Interview | Sarah Thornton & Brooke Johnston {The Finders Keepers.}

Two little ladies, one huge event – Sarah Thornton & Brooke Johnston in front of The CarriageWorks which is the home of The Finders Keepers market.

Selection of images from The Finders Keepers at The CarriageWorks. Such a brilliant venue, no?

I am so excited to be able to share with you yet another interview with the people who inspire me, and today we get to e-meet Sarah Thornton & Brooke Johnston, the co-founders of The Finders Keepers markets. The Finders Keepers is an independent design and art markets dedicated to supporting new and emerging designers, artists and musicians. Brook & Sarah’s aim is to connect with others through their resources and projects. Awesome! But before I get into it, I have to tell you (another) funny little story.

Have you ever had one of those conversations where you thought you had come up with the most amazing business idea ever? You know the type of conversation I’m talking about where you and your friend, or whoever you are talking to, start to get really excited as though you’d discovered the cure for cancer. Well one such conversation took place between me and a friend just over a year ago. We came up with a bright idea that Sydney needed a fantastic design market where people could buy hand made original designs in an inspiring atmosphere with great food, awesome music, art exhibitions etc, etc, etc. The two of us were totally pumped, we talked about it for a little while and even tried to think of perfect venues that would be interesting all year round. And then I got on the net (as I do) and very quickly discovered that someone else was already doing it. Say what? I showed it to my friend and our conversation went something like this…

Oh, The Finders Keepers… That’s such a bloody great name…. Oh and look at their graphic and their flyers, that’s so cool…. Oh, they’ve been running for a little while already… How come we’ve never heard of them? Oh, what? They are at The Carriage Works. That’s only the most amazing venue for a market… Ok so… Well… I guess we better let that idea go cause these girls have got it covered… Yeah you know I’m probably far too lazy to pull something like this off anyway… “Yeah me too.” Ok then… Sweet… Man, I totally love that name – The Finders Keepers. It’s brilliant…

The Finders Keepers is a bi-annual event which started in Sydney in 2008, followed by Brisbane in 2009, with Melbourne markets launching in October this year. The event has a strong media following and has been featured in countless major print and online publications, including local papers and street press. In 2009, Brooke & Sarah were listed in the SMH the (sydney) magazine’s top 100 most influential people for design and architecture. Hello? How amazing is that?! It is very clear that this dynamic duo is going from strength to strength, consistently growing all aspects of their business. By the way, this event is a “little” side project for them as Brooke & Sarah both have full time jobs. Blimey! I think we have a couple of overachievers on our hands here people. You can find out more about The Finders Keepers on their website, their great blog, or become a fan on facebook and follow them on twitter.

Thank you Brooke & Sarah for being a part of yellowtrace. Keep up the ace work and see you at the next markets.

x dana

Finders Keepers Sydney Markets held on May 7th & 8th 2010 at CarriageWorks. I blogged about that giant knitted background in the images right here. Photos by Gary Compton and Scott Brown from angryPixel. More photos here and here.

Hello Brooke & Sarah, welcome to yellowtrace and thank you for taking the time to e-chat. Could you please give us a quick introduction on yourselves?

Sarah: Hi I am Sarah. I am married 27 and have 2 cats who I absolutely adore. I love design, art, music, films and anything creative.

Brooke: Hello, I am Brooke a jewellery designer I am very passionate about creative Australian Design.

How did the idea for The Finders Keepers come about? How long did it take to get it off the ground?

Sarah: The idea came about basically after a conversation about Brooke’s jewellery label she had just launched and how she was feeling frustrated and burnt out. We were talking about the pro’s and con’s of markets in Sydney and the lack of opportunities for emerging designers. The idea came about after several wines and lots of excitement and we started not long after.

Brooke: We started in June 07 as Hope Street Markets and then launched FK in Dec 08. It took around 6 months of initial planning before we started. We felt there was a lack of opportunity for emerging designers in Sydney at the time. We identified a real need for something designers could use as a platform to sell their work. We wanted to bridge the gap between local weekend markets and expensive trade fairs.

What was the single most important goal behind The Finders Keepers? Have any of your goals evolved since launching the business?

Sarah: The single goal was to create and atmosphere that was: A. supportive and encouraging for emerging designers. B. Creative & Innovative & C. Fun and inspiring. I think we have managed to always stick to that!

Everything has evolved since we started with only 20 stalls and under a different name. Now we run larger scale event in 2 states supporting over 150 designers and we’re moving into a third state this year supporting designers all around Australia, and our website has grown and developed naturally as a resource for inspiration & connection.

Brooke: Establishing a community to bring like minded people together in an inspiring environment and also to help designers and artists develop their businesses.

I think our goals haven’t changed at all we just have developed more aspirations and have learnt to dream big, because things have just happened.

