about us
The Mindful Maker Sydney
Meet your hosts Janelle and Silvana
We’re passionate about time-honoured creative skills like preserving, baking, stitching, knitting, crocheting – really, anything handmade!
Real life skills that have stood the test of time, mindfully made by hand, now being revived with a contemporary style and approach.
We’re also focussed on gently nurturing and sharing these valued skills in a supportive, encouraging space.
here to meet, make and share with a generous heart
Our aim is to inspire those around us to take up the challenge of a new skill, or perhaps refresh an old one, making by hand, at home and with friends – all the while building on a valued sense of sharing, kindness and community.
In addition to staging our classic workshops on an ongoing basis, we’re continually presenting new sessions, many building on previously mastered skills so you can hone your handmade obsession even further.
express yourself. relax. focus. grow in confidence
You’ll always be welcomed by Janelle and Sil, and our extended team of experienced teachers – some blue ribbon award winners or leaders in their field – within a fun, encouraging and nurturing group hosted in a beautiful creative space in Killara located on Sydney’s North Shore.
A little more about us
A former cardio-thoracic nurse, Janelle has always found joy in looking after others. This foundation was the basis for her launching The Grace Files over five years ago.
United through a love of reviving mindful living and an appreciation for the valued skills of eras past, Janelle joined her very talented friend, Sil, in creating The Mindful Maker Sydney. Sharing something lovingly handmade with family and friends is a natural extension of The Grace Files’ memory keeping, slow living and caring for others philosophy.
With embroidery, jam making and home baking being a creative foil to her everyday corporate life for the past 35 years, Sil has also been a member of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) for the last 12, embracing her love of age-old, timeless handcrafts. A former President of the CWA Sydney City Branch, she has also been awarded numerous blue ribbons across branch, group and State levels over the last 10 years in embroidery, baking and preserving.
Here in Killara, Janelle and Sil host classes on the classic ‘how-to’s’ such as preserving, baking, stitching, knitting and other handmade crafts, along with other experienced teachers with an infectious enthusiasm for what they do, covering a wide range of inspiring arts.
Passionate about what they make with their hands, each is keen to pass on all they know to others who want to discover the joys of mindfully learning to master a new creative skill.
just make the decision to have a go - we'll do the rest
Whether you’re a beginner, a bit rusty or have completely forgotten ‘how-to’, our workshops will go through each skill step by step so that you’ll not only enjoy the workshop, but you’ll also take home a new skill to practice, master and love.
We purposefully present classess with groups generally limited to a maximum of 4, 6 or 8 attendees aged over 18 years, so everyone has the chance to absorb at a comfortable pace with plenty of time for questions. Our sessions are also longer than most others, usually going for 3 to 4 hours, offering you real value.
Our workshop hospitality also extends to delicious homemade goodies – along with bottomless cups of tea and coffee – to savour and share while you’re with us. Please note, our home kitchen uses gluten flours, dairy, nuts, egg and other potential allergens.
you're always welcome
Join us at our Makers Mornings
At the Mindful Maker Sydney, our community is our heart.
Join us for a fun couple of hours over a scrummy home-baked morning tea. Bring whatever you’re currently making by hand. Even bring a friend!
Sit, relax and chat while you stitch, embroider, darn, colour, scrapbook. jot, knit or crochet…
Maybe you need a hand with refreshing your stitching memory or need help sorting out a knitting or crocheting mistake (happens to us all!) – well have an experienced Mindful Maker or two on hand to assist in sorting it out for you.
Held every few weeks, these sessions are limited to a maximum of 8 attendees. Book here to secure your spot.
Extra retail therapy
Love to treat yourself to something handmade? Need a last minute gift or simply something special for someone you love?
Choose unique treasures from our pop-up store which are available for sale on the day of your workshop.
We offer e-card gift certificates and printed gift certificates for creative, personalised giving too.
Group bookings
Hen’s parties, celebration groups, corporate team building or simply a fun few hours together with friends are all possible with a group booking. Just get in touch with us for all the details in choosing the ideal workshop, date and time for your group.
See what we're up to
Subscribe to our newsletter (at the bottom of The Mindful Maker Sydney home page) to keep up with the latest classes on offer as well as creative handy hints and tips that will inspire and help you in your creative journey.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
You can always reach us. We’d love to hear from you.
Keen to share your skills?
We’re always on the lookout for valuable creative expertise. If you’d like to collaborate, let us know more about yourself and what you do.
The Mindful Maker Sydney is a collaboration with The Grace Files (a trading subsidiary of The Grace Files Pty Ltd ABN 65 617 569 632).
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details on all products and services offered.
