Sneak Peeks of Designer Showbag. Win on the Barn Market FB page!

Don't forget to head over to the Barn Market facebook page  for a chance to win this amazing Barn Market Designer Showbag.  

 

Featured Designer: Emma from Morse Consulting and Design

The Spring Barn Market is only a week away (October 11th) and we are very excited to announce our first workshop in the Make- It Marquee! Emma from Morse Consulting and Design will be running the workshop and we thought it time we found out a little bit about this talented stylist!

Emma, you have a creative background but what lead you to become an Interior Stylist, specialising in colour and paint selection?

I’ve always been passionate about colour and design, but for years it took a backseat to my studies and work in psychology and counselling. I dreamed of one day combining both somehow. 

While my kids were babies I did a Cert IV in Colour and Design by distance. I adored learning the theory but really missed working with people. When I finished the course a friend asked for help choosing a new colour scheme and it all clicked! I got to help people identify their needs, limitations and resources, and then apply design theory to answer those problems practically. So my dream of combining both passions found its path! I discovered that lots of people feel overwhelmed by choosing colours, or making their house feel like a home, and the work flowed from there. **

A living room corner, styled by Emma.

As an Interior Stylist, you see trends come and go.  What guides you when you are making a purchase for a home you are working with?

My clients are normal families on a budget who want to make the most of what they have. So, I love to hunt down quality pieces that bring character to a space and will stand the test of time. Handmade and locally made are always my preference. Just like clothes, with a good quality, classic base, the occasional on trend accessory is all you need to be cutting edge, yet not wasteful. Also, at the moment trends are so focused on the '70s to '80s, it’s very easy to upcyle and re-purpose.

Emma loves macrame and is running an Introduction to Macrame at the Spring Barn Market. 

When you are working with your clients, where do you draw your inspiration for each design from? 

 My first step with clients is to get a good sense of their style. I get them to show me their favourite object, fabric, or image, and we work from there to build the room, taking into account the things that can’t be changed. I often have to work outside my own style preferences, but it’s so important that a space represents the occupants and tells their story, to create a sense of home for them.

Emma also works with paint selection for building exteriors. 

If you could give one piece of advice to all those people out there who are about to start a decorating project, what would it be?

Start by collecting images of things you love, and try to identify a common theme. Clarify your limitations and budget. And a little bit of professional help goes a long way when it comes to getting a great result.

Can you tell us what we should be doing to freshen up the look of our homes leading into summer and the festive season?

One of the hottest trends at the moment is to bring the indoors out and the outdoors in! Our outdoor areas are becoming more like lounge-rooms, and our indoors are getting a lot greener. Now is also the perfect time to de-clutter, simplify and streamline your space after being inside over winter. Get ready for more entertaining.

Emma Morse, Morse Consulting and Design.

**Emma is also giving away a 1.5 hour home interior colour consultation to one lucky visitor to the Barn Market on Saturday 11th. Entry forms at the Barn Market.

Pop over the say hi to Emma at the Barn Market. 

You could participate in her workshop or contact her on the links below.

Email: morseconsulting@outlook.com

Facebook : www.facebook.com/morseconsultinganddesign

Instagram: www.instagram.com/livingxdesign

Pinterest: www.pintrest.com/morseconsulting

Pony Black Co - Featured Designer and Maker

With just three weeks to go until our gorgeous Spring Barn Market, it's a great time to delve into some of the stories behind the incredible designers, makers and artisans who bring their beautiful wares to the Barn Market.

Pony Black Co has captured the attention of many a visitor to the Barn Market and Rachel Dean is the talent behind this highly successful label. Pony Black Co is an independent studio situated in "deep, dark Tasmania". There is a quirky, humorous and evocative element to all her work that reveals itself in designs, motifs, details and bold and colourful accessories. I can't help but be drawn to the beauty and intrigue of her designs and had to find out more about the mysterious Rachel Dean and Pony Black Co.

Can you tell us a little bit about how your travels and experiences of living in Tasmania influenced Pony Black (and lead to its creation)?
I moved to Tasmania about four years ago while on long service leave from my employment in Melbourne.  After about three weeks, I started playing with the idea of starting up a small business. I've always liked fashion design and construction, so I gave it a go.  That's what I love about Tasmania- she provides you with the opportunity and the freedom to follow your passions. Travel is something that I love doing too (I'm working on off-setting my carbon footprint!) and now with Pony Black I have guilt free fabric acquisition experience -it's for Pony Black after all!

Your preference is to work with natural fibres, albeit luxurious ones, what comes first, the design or the fabric?
Usually the fabric comes first - I just love scouring fabric shops and markets around the world and at home. Each country expresses itself differently, ranging from gorgeous batiks from Bali, fabulous kimono fabric from Japan and exquisite silks from Cambodia and Thailand. Instead of buying souvenirs, I buy fabric.  I have a stash of beautiful fabrics at the moment - lets see what happens!

