Jennifer Lawday has been making handmade bags and jewellery using vintage and recycled materials that she sells in her shop Poppy and Belle for seven years. Working from her home studio in Katoomba, Jennifer designs, cuts and sews her bags individually in limited runs or as one-of-a-kind accessories.  

Jennifer’s "Needle Soup" jewellery line includes earrings, necklaces, brooches and  accessories that have been made out of up-cycled plastic and metal knitting needles.  She also uses vintage buttons, buckles and notions in her jewellery designs. Jennifer primarily uses re-cycled or vintage materials and enjoys mixing colours and textures that complement or contrast each other.

What do you love about handmade/ having a handmade business?

Having a handmade business enables me to be creative with materials that would otherwise be contributing to landfill, by transforming them into usable and functional products.  Working part time from home allows me to support my family financially whilst being present for my family.

What do you like about being a member of the Blue Mountains Makers?

Being a member of the Blue Mountains Makers has brought me in touch with a group of like minded people within the community in which I live.  I have made some new friends, met some inspiring people and feel part of a supportive and encouraging community.

What do you like about living in the blue mountains (or surrounding regional areas)?

The Blue Mountains is a place where I can explore the vast and beautiful natural surrounding landscape, be amongst the buzz of interesting cafes, enjoy cultural experiences with the varied art galleries and learn new skills at creative workshops.

You can shop the Poppy and Belle range of products on their website

You can contact Jennifer Lawday via email poppyandbelle@gmail.com

You can connect and follow Poppy and Belle on Facebook and Instagram.

Emma started her children’s clothing and accessories range 8 years ago.  All of her little threads start with a sketch, followed by drafting a pattern, making a toile, perfecting the pattern, grading the patterns to different sizes, cutting, sewing and then hand finishing each garment. Emma only uses natural textiles such as cotton, wool, linen, bamboo and silk in her children’s garments.

What do you love about handmade/ having a handmade business?

The freedom of expressing myself, and the ability to buck the current trends in children’s fashion and instead, ‘let them be little’. I love that I am present at every stage of production, and the absolute joy and satisfaction of seeing little people wearing my garments.

What do you like about being a member of the Blue Mountains Makers?

The Blue Mountains is one of the most beautiful areas on the planet, and the people are just as wonderful. It’s so special having such a supportive circle of creatives types, who inspire and encourage each other.

What do you like about living in the blue mountains (or surrounding regional areas)?

Everything! What’s not to love!? The scenery, the community, the quiet, the fresh air and open spaces.

You can shop the ArchieBee range on Emma’s website.

You can contact Emma via email archiebee.clothing@gmail.com

You can connect and follow Emma on Facebook and Instagram.

Renee Tilley started her natural skincare range of products Paudha Healing a little over two years ago. Renee makes her natural products from her home in Valley Heights. Her range  includes oils, face & body creams and deodorant pastes for both men and women. All of Paudha Healings products are vegan and certified cruelty free.

Paudha Healing received a 'Best Value Day Cream' award in the 2017 Beauty Shortlist Awards for their Rose Geranium and Lavender Cream and an Editors Choice for their Nourish & Repair Face Oil.

What do you love about handmade/ having a handmade business?

I love that I get to be creative and put all of my energy into something I'm passionate about and then share that with others. Whether it is at the formulating stage when I'm playing around with different ingredients and what will work together, or when making our final products. I love being involved in every part of the process, from making, to packaging, to labelling and then posting the finished product to the customer.

What do you like about being a member of the Blue Mountains Makers?

Being a part of Blue Mountains Makers is like being part of a little community. I love that we have so many creative people here in the Blue Mountains and we all get behind one another to support and encourage when needed.

What do you like about living in the blue mountains (or surrounding regional areas)?

I love the energy of the Blue Mountains and the sense of community.

You can shop the Paudha Healing range of natural skincare products on their website

You can contact Renee Tilley via email info@paudhahealing.com

You can connect and follow Paudha Healing on Facebook and Instagram.

Sue Barclay started her gourmet dog treats business eighteen months ago. Sue hand makes all of her gourmet dog treats and biscuits from natural, premium human grade ingredients, using methods such as baking, dehydration and steaming.

What do you love about handmade/ having a handmade business?

Being able to create something healthy for dogs

What do you like about being a member of the Blue Mountains Makers?

The support and creative energy of other creatives in the Blue Mountains.

What do you like about living in the blue mountains (or surrounding regional areas)?

The stunning vistas, fresh air and of course the bush!

You can shop Sue’s tasty range of dog treats on her website.

You can contact Sue via email bakery@dogbaker.com.au

You can connect and follow Sue on Facebook and Instagram.

Maria Harding has been creating limited edition prints, resin art blocks and cards of original watercolour paintings for six years.

What do you love about handmade/ having a handmade business?

Being my own boss!

What do you like about being a member of the Blue Mountains Makers?

Being part of a team of creative entrepreneurs.

What do you like about living in the blue mountains (or surrounding regional areas)?

I love the beauty and peacefulness and that there are so many other creative people living and working in the area.

You can shop the Maria Harding’s art on her website

You can contact Maria Harding via email maria@mariaharding.com.au

You can connect and follow Maria Harding on Facebook and Instagram.