Brooke Styles on how crafting with her grandma led her to a career in DIY

Welcome to The Creative Files, where we speak to some of the biggest crafters, makers and designers, gaining insights into their creative processes, inspiration and their advice for newcomers. For this instalment, we spoke to Brooke Styles, one of Australia's most renowned crafters and DIYers.

Who is Brooke Styles and what is it that you create?

I'm Brooke, an out of the box thinker with creativity and reuse in mind. I love turning everyday and accessible items into stylish on-trend pieces. I'm not shy of colour or trying something new.

Tell us about your career journey to date. Did you always know you wanted to pursue this life of work?

I've always been very lucky to have creativity around me. Growing up, I would visit my grandma (the biggest crafter I know) and we would always find things to do on a budget, whether it be collecting shells on the beach and turning them into a photo frame or painting and decorating eggs. Also, growing up as a dancer, makeup was always a creative outlet I would use for performances. Though it was around me all of my life, I never imagined I would be in a creative industry. Posting my hobbies onto social media turned a childhood enjoyment into something incredible that I can now share with everyone.

How did you cultivate your distinct style?

I've always been a lover of bright colours and sometimes even breaking the colour wheel rules. So even when trends and styles change, I love to put my unique twist with pops of colour that really brings a piece to life.

Talk us through your creative process. Where do you start?

Most of the time I inspire myself by thrift shopping. I love the hunt of finding unique pieces that can be given a new life. If I'm not thrifting, I'm inspired by Pinterest - I'm addicted to Pinterest! Once I've found an item, I try to incorporate trending textures, fittings and colours. I find changing the texture of an item the most satisfying - whether that be with wooden beads for a bubble effect or creating a terracotta paint.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

Wake up and enjoy a self-care morning. I'm a bit of a slow burner. I then spend my late morning organising and preparing for an afternoon of creating in my studio. Then late afternoon I'll be tinkering on my home reno with my fiancé

What has been your favourite project to work on so far?

I love recycling! So one of my faves would have to be turning an old record player into a makeup station.

Who are your biggest artistic inspirations and why?

At the moment, I'm definitely inspired by trending fabrics (gingham) and my wedding Pinterest board - lots of European cottage furniture and homewares.

If you're inspired to get creative, be sure to check out Make It March at Spotlight for a huge range of fun creative projects to try yourself and all the art and craft supplies you'll need.

Find Brooke here:

TikTok: @brookestyless

Instagram: @brookestyless