Spotlight on Geelong Entrepreneur Driving Mosaic Design Revival

Emma Clarke opened a second production space for Clarke Mosaics at 128 Moorabool Street last month and recorded 320 custom commissions in June alone.

The timing aligns with broader pressure on Australian makers from overseas platforms that undercut prices on identical patterns. Clarke started the business in 2019 from a garage in Geelong West and now supplies tiles and finished panels to builders working on projects along Ryrie Street and around the waterfront precinct. Local demand has held steady even as national home prices eased in the June quarter, giving independent designers room to emphasise quality and direct sales.

Local networks fuel growth

Clarke partners with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce on its monthly maker market held at the Geelong Arts Centre forecourt and runs a weekly tile-design workshop through the Geelong Regional Library branch on Little Malop Street. Those sessions have drawn 48 participants since March, many of them first-time buyers who later place orders. The business also sources glass stock from a supplier on Separation Street, keeping transport costs low and turnaround times under three weeks for most pieces.

Internal records show average order value reached $285 in the most recent quarter, up from $210 twelve months earlier. Clarke attributes the lift to a shift toward smaller wall panels priced between $95 and $160 that suit apartment renovations rather than full floor installs. Export sales remain modest at 12 percent of revenue, with most work staying inside the Barwon region.

Clarke plans to add two part-time roles before spring and will exhibit at the Geelong Home Show scheduled for 15-17 August at the Geelong Showgrounds. Residents interested in commissioning work can book a consultation at the Moorabool Street address or through the business website.