So much crafty goodness

We're so lucky in Auckland - there are so many high quality craft fairs, often with a quirky focus, so that every weekend can be crafty if you get the urge.

Today I'm going to go and take a peek at a new market Love Vintage & Retro in Kingsland.  Judging by the blog and facebook page, there'll be lots of  stuff to drool over, and I'm hoping to get some brilliant and unique Christmas presents rather than the mass produced stuff I was reduced to last year.  I figure you can't beat getting a cool present and supporting the little guys at the same time.

Another cracking market is Crafternoon Tea also in Kingsland.  I went last week and got some brilliant plates and a vintage upcycled ring from Odd One Out, not to mention the sourdough and the chocolate croissants - nom nom nom.  I got there late (the Rugby World Cup has lead to some serious coning off of the area on match days) so will have to go again next month to peek at the fabulous jewellery stalls and kiddies' clothes that were there, too.

Talking of kids, have you tried Titirangi Mums' Market? It's a slight misnomer because there is plenty for everyone - you so don't have to be a mum!  Last time I was there I saw everything from beautiful handmade cards to high quality merino knitting, funky toys to handbags - not to mention a bouncy castle and a realllly good duo playing live music.  There's nothing better than strolling around a market listening to Dylan, The Stones, Neil Young and Bowie.

There are lots more, too - Devonport, Mary's Market, Oratia Settlers' Market, to name just a few.  Look in your local paper, look at fliers, and ask friends, then get yourself off to a craft market, support amazing New Zealand artisans and get yourself something wonderful.

Happy shopping!

Look what fabulous thing I've found!

I love finding fabulous crafts, especially when they are things I can't make myself, so I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you.

These funky hobby horses are made by Little Old Nags and are just about the coolest children's toy I've seen in ages.  I particularly love the zebra, and rumour has it there are some unicorns coming up soon, too!

 

Then there are these hilarious and brilliant bits of jewellery, made by Bitsy Frog - Vanessa makes realistic looking foodie earrings and necklaces and so on, all with resin.  There are even teeny weeny butterflies, 1cm across, that she has made by hand and put into jewellery.  I am in total awe - what patience she must have.

And then there's the knitting and crocheting.  Koyal at Koyal Kapilla NZ and Nat at PoppyandBee are very clever.  I can just about make a scarf if I don't have to do more than K1P1, so these scrumptious items leave me agog.  I even own one or two of these, and can honestly say they are brilliant value for money - so well made and sooooo luxurious.  Niiiice!

 

 What fabulous finds can you share with us?

Bags for Little Ladies

I just had to share some of the wee handbags I've tried out this week.  Ideas are still zooming around my mind, but these first ones have certainly got me in the mood to make more.

Of course, Moo had to get in on the act and try the handbags for size, which got me thinking - maybe there's room for a range of Little Man Bags?

Pip pip, Lady B.

It's in the bag

I recently had a rather big brainstorm, with flashes of light and more than a considerable number of sparks flying, and decided out of the blue to start making and selling bags.  Handbags, tote bags, wee funky bags for kids, purses, make-up bags, you name it, I feel the urge to make it.  I can hardly wait to get to my machine each day now and try a new pattern and see what lairy and crazy or cool and gorgeous bag I can whip up.  Of course, this has opened up a whole new avenue of potential spending - a disaster for a compulsive purchaser of anything crafty, such as myself.  (I am thinking maybe you are the same, eh?)

So now, to add to the stashes of fabric, I have buckles, and gigantic buttons, and handles, and magnetic snaps, and webbing, and lordie knows what other new goodies!  Please don't tell Mr Flo - he'll cry.

Add to that the excitement of finding so many online free bag patterns to print off and try out, and wowser, there really is no end to the fun to be had.

That said, I must be off now and faff with the strap for a wee monster handbag - it may be for a child but it still has to have *just* the right handle!

Small Businesses Need Help - Crafty Or Otherwise

I've become more and more aware that small businesses, especially crafters and artisans, are finding the recession every bit as challenging as the bog kahoonas, and that the recent changes to FaceBook have for some made matters even more, shall we say, interesting.

I've been reading up and trying to make sense of what's going on, what changes to social media mean for small business, and how people can best try to stay afloat and - dare I say it - even do blummin well despite the roadblocks.  There's lots of dross out there, lots of "well yeah derrrr" stuff that even my old granny could have figured out, but also some top notch crackingly good advice and help.

So I though, rather than read it and digest it and use it and keep it to myself, I'd do the right thing and share it with anyone else wanting to know what's what.  As a result, I started a wee FaceBook page called Flo's Small Business Low Down where I (and hope others will share too) can share what we find.

Together we can make it work.

Summer shorts and boardies time

Well it's soon gonna be *that* time of year... you know the one... where the big orange orb in the sky is in full bloom for hours and hours a day, the water is warm, and the jandals get a good airing.  Time for the chilly bin to be dusted off and the BBQ to be fired up.  It's SHORTS TIME!

I love summer, not just for wearing shorts and t shirts and sandals and suncream, but also for being able to make shorts and skirts for MooAndFlo. So today I whipped up the first few pairs, and here's a sneaky peeky...

Crafts v. Sweat shops

When people find out I make clothes and sell them, I get one of two responses:

"Ooh good on you, what do you make?" and then lots of enthusing about craft fairs and small businesses selling quirky and wonderful things...

OR

"You could get those made overseas at a fraction of the cost and then sell them here - you'd be rich in no time" and a lecture about how me working for below minimum wage is madness...

So here's the deal:  I sew because it's therapeutic.  I sew because it is a wonderful feeling when someone buys something you made.  I sew because the thank you emails and photos really do make my day.  I sew because creating something is just so much fun.  I sew because it's a good way to keep learning something new.  I sew for more reasons than money. 

As for hiring some poorly paid sweat shop workers, often children, almost always female, to whip some stuff up to make line my pockets, well the thought appalls me.  I'm no saint, but seriously, are people really just focused that much on the dollar sign?

So, next time you are torn between buying something handmade by a local crafter and buying something mass made, just ponder who made the garment you are looking at and why.

MooAndFlo's first market day - woot

Titirangi Mums' Craft Market

at Kaurilands Primary School, Titirangi

When:

Saturday 28 May, 9:30am – 1:00pm

Saturday 9 July, 9:30am – 1:00pm

Saturday 13 August, 9:30am – 1:00pm

Saturday 10 September, 9:30am – 1:00pm

Admission: Free 

A monthly market run by mums selling all things handmade for mother and child, the Titirangi Mums' Craft Market is the place to come to buy goodies for littlies. Be it a gift for a baby shower, birthday, something you need or want as a new mum, room decorations or children's clothing, you'll find it here.  Everything on sale will be made and designed by the person selling it. 

We hope to see you there. Spread the word to help make the inaugural market totally fabulous!

Titirangi Mums' Craft Market