Dangling a Carrot (or get thee to a market)

Some of you need no encouragement to attend a market. Some of you only need get a faint whiff of handmade items arranged enticingly on trestle tables and your inbuilt market meter goes radioactive. Some of you may need a bigger carrot. So I am dangling one. Tomorrow (that's right a market on a Monday!!), I am participating in my last market for a wee while. Time to slow down. Time to regroup. Maybe even reinvent. But as a little mark of appreciation for the support I have received in Launceston for my little venture I am marking my dresses right down - some as much as 40%. Think of it as Xmas cheer if you will. So if you can spare a little time for a foray - come along to Launceston Church Grammar Junior Campus' Resource room tomorrow (8.30-11am or 2-4pm). I'll have other goodies too and will be in good company if you are not the slightest bit interested in my humble wares. (see side bar for more info)

PS Those lovely, loved up carrots were in our Hilbarn box this week. They canoodled in my crisper until I could keep them from the wee girl no longer. Felt nothing short of barbaric to divide then munch them ... almost cannibalistic!

Dad Craft

Yesterday was all about Dad Craft. With the man on holidays, it has given me some much needed (and sorely appreciated time) for market preparation - Niche and the market- hobart. The man is well versed in the need for cwaft ... the wee girl likes her craft, or as she prefers, cwafting. So with these shells collected last week from lazy beachcombing at Binalong Bay, the dad embarked on his own special version of Dude Craft... (making sure he had a mug of freshly brewed coffee in his favourite mug, lovingly pilfered from his Nan - the former champion Bowls afficionado).
The results were nothing short of impressive ... and it even matched the vintage shell cabochon hair slide I made earlier ... available at this year's round of markets (yes that was a SHAMELESS plug).

Niche November Xmas Extravaganza!

Put this in your diaries NOW. New location - Inveresk Tramsheds. Get all your handmade Xmas shopping done in one hit ... and support local makers and designers who will in turn donate 20% of all their market profits to St Giles. That's a whole lot of Xmas cheer and feel good shenanigans in one hit. Goodwill to all Men (and women), eh? I'll be here, touting my wares. Come and see my new stuff, if you like.

More about Niche: all wrapped up here

Nautical but Nice

There's a bit of a maritime happening around here. As I gear up for this summer round of markets ... I am completely inspired by everything on and in the water. Although not yet complete, these library bags are just a few that will be available at the market ... November 21st - Big Xmas Extravaganza.

Niche Away for another day

Had such a lovely time at Niche. It was very lovely to share a stall and hang with this gal. It was lovely to revel in the superb aroma of all things handmade. It was lovely to eat cupcakes. It was lovely to buy uber cool ring. It was lovely to do a swap and get me paws on goodies from this talent oozing lass. It was lovely to meet a whole barrel of stall holders. It was just lovely to be amongst 'eau de market'. It was lovely to see some old customers faces. It was so lovely I forgot to take photos. I took but one and then got sidetracked. Sorry. Suse took some. Go there.

Brr!!

It's been a wee bit chilly around these parts. The sun has gone behind the rain clouds and it's been all blustery, rainy, wintery goodness. When we have ventured out, the wee girl has been all rugged up - layer, upon layer with a puffer jacket on top. I have this urge as she is walking, arms not quite touching her sides, to place her on side and roll her along in her edible, marshmellow-esque state ...

I love winter. Even stay at home, it's too cold out winter. I love it for it's coats and boots and beanies. I love it for eyes poking out from rugs and hats in prams. I love it for the sound of rain on the iron roof and the wind whipping around our garden. I love it for cold noses and rosy cheeks. But I can leave the snot alone...

These scarves will be at Niche.

The return of Loz and Dinny at Niche.

Loz and Dinny is back and jumping into the Market frey ... or rather dipping her toe in ever so slightly. I am heading back to the market Mecca that is Niche: All Wrapped Up. My things will be sharing a wee space with the most wonderful Black Eyed Susie; Sidling up alongside her luscious goodies with a few Loz and Dinny favourites. I am so incredibly excited. I've missed markets. I've missed being amongst it... you've heard me wax lyrical about Niche before here and here ... it's a keeper.

Niche will span two venues this time around. We will be in the Boathouse venue - just a short stroll across the bridge from Seaport. Come and say hi ... I'll be the one who looks a little windswept and interesting, and perhaps a little incapable of coherent and witty repartee.

