The Maker's Nest showcases Tasmanian handmade differently

The Maker’s Nest is a boutique pop up shop, showcasing Tasmanian handmade wares Miller’s brainchild.

“It’s a collaboration of the best creators in the state. What we do is pop up all over the state. It was born in July last year in Launceston and we’ve just gone off without a bang,” she said. 

In a little more than a year, Makers Nest has popped up all over the state and is now taking on the mainland. 

“We’ve just done a Sydney, Melbourne and a Hobart boutique and we’re going back to Hobart next month and then back here [in November], that will be our final before Christmas,” she said.  

Miller said the Melbourne boutique was ‘unreal’.

“When we did our Melbourne exhibit we actually had the current contestants Josh and Elyse from The Block buy our Tasmanian wares and it showcased in one of their rooms,” she said. 

“It was very rewarding for the maker, it was Dare by Design furniture. He got to showcase his side tables.” 

The interstate showcases opened Miller’s eyes to the nation’s love for Tasmanian handmade. 

“Going outside of this state has allowed me to realise Tasmanian is really ahead when it comes to handmade and makers are so on point with the quality and the materials,” she said. 

“I see how much more we are ahead now. We are an innovative island, for sure.”

While Miller started the nest to showcase her own works, her love for other Tasmanian products took over. 

“The more and more Maker’s Nest grew and became it was something that was an attraction for shoppers within Launceston, I decided to do this full time,” she said. 

“The dream is to take it to every capital city, every small country town just really pop up in locations where people don’t get the opportunity to shop these kinds of things.

“To be able to do this in busy shopping centres people can’t help but to stop, look and appreciate it. Once they see it is Tasmanian handmade, they know it’s quality.”

With 17 maker’s showcased in her current pop up in Meadow Mews, Miller was inundated with applications to take part in this exhibition. 

“We take what I feel is the best for that pop up within their own niches. We take one of everybody to create say 50 makers down to 20. Then they drop their stuff off and come and collect it again on the Monday,” she said.

“Everything that happens in between that is me. I merchandise it, I make the sale, I represent their brand. It’s a lot of learning for me, I know exactly how it’s made, but I’ve never made it. i know the time and effort that goes into it but, I’ve never done it.”

Maker’s Nest has also launched an annual magazine to showcase its makers. 

“It gives the makers another outlet for to be able to showcase their wares because we distribute it throughout the state and interstate, and in hairdressers. There it gets continued use because they actually have the time to browse it and appreciate it,” she said. 

The nest will be back in Meadow Mews from November 20 until 25.