Holly Barker and Rory Musinskas started Printing Potters a year ago and their side hustle is growing fast thanks to their unique and colourful 3D printed homewares.
“We started this to create something out of Rory’s love for tinkering with 3D printers and my love for design and homewares,” Holly says. “The business has grown a lot in the first year. We both come from environmental backgrounds so it has been a huge learning curve navigating the ins and outs of how to run a business. We currently have 12 stockists across Australia and are constantly growing and have ideas for new products in the next year.”
The pair, based in Bayside VIC, met as forest fire fighters seven years ago. Rory has a background as a fire fighter and software engineer and is now a commercial helicopter pilot. Holly worked as a park ranger and now works in a statewide wildlife role.
“Our pieces have had a great reception. Everyone loves the different medium and they’re amazed how we make it because it doesn’t look and feel like how they would think 3D printing would. It looks more ceramic. Everyone comments how light the pieces are and it seems to surprise people every time they touch them!”
The range, including trays, trinket boxes and vases, is made from a bioplastic derived from renewable resources such as corn and sugar cane.
“We also get a lot of compliments from 3D printing enthusiasts on the quality of our print, which takes months to get right,” Holly says. “The colour range seems to work for lots of different homes and our styles are classic and complement most spaces.
“I think people love a pop of colour or something different to add to their home and love that it is locally designed and made by a small business. A stand out colour would have to be the moss green. It’s our biggest seller. Our new spring collection colours have been gaining great traction too.”
Printing Potters’ latest launch is their fresh bloom kit which allows their illusion vase to house fresh flower stems. They’re also in the process of designing their first table lamp. Watch this space!
Holly ends: “Our pieces are fun, long-lasting and multi-use and buyers can feel good knowing they are supporting a local and very young business. There’s not anything out there like our products so safe to say your purchase will be unique. They also won’t break if you drop them!”
