Handmade Love - Market Buys (The Handmade Expo)

 

Yesterday was Market Day! The Handmade Expo to be exact!

 

It was the second Handmade Expo for Rockingham (Perth) this year. There was heaps of goodies for sale - and as usual I couldn't resist buying a few! Here's my purchases:

 

 

I bought a 'Monkey' themed gift pack for my friends daughters 3rd birthday, from Plaster Craft Workshop.

 

I also bought another inspirational quote tile from Terri at Footprint Ecostore. I've decided I'm going to collect these and have a nice little display in my craft room!

 



 

And I also bought a cute little lip-balm from Seaside Aromas!

 

Love my market shopping! And best bit was that it is all handmade!

To Infinity (Scarf) and Beyond!

 

 

I have a confession to make.... I'm a tad bit obsessed with scarves this winter. I think its the ease of being able to dress up a plain top whist keeping me warm at the same time!

 

Now you know me... I don't like to spend money on something I can make myself, so, I thought I'd make myself an infinity scarf, and show you how to do it at the same time!

 

Lets flash back about a year ago. I decided to make an infinity scarf for my mum and sis for Christmas. I kinda just winged it, as I couldn't understand the tutorials I found on how to do it. They turned out ok, but I now know the best way to make them. It's really easy and you can make up a scarf in less than 20mins once you know how. And now I'm going to show you!

 

What to do:

 

So firstly, you need a large piece of fabric. I found this amazing piece in the remnant bin at my fabric store (remnants get 50% off - BARGAIN!) This piece was just under a meter long and about 70cm wide.

 

 

Lay your fabric flat and fold it in half longways. Pin it together and stitch down the side. You will then have a 'tube' - with an opening at both ends.

 

Now turn it in the right way, and lay it flat again. (I put the seam in the middle facing up.)

Now take the bottom of your 'tube' and pull it up on itself. This will fold it back in half with the wrong side facing out.

 

 

Now you need to sew around the top. To do this, separate the tube so that you are sewing only the 2 pieces of fabric together. (don't sew all 4 together or you'll get in a huge mess!) Leave a few centimetres gap.

Using the gap, turn the scarf in the right way.

 

 

 

Hand stitch the gap closed, and your done!

I love my scarf!

After making this one, I think I may now have a sight obsession with making them too!

Happy Mail ( from Frankenstein!)

Maybe it's just me - but how exciting is it when you hear the postie? 

I get very excited. Probably a little too much. ( I'm lucky to disguise my excitement with being excited for my 2yr old!) 

Where we live we have bush land across the road, so the postie drives down the street first, and winds his way back to our place. So the excitement builds from that first moment we ( I ) hear him! 

Today was one of those Happy Mail days. No bills today! (Yay) but my fabric delivery from Frankenstein's Fabric! (website here)

And isn't it beautiful!!! I LOVE it! I bought this piece last week in one of their Facebook Sales. And the best bit.... This piece is for ME! 

Not exactly sure what I'm going to make yet- but that's ok. I don't think I could bring myself to cut into it yet! 

Any suggestions of what I should make? 

Market Day!

 

 

Wow! What a fantastic weekend I've had!

Yesterday was my first market back for the season. I was a bit worried with the weather we've been having recently, but it actually turned out to be a beautiful day! The photos look a little grey, and even though it was cold it was nice day!

 

So this market was run by Street Hassle Events. The Heron Park Local and General Market!

 





 

The thing I love about markets is not only all the amazing handmade items, but also the people. I probably spent much more time than I should have chatting away to other stall holders! But I was able to catch up with so many amazingly talented people, and see all there wonderful creations! Over the next week I'll be sharing some of them in my Handmade Love series (Here is a link to my first post in this series)

 

The food is also a huge part of a great market.

I met Marnie from Marnies Raw Creations.

I haven't had much experience with raw foods before, but it is definitely something that interests me. I wont go into details of raw foods - as I would hate to get it wrong (as I say - I don't know much about it) but please check out Marnies Facebook page to find out some more info. And check out these goodies that we bought. So Delicious!!!! 

 
 

 

It was a bit tricky for me to photograph my items this time. I was in the lovely homestead and I had a window behind me - so the sun was adding a glare to my pictures!!! But here's a couple anyway!!

 

 

And so now I've done my first market for the season, I have 7 days to prepare for my next one!!

Next weekend is the Rockingham Handmade Expo! I better get sewing!

 

What's your favourite thing about craft markets?



The Raccoon Family

 


 
 

 

 

Do you follow me on Instagram or Facebook? If you do you would have seen my cute Raccoon Family! If you haven't met them already......here they are! What do you think?? I think they kinda have a Ninja thing going on!



 



Winter Warmers Showcase

Ooh a Showcase! How special does that sound?
If you follow any makers on Facebook then you've probably heard of showcases before. If not - let me fill you in! I had seen them floating around my news-feed, but never really understood them before.
Well now I'm taking part in my SECOND showcase! My first was quite successful so I thought I'd give it another shot!

So here's what happens. (Feel free to skip this part if you know already)

As a maker/artist/seller you submit your item/s for sale to the organiser. You also give a description/price/postage details etc.
The organiser usually sets a time frame for the submissions and the products usually need to suit a specific theme.

The Showcase will have a set "opening time" and "closing time". Once declared open, as a buyer you comment "sold" on the item you want. NIL (next in line) can also be commented if the sale to the first person falls through.

Payments are generally made for the item within 24hrs and contact between the seller and the buyer must be made within this time also.

So that is a general outline of how they work. Obviously each showcase would have it's own rules and terms and conditions so make sure you read them!!

But anyway... onto the Showcase featuring my owls! This is being run by Handmade In Western Australia. It is an awesome Facebook page dedicated to promoting handmade businesses in Western Australia.

This Showcase is titled Winter Warmers. And although all items must be made in WA, they can certainly be bought by anyone from anywhere within Australia ( possibly international too - just check with the seller first for international shipping rates). Items are available for purchase from 6pm WST on Friday 18th July.
 My submissions are these two winter themed owls.

 

 

There are heaps of other awesomely amazing handmade items up for purchase as well! Pop over and check them out!

 

Have you bought from or sold at a showcase before? Were the rules similar?

Handmade Love - Owls

Have I mentioned before how much I love handmade? ...Ok..maybe I've mentioned it a few times. And as I am constantly on the net, and love looking at so many clever peoples creations, I thought I might share some of the things I love!
So I thought I'd start by sharing other handmade owl items. And if you think they are as awesome as I do,  pop by their pages, show them some love ('like' / 'share' / comment / buy) and let them know I sent you!
( if you click the image it will take you to their shop )

How cute are these little earrings! And how much work must go into making them!  



Kawaii Owl stud Earrings
by Daisuki
 

I love this little set! Hair clips and a card! What a perfect gift for an owl lover!

Hairclip Birthday Card
by Pretty Little Things

 

Wow! This owl definitely combines my two addictions! A girl can never have too many owls or buttons!

Cute Pink Button Owl
by Addicted to Buttons

 

This is super cool. Love the natural wood look!

Bamboo Brooch
by Lily and Charlie

Oh and what can I say! I'm in love with geo pattern!

Handmade Owl Doorstop
By House of Nicnax

 

Of course that last one there is my fav (wink wink!)

Are you a maker? Do you have an awesome owl product that you want to share? Leave a link in the comments- I'd love to see! 

 

My Owl Babies

 

So here they are. My owl doorstops! Round here I'm kinda known as The Crazy Owl Lady! I spend every possible moment making, photographing, shopping for and selling owls! I make all my own patterns and I'm proud of my products!
I hadn't posted a pic of my babies for a while so I thought it was about time I did!
For those of you that don't know, I mainly sell my owls at local markets around Perth (see the Market Dates Tab at the top of the page for where I'll be next)
But I also have them listed on Etsy and I sell through my Facebook Page.

