bend and snap

Spoonfuls of Love

bendandsnapmarket — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:58:02 +0000

We welcome our sweethearts, Spoonfuls of Love to our market day this May (Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm), sweetening us all up with sugary spoonfuls of love.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.
Pastries and Cupcakes,
Made with Spoonfuls of Love,
Goodies baked to share.

Tell us a little about the origins of Spoonfuls of Love.
Spoonfuls of Love consists of three friends’ who have been brought together through our passion for baking and our combined love of food. Over the August and September period in 2012 we ran a bake sale in support of the Starlight Foundation and we had so much fun doing it. Through the amazing responses and support that we have received from family, friends and colleagues we have decided to continue on this fun venture, selling at local markets in Melbourne. We enjoy continuously challenging ourselves in creating new scrumptious goodies but we enjoy sharing them with you even more!

Describe your creative process.
A cuppa in one hand and turn on the oven with the other, mix ingredients thoroughly and dance a little to the background music, add in spoonfuls of love then spoon delicious handcrafted cake batter into pans, bake until the smell of the cake makes your tummy growl, have a little fun with instagram, fb and camera while cakes are cooling on wire racks, taste test and a big wide smile indicates the approval of the yummy treat =)

What inspires you the most?
Mum’s secret recipes, awesome sugar art, lovely dessert table settings, amazing DIY ideas (we made our own cake stands, bunting and chalkboards!).

Name some of your most favourite local artists and designers.
Gorman and Willow.

What are your ultimate dreams for Spoonfuls of Love?
To open up a small cafe or a food truck, doing what we are passionate about with a little fun along the way.

What will will we find from Spoonfuls of Love at our May Bend and Snap Market?
Delectable homemade goodies from old fashioned pastries to new delicacies such as chiffon cakes, cookies, cupcakes, breads and marshmallows! Delicious treats that will hit your sweet spot!

See you all at our next Bend and Snap Market day at 1000 £ Bend Sunday 26th May 11:00pm to 4:00pm, 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city for all of the art design fashion vintage with many of our regular stall holders and a load of exciting new additions to our Bend and Snap fold with A LITTLE COY, AGNES & I, ANIMAL VEGETABLE MINERAL, ANTYK BUTYK, BAK SPACE VINTAGE, CANDLE AROMAS, COLOUR ME PLATE, DREAMING CO ♧, GIRLPETA DESIGNS, EELAV MCBEE, HELEN FLEUR DESIGNS, JACK’S CALLING, JEREMY WINGSPAN, JUX, HENNA courtesy of the talented KAJAL, LISA PURCELL, LITTLE BOXES, LOUIE AND THE FOX, MELBOURNE ALTERNATIVE CRAFTERS, ME U, MY GOAT SOAP, NINE YAKS, ONE SMALL DUCK, SEBO HANDMADE JEWELLERY, SPOONFULS OF LOVE,TREAD AND PEDALS and many more emerging artists and designers!!!

We are also pleased to have THE MELBOURNE ALTERNATIVE CRAFTERS darlings (check out their Bend and Snap interview here) presenting the May edition of our pop-up-snowfield Crafternoon Corner where you can indulge in a number of winter time fun like creating a miniature winter wonderland with DIY snow globe workshop. While you’re at Bend and Snap Market come chill in the Pop Up Snow Field, and take home your own tiny winter world from the DIY snow globe makin’ station.

Stay tuned for more stall holder interviews and sneaky treats and like us on Facebook for all sorts of sneaky peek treats.

♥ RSVP here.
♥ Get caught up on our last market day here.
♥ Keep an eye on our ever expanding sneaky peak album here.
♥ Any stall holders interested in joining in our Sunday Fun day apply here.
♥ And all of you insta lovers should follow us on Instagram @bendandsnapmarket

See you all at market day Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm at 1000 £ Bend 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city.

