Ceramics & their imposters

I've been enamoured by all the new age ceramicists who are working their magic to produce beautiful wares for both the home and the body.

Bridget Bodenham is one such potter, based in country Victoria who has been popping up with her delightful vases, vessels, rings and even spoons in the most spectacular style.

Check out her recent stall in Sydney at the Finders Keepers Markets....bearing in mind she needs to transport this stunning set up interstate:

photos courtesy of Bridget Bodenham

Having bought one of these grey, blue and gold, 3 x legged planters above,  it was little wonder the Vessels below caught my eye. There is an uncanny resemblance while being absolute polar opposite in terms of their making!

These photos are taken by Lisa Tilse who has fashioned some very high end looking pieces as an IKEA Hack, using a $1.99 vase, some material and curtain rings! I absolutely love the finished product. 

Should you wish to make something similar, you can find Lisa's step by step instructions over on her blog.

photos courtesy of We are Scout

Clever pieces whichever way you look at it. 

Sx

Diary Dates...

At any one weekend around the country, there are a plethora of artisan markets being held.

If you love perusing for unique finds in the great outdoors and with coffee in hand, then here are some upcoming events you might like to consider...

First up this weekend is Handmade Canberra - Held at EPIC in Canberra, this quarterly market was launched in 2008 and now attracts over 20,000 visitors.

Showcasing the best in handmade design and produce, over 250 local and interstate designers will represented on Sat 18th & Sun 19th March.

The team at The Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney's Inner West have the midas touch. As part of their urban sanctuary that is the outdoor cafe, sustainable garden & coffee roastery, they now offer a weekly market held each Saturday and Sunday. 

With 80 different Stall Holders who alternate weekly, local bakers, makers and creators are eagerly ready to be discovered.

From September to April on the 4th Sunday of the month, the Adelaide Hills suburb of Stirling comes alive with the monthly Stirling Laneways Market.  Each market has it's own distinct theme, creating a fun and unique feel as you wander the streets and laneways of the gorgeous hills township. Local traders, artisans, entertainers and pop-up stalls are enter twinned. 

Next Laneways Market: Sunday March 26th 

I've super pumped about the new location for Sydney's upcoming Finders Keepers Market. I'll take any excuse to get myself down to the harbour at the stunning Barangaroo Reserve.  Renowned as the Design Market for independent makers from all across Australia, the Finders Keepers is now run bi-annually in Brissie, Melbourne and Sydney.  

And hurrah - they are coming to Adelaide for the first time in August 2017 too!

Open late on the Friday night this is more of a festival than a market, combining design, art, good food, live music and a fun community spirit under one awesome roof in major city locations. 

In my own 'hood this w/end and last is TGM - That Great Market , which aims to bring community together. It's a new player in the market game, a quality lifestyle market, with great food, local musicians, entertainment, in a convenient location. Crabbes Ave, Willoughby on every 2nd Sunday, and in Lindfield each 3rd Sunday of the month. 

A makers gotta make, so it's great to see even more outlets for makers to showcase their talents.

The Eltham Easter Twilight Market will be held in Melbourne from 4pm - 8pm on the back of the super successful Christmas Twilight Market. 

Shop small and support local artisits and small businesses in the heart of Eltham. Find the perfect gift, soak up the community spirit, enjoy live music, free kids activities and heaps more! 

Easter is 4 x weeks away.  How did that happen?

And let's not forget the West.  On April 30 the next Curious Collective Market will be held in the City of Melville Main Hall. I love what they are about: 

We aim to combine the contagious enthusiasm of small business owners and the curiosity of people wanting to seek out something a little bit different and buy or try something you don't see everyday. 

Boom! Now if that's not a reason to be in business, I don't know what is?!

Bowerbird - Adelaide's long running design market has just announced it's line up of Designers. Held on the w/end of 5-7th May in the Adelaide Showgrounds, you'll almost need all of the three days to cover what's on offer! 

In it's eighth year, the offerings are pretty and practical in a dynamic environment built on creative collaboration. Take the family as children have free entry. This event is perfectly timed for some Mothers Day Shopping!

To keep abreast of Markets coming up in your city, then jump on board and follow both The Local Market Guide or The Market Roll . 

You never know what handmade goodness is lurking under a gazebo near you.

Sx

Gold threads

When I saw the words:

 "Handwoven"

"Beautiful" and

"Textiles"

in the introduction to Langdon Ltd's website, I was confident there was going be gold on the following web pages and I was right - literally.

Metallic threads weave their way into many of the designs by Langdon Ltd. Having spied their stall at the recent Life Instyle exhibition in Sydney, I was besotted with everything they have on offer.

The cushions, bags and rugs are to die for, but the idea of elevating my humble door mat to designer level with some gold, is, pure gold!

Start your salivating now. Prices start from AUD$79 for doormats.

Langdon Ltd pieces are designed by Sydney sisters who have a serious dislike for Polyester. 

Who's with them?

S x

Purchasing Power...

There have been a whole load of handmade treats to tempt me while styling the updated pad.

Some I've succumbed to, and others are still firmly on my wish list.

Here's a few that have made the cut:

This print by Oh Eight Oh Nine is providing some luxe in the laundry. A3 size is AUS $20.

This lovely marble look handmade cotton pouch by Behr & Co spectacularly sets off greenery of any sort. From AUS$13.95

This sweet little handpainted wooden feather garland combines my two loves: glitter and fluro! By The Great Lakes Goods. Their motto is "handmade goods with good vibes" - that's a mission statement easy to adhere to!! US$18

 


The kid's playroom has a pinkish theme going on, so one of my find...found...forage macrame hangers is doing it's thing in there. AUD$$45:

And in DIY news, I took some humble HB Lead Pencils (it's amazing how many of these I found lying around the house!) and covered them with some Japanese Paper to improve their look and use as party bag fillers.  Click here for a tutorial to do something similar yourselves.

Support the independents and embrace the charm.
Sx

Insta...gifts

Anyone else possessed with the endless scrolling of images on Instagram?



Stalking people, businesses, destinations; it's all possible on Instagram and it offers the added bonus of voyeurism through delightfully filtered lenses.

I've found some cracking small enterprises via this fabulous photo sharing app.

Here are some of the Instagram users I follow and am vowing to shop from this Christmas:


koh woman - bohemian elegance with hints of luxury & decadence. Accessories, Clothes, Shoes and Jewellery. This Feather & Chain Harness is on SALE for $100!

Click here to Follow Koh Woman on Instagram

Indigo Babe - Funky Bandit Kids X  Marks the Spot pants. Up to Size 8. My little 6year old will find a pair of these in his stocking. AUD$60.

Click here to follow Indigo Babe on Instagram

South Of The Border - sparkly pants & shorts. Need I say more? These ones are AUD$169

Click here to follow South of The Border on Instagram

Palmaira Sandals Australia - not sure I can come at giving these away. Might be popping a pair of these under the tree for myself. AUD $110

Click here to follow Palmaira Sandals Australia on Instagram

Sakura Textiles - Something for everyone.  Tea Towels AUD$22, Pillow Cases AUD$35, Jumpsuits AUD$60 and THE cutest bloomers (for adults!) for only AUD$10!

Click here to follow Sakura Textiles on Instagram

Look beyond the traditional methods when gift buying this year.

Instagram - it's is just photos and comments. That's it.

Follow find...found...forage on Instagram for my own hit of hand-made visuals.

Sx


**images are not my own**