OUR mission statement

MADE ON THE LEFT was founded in 2008 by independent designers to support Western Australian creative talent. We hold bi-annual handmade craft markets to showcase local designers.

Being on the left hand side of Australia no longer

means you'll be at a disadvantage.

Our aim is to support all creative designers and events showcasing independent labels. MOTL is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organisation. You may wonder why we promote other markets besides MOTL; it’s because it’s not about us, its about you; the buyers and sellers of indie wares. Here at the blog, you’ll discover up to date information about our latest market, the low-down on some of Perth’s emerging talents, other opportunities for artists and designers and a little bit of fun stuff too. It’s all right here… welcome!

Friday, July 25

Market day!


Come along to the State Theatre Centre (corner of William & Roe Streets, Northbridge) to find truly unique jewellery, artworks, ceramics, clothing, toys, homewares, stationery, bags, body products, accessories and lots more! All items are made in WA and sold to you by the maker. The market is on Sunday 27th July from 10 am - 4 pm. 

Please note: some stallholders have credit card/eftpos facilities but to make sure you don't miss out on any one-of-a-kind finds, remember to bring cash. 

Made on the Left stallholders - FOR HIM

This week, we are taking a look at the stallholders for the July 27 Made on the Left market. Today, we have a special selection FOR HIM.




  1. Major Mitchell Designs 
  2. Little Hell 
  3. When Adam Met Eve 
  4. Bloomers Gifts
  5. MISCII 
  6. Shopgirl in Print 
  7. Paperplane
  8. Tristan Coleman
  9. Soft Constructions 

Thursday, July 24

Re-Love Project Part 5


The big day has come! Our rocking chair is going up for auction along with the seven other amazing pieces of remade furniture from the Feast Watson Re-Love Project. Some really great work has come out of this project with lots of inspiration and instructions on how to re-love your own piece of furniture on each of the designers' blogs. The auction will run on eBay until Sunday 3rd August with all proceeds going to the Salvos Stores. Go here to check it out: http://myworld.ebay.com.au/feastwatsonre-loveproject

Made on the Left stallholders - BODY

This week, we are taking a look at the stallholders for the July 27 Made on the Left market. Today, we're looking at BODY.



  1. Moonlight Harvest 
  2. SELF organics 
  3. Marina's Ambrosia 
  4. Baked 180 
  5. Miss Tartufo 
  6. The Wooden Spoon 
  7. Monzie Mu
  8. Marina's Ambrosia 
  9. Moonlight Harvest 

Wednesday, July 23

Re-Love Project Part 4

We're up to the final stage - varnishing!
We used Feast Watson Mastertouch wipe-on poly in gloss and loved it! It was so easy to use - we just dipped a rag into it and wiped it on the rocking chair. It was a lot quicker than using a brush and easier to get into all those nooks and crannies. We did the whole chair, applying it to the stained areas, painted areas and bare wood. We did a few coats, waiting at least 6 hours and giving it a light sand in between coats.






Rebecca and Nicole from Made on the Left with the finished rocking chair

Made on the Left stallholders - JEWELLERY

This week, we are taking a look at the stallholders for the July 27 Made on the Left market. Today, we're looking at JEWELLERY.





  1. Clay & Clasp 
  2. Little L 
  3. MISCII 
  4. Charlie & James 
  5. Tall Rabbit 
  6. Harper + Monroe 
  7. Yellow Tree Store 
  8. Meraki Designs
  9. Bauble 
  10. ilyas honey jewellery 
  11. Lush Baubles 
  12. When Adam Met Eve 
  13. Sweet Salvaged Designs 
  14. Simonette 
  15. Silver Stamp  
  16. Eeva Margita 
  17. Tangled Fork Designs 
  18. One Happy Leaf 
  19. Krivya 
  20. Dominarum 
  21. Marijke Loosjes 
  22. Cirkus Charm 
  23. Pelava 
  24. Enid Twiglet 

Saturday, July 19

Made on the Left stallholders - ART

This week, we're going to take a look at all the stallholders who will be at our July 27, 2014 market, starting with ART.



  1. Natasha Muhl 
  2. The Little Press 
  3. Made 4 You 
  4. Shopgirl in Print 
  5. Jacquie Hughes 
  6. Tristan Coleman
  7. Tankateo 
  8. Bron's Ceramics 
  9. Paper Mountain - Jenni Gray 
  10. Paper Mountain - Grace McKie 
  11. Paper Mountain - Kat Scarff 
  12. Blue Lawn Designs 
  13. Paper Mountain - Alina Tang 
  14. m3 idea 
  15. Mermaid's Coin 

Re-Love Project Part 3

Now, I know I promised the fun bit of our Re-Love Project next but first... some more sanding! Fortunately all the major sanding is done and we just need to give it a light sand this time.
We are using 2 products to add a bit of colour to our rocking chair - Feast Watson Prooftint traditional stain: Brown Japan and Feast Watson Crackle Lacquer top coat in Opal Gleam. 



We gave the base section and the headpiece of the chair a few coats of the brown japan stain. It is quite strong smelling so don't forget to use it in a well ventilated area and wear a mask! After applying each coat, we wiped with a rag to remove the excess stain.



Next we gave the armrests a coat of opal gleam. We only used the top coat as we didn't want a crackle effect.


Now we're almost finished!

Friday, July 18

2014 City of Subiaco Photographic Awards



The 2014 City of Subiaco Photographic Awards are here again and closing soon!

Entries close at 5pm on Friday 25 July. The awards are open to all photographers in the Perth metropolitan area aged six and over.

Entries will be accepted into one of the two categories: open or Subiaco. Photographs entered in the Subiaco category must be taken within the City of Subiaco and represent an aspect of the local community. 