♥

a may wishlist and a selection of haikus.

bendandsnapmarket — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:27:56 +0000

A coy little koi
Gliding in the quirky sea
Creativity
♥ A Little Coy

girlpeta unique forms
for your every step forward
girlpeta the shoe maker
♥ Girlpeta

Rather eclectic
Love knitting and designing
Perpetual learner
♥ me.u

The landscape inspires
Recycled threads beads satisfies
Creative ideas flow
♥ Maryla

Nerd culture crafted
into beauty, function, and
feminism.
♥ Nerd Craft

Creator of things
Dreamed and real, inside and out
Organized chaos
♥ One Small Duck

French eyes wide open
Hidden creative spaces
Art everywhere
♥ Petites Curiosités

Hello May. We have a wonderful Bend and Snap Market (this Sunday 26th May at 1000 £ Bend from 11:00am to 4:00pm) for all of you market lovers out there from henna heaven (we have Kajal back again this month to get henna happy all about your person) to our pop up winter wonderland Crafternoon Corner presented by The Melbourne Alternative Crafters and getting sweetened up spoonful by spoonful with sweet treats courtesy of Spoonfuls of Love as well as our fabulous fanfare of art, design, fashion and vintage featuring some of our beloved stallholders plus a number of new Bend and Snappers we have brought to the fold.

These handcrafted and up-cycled clocks made from bicycle parts by Tread and Pedals (read more about Em and Ivan the designers here) make me want to lock myself in a room surrounded by their entire range of clocks made from every single conceivable part of a bicycle (from the bicycle cogs, the chains, the wheels, the tubes, the tires) and play Ken Nordine’s What Time Is It? on repeat. Preferably a lock down in a craft shed like Lis from Petites Curiosités.

Beautiful artwork by Lisa R Purcell featuring an amazing range of avian miscellany and other worldly wonders. Subtle, sweet and so sublime. Smitten? Have a look at more her work on her blog.

Fancy a little vintage romance? See Bakspace Vintage for a little sartorial seduction and play a little vintage dress up and Mystery Date with the matchmakers of fine vintage wares along with a selection of Rag Traders from last weekends Rag Trade who will also be selling their swag at Bend and Snap Market this Sunday (check out the photos from Rag Trade last Saturday here).

Other items to look out for are Dragon’s Blood soy soap by My Goat Soap (perfect for a pre and post Game of Thrones night in), the sweet plush toothies from The Creature Workshop, pyrite and crystal cluster rings and crystal pendants from Jux, flower crowns and compass pendants (for the flowers childs that lose their way) from Jack’s Calling, dachshund printed everything from Louie & The Fox, the intricately embroidered collars from Eelav McBee and so much more.

Be sure to also have a little read over a selection of inspiring interviews we have had over the last couple months with some of the stall holders you will find at our May Market.

A LITTLE COY
AGNES & I
THE CREATURE WORKSHOP
DREAMING CO
HELEN FLEUR DESIGNS
JUX
ME.U
MELBOURNE ALTERNATIVE CRAFTERS
NINE YAKS

See you all at market day Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm at 1000 £ Bend 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city.

♥

Helen Fleur Designs

bendandsnapmarket — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:07:27 +0000

We speak with Helen of Helen Fleur Designs about trawling the mythical and whimsical, insects, taxidermy and all things nature (and jewellery).

Tell us a little about the origins of Helen Fleur Designs.
I started making beaded jewellery with my housemates in 2005, giving it to friends and family. Then after going overseas and travelling for over a year I decided I wanted to try selling my pieces. In 2012 I started studying jewellery at Box Hill Tafe and really love making and designing new Pieces.

Describe your creative process.
My creative process is finding a few images or items that inspire me then I will draw some rough sketches. I usually make a mock up, and then away I go!

What inspires you the most?
What inspires me the most is the relationship between nature and the mythical and whimsical. I love trawling around my parent’s farm and finding/photographing the amazing world of Mother Nature.

Name some of your most favorite local artists and designers.
Julia Deville’s work is just incredible. She taxidermy’s animals and turns them into the most whimsical and crazy pieces of jewellery.

Another local designer I love is Anne at Pleasure Little Treasure. She makes the most beautiful headbands with handmade flowers and bows. She also makes some very pretty necklaces and earrings.

What are your ultimate dreams for Helen Fleur Designs?
My ultimate dreams for Helen Fleur Designs are to bring up pieces to more people via a website and ultimately a gallery/book swap and café, where everyone and anyone can draw and create.

What will we find from Helen Fleur Designs at our May Bend and Snap Market?
At the May Bend and Snap Market you will find many new creations. My mushroom collection is my most new and exciting concept coming up. My chunky chains and insect jewellery will also be there.

Stay tuned for more stall holder interviews and sneaky treats and like us on Facebook for all sorts of sneaky peek treats.

See you all at market day Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm at 1000 £ Bend 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city.

♥

A Little Coy

bendandsnapmarket — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:59:41 +0000

We speak (and get a little smitten!) with Jayde from A Little Coy.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.

A coy little koi

Gliding in the quirky sea

Creativity

Tell us a little about the origins of A Little Coy.

The origins of my work are represented by my branding. I found the word coy to be the perfect way to express the feminine and flirtatiously shy pieces I create and the process of making simple things beautiful.

For me there is nothing cuter than a simple button or bead dressed up to become a feminine earring or necklace.

I also adore koi fish and have included that in my branding to represent the cute, fun part of my work.

Describe your creative process.

I’m not always able to visualise what I am making until it’s completed. I love matching colour, pattern and textiles until I find a combination I like, then let the designs come naturally.

I also love to crafternoon with some good music and friends.

What inspires you the most?

Creating individual pieces that will be treasured by their new owners.

Name some of your most favourite local artists and designers.

I love popping in to the stores along Brunswick and Smith streets that stock work by local artists, as well as trawling the craft markets all over Melbourne.

I also follow local artists at markets, on Etsy and Madeit.com, along with stores like In.cube 8 and View point handmade in Bendigo where you can purchase a unique item and be sure your money is going directly to an artist.

What are your ultimate dreams for your work?

My aim is to create unique jewellery pieces which are personal and expressive.

I love the feeling of finding a new piece I adore, and even more so when it is made by a local artist and I hope the people looking at my work can feel the same.

What will we find from A Little Coy at our May Bend and Snap Market?

A collection of hand made jewellery, from beaded earrings & necklaces to button rings and fabric earrings. I am holding a stall with my good friend Lisa Purcell who is also the illustrator of my brand.

To see more of my collection, please have a look on my Facebook or Etsy page.

And you will find a sweet selection of drawings and illustrations from Lisa Purcell at the A Little Coy stall. Be sure to have a peak at Lisa’s work her blog is: http://lisarpurcell.wordpress.com/

Stay tuned for more stall holder interviews and sneaky treats and like us on Facebook for all sorts of sneaky peek treats.

See you all at market day Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm at 1000 £ Bend 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city.

♥

Dreaming Co. ♧

bendandsnapmarket — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:59:11 +0000

We speak with the lovely Anna from Dreamy Co. ♧ about her dreamy designs.

Tell us a little about the origin of Dreaming Co. ♧
Dreaming Co. ♧ is a Melbourne based felt craft brand. I love making by hand. So all my products are designed and handmade by me. I don’t use sewing machine.
I started in 2012 when I start to study for business in Melbourne.
I use Korean felt, because I couldn’t find it exactly what I want in Melbourne.
Also quality of Korean felt is different with others. Korean felt is hard and soft, so I can make pouch, bag and purse.

Dreaming Co. ♧ means chasing for dream and happiness. There are some mottos:
l Dreams come true
l Be Happy
l Enjoy your life
l Live the life you’ve imagined
l Explore, Dream, Discover – Mark Twain

Describe your creative process
Before sewing, I am thinking what I make and drawing.
If I have no idea, I used to go window shopping , watch people and search website. I love listening music when I sewing

What inspires you the most?
I am inspired by different things online and offline.
I think the most thing is observation of everyday life.
Also I enjoy reading books and visiting some art centre & market.

What are your ultimate dreams for Dreaming Co. ♧
My ultimate dream for Dreaming Co. ♧ is encouraging people by my design.
I want to have a gallery when dreaming co is one of brand in Melbourne.

What will will we find from Dreaming Co. ♧ at our May Bend and snap Market?
Dreaming Co. ♧ will be offering the regular creatures such as pouches, key rings, Purse and hair accessories. Also I plan to make some brooches.

Stay tuned for more stall holder interviews and sneaky treats and like us on Facebook for all sorts of sneaky peek treats.

See you all at market day Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm at 1000 £ Bend 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city.

♥

me.u

bendandsnapmarket — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:57:02 +0000

We speak with the beautiful Jennifer about me and you. And also about fabrics and other loves.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.
Rather eclectic
Love knitting and designing
Perpetual learner

Tell us a little about the origins of me.u.
When I completed my degree in textile design, rather than work in the industry, I ended up working in an ice cream shop (where I developed more personality). Then later, I worked at a knitting yarn shop (where I picked up more handknitting skills and met more creative friends). Somehow my dream to work in design veered off and I ended up doing work in academic research. As an outlet for my creative side, I created me.u in 2007. When I created me.u, I wanted to explore the use of different materials and concepts in my design. I started off making jewellery with the philosophy that it should be quirky and a conversation starter. I wanted to create little art pieces that one can wear. In 2012, I returned to my textile design roots and created a range of printed textile designs that reflected the me.u philosophy.

