Meet your makers

Martin Moller
Ply Candy

What’s the idea behind your label?

Ply Candy makes beautifully designed and hand-finished plywood furniture for cost-conscious people who appreciate good design.

How did you get into this area?

I have a background in carpentry, architecture and product design. Over the last few years, I’ve become very interested in the possibilities of plywood. It’s used a lot in the construction industry but it’s usually hidden under concrete or carpet or behind walls. It’s such a great material: strong, beautiful, versatile and sustainable.

What inspires your work?

Simple, beautiful, modern objects.

Describe your creative process.

After initial brainstorming, there’s a sketch design phase. The ideas get transferred into digital files. A computer-controlled router then follows the file and cuts the parts from single sheets of plywood. Finally, the pieces are hand-assembled and finished.

Biggest challenge so far?

All those little things you’re not familiar with if you don’t have a business background, like the paperwork.

Proudest moment?

Actually saying, ”I’m going to dedicate some time now away from my job as an architect to really get the momentum for Ply Candy going.”

What’s next?

I’ll be developing a number of new pieces of furniture over the next year, including a flat-pack series and a range of kids’ furniture.

plycandy.com.au

Marina Roorda
Marcue

What’s the idea behind your label?

I want to create beautiful, luxurious and functional pieces in daring colours and bold designs.

How did you get into this area?

I was making wedding stationery and … then was looking to get into millinery but ended up reading about shoe-making. I met a lady called Jodie Morrison, who makes shoes for the entertainment industry. Through her, I met a guy who taught me how to sew.

What inspires your work?

I used to watch a lot of old movies. I love the Fred Astaire style of shoes. Marcue’s styles are mostly classic brogues from the 1930s, in colours from the 1980s.

Describe your creative process.

I might find a picture I like in a magazine. Once I’ve refined the idea, I’ll sit down in my garage and develop a pattern. The final test is to make a prototype in my shoe size.

Biggest challenge so far?

Disciplining myself to remain focused on one idea at a time.

Proudest moment?

The fact that the shoes I make actually fit me and they look good.

What’s next?

I’d like to expand my product range. I’m working on some bags, and I’ll be working on high heels in the future. Probably boots, too.

marcue.com.au

Kane Sullivan
Fromage La Rue

What’s the idea behind your label?

I came across the Vegas Boneyard , a place where old Vegas show signs go to die. I fell in love. I wanted to buy all these signs and put them in my living room. Sadly, they were not for sale.

How did you get into this area?

By default. I couldn’t find anyone who could build the [oversized retro-style letters and] signs for me. I’ve worked for 10 years as an architectural illustrator, and the work I do for Fromage La Rue is the opposite of these pristine, sanitised, digital worlds.

What inspires your work?

Scale. I also love age and distress. I love seeing the history of an object told through its damage. I try to translate this into the items I make.

Describe your creative process.

An idea starts out in my head but doesn’t always translate that well into reality. I’m fairly comfortable working with 3D applications, so I try to find the best and most efficient way to make it happen. Once it’s nutted out in 3D, I start work. Often there are drastic changes on the fly.

Biggest challenge so far?

Learning a whole new skill set. Two years ago, I could hardly stick an Ikea table together.

Proudest moment?

The most recent one was seeing one of our ”Blam!” signs strutting its stuff down the catwalk opening Australian Fashion Week for Romance Was Born.

What’s next?

I would love to do some Banksy-style street art. Make a 10-metre tall ”F” and stick it on the side of the Opera House. Nothing illegal though, of course. That would be wrong.

fromagelarue.com.au

Interviews by Elicia Murray

The Finders Keepers Marketsare at CarriageWorks on Friday,June 1, 6-10pm, and Saturday, June 2,10am-5pm. See thefinderskeepers.com.