Total prize pool of $2500:

  • Overall winner                                          $1000
  • Winner open category                                $500
  • Winner Subiaco category                            $500
  • People’s choice award                                $200
  • Subi Voice of Youth high school award          $150
  • Subi Kids Crew primary school award            $150

All photographers are eligible for the overall prize regardless of which category they are entered into. Photographers who are school aged are also eligible for the special high school or primary school awards in addition to the open, Subiaco and overall prizes.

Finalists’ work will be exhibited from Saturday 25 October to Wednesday 18 November at Subiaco Library, corner Rokeby and Bagot roads, Subiaco.

For more information, conditions of entry and judging criteria please visit the city’s website www.subiaco.wa.gov.au

Artist call-out



Are you an artist of any medium, designer, student of either, or in possession of an awesome sense of style?
The Victoria Park Centre for the Arts is seeking creative minds that would be interested in transforming Albany Highway spaces, both outdoor and indoor, into magical and memorable venues for the Ignite the Park Music and Arts Festival in August and September.
There will be venues to decorate, windows to adorn, spaces for installations, and pop-up galleries. There will also be a market space for handmade goods.
To express interest send your details and a brief message indicating what area of this project interests you by 20th July 2014 to Jennifer Sheps at vicparkarts@westnet.com.au or Rhyll Wilson at directorvicparkarts@westnet.com.au

Rent Free Shop Space Opportunity in Montage


Montage Collective Pop-up Shop together with Propel Youth Arts WA, are accepting applications from young Perth makers/sellers for a ‘Rent Free August’ guest spot in their current pop-up shop in William St, Northbridge.

The chosen young maker will also be able to work in store and learn from the group of experienced makers and sellers. Working in-store will be on a voluntary basis - not essential but a great opportunity to learn about selling their own creations.

If this sounds like just the thing for you, then go here to access the application form and get your samples in quick smart!

Important Info
Applicants must :-
  • be under 25 years of age
  • design and make your own products. The more ‘hands on’ you are the better!
  • complete the application form and return it by 24th July
  • bring samples of your work in-store to Montage 454 William St Northbridge by 24th July. (Physical samples of your work are needed to assess quality and originality and can be dropped in to the shop during opening hours. Tue - Fri: 11-6, Sat: 11-5, Sun: 11-4)

The rent-free spot begins on Saturday 2nd August, so applicants must have enough stock in hand to fill a space approx 1m x 35cm or equivalent, depending on product, by this date.

The successful applicant will be designated their own spot in the shop totally rent-free (usually $20/week) for the period 2nd – 31st August 2014.

The only cost to the maker will be a small percentage on any sales made during the month (10% for cash and 15% eftpos sales). This charge goes towards the shop and bank overheads. No sales = no costs.

24th July – applications due
28th July – lucky winner announced
2nd – 31st August – winner's work available for sale at Montage.

Links
Montage Collective Facebook 
Montage Collective Blog
email Montage

Sell at Montage
If you are not eligible to apply for the free space, you can still join in! Montage is looking for hand crafted products to sell as one of their guest artists for August.

If you would like to apply, please fill in the online application form here.

Thursday, July 17

Re-Love Project Part 2



Stage one of the Made on the Left Re-Love Project was finding our piece of furniture.

Stage two was getting it back to a bare timber surface. We had to remove the varnish by sanding it… and sanding it and sanding it! So much sanding! The trickiest bits were the details in the base and armrest bars. But we did it!



After the sanding was done, we wiped it down with a damp cloth to remove all the dust and then we applied a surface sealer - Feast Watson Proofseal.
Next step - the fun bit!


Thursday, July 10

Paper Mountain exhibitions, projects and performances proposals


'It feels as though we've always been here' by Simone Johnston, May 2014 Photo: Shannon Calcott
The Paper Mountain gallery/project space in the heart of Northbridge, is seeking proposals for solo and group exhibitions, projects and performances, for March – November 2015.

Selection is based on the strength of the application, suitability of the project for the space and the resolution of the ideas underpinning the artist's practice. The program is open to practicing artists and curators of any medium.

Paper Mountain aims to provide a stimulating space that is professional and accessible to a range of creative practices and projects. Key objectives are to nurture experimental and interdisciplinary approaches to artistic practice, to support artists at any stages in their career.

The deadline for receiving proposals is midnight 31 August 2014
Download the application pack here: http://bit.ly/1n2fVdq
Please complete the application online at: http://papermountain.org.au/proposal-2015-application/

Tuesday, July 8

Angove St Festival call for stallholders



The Angove Street Festival celebrates all that is North Perth and attracts over 40,000 people each year to the one day event. Shops will be open for business, and there'll be approximately 100 market stalls to browse and buy from as well as some live music, free children's entertainment, and a wide range of food stalls offering cuisines from across the World.

Date Sunday, 26 October 2014
Time 10am – 5pm
Location Angove Street, North Perth

If you are interested in participating in the Angove Street Festival, contact info@angovestreetfestival.com.au for a Stallholder Application Form which will need to be completed and returned by 1 August 2014.

All arts, crafts and fashion stalls must feature products that are locally (WA) designed and made. Stall prices start from $310 for a 3m x 3m marquee & trestle table and all stallholders must hold their own public liability insurance of $10 million.

Friday, July 4

Re-Love Project Part 1

Last year we redid an old school desk as part of the Feast Watson Re-Love Project and this year we were asked to do it all again!
This time we chose a big old rocking chair and we're going to work our magic on it before it's auctioned off to raise money for the Salvos Stores.
We'll keep you updated on how it's going!



Check out the other participating designers and their projects here.