Describe your creative process.
My creative process is rather informal. When making jewellery, it usually starts with one main material eg. a vintage button or a piece of fabric. Then I will think, how can I best present this main material? Then the design evolves as each materials are added taking care to make sure that the starting material still takes center-stage. Sometimes as I add on another bead or wirework, I will stop and think, is this working? Then depending on the overall look, I will either stop or continue to work on the piece. I guess this helps to evolve the design. This is also a reason why I take longer time to create each piece especially for customised request. More often than not, the final design is different from my original intent. But this is the way I like it.

What inspires you the most?
Colours. When I am choosing materials to work with or designing a fabric, I always have a colour palette in mind. Sometimes I look at a picture and go wow, look at those colours! I would love to create a design with that colour combinations!

Name some of your most favourite local artists and designers.

Hanka.
My friend Paulina is the artist behind Hanka. What I love the most is the philosophy behind her artwork. I love the use of recycled items such as egg cartons and the resulting abstract nature of each piece.

Herbert & Friends.
I love Herbert & Friends. Who can resist little hand-sewn critters with adventures, ambitions and dreams?

What are your ultimate dreams for me.u?
I would like me.u to take off and grow. I also hope to add on to the product range. Perhaps one day creating garments out of my own textile designs. I have been finishing up on my PhD studies and cannot wait to devote myself back to me.u.

What will will we find from me.u at our May Bend and Snap Market?
Brooches incorporating fabric and wire work such as Tea Time and Bloom. Necklaces made using a mix of materials including cardboard lettering such as What About Me? and Why Is It All About You?. Original fabrics of course, such as Piggy Delight. A whole of lot of quirky and fun cufflinks, earrings etc. I also have experimental pieces that will be available at discounted prices. Please come and see me.u at the market and say hi!

Stay tuned for more stall holder interviews and sneaky treats and like us on Facebook for all sorts of sneaky peek treats.

See you all at market day Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm at 1000 £ Bend 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city.

♥

Animal Vegetable Mineral

bendandsnapmarket — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:16:49 +0000

“Animal Vegetable Mineral is a hybrid of childhood games. Anything in the universe can be categorized into one of the three.

I make things from my imagination, which is fueled by the underwater world. Sexy, scary, witchey, slimey natural world- colours, textures, fungus, bacteria, coral, crystals.

Animal Vegetable Mineral objects are from a magical fantasy deep sea Dragons lair and they reflect, refract and react in light. They are amulets and keep-safes and they all have a secret to share with their beholder.”

- adahodgson.com

We chat to Ada, the designer behind Animal Vegetable Mineral, about her stunning designs and categorical inspirations.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.
Nineties Ocean Girl
Green moss forest fossicker
Destroy recipes.

Tell us a little about the origins of Animal Vegetable Mineral.
It is a hybrid of childhood games. On long road trips, my sisters and I would play ‘I spy..’ something beginning with.. O… and the first question asked would be.. it is Animal, Vegtable or Mineral? So everything in the universe can be categorized into one of the three.

 Describe your creative process.
I sketch a lot and often the sketches translate into an object. Sometimes I’m inspired by materials – when I’m working on a pieces it can develop into something quite different than the original idea. I couldn’t be happier when I am experimenting and something goes awfully wrong, as sometimes the worst disaster can be developed into a magical mistake.

 What inspires you the most?
I’m a diver, naturalist and conservationist. I love the underwater world. It’s exciting alive and vibrant. It’s fill of secrets and mysterious critters and is of course dangerous…

 Name some of your most favourite local artists and designers.
Kate Shaw, painter. Just sublime. A room full of her work would be my happy place.

Natalia Milosz-Piekarska. You just want to put everything she makes on your body.

 What are your ultimate dreams for Animal Vegetable Mineral?
Animal Vegetable Mineral really describes me. It’s my inner workings presented as wearable pieces. I love every piece as if they were a part of a movie set of my life. I’m deeply involved and attached, so as I change and my processes change, I hope AVM will come along for the ride.

