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.

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.

market shopping...

... so I had a stall at the new Boutique Markets at Portside Wharf on Sunday and it was great. Lovely atmosphere, nice weather, well organised, amazing products & stall holders....

As I forgot to take my camera again the below photos are from each designer's website or blog...

Peg & Kate

Michelle Freer

Sandrine Marsh

Raspberry Pink

Jaime Beattie

Little Diva






My Girl

..and many many more!!

Head over to Taryn Newland 's to see some of her beautiful photos of the day.

At the end of the day I treated myself (this rarely happens!!) to one of the beautiful Taybian handbags by Melissa Hoedel.

Taybian

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!

Lyssy May is moving..

The very first time I dropped into Lyssy May and met handbag designer Alyssa is still crystal clear in my memory. A beautiful shop painted in peppermint showcasing handmade bags made on the premises brought out more 'oohs ' and 'ahhs' than I thought was possible! Listening to Alyssa describe the fabrics and trims - many of them collected on overseas trips, I could see she absolutely loved what she was doing and since that day has been a great friend & inspiration to me.

Over the past 5 years Alyssa has created something very special in Brisbane, her love of design teamed with her appreciation of handmade goods has seen her little shop become a treasure trove of handbags and gifts made with love. While the store will close this Saturday (20th September) the creativity will continue, the Lyssy May product range will still be online and Alyssa is working on new designs which she is planning to release in the lead up to Christmas.

There's still time to drop into the store to snap up a creation or order a design from one of the most creative souls I've met.

Lyssy May's Shop & Studio
676 Wynnum Road Morningside, 4171
07 3899 5335
http://www.lyssymay.com/