Friday Friends - Australian Makers - Three White Rabbits

Hello readers! How are you this fine Friday? It is set to be a massive weekend on the South Coast, with the ANZAC Centenary celebrations. We are expecting an exceptional influx of tourists and dignitaries to descend on our town. I will write up a special weekend blog post on Sunday to share more about this with you all. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more you can visit this site: http://www.anzacalbany.com.au/

This week it is my absolute pleasure to introduce to you all to a new Friday Friend and Australian maker, meet sweet Lisa  of Three White Rabbits! 

Lisa makes the sweetest dresses and skirts, in darling vintage styles. Here are some of my faves that I just have to share with you. 

1. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz swing dress.... 

2. The Cream Roses Swing Dress...

And 3. The Green Check 50's Dress.

 

I would love to invite you all now to settle in with a cup of tea and ready The Tale of Three White Rabbits. I hope you enjoy your weekend, do something fun and just for you. Happy Reading xo♥

The Tale of Three White Rabbits

Who is... Three White Rabbits is the creation of Lisa Sandilands, based in Sydney 

How and When did your handmade/artistic journey begin? Three White Rabbits began 6 years ago as a kitsch boutique in Darlinghurst. Originally I had a swimwear label called Ruby Red Republic. I started Three white rabbits to feature in my shop as I was always looking for quality made original clothing. 

Since the shop closed I started doing costume design but kept the dresses as I loved wearing them.

What inspires you ?

I'm inspired by colour and happiness – Colour gives me energy and I love Natural fibres.

Tell me about your creative side, how did you get started?

I have always had a creative side and have worked for other people as a designer for clothing and costumes. Currently I am learning the craft of upholstery.

What are your current sources of inspiration?

Right now I'm inspired by the spring weather, wildlife and travel – another project I have in the pipeline is designing my own fabric from my travels. Recently I have been to London , New York and India and I want to put all my travel photos on fabric. I also have travel plans coming up to the Cook Islands, New Zealand and Edinburgh which I want to do something creative with.

What mediums do you work with - do you have a favourite ?

Cotton – I love natural fibres!

Do you have a favourite technique?

I have a trusty industrial singer sewing machine – Its about 25 years old now but sews everything from Cotton to leather – and is especially useful with my current upholstery projects

What kind of things do you make/create ?

My signature pieces are dresses but watch this space – My own furniture and fabric range is coming.

Do you have a favourite piece that you have made/created ?

My wizard of oz range was a best seller and is still my favourite!

What are your future plans/dreams/aspirations ?

I want to keep evolving and using my travels to create fabrics.

Do you have any exhibitions or markets coming up?

No – but you can by some of my limited edition pieces at Loganberry Lane in Glenbrook.

You can also visit my website

www.threewhiterabbits.com.au

my blog 
www.threewhiterabbits.com

etsy store
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/thethreewhiterabbits
and facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/ThreeWhiteRabbits/

Lest we forget - Wednesday Wishes

This coming weekend marks the ANZAC Centenary. Lest we forget. 

"The Anzac Centenary is a milestone of special significance to all Australians. The First World War helped define Australians as people, and as a nation. 

The Federation of Australia was only seventeen years old by the time the war ended in 1918 yet a national identity had emerged reflecting the sacrifice and service of Australia and New Zealand’s armed service men and women.

During the Anzac Centenary Australia and New Zealand will remember not only the original ANZAC troops who served at Gallipoli and the Western Front, but commemorate more than a century of service by Australian servicemen and women. 

On 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, Turkey. Many different countries landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula for the first major battle undertaken by the Australia and New Zealand forces. 

This first battle in Gallipoli is known to mark the birth of national consciousness in both of these countries.

