Interviews with creative women: Kin & Kind
Sydney-siders Miriam Raphael and Josie Jones met through their children’s daycare, and connected over a shared longing to contribute to their community and bring parents together in a meaningful way.
Photo by Asch Creative
Sydney-siders Miriam Raphael and Josie Jones met through their children’s daycare, and connected over a shared longing to contribute to their community and bring parents together in a meaningful way.
Over a number of play dates, the idea of Kin & Kind was born. Through Kin & Kind, Miriam and Josie run parent-focused workshops and events which upskill, stimulate and connect parents.
Their program is truly inspired, from making bush toys for city kids and creative indoor gardening, to making iPhone movies and decluttering. Plus there’s an onsite crèche where little ones can be entertained while mum or dad are meeting new friends and learning a new skill.
Miriam and Josie share some insights into running their new creative business, balancing family and work, and the importance of spending time with like-minded creative people.
Tell us a bit about your backgrounds. What led you to start Kin & Kind?
MIRIAM: I was working as a freelance writer, editor and radio producer. I spent six months last year travelling in the US with my family, and decided that on my return I wanted to do something different, that preferably didn’t involve staring at a computer all day (writing online listicles!). I knew I wanted to be part of a community initiative where I could produce something tangible each week and connect with other parents.
Josie was a daycare mum friend with a background in corporate marketing. We were both surprised at the dearth of parent-focused activities in the mid-week morning space and about the lack of authentic parenting conversation (that didn’t revolve around feeding your kid solids or decorating a nursery). She was thinking along the same community-focused lines and the idea developed over a couple of playdates back in February.
What was it like to start your own creative business?
MIRIAM: It’s an unbelievable experience. So many highs, so many lows. Kind of like having your first child! I can’t believe how much we’ve learned in such a short time. I love that any idea that we have, we can try and make happen and believe me, we have plenty. But then, there are so many ideas and only two of us! Plus we’re responsible for everything from getting bums on seats at every event to making sure there’s enough coffee to go around, which is no small undertaking. Keeping up the energy and motivation especially on a difficult day is also hard – we really lean on each other.
In terms of rewards, there’s nothing better than hearing positive feedback about something you’ve created from scratch. Nothing. When someone tells us they loved the event, met a new friend, or went away with a new skill/perspective on their lives… we literally do a happy dance!
It’s wonderful being able to tailor the business around our personal lives so we have the flexibility to do kid drop-offs and be there for all the school activities. I do not miss having to ask permission to come in at 9:15 am so I can drop my daughter at school.
Photo by Studio Something
How do you put together your program and decide what and who to feature?
MIRIAM: There’s so much noise out there in the parenting space, so we want to stand out with interesting, thought-provoking content. I use the same skills I did as a radio producer, and ask the questions: ‘Is it a compelling story?', 'Are they good talent?’ We use a general litmus test, ‘Is this something/someone that would inspire and excite us?’ If it doesn’t, it’s out. We can’t sell that.
JOSIE: We do lots of research and spend time talking to others about what they are interested in and the topics parents are grappling with. We also regularly survey our parents to find out what really motivates them.
How important is it for creatives to connect with other likeminded people?
MIRIAM: So important! I often forget this as we get so focused on the nitty gritty of each event. It’s easy to get bogged down in the practical details and lose sight of the bigger vision. Then I’ll have a coffee with another business owner creative and suddenly be filled with excitement and ideas once again. You never know where a conversation will take you… also these connections are a great space to vent and normalise the challenges we all have to deal with.
How do you make time for creativity in your day-to-day lives?
MIRIAM: I’m passionate about books and long-form journalism. I was inspired by Lorelei Vashti who replaced Facebook with a subscription New Yorker app on her phone. It’s totally cut down my Facebook use (Instagram is a work in progress). I’m a podcast obsessive which I squeeze in while cooking/cleaning up and hustling the kids around. My current favourite is Invisibilia.
Josie loves to blog. She’s a prolific writer and finds it really therapeutic… I have no idea where she finds the time!
Photo by Studio Something
You both are juggling a creative business and family – do you have any tips about making it all work?
JOSIE: Ha ha, I wish. Designating time for work and kids/family is really important. So it’s good to know how much time in the day you have for work and working out realistically what you can achieve in that time. Because there are two of us, it does make it easier to lean in and lean out when kids get sick or there is something happening at the kids’ school.
I recommend having an open and honest conversation with your partner about the load they will pick up regarding childcare. It’s tempting to load it up on the small business owner who works from home! But this isn’t good for business, family or your sanity.
Who are some other creative women who are inspiring you at the moment?
JOSIE: Miriam! Also Uldouz Van Eenoo from The Mother’s Den. I just finished her Success Circle and it was a brilliant experience.
MIRIAM: I’m inspired by women who are honest about the mess and chaos of life and kids, but still manage to be brave, create and get sh*t done. The designer Elke Kramer, artist Emily Besser and all-round creative Johanna Bell are friends who energise me in this way.
What would you say to other women considering starting their own creative business?
JOSIE: Just do it. It’s OK to have high ideals but be conscious about whether any of those high ideals are stopping you from just getting going. Nothing is ever perfect and you have to be prepared to adapt and change the business as you go. Talk to as many people as you can – but like all the advice people give new mothers, you must work out what advice works for you and where your values are before you can decide what path to follow. Not everyone’s advice will work for you. But equally if someone gives you advice that you don’t like, ask yourself why this rankles you – does it highlight a shortcoming you’re not ready to address or is it just bad advice?
