We know the Mornington Peninsula is a popular destination for Melbournians to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, but the stunning property that is home to Treehouse Textiles has a genuine sense of peaceful seclusion, and seems miles from any distraction.
Before the mother-daughter team of Sarah Kuter and Emma Di Stefano opened the handcraft studio, the 50-acre bushland property was a four-and-a-half star bed and breakfast with picturesque water views over a tranquil lake, run by Sarah and her husband Leo, which they closed in October 2011. In fact, so enthusiastic were they to combine their skills and start a business together that they had Treehouse Textiles up and running just five months later. Sarah created a beautiful, calm and luxurious studio, bringing an eye for detail to the set up. Emma, qualified in visual arts and education, brings expertise in textiles and handcrafts and is talented and creative with her crafts. She has a passion for making things and loves teaching.
The idyllic, secluded environment is wonderfully conducive to relaxed creativity and learning. They have also retained the homely feel of a bed and breakfast, and provide handmade, gourmet lunches with full day workshops. By creating an interactive craft destination, Emma says they ventured into an area nobody in the region had previously explored. They are reintroducing handcrafts with a contemporary edge, for a generation that has missed out on the practice as well as offering new ways for the old hands to enjoy their craft.
Emma honed her craft and built significant experience and contacts through her studies and selling at markets. Worthwhile an experience as the markets were, she is very happy to be teaching rather than occupying a stall in unpredictable weather. Even in the short time Treehouse Textiles has been open, they have established a loyal cohort of return customers for the fun, social workshops, as well as groups of women who come to sit, eat and socialise while using the machines and facilities.
Catering to all skill levels – including children – Treehouse Textiles offers workshops in a range of crafts including quilting, crochet, patchwork, dress making, knitting, appliqué, cushion making and stitching. The packed calendar includes basics classes like ‘learn to sew’ and ‘know your machine’ as well as various VIP tutors dropping in to host specialised classes. In keeping with the family theme, they also put on evenings for mothers to come along with their young daughters, perhaps producing a future handcraft partnership.
Sarah and Emma say that although the inspiring and tranquil secluded location is the businesses biggest strength, it has simultaneously proved the most challenging aspect of the business. Being tucked away in the bush, with no passing foot traffic, make it that bit more difficult to gain exposure and get the word out. That said, the business is off to a fantastic start and Sarah and Emma say they have met all their expectations so far during their first year. Feedback is positive, customers are coming back for more and word is certainly spreading – they estimate that around 80 per cent of their customers come from metropolitan Melbourne.
It’s not all about the setting. Inspiration comes from within, says Emma, by recognising your own talents and sense of style, and trusting your own instinct to create something others will love. If the stunning backdrop at Treehouse Textiles isn’t enough to inspire you though, it is certainly the kind of environment that’s conducive to tapping into that inner creative spirit.