Meet the team!

Adam

'The Founding Father of Quirk'

When you blow the budget on beautiful brooches and need someone to blame, I guess you can look my way. You see, I’m the fella who (along with our original designer, Louisa) started the Erstwilder label). As an owner, Managing Director and head of Operations and Finance, I’m usually focused on that ‘bigger picture’ stuff, like looking after our stockist program, managing our production, and keeping an eye on the financials. I also get to be involved in a bunch of creative roles too, lucky me! After a stint living in Sydney, I'm back in Melbourne and I'm really enjoying working from HQ and being reunited with the team again. Outside of work, you can find me watching docos on YouTube, jogging at the beach, watching footy, slow cooking meat, checking out some local live music, and enjoying time with my family.

Favourite quote: “Speak kind to a stranger, you never know, it might be an angel”

Marc

'The Grand Master of Inspiration'

Me in a nutshell? 80% health enthusiast, 20% cookie monster. As an owner and Chief Creative Officer, my job mostly involves keeping the team inspired with super fun ideas (made easy thanks to the wonderful suggestions you all submit to us), motivating everyone (also not particularly difficult with this awesome bunch), looking at ways we can give you the best possible experiences and just generally spreading joy. I’m also responsible for keeping the kitchen stocked with biscuits and M&M’s. When I’m not here you’ll find me at the park, or the beach, or somewhere else in nature with my darling wife Dani, baby girl Indiana and little man Sonny. Oh, or I’ll be at the movies. Hot tip - go late enough and a movie ticket gets you the whole cinema!

Favourite quote: “When life shuts a door open it again. It’s a door. That’s how they work.”

Hannah

'Maker of Dreams'

Hi there! I’m Hannah, and I’m Erstwilder’s Creative Lead. I make all things product and packaging happen, from the layers and the resins to the boxes and the cards. If you’ve ever wondered “Who picked this colour? Who drew this box art?” – the answer is me! When I’m not drafting designs or reviewing samples, you can find me figuring out a puzzle, roasting potatoes, or listening to a new album on the beach.

Favourite quote: “I know none of this will matter in the long run, but I know a sound is still a sound around no one.” – Fiona Apple

Evelyn

'Maestro of Hype'

Hello lovelies, you can call me Ev! As the Head of Marketing at Erstwilder, my main priority is to make your shopping experience as exciting and seamless as possible across all our brand touchpoints and digital channels. As for me, I’m a night owl who can run on 5 hours sleep, my drink of choice is a classic margarita, and I love to travel and read. If I could go back to any time in history, you’ll find me in Elizabethan England. Hopefully still with my head!

Favourite quote: “All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost”

Sarah

'Ambassador of Buzz'

Hey everyone, I'm Sarah, nice to meet you! I usually describe my job as making sense of all the data and numbers that come from online shoppers such as yourselves, and helping the team make online shopping as fun as possible. My brain is aways full of new ideas for our website and emails - the trouble is figuring out where to begin! When I'm not at work I love to travel to new countries (so far I've been to 24, and counting..) I also love a good sunrise/sunset whether it be at the beach or across the Melbourne skyline, but my favourite one so far has been the sunrise in the Sahara Desert while I was travelling through Morocco a couple of years ago. You best believe my phone is full of pics of this one!

Favourite quote: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” - Ferris Bueller

Jacob

'Sorcerer of Storytelling'

Hey, I’m Jacob! The new guy behind the camera, bringing you all the cool visual content you get to feast your eyes on! Whether it’s photos or videos, anything with a camera is my jam. When I’m not snapping away, you’ll find me catching up with friends, rolling dice in D&D or any board game, doodling, crafting, or creating whatever wild idea pops into my head. Oh and of course, tearing up the dance floor with a good ol’ boogie!
More on how I got here: My life journey started in the UK, then I came across the world to Brissy where I was raised, and now I’m diving into a new adventure here in Melbourne. I'm so excited for everything this city has in store!

Favorite Quote: “You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." and definitely “Oh Bother” - Winnie The Pooh

Juliana

'Visual Virtuoso'

Hello hello, I'm Juliana! I'm the Graphic Designer at Erstwilder and my role is creating banners, email campaigns and cute little animations and videos for all of our marketing. I love being creative, experimenting with new materials in my artwork, and learning new skills - it’s what excites me the most. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, cooking, and playing video games. I especially love preparing big meals for my family and it’s one of my favourite ways to connect with them.

Favourite quote: "Create no evil, cultivate all good."

Joel

'Director of the Day-to-Day'

Hi, I’m Joel. I am the Warehouse Manager at Erstwilder, and my role is to lead the team that makes sure your special little somethings leave HQ and arrive on your doorstep in a timely fashion. It has been said that if I were any more laid back, I’d be lying down. Outside of work, I’m usually watching footy (or any sport for that matter, much to my wife’s dismay), getting creative in the kitchen and running around after my three wildlings, Caleb, Elliott and Cooper, alongside my wife, Kristen. In what presently feels like another life, I love to go to live gigs and travel (I can’t wait to get back to Hawaii!).

Favourite quote: “When someone says you can’t do it, do it twice and take photos”

Kenny

'Warehouse Warrior'

Hey, my name is Kenny, and I'm the Stock Coordinator at Erstwilder. I bounce around the warehouse doing everything I can to help the team but my main responsibility is the organisation of our designs. Most importantly, keeping track of stock levels to ensure we always have what you've ordered ;) I spend my time off work playing different games with my friends and watching videos on ancient history. I enjoy keeping up with Formula 1, from the racing to keeping up with all the technical jargon.

