Fringe Festival Home is where the craft is

This afternoon I wandered off with Mum to visit "Home is Where the Craft is" as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Hosted by the wonderful Ms Cate of Polka Dot Rabbit fame.

Given the gastro epidemic that is happening at my house at the moment, I didn't think that I would actually make it to the exhibition. The original plan was to visit Friday afternoon, the last day of my "holidays" .. but I was too busy vomiting.

I love the idea of alternative or radical cross stitch and looked forward to seeing what people came up with.

I like the idea of pushing the boundaries of embroidery using unconventional materials and patterns.

Ms Curlypops had her range of re-crafted crochet objects on display.

Out the back there was Polly Pratt with some of her creations for sale in the pop-up craft market that they held today. She has an online store opening, so keep an eye on her blog.

How was your sunday?

Northside Makers Market Wrap up

On Saturday it was such a glorious day, we couldn't have ordered a better day in terms of weather. It was wonderful to have a musician in the courtyard and re-organized the stalls a bit to make room for the kids table near the walk way.

My wonderful hubby was helping out yet again on the Konstant Kaos stand so that I could swan around and say hello to all the stallholders and work out what I wanted to spend my hard earned cash on! Quite a few people took advantage of my 20% off special via my Facebook Fan page .. so join up!! You never know when I am going to spam you with a *special offer*.

Jay's sister was helping out on the kids table, but she had a 4 month old, so the portacot came in handy for tying up balloons. It would have been funny if it had taken off!

Libby from Bootcamp Quilter came along with her kids to say "hello" and I got to meet baby bat!

There was such a gorgeous selection of products on display, but I ended up getting a black jug cover from EmmStarr and a Mini Polly Pratt dress for Tori with a Kookaburra on it!

Mel's jug covers come in all sorts of groovy colours as well .. to match your daquri!

KRin was there with her Pink K Designs stand, although an experienced market goer, this was the first time she had a stall with Northside Makers.

Although this is the last market for the Northside Makers summer series of markets, stay tuned via the blog for the next event. There are also more pictures taken by the very talented Jennie form Mrs Beckinsale on the Northside blog as well.

Studio Spaces, oh how I covet thee!

Last week Tori and I visited a friend at her studio space at Ironside Studio's in Kensington.

A lovely complex with a communal feel and is filled with budding artists and business people trying to get their "big break". Ms Pepperberry has her room set up quite nicely with an office space and a sewing space. I was jealous of the room that she had and the fact that she can pull the door closed at the end of the day and there is no risk of ducking in for a quick sewing adventure!

As you can see it is located inside the shell of an old building ... nice place for photo's!

Recently another friend, Polly Pratt, has secured a studio at the back of the Olive Grove, she has made the big move from the kitchen table to a studio. I can imagine the harmony that a move like that might make to my household!

Doing a quick search, there are a number of web sites such as Creative Spaces that list studio spaces for artists. They have a section called Established Spaces which lists studios similar to Ironside. There are also complexes around such as as the Brunswick Business Incubator and the Appleton Street Studios in Richmond that might suit some crafty types.

It is no secret that I work from home, I have converted my front room and walk in robe into a sewing space. I have a 2 1/2 year old, so working from home gives me flexibility. I also know a lot of other people who successfully work from home running web publishing, graphic design and writing businesses.

Having a 10 second commute from the home to office can have it's positives, but also it's negatives especially if you are a crafty worker.

Wonderful

"Wonderful" adequately describes the day that we had yesterday. After a week of so of nervous energy and a week praying for good weather, the market day came and went and it was lovely. A big thank-you to Jay and Jennie for all their hard work and support. Seperately, we wouldn't have been able to do it, but together, I think we make a good team.

My wonderful husband who manned my stall for most of the day so I could swan around and do Northside stuff ... I couldn't have done it without him *kiss kiss*

I managed to get two of my crime scene pillows made for the day ... but everyone said that they were missing blood! Left over stock will be popped up on etsy over the next week, after I finish my school reports.

Karen from Cosmic Cat Creations with her very first market stall. I remember my first market stall which was Northcote Kris Kringle last year ... nervous a hell.

Beky from Pivotal Xpressions at her second market. Beky and Karen were some of the lovely peeps who arrived nice and early to help us set up.

Flick with her wonderful softies.

Anna from Polly Pratt, she has lots of stuff for sale at the Olive Grove in Sydney Road, Brunswick.

Two little fairies enjoying the face painter!

Over the next week we have to organise the application for November market and also evaluate the last one, we already have two applications for November in the inbox, but we haven't published prices or details yet. I've read through the feedback sheets and the comments are mostly good with lots of great ideas for the next market. If you have any more please send them through to either me, Jennie from Mrs Beckinsale or Jaylene from Finki Handmade.

Thank-you especially to all my friends who came along on the day and supported me and our first market. It was wonderful to see familiar faces amongst the crowd of market goers.

Sisters Market October 3rd

After reading that just about everyone had a stall at the Sisters Market today, Tori and I wandered off for a look-see.

Anna from Polly Pratt was tucked inside the front door with lots of her handmade goodies. I promised I would take lots of pictures as her camera was broken :(

Jay was there with little Miss Finki who was busily creating scarfs behind the Finki stall.

Michelle from Mecino was there with her lovely jewelry ... she'll be there at Northside Makers Market next weekend.

There was lots of other stall holders as well, such as Rabbit and Duck and Chuckles. As for Tori, she was strapped to my back in our "packy". Randomly pulling on my hair and demanding more "crackers" ...

We will return to normal scheduling shortly ...

Just a quick note to let you know that I am in the middle of mid year school reports at work (part time 0.4), so my usual posts are not happening as much for the next week.

But you might like to take a look at the journals of these four lovely ladies:

• Beky has a fresh young business called Pivotal Xpressions where she does graphic design work and makes the cutest gift tags and gift cards. At the moment she has a giveaway, so enter before the 17th of June and you could win goodies!
• Jennie makes the most lovely tram cushions and other tram memoribilia over at Cravings Frocks.
• Anna makes the most wonderful crafty things and sells them at the Olive Grove, visit her at Polly Pratt.
• Nicole has a wonderful business called Circa Vintage Clothing on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy. She has the most wonderful collection of vintage wear for sale and she is very knowledgable as well!

So visit the blogs of these lovely ladies and support their businesses, as they are all doing good stuff!