Chookeymg Creative is a passion project by local artist Brooke McGowan-Grills.
Brooke’s latest hit has been her party bags, which offer plaster moulds and paints instead of sugary lollies.
Chookeymg Creative has been operating for 18 months, and is only growing in popularity.
“I started out making candles and was just not really feeling it,” Brooke said.
“So one day I tried plaster and my nieces and nephews went nuts and my friends’ kids went nuts.
“And it’s just kind of taken off from there.”
Chookeymg Creative may seem like a peculiar business name, but it has a sweet origin.
“I’ve always been called Chookey, since I was born,” Brooke said.
“And with my last name being McGowan-Grills [you get the] ‘mg’.
“I [also] thought, ‘Creative’ leaves it kind of open.”
Brooke was given a suggestion for a plaster party bag at one of her market days, as a surge in allergies leaves many parents opting to give lolly bags a miss.
Brooke has set Chookeymg up at different markets, from the Caldermeade Farm Market, to the craft and treasure market in Cranbourne, to the Akoonah Park Market in Berwick.
“I see the same people coming, going, ‘I remember you!’.” Brooke said.
The plaster moulds hearken back to some of her adult customers’ own childhoods.
“I get a lot of people that come up and say ‘Oh I used to do that as a kid!’ You know, you just don’t see that anymore.” Brooke said.
Brooke even sets up a station in her market stall where kids can give painting plaster a go.
“[Parents] love it because [it’s] something for them to do that’s not too expensive.” Brooke said.
“There’s no rules to it. Kids can just do whatever they want.”
The best part about reigniting old childhood activities is finding them locally.
“[My moulds] are better quality [than cheap ones from the shops]. They’re a lot thicker and a lot more sturdy.
“I’ve got 70 different moulds. It’s ridiculous.”
Buying from Chookeymg Creative is also a chance to support a small business.
“You’re supporting a small business instead of a big business, so that’s always a good thing.”
Chookeymg Creative will be at the Cockatoo Twilight Market on 4 March, and Akoonah Park Market 5 March.