 What will we find from Animal Vegetable Mineral at our May Bend and Snap Market?
A few samples from the current range featured on the Animal Vegetable Mineral website.
Lots of precious dangly colourful bursts.

Stay tuned for more stall holder interviews and sneaky treats and like us on Facebook for all sorts of sneaky peek treats.

See you all at market day Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm at 1000 £ Bend 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city.

♥

Melbourne Alternative Crafters (part one).

bendandsnapmarket — Sun, 12 May 2013 05:53:47 +0000

We chat to six of the lovely ladies, Lis, Peta, Maryla, Rebecca, Michelle and Laura, from THE MELBOURNE ALTERNATIVE CRAFTERS. Be sure to check out their bonzana Bend and Snap Market stall featuring a selection of the most talented crafters in town at our upcoming market date at 1000 £ Bend on Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm. Plus they will be hosting our May Crafternoon Corner with a pop up Winter Wonderland with a sweet selection of inspired projects to get your crafty mittens on.

We speak with Lis from Petites Curiosités about her gorgeous designs, as well as craft shed lockdowns and all of her inspirational curiosities and curios.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.

French eyes wide open

Hidden creative spaces

Art everywhere

Tell us a little about the origins of Petites Curiosités.

I love making: for any occasion, birthdays, parties, (my) wedding, for my step daughters, for my family and friends… I was posting all my little creations on facebook and twitter and I got lots of positive reactions and got people interested in buying them, asking for my Etsy shop. That’s how I realised I could try to sell my handmade-with-love products!

Describe your creative process.

I read a lot (internet+books) until I explode of inspirations and run to the shops to get the new material I need. I lock myself in my crafty shed listening to some good music.
I always get out quite low as I give myself 100% to my craft. I always have a notebook with me for any ideas that would come. I love learning new techniques, so I try once, twice, until it is perfected and then get to another new techniques. Curiosity is my Word.

What inspires you the most?

1. Bright colours, kids’ stuff, textures. I also love happy, colourful and clean designs.
2. I love second-hand French markets (brocantes, puces). Anything that remind me of my home country
3. Creative Mornings are a good boost of inspiration – not related to crafts but more about entrepreneurship.

Name some of your most favourite local artists and designers.

I just moved to Melbourne recently. I couldn’t tell you a lot. As a graphic designer and maker, I love Beci Orpin, everything she does is awsome. Love her.

What are your ultimate dreams for Petites Curiosités?

I’d love to have a shop on Etsy and sell my Petites Curiosités. Next step I will create my own fabric design with spoonflower. I will also expand my range of products with some more accessories and kid’s toys. I have so many ideas

What will will we find from Petites Curiosités at our May Bend and Snap Market?

You will find cup cosies, small polka dots pockets, large funky pouches, felt jellewery (and felt finger puppets if I have enough time), charm necklaces and love heart paper garland! All cute, small and colourful! Come and visit me!

We explore shoe fetishes and pyrography with Peta of Girlpeta.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.
girlpeta unique forms
for your every step forward
girlpeta the shoe maker

Tell us a little about the origins of girlpeta.

girlpeta started from my love for beautiful shoes and unique and individual pieces relating to footwear. With a background in Footwear production/ repairs /medical I have started a label where I can do some collaborative work with other designers and crafters, and custom footwear.

Describe your creative process.

My creative process generally starts from visualising the shape and form of a shoe last. Taking a simple form and creating something unique or an insane idea, I love to see how I can make something completely unexpected. The goal is always to try something new testing the boundaries of what you can do with shoes and everything involving shoes and thats how the pyrography shoe lasts started.

What inspires you the most?

I draw a lot of inspiration from other designers, pattern making books, magazines, footwear books, other areas of leather craft and wood making, and old manufacturing techniques.

Name some of your most favourite local artists and designers.

Preston Zly, Knots and Knits, Sarah J Coombes, Phong Chi Lai and James Jean.

What will will we find from girlpeta at our May Bend and Snap Market?

girlpeta will be displaying a range of pyrography shoe lasts. Not wanting to destroy beautiful functioning wooden shoe lasts, I salvaged some beautiful sample lasts from a last maker in Melbourne, giving them a second life and making them a centre piece with some beautiful designs. There may even be a couple of surprise shoe designs as well.

Now onto Maryla with free flowing flowers and fancies.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.

