Psycho

Tonight we are going to see the original Psycho movie at the classic movie night at The Carrington Hotel. It's only $10 which includes free popcorn and you can sit by the fire and watch the movie in big old armchairs. The movie is projected up onto a big screen in one of the old lounge rooms. It's heaven!

Long weekend

Mirabel bag - exclusive recycled silk weave (above).
Camilla scarf (below) is a bit cheaper than my normal scarves as she has a tiny dot of rust...

Back from Newcastle yesterday and think I got a bit sick up there from the sun so it was a long drive home. Lovely to be home in the Mountains but its so damn cold!

I have created Mirabel (top) today out of some really beautiful recycled heavy silk upholstery fabrics. And I had created Camilla scarf last week, turned her right way through and bummer - spotted a bit of rust on the underside fabric. I have tried some neat bleach but decided I don't want to risk damaging the fabric so she is retailing at $89.95 AUD instead of $109.95. She should find a nice home with someone that understands old fabrics do have their own bit of history! (She'd be perfect as a Mothers Day gift!).


Has anyone been watching Heidi Klum's 'Project Runway' on digital? Click here to check it out but don't if you don't want to know who the winner is - I just stupidly saw it!

I just love this show and it really inspires me each week. I feel like creating handbags at 10:30pm when it finishes but know that is ridiculous! I wish they would do a show like this for Australian Fashion.

I can't decide who I am going for... Either spacey Elisa who is an artist, or Jillian who was an illustrator for Ralph Lauren, but as I now know who will win it's a bummer!

Crochet Coral Reef

Yes, I have blogged today but I just spotted this on This is love forever's blog (fabulous blog) and had to share it with you!

ABOUT THE CROCHET CORAL REEF

The Institute For Figuring is crocheting a coral reef: a woolly celebration of the intersection of higher geometry and feminine handicraft, and a testimony to the disappearing wonders of the marine world.

Designed and curated by IFF co-directors: Christine and Margaret Wertheim

One of the acknowledged wonders of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef stretches along the coast of Queensland like a psychadelic serpent, a riotous profusion of color and form unparalleled on our planet. But global warming and pollutants so threaten this fragile monster that scientists now believe the reef will be devastated in coming years. As a homage to the Great One, IFF co-directors Margaret and Christine Wertheim - who grew up in Queensland - have instigated a project to crochet a woolen reef. Using the techniques of hyperbolic crochet discovered by mathematician Dr. Daina Taimina, the Institute has been evolving a wide taxonomy of reef-life forms - loopy "kelps", fringed "anemones", and curlicued "corals." While the process that brings these models into being is algorithmic, endless permutations of the underlying formulae result in a constantly surprising panoply of shapes. The quality of yarn, style of stitch and tightness of the crochet all affect the finished model so that each is as individual as a living organism. As a whole, the Crochet Reef is made up of various different “sub-reefs,” each with its own colors and styling: there is the Red Reef, the Blue Reef, the Bleached Reef, the Branched Anemone Garden, and our largest work, The Ladies’ Silurian Atoll, a ring-shaped installation with close to 1000 individual crochet forms made by dozens of contributors from around the world. In addition to these woolen sub-reefs is the massive Toxic Reef, crocheted from yarn and plastic trash.

Scarf frenzy

I just can't stop! I have been making scarves late at night, early in the morning, all the time! It must be cos its so bloody cold here.

Above are three I finished up today and have loaded into my new scarf section. Top is Kendra, middle is Harlequeena and bottom is Sans Suzi. I just love the colour combination on Sans Suzi! All are beautiful fine fabrics that have been salvaged to create unique one-off pieces. Perfect for winter!

Yes, its cold. I finally went out for a walk today with Nelly the dog. She has been itching to get moving and the rain has stopped momentarily so donned my crazy purple shiny wellington boots (with pink soles), wrapped a wooly scarf around my neck and headed off. It's such a beautiful time in the Mountains with all the autumn leaves in reds and golds, big red toadstools popping out from the rain, and the fresh air is just glorious. I feel very lucky to be living in a world heritage spot!

Oh and had a nice cuppa with Freedom and her little girl Zoe who got licked the whole time by Nelly.

Rainy days

After a big day in the city yesterday at many a meeting, today is meant to be low key. So I have just been cleaning the house and doing bits n bobs. And - cooking! Something I haven't felt inspired to do for a while. I might even make brownies as Freedom is coming over tomorrow.

Check out the monster sweet potato! I am making a lovely tomato, herb and red wine bruschetta mix we can use over everything... mmm....


Here is why I haven't been out and motivated to walk and go to the gym. I have heard from everyone in the city how wet it is... uh uh, come on up to the Mountains for EXTREME WET and COLD! We are both wondering how we will survive the winter when we are whining in April!

