Handmade Christmas Challenge update

As part of my mini handmade Christmas challenge I am making a quilt for my nephew. Master A chose the fabric himself, All Star by Riley Blake. I decided to make a disappearing 9 patch quilt. I started by sewing nine 6" squares into an 18" block.

Then cut the block in half length ways.

Each half was then cut into half again, leaving me with four 9" blocks.

I then placed the 4 squares back into their original place and spun each square to the left.

The finished block. Only 5 more to go.

SHOP SPECIAL

I am offering these four Alice in Wonderland brooch sets for the special price of $20 (plus shipping) in my shop. That's a saving of $16! Each set consists of 2 large brooches and a 1 medium brooch. I only have one of each set, so be quick. Once they're gone, they're gone. I do have this fabric in blue and pink (as previously pictured). If you would like one of these sets in blue or pink please contact me and I will add it to the shop.

This Weekend

This weekend the lovely and talented Luisa of Dance in My Garden and Anna of Nevanna Designs are having a Open Home at Blackman's Bay. Luisa makes gorgeous bibs, buntings, bags and cup cosies and Anna makes beautiful home decor products from delicious designer fabrics. This is a great opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done early and support your local handmade community. You can see some of the goodies these two talented ladies make here and here.

When: This Saturday 31st Oct

Where: 145 Wells Parade, Blackmans Bay

Time: 10am -3pm

Got to be in it to win it!

That's right folks, it's almost time for the monthly followers give away. This month I'm giving away these 5 Alice in Wonderland brooches. These brooches have not yet been released so you could be the first to own one (or 5!) To enter, simply sign up to this blog as a follower before Nov 1. The winner will be drawn using a random number generator.

I am very excited to announce that two more stores will now be selling Notions goodies. Rust & Co. in Derwent Park stocks all sorts of yummy vintage collectables. You can browse the shop and enjoy a coffee in their cafe. Have fabulous is that? Two of my favourite things combined in one location! Another of my favourites pass times is sewing and I am very happy to be able to say that Notions brooches can be found at The Thread Den in North Melbourne.  If you haven't visited The Thread Den I recommend that you do. They not only offer sewing classes in their sewing lounge, but sell vintage clothing, fabrics and patterns. They also stock hand screen printed fabrics and a selection of handmade accessories. Both stores will have Notions products in store next week.

More Press

Edwina from Little Snoring has just messaged me to let me know that one of my brooches is featured on today's Inside Out blog. Inside Out is one of my favourite mags, so I'm excited to be on their blog. Thanks for letting me know Edwina.

Cluck, cluck

These red & black French hens are spreading their wings and are heading north to Cocoon in Launceston.

Oh boy, oh boy!

Ok, so far my mini Christmas challenge to buy only hand made presents is going well. I've bought for my sister, my girl friends, and my niece. I am making a quilt for my nephew, but that still leaves my my dad, brother and other male friends. Hand made for males are harder to find at local markets. I imagine that other people will be in the same position when it comes to buying for male friends and relatives this year, so I thought we could all exchange ideas. Here are some items that I found on etsy using the search term 'men'.  I tried to find things that would appeal to a range of males. There's the Crafty Apron for all those handy men out there, the Brown Barry Beardaclava for those who appreciate the quirky, the Vintage Map Cuff links for the traveler, the Unisex Upcycled Cuff  for the caffine addict, the Mens Set Of Three Soaps for the metro sexual, the Ctrl - Alt - Del Pillow Set for the geek, the Bottle cap Images for the retro man, and Can I keep it Monster Messenger bag and the Tree T-Shirt for the fashion conscious. If you have any other suggestions please leave a comment. 

The Market Day 2

A new day and a new sales strategy. After a frustratingly slow day on Saturday I decided that I needed to revamp my stall and add few different products. I think people were confused by the packing of my Christmas range and may not have realised that they were brooches and not just decorations. To remedy the situation I moved the Christmas stock to the table I was standing behind so that I could easily explain the products to potential customers. Still, I only sold one pudding all weekend and only 4 of the baubles. Maybe people just weren't in the Christmas mood? Bah Humbug! Luckily my little red birdies brooches picked up the slack (one woman bought 5!).

Sunshine!

The sun was shining (the rain held off until 2pm) and I enjoyed the market atmosphere (not to mention more treats from the bakery!) and chatting to customers. Leaving mum minding the stall I had the chance to take some photos of the building and a really cool old bingo wheel that was out the back of the hall. All in all, a good way to spend the weekend.

The Market Day 1

Wet. Windy. Cold. Not the best weekend for a market, but at least we were inside. The Christmas Market was a small affair, with around 10 stalls, but it had great atmosphere. The Richmond Hall is a lovely old building and a fabulous location for a boutique market. Sales wise the day was a little disappointing. I think the wet weather may have deterred a few people. We were also competing with the Royal Hobart Show and Salamanca Market. My very first customer of the day was fellow blogger Ange, who posted her purchases on her blog. Thanks Ange! Despite the slow sales I had a great day. My mum came along to help on the stall (bringing with her some of her little handmade angels to sell- creativity runs in the family), so I was free to wonder a bit.  The hall is across the road from an award winning bakery so I was set for treats (the apples cakes are delicious!) and I had a lovely time browsing all the other stalls and talking to my fellow marketeers. I even got some of my Christmas shopping done (all handmade).