The landscape inspires
Recycled threads beads satisfies
Creative ideas flow

Tell us a little about the origins of your work.

Embroidery and textile art is my creative outlet, a great way to wind down, relax and feel a sense of achievement.

Describe your creative process.

My work is free form and depends on what threads and beads and buttons and jewellery I have. I like the challenge of using what I have and watching something form out of unrelated bits.

What inspires you the most?

Flowers and colour.

What are your ultimate dreams for your work.

I would like to spend more time making items for people who like my work and who would buy the occasional piece.

What will will we find from you at our May Bend and Snap Market?
Embroidered brooches and necklaces and small framed textile works. All will have recycled material, beads, parts of costume jewellery eg one lone earring missing its other half.

Up-cycling goddess, Rebecca from Little Boxes on her up-cycling alchemy.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.
Its Little Boxes

We make candles and fizzies

See you May 26th

Tell us a little about the origins of Little Boxes.
Little Boxes started as a hobby when I would make candles for myself. I also love recycling. I discovered I had a real passion for creating candles using recycled jars and that lead to making LOTS of candles, playing with different kinds of containers and eventually turning them into beautiful scented gifts for friends and family. The idea of gift giving led to the name “little boxes”. Who doesn’t love getting cute little pressies in little boxes?

Describe your creative process.
It’s hard to put the creative process in words. I find my inspiration from everyday events. I usually go hunting for different kinds of jars and containers that I can turn into candles. When I come across a beautiful vintage jar, I like to make that the highlight and work around it. Finally, I end up with a unique piece that reflects my style while giving the vintage pieces their due respect.

What inspires you the most?
People I meet.

Name some of your most favourite local artists and designers.
Unfortunately I haven’t been in Melbourne long enough to have favourite local artists. I am originally from Bangladesh and my favourite artist that inspired me the most is Anusheh Anadil. I love her “up cycling” focused designs.

What are your ultimate dreams for Little Boxes?
My ultimate dream for Little Boxes is to be as big as / bigger than Lush one-day hehe.

What will will we find from Little Boxes at our May Bend and Snap Market?
You’ll find some of my new scented and unscented candles – that come in a variety of jars and our new line of bath bombs. But I’d say the highlight will be the scented soy candles in vintage Fowlers Vacola jars. These unique jars are local (Melbournian) too.

We speak with the super sculpturess Michelle from One Small Duck.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.
creator of things
Dreamed and real, inside and out
organized chaos

Tell us a little about the origins of one small duck one the stormy sea of life; art of M.Harford.
One small duck comes from a combination of things one being my sister’s nick name for me is ducky. And the fact that I have a rubber duck collection going. It seemed like a good enough holding name until I get myself established. Its nicely nerdy.

Describe your creative process.
It varies depending on what medium I’m working with. When it comes to working with metal I tend to start with what I have materials and sort of put it together like a jigsaw puzzle. I’ll have some idea of what I want but it tends to evolve as it goes, often not looking anything like what I intended.
I find anything involving sculpture you to tend to be at the mercy of what ever medium you work with. No matter how well you plan a piece you need to understand and adapt to that medium. Sometimes you change the medium, sometimes you change the piece.

What inspires you the most?
Exploring new mediums, trying to do something new with something old, re-imaging, imagining, the world around me, the worlds I create within, social and self analysis and the way the two interact.

Name some of your most favourite local artists and designers.
Some that I’ve stumbled across are the good people at Squish Face Studio and Daddy Long Legs, awesome mini top hats.

What are your ultimate dreams for one small duck one the stormy sea of life; art of M.Harford ?
Rocking the boat? World domination? Free coffee? Pet dragons? A never ending supply of cupcakes? I want to make my craft my main source of income while I continue to build up and expand my art career. I hope to branch out into comics/graphic novels (both mine and drawing for other people), learn animation and create my own short films, cartoon series and make music videos for musicians and bands. And still do sculpture and crafty things.

What will will we find from one small duck one the stormy sea of life; art of M.Harford at our May Bend and Snap Market?
Hand made goodies made from recycled and new materials that you are unlikely find anywhere else.
And me drinking excessive amounts of coffee and bouncing around like a loon. most likely in a strange hat.

And a little interview with the captain of the Melbourne Alternative Crafters, Laura, a lovely lady with her finger in all the pies from perfect poetry to cunning craftiness (do check out her Pinterest – guaranteed to inspire any dull afternoon with projects aplenty). We chat to her about one of her many projects, Nerd Craft.

