Find your crafty mojo........

Do you have days where you have just "lost your crafty mojo"?  Well I do, and how I hate them!  Days of endless blah blah blah running through my head.  Ideas that pop into my head and then seem to run away of their own accord.....!?  Or no ideas at all? Even worse!

What to do??

I have taken to getting a bit more organised.......yes, shock horror!  Organisation!  I have a notebook on my desk and one in my handbag too..........to jot down any ideas or inspirations that might jump into my head......before they disappear and are lost forever.  Now this may sound like notebook overkill but my memory is not so good......I blame the drugs.......no, not the recreational kind, lol, .......... more the nice life-saving ones administered during my Leuk treatment.  Great for killing bad stuff in our bodies, but boy do they play havoc with memory!!  I am now officially guilty of being an airhead.
A third notebook sits by my bed and in it are late night scrawls of ideas, some good and others quite literally crappy (we won't talk about those).  So after I have worn my poor eyes out on my Kindle (which seems to be doing some sort of dance of its own lately..... it bobs up and down when I nod off).....well before I go to sleep, my mind starts its own little party.  Now, the Kindle was supposed to make me sleep.....or so I thought?  Anyway, I think.....think and more thinking.  Usually of creative stuff, but sometimes my creative mind goes blank......Uh oh, not good....

Then what?

This is where my trusty magazine collection and the internet come to my rescue........Blogs, success stories, business ideas, stories, pictures.......it is all quite endless.  BUT it does the trick!
Sometimes I am lucky to stumble across bit and pieces.......other times I head for sites I know will help inspire:

The Etsy blog  a wealth of information and inspiration.  Seller interviews, business tips, recipes, How-to guides for making (I am not sure about the "Crafting with cat hair" story.......Eeeek, that could be taking recycling a bit far?) plus loads of other stuff.

The Madeit blog  our trusty Aussie equivalent of Etsy.....where you can read about our home grown sellers, promotional tips, handmade stockists, magazines.......the list goes on.  I love sifting through this blog, it is always inspirational and better yet it is Australian!!

To disturb on not disturb.......that is the question?
Lynx sleeping on my Idea Book......

Hope you are all having a lovely day.......

Cheers,

Jodie
MPH xx

Shop local.....new goodies to share!

My favourite time is when I get photos of new handmade products to share with you all.....it is like Christmas all over again.

I am always amazed at the talented people we are lucky to have right here in this special place, the Mornington Peninsula.

So without further ado..........

We have new stock from Rafi & Hannah, a local business based in Rye.  Lisa puts a lot of time and effort into her products and I think these latest creations are just so cute!  The skirt retails at $24.95 and comes in sizes 1 - 5.  The fully reversible sun hats are made to order and priced at $19.95...contact Lisa via the link above, for details.

New hair accessories for girls from Renee at Precious Child Designs.....these photos are just beautiful.  Happy little girls, gorgeous products.....a winning combination!

The Baby Shower Book  are a lovely idea, for guests to write best wishes in, predict baby names and for friends to write their thoughts......  A lovely keepsake idea!  The books are printed locally in Mornington and are by mum of two, Leonna Flack.

And finally, a few little somethings from me........and my little Designery.  I have a new line of personalised cards, perfect for "age" birthdays for kids, new babies and for older birthdays.......such as the big "50" etc.  They come in 2 sizes......A5 size (15 x 21cm) and A6 size (10.5 x 15cm).  Larger sizes available upon request.  A5 are $9.00 and A6 are $6.00.  Both sizes come with envelopes.

Also new and available are the Applique cards from Designery.  100% recycled card stock base, with layers of linen, paper, buttons and trims.  Machine and hand stitched, with handstamped details.
$7.00 for A6 size, they come with a recycled envelope.  Assorted designs available.

I hope you found something you like here...........?

Jodie
MPH xx

Meet the Maker........Kirsty Owen from "Two Little Monkeys"

Hello, yes it is back for 2012!  Meet the Maker is our most popular post, so I hope you enjoy reading about the new round of clever makers.........