Favourite quote: "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts" - Marcus Aurelius

Justine

'Jill of all Trades'

Hi everyone! I’m Justine, a Warehouse Assistant here at Erstwilder. I’m a bit of a jack - or jill – of all trades, doing everything from picking and packing your lovely orders and getting them out to you as quickly as we can, to ensuring the quality of stock that goes out to everyone meets our high standards, to a variety of other e-commerce and admin duties to help keep everything in order. Being a bit of a homebody, I’m often found curling up on the couch under a blanket with a good book or binging the latest tv shows. I love anything fantasy and sci-fi, and my favourite movies will always (always!) be The Lord of the Rings trilogy, so naturally my wedding was held at a castle in the mountains with Gandalf officiating – yep, a true story.

Favourite quote: “It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” – Gandalf

Ivan

'Designated Tall Person'

Hi there, I’m Ivan. I’m part of the Warehouse Team, primarily responsible for getting designs down from hard-to-reach places for the whole warehouse team when packing your orders, and notorious for aggressively pursuing the largest and most out there orders to pack. If you’ve ever felt guilty about your order of 15 brooches, 3 earrings, 4 necklaces, and a beret; don’t, because packing it made me quite happy. Outside the warehouse, you’ll find me reading, gaming online, arguing about cool and esoteric sci-fi concepts with people I don’t know, and other wholesome pursuits. I’m also usually typing one-handed, due to my cat Woody locking down my arm whenever he occupies my lap, the scamp.

Favourite quote: “We defeat our enemies by making them into our friends.” (Various, Humanity, First Contact)

Rachel

'Lead of the Pack(ing)'

Hello everyone! You might not hear of me or see me often but I help lead the HQ team who are picking and packing all of your orders, and getting whatever admin needs to be done around that. Outside of work, I spend all of my precious time with friends and family, hanging out with my amazing partner Daniel or chasing around my little boy, Jax. There will usually be music involved too, whether that’s at home or better yet, checking out some live music at a pub. I’m also partial to dinner outings and long drives. Growing up with not one, not two, but three brothers taught me not to be scared to get my hands (or the rest of me) dirty. It also taught me to tackle problems head-on. I’m not one to dwell on drama, I prefer to find solutions!

Favourite quote: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

Carmen

I am an illustrator and artist from Sydney’s inner west. Drawing is my passion and I am very much inspired by animals and all things botanical. A typical day for me would consist of running my online shop, working on commissioned artwork and of course creating super fun and colourful brooches with the lovely people from Erstwilder. I love working for Erstwilder because they encourage creativity and let you take control of the design and output of each brooch. Some of my favourite designs would have to be Best Budgies, Janettie the Patient and Flora Fox Face. When I'm not drawing, you will find me hanging out with my cat Miso, visiting all the galleries or enjoying a Bloody Mary with my bestie and partner in crime.

Hallie

Bonjour! My name is Hallie. I am a designer who lives in Melbourne with my family and fur baby Pepsi! I help to design the visionary concepts of Erstwilder's amazing creative team! ! I love the creative energy at Erstwilder – it’s like designing in sunshine ALL THE TIME! My favourite place to be is in a Vintage shop or market. I love finding unique treasures that can be a source of inspiration and I can give a new home to. “Pick me, pick me” the orphaned objects call. As Maria would ask - What are a few of your favourite things? I love horses in all its forms - Unicorns, Pegasus and seahorses! Horses must be my spirit animal. My favourite movie is Xanadu - it is the mixed tape of movie greatness - 80’s, 50’s, roller skates, romance, music, dancing, greek mythology and LA architecture - it has it all! And my favourite humans in the world are my boys!

Shea

Hey! I’m Shea (rhymes with yay). I’m an illustrator and designer currently drawing up a storm in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. I’m super inspired by all things dripping in vintage glamour and joy, and I fear no sparkle. When I’m not creating, you can find me complimenting the plants in my garden, singing and whistling to my two fur babies, watching old musicals, or reading voraciously with a cup of piping hot coffee.

Favorite Quote: “I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” — Vincent van Gogh

Catherine

'Queen of Erstwildian Support'

Hey, I’m Cath! I manage all things Customer Service, making sure our awesome wholesale stockists have everything they need to thrive. From quick questions to bigger challenges, I’m their go-to person for support! I also get to chase exciting new business opportunities, helping to spread our designs far and wide, reaching customers across the globe! My favourite Erstwilder designs are usually anything with dogs and cats! While I don’t have any pets of my own (yet!), I’m definitely the person who will stop to say hi to every fur baby I meet out and about. A quick cuddle or a scratch under the chin? Yes, please! It’s my little slice of happiness. When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me on a road trip, soaking in the stunning Victorian countryside or coastline. I’m all about discovering new spots, embracing nature, and of course, indulging in a little wine-tasting fun along the way!

Favourite quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you say, people will forget what you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Joy

'Princess of Erstwildian Support'

Oh hey there! I’m Joy, your friendly neighbourhood tattooed weirdo, forever vibing in my Nu Metal, 90’s/00’s bubble. When I’m not in work mode, you’ll find me knee-deep in a Lego build (don’t judge me, it’s a masterpiece in progress), gaming like it’s my side hustle, or catching up on Drag Race like it's my second job. (I swear, the drama never gets old!) I’m basically a professional homebody, cooking up culinary creations and then doom-scrolling through TikTok - because who needs sleep, right? If I could pick a dream getaway, I'd be off to Aotearoa (New Zealand) to channel my inner hobbit and geek out over all things Lord of the Rings. I mean, Middle-earth? Immediately YES! And over at Erstwilder, I get to hang with you, our awesome community! I absolutely love hearing all your fantastic stories about how our quirky treasures add a little magic to your day. Honestly, it’s the best part of my job. Keep them coming - I’m all ears!

Favourite quote: “May your love never end, and if you need a friend, there's a seat here alongside me” – Linkin Park