I'm a market girl, in a market world!!

Hello Blog and Blog Friends!!

 

It is such a crazy time of year isn't it??!! I've been so busy sewing owls and doing markets, that I have had to take a little rest from blogging. I'm not promising anything, but I'm going to try and be here a little bit more now.

 

I have actually been around though, lurking behind my screen,  just quietly reading other blogs, getting inspired and looking at such wonderful and amazing things that are being made and created around the world!

I've got so many projects just waiting to be completed (actually starting them first would help) and then I will happily share with you all.

 

In the mean time, I thought I'd share a few market pics.

 

See you soon!

 

 

 

 

Weekend Project - Bunting

Whats better than balloons, streamers, tinsel and tacky decorations?? Whats handmade with love and care and can be used year after year?? BUNTING of course!!

I think using bunting to celebrate special occasions is a great tradition to start! I'm going to make each of the kids their own special ones for their birthdays, as well as a Christmas one...maybe Valentines, Easter, Halloween.... oh the possibilities are endless!!!!

Making bunting is something that I find really therapeutic. Maybe it's because of the repetition? Not sure really, but it's something that I enjoy, so I thought I would share it as a Weekend Project for you to try too.

So firstly - gather your fabric supplies. Either co-ordinated or random, or make it all from the same piece, it's up to you. You'll also need some Bias Binding Tape or ribbon or something to string it all together, Plus a sewing machine and your usual sewing supplies.

 

Then, I like to make a stencil. This makes it easier to keep all the pieces the same size. Empty cereal boxes come in really handy for stencil making! My stencil is about 18cm across the top, and measures about 23cm from the top to the point.

 

You then need to fold your fabric in half, with the pattern facing in, and pin together. Then either trace around the stencil or pin it on and cut out. Do this until you have your desired amount of 'flags' in each of your chosen fabric.

 

Stitch around each set of flags leaving minimal seam around the edge. I leave the top of the flag unstitched as this will be sewn later. Then cut any extra fabric off, so the stitching is as close to the edge as possible.

 

Turn the flags in the right way ensuring you have a good point at the end. I like to use a knitting needle to poke it all out.

 

Then iron your flags flat and order them how you would like them hung.

 

 

I use Bias Binding Tape along the top of my bunting. I fold it in half and iron it flat. Then I slip the top of each of the flags into the fold and pin down. You could easily run a length of ribbon across the top if you didn't have the Bias Tape.

 

 

Then sew it all together!

 

 

And there you have it! A funky new bunting to hang around the house or to use for a special occasion!

 

Why not try one for yourself this weekend! - or if you would prefer head over to my Etsy Store where I have some for sale!!

Handmade Mother's Day

 

Happy Mothers day to all the wonderful mummies out there!!

I thought I would share my Mothers Day with you. It was definitely a busy one - that's for sure!

So we kind of had a "Hand Made Mothers Day" theme.

 

I always think that the gifts that are handmade are so much more special. They are the ones that real thought has gone into - and it's not something that you could just go out and get for yourself at the shop.

 

So for my mum this year, I made her a bottle of home made chilli sauce (find the recipe here).

 

 

I also made her a little pillow. This has got the hand prints of my three kids on it. I made it with all recycled materials and stuffed it with an old pillow of ours.

 

 

So my day started with a little sleep in and a yummo breakfast in bed! Hubby and the boys put together a huge plate of pancakes and maple syrup for me! Then we had the mad dash "clean-up the house" before the family all came round. We had an awesome homemade lunch with some delicious sandwiches, sausage rolls, sponge cake and of course my chilli sauce for lunch!!  It was so good!!

 

 

 

And now to end the day the kids and hubby are watching TV and I'm blogging! So it's been a pretty good day!

Hope you all have enjoyed your day too!