Name:  Kirsty Owen
Business Name:  Two Little Monkeys

Website:

Online storefronts:  Hand-made.com.au - Two Little Monkeys
                               Madeit:  www.madeit.com.au/Twolittlemonkeys
                               Etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwoLittleMonkey

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/twolittlemonkeys
Twitter:  n/a

Questions:

1. So, tell us about yourself........

I am a 35 year old Mum with two boys, 4 & 21 months.  I have lived on the Mornington Peninsula all my life and could not imagine living anywhere else.  Life is always hectic, between looking after my boys, working part time from home and of course running Two Little Monkeys.....but I enjoy every minute of it and wouldn't change anything.  Two Little Monkeys is supported by my Mum, who also enjoys sewing.

2.  Why handmade?

I have always loved handmade items, mainly due to the care and time taken by someone to create the items.

3. What influenced you to start your business?

In 2010, after making a pencil roll as a Christmas present for my cousin's son (Bree, of Cheeky Monkey Craftwork) she approached me about making them to sell through her Facebook page.  Then in Jan 2011, I decided to go out alone and set up Two Little Monkeys.

4.  What type of products do you sell?

We offer a wide range of items, Pencil rolls, Makeup Brush rolls, Kids Tote Bags, Little Girl Handbags & Personalised Santa Sacks.........and have just released some new items for 2012, Personalised Cushions, Toy Sacks & Appliqued T-Shirts.

5.  What are your inspirations for making your products?

I try to make items that I would buy for the children of family and friends, and of course my boys.  Most importantly though, is that I enjoy making the items I sell.

6.  Where do you sell your products?

Online - Facebook & Hand-made.com.au I also have some items listed on Madeit and Etsy.
Markets - Huckleberry Market, Mulgrave Makers Market and Bumble Bee Baby & Kids Market.
(Check my events tab on my Facebook page to see when and where my next market is)

7.  How much time do you spend making your products each week?

This varies, depending on custom orders and if I have a market coming up.   Anywhere from 5 - 20 hours a week.

8.  Do you have a dedicated craft area or studio in your home?

No, since having my second son I lost my sewing room and currently have a Horn cabinet and bookcase in the family room.  However, it does mean that I am able to sew while my kids play.

9.  Are you self taught or have you had a good teacher?

A mixture of both.  My Mum, who has always sewed and made the majority of my clothes as a child and is always there to help if needed.  I have always had some sort of craft hobby, starting with Cross Stitch when I was about 12, sewed clothes for myself on and off during high school and uni.  I started making mohair bears when I was 22 and then moved on to patchwork about 10 years ago.

P.S.!!!  Two Little Monkeys are having a SALE!!  It starts tonight, Jan 25th from 8pm, until Sunday Jan 29th at 8 pm.   ALL STOCK DISCOUNTED UP TO 25% and HALF PRICE POSTAGE to celebrate our 1st Birthday!!

Local homemade delight........

Yesterday I decided to whisk my Mum off for a nice lunch, she is always helping me out in a million different ways....Thanks Mum!..... and deserved a long overdue treat.  Off we headed, down to the main street in Rosebud.......hmmm, where to go??  We ended up driving around aimlessly, not quite sure what we wanted to eat.  I suddenly remembered recently reading about this little place in Rye, tucked away somewhere in the back streets.  OK!  I was now on a mission to find it, not really knowing what is was called, but I had a vague idea of where it was located.  After narrowly escaping the usual Point Nepean Rd traffic jam in Rosebud West, we sneakily detoured up Trueman's Road, hoping for a clear run along Alma Street. Phew!  Yes!  Not too much traffic there!  We made it to Rye and headed up Dundas Street, valiantly driving along, hoping for a glimpse of signage of some sort.  Bingo, a sandwich board!  We followed the signage and directions, until we came across what we had been searching for:  Peninsula Pantry!

