When a macrame backdrop for her wedding didn’t go to plan, Jessica Orr found herself on a new business venture. The Mallee Threads owner chats to Caitlyn Morgan about her “happy accident”.
JESSICA Orr has always loved craft but never considered it would become anything more than a hobby.
When planning her wedding in 2016, Jessica had her heart set on having a macrame backdrop but with that came a $4000 price tag.
“I wanted one but couldn’t justify spending $4000 on it, so I thought I would make my own, “ she says.
“I always had an artistic flare, which definitely came from both my parents. Dad was always tinkering in the shed and Mum made everything.
“I was always knitting, painting and drawing; what I call the nanna crafts, I did all of that.”
After hours of working on what she hoped would be an outstanding decoration for her memorable day, it was anything but.
“It turned out horribly,” she says.
“So I decided the best option would be to unravel it all and re-use the rope to make plant hangers.
“My friends and family purchased them and then it all just took off.”
Overnight her business was born and she was soon creating a range of plant hangings, wall hangings as well as custom pieces.
“People are no longer wanting the same thing and are seeing and understanding the value of handmade crafts,” she says.
“It was really therapeutic, being a busy mum it was a way to unwind at the end of the day.
“I didn’t expect it to become a business, it wasn’t until 2018 that I did leave my corporate job to do it full time.
“It was something I was passionate about and it was an opportunity to be at home with the kids while they are little.”
The mother of two says it wasn’t long after starting the business that she was asked to run various workshops for beginners and now advanced students, which has encouraged her to continue improving her own skills.
“I have learnt everything from YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and lots of books from op shops,” she says.
“I always trying to grow and learn new techniques, as my advanced classes grow they are wanting more from me so it’s a nice push.
“The workshops do keep me busy, with three workshops organised for April.”
While Jessica says she does love to create for a living, it’s the community of other creatives that she has found that she appreciates the most.
“I love the community that has come from it, with myself and Mia Kolpin creating Sunraysed,” Jessica said.
“Sunraysed provides a chance for like-minded people to come together.”
Sunraysed now has an established community of like-minded people via the Collective, a seasonal handmade magazine, twilight market events, meet and greets, podcasts and an online store bursting to the brim with local products.
“I am happy and content with how things are. I would like to sit on this until both kids are comfrotably in school,” Jessica says.
Jessica’s products are available online at www.malleewildflower.com.au and from various maker markets in Sunraysia, with plans to branch out to the Riverland and Swan Hill regions.