Its been raining and heavy with mist n fog for the past week. Nelly is going stir crazy and we end up hibernating like bears and just chowing down on yummy things and red wine... This is the view from my front porch. Down the bottom right of the photo is one more house then a pretty little stream which is gushing at the moment!

Gym vs winter stodge

Molly handbag - part of exclusive range. This handbag is bigger than my other ones!

I'm off to the gym tonight... Steven has just called to check if I 'really, really' want to go? Of course I don't but the cold up here just entices me to eat lovely stodgy food which sits snugly around my lovely stodgy body! It's TIME!

Today I was not going to work too much as I had worked Saturday (I'm trying to be fair to myself) but yes, I finished up 4 scarves I have been working on, putting buttons on bags and clutches, photographing and uploading. So done now and no break as promised. 

I did get to speak to the lovely Scorja of Bubba Moe about how she started her business (like me, from nothing) and is doing so amazingly well and has sewing whizzes working with her inhouse - such an inspiration. Check out her wonderful babyslings - all made in Australia and top 3 in the world - you go girl!

Appointments in the city tomorrow - blah... hate the driving, the noise and the traffic but gotta do it.

Your local corner store - the W-shopping nightmare

I'm happy. I got two pairs of great pants today - new, not my usual secondhand.

We went to Parramatta W-shopping nightmare today which is a big trip from the Mountains. It's getting so cold here and my usual jeans and tracky dacks are looking pretty bad and I wanted trousers! I got a pair at DJ's, black Table Eight reduced to $36 from $119.95 and a pair from Sussan for $29.95 reduced from $79.95. As you can tell, I still don't like to buy retail and LOVE a bargain. Both are great and fit perfectly which always amazes me.

As I get towards W-shopping nightmare, a strange buzz comes over me. They are the scariest places in the world, controlling all consumers on what they wear, eat, sleep in, etc and are so so dull and boring. There is never a quirky interesting store, and you know that if you go down to the next W (usually the next suburb or two away) they will have the same old shit there too. But back to the buzz, I can feel the frenzy - 'it's new, it's on sale. it's something you don't have, use your credit card'! Frightening...

It really is best I stay in the Mountains.

Two fun things!

Today, the wonderfully talented Peta Pledger will be at Skirts & Shirts market at Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne. Head down for some very cool threads!

What else is new?

Biddy bags now do a wonder washer! This is a modern hand crocheted versatile cloth which can be used in different ways: body cloth in the shower, cleaning cloth in the kitchen, dusting, etc. The one above is 100% all natural cotton. You can wash it in your machine for long-term use.

There is also an organic version - great for babies! These wonder washer's come with 100% natural handmade soap, a magnet for your fridge with a picture & story of the lady who made your washer, all bundled in an organza bag. So cute!

Photos

Fabric ideas for a custom ballerina bag in the making for a client...


My new glove/mitten (what are these things called)/fingerless thingies... they are very comfy. Very Michelin Man actually!



I have cleaned up my studio space and dragged up a cupboard that was under the house. It is looking less chaotic as my fabric collection grows...

It is really misty today outside and just been up to Leura to look at a Collective called The Nook to see if it might work for me. Off to discuss this kinda stuff at Freedom's house over a cuppa and cakes I just bought!

Cleaning up

Today I am finishing up scarves for my online store as well as getting ready to send items to Vetro Gallery in Warnambool for the exhibition/sales they are having from next week for a month. When I get the full details I will post them but its around their Racing Carnival time and should be fabulous!

The old cupboard I dragged up from under the house has done wonders for my storage problem. It's not looking so crazy and chaotic at the moment.

Still... lots to do so better get back to it. Above are three of the new scarves just finished today. They have been sitting unfinished since Saturday so thought they should become a priority!

I want a shop!

The Gussy Up Gals collaborative that I am a part of is beginning to take shape. We are all taking turns to post and get it nicely rounded in time for Winter Magic festival in Katoomba. I have designed the banner and incorporated suggestions from the gals.

At the moment I am snowed under with fabric and jobs to do. Just not enough hours in the day and wondering if I am mad to do all this! As Steven and I had had a look on Sunday at potential shops (dreaming of course), yesterday I just ducked into another real estate to ask a bit more... there are some fabulous ideas, just how do I do it all!?

I have also been invited to be a part of the 2008 Lindesay Christmas Fair at Darling Point in November. This is very exciting!

Sunday - a time to relax

This morning I woke up coughing and sneezing. Looks like the dreaded cold is making it's round. I got up and shovelled Vitamin C, echineacia and garlic tablets down as well as fresh juice and have crossed my fingers. It's really cold, misty and rainy here today so it didn't seem hard to get under the doona on my fabulous couch and sleep the day away.

