Something new......

After a big clean up in the old study, I discovered a few half done projects that needed to be completed...... A few! O.k a lot.
Of course I couldn't tackle them all, but just for something different I decided to put my regular time takers aside and try a few new things.

So we have some funky snap holders for your sunglasses:


Complete with a handy dandy inside pocket for your debit card, and a wristlet strap for ultra convenience. Which was a great challenge for little ol' me. I tend to be too impatient for such detail as perfect quarter inch seams, lining, pockets and attachments, but it was worth it in the end. They look fabbo!


some new address books:

and some funky new compendiums.....which of course I forgot to photograph before I dropped them off at the shop. Grrr....

A little bit of time off has given me so much energy for new things. We're still in slow production though as the tiddlypeeps are on holidays. But once it hit's feb, and I have 3 devoted days a week for Finki......I'll be unstoppable.
I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Flashback on 2009......the year that was.

Joining in with Curlypops reflection of the year that was, I decided to revisit all the wonderful and not so wonderful things that happened in 2009.

I only started blogging in January 2009, and kick myself for not doing it sooner. What started as a crafty adventure to share my creations, has turned into so much more.....

An outlet for views and discoveries, a way of sharing my joys, fears and sorrows and most of all an amazing meeting point for all the new crafty friends I have.

I never...never expected so many great things to evolve out of a little online journal.

Thank you!

So without further ado, here are some highlights of my bloggy/crafty/personal year..... in '2009'

January:

I began blogging on Jan 9 2009. This was when i decided that i needed my own crafty space.......my blog post back then read:

"It's so liberating to make the commitment to having a special little place for being creative. It's like saying this is the real deal man. I don't JUST... knit, or paint or play with beads, this is serious stuff. This is my life. The handmade journey, the road I travel, my creative cul-de-sac."

February:

The month of Feb was overshadowed by the devastation of fires that were far too close to home, I wrote:

"By the time we left and hopped back in the car, the sky had transformed itself to a thick red and grey cloud. Ty said it was dust.......but I knew that it was that same sky I saw as a 7 year old, during the ash Wednesday fires, full of peoples dreams and hopes going up in flames. You could sense it in the air.
We turned on the radio, and sure enough, fires were blazing in Whittlesea and Kinglake. Only 30 minutes away. Going home we did everything we could to keep the house cool, and prayed for the cool change. Watching the news with fascination, awe and fear, we listened to the horror stories and the growing death toll."

March:

The first 'Made in Thornbury' market happened in march. It brought about the opportunity to meet so many bloggy peeps in real life, the best part...

"The highlight of my day was an adorable lady who bought one of my gift cards and said she loved it so much that she was going to frame it and put it in her lounge room. The artwork on it was a Finki original, so I was tickled pink."

April:
This month Ben and Jessamy tied the knot, My thoughts were.....

"Kierah (my daughter) was their flower girl for the day. I had fears of her picking her nose whilst walking down the aisle, but she was the perfect little lady all day. "

May:

My absence in blog land for 2 weeks out of this month was to take stock, refocus and put the hard yard in with some new designs:

So the scissor holder and recipe card holder were born....

June:

More markets under my belt....and I think I'm starting to learn a few things!

I realised:

"I am none the wiser as to 'what people want', which really just reinforces the fact that you should just do what you like, rather than guess what people might like. At least that way you can stand there and really love everything you have to offer, knowing it wasn't influenced by fashion or fad, just pure personal inspiration."

July:

I realised that working on new stuff, is what keeps this all so exciting for me.
Back then I said:

"I am always.....always...thinking of my next project and the next four after that matter of fact. But I try to focus on one new project a month to bring to fruition.
Between my day job, raising two kids, catching up on my cleaning, bills, website and blogging......... it doesn't always happen so effortlessly, but I try.
For me personally, this time is of essence, so life doesn't become same old, same old."


August:

Two crafty friends and one big idea saw the beginning of 'Northside Makers'.

I wrote:

"It's hard to stop your self going full speed when you discover other people with the same niggly feeling ........We could do this, we can do that, let's try this, how about that........ So we slowed down, took ourselves seriously and started planning.
A big part of me feels overwhelmed and scared, but a bigger part of me feels exhilarated and as though finally......this is where I'm meant to be."


September:

I reflected on Fathers Day, and how the meaning has changed for me over time.....

"I'm one of many who shares a touch of sadness on fathers day for a father who has passed on, but also celebrates the new father in my life. The father to my children."

October:

After incubating for the full 40 weeks and then some....bubba no.2 for my little sis finally decided to join the world.

I call her Lillie Pillie.....really, she is Lilliana Rose an absolute angel.....

November:

In November 'Finki' begun it's foray into a retail space...not once, but twice.......


Firstly by leasing a space at the fabulous Handmade Heaven in Queensland then by being accepted as a co-op member at Olive Grove.

Not only that....I also turned 34!

Such an exciting month!

December:

A full month of markets...up to four in one week at some stages almost led to a crafty meltdown, but I made it out alive.
The month ended with me quitting my day job...YAY...... and meeting my new little niece, born on the 20th, Miss Elsie Velvet.

So that's a glimpse of 2009 in my little neck of the woods. This year has seen more creativity, personal growth and obstacles over come then any other year of my life.

So 2010......all i can say is "Bring it on"

Time to toast the year that was.....

Enjoying a quite one at home tonight with a little whisky,

my besty

aka: Mr.Finki

and fireworks on T.V

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing tonight, stay safe and congratulations on making it through 2009.

I'll be back tomorrow to join in on Curlypops flashback on the year that was.

Happy new year!

Guess who came to dinner.............

Yay! The x-mas madness is over.
Well not really...have you been to the shops lately. It's INSANE.
We live minutes away from the Good guys, which is right near Macca's and when heading over yesterday for some banana bread and coffee for breakfast, we had to fight for a park.

Seems that everyone was waiting for Xmas to be over so they could buy new T.V's and fridges. Craziness....

But on a more pleasant note....Xmas wasn't mad at all. Just my usual panicked lead up to the event. Finishing the handmade stuff in time for posting whilst wrapping up a huge round of markets and keeping my new retail space stocked. I was a tad....o.k a lot stressed.
But I made it. Phew!

and best of all.......when we finally got to stop and sit for the day and enjoy good food and great company, guess who came to dinner!

The newest addition to the family,
Miss Elsie Velvet.

(Pictured here with her mum Jess, yaya and my kierah)

This little gem was born only 5 days before X-mas. Just in time.....

Congratulations to Ben and Jessamy, my sister in law and beau. They are doing a superb job of living and learning with there new bundle of joy. She sure has been born into one loving family who absolute adore her.

Silver slippers......

I sat down yesterday to wrap all the handmade gifties I'd bought.......with a little help from mstr.Finn.
I can't say he entirely understood why we were hiding all the pretties in layers of paper, but fascinating it was...
If you've ever wrapped or tried to do anything slightly organizational with a nearly two year old, you'd know already that what should take half an hour ends up taking two hours.

I had all my little piles of whats for who, but little hands would steal from one pile as I dealt with another. Hence the time away from the table searching for pretties that mstr. Finn had absconded with.


Before long he had tuckered himself out and decided that the rainbow spread of tissue paper looked like the perfect place to rest his weary head. So with bubba deep asleep at my foot I turned up the speed dial to finish up....except that one piece was missing!

I was sure as sure could be that I had bought miss lillie some little silver ballet slips to go with her spotty dress, but they were no where to be seen...

I checked all Finny's favorite hiding spots, in the drawers, on his little couch, in the toy bucket.....no slippers any where. So I resigned myself to putting that pressie aside till the missing shoes popped up.

Lo and behold, later that day, when I was down at Mstr.Finns eye level I saw some pretty little slippers dangling from the X-mas tree.....so cute....


