Time to have a swig of some Hillbilly Cider with Shane & Tessa

Love the branding, love the name!  How, when and why did Hillbilly Cider come in to being

Glad you like the name - it seems to have really resonate with people!  We became "Hillbillies" half a dozen years ago when we moved to an orchard in Bilpin (Blue Mountains) in search of a simpler life.

Shane dug a cellar under the house and turned his wine making skills in to cider making.  He was making cider commercially for a couple of years before we launched Hillbilly so he really fine-tuned the art, so much so we won a bronze medal in the Australian Cider Awards a couple of weeks after launching the company last year.

You have been part of the OFM "family" for a while now.  How did you first find us and how difficult was it initially to get that all important client base started

We've always loved going to farmers markets ourselves.  We first came across Marrickville Markets from a customer's point of view!

We had a great reception with our cider and wines at both markets and we always look forward to seeing our customers each week.

It can feel a bit remote where we live in the mountains so we love loading up the ute with cider and heading to market for a good bit of social interaction!

What has been a stand out moment for you at Marrickville Market

Recently meeting Ben, the great grandson of  the inventor of the "granny smith apple", who told us that the apple was discovered accidentally growing out of compost!

Granny Smith's are one of the key apple cultivators we use in our cider.

You were recently featured in a magazine spread.  Incredibly satisfying and absolute positive reinforcement that you have "made the dream" a reality.  Where do you source your products from and are they sourced in an eco-friendly way.

Our cider is made from 100% Aussie apples: no concentrates or artificial flavours.  We use local invented apples by our neighbour, Bill Shields.

Our ciders are made completely naturally, unpasteurised, no added sugar or concentrates and fermented under pressure to allow use to bottle with a natural bubble without needing to add CO2.

In 5 words how would you sum up life as a marketeer at Marrickville Markets

Full with loyal Hillbilly followers 

**********

And with that, we suggest you get along, have a swig, buy a slab and get down with them Hillbilly's who have that amazing cider!

5 Questions with Ttotaler

What is it about tea that let you in to the world that is known as Ttotaler

I have always had a love affair with tea and believed there was a need in Sydney market for locally blended, good quality loose-leaf tea. 

Since I can remember I have had a passion for experimenting with different flavours of food and drink.  Tea and herbal blends are so good for you and have been used for centuries as a cure for many illnesses.

When I blend tea I think of the balance between taste, smell and benefits, and how to marry them to create a refreshing yet beneficial drink.  I have travelled to over 30 different countries in pursuit of that perfect cup which has led into the world of tea alchemy.

I have lately been running some tea appreciation and blending work shops to educate and talk about all things tea with people who feel the same way about tea as I do.

We are always suckers for branding and we love yours.  How long did it take to come to a decision about a) the name  b) the branding and c) the overall presentation of our product and stall

Owning my own tea company has always been a dream of mine so it didn't take long once I started.

The name came up when I was chatting with friends one night.  It comes from the word Teetotaler: someone who abstains alcohol and drinks other beverages instead.  During that particular time period tea houses popped up and became the new watering hole to drink and chat.

The industrial pharmaceutical look and feel came about as that is the design aesthetic I love.  I'm always thinking of how to re-use old things as it is part of our history and should not end up in landfill.

On our stall we have vintage slide containers as display boxes for our tea, we use recycled wood to make our signage and have wooden ironing boards as tables.

Our amber glass pharmaceutical jars we package our tea in make the tea feel that little bit more special.

A firm fave at Marrickville Market, what is it about this particular market that makes it stand out from others

I've always loved Marrickville Markets having lived in Newtown for years.  the Ttotaler warehouse is just off Addison Road so Marrickville Markets is our local grocery stall.  

I was brought up on going to the markets every week with my parents as they and I believe that we need to support our local business and the quality is a lot better.

Where do you source your product and how long does it take from picking to drying to bottling to market

I source my product from all over the world then blend the tea and/or herbs together to make different and unique combinations.  We have other 30 blends.