This delightful cafe and catering business is in a converted General Store building, tucked away in Wondaree St, Rye.  So nice to find somewhere away from the manic main street of Rye.  Curious and delighted, we headed inside.  Needless to say, the display of cakes, pies and pastries was enough to get our mouths watering......and some delicious salads, quiches and pies were displayed in another area.  Our lovely lunch:  Mum and I shared a cheese & spinach roll and salmon pattie, accompanied by a yummy brown rice tabbouleh and a beetroot and feta salad.  For afternoon tea, we grabbed a vanilla slice and a strawberry/custard muffin........and MUCH later on (lunch was SO filling!) we enjoyed these sweet treats with a cup of tea.  The vanilla slice won me over, crispy pastry and creamy custard.  Seriously good!!

And the added bonus???   All of the products (apart from the breads) are home made on the premises.  No production line goods here........just beautifully made local products, using free range eggs and bacon (Yay!!), only butter is used AND they buy local produce where possible!  For those with dietary restrictions, there are vegetarian and gluten free options too.  Peninsula Pantry is owned and run by Johan and his wife Lia.  It is open everyday from 8-5 except Tuesdays.  www.peninsulapantry.com.au

Do yourself a favour.....!

Cheers,

Jodie
MPH xx

Stall holders wanted for fundraiser.....

Just though I would share an email with you all, in case you might be interested..........?

Hi There,

After searching Facebook I came across a link to your website and thought you may like to contact some of your stall holders that might be interested in having a market stall at the following event:

The Teddy Bear’s Picnic is at Ripponlea and is their biggest fundraiser of the year. This will be the first time they have invited stall holders to the event and are hoping that it will add to the traditional ‘Olde world’ feel of the day.

Ripponlea Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Sunday Feb 26th
10:00am – 4:00pm
192 Hotham Street,
Elsternwick VIC 3185
http://www.ripponleaestate.com.au
Site fee: $120 per 3 metre wide stall.

We are looking for approximately 20 stall holders to attend on the day selling handmade items, arts and crafts and children’s products etc. I would say it would be best to have items for sale from a couple of dollars up to about $30-$40 because it will mostly be impulse buys and people have already bought their tickets to the event. They are hoping for around 3000-4000 visitors at the event. Mostly families with kids between 1 and 10 yrs.

If you know any stall holders who you think would be appropriate please feel free to pass on this info or let me know what you think the best way is for me to attract some good people with interesting and popular products to sell. Thanks for your time.

Kind regards,

Amy VeermanSales Manager

Entertainment Store Group
aveerman@entertainmentstore.com.au
po box 285, st kilda, victoria 3182, australia
tel 03 9527 8644 | fax 03 9527 8330
www.entertainmentstore.com.au 

Refreshed......I think?

Ok, I am back in the driver's seat, ready for a fabulous year of handmade goodness.  Gosh it takes a bit of getting used to, back behind the computer and babbling on again on the blog......after the post Christmas slump and a week of holidays!   Wake up and smell the coffee...(even though I loathe the stuff!), it is time to gear up!

Now I am one of the biggest magazine hoarders known to mankind, just ask my poor partner.  He despises magazines, but I assume this hatred stems from the overflowing baskets of them in several rooms of my house.  "But I like looking at them, they have good ideas in them!!", I cry.....    He doesn't get it, probably never will and has now resigned himself to the fact that they are here to stay.  Which brings me to this new resource of online mags!  Excellent idea and much less clutter!  But I still have to have my monthly fix of Country Style mag and my subscription to Home Beautiful.  I am actually culling a couple of other usual monthly mag purchases.....must keep the peace a little bit, right?