I guess to a little tacker, they do look like any other shiny decoration on the tree.

All the best for the big day, my bloggy friends.
I hope you enjoy time with your little families, your furry friends, your extended family or just peace and quiet on your own.

However you spend your Christmas day, make it a good one and I look forward to catching up with you all before the new year.
Jay xx

My year in craft.....

Nearly the end of the year, and definitely time for a little crafty break, so what better to do than Join in with Northside Makers 'my year in craft' meme:

1. In my twelve months of crafting, my crafty self made all these...

Hundreds of glass pendants and rings. hundreds of note pads and journals, many bowls, baskets, pen holders and pin cushions, stools, earrings, bracelets, art pendants, bill books and so much more......

2. If my year was a colour it would be...

Every color in the rainbow.....so bright and beautiful.

3. This year I spent way too many craft hours...

Dropping little itty bitty jewellery findings onto the abyss called my floor...I'd here the bounce as they hit.....but then they would just vanish! Grrrrr!

4. This year I wish I'd had more craft hours for...

Me!.......does that sound silly and purely selfish? Probably. I just spent soooo much time making stuff for everyone else, that I never had time to make fun stuff for me or the kids.

5. My proudest craft moment of the year was...

So many proud crafty moments this year.

Running our first Northside Makers market,

joining the team at Olive Grove,

Quitting my day job to devote my life to craft.....that was a biggy!

6. My biggest craft disaster was...

Crooked booties....not once, but twice did I attempt baby booties and failed miserably. Lucky they were to young to care! (The crooked one is hidden behind the good one)

7. This year I had stalls at/visited this many markets...

OOOh, big year. Had 22 market stalls and visited atleast 30.


8. My most enjoyable market was...

Our first Northside Makers market.
Perfect weather, eager customers and happy children.

9. My best handmade purchase/present/swap/acquisition was...

I'm always so excited when another seller likes my stuff and do swapsies at every market I go to.
It's the best part of doing markets I wreckon.

One of my best handmade purchases would have to be my newly aquired betty jo brooch. I have been admiring them for ages and only just bought my first one at the recent made in Thornbury market.

My best handmade present would have to be these GORGEOUS journals my sister made for my birthday.

and my best swap would have to be with the talented Roze, our screenprint teacher at 'Olive Grove'. She's printed me some so....... so cool t-shirts as a gift for my secret Kris Kringle family member. I can't tell you who and I can't show you yet.....but they are FABULOUS and I'm so happy that I could buy handmade even for the blokes this X-mas.

10. After this year I swear I'll never again...

Stay up till 3 in the morning making stock for a market the next day......!

11. Next year I'm determined to...

Find time to make new stuff....not just re-stocking, but whole new product lines....So excited that now I've quit my day job, this might actually happen!

12. But I'll probably do this instead...
Complain about the weather, sleep to little, and create till my brain melts.

Thanks for reading and now it's your turn to tell me all about your crafty year too!

Last one....

Well, the silly season of craft markets is finally coming to an end.
Tonight's Kris Kringle night market, will be my last market for the year.

Northcote Town Hall
5.30 - 10 pm.

It has been an insane month, with many....many highs and lows.

I look forward to spending the evening with all my crafty friends, doing some last minute shopping and putting out all my 'Finki' goodies on display one last time.

It's always so rewarding to see weeks of work laid out on the table.
A sign that I finished all that I set out to do, and a little reminder of how much I love this crafty life I lead.....

Although my markets will come to an end for a while, from Friday onwards you can shop for the entire 'Finki' range proudly on display in it's new home at 'Olive Grove'.

So one chapter ends and a new one begins........
Thanks for being a part of the journey.

Come and see my new space......

You probably don't need an excuse for a party.......
But here's some any way!

Lots of handmade goodies to buy,
drinks and nibblies for all,
prizes and give aways.......

What's it all about?

The team at Olive Grove have decided to open their doors later than usual so you can steer away from shopping center madness and enjoy some local handmade loveliness.

