Meet the Maker.........Donna from "Little Boubba"

Many thanks to Donna for providing this lovely insight into her day to day life and business...

Name:  Donna McCall
Business name:  Little Boubba

Website:  Little Boubba blog

Online storefronts:  www.madeit.com.au/Littleboubba
                               www.etsy.com/shop/Littleboubba

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/littleboubba

Twitter:

Questions.

1.  So, tell us about yourself........
I am a SAHM to 3 gorgeous children, Bayleigh 9, Sienna 7 and Tanner 2, who keep me very busy with all their parties, after school activities and interests.  We moved to the Mornington Peninsula 18 months ago and although it took a little while to get used to, I can't imagine ever going back.  As a family we do a lot of water sports, so we spend a lot of time on the Murray River on down at the beaches.

2.  Why handmade?
Why not?  I love beautiful material and trims.  I am the sort of person that looks at most things and thinks "I can make that!".

3.  What influenced you to start your business?
My influence came one day when I was looking for a bib to put on Tanner, who was then about 9 months old and I couldn't find one anywhere, so I decided to get the machine out and whip up a few.  A few friends saw them and suggested I start to sell them online, so I took their advice and it has grown from there.

4.  What type of products do you sell?
My product range is growing all the time because I love trying new things.  At the moment I make and sell fabric covered Notebooks and Diaries, Bibs, Ribbon lankies, Ruffled nappy covers, Sienna tops and dresses.  I have just ventured into the land of dolls, which I am really, really enjoying but have a long way until they are as gorgeous as many of the other sellers.

5.  What are your inspirations for making your products?
My inspiration comes from boredom, if that makes sense?  I love to be making and I love to challenge myself, so that inspires me to give new things a go.  My children also give me a lot of inspiration, as most of my fabrics and products are aimed at that end of the market.

6.  Where do you sell your products?
I sell mostly on Facebook.  I have had some success on both Etsy and Madeit, but have had trouble keeping the stores stocked, as I was making a lot of customer orders which I have now stopped.  So I hope to be able to get back into selling on the handmade sites again.  I have done a couple of markets but they are very hit and miss.  I really think you need to be a regular to really have success.

7.  How much time do you spend making your products each week?
How long do I spend making my items....well how long is a piece of string literally?  Some weeks it is as little as 20 hours, but much more often it is 40-plus hours.  I always feel like I should be creating and staying on top with all the new fabrics.  I buy a LOT of fabric, so as soon as it all arrives, I have to be creating with it immediately!

8.  Do you have a dedicated craft area or studio in your home?
My craft dedicated area is a running joke in my house, my husband has 3 double garages and a dedicated office and I have literally a corner in our kids lounge that is my whole sewing desk.  I cut on the kitchen bench and all my fabrics are in various cupboards around the house.  We have been discussing putting a studio on to the house this year.

9.  Are you self taught, or have you had a good teacher?
All of my sewing is self taught.  I did textiles at school and surprisingly, it was NOT my favourite subject.  I have always sewn and have had a machine since my 18th birthday.  I have since upgraded that machine and really think I need to take a couple of classes, to teach me how to use this fancy new one :).

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