* Remember that 20% of ALL sales go to St Giles. Join the Niche Facebook group here

Market was Ace (as in Space Ace)

That's my stall - some cheeky peeks at some new summer stuff

I like markets.

I like markets because you get to talk your head off to lovely people... and then when you hit a point of verbal exhaustion in the early afternoon someone goes and buys you a strong coffee.

I like markets because you get to fondle other people's lovely goods and say ooh and aah and get all inspired by how crafty clever people are.

I like markets because you get to giggle alot and talk craft porn all day and the small gets to hang out with her Dad.

I like markets because I get so chuffed that anyone would like my stuff let alone want to buy it - it still makes me feel all shy.

I like markets because they engender a feeling of connectiveness and community in those who get it. I like that there is room for everyone.

Mrs Smith makes her market debut

Red Bamboo appears at Homespun for the first time

That Vintage - That Sophie is lovely

Thank you to all those who dropped by the Civic Homespun Market yesterday and said hi!- The stallholders were just sensational - I'm sorry I couldn't get more shots - I ran out of room on my camera but the market gods shined on a small section of Launceston and I loved being a part of such a lovely day and I am still basking in the afterglow of market love. Thanks Tameeka for a wonderful market x

Market This Saturday - New Tricks

Get thee to a Market! Civic Homespun Market is on again this Saturday! Pigrim's Hall across from the Myer Carpark in Paterson Street. Pink market flags will be flying and this month (the last of the winter markets) is GOLD!!! This is the one to get to! I'll be sitting alongside market royalty: That Vintage (You'll want to buy Sophie as well as her stuff!), Red Bamboo (soaps and candles to die for - hey, you'll die smelling nice!), Little Jenny Wren (Jenny and her dolls are just so lovely) and Emma Kimpton is back with her cards and t-shirts...and I'm stoked to see Ruby Victoria Printmaking is going to be there - I saw her beautiful things at the market in Hobart and she's doing a letterpress demo ... don't get me started on letterpress - I'll get to that on another day! and ... DRUM ROLL PLEASE ... Mrs Smith is making her market debut - it is her deb ball without the white dress - just cushions and other fancy stuff. They're real good - I've fondled them - I know. Risque.

The market is busting at the seams this week with the good stuff and I'm really stoked to be amongst it - there will be a few sneak peeks on what will be my summer range - as well as some old favourites. Check out Civic Homespun's blog to see the full line up ...

Please come on down and support a veritable hoard of makers, growers (there's tulips this month!!) and designers. This is Launceston's regular handmade market - it needs your support and some good word of mouth. Come along and say hi - oh and bring some mates, and those kids that are busting to get out after all the rain - for no other reason except to breathe in the handmade love ...

Loz and Dinny back local

Tomorrow Loz and Dinny will be at the local handmade market Civic Homespun. It is located in Pilgrim's Hall opposite the Myer Carpark in Launceston - look for the big pink market flags. Come and try out my new hair clips...

photo courtesy of the market -hobart blog

- or fondle a vintage velvet coat or two - that seemed to be the go in Hobart. But mostly just drop by for a wee chat - the market could do with a little more winter patronage ... it would warm my cockles ...plus there are these amazing bulbs for sale - not the lightbulb variety - but hyacinths .. I got some last month and they are just starting to bloom ... gorgeous.

Homespun Loz and Dinny

Loz and Dinny is going to be at Civic Homespun Market this Saturday 11 July between 10am - 3pm. It's in Pilgrim Hall on Paterson Street (Opposite the Myer Carpark). Drop in between the flying pink market flags and come say hi. I've been having some crafting fun - creating some new things for my stall. So if you are up for a cheeky hair clip - made from vintage sheet and fabric detais ... or a cheeky coin purse from my luscious vintage vinyl stash (lined with even more vintage fabric joy) come on down! - there are some fabulous locally made goodies on display! (and it can get a little cold and lonely without you) xx

Loz and Dinny does Melbourne

Photo courtesy of Abbotsford Convent Website

So excited. Only 3 sleeps until Edie and I leave on a jet plane to Melbourne. Edie is not going to be able to contain her excitement at all the Aunt and Uncle love she has coming her way ... and I can't wait to see them all too. They are promising some fossicking in Fitzroy, some rollicking in Richmond and some soothing South Melbourne soirees. Sunday 17th May I will be at the Abbotsford Convent Maker's Market touting my Loz and Dinny wares. Edie will be deep in the Collingwood Children's Farm love. Come say hi if you are up for it xx

