Saturday, December 20, 2008

Our Bloglist

Our bloglist is looking a bit bare!
If you are a designer, boutiquer or seller of Australian handmade children's items, or you have a blog involved in showcasing these, please add either a link or our banner to your blogroll, advise us and we will add a reciprocal link.

*Make sure you check out our brand new fashion blog - Mama Loves to Shop*


Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Introducing Bubba Chenille



Name: Miriam

Store name/label: bubbachenille

What do you create? A funky range of Childrens/Babies Clothing & Accessories made from preloved chenille bedspreads.

Where to buy: etsy, madeit.com.au, The Handmade Expo, other markets local to me eg Cabarlah

Where are you located? Toowoomba

How long have you been designing & making your range? Since March 2008


What inspired you to get started? I saw some at a market interstate and my creative juices started to flow as to how I could customise and make things my own, its the chenille I was attracted to and have added all sorts of things to my range, what I tought would sell , hasn't and the things I introduced as one offs have become my biggests sellers. Go figure!



What do you do when you’re not creating? Help co-ordinate The Handmade Expo

Do you remember the first item you sold? Yes, it was one of everything to a friend



What is your favorite item you have created? Each of my one "offs" until I make the next one!

Thanks for participating Miriam - I adore the little shorts you make, they are so cute!

Monday, December 15, 2008

My Top Five

Sugar'n'spice - a few finds for the little girls today. Oh, how I love pretty dresses!

Orange flower cross over dress from Squirt Baby



Chelsea' Dress in Blue Flutterby by Ivy Designs


Pink Octopus Garden Dress from Hot Fudge



Floral broderie anglaise blouse with lace trim from Hooligan



OOAK wearable art featuring oilily kimono blossom fabric from JaEmArt



Thursday, December 11, 2008

Introducing...Fairy Floss Creations


Name:
Lisa-Maree

Store name/label:Fairy Floss Creations

Where to buy: Check out the stockist page on our website or our online store: www.fairyflosscreations.com.au.

Where are you located? Melbourne

How long have you been designing & making your clips?
Making Clips about 3 years but only for my daughter, but Fairy Floss Creations Was Born in August "07"

What inspired you to get started?
I started making them for my daughter and for kids birthday presents and everyone commented on them, so I thought I would give it a try at a local shop I used to work in and they sold out in 2 days, I approached more and more stores and here I am

What do you do when you’re not creating?
Being a Mum to my 3 babies! kinder runs, swimming, cooking, cleaning The usual Mummy duties, Other than that I like going to fancy restaurants with my husband and Of course I cant forget shopping! I just Love shopping.

Do you remember the first item you sold?
I dont remember the first item I sold, as I was just giving them away at the start, but I remember how pleased I was when I supplied to my very first shop

What is your favorite item you have created?
I can't think of a favorite item, as everything I make I absolutly love, if I am not 100% happy with it I wont make it... But I do love the bows and denim covered clips!

Fairy Floss Creations is all about making little girls be the true Princess they are! Stay Tuned for more beautiful accessories coming your way!


Thanks Lisa!


Sunday, December 7, 2008

My Top Five

I recently joined a new group, BrisStyle, so today I have decided to do a spotlight on Handmade in Brisbane! All the fabulous items below are made by Brisbane locals. Make sure you also check out the BrisStyle Blog - and if you're a local, they're holding a market this Saturday, at Hamilton Town Hall.


Twinkle Star Art - Personalised portrait



Wicked Child Designs - Dame Edna



Pedrosprout - Neon Blue Dotty Baby Booties



Sharlzndollz
- Babushka Doll




Knitwish
- Montague Mouse


If you'd like to submit a spotlight on local sellers in your home town, I would LOVE to hear from you!


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Introducing...Look At The Wall




Name: Monique Gaspar

Occupation: Children’s Wall Art Designer

How did you get into wall art designs? How did you come up with the concept?

Like many new mums who take on the task of decorating their baby’s nursery, I frantically searched for the perfect wall art pieces. It had to be cool, carry a contemporary edge, all the while being colourful, happy and inspiring to let little minds run wild. I couldn’t find anything appropriate so I decided to make my own and from that point the “artist” grew and that is how “Look at the Wall” was created.

“Look at the Wall” has limited edition collages handmade from a variety of papers such as magazines, maps, old atlases or really any paper at all. Each piece is individually cut, so you may find slight variations in the handiwork and colour schemes but that is exactly what makes each piece unique.

Do you come from a design background?
I have always been creative but spent many years at University with two degrees in Biomedical Science and Radiography. Over the past few years I have also been teaching at Monash University. Designing artwork was only supposed to be a hobby while on maternity leave, however, it has developed into a small business.

What are your works inspired by?
People always ask me who inspires or motivates me and I always answer “my kids”. It may seem cliché but what they see, what they find, what they create, always makes me think differently and see things in a whole new way. Now that my oldest child is nearly four and youngest one, I, of course, have learnt so much by watching and listening to them. They are my inspiration, my collaborators too and source for many ideas. I guess I’m also really inspired by anyone who is “creating”– whether it’s my style or not, their process of creating something they’re passionate about is really motivating to me.

What are some wall art designs you have done? How do you create the images?
I mainly focus on animals, however, if someone has an idea or would like a specific colour scheme, I am always ready to be prompted by their creative inspiration. Basically I draw an initial design, cut and sand the wood, select from a vast array of different papers (if anyone want to find a home for their scrap papers I can put them to good use), assemble the collage, glue, seal and varnish with an epoxy resin.

What is the most challenging?
Finding the time to complete my orders. I work late at night or when my kids are sleeping (not much these days) but I always manage to somehow finish them. However, the hardest part is actually selecting the papers. It is like choosing what you are going to wear. Not all colours go together!

