Introducing Liz from Bay Trader Co. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Nelson Bay, NSW, she has a passion for hand-crafting rope baskets and bowls.
Find out why Liz started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
I design and create handmade homewares using cotton rope, string and cord, with a focus on simple, functional pieces for everyday living. My work centres on three passions: macrame, rope baskets and elements of nautical knotwork. Each piece is made slowly by hand, with a focus on simplicity, texture and purpose.
I'm drawn to natural fibres for their softness and strength, and I design my pieces to be both practical and beautiful - thoughtful pieces made for everyday use and a slower, calmer and more considered home.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
I've always been drawn to creating - it's something that has stayed with me since I was young. From sewing little pieces by hand to always having a craft project on the go, it's where I've naturally found a sense of calm.
Macrame first came into my life in primary school, and although it faded for a time, I found my way back to it later on.
With a slower pace of life and a little more space to create, I began again, exploring more creative paths along the way, and it quietly grew into what it is today.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
Coastal living is my biggest inspiration. I find inspiration in the quiet, calm moments - being by the sea, walking through the bush, and noticing the gentle rhythm of nature. There is a calmness in stitching each basket, while the knotting of macrame brings its own steady rhythm. It's slow, meditative, and always evolving, with each piece offering something new to learn or discover. I feel deeply connected to the natural world, particularly our wildlife.
Koala conservation is something very close to my heart, and alongside volunteering at the Port Stephens Koala Hospital, I donate a portion of my profit as a small way to give back.
Where did you learn your craft?
I'm mostly self-taught, guided by curiosity and a love of learning as I go. I first learnt macrame in primary school, and when I came back to it years later, I began with a few old books I found in an op shop. From there, it naturally expanded - exploring different techniques, fibres and styles over time. More recently, I've been drawn to basket making and nautical knotting, which has opened up a whole new path of learning. It's certainly become an ongoing journey of discovery.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade artistry holds a quiet kind of meaning for me. In a fast-moving world, it offers a way to slow down and create with care and intention. There's something special in knowing each piece has been shaped by my hands - that time, patience and thought have gone into every detail. It brings a sense of connection, both in the making and in the way it's received and used in someone's home. For me, it's about creating pieces that feel considered and lasting - something to be lived with, not just looked at.
Liz is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ MadeIt: Handmade not Massmade Australia ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Bay Trader Co make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