What has challenged you most about Pony Black Co since its inception?
Working by myself- I spend a lot of time in my studio by alone.  My community consists of artists and musicians and even though we all have a mainly solitary working experience, we do try and mark the working week with Friday night drinks and dinner. So it's all good really.

If you could say one thing to each person who stops by your stall, what would it be?
Buy local - not only do you get a fabulous product that is lovingly crafted and exquisitely made, you get to support your community and local economy.  You often have the opportunity to talk directly to the maker too.  Its amazing how many fabulous and talented artisans Tasmania has!

What can we expect in the future at the Barn Market from Pony Black Co?
I picked up some gold leather while I was in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago, so expect accessories using fabulous gold leather!  A bit Royal don't you think?

You can meet Rachel at the Christmas Barn Market, November 21st and 22nd and see more of her fabulous work.

Website: Pony Black Co

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisheswerehorses

Featured Grower: Herb & Co.

We're coaxing some of the Barn Market growers, designers, makers and creatives out of their studios and workspaces to share their unique stories and passions behind the beautiful handmade and grown items they bring along to the market.

There is a real passion for gardening behind Herb & Co's range of edible and medicinal plants. Jane and Harriet work from their greenhouses at home, promoting seasonal growing and organic gardening practices. Working on a smaller scale than your average nursery, Jane and Harriet's plants are living proof of their commitment to gardening and raising the healthiest of plants to bring to the market. 

We asked them to share a little bit more about their unique Tasmanian business, Herb & Co.

What brought you both together to create Herb & Co?

Harriet and I met at the Botanical Gardens (RTBG) in early 2011, when we both embarked on a new career and life-changing course. We were both accepted into the RTBG’s inaugural Certificates 1, 2 & 3 in Horticulture. Both of us had young families and were looking for a new focus in our lives.  This course was just what we were looking for. Juggling young families and all that life throws at us, we were nearing the completion of our course in 2012 when an opportunity to purchase a stall at Salamanca Market arose.  In what has become our signature style we jumped at the chance.

We began our small business venture in April 2012, purchasing the Salamanca Market Stall.

After an enthusiastic start with a dash of blind ignorance thrown in, Herb and Co is now up and running.

What has been the most challenging aspect of running Herb & Co:
We work from greenhouses set up at our homes and continue to juggle the busy, unpredictable lives of our families, but it works and we love it.

Finding our way in an industry that was new to us both has been the greatest challenge. Our course at the RTBG was fantastic and gave us the skills to grow and propagate our plants but what it didn't teach us was the skills to negotiate a new industry. 

We all have bad days at work, what is it about Herb & co that keeps you going?            Not the money! (We are still working on that part of the business).To be honest we laugh a lot! Also we are passionate about growing and promoting edible (and medicinal) plants that are suited to Hobart's climatic conditions. We love talking to like minded customers and sharing ideas and experiences.

Is there anything you wish you could say to everyone who stops by your stall at the market?

Lots of keen gardeners are confused about when to plant basil and coriander! Plant your basil in late spring when you put your tomatoes in! Basil needs hot weather conditions. Coriander is a short lived plant that thrives in our calmer, cool weather; plant it in early autumn all the way through to spring. Plant coriander every 3 weeks for a continuous supply.

It's midwinter, is there anything we should be growing right now in our gardens and windowsills?

At the moment we have strawberries, rhubarb crowns, saffron, parsley, winter greens and all your perennial plants (lavender, sage, oregano, thyme, rosemary). These can go into your gardens now ready to take off in spring.

It is always nice to have a few annual herbs sitting on your window sill ready to go. Parsley, coriander, heartsease (edible viola) and even a nice pot of winter greens always look good on your windowsill.

Herb and Co are newbies at the Barn Market, what can we expect to see for your first market and into the future?

We are excited to be joining an Eastern Shore market. We will have a large range of beautifully presented herb and vegetable plants, gifts of potted herbs and fruit. Plus our clever husbands hand made recycled timer boxes of herbs. Our range of plants will continually evolve with the seasons.  Expect a smile and lots of enthusiasm.

We can't wait to have such a fabulous plant stall joining us at the Barn Market on July 19th. Please give Harriet and Jane a warm- welcome !

You can find Herb & Co on facebook and at the Barn Market.

The first 2014 Barn Market is just around the corner!

Feel like you've been missing something? The Barn Market is back for 2014!

Celebrate the end of summer sunshine and open your arms to autumn with a celebration of everything that we hold so dear, at the Barn Market.

We've got your old favourites and a host of exciting new makers and artisans ready to go. Whether its just to browse, to treat yourself or to buy a gift for someone special, you'll find something wonderful for everyone.

 

Products from some of our fabulous stallholders: Belar Bakery, Urban Bounty, Ewenicity Handcrafts, Avadon Candles, What Susie Did Next and Mondalee.

And we haven't forgotten to look after you as there will be some mouth watering gourmet food, Barista coffee and a host of other treats to sustain you when you get there.

February 18th; Don't miss out!!!

Less than 2 weeks to go!! More information to come shortly...