Three professionals from the Perth suburbs of South Perth, Carlisle and East Victoria Park, are showing that creative dreams do come true with their recent selection to exhibit — for the first time ever — at Perth Upmarket, where their local and handmade art will be on full display by more than 15,000 people.
What started as hobbies and creative outlets in baby fashion, quirky gift cards and embroidered homewares for Claire Turner (South Perth), Belinda Werndly (Carlisle) and Emma Giblett are now going to be showcased at WA’s biggest design market on Sunday 19 September.
“Claire from enid., Belinda of Scary Bare Creations and Emma who is behind Carl and Co Handmade are part of the First at Upmarket feature — an incubator concept that helps newly established local artists get into the marketplace,” explained Justine Barlsley, Director of Perth Upmarket.
“The concept has been developed to encourage and support new creative small businesses to test a ready Perth market in an effective way without the risk of high costs of a brick and mortar store or a delay in getting a brand in front of buyers.”
“Since we opened the opportunity in March this year, we received hundreds of applications for a spot of 20 for our quarterly event, which are then assessed against strict criteria such as being locally made or designed, business viability and product quality. So, a big congratulations to Claire, Belinda and Emma for being selected.”
Claire Turner — designer and dressmaker at enid. — will be showcasing her handmade baby wear label which she started just this year as a way to express her creative side. Her handcrafted clothing is made out of cottons and linens, so that they stand the test of time when worn by little ones, offering a sustainable, fashionable option.
“I am a creative person and I am happiest when I am creating. Through First at Upmarket, I hope to be able to give my business a platform to extend local word of mouth, test the market and also to meet, learn from other established exhibitors on how to grow my creative dream,” said Claire.
Belinda Werndly is a veterinarian by day and the business person behind Scary Bare Creations — a handmade gift card initiative — at other times. The small home-based business involves all her family members and started as a way to entertain her two kids, inspire their inner entrepreneur and teach them about money, while spending more family time together.
“All of our gift cards have been created from scanned original artworks of our two children — Adira (10) and Eli (8) — with added puns and technical support by my husband and I. Creating this business venture has had so many positive outcomes for all of us as a family and First at Upmarket will help enhance that by creating more awareness for Scary Bare Creations to a bigger, ready market,” explained Belinda.
Carl and Co Handmade creator Emma Giblett might be thinking data from 9am–5pm as an analyst for a bank, but any other time she’s always thinking about what’s the next thing to make! What started with sewing clothing, gifts and homewares for friends and family has evolved into a creative outlet that Emma would like to grow via opportunities like Perth Upmarket.
“Creativity is such a happy outlet for me and being able to make something fun, unique and useful such as a sensory block educational gift for a learning toddler, durable clothing for children or wall art that are not part of the factory line is so powerful,” said Emma.
In addition to an affordable exhibition rate, the new Perth creatives also receive online training to prepare for market day and valuable tips, advice, networks from the 200+ Upmarket community members who’ve had years of trading, business experience and grown their hobby into a full time career!
Visitors and shoppers to the Perth Upmarket can meet in person and shop their sustainable and for purpose, handmade products at the upcoming event on Sunday 19 September at UWA (Hackett Hall) from 10am–4pm.
View our full retailer list here: Perth Upmarket Retailers Gallery