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In the studio

At between you & me

we’re committed to sustainable processes, both for the environment and for ourselves. We employ local factories and businesses, and have designed mimimal, recyclable packaging. We pride ourselves on using a mixture of new and old technologies.

Artisan working at the bench on a handcrafted stainless steel serving piece in the Between You and Me studio

preparing a design sample

Stainless steel sheet on laser cutting bed during the Between You and Me production process

Laser cutting bed at the local factory

Early Between You and Me samples and design ideas arranged on a studio board

bits and pieces laid out for review

Between You and Me maker working on a laptop in the studio lounge with a chicken nearby

Marjorie offering some advice

Operating out of our Melbourne studio,

we start sketching designs by hand, then use traditional metal working techniques to make handmade samples. We rigorously test and refine each design.

Once convinced by the design, we have a small quantity cut at a Melbourne factory.

Back in the workshop each piece is carefully checked. Burrs and scratches are removed using a combination of mechanical and hand sanding methods. 

The pieces are then formed using a range of machinery and tools in our workshop, from a series of traditional metal work forming tools, through to the 250kg vintage fly press. This beautifully engineered piece of machinery was made in Australia in the 1940’s. It was originally used for making metal samples prior to a production run. We were lucky to find one in such fine condition.

Each serving piece must perform well and be lovely to look at and hold. Importantly, its function must also be pleasing.  There is an unmistakable pleasure in using a pair of serving tongs with a satisfying spring.

Studio maker setting up a fly press used in the handcrafted production process

The flypress being installed

Studio maker cutting timber outdoors as part of the handcrafted production process

Preparing wooden tree stump for use as hammering block

Vintage fly press installed in the Between You and Me studio

The flypress in its new home

Between You and Me maker polishing a stainless steel serving piece on an outdoor studio polishing wheel

Polishing stainless steel piece

Once the serving piece has been formed

the metal has to be ‘finished’. The surface finish of the metal is the final part of the making process, taking the servingware from rough to smooth and lovely to hold and to view.

Each piece is washed carefully and quality checked. Inevitably, there are stubborn ones which require further attention.

When we're happy with the finish, we engrave our logo. The serving piece is ready to be packaged and sent out to its new home.

Each part of the process requires a new set of skills. Each piece requires individual attention. It is our hope that this level of attention is felt in the final result.

We are grateful for Marjorie, Mrs Maisel, Dolores and Selma who don’t always pull their weight but do offer excellent, if irrelevant advice. They are the four chickens in the yard (and occasionally in the workshop) and have been essential and beloved participants in this whole operation.

Row of High Heel stainless steel serving pieces arranged on a studio bench

A row The High Heel serving pieces- backstage and ready for finishing

Stack of Those Two stainless steel salad servers with sculptural face details outside the studio

A few of Those Two salad servers having a chat before being formed, finished and coupled up

Tray of Off to See the Wizard stainless steel serving pieces being carried through the studio yard with a chicken nearby

More advice...

Studio maker polishing a handcrafted stainless steel serving piece

hand polishing

Between You and Me maker signing studio care cards for handcrafted serving pieces

Making notes on the careslip design

Kraft gift boxes with care slip for Stepping Out serving pieces

Boxes of Off to See the Wizard pieces ready for their new home

Maker in the studio yard with chickens beside the workshop and garden

Finishing the day with a business meeting

Melbourne city view from Between you and me office studio with tall buildings and hot air balloons against a vibrant sunset sky.

Early morning view from the office

Dome and Circles stainless steel serving pieces presented in kraft gift box with Between You and Me logo
Dome and Circles stainless steel serving pieces presented in kraft gift box with Between You and Me logo

made in small batches in our Melbourne studio