Shop Handmade: The Collective Store

Welcome to another month of BriStyle's 'Shop Handmade' series. This month we caught up with Leonie McIntosh from 'The Collective Store'.  Read on to find out how it all began, how you can be involved and what Leonie has in store for 2011 and beyond.

Tell us a little about your background and what path led you to open 'The Collective Store'?
I’m a married mum of two ratbags (Ollie who’s 9 and Rose who’s 4).  Most of my working life has been spent behind the controls of photo processing machines and in retail.  I’ve always been crafty and about 6 years ago I discovered silver smithing.  I completely fell in love!!  I worked an online store and did the long haul at the markets before embarking on the grand adventure of opening The Collective Store – a shop that exclusively sells, exhibits and promotes handmade items by independent artisans across Australia.  It’s an amazing place!

Tell us what 'The Collective Store' is all about?
The Collective Store is all about handmade and the artists, designers and craftspeople that make it.  It’s an affordable boutique space where handcrafters can sell their wares, be promoted and network 5 days a week without having to do that work themselves.  It’s about the customers being able to buy amazing unique, high-quality goods from jewellery, handbags and health and beauty items to baby toys, home décor and original art.  It’s a great little boutique packed with beautiful treasures, that supports indi handmade.  It’s wonderful!

Where did the name ‘The Collective Store’ come from?
The name The Collective Store came from a need to reflect what the store is really about – a collective of artisans under one roof.  It really is a little community of  different people displaying and selling their unique work. 

How does 'The Collective Store' support independent artists and crafters and/or the handmade community?
A big part of any independent artist or crafter’s job is finding the right avenue to sell, display and fine-tune their wares.  The Collective Store supports them by offering practical, real-life (as opposed to online) and affordable space in a lovely, fresh boutique.  Their work is viewed, spoken about, sold and packaged beautifully, spreading the word about their work and the handmade community. The Collective Store’s only job is to support independent artists, crafters and the handmade community!

How can local designers and crafters get involved with 'The Collective Store'?
People can get involved with The Collective Store by emailing a short description of their work to info@thecollectivestore.com.au to request an info pack or come in to the store for a chat.  The Collective Store welcomes artisans from all over Australia.

Does 'The Collective Store' have any exciting upcoming events?
Absolutely!  The Collective Store is always planning new events and exhibitions so if you’d like to be in the know just head to our Facebook page –The Collective Store. For our most recent event I teamed up with several other craft boutiques in Wynnum to create Wynnum Up Late – a shopping event which was held on Thursday March 17 from 5:30- 8:00pm.  It was a magical night under the stars where lit lanterns lead you from store to store, discovering the beautiful treasures within.  Each store that was involved hosted a special event of their own.

What’s in store for 'The Collective Store' in 2011 and beyond?
2011 is going to be a big year for The Collective Store.  It’s our first year open so we’re looking forward to growing our network and being a part of other handmade enterprises including partnering with local markets to extend the exposure opportunities for artisans and the wonderful world of handmade.  Instore there are some wonderful art and photography exhibitions coming up as well as special event nights planned.  It’s going to be huge and I’m so excited!

Thank-you so much Leonie for taking the time to chat with us and share your story! If you would like to visit 'The Collective Store' pop into:

78 Bay Terrace (main street) Wynnum QLD

 Phone :: 07 3129 4606

Web :: www.thecollectivestore.com

Open :: Tuesday to Friday 9:30 – 4:00

Saturday 9:30 – 2:00

Shop Handmade: Mimmis

The handmade revolution is taking over Brisbane and its surrounds with a new 'handmade' shop on the scene, Mimmis! Mimmis is a boutique style store that stocks a gorgeous array of quality handmade items, vintage pieces, collectables and old furniture, fresh flowers and gifts! Mimmis is owned and operated by BrisStyle's very own Miriam, from bubbachenille.

The story so far, as told by Miriam.....
I don't quite know how I got here as there was never a huge amount of planning, just a flicker of a dream and then the sudden realisation that I should just go for it because if I don't someone else will and I'd never forgive myself if that happened!

