Today I’m starting another semi-regular feature on my blog – Australian Made. Every so often I will feature an Australian artisan, and let them tell us a little bit about themselves!

If you would like to be considered for Australian Made, please contact me!

Today’s Aussie Artisan is Sharlene, whose current creative focus is paper – particularly paper dolls!

Where about in Australia do you live?

Beautiful, bright, blingy Brisbane !!!!
Where else would you want to live?  Not too big, not to small, not to busy, not to boring, if Goldilocks was trying places to live, this would be the place.

What’s your favourite place in the world, and why?

Floral Room Gal

I think I have said it all before …. Only Brisbane would do.

Where does your online ‘handle’ come from?

Sharlzndollz comes from my passion for all things doll.  I play Barbie with my daughter, I reroot doll hair, I rescue unloved dolls from second hand stores, and I explore my inner child with paper dolls galore.  So obviously a name that means me and my dolls is the one for me.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself! Your ‘day job’ or business,
family, hobbies…

I am a creative person trapped in an admin world at work but my dream is to break free and climb the dizzying world of craft.  All craft is good craft but right now my craft is with paper and dolls.

What did you want to be ‘when you grew up’?

I don’t know.  I still haven’t grown up yet.

How did you first get into your craft/art?

I have crafted forever.  When you grow up with creative parents, it becomes an extension of learning.  I try and make that flow to my daughter as well.  The first project I can remember loving was a picture of a rabbit for Easter when I was 6.

What do you make?

Paisley Flowers

I tend to graze in the field of creative options, trying a little of many: ceramics, sewing, paper craft, needlework, painting.  Recently I have been cutting back on my all crafts diet in favour of some rich grazing on just Paper and particularly paper dolls.  So far the meal is very yummy!

What is your favourite media, and why?

I love paper. Have I mentioned it?  Paper Paper Paper.  It is a tool of all trades, so tactile, so varied, so many possibilities.

Where do you get your ideas?

I get a lot of inspiration from my daughter’s bed time reading.  Children’s books, especially the pop up ones are so rich and wonderful.  I also love history and digging into the past creates inspiration for the future.  There are no new ideas, only wonderful Homage’s.

What do you like the most/least about selling your wares online?

I love the immediacy of selling online.  You can create, present and list so fast.  You can get feedback to fast from forums etc.  This is great for the making process.  The thing I like least though is not seeing the persons face when they receive your goods.  You hope they feel wonderful, but you never know.

What’s your favourite word?

“Manky”  it sounds like it is and yet makes yucky things seem kind of fun.

If you could sum yourself or your work up in one sentence, it would
say…

The old proverb:  “Every journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step.”

Peta Picks a Posie Tote

Visit Sharlene: