Clandestino Coffee x Andy Staley
We’re bringing back the handcrafted coffee soaps made by our friend Andy Staley. We visited Andy at his home in Sunshine Beach where he lives with his partner Taylor (who has been working at Clandestino for many years), their beautiful daughter Sunday and two quirky dogs Honey and Daisy.
Andy is an amazing photographer and just an all round creative soul, so we’re stoked that we get to collaborate with such talented people within our community. We talked about how he got into photography, craftsmanship and … good coffee.
Andy, you’re born and bred in Noosa. What do you love most about living here?
Probably being so close to the beach and living in a paradise. I think you appreciate it more the older you get as I moved away when I was 16 and only coming back here permanently 4 years ago.
Favourite hang out spot?
The local hinterlands – there’s heaps of hidden waterfalls and swimming holes that are still kept secret.
Can you tell us how you got into creative projects such as homemade soaps and candles that you’ve been making under your brand Cured by Sea?
I owned my own travel store in Sydney and it was quite full on and immersed in the rat race. My housemate at the time was telling me he wanted to learn how to make soap and I saw that as an opportunity to clear my head from work. I bought a little soap making kit online and started experimented with different oils and scents. I didn’t think much of it until I received some really positive feedback from friends who tried my soaps and loved them. This soap is just so incredibly soft.
What was the process behind the soaps you made for us?
The soap is 100% naturally derived from coconut oil, olive oil and butters. It has no nasties in it at all. The coffee grinds I collect from Clandestino work as an effective and healthy skin exfoliant instead of being thrown away and wasted. I use a high quality scented oil, which consists of star anise, star jasmine, sweet orange and violet giving it a sweet honey-like scent.
Noosa is a great place if someone’s into surfing photography. You are known for stunning underwater shots. What is your story of becoming a photographer?
I started filming videos at the age of 13 and would always have a disposable camera handy. After working years behind a computer, photography was just such a nice hobby to pick up again. I love shooting surfing. I think for a small town such as Noosa, there are just so many local photographers, which is great to see, however the same things are being photographed and the same angles are used over and over. Turning my photography into underwater portraits gives me a point of difference.
We heard it was your gorgeous daughter Sunday’s first birthday recently…. How has becoming dad changed your life or creative process?
To be honest it’s definitely taken its toll on the creative aspect of photography. I do get the chance to shoot photos of her growing up but it has restricted time and accessibility of freely shooting other projects, however I wouldn’t change it for the world and her growing up is my favourite thing to capture.
What are you looking forward to in 2019?
I am currently working on some new photography series which I’m hoping to exhibit mid to late next year.
How do you take your coffee?
Well.. considering I just quit dairy I’ve taken a liking to iced dirty chais on almond milk
How about your favourite place to drink it?
At work in a hot shed sweating away.
Cheers, Andy!
Images by Nathan Tribble.
You can buy Andy’s prints here.
Andy’s organic coffee soaps are made locally in Noosa. Go on, treat yourself.
