Meet Wellington Shire’s Youth

At the opening of a labyrinth of young makers’ stalls were 14-year-old Amelia Fitzgerald and 12-year-old Lily Sargent of Mimi + Mae.

The girls had arranged key chains, bracelets, pots and candles on tables in front of them, a white tablecloth accentuating the vibrant colours used in their creations.

Amelia and Lily spent weeks handcrafting each item in time for Upswing, and both girls being home schooled they were lucky enough to have their craftwork integrated into their curriculum.

Eliza Lily spent months handcrafting stunning earrings, hair bows, plant hangers and key chains in preparation for Upswing.

Below a colourful painted stall sign lay an abundance of jewellery, hair accessories and knick-knacks, dazzling under the Wellington Centre’s bright lights.

She snagged some sales, and said her earrings were favourites.

Around the corner, where council generally meets, was 18-year-old Chelsea Mayce, founder of Countryside Co, tucked behind four tables stocked with stunning hand-poured soy candles, room spray and reed diffusers.

Chelsea’s candles emitted great aromas, igniting the senses like lights on a Christmas tree.

Handmade key chains and lanyards dangled from a tree branch-cum-display shelf, and floral heat packs hinted of a cosy movie night on the couch with a warm cup of tea.

Chelsea is an apprentice electrician by trade, working at the Loy Yang Power Station.

Bella Chlohesy and Keeley Shug showcased a variety of different-sized macrame at their Upswing stall.

For those unfamiliar with macrame, it’s a form of textile produced using knotting techniques.

Twelve-year-old Owen Aldridge sat hunched over a crate with a piece of wood and tool in hand, thin shavings floating delicately into the makeshift catcher below as he diligently sculpted a spoon.

Owen has only been carving wooden spoons since Christmas last year, a shocking revelation having seen the finished product.

Fifteen-year-old Cassandra Alridge has been making exquisite jewellery for two years, opening her business in 2020 and selling her product at various markets from the beginning of 2021.

Cassandra began her jewellery line with simple silver pieces, earrings and bracelets and has since expanded, now offering rings, incorporating stones and most recently has started working with gold.

If you love jewellery and love local, you will love Cassandra’s line. Not only does she handcraft every piece, but also collects stones.

Dakota and Kailey Traeger stood at their stall, Kaota Klay, with big grins inviting any potential customers to browse.

Dangling from the nine- and eight-year-olds’ ears were vibrant-coloured earrings crafted by themselves.

Strewn across the table was a veritable kaleidoscope of colourful items, from earrings and key chains to hair bows and bracelets.

“Me and my sister make them,” Dakota said.

“We went to markets and stuff and saw lots of jewellery and decided we wanted to make it,” Kailey said.

“First mum gave us some clay and we started making stuff,” she said.

Dakota and Kailey will put their profits into their piggy banks to use as spending money when they embark on their first-ever holiday to Queensland.

Nine years ago, at the age of 15, Taylah Rose established her own business, Made by Taylah Rose, selling a collection of bows, scrunchies and hair clips in an array of colours, patterns, shapes and sizes.

Today, at 23, Taylah works full-time at her company, creating scrunchies, hair clips, bows and vinyl stickers in her studio, dispersing her product across the globe.

“I have got two rooms at home, a studio and a sewing room, but I am looking at getting a warehouse soon though; I recently hit six figures with the business last financial year,” Taylah said.

“I am hoping to just keep growing.”

When Taylah set out making bows as a gift for a friend nine years ago, the thought that at 23 she would have her own business warranting a warehouse for production was inconceivable.

“I started my Etsy shop, and it just went from there,” Taylah said.

“I am worldwide, international; been international since I was 15, but shipping overseas has changed a lot since then (for the better, she reckons).

“One of my customers overseas is on her 25th order; she’s amazing support.”

Taylah Rose has worked full-time with her business for the last three years and says making scrunchies, bows, and the sorts is something she’s just loved doing.

“I feel like I have never had a day of work in my life,” Taylah said.

Made by Taylah Rose is predominantly an online business; however, Taylah attends various producer’s markets, especially around Christmas, from Sale, Traralgon and Glengarry to Mirboo, Mornington Penisula, and Pakenham Lakeside.