What can workshop participants expect when they come to a Kin & Kind event?
JOSIE: All our events are different. The common thread is that each one connects and (hopefully) inspires parents to engage their post-baby brain, start conversations and laugh. It’s not to say that parents don’t do those things daily, but this is about giving parents permission and tools to be more than just someone’s mum or dad.
What do you hope for the future of Kin & Kind?
JOSIE: Is global domination not enough? In all seriousness, what we want is for Kin & Kind to be part of a change movement that supports, encourages and makes it possible for all parents to feel comfortable taking time out for themselves. We strongly believe that when parents look after themselves and invest in themselves, it is good for them and good for their kids. As long as that happens, we will be happy.
Website / Facebook / Instagram (@hellokinandkind)
Kate Shannon is a freelance writer based in Brisbane after many years living in Darwin. She spends a lot of her time in the garden with her two little girls, and loves writing and learning about creative people, flowers, and plants.
Photography by Asch Creative (first photo) and Studio Something (
Georgina Proud, Ceramic Artist
Ceramic artist Georgina Proud creates work that looks like fire and snow all at the same time. Georgina's natural affinity for the Australian landscape is apparent in her ceramic pieces which are gently curved and naturalistic in appearance. The earthy colours of the clay show through matt and glossy glazes, creating pottery with a tactile quality. 'They're made to be enjoyed and held in your hands,' said Georgina.
Georgina's making space
Outside, it is a chilly Melbourne morning. The only sound in Georgina's North Melbourne studio is the whir of her pottery wheel. The studio space where Georgina creates her ceramics is small and neat. The walls are mainly bare, with only a few chosen postcards stuck on the wall above her desk as inspiration. She is also inspired by Japanese pottery and the work of other potters including Bridget Bodenham.
Georgina has set up her studio space simply, with shelving, her wheel and a raw timber table, 'Having the right equipment is really important,' said Georgina. On the studio shelves sit finished ceramic pieces. Georgina shows me a round pot which she has glazed with a traditional Japanese Shino treatment. With its rusty red hues, mottled whites and multiple specks, Georgina describes the Shino glazes' intention is to appear to be like 'snow falling on the ground.'
Georgina creates her own stoneware clays using a mix of dark and light clays. She has also been experimenting with developing her own glazes. 'I use wood ash in some of my glazes, usually red gum ash and that will put a speckle through it.'
The tea pot sitting in pride of place in her studio is a piece that Georgina is most proud of. It's one of her pieces that have been fired in a wood fired kiln. 'It was just the most amazing experience. You were so much more involved in the firing process. You kind of went on the journey with the pots.' The process of wood firing was very different to using her electric kiln. 'We looked in the kiln and you can see the flames travelling around the pots. So that one (the tea pot) is super special to me.'
All of Georgina's pieces are functional, fired at stoneware temperature for durability. Whilst it may be tempting to keep her work on display, they are designed to be used. 'If someone has bought something and they tell me a year or two later that, 'Oh that's my favourite mug and I use it every day,' that's the most lovely thing that I could hear.'
From hobby to business
Georgina's practice has grown from a hobby to a small business in a short space of time. Having worked with clay in high school, she rediscovered her love of pottery in the last couple of years. 'I really just loved it from the moment I started doing it and so just kept wanting to do it more and more.' Initially setting up her wheel at home, Georgina now works in her North Melbourne studio where she comes in one day during the week and also on weekends.
Her business grew organically. Selling her wares at markets has provided her with positive feedback and created demand for her work. As people began to ask her to make things, her confidence grew. 'People were really supportive and would comment and say, 'I love that' or 'Can I get one for my mum', so it just sort of started and I was like 'Oh, maybe this is a thing that I can actually have a little business out of.'
She finds the opportunity to discuss her work process with the other potters in the studio and the students at the School of Clay and Art invaluable. Georgina values the support of her friends, including artist Indigo O'Rourke. 'A lot of my friends are also creative women and so I find I get a lot of support from them.'
Work process
Whilst Georgina works she listens to podcasts, except when she is working on a complicated piece which requires her full attention without distraction. 'I find that I get really drawn in and I get into that state of flow.' She currently balances her art practice with her job as a project officer at WIRE Women's Information. She also takes pottery classes at the School of Clay and Art. Recognising the need for self-care with her competing demands, Georgina said, 'I have to make sure I give myself a break as well.'
As wheel work can be physically demanding, Georgina ensures that she takes breaks which not only helps her body but also her concentration. 'I think you gradually build up the muscles so it's not too bad, but you have to remember to stop every now and then and maybe walk around.'
Georgina's advice
Georgina's advice to other women thinking about pursuing their art practice is simple. 'Don't be afraid to say yes to opportunities, you never know where they'll lead.' She is inspired by Amy Poehler who said, 'Do things before you're ready.' Georgina cautions against waiting for the right time, 'You've got to just do it and see what happens, if it doesn't work, what's the biggest thing that will happen? You know, you just keep trying.'
Georgina will be part of the new Melbourne Ceramics Market on August 6 at Workshop Melbourne.
Find out more:
Website / Instagram / Melbourne Ceramics Market/ School of Clay and Art
Jenni Mazaraki is an artist, designer, writer and podcaster who helps women tell their stories. She is particularly interested in the ways that women make time and space for creativity. You can see more of Jenni's work at www.localstoryspace.com or on Instagram @localstoryspace or Facebook
Photos and video production by Jenni Mazaraki.