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!