Australian Country Homes – September 2019

78 Australian Country HOMES

A

s a little girl growing up
on acreage at Lilydale in
Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Ellie
Collins loved nothing more
than having the space and freedom
to roam and play in the bush. Her
other great joy in life came from
crafternoons with her mum.
“I made anything and everything,”
she recalls. “I loved making bunting
from natural fabrics and every pot plant
in the house was wrapped in hessian
or bark or whatever I found in the great
outdoors. I collected timber to make
wooden picture frames and planter
boxes. I was always busy with a project,
either fi nding the materials to make it
or actually involved in the process.”

She took the concept to a whole new

level by creating an online business

based on artisanal accessories inspired

by the natural world. Called The Vintage

Tree, Ellie sold cushions, ottomans,

bags, jewellery and her own handmade

dreamcatchers, all with a boho rustic

vibe and a down-to-earth sensibility.

“A few years ago I started making

dreamcatchers from old doilies as gifts

for friends,” she explains. “I just love

the way they work inside or outdoors

and move with the breeze. I also love

the history of using something that

has a former life and tells its story in

the occasional stain or age markings

and signs of wear. From the responses

of people I made them for I was

encouraged to make them for sale.” In

the early days, she continued working

full-time as a product coordinator for

a make-up company, but gradually her

after-hours passion started taking over

her day job. Her weekends were entirely

consumed by setting up her shingle at

markets and weeknights were devoted

to making stock and establishing The

Vintage Tree online store.

“So I went part-time,” she explains.

“Then the business had expanded to

the point where I needed and wanted

to give it my complete attention. Apart

from anything else I was getting a bit

These pages: A love of the natural world inspired Ellie to decorate her home with earthy tones, rustic

elements and upcycled found objects that she restored and gave a new lease on life. ›