I have actually spent the last three months researching in to finding herbs that are grown organically and locally within Australia.

It was surprisingly tough to find as everything is now grown offshore as wages are cheaper.  I am happy and proud to say that we now have 10 new 100% Australian grown teas/herbal blends.

Having locally produced tea reduces our company's footprint and keeps job in Australia.

If you were to describe the world of tea, moreover the world of Ttotaler in 5 words what would they be

Refreshing

Local

Quality

Loose Leaf

Love

**********

Massive thank you to the queen of Tea and we love her desire to keep it real and local.

TtotalerTea

almost end of July Shoutout!

Rebecca

@thelushscoop

@jaxzon5

@han_mars

adele

Morgan

@mrskatmosphere

@nattystylist

katie

Stefano

5 Questions with Fayotopia Artistry

What drew you to face painting initially and what is it about kids that makes it all that much more special

I have been working with children since I was 12 years old and have been painting for as long as I can remember.

I was drawn to face painting when I began my faery circus entertainment business 5 years ago, and there is nothing that makes me happier than the moment when a child sees their beautiful reflection in my magic mirror!

Did you initially start at Marrickville Markets as a punter or as a trader?

I think it would be most accurate say that I initially started as a faery trader.  I bring my juggling magic sticks and the kids get to have fun an workshop all day whilst I paint faces.  

Everyone is happy which is the aim of the game.

What has been one of the more intricate requests from a child you have had

I get many amazing requests - Mia knows exactly what she wants every week! Usually a green flower and blue butterfly.

One time a little boy dressed in a colourful skirt and bandana requested to be a a mermaid and he was a most beautiful one!

Another time a girl asked me to paint a swan tiara.  They know they can request anything from me.  I love the challenge!

The sense of family and community is a common thread amongst traders and shoppers. For you personally, what makes Marrickville Markets so unique in this respect

Every week I set up my little face-painting stall and greet the same faces, we get to know one another and there is a genuine goodness about the connections that get made.

I feel so happy and satisfied at the end of the day, no matter how much money I make, because I feel a sense of community that is rare in Sydney.

Marrickville Market is jammed packed with beautiful faces and a sense of care that is felt is energising and refreshing.

How would you sum up life as a Sunday Marrickville Market face painter in 5 words

A joyful, meaningful and magical experience

thank you to ozkitten for allowing us to include this photo

**********

Beautiful faces created by a beautiful soul at our markets.  There needs to be at times a little bit of faery dust in our lives and maybe a little more often than "sometimes"

5 Questions with Stefano

Did you have a life before "Stefano's Homemade Dinners" or is your business simply an extension of yourself and lifestyle

Back in the day i was a DJ in London and working as an event manager.  I somehow could not get away from the idea of mixing, so I traded my records and turntables to a stove and some kitchen pots.  Thus began "mixing" into my next journey in the kitchen.

How long have you been part of the Marrickville Market Family?

I have been part of the "family" for about one and a half years.

With market life being so tangible, what has been one of the high points of marketeering for you

Definitely the opportunity of being able to know some amazing people and becoming part of their lives whether they be customers or fellow stallholders

Cooking is hard slog at the best of times.  What is the most satisfying aspect of it for you the individual and you the businessman/chef

Even though at times market life is hard (being outdoors dealing with the elements, waking up early and crazy hours spent prepping in a kitchen) the most satisfying aspect would be the loyal returning customers and the opportunity to provide them with healthy nutritious food.

Seeing people enjoying and respecting what I do is priceless!

How would you sum up life as a Marrickville Marketeer

Wholesome, fun, rewarding, eventful, communal

**********

A muchos gracias to Stefano for not just being a fantastic "mixer" but providing us with some sensational food every week!

It's that time again where we say thank you .....to you...

Lauren

Angelique

Dan

@kr

Fanny

Kev R

@merrow26

@wildwooddesigns

Kirstie