lucky me...

pin cushion made by moose & bird

drawstring bag by {a creature strange}

(attention to detail)






lamp work bead by happily ever artist

and look at the handmade box it came in xx

At each of the brisStyle Indie Markets we run a raffle to raise money for a chosen charity. Each stall holder donates an item and at the end of the day the raffle is drawn. March saw us raising money for the cancer council. I was one of the lucky winners. There were 2 handmade bags filled to the brim with handmade goodness and I got to take one of them home with me. As I pulled gorgeous handmade things out of the bag I was making oohs and ahhs and little yelps of excitement. The truth is I had already had a great day being part of the market and this was the icing on the cake...

I promised myself I wouldn't enjoy using my winnings until I'd photographed everything..needless to say it's been torture walking past the chair that all these goodies have been resting on. Well today I finally got the chance...yay..When my Mum was last visiting she claimed the gorgeous handbag by Little Mary Moo but everything else..well except the lamp work bead on the key (it's already been worn several times and received many, many compliments) has been sitting, waiting to be admired again.

Besides the obvious creativity what really resonated with me was quality, packaging and great attention to detail. What an amazing group of artists, crafters and small business owners!

see more on flickr

an interesting read and a giveaway...

To read about the work of two creative souls head over to the brisStyle blog. Leave a comment here before September 25th for your chance to win - YES it is that easy!! Good Luck :)

felt clouds...

How sweet are these clouds? Made by a talented young lady who was selling at the New Earth Markets in Marburg. One of these is going to a friend and the other will be packed up and sent to to Japan for out nephew's 2nd birthday.

i love the smell of new books....

The local post office staff know me by name as I visit several times a week to post orders and check my PO box for mail + supplies - today there was a lovely surprise..not a bill, not supplies...but a package wrapped in brown paper from lyssymay ..as soon as I saw it I knew it was a copy of the new HANDMADE in MELBOURNE! Thanks Alyssa, it looks like I'll be spending the afternoon out on the day bed on the deck leafing through this gorgeous publication. Purchase your own copy here.

chi designs...

Visit this inspirational blog by Chi Designs to find out more about the talent behind these clutches. Also available are coin purses, bags and hair accessories. To browse head to the chi designs etsy shop or madeit store.

*free shipping to all locations within Australia between August 6 - 15

The EEE sale by the brisStyle members ends tomorrow - head here to see who's participating and what offers are available.

Indie Designer's MARKET....

.....the BrisStyle (an amazing group of Brisbane based etsy sellers) Indie Designer's Market is almost here!! It's this Saturday 4th July at St Augustine's Church Hall, Racecourse Road, Hamilton 9am - 2pm. If you saw Channel 7's The Great South East on Sunday afternoon you would have seen some of our members featured .. .if you missed it you can watch it here.

star print dog collar - Pret a pawte

Scooter Girl Necklet - Ruby 2 Go Go

rosie - Sandrine Marsh

hand screen printed fabric - red seed studio

Kiki Doll - made by Maisie

Kazuyo's Collection..

I'm really excited for my friend Kaz (Kazuyo) who I met as a regular stall holder at the West End markets in Davies Park. Each Saturday we would be set up by 5.30 in the morning and enjoy the atmosphere of the market while lovely souls would confirm that we were on the right path of the 'handmade life' by commenting, admiring and buying our products. Kaz would often sell out of her handbags by 1oam!!! ..and no wonder - they are simply beautiful. Kaz uses vintage kimono fabric sourced on her many trips home to Japan.

Anyway, the reason I'm so excited for Kaz is..... one of her dreams has come to fruition..she is opening a shop in Paddington called 'Kazuyo's Collection'. The shop is a collection of Japanese arts, crafts & teas...as well as her popular handbags!

'Kazuyo's Collection' opens this Friday June19 at 10am and for the next 2 weeks Kaz will serve a variety of FREE teas as part of her 'tea tasting' in the small Japanese cafe that is at the entrance to her shop. Please go along and support Kaz and enjoy a cup of tea. She will appreciate your feedback so don't be shy to let her know what you think. :)

Kazuyo's Collection 102 Latrobe Tce Paddington.

love handbags?

...then head over here before June 15th to enter the Giveaway to celebrate Lyssy May's 6th Birthday - There are three chances to win!

a touch of pink

These earrings have all just been listed in my etsy shop. My favourites are the bottom pair, tinted rose patches! For more details click here.

my little girl

My little girl cards are now available in 3 different sizes - mini, medium and large.
Available at the following stockists Lyssy May, *Mia's and Hanasho.
Also made to order. See my website for details.

*1 Kesley St, Coorparoo Qld.

studio globe

Takae's shop 'studio globe' on etsy is filled with handmade items from handbags to baby clothes. I bought this little bib for my newborn nephew and it arrived beautifully packaged from Japan within 3 days! The attention to detail is incredible - even the blue gingham check tape is handmade.