Ancient Japanese art
‘Cocktail’ to success for neighbours
KYLIE Campbell and Bianca Jenkin won’t disclose the ingredients of their secret “cocktail”, but a nutritious concoction is at the heart of their success.
The close-knit neighbours started dipping their fingers into an ancient Japanese art about six months ago and have been struggling to keep up with demand ever since.
“Kokedama” is the name of the beautiful, living ornaments that Ms Campbell and Ms Jenkin make whenever they have a moment to spare.
The ancient form of Japanese bonsai dates back to 1603 AD.
Ms Jenkin pinched the idea off a girlfriend and made her first Kokedama herb garden to hang above her barbecue.
But as more people asked about the interesting plants, the creative duo saw an enterprise worth pursuing and Two Birds Studio was born.
“People are mostly buying through word of mouth. Some of them have tracked us down after the last couple of markets we have done.”
Their first market in Toowoomba was a big success, but the Uber markets last Saturday were their busiest.
“They are great because they are really low maintenance,” Ms Jenkin said. “You just have to sit them in water until it all absorbs and then you hang them back up again.”
Sourcing vegetation locally and growing their own, the artistic pair has been trialling different plants to make the most healthy, happy-looking kokedamas in the region.
“We do everything from succulents through to ferns,” Ms Campbell said.