Niche - All Wrapped Up

Well the handmade love in that is Niche is all over ... A big thank you to all of you who swung by and said hello, had a kind word or walked away with a little something xxImage courtesy of Fer

Thank you Fer for this lovely photo ... Never seen myself behind a stall before. Weird...I'm wearing a beautiful heart for market courage from Ms Curly Pops (more on that later!) and that's Eve - Craft Princess lurking, doing stuff.Such a beautiful market and it felt kinda special to be amongst such amazingly talented company. Such beautiful stalls and handmade products abounded from various nooks and crannies all along the gallery space. The Academy of the Arts space is awesome. This photo doesn't really do it justice. I was a bit lazy with the camera this time around ... wasn't so easy to stray from my stall...if you want more, more, more check out Black-Eyed Susie, That Vintage, Dick and Dora, Red Bamboo - they've all been doing a bit of blogging action.

...and yes - that is Edie's high chair which she went without for the weekend as I had a minor dilemma about not having a big enough hanging rack ... so down came the curtain rail and I lashed it all sailor-like to the high chair - so inventive and budget under pressure, you might say!

Many thanks to Selena Palmer at St Giles ... once again a beautiful market all due to organisational brilliance and your wonderful passion for us crafty, designer types. Big love, sister xx Usual ho hum bloggin entries will resume tomorrow.

Niche is a coming xx

OK .. so it's been a little while since I've posted ... but I have an excuse -I have been chained to my sewing machine in sweat shop conditions. Occasionally someone slips me a glass of water - or Dunc places chocolate directly in my mouth so I don't get stuff on my dresses. But it's all for Niche this weekend. I'm thinking after that I can kick back a little? Anyways - this is some of the aforementioned stuff that will be at the market - I will post something of greater interest, wit and humour soon - for now - this is my very, very best.

Edie's in the red winter dress at the top ... she has her cute wee Black Eyed Susie clip in her hair... the dress also comes in other fabrics and colours including this guy below...

Then this lovely vintage fabric I got from etsy arrived in the nick of time ... so I thought I'd go with some more library bags ... (warning - average photo follows!)

Then the Blythe dress gets a red and blue makeover with a little vintage fabric pocket.

...and those of you who know me may be a little surprised that there is a pink(ish) dress on the menu ... not usually a fan but then I had this beautful pink and brown damask and thought I would be a pink person crowd pleaser...

Shameless pre-market plug, I know... but come anyway - for the other stuff ... Sat and Sun 10-4pm - 20% of everything you buy and 100% of what you get wrapped goes to St Giles - it will be retail feel goodness for you

Niche 2

Aaaah Niche - All Wrapped Up! I can't wait for this market. Completely beautiful and proceeds aid St Giles a really wonderful organisation supporting children and adults with disabilities. Niche is what I am preparing for at the moment. This time this Mecca Marketica it has moved from the School of Architecture ...next door into the Academy of the Arts. If you are a follower of the handmade love vibe...or just love beautiful handmade and design goodies ... come. Sat 2 and Sun 3 May 2009. I will probably be spending money at the other stalls. It is home to the good stuff. PS Have you entered my giveaway here - you get two things ... I like to make it worth your while.

and so to the market - hobart

We did the morning drive to Hobart to take part in the first of 'the market'. I tell you - I thanked the extra hour gained through the end of daylight saving as we got moving 5am ... that was really 6am, right? I didn't take any photos ... the reason why escapes me so I have snaffled these from the market blog ... more beautiful images there... make sure you have a little peek. Such an eclectic and inspired collection of creative, talented types all in a cosy art deco space. The drive down saw me with my head down finishing off a couple of press studs and rosettes ... thank god I don't get spewy - my sister, Blythe is a green faced motion sickness wonder as is Loz - they have to snack on nuts and cheese and biscuits like wee squirrels on most trips ... made for great travel when we were kids though - Loz always had the cool supplies and would dish them out at regular intervals. Cars are diet free zones in my family. We prefer savoury when we jetset - eyes firmly fixed on horizons. Anyways - the market was beautiful ... many thanks to Bec, Holly and Shannon for their amazing organisation and the exceptionally friendly market space they created what appeared effortlessly... and many thanks for having me xxx can I come back, pretty please???

the market

Loz and Dinny will be here in 13 sleeps. Sunday 5 April, 10am - 3pm. Masonic Temple. 3 Sandy Bay Road, Hobart. No secret handshake or funny buffalo hat required. Lots of delicious independent designers touting wares - what more can be asked for, my friend?

