Bricks & Mortar: Northcote HQ

By Diane Leyman Northcote HQ is a brand new co-working studio space located in Melbourne’s inner-north. Run by the team behind communication design collective Common Ground, the studio came about when designer Jessie Brooks-Dowsett (of Common Ground) wanted to develop a creative and supportive environment that promoted collaboration and innovation. She also wanted a co-working studio where freelancers could hire desk space as and when needed, allowing for productive work away from the distractions of home.

Jessie began the search for an affordable studio and came across an empty supermarket storage room behind LUPA (55 High Street, Northcote). The idea was to develop a creative atmosphere that felt part like a gallery environment but still with a casual feel. To that end the Common Ground team set about transforming the space, designing bespoke lighting, painting the brick walls white and sourcing a range of office furniture (including a cool cardboard table from Karton). The result is not only creative and comfortable, but also flexible, and can easily be transformed for events such as film screenings, exhibitions, pop ups and workshops.

On a side note, Jessie’s own creative background is an interesting story in itself. She started out studying illustration and fine art at the National Art School in NSW, but then discovered the darkroom and switched to photography. After moving to Melbourne and working as a commercial photographer for a few years, a chance meeting with a graphic designer led her to change creative paths again, and she went on to study communication design at RMIT and worked in design studios before embarking on a freelance career. Preferring to work with clients who are interested in making positive change, it was only natural that she begin collaborating, and after spending some time in other co-working spaces, Common Ground, and now Northcote HQ, felt like a natural progression.

As Jessie explains, creating a sense of community is of great importance to the Northcote HQ ethos, and regular social nights and morning teas allow the people who use the space to discuss what they’re working on. There are eight desk spaces that are leased to creatives from across many different fields, so if you’re interested in finding out more you can contact Jessie or drop by the studio.

p.s. Northcote HQ is hosting a pop-up for nail artist I Scream Nails, who will be occupying the studio each weekend in September. Click here for more info.

Diane Leyman is a freelance editor, proofreader and project manager with more than six years of experience working in non-fiction illustrated trade book publishing. She has a passion for all things design, and writes a design blog called Notes to a Further Excuse. She also likes taking photographs, crafting, drinking coffee and obsessing over mid-century homewares.

Bricks & Mortar: Little Shop

By Diane Leyman Little Shop is a lovely indie emporium owned and run by self-taught creative and crafter Bec Albinson. After years working as a product designer and experiencing great success selling her own line of jewellery at markets around Melbourne, Bec developed a pretty good head for business and decided to open up a shop close to her home in Carnegie, not only as an outlet for her own work, but also as a way to promote other local independent designers.

Bec originally set up Little Shop in a tiny retail space, but just a couple of months ago relocated to a slightly bigger space around the corner. She completed the fit-out herself, including sourcing her beautiful tables and displays, and the result is a warm and welcoming space full of colour, with beautiful handmade items every which way you turn.

The philosophy behind Bec’s business is to keep things local and affordable. When the shop first opened Bec stocked handmade and crafted goods made in Melbourne and rural Victoria. And although the new space has allowed Bec to broaden the variety of items she stocks, including adding clothing and wares from some interstate and international makers, the range continues to be 90% locally-made, with most gift items under $50. It’s a concept that seems to be working a treat, especially among local customers who love having Little Shop in the area.

Some of the items you'll find in Little Shop include heirloom seeds from the Little Veggie Patch Co, geo pop necklaces from Fruitloop, wooden bangles from Treehorn, greeting cards from Able & Game, hot water bottle covers from My Poppet, cushions from Aunty Cookie, tote bags from Bob Boutique, and of course Bec’s own Little Shop range of jewellery (among plenty of others).

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a big fan of Bec’s work and adore her laser-cut wooden brooches, but Bec herself is also a real inspiration – not only does she run a successful business, she also designs her own products, which are now stocked in approximately fifty shops. On top of all that, when I visited, Bec told me that she also has a brand new product range coming out in a couple of weeks. Talk about a multitasker! Keep an eye on the Little Shop website for details of the new range, and in the meantime you can visit the Little Shop online store or in person at 2 Woorayl St, Carnegie.

Diane Leyman is a freelance editor, proofreader and project manager with more than seven years of experience working in non-fiction illustrated trade book publishing. She has a passion for all things design, and writes a design blog called Notes to a Further Excuse. She also likes taking photographs, crafting, drinking coffee and obsessing over mid-century homewares.

Bricks & Mortar: Studio Teepee

By Diane Leyman Studio Teepee is Melbourne-based graphic designer, illustrator and writer Emma Harrold. By day Emma works full-time as a senior designer, and she runs Studio Teepee on a freelance basis from home. Emma studied graphic design in Brisbane and worked for a few agencies before relocating to Melbourne in 2008, and has since had the opportunity to work for a wide variety of clients in the music, government, publishing and arts industries.

