Archive for May, 2010

most unusual new item this week?

hand painted plaster kewpie dolls of course!!

each of these is a unique one-off hand painted collectible master piece.

come and check these babies out at the melbourne in.cube8r®! @ $150.00 they won’t hang around for long :)

Quick Four with Map 29

Is there a particular theme, style or ethic behind your current collection?
Map 29 happened quite by accident.  I’ve always loved maps and am quite nostalgic about my childhood and where I lived.  A childhood friend had a significant birthday  and I wanted to give her something memorable and nostalgic.  I made her a map purse of where we grew up on one side and where she lives now on the other.  She loved it and showed it to her friends who loved  the concept.  I made purses for a few different people and decided to seek permission from Melways  to use the maps.

Have you always been into making stuff?
I am a late blooming designer and crafter with no formal training but a great passion for making and buying quirky, high quality handmade goods. I learnt to knit, crochet and embroider at an early age but could never use a sewing machine, in fact avoided it at all costs.

What are your future plans for your label?
I’d like to grow my label gradually and expand into the tourist sector.  Map 29 isn’t only about making money but about giving back too.  I try to donate a percentage of my profits to a charity of my choice each month.

Any advice for others wanting to follow a creative career?
Go for it!  You never know where it will lead you.

wow what a ride!!!!

It’s been the biggest learning curve I’ve EVER been on, but BOY HAVE WE LANDED!!!!

in.cube8r fortitude valley is now open and running like a dream!!!!  On Wednesday 12th May, the first in.cube8r franchise opened it’s doors to the extremely curious Brisbane public!!!  We have had nothing but positive feedback about the shop and it’s concept that supports local artists, and we couldn’t be happier!!!!

The fitout was a big task, but luckily we are very blessed with family and friends who helped us at every point!!!  From building the cube towers, to installing the gorgeous track lighting, to knocking out walls and putting up shelves, we even had volunteers to mind the kids while we burnt the candle at both ends on site!!!  I’m so very grateful to all my friends and family, and definitely couldn’t have done it without them all!!!!  A big thank you to my dear patient husband, who took a week off work just to be covered in pink paint the whole time!!!!! ;)

And all of the artists who have taken this journey with us from day one…………..what a pleasure it’s been to meet you all!!  Artists have enjoyed tinkering in their cubes, and have been very resourceful when displaying their wares!!  It’s great to see their minds tick over working out what fits and how to fill the space, and even better to provide this exposure on their behalf!

So how FABULOUS does an in.cube8r shop look in fortitude valley!?!!!  We’ve been inundated with passers by dropping in, as well as friends of artists who have included us in their blogs – it’s been great to see the amount of support our artists have, and very very exciting to see the great range of talent that is in the shop!!!

There are still some limited spaces available for artists looking to rent a cube or space in the store for June & July, but if the interest we’ve been receiving is anything to go by, they won’t be available for long!!!!

regards,  vicki  :)