Thank you windy

Many thanks to all who dropped by my stall at Hobart's Mother's Market with kind comments and happy smiles. Up on that breeziest of hills it was lovely to meet you all. And to those who took away a little something, before it blew away...thank you again. Excuse the blogging break, just filling a few orders and enjoying family time x

Finding your Niche

Ok ... I am a little stretched preparing for the Mothers Market. Let's just say I am taking a little sewing break to pop a few thoughts here before heading back to Helga the Husqvana (Jan the Janome is on the blink ...but there my friends is another story) I keep speaking softly to Jan who is now in the other room so she doesn't feel like I've abandoned her for Loz's machine (which luckily just happened to be down here!!) Anyways no time for whit ... just a little pictorial tour of what was just a lovely, lovely weekend and market... walk with me...
Here is Niche in all its splendor in the fabulous UTAS School of Architecture

Here is the lovely Selena, organiser extraordinaire of Niche in a lovely dress with a lovely little girl - hey, that's my daughter!The 'Green Forest' dress on the left is the dress I swapped for ...This amazing purse! Score, my friends, score! I love it - I held it in front of me like skippy the kangaroo for alot of the day - thank you, Rachael.

Here is Rachael's stall full of Franrosie goodness. Salivate.
Here is my new dress I made especially for Niche ... but now they have all gone so none to take to the Mother's Market ... but they get another new guy - so even, OK. But enough about me ... here is a whirlwind of some but not all the stalls - I always got a little side tracked when taking photos...

Rebecca Roth's beautiful resin rings
A tantalising morsel of Tara Badcock's amazing goodies ... just a little tea cosy snippet. Look at those beautiful flowers from her mother's garden!

Cupcake goodness with Naomi and Brendan from Mrs G. Yes I got my rocky road... it was better than I remembered.
Jo Pinckiewicz from Perfecto Interiors - her prints were just so so lovely.
The beautiful Vee with her softies from The Purple Finch

and here is Nadia from St Giles manning (or womaning) Hideyo's warren of bag, print and origami joy.
these were Ann Youl's most divine ribbons. OK so not everyone - I didn't even mention the plum puddings, Indeco, children's hats, chocolates by Kate ... aaah! ...but a good snippet, no?

It really was such a lovely market... I was so thankful to be involved. It just had .... well a beautiful energy created by stallholders and customers alike. I cannot thank Selena and the team at St Giles enough. It was an absolute pleasure to be involved and to feel that I helped out such a worthy organisation just a wee bit.

I must fly. I have procrastinated enough. I have to get back to work...get these fingers stitching

Niche Market

Today I have been at Niche Market and I will be there tomorrow. It is a fundraiser for St Giles a wonderful organisation that helps Tasmanian kids with disabilities. There is some really wonderful goods there - 20% of all sales go to St Giles - retail therapy with a conscience, my friends - win win. To name but a few - there's Franrosie with beautiful handbags, purses and other leather delights (we did a cheeky swap - dress for new fancy wallet, I am so very excited!), The Purple Finch's scrumptious softies are there, the divine and delectable work of Tara Badcock Paris, Rebecca Roth's resin jewellery, beautiful origami and printing from Hideyo and Joanna Pinckiewicz handprinted joy ... and those cupcakes from Mrs G - I'm buying rocky road tomorrow ...it's going to get ugly, ug-er-ly. - and that's not even everyone!

Loz and Dinny have some new dresses ... I've been doing apocolyptic sewing ... dressmaking like there's no tomorrow - but it was a busy day so my stall is looking a little deflated. But I did manage to get a few of the red 'Blythe' dresses done. (the grey fabric I ordered for them didn't arrive in time - but that may have actually been a blessing as I really don't think the little sweat shop could have gone any faster). Why 'Blythe'? - Loz used to sew this dress for my little sister Blythe back in the dark and distant late 70s. Loz had kept the pattern and has passed it onto me. Vintage goodwill.

I will take some more photos tomorrow ...but here is a peek (I cannot vouch for quality - my vision is blurry from late night sewing) I meant to take photos of other stalls but I left my short-term memory somewhere and cannot locate it. There's this little number...the bumblebee-esque
and the red and grey 'Blythe' dress in repose with tricyle... there is red and pink colourway too but no photo. I tried to enhance this image to improve it's quality ...something tells me I should stick to sewing...
but here is the beautiful tricycle stamp Duncan made for me which is part of pocket detail- came up a treat.

Come to the market ...you know you want to...