have a go at a new craft, and hats fitted the bill exactly. Eliza said "I could make them inside, unlike my previous wood turnings. It's easy to pick them up, do a few rows, put them down if Zoe needed me, then pick them up again. I've even had Zoe involved, and she is brilliant at making brightly coloured flowers and yo-yo flowers to decorate the hats!"

Eliza would love to see you at the upcoming.....

BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday September 4th, 9-2pm

St Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall

Racecourse Road, Hamilton

New Products from Shazzabeth at BiDM!

Shazzabeth Creations has been busy designing and creating new products to be unveiled at the September 4th BrisStyle Indie Designer Market. There are new chainmaille necklaces in the works, including a necklace in the always popular Byzantine weave as well as a necklace in a variation of Shazzabeth's own Chrysanthemum chain.

There will also be new wired pendants on show. Shazzabeth's current favourite uses both silver and gold wire and two boulder opals - very Australian!

New earrings will also be availabe. Made from handmade motifs in fine silver as well as more in gold fill and sterling silver.

Also new to the Shazzabeth range are kits catering to those who want to "make their own". Kits include a Geometric Squares Bracelet as well as hand forged ear wires in sterling silver and packets of torch balled head bins in fine silver.

If you would like to see more of the Shazzabeth Creations range then pop along to the:

BrisStyle Indie Designer Market

Saturday September 4th, 9-2pm

St Augustine's Church Grounds and Hall

Racecourse Road, Hamilton