Where to Buy: See the Retailers page on Look At The Wall for your nearest stockist.

Thank you Monique...I am in love with the Cat on a Fence and Doves. You'll have to see the designs page to find these two!


Monday, December 1, 2008

A few Christmas delights

It's the first day of December and Christmas is in the air! My little one and I spent the morning shopping for a few gifts, and bought a couple of cheap Christmas CDs to get us in the festive spirit, so I have been looking for beautiful Christmas goodies!

Look at these adorable birds! They are from Edward and Lilly. The best part? She's giving one away to celebrate her 150th blog post. See her blog HERE. All you need to do is leave a comment telling her which colour you like the most and she will pick a winner.



If you're after a Christmas Stocking with a twist, Oh My Goodness, checkout the Jingle Sox by Jen at Deekie Belle. She has them in traditional Christmasy colours or some utterly delightful pink for all those girly-girls out there.



How adorable are these little Christmas bags by Identität?! They measure 12cm by 12cm and are hand screen printed so no two are exactly alike.



If you find any other gorgeous handmade Christmas delights for children, make sure you let me know!
Stay tuned for another awesome interview tomorrow!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

My Top Five

A few cute little things I have found today...enjoy.

Blue Retro Dachshund Stuffed Toy - Sausage Dog Softie From Badskirt



Dinner with Friends print from Tummy Mountain

Gypsy Pants by Charli Rose for Oopsidaisi



Scrabble Tile Pendant from The Pendant Factory



Pram Tissue Cozy from PramPurse




Monday, November 24, 2008

Introducing...Chantilly Bowtique


Name: Chantelle

Store Name/Label:
Chantilly Bowtique - Boutique Hair Bows & Accessories for Girly Girls

What are your hobbies (besides designing and making bows)?
I love to spend time with my family and friends. I love Thai Food, going out dancing. Not that I get to go out dancing too much these days.

How did you come up with your name? is there a story behind it? I came up with the name Chantilly Bowtique because my name is Chantelle and as a child my family would to sing the Big Bopper song 'Chantilly Lace' to me. I thought is was a nice way to link back to my childhood as my products are for children.

Where do you sell your designs? I have an online store at www.ChantillyBowtique.com and a couple of other online boutiques. I am in the process of marketing my accessories in boutiques throughout Australia.

What got you started? I've always been on the lookout for different accessories for my little girl and could never find excactly what I was after. So I just thought I'd make them myself. The rest is history!

Do you remember the first bow you sold? Gosh it seems like so long ago! I know it sold on ebay but I cannot remember what it was. I'll take a guess. I bet it was definately pink!

What is your favorite design you have created? I really love my 'fruit salad' funky loopy bows. They just scream for attention. There's plenty of bright colours with polkadots, French ribbon. My daughter loves them!


Thank you so much for participating Chantelle. To ensure delivery (free within Australia) before Christmas, you will need to order your bows from Chantilly Bowtique before December 12th.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Mathilda's Market Brisbane wrap up

I've been a bit sick...and more than a bit slack with the blog recently!

We had a FANTASTIC response at the Brisbane Mathilda's Market. The crowds weren't huge, but they were spending! We were very happy with the results for our TikiBoo Kids.
I forgot my camera! There is no excuse...I have 3 of them, but I didn't even take one. I did have a chance for a quick walk around and saw some fabulous goodies.
Here are a few of my favourites from the day:

Wall Allure - Wall stickons really are the latest thing, and Bernadette makes all her own right here in Queensland. I bought some as gifts, then this adorable bird for our bedroom wall. LOVE them.

Ruffian Industries - Uber trendy retro style t-shirts for boys. YES, for boys. Mandy's designs are very cool.

Wild Things of Noosa - Selina makes the cutest little bucket hats, toys and bloomers, so cute for the little ones.

Lisa Olivers Canvases Personalised canvases for kids rooms, I particularly love this nautical lighthouse.


Heart On Your Sleeve - Tennille's beautiful handmade children's jewellery and hair accessories are perfect for little girls everywhere (I didn't buy this time as I already have lots of her goodies at home!)

If anyone has a report from the markets in the other states, I'd love to add it!


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Mathilda's Market




This coming Sunday TikiBoo Kids will be at Mathilda's Market, along with some other fantastic local craftsters we have featured here - like Mimoo.

Mathilda's Market is a fabulous niche market that offers unique, stylish and affordable baby & kids goods that are lovingly handmade, from limited production or simply divine. You will discover a vast variety of funky, unique and gorgeous clothing (for example organic cotton, vintage, 70's, etc) wooden letters, canvasses, soft & wooden toys, soft leather shoes, travel activity packs, room decor, bags, paintings, fun & personalised accessories, vintage-inspired products, musical instruments, handcrafted jewellery, fairy & dress up costumes & accessories, hair accessories, doll houses & accessories, linen, sleepwear and so much more! And all this for your little ones ... it's a kid's shopping haven.
Forget the big shopping centres where you queue only to buy what everyone else is buying. The upcoming Mathilda's Market is the perfect Christmas shopping destination - all brought together for you in the one place at the one time. Please come and see us showcasing our great wares at Mathilda’s Market on Sunday 9 November from 9am to 1pm at St Jospeh’s Nudgee College, 2199 Sandgate Rd, Boondall. With approx 40 stalls, yummy food, free kids entertainment, this will be a fantastic day out for young & old. The following weekend it will be on in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, check the website for details.

For a sneak preview, have a look at the website www.mathildasmarket.com.au .
I look forward to seeing you there!

(Do you have a stall at Mathilda's Market and want to be listed here? Please leave a comment if you do and I shall add you to the list!)