Who hasn’t dabbled in making something as a teenager and had loads of fun doing it, but to then realise that you have talent, and want to get your work out there fills me with inspiration. To be able to sell your carefully crafted items in a dedicated Australian online marketplace is the icing on the handmade cake and Louise from Made It has provided this space. From baby and childrens’ items to wedding items Made It will be sure to inspire you to think outside the square for your wedding decor, jewellery and bonbonierre to add a unique and personal touch to your day.
How would you describe Made It?
Made It is an online marketplace for local handmade goods. We proudly support a community of passionate designers, artisans and craftspeople, and provide a platform to launch and promote Aussie talent to the global community. Made It values quality craftsmanship and unique products, we nurture creativity and ingenuity, and we share passions and hobbies.
Personalised Retro Hens Party Badges – Creator and Image by Badge Bliss, Memorial Shoe Charms – Creator Bridal Bling Image by KBS Designs
What is your point of difference from other online market places?
Made It is Australian-only, so although we reach a global audience, only local creators are able to sell their products on our platform. So when you find a beautiful product, there’s no 6-week postage surprises or expensive international postage that costs more than the item itself. We are also exclusively handmade, so you won’t find mass-produced or vintage items unless they’ve been upcycled or enhanced by our community.
Are the products for sale, actual handmade items and not supplies for DIYers?
That’s right, everything on Made It is made, designed, upcycled, or embellished by our community. Some of our community members do make craft supplies and DIY kits for various purposes but for the most part, the products for sale on Made It are the end product. We do have a sister site for craft supplies, www.craftumi.com.au.
Printable Wedding Vows Keepsake – Creator and Image by Coco & Ella Designs, Vintage Silver Hand-Stamped Cake Forks – Creator and Image by Eat Creations
Are there any vintage items for sale?
Vintage items must be enhanced, upcycled or embellished in some way to meet Made It’s handmade requirement. For example, many of our sellers use vintage fabrics to create beautiful products, or create items using vintage patterns or styles.
Do you actively source new products for Made It?
We have new sellers join us every week and we’re always on the lookout for creative handmaidens (and handmade-men) to join our community. We like to support established and emerging small businesses, as well as hobbyists so we’re an open community that anyone can join.
Tell us how Made It works for the consumer?
All our products can be browsed by category, you can browse our editor-selected shopping guides, or you can search the entire site for something specific. When you find something you like, you can view other items by the same seller, read about the seller, their policies and feedback from other customers, and you can add items to your cart and check out whenever you’re ready. You can check out as a guest, but signing up for a free account makes checking out a faster process, and it also means you can track your order, favourite items to come back to later, and leave feedback for sellers. Payments are made directly to the makers via the Made It checkout and most of our community accept direct deposit, Paypal, or credit card.
Cascade Gold Orchid Earrings – Creator and Image by Silver Bloom Jewellery, Feather Placeholders – Creator Misiu Image by Jo Murphy Photographer
What sorts of wedding items can be bought on Made It?
Made It caters for all stages of your wedding, including everything from the engagement party, to hens and bucks nights, from ceremony and reception decor, to bridal fashion and accessories, and cards, gifts, and keepsakes to remember your big day. Currently you’ll find wedding stationery, hairpieces, jewellery, bouquets and boutonnières, place-cards, cake-toppers and centerpieces, lingerie, keepsakes, bridal party gifts, hens and bucks night novelties and so much more.
Personalised Soap Wedding Favours – Creator and Image by Five Girls Soap, Stationery – Creator and Image by Theoberry Stationery
If we wanted a particular item made for our wedding are we able to approach one of your makers personally?
The beauty of handmade is that most of our items are able to be made to order, so personalising your wedding is easy. Anyone can register for a free account, and can then contact any of our sellers directly to discuss tweaks and custom designs.
What items are in high demand and most popular?
Some of our more popular items include cake-toppers, bunting, personalised coat-hangers, invitation sets, wedding vow keepsakes, personalized bridal hankies, and hen’s night badges.
Vintage Fabric Bunting – Creator and Image by Merry Go Round
What is it about handmade items that attract us?
Not many brides are chasing a cookie-cutter wedding anymore and as weddings become less about tradition and more about a couple’s true expression of their love, adding a personal touch to the day is important for making your wedding say something unique about you and your partner. Handmade offers the ability to find unique and personalized products in a way that mass-production can’t.
Plus, there’s nothing quite like receiving a beautifully-presented, well-crafted product in the mail, knowing it was hand crafted with love and care. Buying handmade is more than just making a purchase; it is an experience. That may sound contrived, but I think there’s a lot of joy to be found in dealing directly with the creator of something we love, and finding something unique and high-quality is really pretty satisfying!
How do your creative makers keep their ideas and products fresh to appeal to today’s market?
Many of our makers are self-confessed Pinterest and Instagram addicts, so these social networks are a rich source of inspiration for our community to stay abreast of wedding trends and to keep their products evolving. They’re also dealing with brides and grooms on a regular basis, to deliver truly unique products, so they know what brides and grooms want, and they also know that’s often unique to each and every couple – so they’ve learned to be flexible!
Mr & Mrs Wooden Cake Topper – Creator and Image by The Northwood Collective, The Juliet Comb – Creator and Image by Forests of Wildflowers
What does the increased popularity of handmade items tell us about ourselves and society in general?
I think the growing trend towards handmade is a reflection our desire to return to some of the more wholesome aspects of the past. Australian consumers are becoming increasingly aware of their impact on our planet and other communities. Minimising that impact is made easier when we buy direct from the maker, because we have a true understanding of the provenance of what we’re buying. I think we’re also starting to value the quality craftsmanship that handmade offers, and unique and personalized products speak to our desire to express our own sense of style and identity.
What do you love about owning Made It?
I love owning Made It because I’m constantly surrounded by (in a virtual sense, but I live on my computer!) an incredible community of creative and dedicated Aussie small business owners and hobbyists who put so much passion into what they do. They are such a supportive community, who constantly inspire me. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that I spend a great deal of my days browsing and showcasing their beautiful products! I also love that I can take pride in what Made It offers to consumers and that I get to be a part of a positive change in the way we shop, by supporting the ‘little-guys’, and supporting local, ethical and sustainable products.
Abbey Lane Teardrop Bouquet – Creator Flowers by the Vase, Image by Seray’s Photography
What are your goals for Made It in the coming year?
The coming year is going to see a major revamp of our website, so we look as good as we feel and can offer more functionality. We’re also going to be investing more time into tracking down more of the best creative talent in Australia to expand our offering.
Are you are crafty creative person yourself? What do you like to do in your spare time?
Ha ha ha… spare time – you crack me up! I’ve always had a penchant for the arts and before I was a business owner, FIFO wife, and mum to two little girls and an energetic Kelpie X, I used to enjoy painting, music, photography, writing, and pretty much anything creative. Even growing up I had a dedicated craft table to house all my in-progress craft projects and supplies (back in the days of paper tole and fimo!) Now if I’m not working, you’ll find me investing that creativity in building sandcastles on the beautiful beaches of northern NSW with my little family.
Thank you Louise for sharing your story. Such gorgeous things for your wedding and all made in Australia. To find out more about Made It visit the website.
Headshot by We Are All Stardust
Thanks for the feature Polka Dot Bride! Love seeing our sellers’ beautiful products on your site!