Tell us a little about yourself using a Haiku.
Nerd culture crafted
into beauty, function, and
feminism.

Tell us a little about the origins of Nerd Craft.
Nerd Craft started after I had committed to selling some of my craft at a market. I needed a name so I had to look at the sorts of things I had been making and was planning to make, and find something that they had in common. It was easy to pinpoint – I’m a great big nerd.

Describe your creative process.
I get flashes of inspiration and adrenaline after long periods of dormancy, and I’ll often learn a new craft so I can complete a specific project. I really think this must be the most exciting kind of creative process because it means I’m always learning, and I only become a maker when I have an awesome idea that I love working on.

What inspires you the most?
The majority of my crafting materials come from op shops or things that would otherwise be thrown away, and all the crafts I do have an element of upcycling or recycling about them. I like finding new ways to work old books and paper into new objects of beauty or function, and I particularly like to upcycle old-school comics with strong female characters.
But what inspires me most? Honestly? It’s Pinterest.

Name some of your most favourite local artists and designers.
I always buy from local makers when the need to give a gift comes up. There are too many lovely things being made in Melbs to waste my time in franchise stores. Some artists and designers I enjoy are:
Zahra Zainal
Texta Chainsaw Massacre
Sunday Morning Designs
Side Project One
Son Valise
Wovenspoke

What are your ultimate dreams for Nerd Craft?
I’m rather enjoying just pottering along making the things I want to make. I hope things go on as they are.

What will we find from Nerd Craft at our May Bend and Snap Market?
I’ll be selling copies of my recipe zine Comic Book Cocktails and envelopes made from comic books. I’m also working on some little medals to pin to your chest and bunting.

And we will end part one of this muse-worthy Melbourne Alternative Crafters post with a little lucky chain mail to leave you lusting after more craftiness with few snaps of the utterly beautiful chainmaille jewellery from Diana.We are also pleased to have THE MELBOURNE ALTERNATIVE CRAFTERS darlings presenting the May edition of our pop-up-snowfield Crafternoon Corner where you can indulge in a number of winter time fun like creating a miniature winter wonderland with DIY snow globe workshop. While you’re at Bend and Snap Market come chill in the Pop Up Snow Field, and take home your own tiny winter world from the DIY snow globe makin’ station.

See you all at our next Bend and Snap Market day at 1000 £ Bend Sunday 26th May 11:00pm to 4:00pm, 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city for all of the art design fashion vintage with many of our regular stall holders and a load of exciting new additions to our Bend and Snap fold with A LITTLE COY, AGNES & I, ANIMAL VEGETABLE MINERAL, ANTYK BUTYK, BAK SPACE VINTAGE, CANDLE AROMAS, COLOUR ME PLATE, DREAMING CO ♧, GIRLPETA DESIGNS, EELAV MCBEE, HELEN FLEUR DESIGNS, JACK’S CALLING, JEREMY WINGSPAN, JUX, HENNA courtesy of the talented KAJAL, LISA PURCELL, LITTLE BOXES, LOUIE AND THE FOX, MELBOURNE ALTERNATIVE CRAFTERS, ME U, MY GOAT SOAP, NINE YAKS, ONE SMALL DUCK, SEBO HANDMADE JEWELLERY, SPOONFULS OF LOVE, TREAD AND PEDALS and many more emerging artists and designers!!!

Stay tuned for more stall holder interviews and sneaky treats and like us on Facebook for all sorts of sneaky peek treats.

See you all at market day Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm at 1000 £ Bend 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city.

♥

april bend and snap market.

bendandsnapmarket — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:07:47 +0000

An amazing April market date last weekend with our usual plethora art design fashion and vintage perfection as well as getting scribbly and decorative with babes and bingeing on a sumptuous selection of sugary treats to soak up our day with sweetness. See all of the April market day happy snaps here.

