Maker & Community Market

A TUK means “Beginning” in English. It is a Nuer word from South Sudan and Ethiopia. I chose it as the name for my business because I was starting a new life in a new country, and wanted to create something that would be there to support future generations. I wanted to acknowledge that all of the women in my community have abilities and talents and ideas, and to encourage them to know that – despite it being hard to find jobs and learning English as a second language – they could start something that could support themselves and their families. The name A TUK was decided between my two friends and myself as a way of expressing that it is possible to start something new in life, also to show our children that it is possible to overcome difficulty by creating something new. A TUK also offers opportunity for women in the community to display and sell goods under the A TUK umbrella, as a way to empower women to develop their business ideas. Thanks to everyone for your continues support, it means a lot to me and all the women in my community.

Deborah Klein | Artist

Deborah Klein | Artist

Deborah is a Ballarat-based painter and printmaker whose work has been exhibited in Australia and internationally. Her work is represented in numerous public and university museum collections. In 2009 Deborah founded Moth Woman Press, through which she publishes her limited edition artist books and zines.

At BMI Maker & Community Market Deborah will present selected Moth Woman Press publications alongside a selection of miniature silhouette paintings, many of them created especially for this event.

FEAR – The Femxle Experience Art Rebellion

The Femxle Experience Art Rebellion produces a range of handmade jewellery (mainly earrings), limited edition badges, art prints (various sizes), handmade greeting cards, small to medium collages, up-cycled display plates, handmade key-rings and more.

Jenny Peers Artist

I am a visual artist with interests including oil painting, encaustic works, collage and bookbinding. I offer creative workshops in bookbinding and collage for individuals and teams.

Kerith Holmes Design | Kerith

recycle/upcycle jeans, business shirts and old bags, blockprint the denim; and create bags, purses, cushions, tablemats and aprons. Everything is done by me in my home studio and I am aiming towards a zero waste business.

Lillipilli Beads | Faye Heininger

Lilli Pilli Beads is a beautiful collection of hand-crafted, Australian made, paper beads jewellery and accessories. Incorporating individuality with a touch of femininity, each Lilli Pilli Beads piece is hand-crafted, where “No two pieces are the same”.

Faye has conducted a series of workshops at the BMI this year where she was able to pass on her talent and techniques to likeminded creatives.

Lynette Clayton

I am a Traditional Owner of Wadawurrung Country, I am an emerging Artist. Have been in 3 Exhibitions including a spot in Bendigo’s First Aboriginal Art Gallery and this was only in my first 12 months of painting and exploring culture. I can Weave nd hand paint and make jewllery, I have many different crafts for sale and canvases.

Mat Tetni | Mary Top

Mary Top and Mary Deng were born in South Sudan and spent their formative years as refugees in Ethiopia, before journeying to Australia and settling in Ballarat. Learning all too quickly how difficult it is for migrant and refugee women to find work in Australia, they began exploring the idea of establishing their own business.

Beginning with sewing lessons, followed by designing and manufacturing of aprons in their home garage, Mat Tetni soon became a cottage industry, selling aprons at local markets. Combining environmental consciousness with a passionate desire to celebrate and showcase the joyous colours of Africa, Mat Tetni aprons are skilfully crafted by teaming upcycled denim with vibrantly printed African fabrics.

Today, the business is located in a studio at the Ballarat Welcome Centre. Mat Tetni aprons are still sold at local markets, but you can now also find them on sale in Ballarat’s A Pot of Courage café, and online at Made by Many Hands. What’s more, Mary and Mary appeared in a recent episode of ABC TV’s series Movin’ to the Country (still available on iView)!

New Spring Jewellery | Emel

Hand Made Jewellery and Accessories. Including the crafts of Needle Knotted Lace, seed beading and crochet. Pieces include eaarings, chokers, bracelets, necklaces, hair clips and Scrunchies.

Oaky and Ginger Upcycled | Simone Reid

Oaky and Ginger is filled with up-cycled treasures from everyday items, such as old board game pieces, cards, postage stamps and old children’s books. Every item is uniquely special and the perfect way to bring quirkiness and nostalgia back to life.

The goodies used for these random, handmade creations are sourced from opportunity shops, garage sales or donated to me by fellow crafty friends who think its a good idea to off load their old stuff to me to then turn their old stuff into adapted, up cycled treasures

Otway Opals | Jackie Pike

I work with opals and other gem stones in silver settings, Roman glass, maille, and I also fold origami.

We thank the City of Ballarat for their support of this event.

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