Somerville, Melbourne

classes and experiences: Painting

2k followers

Women-owned

I purchased an existing business that was already almost 3 years old, with the original idea of evolving it into a creative hub for both established makers and upcoming creatives. My vision was to build a space that went beyond traditional retail — somewhere that supports small businesses through a shared indoor-market style shopfront, while also creating opportunities for people to experience creativity firsthand through craft activities, workshops, and parties.

Very quickly, that vision started to grow in the best way. As customers came through the doors, it became clear there was a real demand not just for products, but for experiences — especially hands-on, creative ones for children and families. That naturally led us into expanding into kids craft parties, workshops, and after-school activities, which has now become a huge part of what we do.

My own journey into this space actually started long before owning the business. I began as a stallholder myself, so I understand first-hand what it’s like to build something from your own creativity and try to share it with others. That experience really shaped how I now support our stallholders — I know what works, what’s challenging, and how important it is to feel genuinely supported.

On top of that, I come from a background in education and care. I’ve worked in before and after school care programs, professional nannying, and have completed higher studies in education. I’ve also spent time in sports coaching, which gave me a strong understanding of how to engage groups, build confidence, and keep activities fun, structured, and inclusive.

Teaching is honestly one of my favourite parts of what we do now. There’s something really rewarding about watching a child go from “I can’t do this” to proudly showing off something they made entirely on their own. I love creating spaces where kids feel safe to experiment, make a mess, try again, and feel proud of what they’ve achieved — no pressure, just creativity and confidence building.

One thing people are often surprised by is how much thought goes into making everything feel both fun and structured at the same time. Whether it’s a party, workshop, or after-school session, there’s always an educational layer underneath — even if it just feels like play on the surface.

At its core, this business has become a mix of everything I’ve done before: creativity from my stallholder days, structure and care from my education background, and energy and engagement from sport coaching. Bringing all of that together has been the most natural (and exciting) next step for me.

Classes and experiences