After working under her own name for many years, Emma decided to start Studio Teepee, launching her new look using social media and a brand new website. The concept behind Studio Teepee is centred on the idea the idea that tipis are practical, adaptable and built from raw materials; a type of design that can pack down and be rebuilt at any time. Since starting up her studio, Emma has had some great feedback, which has resulted in collaborations with other creatives – something she loves doing.

Emma’s favourite type of work to do is branding and illustration, and one recent project has been working on the branding for Mother Down Under, the blog of an American mum living in Brisbane. Emma has also been having lots of fun writing for the Old School – The New School for Graphic Design & Typography website. When it comes to design, Emma’s tip for keeping up-to-date is to do lots of reading, and she takes an hour or so out of each day to read websites, blogs and magazines in order to be informed about what’s going on in the design world and to learn new skills. It’s some great advice that can be applied to plenty of other creative industries as well.

The photographs shown here are of Emma’s workspace, along with some of her publication design and illustration work, and little snippets of inspiration around her lovely home, including one of her fantastic Bauhaus prints (which I wanted to take home with me!). If you’d like to see more of Emma’s great work, check out her website, and also visit the Old School site to see some of her recent articles.

Diane Leyman is an editor and writer with seven years of experience working in non-fiction, illustrated trade book publishing. She has a passion for all things design, and writes a design blog called Notes to a Further Excuse. She also likes taking photographs, crafting, drinking coffee and obsessing over mid-century homewares.

Bricks & Mortar: Onabee

By Diane Leyman

Onabee is a cute little craft and supplies shop located on leafy Bellair Street in Kensington. Owner Fiona Burnes comes from a nursing background, but decided to pursue a different career after becoming a single mum. She applied for the NEIS program, and after having her feasibility plan accepted, started the program by completing a Certificate IV in small business at RMIT. Fiona was then supported for a year with a mentor and decided to start up her creative business, Onabee, in June 2010, drawing on inspiration from her upbringing with a crafty mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who were always busy sewing, doing embroidery, making silk flowers and painting.

Fiona decided on Kensington for the location of her shop, which allowed her to be close to home and her children’s school. The shopfront Fiona is now set up in had been empty for a while before she moved in, and despite its limitations Fiona bravely worked around them. She completed the renovations herself, and initially spent a few months fixing up the space, painting, polishing the floor and adding her own fittings with a mix of eBay, hard rubbish and IKEA items. The most remarkable of Fiona’s finds is her fantastic wool cabinet, which she accidentally found at Lost Ark Antiques in Williamstown. What a gem!

Fiona did extensive market research before opening up Onabee, looking for gaps in the market, and as a result has received a fantastic response. Fiona says she has met some amazing people in the past couple of years who have been incredibly supportive and who keep coming back. The range of items she stocks has evolved over time – to begin with she went to lots of local markets to source items that appealed to her. Today Fiona still has a commitment to stocking locally made and fair trade handmade products alongside her extensive range of haberdashery, and also tries to stock according to the seasons (so the focus for winter is beautiful Australian-made yarns). And what’s lovely about visiting Onabee is the personal touch – the afternoon I was there Fiona was extremely helpful dishing out knitting advice to her customers!

Aside from stocking a great range of items, Fiona also runs a range of knitting and crochet classes. The classes are held three times a week in the shop after hours, and are limited to about five people. There are also some children’s craft classes one afternoon per week during the school term.

Onabee is located at 200 Bellair Street in Kensington, and Fiona also has an online shop. Check the Onabee website for craft class details. In August Onabee will also be part of Craft Victoria’s Craft Cubed 2012 Festival, with a ‘knitting doctor’ sessions for people who need a little help.

Diane Leyman is an editor and writer with seven years of experience working in non-fiction, illustrated trade book publishing. She has a passion for all things design, and writes a design blog called Notes to a Further Excuse. She also likes taking photographs, crafting, drinking coffee and obsessing over mid-century homewares.

Bricks & Mortar: Ivy & Lil Studio Tour

By Diane Leyman

This month’s bricks and mortar column brings us to the leafy south-east Melbourne studio of printmaker Jenny Pemberton-Webb. Jenny runs her Ivy & Lil homewares label part-time from her gorgeous little 1940s-era light-filled studio, which sits unassumingly at the bottom of the garden behind her house. Jenny and her husband Mark moved into their property around 13 years ago, and Mark set about renovating the studio space a few years later. At first, Jenny wasn’t quite sure what creative pursuit to focus on, and dabbled with painting, collage and sculpture while enjoying her new space. But a six-month trip around Australia in a camper trailer, away from work and the distractions of home, led Jenny to realise that what she really wanted to focus on was printmaking, something that she had majored in while studying, and so Ivy & Lil was born when she returned home in December 2006.

Named after Jenny and Mark’s favourite grandmothers, who were both highly creative, resourceful and masters of handmade items for the home, Ivy & Lil offers a unique range of tea towels, wall plaques and cushions. All of Jenny’s designs are printed by hand in her studio using paper stencils, non-toxic inks and 100% linen fabrics, and Jenny is committed to using local Australian products and suppliers wherever possible.

