‘Mum was always saving us things that we could make crafts out of, like nice cardboard, weird packaging or gumnuts,’ Alice McIntosh, one half of the Dust Merchants sister-duo tells us. ‘I think her resourcefulness has taught us to think creatively about the materials we use.’
Out of their studio in Brunswick (which doubles as Alice’s art studio), the sisters repurpose marble offcuts attached elegantly atop steel legs to create their playful and totally unique pieces. ‘I always enjoy the reveal of flipping the table over and seeing it suddenly become a form,’ Alice says.
Coming from backgrounds in art (Alice) and acting (Laura), the siblings find their inspiration in family memories, rather than a studied craft. ‘We see them as “occasional tables” – a name that came from our Nana Joy’, explains Laura, ‘Our Nana had a marble washstand growing up. When she was in her later life, our Parpy cut it up and made two “occasional tables” out of the stone,’ Alice adds.
As motivated and high achieving as each other, both girls are also at the helm of other incredibly successful creative ventures! Alice is the co-director of the clothing brand Sister Studios (makers of all things fun, flirty and flared!), whereas Laura has been working professionally in acting (and more recently screenwriting) in film and TV for the last seven years. Sisters are doin’ it for themselves!
You can catch the Dust Merchant sisters in real life TONIGHT alongside other TDF faves at the Studio Local Night Market. 25 Albert Street, Northcote from 5pm to 9pm.