Our April market date showcased the most wonderful wares with the delicately dyed silk scarves with a new range of rust dyed rustic draperies dyed by AGNES & I, an alluring aromas galore concocted by CANDLE AROMAS, the bright, fun and wonderfully woven textile jewellery COALESCED JEWELLERY, all the cuties from THE CREATURE WORKSHOP, the dreamy handicrafts by DREAMING CO, the fun fashions from EELAV MCBEE CRAFT, the avant grade design of HELEN FLEUR DESIGNS, the tasty treats from the GINGER GOLD bake stall, new crystal cluster lust and pyrite statement pieces by JUX, the heavenly HENNA courtesy of the talented KAJAL, the vintage clothing from KEEP ME CUTE, hand rolled beads thoughtfully designed by LITTLE LOVE DESIGNS, the cake decorating stall run by the lovely MISS ETIQUETTE (with all proceeds going to ONE DOLLAR NATION DONATION ), goat soap soy soap salt soap all the soaps to lather up with from MY GOAT SOAP, the ethical trade from NINE YAKS, oh dear elephants rainclouds and homewares by PRECIOUS LITTLE SAKURA, skulls gold leaf and playfully intricate typography by designer ROCHELLE CODY, wildly wonderful adornments for your person and your home by RUN WILD HORSES, the exquisite and elegant jewels from SEBO-HANDMADE JEWELLERY and being romanced and entranced by the voodoo artefacts crafted by SEMICOLON (be sure to check out their upcoming ORGANIC MECHANIC exhibition!!!).

We were so thrilled to see the launch of THE SCRIBBLE PROJECT‘s “The Scribble Project Tattoo Parlour“, which saw four bikini clad babes strung up then get covered in scribbly goodness, see The Scribble Project’s wrap up blog here.

Here are the babes by the end of the day, in all their tattooed glory (can you pick out the tattoo’s added by our darling stall holders?! I can see a few!!!).

A selection of our talented stall holders took the time throughout the last month to partake in some inspiration-stuffed and insightful interviews (definitely worthwhile for a little read when lusting after a little inspiration):

♥ AGNES & I
♥ GINGER GOLD
♥ THE CREATURE WORKSHOP
♥ JUX
♥ MISS ETIQUETTE
♥ NINE YAKS
♥ SEMI COLON

A big thank you and lots of love to all of our supporters with superb write ups from the likes of THREE THOUSAND, BROADSHEET and WEEKEND NOTES to name a few, big love to the photographer of beautiful humans HUMANS OF MELBOURNE (see all the HUMANS OF MARKET photos here), all the gorgeous 1000 £ Bend staff and to all of you market lovers for visiting and soaking in our fanfare of fun times.

See you all at our next Bend and Snap Market day at 1000 £ Bend Sunday 26th May 11:00pm to 4:00pm, 361 Little Lonsdale Street in the city for all the art design fashion vintage with many of our regular stall holders and a load of exciting new additions to our Bend and Snap fold with ADA HODGSON, ANTYK BUTYK, BAK SPACE VINTAGE, CANDLE AROMAS, COLOUR ME PLATE, DREAMING CO, GIRLPETA DESIGNS, EELAV MCBEE, JACK’S CALLING, JEREMY WINGSPAN, JUX, HENNA courtesy of the talented KAJAL, LISA PURCELL, LITTLE BOXES, LOUIE AND THE FOX, MELBOURNE ALT CRAFTERS, ME U, MY GOAT SOAP, NINE YAKS, SEBO HANDMADE JEWELLERY, SPOONFULS OF LOVE and many more emerging artists and designers!!!

Stay tuned for more stall holder interviews and sneaky treats and like us on Facebook for all sorts of sneaky peek treats and market updates.

HUMANS OF MARKET

bendandsnapmarket — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:06:02 +0000

a few snaps of some of the beautiful humans at market day last weekend courtesy of Humans of Melbourne. Peek at more photos here and here.

Big love to all the beautiful humans who came to visit and to each and all of the wonderful stallholders at our April Market date AGNES & I, CANDLE AROMAS, COALESCED JEWELLERY, THE CREATURE WORKSHOP, DREAMING CO, EELAV MCBEE CRAFT,
HELEN FLEUR DESIGNS, GINGER GOLD, JUX,
HENNA courtesy of the talented KAJAL, KEEP ME CUTE, LITTLE LOVE DESIGNS, MISS ETIQUETTE, MY GOAT SOAP, NINE YAKS, PRECIOUS LITTLE SAKURA, ROCHELLE CODY, RUN WILD HORSES, SEBO-HANDMADE JEWELLERY, SEMICOLON and THE SCRIBBLE PROJECT TATTOO PARLOUR.

Next market date Sunday 26th May 11:00am to 4:00pm. See you then!