Sydney Spring/ Summer Markets 5th & 6th December 2009 held at The CarriageWorks. Photos by Prue Upton. More photos here.

Can you describe your typical day of work?

Brooke: It usually consists of lots of running around and lots of meetings. It depends on how close to an event we are but generally we do a lot of planning and prep work. We also work a lot on our range Find me Keep me.

Sarah: Friday’s Brooke and I work on the Finders Keepers, some days its all meetings and running around! Some times its working through stall applications, proposals or our range. Every week changes!

Monday’s I work with our assistant Frankie, largely on the website, marketing, admin and any other pressing work that needs to be done.

What was one of your biggest lessons learned since starting out?

Brooke: Be very wary about who you collaborate with. Always assess the compatibility. Always stick to your systems – you created them for a reason!

Sarah: I would say a lot of it has to do with taking on too much work at one time, learning to outsource or who can help you or letting things go. After years of trying to do it all ourselves we have learnt to give up areas in which we don’t need to take on.

Creating our systems means these things can be taken on more easily, that we can let go and know that they are still going to work out well! It’s also really nice to be able to grow our team.

What are some of your methods to staying motivated, focused, and expressive?

Brooke: I think collaborations help, working with people with a fresh approach on design.

Also every time another event comes around there are always new designers or artists that inspire and excite us.

Theming our events also I think is an effective way to stay motivated. It gives us a chance to really throw ourselves into creating something different.

Sarah: Also on a personal level, I try and keep myself inspired and motivated constantly. Usually if I am getting stressed I like to take time out, get a cup of tea and read some design blogs or catch up on some websites that I find inspiring. I am a crazy list maker, and when things get too stressful, I will sit back and write down everything that is in my head and prioritise what needs to be done and in what order. I also spend a lot of time on my calender and planning out the year and then delegating or looking at who can help us get the best results.

Brisbane Autumn/ Winter 2010 Markets held at The Old Museum. Photos by Mark Lobo and Alischa Herrmann. More images here.

What are some of your main sources of inspiration and some of your influences? Are there any specific references you are drawn to regularly – books, websites/ blogs etc?

Sarah: I am very much an online person and one rather impatient when it comes to reading sometimes so its all about pretty pictures for me! I am addicted to social media – I like to keep favourites on twitter and facebook feed for daily updates.

I love reading blogs, online mags and design and art based websites. I have a whole list I keep bookmarked and visit regularly.

I also love magazines – design, fashion and art and indie crafty books. Frankie Magazine, Peppermint Magazine, Wooden Toy, King Brown & Uppercase Magazine are my current printed favourites.

Brooke: Blogs are definitely something that I refer to on a regular basis for inspiration and ideas. DesignSponge, decor8, d.shape journal and wee birdy are just a few from the long list of blogs I subscribe to. However nothing beats a beautiful hard cover book to flick through when you’re having a creative block! I also like to collect postcards, artworks, clippings from magazines and the like to put up around my studio for extra inspiration.

Who or what are some of your influences? What other business people, entrepreneurs, peers and creatives in general do you admire?

Brooke: I really admire the guys from Semi-Permanent and also the girls from Frankie Magazine. These two partnerships have had very humble beginnings, much like us! I can relate to their stories a lot.

Sarah: We loved working with Jess Scully recently at Creative Sydney. I really admire the work that she does and is an amazing influence to us. We are inspired by Object Gallery & Gaffa Gallery and the work they have done in Sydney. We are also inspired by the guys behind Renegade Craft Fair & Handmade, who we only recently discovered are very similar things to what we are doing but in the USA!

Gorgeous artwork and illustrations for The Finders Keepers flyers. Clockwise from top left – 1. Spring/Summer 08 Sydney flyer by Kareena Zerefos (check out my interview with Kareena right here), 2. Spring/Summer 09 Brisbane flyer by Courtney Brims, 3. Sydney autumn/winter ’10 by Madeleine Stamer, 4. Autumn/Winter 09 Sydney flyer by Catherine Campbell, 5. Spring/Summer 09 Sydney flyer by Kevin Tran, 6. The latest flyer for Brisbane by Steven Rhodes.

What are you most proud of so far?

Sarah: Essentially we are most proud of getting our ideas off the ground, and where we are today. Being recognized in the top 100 most influential people in SMH’s the (sydney) magazine was an amazing achievement for us making a milestone in Sydney. We’re now inspired and ready to take on the rest of Australia.

Brooke: Making the transition to another state and being able to translate our vision clearly. It’s extremely humbling knowing that the public understand what we do and appreciate it as well.

What’s next – can you share with us your vision and some of your goals?

Sarah/ Brooke: We are very excited to announce that Finders Keepers is launching in Melbourne in October. Which has been a year in the making and a great milestone for us.

We’re also very excited to be working with Gaffa Gallery on the Arcade Project in September and working on different areas besides the Markets. Taking Finders Keepers to a different level which it’s a great move forward for us.

