Friends, what would life be like without them. Who would be there when we need a hug, someone to listen to us, or to just make us laugh.
Some friendships can come and go as quick as a seasons pass (and that's okay) while others can last a lifetime, growing together throughout different stages of life. Always there for support and guidance, fun and mischief!
My favourite moments are those simple acts of kindness a true friend gives, that can change our mind, our perception, and make our world shine brighter than it was.
Recently I got to enjoy one of those moments, when I was at work not feeling well, and a friend living in another city rang the cafe across the road and asked them to deliver a fresh juice to me, without me knowing. Of course this act of kindness made me cry... with tears of happiness and gratitude!
So, when I thought a blog around friendship would be a perfect fit for our Kindness Winter Collection, who else would be better to interview than the gorgeous Jules & Jude duo. These two are a sparkle of joy, spread endless laughter and are so fun to photograph. Both are creative souls and entrepreneurs selling their wares at the fabulous Eumundi Markets ~ go say hi!
First off I spoke with Jules... Feather crafter and braid queen!
Firstly, can you please tell the Boom community a little about yourself?
I’m a Chinese born Canadian and moved over to Australia in 2007 after meeting my partner, who was playing music at a festival on the streets of Toronto. I now live in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, in a hundred year old school hall, turned Girl Guides hut, and now a house planted out with a food forest instead of lawns and chickens roaming the yard. I am a creative business woman, a farmer and a food lover - whether it's growing, harvesting, cooking, fermenting, dehydrating or eating it.
You have a stall at the Eumundi Markets, what do you sell/do?
I started trading at Eumundi Markets in 2011 and worked with feathers as my main medium - hair feathers, earrings, clips etc. I loved, and still love the versatility of feathers and how strong yet flexible they are to work with. Since then I’ve added hair wraps and braiding into my services as well as making my “love catchers” (my favourite creation thus far) - home grown wreath style weavings from my garden, filled with various vines, feathers, flowers and herbs.
How long have you and Jude been friends, and do you remember when/how you first met?
Geez, I can’t actually remember that far… I definitely met her through my partner, Chris, as they’ve had a longer friendship through music and creative gatherings. Got to be at least 10 years of friendship between us
What does friendship mean to you?
To me, friendship is about connection and a sense of belonging. Some are fleeting, others long term and there are the friends who you don’t see regularly but can just pick up from where you left off however many years ago. Whichever the case it is, it seems as though these friends always come into my life at the right time.
What’s something you love doing with friends?
Eat. To me, offering food is offering my love to you. And when I meet somebody who enjoys delicious and nutritious meals, there’s just so much to talk about!
If you could choose anywhere to be trapped with your friends, where would it be?
I think here on the Sunshine Coast is a pretty good place to be ‘trapped’, it’s warm most of the year with pristine beaches and plenty of places to get out into nature and explore .. it really is such a magical place.
What are the most important traits for a good friend?
Somebody who I can laugh with and help me find the humour in whatever situation. Shit happens, and I believe that laughter heals.
Our winter collection is called ‘Kindness’…
How would you define kindness, or what’s your interpretation of kindness?
Kindness is adding colour to a black and white world
Is there a particular moment of kindness in your life - given, received or even observed - that stands out to you?
I can’t think of a specific moment but the kindness that’s practiced by my market community and the community where I live stand out in comparison to previous places where I lived and worked. I feel very grateful for the support and the opportunity to support others as independent business people and friends.
And lastly, what does it mean to live a big, beautiful life?
To me, it’s about living life with gratitude and with love. I moved out here from Canada because of love, and despite my mother’s warning that “love won’t feed you, love won’t buy you a house”. I’ve discovered that love can do all of those things and infinitely more.
You can follow Jules and all her creative happenings on INSTAGRAM
And now I'd like to introduce you to the beautiful Jude ~ Jewellery designer extraordinaire!
Firstly, can you please tell the Boom community a little about yourself?
My best friend and I live in the Noosa hinterland with our children.
They are the most beautiful humans I know and feel very blessed indeed to have them around me.
I am a Lola (grandmother) to a gorgeous little boy. He gives us so much love and such happiness. He’s cuddles are seriously so healing!
You have a stall at the Eumundi Markets, what do you sell/do?
I have always loved to create and this lead me to now owning my little jewellery business. Zenissa is where I create unique crystal pieces for people who are needing some crystal vibe and beauty in their lives.
How long have you and Jude been friends, and do you remember when/how you first met?
Jules and I have been friends for around nine years.
I clearly remember, it was a market day and I was setting up. She came walking up to my stall with a big beautiful smile on her face and introduced herself. She probably has a different story but we have been good friends ever since. She definitely is a rare gem and so lucky to have her in my life!
What does friendship mean to you?
Friendship to me is having that strong connection with someone.
I have friends that I don’t get to see as much as I’d like to, but it doesn’t matter how much time pass between us, we get together and they always stay that same beautiful loving friend. I think that’s when you know you have a true friend.
What’s something you love doing with friends?
The ocean is one of my happiest places to be. Surfing with friends is definitely something I love to do. I also love to just chill with my girls, maybe a sleepover, share food and talk about life and stuff.
If you could choose anywhere to be trapped with your friends, where would it be?
Somewhere tropical, where there’s a thriving permaculture garden with fruit trees and vegetables, herbs and flowers. Some simple huts to sleep in.
A few steps to the beach with a pumping point break, every day.
This for me would be a perfect place to be trapped with friends.
Anyone know of this place?
What are the most important traits for a good friend?
I have this picture in my head that I saw on Facebook awhile ago. It was a picture of an old couple in the rain and they look like they’d just had a fight. Her, with her arms crossed looking away from him. He is looking as grumpy but holding an umbrella at arms length protecting her from the rain.
I immediately thought of my partner and how he is just like that man in that picture. We could have an argument and be so angry with each other but he will always do something kind to me even when he’s angry with me. I love that about him.
Our winter collection is called ‘Kindness’…
Is there a particular moment of kindness in your life - given, received or even observed - that stands out to you?
My partner and I have only had each other to raise our children. There were no grandparents or other family members that came to our rescue if things got too much.
After giving birth to our twins, I was in hospital for a few days.
A local that we often met in town, cooked a meal for my boys, who were little at the time. This has always stood out to me. She was almost like a stranger to us but she went out of her way to cook for my family. I thought it was so very kind of her.
And lastly, what does it mean to live a big, beautiful life?
Living with my family and having each other’s love and support. Going surfing as much as I can. Growing food and flowers. Getting creative and doing things that makes you feel good and makes your heart sing. Being kind to others and living a simple life. This is living a big beautiful life for me.
You can follow Jude and all her creative happenings on INSTAGRAM
SHOP JULES & JUDES WINTER COLLECTION LOOKS!!
Top banner with the beautiful Jules...
Left image ~ East Dress 'Queens' ~ BUY NOW!
Middle image ~ District Jumper 'Mustard' ~ BUY NOW!
Right image ~ Kindness Tee ~ BUY NOW! + Grand Jacket 'Queens' ~ BUY NOW! + Grand Flares 'Queens' ~ BUY NOW!
Bottom banner with the gorgeous Jude...
Left image ~ Fleetwood Top 'Woodside' ~ BUY NOW!
Middle image ~ East Top 'Queens' ~ BUY NOW! + East Long Skirt 'Queens' ~ BUY NOW!
Right image ~Metropolitan Shirt 'Newtown' ~ BUY NOW! + Berty Tunic 'Queens' ~ BUY NOW!