My whole life I have worked mainly in retail, always wishing I had control over merchandising, shop floor plans, admin, rosters and all sorts of other things that were always set in place and beyond my control.  I always thought I had a better way of doing things being the one on the shop floor so to speak, and wondered how the decision makers could make all the rules when they weren't in touch with the customers or staff! I left paid employment outside the home about three years ago to do what I love and hoped the money would follow! Well.....I haven't made my first million  yet (and doubt I will) but the only person who gets to tell me what to do nowadays is me!

I started making what I thought were the most gorgeous bags the world had ever seen, sold all of those whilst at the same time falling in love with vintage chenille and other vintage fabrics.  I started making little children's clothing, then heat packs, purses, pillows, coasters, scarves, eco cloths, hats, Oh my, whatever I looked at I would ponder "could I make that from vintage chenille?"

I have come close to opening a shop once before but was swayed to the negative and then totally put it out of my mind until after about a year of seeing this empty shop across the road from our fave coffee place.  My daughters convinced me to "just do it Mum!"

Here I am 4 weeks into being a real life shop owner, "Livin' the Dream".

I am lucky to have many contacts who have come from my daughters and I organising The Handmade Expo Market, so I was able to approach many creative people to help me fill the shop with their lovely handmade goodies.  Lots of locals have found me too and are happy to have an outlet for their creativity.

I am still making my vintage chenille creations under the bubbachenille label and enjoy the company of Nicole Lacey who is the artist behind the Hot Toffee label, who has her studio set up in the rear of the shop.  It's a lovely arrangement as we both have company through the day as well as being able to showcase and sell our work, whilst creating.  See we ARE "Livin' the Dream!"

Mimmis

33B Victoria Street

Forest Hill  QLD  4342

Opening Hours

Tuesday - Saturday 9am-4pm

Sunday 9am-1pm

After Christmas Mimmis will be closed Monday and Tuesday

Shop Handmade: Reverse Garbage

This week the BrisStyle Shop Handmade series focuses on the Reverse Garbage Gift Shop.


The Reverse Garbage gift shop was started in 2001, and was a pioneer venue for Brisbane crafters to showcase and sell their handmade wares. For the past 9 years the Reverse Garbage gift shop has aimed to promote the creative re-use of high quality discards that would have otherwise gone to land fill. Materials such as fabrics, timbers, metal, paper and card and also salvaged embellishments like buttons and beads have been transformed into fantastic handmade items ranging from clothing and kids toys to jewellery, artworks, sculptures and gorgeous items for the home. It is Brisbane's best kept secret for the most beautiful eco handmade gifts and treasures!


Anyone can become an RG gift shop stockist, we are always on the lookout for fresh talent to stock the shelves and help us promote sustainability and creative reuse through arts and crafts. The criteria for items stocked in the gift shop is that they must be handmade by the artist and made up of at least 75% salvaged, reused, pre-loved or recycled materials.


We have had a few Bristylers stock the shelves over the years! Currently we are stocking lovely cards and prints on salvaged paper by Sally Flynn of Flight Industries and lavender birds by Rebecca Cason of Edward and Lilly. We love catching up with our artists and also meeting new ones! We have recently started hosting "Artists afternoon tea At RG" a relaxing informal gathering of makers and crafters with lovely teas, organic wines and cakes. Guests mingle and network with other crafters using salvaged materials in their arts and crafts practice.


Every three months we hold a themed exhibition of handmade wares in the gift shop space which is a lot of fun to plan and be involved in. Opening night draws a crowd of about 200, we have a bar, live entertainment and of course late night shopping in the RG warehouse! Our most recent exhibition was "Plastic Fantastic" an exhibition showcasing funky jewellery, bags and home wares made from plastic. The next one, scheduled for September 18th is "Junky Couture" which will be a spring fashion wearable art extravaganza with performance models, a henna body artist and of course live entertainment. We are currently taking submissions for "Junky Couture" So if you would like to be involved please get in touch via our website!


Reverse Garbage will also be at the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market on this Saturday 10 July, 9am-2pm (click here for details), their stall will feature a range of salvaged materials for sale as well as examples from the gift shop showcasing the type of things that can be created by these materials. You can also purchase subscriptions to Reverse Garbage on the day.