The Gallipoli Campaign continued for another eight months and the First World War continued for another four years before peace was declared on 11 November 1918, the day we now call Armistice Day."

note: extract from http://www.anzacalbany.com.au/

Hand made felted teapot cozy, red poppy natural wool from FeltyPretties

Silver Bezel CuffLinks Glass Round Poppies from goddessglass10359

We Will Remember Them World War 1 Centenary Commemorative Poppy Cushion Cover 20 inch from CatDesignz

Red poppy adjustable ring, handpainted italian jewelry from JEWELRYANDMINIATURES

Beautifully framed hand painted vintage floral print 

from louloubelless

Friday Friends - West Australian Makers - Miss Vincent

Hello there Maddabling readers. What does your weekend hold? Spring weather on the South Coast is a little unpredictable, today in a matter of hours, it went from bright sunshine to pouring rain and thunderstorms. Bushwalking may need to go on hold for a bit. This week it is my great pleasure to introduce to you all a new Friday Friend and West Australian maker, meet sweet Sarah of Miss Vincent! 

I am the first to confess that I am a shoe and bag girl, so it is no wonder I fell in love with the goodies that are stashed in the Miss Vincent Etsy store. Let me share some with you now. 

Firstly, the "BETTY" iPad bag. This could be a perfect gift or you could always keep it for yourself. It has a detachable shoulder strap or can be used in a clutch style. This little bag is padded, has a front pocket, comes in dotty spotty denim with a stripe blue/white lining. 

With Summer just around the corner, why not treat yourself to a new beach bag - the HANNAH Large stripe tote comes in Summer Brights of natural, lime and hot pink. This cute bag is made from twill canvas, has a plain cerise lining, and two handy pockets; a zip front pocket and a large inside pocket. 

I love the AUDREY Toile de Jouy style linen mix large frame bag, it has two inner compartments, double snap clasp, aubergine lining and a  tan leather strap. Very Stylish and practical :) 

Readers, I invite you now to take a little you time and indulge in some light reading. I hope you enjoy The Fabric of Miss Vincent. Have a fantastic weekend everyone xo♥

The Fabric of Miss Vincent
Who is Miss Vincent? Miss Vincent consists of just me, working from my apartment in Fremantle. I do bits and pieces where I can, but I also look after my 12 month old full time, so I squeeze as much as I can into his nap times!

How did your handmade journey begin ? I have loved making things since I was a child, and the first thing I remember sewing was a monster toy called Hector, which I made on the sewing machine with  my older sister's help, probably when I was  8 or 9.  Although I was pretty academic as a child, I focused on art at school as that was my big passion, and that led me to do a degree in multi media textile design in the UK.   

I went straight from Uni to working for a big fashion company as a trainee buyer,  and worked my way up to buyer over the years. It was a great way for me to combine my creativity with business and organisational skills, and took me all over the world.  When my fiance and I moved to Australia about 2 and a half years ago, I couldn't find a job in WA in the same industry, so I set up my hand making business. 

What inspires you ? I get inspired every time I see a new collection of fabrics (either in stores or online) and tend to go a bit crazy buying up all the patterns and prints that appeal to me most,  because I have so many ideas about what I'm going to make with them. I get a buzz from quirky or unusual colour combinations, and I love to put an unexpected lining or trim on one of my bags or purses. Nature and the changing seasons always inspire me, and especially flowers. People watching is a good source of inspiration. My little son Charlie has inspired me to expand my product range to include fold out baby change mats and baby bags, and a few baby toys.  

Tell me about your creative side, how did you get started?

If I wasn't doing Miss Vincent I would be filling our house up with even more handmade cushions / patchwork quilts and re-upholstery projects that we don't really need (it's a small 2 bed apartment!) because creating is what I love doing.

What are your current sources of inspiration?

Someone was looking for a particular item from me at my last market,  which wasn't something I have made yet, so that is what I'm working on at the moment - sourcing the parts from the far east, and then I will draw up the pattern and make a prototype before I make a bunch of them in time for my next market. 