Sydney Morning Herald, Style Section – Feature on The Finders Keepers & Sydney Markets – May 2010.

Let’s Get Personal:

What are the qualities you most like about yourself?

Sarah: Motivated. Being as motivated as I am can mean work gets done, no procrastination. I feel as the benefit of this is I don’t compromise my work which means good end results. It can also be painful, as I can be stubborn and will work til all hours of the night!

Optimistic. I feel like this has been a work in progress but I always aim to be optimistic and look on the positive side of things, it really helps things move forward. Being negative is just time wasted and achieves nothing!

Visionary. I am an ideas machine, which at first was just overwhelming but I am learning to write ideas in a book and keep the away until a time I can use them effectively. There is not enough time in a day! I am trying to harness my visions and ideas, it’s a quality about myself I am learning to love more and not be afraid of.

Brooke: I second that I move quickly and can always rely on myself to get something done, there’s 24 hours in a day, I’m not a procrastinator!

What are the qualities you most like in others?

Sarah: I admire others who have passion, determination and drive. As I see this as an important factor for my own inspiration!

I admire genuine passionate people who are humble human beings with a heart of gold.

I love creative spirits, I crave to be around others who spark ideas and inspiration in me, its contagious!

Brooke: I love someone who makes me laugh and can make light of a dull situation. Also being non-pretentious and genuine is a really nice quality to find in someone.

the (sydney) magazine – Top 100 Most Influential people of Sydney for 2009 – Finders Keepers feature December 09. Amazing!

Object Magazine – Finders Keepers feature – October 09.

Apart from your work, what other interests or hobbies do you have?

Sarah: I really loved hearing a term lately that you don’t have to have a work/life balance where everything is one way or the other. I believe it’s all in my lifestyle, everything relates and compliments each other! I love food, good wine, good music, inspiring atmospheres, beautiful interiors, good company and lots of laughs. If I am not working, I am usually at a café, the pub, at a bookstore, shopping, spending time with friends and family and being creative.

Brooke: I love anything retro, I have a slight obsession with homewares/ bric-a-brac. I am constantly looking for new additions to my vintage and retro collection.

What are some of your favorite local galleries and shops {music, fashion, books, accessories, furniture vintage, other bits and pieces}?

Brooke: Made590, All Buttons Great & Small, Paper2, Newtown Oldwares, Mitchell Road Auction House, Shelf Life, Newspaper Taxi, Object Gallery, Gaffa Gallery & Magnation.

Sarah: Sydney – Oh Really Gallery, Object Gallery, Gaffa Gallery, Made590, Shelf Life, Magnation & Pentimento. In Melbourne – Outre Gallery, Metropolis is my favourite book store – it has the best craft/indie design selection I have seen in Aus! I also love Little Salon, Thread Den & Douglas and Hope – of course the list goes on!

Your favourite cafes/ restaurants/ bars?

Brooke: In Newtown – South End Café, Black Star Pastry, Bloodwood {from Dana – see my previous post about Bloodwood right here} for a beautiful cocktail and A kick on the Inside in Erskineville. I also love Emmas on Liberty in Enmore, I’m an inner west girl!

Sarah: in addition to Brooke’s list (we’re both inner west girls!) Berkleouw Books café in Newtown, always quiet and lovely. Melbourne – Little Creatures Dining Hall, Cookie & Black Pearl for amazing cocktails.

Sydney Spring/ Summer 2009 at The CarriageWorks. Photos by Gary Compton. More photos here.

What is your most treasured belonging?

Brooke: Probably my Great Grandma’s quartz and silver ring which I now own and wear and love very much! And my cat Rooey!

Sarah: Can I say my MacBook?? Probably my cats too – Izzy & Miffy.

It’s not very cool, but I really like…

Brooke: Staying in on a Friday night – cooking dinner and drinking wine. In other words being a home body.

Sarah: Collecting toys & dolls. I love Kokeshi dolls, and also have a small collection of Japanese vinyl toys from my travels and some cute stuffed toys. Still have to surround myself with cutesy things.

Your favourite joke?

Sarah: Not so good with re-telling jokes, I always miss the punchline!

Brooke: Cant go past the old knock knock joke, it’s a classic!

How would you like to be remembered?

Sarah: As an inspiration and that someone who helped make a difference.

Brooke: Being the co-founder of Finders Keepers!

This stop motion video created by angryPixel for The Finders Keepers’ “Making it Happen” panel talk at Creative Sydney in June this year. The video shows just a few of the numbers that create The Finders Keepers markets in Sydney are presented over a day-long setup. Filmed in CarriageWorks foyer, May 2010. Video Capture: Lukasz Karluk. Post Production: Scott Brown. Music Composition: Eli Murray (Track: gentleforce – “Learning to Forgive”)