If you would like to know more about becoming a stockist in the Reverse Garbage gift shop please email Brooke at info@reversegarbage.com.au or come say hello at the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market Sat July 10th!

All the details about how to be part of "Junky Couture" can be found on our website or email Brooke at info@reversegarbage.com.au. You can also become a fan of Reverse Garbage on Facebook for updates on events, an invitation to the next "Artist's afternoon tea at RG", warehouse specials and new stock!

Shop Handmade: Handmade Heaven

Liesa of Handmade Heaven joins us today for the BrisStyle Shop Handmade series.

Handmade Heaven is a funky little boutique which is located downstairs in the Old Flour Mill, Brisbane Street, Ipswich.

Full to the brim of handmade gifts and goodies all made by local and interstate artists/designers/makers/crafters.


With 70+ "handmadies" involved you are bound to find something wonderful and unique.
From handbags to brooches, from homewares to kids clothing/accessories, from candles to manchester and softies to greeting cards. There is just so much variety in store.

The Old Flour Mill is a little hidden away, but the perfect setting for this unique shop.

Open 6 days a week, it's perfect for that handmade fix in between the monthly Handmade Expo.

Chelley Bean Designs

"I have always been around handmade...Mum (aka Bubba Chenille) has always been crafty so it is in our blood. Me, no...it skipped a generation, but the passion for handmade, promoting and selling on "handmadies" behalf is perfect. There is definitely a niche for this in Ipswich and South East Queensland. Everyone seems to be embracing it."


Handmade Heaven proudly stocks the wares of BrisStylers Bubba Chenille, Vintage Visions, Sybella Boutique, Cute as Buttons, Sandra Darling, Enticing Icing, Chelley Bean Designs and Kitty Boo Boo.

Sybella Boutique

Handmade Heaven
Downstairs at The Old Flour Mill
Brisbane Street, Ipswich
Open Monday 9am-12pm, Tuesday - Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday 9am-2pm.

Shop Handmade: Nook

We're very excited to feature Nook in the BrisStyle Shop Handmade series. Nook is a gorgeous little shop in West End run by Pedrosprout's Michelle Gillies.


"I opened Nook in August of '09. The previous year I had spent making and selling my own creations under the label Pedrosprout. I was feeling frustrated at the time with the lack of Brisbane shops that were stocking handmade goods. I was lucky that with the support & help of friends and family I was able to start my own little handmade shop, Nook in West End. We've been open for nearly a year now and the assortment of handmade goodies is growing daily."


While you're there keep an eye out for fabulous wares from BrisStylers Edward and Lilly, Jetta's Nest, Moose & Bird, Wicked Child Designs, Hot Toffee, Chi Designs, Find Hers Keep Hers, Red Seed Studio and Nosovich.


Nook: 19 Browning St, West End.
Open: Mon- Fri 10am to 5.30pm, Sat 10am to 4pm, closed Sundays & public holidays.


STOP PRESS: As a little treat Michelle is offering BrisStyle blog readers who mention this blog post 10% off instore purchases at Nook until Wednesday 7 July!

Shop Handmade: Incube8r

The BrisStyle team is kicking off a new blog series on handmade shops stocking BrisStylers' wares.

First up is Brisbane's brand new Incube8r!

Incube8r has kicked off its first week with loads of sales! The store is divided into glass cubicles, shelves, racks and partitions available for lease at a small cost. With the capacity to hold up to 90 artists, crafters and designers it promises to be a fantastic destination for shopping in Brisbane!

Check out these fabulous BrisStyle wares while you're there:

Gorgeous vintage kimono accessories from Kimono Reincarnate.

Beautiful clutches, purses and accessories from Sybella Boutique.

Fine art, prints, cards and photography from Sandra Darling.

Funky and chunky button accessories from Kellie Christie.

Embroidered designs, cards, artwork and homewares from Jennifer's Gift.



Colourful magnets and pendants from Designs of the Heart.


Plus gorgeous wares from Tree Party Design, Miss Dish, Tracey D Designs, Rock'n'Wrap and more!

Incube8r is located at 1/253 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley. Check out more details here.