Ever wondered about the people behind your daily coffee, or the charming local bookstore you could easily spend a few hours in? Our Behind the Open Sign series is shining a light on the faces and stories behind beloved businesses on the North Shore.

🎨 Cammeray’s creative hub

If you’re a local of Cammeray, chances are you’ve noticed the sunny yellow shopfront of Maker’s Loft on Ernest Street. Step inside, and the busy street’s noise melts away, replaced by neatly arranged glazes and freshly washed aprons, reflecting the care poured into this creative studio.

Since its inception, Makers Loft has thrived as a vibrant hub for lifestyle, art, and craft, offering a welcoming and creative space for people of all ages to explore a diverse array of crafts.

From hands-on workshops like Messy Craft Camps that introduce young children to the joys of shape and form, to advanced sculpting masterclasses led by skilled educators, Makers Loft has supported countless creative endeavours, including ceramics, pottery, sewing, felting, and more.

Beyond its dynamic workshop offerings, Makers Loft serves as a cornerstone for the creative community, providing studio hire that enables makers from Sydney's Lower North Shore to refine their creations in an environment buzzing with creative energy.

🙍‍♀️The sisters behind the studio

On any given day, you’re likely to be warmly welcomed by sisters Sacha and Anouke, the passionate duo behind this art and craft studio since 2010. Fifteen years later, Makers Loft has grown into a community hub.

Sacha and Anouke grew up surrounded by craft, learning crochet from their grandparents, carpentry from their father, and fashion design from their mother. This constant immersion fostered their love of making and inspired Makers Loft, a space to pass down creative knowledge.

“We were really worried about future generations losing these skills. We felt it was our responsibility to teach others,” Anouke told the North Shore Lorikeet.

⚖ Overcoming the challenges of life and work

Balancing motherhood with business hasn’t been easy. "We’ve always been a unit," they recall. “It’s been a constant juggling act.”

When Makers Loft opened, it featured a creative studio and café, with the idea to merge both coffee and craft. However, the disconnect between the two led to the café’s closure in 2019.

“It was hard,” admits Anouke. “You build relationships with regulars, but letting go allowed us to focus fully on the creative side.”

“Trial and error is part of the process,” adds Sacha. “You can’t be afraid to crash and burn. It’s part of growing.”