Meet the Newcastle-born creative behind the Darby Street jewellery boutique

It’s that time again where we’ll be taking you behind the scenes with our favourite local business owners and creatives to find out where they go to eat, what playlist they’re listening to, where they take their out-of-town friends, and ultimately, what makes them tick.

For our 16th instalment of SPILL, we’re catching up with the Newcastle-born creative behind Darby Street’s boutique jewellery spot, Sarah Madden of Hey Tilly.

Sarah Madden

Firstly, what and where would people across Newcastle recognise you from?

People would recognise me from Hey Tilly nestled in the heart of Darby Street.

What made you decide to return to Newcastle and call it home?

After eight years of living away from home and especially after covid, my priorities shifted and I felt the pull to be back near my family and friends and, of course, the beach!

Do you consider yourself more of an early bird or a night owl?

If you asked me this question a few years ago I would have said night owl. But recently, I’m loving getting up early, going for a walk, getting a coffee, and feeling like I’ve had a full day before I start work.

What’s your morning ritual?

My morning usually starts with my dog deciding I’m ready to wake up, scroll TikTok for half an hour, and then stroll on down to Sunnyboy Kiosk for an iced strawberry matcha!

Where’s your late-night hangout spot?

Over winter, it’s been on the lounge, but I’m a sucker for a pizza at Parry St Garage.

What’s your coffee order?

In winter it’s a large cappuccino. But now that it’s warming up I’m obsessing over an iced matcha.

Tell me about your biggest career highlight…

It was about nine months ago taking the leap, leaving my 9-5 job, and opening Hey Tilly on Darby Street. I still pinch myself every day.

In your spare time, what are your THREE top favourite things to do in Newcastle?

1. My number 1 would be the Merewether to Bar Beach walk with a pitstop at Dixon Beach dog park.
2. Trying new restaurants Newy has to offer – thank god for HUNTERhunter highlighting all the new spots.
3. When it’s hot enough, arvo swims down at Merewether baths.

If you wanted to dazzle your out-of-town friends and family, where would you take them?

Take them on a trip down Darby Street of course, then head to The Beach Hotel for lunch and a few drinks then over to Merewether Surfhouse for a cocktail and to take in the beautiful coastline.

Beer? Wine? Cocktail? Mocktail? What is your tipple of choice and where do you frequently visit?

If it’s after work, I’ll head down to 5 Sawyers for their cocktail of the week. Or if it’s a weekend session, I love the Adamstown Bowlo or The Prince.

On the daily, what’s guaranteed to make you smile?

Definitely my three year old labradoodle, Winnie! She’s even got her own Instagram!

What do you NEVER leave the house without?

Jewellery! It’s always the final touch to my outfit and usually a new design I’m testing out in the wild, if it gets a compliment then it’s added to the collection.

We’re all about keeping it local here at HUNTERhunter - tell me THREE of your favourite local businesses that you live and breath by and why you couldn’t live without them…

1. Oakberry at Bar Beach – hands down the best açai in Newcastle plus it's unlimited toppings so you cant go wrong.
2. Palinopsia on Darby Street – Tamara creates the most beautiful handmade ceramics and each one is individual which makes the pieces so special.
3. Nohea Fox in Merewether – it’s become my go-to shopping place for gifts! They have a really unique range of items plus they stock Sabbi, which I’m loving at the moment.

If you’re needing a short break away from Newcastle, where do you go and why?

Crescent Head. I’ve been going there every year since I was born and spending a week camping there brings me back down to earth.

What’s your go-to playlist?

Our Hey Tilly playlist is goooood!

What would you like to see more of in Newcastle?

I would like to see more initiatives from Newcastle council to encourage small businesses to open brick and mortar stores, there’s a huge need for in person experiences with retail but the barriers to entry are so large for small businesses. It would be great to see some of the empty stores in Newcastle used for retail pop-ups or short leases.

Lucky last – who would you recommend we interview next for SPILL?

Mr Potato has just opened next door, you guys have to have a chat all things spuds with the owner.