Introducing Bubba Chenille

Name: Miriam

Store name/label: bubbachenille

What do you create? A funky range of Childrens/Babies Clothing & Accessories made from preloved chenille bedspreads.

Where to buy: etsy, madeit.com.au, The Handmade Expo, other markets local to me eg Cabarlah

Where are you located? Toowoomba

How long have you been designing & making your range? Since March 2008


What inspired you to get started? I saw some at a market interstate and my creative juices started to flow as to how I could customise and make things my own, its the chenille I was attracted to and have added all sorts of things to my range, what I tought would sell , hasn't and the things I introduced as one offs have become my biggests sellers. Go figure!



What do you do when you’re not creating? Help co-ordinate The Handmade Expo

Do you remember the first item you sold? Yes, it was one of everything to a friend



What is your favorite item you have created? Each of my one "offs" until I make the next one!

Thanks for participating Miriam - I adore the little shorts you make, they are so cute!

My Top Five

I recently joined a new group, BrisStyle, so today I have decided to do a spotlight on Handmade in Brisbane! All the fabulous items below are made by Brisbane locals. Make sure you also check out the BrisStyle Blog - and if you're a local, they're holding a market this Saturday, at Hamilton Town Hall.


Twinkle Star Art - Personalised portrait



Wicked Child Designs - Dame Edna



Pedrosprout - Neon Blue Dotty Baby Booties



Sharlzndollz - Babushka Doll




Knitwish - Montague Mouse


If you'd like to submit a spotlight on local sellers in your home town, I would LOVE to hear from you!

My Top Five

A few cute little things I have found today...enjoy.

Blue Retro Dachshund Stuffed Toy - Sausage Dog Softie From Badskirt



Dinner with Friends print from Tummy Mountain

Gypsy Pants by Charli Rose for Oopsidaisi



Scrabble Tile Pendant from The Pendant Factory



Pram Tissue Cozy from PramPurse

Introducing...Silly Gilly

Name: Gillian Ross

Store name/label: Silly Gilly – Accessories for Children

Where to buy: www.sillygilly.com

Where are you located? Online and work from home in Nailsworth, South Australia

How long have you been sewing/designing? I’ve always been interested in craft and sewing since I was young, perhaps five or six. I started making my own clothes when I was fourteen and I even made my own wedding dress!

What inspired you to get started? I had decided to not return to the workforce after having my child but wanted to contribute monetarily to the family budget. I had been making hats and clothing for my daughter as a baby and friends were asking me to make things for them. Having always wanted to have a creative career, I decided to launch my own online store to both make money and have fun!

What do you do when you’re not sewing? Thinking about sewing, thinking about the business, running the online store side of things. Eating chocolate, reading blogs, searching for vintage patterns.

Do you remember the first item you sold? Not really, it was mostly to family and friends, but I do remember the first sale I had through my online store and I was jumping around the house like a silly woman!! It was so exciting to think that someone ‘out there’ like my work enough to purchase it.

What is your favorite item you have created? At the moment I’m in love with the large Steiner dolls I make. They have so many hours of work put into them, it’s hard not to fall in love with each doll as they come to life.

Favourite fabric designer? Michael Miller for his retro children’s prints. Absolutely in love with them!

Thank you for participating Gillian, I love the dolls too!