What mediums do you work with, do you have a favourite ? 
Fabric, fabric, fabric! I do find laminated cotton particularly satisfying to work with, but I love sewing any beautiful printed fabric, especially Liberty print ones, which are always such high quality prints in beautiful colour  combinations. 

I would like to move into leather working in the future, but will need to invest in more specialist equipment before I can do so.

Do you have a favourite technique? I love the final stage of making a bag, when the finished lining and the outer are stitched together and turned right way out to magically create the finished bag.  I always love that feeling when  you push all the fabric through the hole you've left, and the bag is born.

What kind of things do you create? I make frame bags in various sizes (from mini coin purses to double compartment larger sized ones with leather straps). Also tote bags - not on Etsy yet but see attached images. Laminated wipeable baby change clutches that fold out to be change mats (not even photographed yet but I will do so this week and send you images or the Etsy link). I also make a lot of earrings and hair slides but find its not worth the time it takes to photograph and upload them all to my Etsy shop, so I just sell them at markets. 

Likewise the greetings cards and baby toys that I make. The greetings cards are all printed reproductions of my original watercolour paintings. 

Do you have a favourite piece that you have made? My current favourite is the neon pink spot tote! 

What are your future plans and dreams? When I have more time I would love to do more wholesaling to shops, and expand the range. I would also like to have production runs made of some of the styles, because hand making everything is limiting (although I do love the hand making, and find it rather therapeutic).

Do you have any exhibitions or markets coming up? I have been accepted into the Christmas Upmarket at UWA at the end of November.
You can find out more here: www.perthupmarket.com.au

Lovely readers, would you like to see more? Here is how you can connect. 

Buy beautiful things from Etsy here:
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/MissVincentsBoutique

Sugar and Spice - Wednesday Wishes

Wednesday Wishes is today a collection of Sugar Skulls, 

not exactly Sugar and Spice ;) Enjoy xo♥

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Felt Brooch from TheDollCityRocker

Black Sugar Skulls Classic Guitar Pillow Softie from VoxandDolly

Sugar Skull Temporary Costume Tattoos Makeup from SugarTats

Sugar Skulls Dress from VintageGaleria

Sugar Skull Tattoo Art Purse from NeverDieArtOnDemand

Friday Friends - Australian Makers - Rulitos

Hello readers, it's Friday again and time for me to introduce to you all a new Friday Friend and Australian Maker. This creative hails from Melbourne, which we recently had the pleasure of exploring. I want you all to meet the super lovely Nerea of Rulitos Jewellery. 

Nerea makes beautiful pieces from sterling silver, copper, brass, oxidised silver, leather, stainless steel, plastic, found objects, rivets, hardware, buttons, thread, toys....let me share some with you now. 

I love the simple elegance of this Sterling Silver Geometric Cord Bracelet in Magenta waxed cotton.

This would make a super cute stocking stuffer - it's a Llama Brooch come tie-pin or lapel-pin. 

I also adore this beautiful rain drop sterling silver whimsical pendant. It is such a timeless design. 

Dear readers, it is time now for you to indulge in some me time, to read The Book of Rulitos. Have a wonderful weekend everyone, remember to be kind to one another xo 

The Book of Rulitos

I have been making things with my hands as long as I remember. Mum was forever crafting when I was a child (our 80’s home saw many bottles of craft glue and endless meters of lace) and my mechanic/handiest-man-on-earth dad never put down his tools, so I grew up loving crafty things and tools and hardware.

My great uncle in Argentina was also a jeweller; watching him work metal always fascinated me.

As a teenager I started making jewellery out of beads, leather, wire, hardware and found objects, from there it was only a very short jump to silver smithing. My awesome stylish friends inspire my work; I’m a bit of a dag myself but I often eye my friends and their styles and wonder what they would enjoy wearing.

Sterling silver is my absolute favourite metal to work with. I love how it looks rough, or super shiny, textured, oxidised, I love sawing through a fresh sheet or melting tiny bits into new creations. Most of my favourite pieces have been custom requests. I particularly like kinetic pieces I’ve made like this little clapper-board a client ordered for her bestie’s short film launch.