Olive Grove is an artists studio/ retail space that has been based on Sydney Rd, Brunswick for the last 10 or so years. They currently represent the work of 9 designers that focus purely on hand made, ranging from clothing and art to accessories and toys.

I joined the team at 'Olive Grove' in November and find myself constantly inspired by the creative people around me.

So I'd like to invite you along to have a sticky beak at my new space, see all the funky stuff the others make, and along the way you might even be able to cross a few Xmas presents off your list.

Olive Grove Studios
159 Sydney Rd
Brunswick, Vic

Hope to see yah there!

Won't be there......

Just in case you're heading to the Kris Kringle night market tonight in hopes of seeing the lovely Margaret from Konstant Kaos and I, please be informed that we won't be there...

The forecast for late thunderstorms, 40 knot winds and a long list of unfortunate events....no car...hubby working late....etc...etc.... have forced us to decide that tonight we just can't make it.

Our apologies if you had planned on coming along, but rest assured...come rain hail or shine we will be there next Thursday.

Alternatively, if next Thursday is too far away, you can see us both at the Made in Thornbury market on sat.


Till then, take care..... Jay xx

Just for something new......

I'll be at Borders Carlton tomorrow......not shopping.....selling! No I haven't started working at Borders! One of the lovely marketing ladies thought it would be a great idea to have a craft market right in the middle of the store. What a grand idea!

So if you're in the neighbourhood, do pop by and say hello. Always nice to see a friendly face.

Had to change that little number....

What a big week...what a big month...hell...what a big year!

Today I had to change that little number in my bio..... the one that said 33 years young!
Cause on Saturday I turned 34.

My beautiful cake, a present from the lovely Cathie at M.E

All growed up now! Nah, not really. It's just a number and I hope I present as young at heart, even though my body may disagree.
34 is a lovely age to be. I much prefer it to any other number I've turned. I feel so much more 'Me'. Is that silly.

I've always been me of course, but still growing and learning in this big old world.
These days I know what I like, I know what I'll tolerate, I know who I call my friends and I know where I'm headed.

All my beautiful birthday presents.

That's all so much to have learned in 34 years. Many do it quicker than that, but for me that's such a biggie.

In one short year, I started Finki, I started a shop on Etsy, I started blogging and doing markets, which led to me meeting sooo many new friends and especially meeting Jennie and Margaret the two powerhouses that helped me begin Northside Makers.

My recent stall at Northside Makers market.

From there, we turned our craft club into our own market venture, from which came the opportunity to meet the lovely Anna of Polly Pratt.
Anna introduced me to Olive Grove, the amazing artist studio/retail co-op i joined in November.

Through blogging I also met Miriam aka: Bubba chenille, the talented mother of the Lovely Liesa at Handmade heaven, whom offered the opportunity of stocking my 'finki' stuff in her beautiful shop. So now my goodies are in retail land in both Melbourne and Queensland.......and not by being wholesaled to retailers who double your price to on sell, but by shops who support handmade by offering cheap rent, so I can set my own prices and keep my own profit.


It has been an AMAZING year....

Personally and professionally.............. and I can only see it getting better.

I call this the year of saying Yes. Saying yes to every positive opportunity that came my way.
Previously I would have drowned in a sea of 'what if's' when presented with opportunity's but this year I squashed that little nagging voice of concern and doubt and just followed my heart.

I'm so happy that through all the twists and turns life has thrown me this year, I have come out of it, inspired and motivated to do so much more.

I say it all the time.......but really, the days are too short.

Thank you, to all my bloggy readers, mum, yaya and sis included, from the bottom of my heart for your friendship. It has made such a difference to my little world and I am so appreciative of all your support and encouragement.

I know I have been absent of late, the silly season is in full swing in my little end of the world, but I'm still reading and keeping up with you all.
As soon as it settles in 'Finki land' I have much to update you with....markets, shopping, new products and life.....

Till then, take care. And start saying Yes to everything good! Might take you somewhere you least expect!