Handmakers Factory

Stepping into the learning zone

I was recently accepted onto the School for Social Entrepreneurs program!  I attended a taster session tonight, met my fellow 'classmates' and found out about the fantastic projects they have planned.  

I'm looking forward to getting started at the end of the month.  Wish me luck!

Phew!

I'm so glad about the fabulous response i've received about Handmakers Factory!  I've had some wonderful comments and suggestions and emails with offers of help and fantastic information.

My head is buzzing with things i need to do and things i'd like to do but my main goal right now is to get my business plan written up properly (not just notes on scraps of paper).  I've applied for The Awesome Foundation (thanks for the reminder Simon), have an interview with the School of Social Entrepreneurs next week and am booked into some info sessions for the City of Melbourne grants.

I've been browsing a map of Melbourne and searching for places for lease to get an idea of what is on offer out there.  I asked on Twitter and Facebook where people would like Handmakers Factory to be located (you can let me know here too) and the majority of suggestions have been for the inner northern and western suburbs although i've also had suggestions for Sydney and the UK too :)  Other suggestions have been 'somewhere with parking' and 'somewhere accessible by public transport'.  

I'm also interested to know how you would like to see Handmakers Factory set up.  I'm thinking of putting together a little survey, would you be interested in filling it out?  

Please feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments.

I've set up a Facebook group and  page, i'm not sure which is best but the group seems to be more popular (what's your take on the group vs page thing?).  You can also follow Handmakers Factory on Twitter.  Spread the word!  

Beginning

OK here goes!

I'm Nikki.  You may know me as Nikkishell or Wardrobe Refashion.

I'm beginning a new project in Melbourne which i've named Handmakers Factory.  What is Handmakers Factory you ask? Well, I aim to address the lack of space and equipment needed by many textile artists and makers.  Many people do not have the ability to have a large studio equipped with machines and supplies at home.   I want to encourage and assist people in their creative endeavours whether they are to create art, start their own business or to teach and give them the ability to work alongside other creative types.

The Handmakers Factory will offer space and equipment for rent.  Large areas for pattern drafting and cutting, sewing and knitting machines for production and teaching, wet areas for printing and dyeing and a photography studio for photo shoots of finished garments.  Other services will include lockers for hire, internet access, a kitchen and a meeting area.

There will be memberships available for regular visitors or the ability to hire by the hour.  A class timetable will include various sewing, machine and hand knitting, printing and dyeing lessons and supplies will be available for purchase.

 Regular talks and demonstrations will be organized and the space will be available for hire for private classes and groups.

As mentioned above i'm in the beginning stages of this project but you've got to start somewhere right?!  I'm looking into numerous ways of getting this idea up and running such as applying for The School of Social Entrepreneurs (fingers crossed i get accepted), applying for Bank of Melbourne's'The Local Project' and looking into The City of Melbourne grants and Pozible. 

If you have any suggestions or think you could be of assistance or involved in some way please feel free to leave a comment below or email me at handmakersfactory(at)gmail(dot)com.  (To start with i'm looking for help with a logo).

 

I hope you'll join me as i work my way through this project and please feel free to spread the word!

Nikki.x