My pie-in-the-sky dream would be to go back to school full time to do a for-reals smithing course. There are endless techniques to learn and skills to hone! Lengthy study and hands on tutoring would be a luxurious dream come true. In the meantime, I happily keep tinkering away, learning through trial and error (+ the occasional tantrum or happy accident).

This year I  will not be having a pre-Christmas market stall as I have been the past few years BUT (dum-dum-dummmm) I am opening my wee studio in the burbs for the FIRST TIME on the first weekend of December where you can come and see my wares, maybe pick up a Christmas pressie or two or just stop in for a cuppa. I am so excited (and quite nervous)! Keep your eyes peeled on my Facebook or Instagram closer to December for the details.

You can find me on Instagram or Twitter: rulitos_ls

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/rulitos.jewellery

or buy my wares on Etsy: www.etsy.com/au/shop/Rulitos81

get tangled in rulitos!
discover the rulitos website here: 

www.rulitos.com.au

Buy lovely things on Etsy here:

www.etsy.com/rulitos81

Become a follower on Facebook here: 

www.facebook.com/rulitos.jewellery

and follow sweet tweets on Twitter here: rulitos_ls

Friday Friends - West Australian Makers - Modern Homewares

Hello and Happy Friday to you all. What's on your agenda this weekend? Are you crafting or baking or spring cleaning? Perhaps none of the above. Today it is my great pleasure to introduce to you a new Friday Friend and West Australian maker, meet sweet Helen of Modern Homewares. 

I love the things that Helen makes. Especially the casserole carriers that you will see later in this blog post. In the mean time, let me share some finds with you that make housework and your living space that little bit more fun! Why not glam up the chore of ironing with a vibrant patterned ironing board cover! 

These pretty patterned cushions are beautiful and would make a statement in any room. 

There are lots of styles to choose from!

Lovely Maddabling readers, I will leave you now to explore 

The Wonderful World of Modern Homewares. Why not enjoy a cuppa while you read this story. Wishing each and everyone of you the most fantastic weekend xx 

The Wonderful World of Modern Homewares 

Hello!!  My name is Helen and I’m a mother of two beautiful boys and live in sunny Perth. I have been creating for as long as I can remember.  I think when I was around 16 I was making most of my own clothes, not because from lack of money just because I couldn’t justify the cost of clothes plus to be honest I didn’t like the fashion available at the time.

Now I’ve moved onto home wares, with 3 males in my house I need to pretty things up a bit.  My Etsy shop used to be called Pretty in Purple but I changed it as I was always being asked “Oh so what do you make?”.  So to be more direct with what I create, my shop is now called “Modern Homewares”.

I’m one of those weird people that love to walk into a fabric store and just breath in the smell of the fabrics.  And that is what inspires my creations, along with current fashion trends.  I try to incorporate current season colours into my table runners and cushion covers.  Personally I like bright bold colours but that’s probably obvious when you look at my items.

I suppose I started creating to sell when a lot of other mums do.  When your kids are little and you want to earn some extra money without leaving home and still able to be a mum at the same time.  Now my oldest is almost ready for high school and I’m still at it – it’s like an addiction!

I mostly make ironing board covers, cushion covers, casserole carriers, table runners and anything for the home.   Hot off the sewing machine are some beautiful and very affordable Christmas table runners. Next for the cutting table will be some very stylish cushion covers…….

I sell on Etsy and Madeit and I’m always after new facebook friends so please pop on over and like my page.  Or better still like my page and share it with your friends!!!

Find Modern Homewares on Facebook here:

http://facebook.com/modernhomeware

Buy lovely things from Modern Homewares on Etsy here: 

http://modernhomewares.etsy.com

and on Madeit here:

http://madeit.com.au/modernhomewares