The Last Sunday of each month...

Sunny Sundays don't come better than this. Water views, sustainable surroundings, organic food and creative artisans can be found on the last Sunday of each month at the Historic Coal Loader Site in Waverton (North Sydney).

What was an industrial site, is now home to an inspiring Sustainability Centre with best practise sustainable tecnology, workshops, organic gardening and stunning flora and fauna with Sydney's harbour as a backdrop.

I supported (ie: purchased from!) a number of the talented artisans who were exhibiting their wares, when I visited last month.

The most divine "kiss and hug" earrings from Ayana Jewellery, came packaged complete with polishing cloth for AUD$18.

photo courtesy of ayana jewellery

Although there are no teething babies in my current network, I couldn't help but grab one of these beechwood teethers to pop in the gift box.

Made by Wildwood Kids, the beads are made using food grade silicon and since the combination of colours and shades are so on trend, these little beauties wouldn't look out of place on display.

Various shapes are on offer, as well as pram accessories and necklaces.  AUD $29

You may have seen on the "creative finds instagram account" the gorgeous succulent arrangements by Marilyn at For the Love of Succulents?

The big wreath is equally at home on the wall / door or the table with a large candle in the middle. The living wall is customisable to your requirements and Marilyn makes sweet little wedding or party favour succulents too.

A more picturesque, peaceful market I haven't come across.

Tranquil with a capital T.

Sx

************** ammendment: the Coal Loader Markets have recently changed to the end of each Season, rather than monthly. Next date will be end of August : Sunday the 27th 2017 and then Sunday Nov 26th. ***************

Animalia...

With School Holidays fast approaching, I pulled out a blog post I wrote a few years back with some fun and easy DIY projects we can tackle with the kidlets.  I reckon I'll give some of these a whirl, as we still seem to have plastic animals lurking in the toy boxes....


The kids are growing up and we have another birthday just around the corner.

To make way for the celebratory loot, I am deliberating about which toys it's time we parted with.  Of course as soon as something is earmarked and put aside, it suddenly becomes the toy de jour and I so cease making any progress at all.

We seem to have a plethora of plastic animal figurines. While they don't take up much space per se, my children have trouble remembering what they have to play with unless it is all out on show. And by on show, I mean scattered haphazardly throughout the home.

I had pinned onto my DIY board on Pinterest, these up-cycled jars using spray painted toy animals, and when I searched further, it seems there is no end in sight for these little guys. They've been re-purposed into so many carnations that they will live to see many more days.

It's amazing what a can of paint and some glue can achieve....

and some succulents

or a hand saw

You can saw them in half, paint & then glue on a magnet:

 or use them as a gift box:

as jewellery;

as candle holders;

or festive decorations. Just add twigs, paint and a red nose:

Add some glamour to your interiors

or dress up a drawer;

Do you keep a stash of jars? I have a cupboard devoted to them. Not for much longer!

I'd best be parting with some other pieces of fantastic plastic. These babies have still got work to do.

S x

Rubbing Shoulders....

Thrilled to be setting up shop for the day at the monthly Mosman Markets this coming Saturday.

Set on the Mosman Square and Village Green, I'll be in great company with over 150 art & craft stalls plus gourmet food and entertainment.

I'm secretly hoping to be positioned next to the exquisite hand poured Maison Petale Candles as the scent wafting from their stall is just divine. And don't get me started on the packaging. Yum. Website prices AUD$59 but cheaper at the Markets!!

photo by Maison Petale

Sailor Made will be there with their funky tote and duffle bags made from recycled sail products. Prices start at AUD$75.

photos courtesy of Sailor Made

Printmaker Fiona Roderick will be showcasing her range of lino prints, tea towels and wall art of truly Australiana scenes. Tea Towels such as this delightful Maggie are too good for the dishes surely? And at AUD$25 make economical art!

pictures courtesy of Fiona Roderick

The latest take on the Pic-nic Rug are these beautiful, oversized & waterproof rugs by Pixie Rugs. Doing the rounds, their colourful designs are hits at markets everywhere. From AUD$85.

photos by Pixie Rugs

So many more stall holders at Sydney's Premier Artisan Market. Some of whom have been selling there for 20+ years!

Looking forward to introducing the find...found...forage ballet flats to the market goers.
Come along!
Sx

To Market, to Market...

Fellow peddlers of hand-made loveliness at the recent KRB Spring Fair, these small businesses were just some of the delightful folk I met while exhibiting the find...found...forage wares.

Fi from The Inspired Paddock had set up the most stylish stand. She was selling pieces such as antlers that have been naturally shed, wreaths made from barbed wire, and lamps, vases and decor items made from the trunks of Birch trees.

Looking for pheasant feathers? Want a deer hide? Or how about a hand-made backgammon or chess board? Fi has gotten busy in her studio shed and made all these items herself. By hand.

Be prepared to drool....
(all photos taken by Fi herself)

Need to get your Christmas Gift Wrap theme sorted? Are you using wrapping paper as a centrepiece for your Christmas table? What about the bon bons?

Wrappsody were also at the KRB Spring Fair with the most comprehensive array of wrapping papers, co-ordinating ribbons and gift tags. Not only were there tons of options, but the rolls of paper came in quantities sure to wrap all your loot.

Rolls of 10m or 50m of the highest quality papers are sourced with co-ordinating ribbons. I for one, cannot wrap a gift without finishing it with a ribbon. Amy and her team solved my Chrissie wrapping conundrum.

I've already wrapped a trio of gifts on their way to the UK...

photos from Wrappsody 

Lucy from Frayed was another talented crafts-lady with scrumptious offerings. This time of the Shibori kind. All manner of linen delights were on offer from cushions, to napkins, placemats and bunting.

Her gift tags alone will convince you to style your Christmas blue this year!

photos courtesy of Lucy

Fairs and markets are on in abundance at this time of year.
Get yourselves along to one and pick up some pressies that are sure to tick the 'unique' box.
Sx

kid art

Just so much kid craft about the place.

This is hand-made art in the most purest, non commercial form. Below are some "trees" that were part of a project at our local school:

I spotted these simple tree collages on a quick visit to the school library:

And more library craft goodness. A whole wall covered in what can only be described as pages torn from novels (is this deemed acceptable in a library??):

And not to be outdone, a nearby Mod-Asian Eating House - Kho Plak has wallpapered their walls in the same vane, using photocopies of postcards, photos, magazine articles etc. 

This endeavour is not for the faint hearted. Can you imagine the hours it took copying, cutting, placing, pasting....?

Inspired by Joan Miro the Spanish Painter, here is my son and the artworks his class painted for a local Cultural Expo.

The local junior talent knows no bounds. Seriously impressive stuff. These are all the works of school students:

And who could resist a naive little felt picture? 

Not me.

No need to spend big bucks on art work from the pros. 

Enlist the flair of the little people. 

Sx