We did go to Katoomba and Leura to have a coffee in the morning. I also took it as an opportunity to scout around and look at the shops with the view that maybe one day I can have my own up here. Steven and I looked at all the shops, how they dress them, best positioning, etc. Leura really is better for the tourist trade but I think Katoomba is a little edgier and funkier. Got talking to one shop owner in Katoomba that is moving to find out a few things. It's such a lovely dream...

Above is a photo of a lady sewing in an upholstery shop. Great photo hey?

Vintage Fair

Unknown, France. Trosseau dress 1881 

silk, velvet, lace 

The Darnell Collection as ESMOD

Today Angela and I set off early to go to the Vintage Fair at Canterbury Racecourse. Armed with homemade lemonade scones and fresh coffee from Leura we headed down without a street directory but found it no problem. I bought lots of beautiful large buttons to use on handbags and Angela got a set of 4 wooden vintage cannisters and a fab dress. 

Charlotte Smith did a wonderful talk on her clothing from the Darnell Collection which is always a treat and she tells the story of each piece in spellbinding fashion.

Photo courtesy of The Age.

This week I had also seen her fabulous handbag collection at the Queen Victoria Building, Sydney and fell in love with this bag!

Today I featured in the Business Section of the Sydney Morning Herald with the story by Michael Baker that ran online last week. I was surprised by the big photo which everyone rang to tell me about! Go green!

A gift

Yesterday I had a wonderful surprise in the mail when I got home. Anna Laura had sent me a treat, just for me! I had purchased one of her lovely girl felt badges for a friend and look what I got too: a pretty handmade badge with beads 'n' felt, a cute green doily and a bagful of buttons.

This is such a little treasure to me. Thank you Anna.

Thursday night

It has been a big week for me and I am finally home, home, home in the Mountains tonight! Sydney is such a stimulating place but I am always happy to leave it again. I have just found out I will be in the business section of the Sydney Morning Herald this weekend - yay!

My scarves have been going really well with 3 out of the 6 sold in the first week. I think I will be dedicating a section to scarves soon and pull them out of 'exclusive'. I have new bags coming soon as well as some more fab scarves out of the fabrics I have been sourcing this week.

Above is a beautiful button necklace by Minski in Adelaide. I am getting a custom job from her in red and pinks... can't wait! Check out her work here for sale on etsy.

Monday-itis

Zig Zag scarf which I made yesterday - no. 5 in my new collection. I just love the mix of colours and shapes!

Last night I met up with the crafty collective we are starting up here in the Blue Mountains. We decided on a name: Gussy Up Gals. I have just got the blog going for us but stay tuned... it's going to be interesting! We make our debut at Winter Magic this year.

It's getting cold and misty so I think that's gonna be it for the warm weather up here in the Mountains. I have a sniffly, runny nose and potential coldsore which I am sure is from the fun of losing a wallet and life savings last week.

Tomorrow I head to the city til the end of the week for family business. So a good tidy up of my shelves and put some stuff away is in order. Ohhh, maybe even a vacuum!

My new wallet

I have moved on from having my wallet, ID, cash and all funds stolen. Yesterday I walked up to the shops in Katoomba thinking how I would be creating my own new wallet from recycled fabrics. I did my usual hunt in the second hand shops and found the perfect wallet for $4.20!

As you can see, its chocolate brown (vinyl) with handbags printed all over it. It's not perfect in that it doesn't have a lot of space for cards, but hey, I don't have any cards at the moment!!!

I'm trying to keep quiet this weekend as I can feel a cold coming on. I guess it's just all the excitement from last week. Yuck!

Oh, but I sold a Petaluma clutch on etsy - who I had pretty much given up on!

Watch the big guys...

I have been featured in today's Small Business section of The Age. It's something that I do bang on about, but us independant retailers have to watch out when the big guys catch on...

Here is Michael Baker's article below.

Saving the planet and your business

Michael Baker | April 4, 2009 - 9:00AM

If you own a small retail business you never have to worry about how you're going to pass the time of day. You're anxious about whether enough customers will come through the door and if they will like what's in the store.

You're worried about whether you're marketing yourself effectively, whether you've ordered too much or too little inventory, whether the bookkeeping is shipshape and whether your customers are going to be slapped with another interest rate increase. And on it goes.

As if all that isn't enough to make you want to take two aspirin and pull a blanket up over your head every morning, you can now add another preoccupation to the long list: saving the planet.

Not all of us are tree-huggers by nature but that doesn't matter any more from a business standpoint because if there is one trend that's coming at you at full speed, hood down and radio blasting, it's this: you need to stand for something socially responsible. Moreover, the socially responsible position needs to be embedded not just in your personal philosophy but also in the products you're selling.

The trend first really came of age in the United States at the beginning of this decade. Supermarket chains offering a full range of organic produce and natural foods in recycled packaging took the idea of healthy lifestyles, which previously had been the preserve of yuppies and the alternative fringe, and plonked it down firmly in the consumer mainstream.

The ball hasn't stopped rolling since. Consumers now baulk at buying products that have unpronounceable ingredients on the label, or that are not packaged in recyclable materials.
Most of the world's largest retailers have significant and very public commitments to social responsibility.

On top of its long list of "green" commitments with respect to store design, energy efficient distribution and recycling, Wal-Mart is now turning to its merchandising. For example, this month the company is rolling out a line of organic and "fair trade certified" coffees. (Fair trade certification requires that certain economic, social and environmental standards be met by the product. In the case of coffee, it would mean that farmers receive a guaranteed minimum price.)

By the time Earth Day comes around on April 22, another US retailer, Toys `R Us, will be offering an environmentally-friendly toy collection featuring natural wood toys, natural cotton plush animals and organic cotton dolls.

Some of these initiatives end in tears. In Britain, Tesco announced back in 2006 that it was going to launch an organic clothing line designed by environmentalist designer Katherine Hamnett. Hamnett embarrassed the company a year later by pulling out of the deal because she thought Tesco was only window dressing and not really committed to environmental responsibility.

Here in Australia, our own large retailers are not particularly talkative about their green credentials. Unfortunately, that's not due to false modesty but rather due to the fact most of them don't have much to crow about. (To its credit Woolworths announced last week that it was trying to lift its game in that regard.)

But while most of our retail chains are not doing much yet, some of our smaller retailers are at the leading edge. Kara Smith is a good example. Smith, a Blue Mountains resident, makes the handbags and other accessories she sells in her internet store from vintage and recycled fabrics, like old coats and armchair upholstery.

A self-confessed scrounger as a child, she took up graphic design as a profession but never lost touch with her love of salvaging the discarded belongings of others and turning them into objects of art.

Smith will tell you she doesn't want to be rich but she is the sort of retail entrepreneur who could get rich in spite of herself. Her website makes those of our major retailers look plodding and unfunctional. Her products are aesthetically moving and command strong price points because they are so differentiated. She convinces the customer that the social conscience isn't just posturing for public relations purposes.

Smith is not alone and is being joined by many other small retailers in Australia as the social and environmental responsibility trend kicks into high gear.

For those with small retail businesses it is crucial not to underestimate the importance of this trend.

It has long been the standard mode of operation in Australian retail to maximise market share by trying to appeal to everyone. Of course, pitching to everyone means you can't actually stand for anything, much like the politician who promises everyone the world in order to maximise votes.

That is now changing. Social responsibility is no longer something you can stand for but something you must stand for. So if this is currently your point of differentiation you have a decided head start on many of your peers in retail-land.

Don't get complacent though. As more retailers get a social conscience you will need to put on your thinking cap and come up with something else to distinguish yourself from them.

Michael Baker is a global retail and property analyst and consultant. He can be contacted at: Michael_Baker@earthlink.net

Here Fido!

I just went outside to see where Nelly had gone (my dog) as she wasn't answering when I whistled. I searched high and low... then turned around to find her here. The cushions have been purposely placed so she can't sit on the couch...


Note dog bed to right of image above!

Thank you everyone for your words of support. I am feeling a lot better, just unnerved that someone has all my I.D. I am hearing so many stories about theft identity so urge that everyone checks their statements and makes sure they know what's happening out there!

There is so much to do here but my time is filled with calling and changing information left, right and centre.

So... will get back to it and write something INTERESTING soon!

Stolen

Thank you so much to the thief that stole my wallet at Springboard yesterday.

You absolutely ruined the fanastic experience I was in the middle of, learning about sustainability, being environmentally-friendly and recycling. All good things we do in this world, relevant to what my business is all about, and that I am trying to learn.

With me leaving the conference room for only 20-30 mins for lunch (in the foyer - what a hoot - you probably even walked right past!), you walked in and helped yourself to a couple of wallets in the room. Yes, yes, we are just struggling entrepreneurs trying to earn a living and doing something different in the world, but hey, you gotta live too, right?

Within 20 minutes I had lost my lovely wallet, my savings including my partners money, all my cards and personal effects. I just laughed when I learnt you even helped yourself to the very last by finishing up my credit in a store - I just love the feeling of someone stealing your identity and all that I own.

I hope you rot in hell. Your time will come, you piece of scum.