I love finding you new inspirational goodies to get your craft groove going.  Soooo.......yesterday I stumbled across yet another jewel in the online craft world.  You may have heard of it, or maybe even read it?  A new digital craft magazine called Etzcetera.  I pasted a little bit about this new mag below:

Kim Archer is the publisher of Australian digital crafty lifestyle magazine, Etzcetera. Published bi-monthly, Etzcetera Magazine is loaded with step by step projects, inspiring interviews with creative people, interesting family and lifestyle articles, tasty recipes and fun ideas. Visit the Etzcetera website here http://www.etzceteramagazine.com.au

An added bonus is that the first issue is free!!  Gotta love a freebie, yes?

The link for the first issue:  Etzcetera Issue 1.

The magazine is published bi-monthly and payment is made using the ever convenient Paypal, at a cost of $4.50 per issue.  Issue 4 is out now!

Sit back, grab a cool drink and get inspired!  Lots of great articles and gorgeous pictures too.

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jodie
MPH xx

A quick break

Hello,

Just off for a quick break, a few days away with my partner is just what I need.  Doing a bit of an Alpine drive, across the high country........it will be spectacular, I will show you pics when we get back!  Actually, I can't wait to get back home to get into some serious crafting........I have so many paper craft and stamping ideas in my head.....and can't wait to get started on them!  

I have a workshop to demonstrate for some new customers, booked in nearly as soon as I get back, so no rest for the wicked.  I can't wait to show some of the new Summer products from Stampin' Up.

See you in a few days......looking forward to being refreshed and ready to leap into the new year for MPH!!

Cheers,

Jodie

MPH xx

Full time crafting.....Do what you love!

Hi all,
I had a lovely chat on the phone today, with a fellow crafty friend of mine.  As the conversation evolved, we discovered that each of us would love to take our handmade businesses that one step further: a full time commitment.  This is a common dream/question many handmade business owners have.  I have worked out my motto for the new year....."Do What You Love"!!!  I have to say, this year is shaping up to be so SO exciting for me!

Now the tricky part.......how do I make this happen?  How do I take that step?  For me, loving what I do has always been about treating myself to a better life.  Now that may not involve making huge sums of money, but believe me, if I am happy with what I am doing, then it is worth all the tea in China!  If I have learned anything over the past few years, it is that.  So I guess loving what I do is a great first step, finding that happy little niche of creativity.  The next step is a bit scary.....!  Such a big leap really.  And not one to be taken lightly or in haste.  I believe in putting in some foundations, then building from that and finally taking that BIG step into full time crafting.

I have found a couple of interesting and inspiring stories.........have a read and get motivated!

Crafty Mums turning a hobby into a business ........this link has some brilliant information and great ideas.

And this one from the Crafty Mummy blog......Why Do Crafty Bloggers Need Business Cards........(which reminds me, I MUST get some MPH biz cards printed up!!  Gulp!)

I hope you get inspired!

Cheers,

Jodie
MPH xx

A crafty new year.......

Happy New Year to you all......

I am so excited about 2012.......so many things to do and new possibilities just around the corner.  Where do I start?

1.   Looking forward to meeting more amazing people from our local handmade community.....
2.   Revamping the blog (when I find a few spare hours somewhere?)
3.   Posting some new and unique "Meet the Maker" interviews.....Oooh, this is my favourite thing to do!
4.   Getting my head around finding some way of gathering our talented local makers, into one space, for a crafty extravaganza?
5.   Take more photos........my camera is feeling neglected
6.   Clean up my crafty spaces......AGAIN!
7.   Find better storage solutions for crafty spaces......AGAIN!
8.   Decorate my crafty spaces with inspirational and gorgeous stuff!
9.   Send out handmade cards
10. Actually USE my 2012 diary!  (So I know when to send out those handmade cards...)
11. Clean out clutter from house

 Plus a million other ideas floating around in my head.........Argh, I need to catalogue them - follow up the good ones, ditch the bad ones and laugh at the ridiculous but "maybe that might work" ones.  Am I the only one whose head suffers from this??

I am looking forward to this year, I get the feeling it will be a great one.......stick along for the ride!

Cheers,

Jodie
MPHxx