friends of pansy: hello it’s melly!
Friends of Pansy is series of short conversations and interviews with people who are closely involved with the day to day of pansy. I hope it’s a nice chance for you to get to know pansy more, but also the people who help, support, and cheer me on this adventure!
For our second edition, we chat with my very dear sweet friend Melly who is one of the most kind, funny, considerate humans I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, getting to work with, and loving. Enjoy!
Hi Melly,
I think a lot of people might have seen you on pansy’s insta stories and already know who you are! But can you tell us a bit about yourself, or something we might not know about you?
Hi :) I'm Melly! I'm 35, have a cutie old sausage dog called Frank, and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up :) Up until the pandemic hit I had been working full time since I was 15 and now for the first time ever I'm working part time and spending the rest of my days trying to work out what really brings me joy.
Melly’s meticulous canal house made entirely from paper!
Melly made a paper wiener for wiener week 2020
Another one of Melly’s amazing creations - a paper birthday cake inspired by Juujuu
What’s your involvement in pansy and what kind of things do you do when you’re here?
I am lucky enough to work at Pansy 2 days a week. I do lots of different jobs when i'm there and that's one of the reasons why I love it so much! Some of my favourite things I do are playing shopkeeper, Packing orders and cleaning/re-organising the teeny tiny storage dungeon.
Do you have a favourite task/what do you find the most satisfying?
There are so many cute and fun things that I get to do that I honestly don't think I could pick a favourite! Does eating our morning pastry and drinking coffee count as a task?
Packing orders and carrying them to the post drop off together
Two aussies bamboozled by snow
Serious studio business
If we were a girl band
We are both from Australia, and whenever we’re together people always ask if we knew each other previously! Can you tell us a bit of your story about your journey from Australia to the Netherlands and what it was like moving over?
It blows my mind thinking that if we were both still in Australia we lived so far away from each other (Sydney and Perth) that we probably wouldn't have ever met! But here we are on the other side of the world just hanging out!
I immigrated to Amsterdam with my sausage dog Frank 7 years ago after visiting multiple times and falling head over heels in love. Moving so far from home was a little scary at first but It really just felt like it was something I had to do and I'm so happy that I did!
My absolute favourite photo of Melly and Frank in the entire world - look at them!
Frank being a weirdo
The first time Lina and Frank met - a love story
Frank and his ball - another love story
You used to run a business (Your Space, RIP) with your sister Natty, which was very service oriented, and I think I can say that we (me included) are incredible people pleasers (in both the good and bad way!) Do you know why and where your love for serving, being around, helping other people comes from?
I'm sure most therapists would say that these behaviours come from trauma but they are very much part of who I am today and I'm ok with that :) I've always really enjoyed working in client facing businesses. I think the service industry gets such a bad wrap for being an “in between'' job which I really disagree with. It feels really powerful to me to work in an industry where you have the opportunity to bring a little joy into someone else’s day. It can be exhausting at times but as I get older I'm learning to set boundaries that help me to save time for myself and reset.
I remember in March 2020 we didn’t know each other that well, but we grew a lot closer because we were struggling with the uncertainty of running/opening a business during a global pandemic. If it’s not too painful to talk about, do you want to share a bit about your thoughts and feelings from that time?
Hmm this is a tricky one to answer. 2020 was the horrible year that we (Natty and myself) had to close our business, but it was also a beautiful year because for the first time since I was 15 I had time to stop and think about what I really wanted from my life. The pandemic was hard on so many people, but it still felt so lonely being one of the businesses that had to close when so many others seemed to be able to pivot and make it work. It really took a toll on my self confidence so I'm doing my best to feel better within myself again. I think overall I'm grateful to be where I am now but it was a real journey getting here.
work hard, snack hard: a pansy philosophy
The night we packed 22 pansy packs for a giant order (Loulou pizza)
The day we removed and put in new shelving for the studio (d&a hummus)
Don’t remember what we were celebrating but every day is bubble tea day (sooteas)
A valentines day love surprise! (Heart Garden Waffles)
I am so impressed and proud that you’ve been taking so much time to work on yourself, your practice, and we often talk about anti-racist work too. How has the past year been for you and what are you learning about or working towards?
This past year has honestly been a red hot mess haha.
Some days I feel fearful that things won't ever feel the same as they were, but on the other side of that I don't really want them to feel exactly like they were. I'm finally using my time to work on myself and my art practise. It's a little scary at 35 to be jumping into something completely new but it's so exciting seeing my growth and thinking about what the future might hold.
Over the past few years my mind has been opened to so many things that I had the privilege to not think about before. And whilst at times I've found it really hard I'm so thankful that now I have the opportunity to learn and do better.
What are you currently working on in your art practice? What’s making you really excited?
I think everything about it is making me feel excited at the moment! Even when it's scary it's exciting!
I'm probably the most excited about just finally dedicating the time to grow and learn! But I also made a tiny little can of tomatoes on the weekend that sparked some ideas for exciting future projects!
What are your dreams? (sorry, this is a cheesy question but I love asking people this)
To learn how to find fun and joy in every day. Ask a cheesy question, get a cheesy answer haha.
What do you care most about the world?
I dont think I’ve ever actually thought about this before. Probably my sister Natty and her being happy… But don't tell her I said that ;)
Natty and Melly surprised me with this cake for my birthday - two sweet peas in a pod!
Being cute and weird
Eating together makes us happy!
Another weird but cute photo (team Fifi)
For people who don’t get to visit pansy or be here in person, how would you describe it?
It's like a little bit of joy and kindness had a cuddle with a rainbow! It's the kind of place where everyone is welcome and you can find beautiful things hidden in every nook and cranny.
Melly painting window hangers for Wiener Week 2020
Our first round of packing for Pansy Packs (October 2020)
Melly forever tackling the printer
What aspect of pansy makes you the most excited?
Honestly everything! I love watching Pansy grow and chatting with you about all the fun things you have planned for the future! But if I had to pick one thing it would probably be seeing you (lina) succeed. I know it's been hard and you work your little butt off every day but you're doing it, and it's so great! I'm so proud to be a part of what you have created <3
You have been so generous, enthusiastic, always lending a brain and a hand to pansy and I’m so so so grateful for it. I love laughing and working together, you’ve made this little shop studio such a joy. Thank you so much Melly!!!
Follow Melly’s adventures (and fun Frank stories every now and then!) here: