The genesis of Makers Mess is a tale of combining skills, interests and expertise – and balancing work, family and creative passions – to develop a project which seems in hindsight as if it was inevitable!
Melanie Jewell describes how ‘in my former life, before having kids, I worked in a leading investment bank for one of the senior partners in the firm.’ In this role, Melanie was responsible for organising events, and she cherished the opportunity to plan ‘lavish parties with all of the bells and whistles, without having to foot the bill!’ (The ideal situation!)
After leaving this corporate life a decade ago to focus on her family, Melanie re-immersed herself in creative pursuits. She explains how she initially rediscovered watercolour painting, which opened a floodgate of experimentation with ‘clay, glass, copper folding, spoon carving, acrylics, pencil, ink, block printing, screen printing, indigo and shibori, suminigashi, sashiko, and probably others I can’t think of right now!’
Makers Mess combines Melanie’s passions for creative pursuits, and her expertise in event planning! She explains ‘on one hand I am focused on creating the most amazing experience for my guests, and on the other hand I am bringing all forms of creativity to the Makers Mess barn for people to learn and share.’
Located in the idyllic Byron Bay hinterlands, the converted barn workspace is the perfect location for makers to generate some creative mess! Melanie purchased the Wilson River property three years ago, leaving Sydney behind to make a home in the Byron area, where she had spent holidays as a child. The Makers Mess barn sits on a pre-existing concrete slab, which Melanie transformed into a rustic and light-filled space, through clever use of salvaged timber, generous window and a bright vaulted ceiling. She enthuses that the workspace is ‘pure heaven to be in’ where workshops occur against the sprawling views out across the paddocks and river beyond. Please sign us up!
Find out about upcoming workshops at Makers Mess (including enamel jewellery making with Kate from Denz & Co, basket weaving with Zimmi Forest, staining clay with Tantri Mustika, and a weekend liquid porcelain masterclass with Larissa from Ratbag Studios!) here.