The inspiration for Jenny’s first collection, Hit the Road, came from her travels and incorporates imagery commonly associated with road trips such as signs, directional arrows and caravans. In fact, Jenny’s caravan print is the most popular in her collection and she is currently working on some new caravan designs (which I got a sneak preview of, and can assure you look great!). Jenny is also currently experimenting with fabulous neon inks and working on new lines of greeting cards and wall plaques incorporating road maps.

If you’d like to see more of Jenny’s work, check out the Ivy & Lil website. Jenny also sells her wares on MadeIt and Blue Caravan, and will have a stall at the Rose Street Markets on May 20. She’s a lovely person, so make sure to stop by and say hello!

Diane Leyman is an editor and writer with seven years of experience working in non-fiction, illustrated trade book publishing. She has a passion for all things design, and writes a design blog called Notes to a Further Excuse. She also likes taking photographs, crafting, drinking coffee and obsessing over mid-century homewares.

Bricks & Mortar: Kids in Berlin

By Diane Leyman Kids in Berlin is a cute little independent shop tucked away at the top end of Victoria Street in North Melbourne. It’s run by owner Zanin - a super creative, vibrant and lovely lady with a background in marketing, arts, film and entertainment. Zanin is dedicated to stocking an array of work from independent Australian designers, and that’s really what makes Kids in Berlin a special place.

At Kids in Berlin, there is an eclectic selection of fashion, apparel, jewellery, accessories, stationery, childrenswear, toys and other interesting objects on offer from over 200 designers. Some of the clothing labels include Bronzen Temple, Fool, Kings of Carnaby, Limedrop and Stella Blanche. In terms of jewellery and accessories, designers on offer include  Corky Saint Clair, H by Heather Lighton, Hungry Designs, I Wish I Had a Little Shop, Jen Hall Designs, Lavallier, Little Shop Of, Ruby & Sage, Scotatto, Treehorn and Victoria Mason, and there's also a selection of stationery goods from the likes of Able & Game, Ask Alice and Rabbit & The Duck. As a brooch fiend, Kids in Berlin is like my sort of heaven – there are so many to choose from! I left with a wants list the length of my right arm.

Berlin might be a pretty cool place, but we have equally cool places to visit right here in Melbourne, and the good thing is that they’re on our doorstep. Kids in Berlin is a cosy little boutique run by a warm and welcoming owner, and it’s definitely worth checking out the next time you’re in the area.

Kids in Berlin is located at 472 Victoria Street, Melbourne.

Diane Leyman is an editor and writer and with six years of experience working in non-fiction, illustrated trade book publishing. She has a passion for all things design, and writes a design blog called Notes to a Further Excuse. She also likes taking photographs, crafting, drinking coffee and obsessing over mid-century homewares.

Bricks and mortar: Crafternoon

By Diane Leyman I love good coffee, but let’s be honest – the Melbourne coffee and cafe scene can sometimes take itself a little too seriously. Thankfully though, new Melbourne cafe Crafternoon is here to change all that.

Tegan Cumerford is the creative lady behind this new cafe venture. She moved to Melbourne from Brisbane around a year ago looking for work, but decided to start up her own business instead. The result – Crafternoon – happened pretty quickly. Tegan put together her business plan in June 2011, found a property in July, moved into the premises in December and opened the doors just last month. I visited in the third week of operation and Tegan calmly had everything under control and running smoothly – a pretty big feat seeing as how she tackled opening week single-handedly!

Tegan studied music at the Queensland Conservatorium and then went on to study creative industries at QUT, which gave her a good foundation in creative businesses. With Crafternoon, Tegan’s intention is to create a place where everyone (of all ages) can feel relaxed, have fun and be creative. To that end, the floor is plastered with magazine cut-outs, and hanging from the sky-blue ceiling are colourful artworks made by her crafty patrons. The craft table is a sight of joy and wonderment, and reminded me of the craft table at my preschool, which was pretty much Tegan’s inspiration. There are straws, pasta shapes, pegs, paddle pop sticks, glitter, googly eyes, tissue paper, Clag glue, paper cut-outs, colourful scissors, paint, crayons, pipe cleaners, felt-tip pens ... plenty to get your creative juices flowing! Patrons can choose to make badges, collages, paintings and drawings, or opt to play with Tegan’s homemade playdough. Oh, and you can get a nice cup of coffee and a yummy bite to eat while you’re at it!

Crafternoon really does inject a sense of fun into cafe going, and Tegan’s enthusiasm for craft, along with her unique business idea, has already proved to be a popular amongst Melbournites. Crafternoon is located at 531 Nicholson Street, North Carlton, and is open Mon–Tues and Thurs–Sun, with late night stitch‘n’bitch sessions on Tuesdays. For further details, visit the Crafternoon Facebook and Twitter pages.

Diane Leyman is an editor and writer and with six years of experience working in non-fiction, illustrated trade book publishing. She has a passion for all things design, and writes a design blog called Notes to a Further Excuse, which she updates regularly. She also likes taking photographs, crafting, drinking coffee and obsessing over mid-century homewares.