Hints and Spices

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Hints and Spices

Adelaide design studio Owned and operated by Shane Haddy, Hints and Spices is an emerging Adelaide design studio.

Hints and Spices main focus is on unique designer art toys.

22/04/2026

Monster A Go-Go 4 recap!

Special thanks to .kid.club and for putting on the event and for having us (loved the pub feed!!).

I’m thrilled that we can have events like this in Australia now. More local artists, more local art toy collectors, and a shift in mentality means even those with no idea about the scene can walk in without feeling intimidated. It’s definitely changed since I started.

After two tabled pub events, I’ve come to see this as a distinctly “Aussie” way of doing things. It’s not set in stone, but the pub setting really works. Especially with younger crowds shifting away from a heavy drinking culture. The venues are becoming more of a meeting place and if a venue can avoid pokies, that’s a huge bonus.

I grabbed a few photos from the event, you’ll have to follow all the artists to see their setups! I wasn’t even fully set up when mine was taken.

It was also my birthday on Sunday and it turned into a a bit of an afterparty. Drinks, food, and plenty of toy talk. Great fun.

Thanks to everyone who came by my table to chat buy something and hang. Special thanks to the locals looking after me in Melboune.

And additional thanks for the birthday love. I scored a few drinks, food, some toys, and even a room upgrade.

Till the next one!

18/04/2026

Scorcher Kowaiila and Suity-chan added to the store.

Sales will open at 11am tomorrow Melboune time (19th of April, my birthday!!! Woooo). I’ll be shutting the store down at around 10am tomorrow before the launch.

Hit my website up or my bio for store link.

15/04/2026

MAGG4 - Scorcher

Kowaiila and Suity-chan

Available this Saturday (18th April) at for MONSTER A GO-GO 4.

Making the “heat” vibrancy pop was key, I achieved this with multiple layers of custom paint mixes and finishes: matte, gloss and fluorescents.

The subtle shift is hard to capture with just photos, so I’ve added some videos. Even with video, varying lighting conditions shift it too.

Side note: All previous MAGG events have been gallery style displays with a launch party but this time it’ll be a single day tabled event with multiple artists, making it Australia’s 2nd tabled art toy event!

I’ll have other works available, some one off variants of older releases and some pieces from toy friends.

Extra side note: It’s my birthday Sunday so I’ll be in birthday party mode :))))

check out .kid.club for more info.

04/04/2026

Yellow !!!! It’s so vibrant. I love jt.

Got a few plans for this amazing popping yellow. First is Monster A Go-Go 4 in Melboune which will be held over my birthday weekend. I’m so excited for it!!! Party mode will be activated.

Planning the paint scheme this weekend, then diving into painting for a few days. Even with a plan, i’m sure it’ll turn out totally different.

Ive always wanted to do the classic Hawaiian paint scheme on yellow but I lack the colours! It also seems it’s going to be even after to get paint soon with thinner supplies on hold!

29/11/2025

The Web store is live!!

Link in the bio or through the website!

Go grab the thing you like!!!

04/12/2023

**pre-launch sneaky purchase list**

Frog Cake Sofubi returns!

The iconic Adelaide icon immortalised in soft vinyl designed by is available once again!

All pieces are painted and awaiting packaging which should arrive soon.

The large release will also be accompanied by a small zine, stickers and a pin.

Posting as many people are asking to purchase before shop launch, which I’m allowing this time. There will be plenty available ~ however I’ll limit units per purchase if too extreme.

DM if you are interested prior to the shop launch to secure.

18/11/2023

The only image I have to share of my latest client project!

Inside these boxes is a plush toy I designed and project managed. I really loved the whole process, even deep diving into safety standard testing.

This has excited me to work on more plush toys :) I’m going to test a few Kowaiila plush concepts and some older character designs I’ve got in my back pocket.

Stay tuned for the big reveal as the client is gearing up to introduce this unique creation to the world!

13/10/2023

ADELAIDE ULTRA

Did you know that the only Ultraman series ever filmed outside of Japan unfolded in my hometown of Adelaide?

ULTRAMAN: TOWARDS THE FUTURE

It's a captivating tale of cosmic ambition and production challenges that nearly spelled disaster for ABC Kids, along with a solemn pledge from Tsuburaya Productions to keep their Ultraman adventures firmly rooted in Japan.

Much of what I know about this legendary production remains veiled in hearsay. I created this small zine as my endeavor to rectify that; it's part callout, part experiment, and part show-and-tell—a mission to unravel the truth and share it with kindred enthusiasts.

Now, I won't claim to be the ultimate Ultraman aficionado, and the titular character doesn't exactly set my world ablaze. But my passion ignites when it comes to the series' monstrous marvels. It took me years within the fandom to discover that a series was filmed right here in Adelaide, and I attempted to uncover any information and being told it isn’t best to ask questions as it is a sensitive topic for many.

In the year 2021, Anifex closed its studio doors—the very Adelaide studio responsible for crafting those iconic Adelaide made Ultraman props. They held an auction, and I secured a trove of Ultraman relics—pieces of history begging for preservation.
This zine is my slapped together image collection of the pieces I scored; quick photos taken on my phone. It's also a call to action. If you possess additional artifacts or have connections to the epic chapter that unfolded, shoot me a DM!

My plan is to re-work this into a more comprehensive mook. However, if you are interested in the Zine I will make them available next week, just working out the best way to do easy international shipping. Comment below to be the first to find out!

10/05/2023

Kowaiila: Monster guts (blue and red)

Small release for Monster A Go-Go exhibition this Friday in Melbourne.

08/12/2022

The weekly releases keep coming! I post them on my insta feed and then I tag them to my highlights.

I understand this isn’t the best sales method, however it’s more about diving back into toy work for me.

Next year I’ll rework my webstore for easier release and sales method.

17/11/2022

TL;DR I’ve been busy boi and I’m still going to be busy for some time, however I’m going to start releasing works in a limited nature.

After 2020 opening up and closing of , i wanted to find another location but due to a mixture of not finding an appropriate studio space and discovering I had to move out of my rental after 13 years, I ended up on the journey of finding a house to purchase.

It was non stop inspections for about 5 months but I managed to purchased a house at the end of last year. The place I purchase needed some renovation but I decided to give it a crack by all by myself (licensed trades pulled in where required).

I really enjoy the whole process and it’s extremely rewarding but I’ve fully dedicated all my free time and focus. I’ve also got severely distracted by designing everything myself.

Once completed, I’ll be my little slice of heaven with a purpose built studio for toy work.

Till then, I don’t really have the time to do large scale releases or events - so I’ve taken a big step back from toy work.

However, it’s been too long between releases! So, starting this week, I’ll be regularly releasing pieces through Instagram each week ~ not 100% what each week will entail but it’ll be a mix between unique coloured blanks, paint test pieces, lost but found again old releases, repaints of old releases and one off painted pieces.

Im working out of a small garage, unpacking boxes and discovering what I find and can make!

Thanks for your support!

The image accompanying this post is just a collection of some of the random things I’ve been doing. I haven’t kept much record of what I have done though :O

Address

289 Lygon St
Melbourne, VIC
3057

Website

http://www.hintsandspices.com/

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