Ear Candy

So I bought 4 x pairs of earrings for my good self at the Sydney Finders Keepers Markets last w/end.

It has to be said, I have been in "need" of some ear candy updates - and it was just so damn hard to choose!

While there were polymer brights, acrylic numbers with coloured foil, wooden studs, titanium hoops, the overarching theme was tassels!

I am not complaining. Love me a tassel.

Some were dainty, others audacious.

But all are guaranteed to dress up a plain outfit, or give you a confidence boost on an otherwise dreary day.

I bought a pair like this from core jewellery for AUD$38. Tin foil, acrylic, ply wood - so tactile yet, so sparkly.

photo courtesy of Core Jewellery

And these two pairs from Kingston Jewellery:

Turns out my Mum has been eyeing off the colourful and impossible-to-choose-from earrings from Kingston. Handcrafted in Victoria using mixed mediums such as clay, brass, painted elements and of course tassels, it took me an age to decide on these two pairs above.

If you head over to Jemima's facebook page there are literally hundreds of photos of her creations. No two pieces are the same, and I read a feedback comment from one of her customers that said:

"These earrings are the BOMB DOT COM". Prices started at AUD $45.

I walked out of the market wearing this pair from the girls at Polli in Bryon Bay  (and yes that is another burgandy tassel). They went perfectly with my green and gold sparkly jumper... AUD$45 

I could have easily loaded up on more earrings, but to be honest, the crowds were huge and some stands I just couldn't get close to!

A kid in a candy shop, I kept justifying purchases as Mothers Day gifts to self...

Will be sure to share more of my purchases.

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

Holiday finds...

Holidaying provides the perfect opportunity to uncover new "finds".

Whiling away hours in boutiques & markets rather than the shopping malls of usual life,  is for me, the perfect therapy. Coupled with family time at the beach too of course!

Shared below are just some of the plentiful hand-crafted discoveries I made over our recent summer break.

Design House Love Hate offer Australian hand crafted jewellery, ceramic wares, clothing, & leather goods. Shapes & colour palletts inspired by the designers surroundings, these sweet pieces are as unique in their designs as they are in their manufacturing process.

Earrings & Porcelain Necklace AUD$65, Linear Brass Necklace AUD $49.

photos by Love Hate


It seems every market has someone peddling Turkish Towels.

I blogged about them back in 2012 here and am still very much an advocate, using mine on high rotation this summer; but I haven't seen colour ways like those on offer by Knotty.

Brights or pastels, in colour blocked styles, wide stripes and some stunning designs for your home, these beach towels are a refreshing take on the Turkish towel.

Prices start from AUD$39

photos by Knotty

Well documented is my love for all things sparkly; so it would come as no surprise that the combination of both in these gorgeous ceramic wares made from Birdy & Clementine appealed to me!

Robyn is the lady behind Birdy & Clementine and in her own words:  "I create modern feminine ceramics: practical pretty tableware and porcelain jewellery with a touch of bling". Robyn will be bringing her range to the next Finders Keepers Markets in Sydney. Yay!

Photos by Birdy and Clementine

Summer and florals = smiley face. Mrs Darcy from Santa Monica, California has a most comprehensive range of homewares, kimonos & accessories.

Made from original artworks, Kimonos start at AUD$79 and this stunning round cushion is AUD$99. A perfect pressie, the clutches are AUD$49.95.

Photos by Mrs Darcy

So much goodness to souvenir - it pays to pack an extra suitcase when holidaying.  

Sx

Gifts at The Gallery

I love a good Museum shop.  Embarrassingly, it can often be my highlight when visiting a museum / art gallery.

Yesterday, prior to seeing the Collette Dinnigan Exhibition at The Powerhouse Museum, I found myself in the newly-renovated MAAS Store mentally ticking off many gifts from my scarily extensive Christmas Shopping List.

Check out some of these hand-made discoveries:

The interlocking wine rack you can configure to suit your needs / space.  Made by Power to Make, these plywood sets come in different colours and you can add sets as your wine collection grows. The best bit is they come flat packed for building, so easy to post & carry. Starting at AUD$55 for the 6 bottle set,  this would go down well in any home at Christmas.

I was totally crushing on these flower frames by Sydney company Rainy Sunday. They come in all sorts of delicious shades. I imagine gifting one of these with some fresh blooms, as they provide a beautiful keepsake long after the flowers have gone. Single black one will set you back AUD$52. 

Having laid Tasmanian Oak Floors in an attempt at a slightly Scandi interior, Oak is still very much on my radar. These oak homewares by Normann Copenhagen caught my eye in the Museum Shop. 

Great gifts, good prices and so smooth and tactile to boot.  A house can NEVER have enough hooks and here are a couple of stunning oak versions, and a luxe timber trivet to protect your bench tops. Truly Scandinavian, all items online are sent from Denmark, so prices are in USD. 

Curve hook - USD$28, Trivet - USD$33 & Stick Hooks - USD$25

I could account for at least a third of my Xmas Shopping List at The Museum Shop - I recommend it highly for some novel pressie ideas, some amazing books and they even had some yummy fodder on hand for the hungry visitor.

If you have the chance to see the Collette Dinnigan Exhibition - on until Aug 2016 - you won't be disappointed. Tickets are $15 and she has a book out too. That's the perfect Xmas gift combo right there!

Spoiler alert.....some visuals of her most AMAZING mood boards at the exhibition below....

Something for everyone at The Powerhouse right now!
Sx

New Stock in the find...found...forage online shop!

The fast pace in which Christmas approaches each year always seems to catch me out. Despite all good intentions of having the pressie list nailed by October and the gifts shopped for by end November, there is always one or two people still to buy for when the shops are their busiest and energy levels are lowest.

Why is it that I tend to overlook presents for the teacher / coach / neighbour year after year??

Well not this year.

Enter the find...found...forage offerings.

Unique and economical. Hand-made (surely after all these years this goes without saying?!), and complimentary postage Australia Wide. **

I've got new stock and some old favourites. Here's a little peak, but do pop over to the shop to see more....

Newly arrived; beaded tassel charm bracelets. Adjustable. AUD$20ea.

Sara Dolls - AUD$10ea. Supporting Street Kids of Bali:

Delicate & glamorous beaded necklaces in coral, fluro pink and grey. AUD$15ea

 More sizes arriving next week of the perennial favourites, my all leather Ballet Flats - 

11 colours to choose from.  AUD$80ea

New colours of these versatile baskets just arrived. AUD$25ea.

Stocks have been replenished of these three Sophisticated Sparkles. AUD$15ea

Which little kidlet wouldn't love their very own Personalised Christmas Stocking?

 Order now for Xmas. AUD$65ea.

A personal favourite, this beeswax candle looks so much like the real thing. And it smells divine. Banana Leaf Candle - AUD$35.

Key Ring - fluro tassels. I'm in heaven! AUD$15ea

Double Strand, pastel hued, tassel necklace. Ceramic pink beads. Chic & Classy. 

Head will turn. AUD$30ea

Stock is limited, so while they will sell out quickly, you're also guaranteed to be giving a unique gift this Christmas.

Skates on Peeps!

Sx

 ** there are a couple of items in the shop where I can't offer complimentary postage because of their size **