Grey skies in Richmond

Babushka, Babushka

One of my mum's angels. They may have unruly hair, but what sweet faces!

Craft Crush #2

I have a craft crush on Pocket Carnival.  Penny Eager, the creative genius behind Pocket Carnival, is a Melbourne based crafter/designer/illustrator. Her delightful range centers upon the most adorable little characters in animal costumes. Penny's goodies include original artworks and the sweetest bags and purses. You can see more goodies on Penny's blog or in her etsy store. I love Rabbit best. I think it's the ears. But Monkey is also cute. And so is Bear. And now there's Deer. Oh dear! How to decide? I'll just have to have them all. Who's your favourite?

This Weekend

This weekend I'll be at the 2 day Christmas Fair (10-4) at the Town Hall in the beautiful historic village of Richmond. I'll be selling all the usual brooches plus my Christmas range. I've just been out there to set up my stall and I'd forgotten how beautiful that region of Tasmania was. The drive is about 30 mins from Hobart and goes through the vineyard region of the Coal Valley. If you have a free day this weekend come along and check out the market and the village. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants, an old fashioned lolly shop (a family favourite), fascinating graveyards to visit and even a maze the leave the kids in! Hope to see you there.

Goodies

Here's some of my haul from Melbourne. Wooden apple photo holders from Zakkaya.

Cards from Rap.

A copy of Mix Tape and a fabric scrap from Aunty Cookie from the Thread Den.

Notebook and Balloon brooch from Ramona Tienda.

A Day in Melbourne

All work and no play makes Rosie a very cranky girl indeed! So, to avoid this I visited lots of lovely little shops while I was shopping on my business trip. First up was a scheduled visit to Rap in the city. I bought a few cards to frame for my new inspiration frame wall. Hmmm...those brooches look familiar.

Next up was a trip to Errol Street in North Melbourne and a visit to the recently opened Ramona Tienda. I first met the owner, the lovely Ramona, earlier this year in her previous incarnation as the buyer for Wilkins & Kent. Her new store 'showcases a thoughtful selection of homewares, jewellery and children's clothes that, for the most part, are designed and handmade in Australia'. Ramona has certainly gathered together a  delightful mix of items. I'll definitely paying another visit next time in Melbourne.

I bought one of these gorgeous little balloon brooches. I simply couldn't resist! Up, up and away...

Next up was the Tread Den. But first, a much need caffeine boost at a great bar/cafe called the Auction House.

Great coffee and I loved the sugar holder.

I'd been reading about the Thread Den on various blogs for a few months now and was determined to check the store for myself. The girls describe their enterprise as a sewing lounge and independent clothing retailer. Well, I can tell you, they're a lot more than that! They're a haven for vintage clothing, vintage fabrics and sewing patterns and local hand screen printed fabrics and beautiful accessories.

And what about the mural on the entrance stairs? Cool or what?

Then it was a tram ride over to North Carlton and a visit to Belki. I'd been meaning to get there the last 2 trips to Melbourne. I'm glad I made the effort this time. Another shop filled with my sort of accessories, bags and stationery. Then I walked to Fitzroy and popped into the quirky I Like You, a store that promotes independent designers. Lastly I popped into Zakkaya on Johnston Street. Honestly, their website does not do justice to this sweet store. It's stocked with the most gorgeous Japanese accessories , toys and home wares. Again, purchases were made, but more in that tomorrow.

New Stockist...

I'm very pleased to announce that Notions goodies can now be found in Nook. What a fabulous name. Nook. It makes me think of all things warm and comforting, of curling up in an over sized armchair with blankie and a good book (and a coffee of course). Nook has only been open a few months and is owned by the lovely Michelle who stocks all sorts of gorgeous handmade, vintage and eco goodies. I'm so happy that my Notions have found their own little nook in this fabulous store. Thanks Michelle!

The root of it all

Tomorrow morning I'm off to Melbourne on a business trip. I love saying that. And I love that it's my business that I'm promoting.  It's been a strange and wonderful last 12 months. This time last year I was neck deep in a history PhD and living in a state of perpetual stress. One of my many procrastination techniques involved making things with vintage buttons and I began selling a few vintage button pendants at a small country market. From there I made vintage button rings and brooches. Fabric covered buttons (now the focus of my business) appeared after Christmas. I don't remember consciously making the decision to switch, but I'm glad I did. Fabric buttons seem to appeal to all ages and are fun to make. I still have a large stash of vintage buttons and I occasionally make things with them. It's nice to get back to my business roots now and then. It makes me appreciate where I am now- happy and (mostly) stress free. Well, I'm off to bed to get some sleep before heading to the airport in the morning. See you soon.