Coffee n' craft.............

Tomorrow is the next coffee n' craft for Northside Makers

It's being held at C.E.R.E.S over in Brunswick so If you're in the neighborhood, feel free to join in.
It's a great opportunity to just sit, craft and drink coffee together.


Bring along any hand held project your working on.

Sunday 17th January,
CERES Environment Park
at the Cafe cnr Roberts and Stewart Streets, Brunswick East, Victoria
(Enter from Blyth street near Merri Creek)
1pm to 3pm

*The park is a great place for hubby and the kids to entertain themselves whilst mum sits and crafts, so feel free to bring the family too.

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"

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!

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!

Oh what a day....

Finally a chance to sit and tell you all about my time at the "Northside Makers Market" on the weekend.Words like fun, sun and lots of glitter come to mind. Along with a sense of absenteeism from the event. Strange but true! I had that sort of out of body experience where you're there but not really present. There was just so much going on.

It felt just like organising a wedding.
Months and months of planning. Making sure uncle Earl gets to sit next to auntie Bess. Remembering to have stuff for the kids to do so they don't get bored, wondering......did I put the milk in the fridge? Did I remember to stop and chat to everyone?
And of course...we left something at home and had to do a runner at the 11th hour.......
that was soooo gunna happen, no matter how organized I tried to be.

But, gosh it was fun.

I finally got myself set up, the craft table organized and headed in to the kitchen to set up tea and coffee when I stopped for the first time to look around.

There was a sea of people shopping, stallholders chatting, a line for buying cupcakes and a kettle slowly boiling....... Just perfect.

From then on in the day ran so smoothly. Each and every stallholders had such a beautiful table of handmade goodies on offer. (See more pics here) The vibe was a buzz of art, creativity, family, and fun. Which was our aim, 100%. So I'm so glad it all panned out the way we had hoped.

Mr. Finki did a marvellous job of manning my stall all day and the glowing baby mama, Auntie Jessamy helped Yaya take care of my sisters stall. We had uncle Ben and Kierah on the craft table all day and all the committee members hubbies were steadfast in hanging around to help set up and make sure the day ran smoothly.

I was humbled to see that many of our members rocked up super early to help us set up tables, and stayed back to pack up at the end of the day. It makes it such a joy to volunteer our time when we know that our members are behind us all the way. Thank you.

You know my day would not have been complete without a spot of shopping too, so without further a do let me show you some of the gorgeousness I scored on the day.

Some fabulous screen printed singlets for Finn from 'Whittaker rose baby'

A snazzy new purse from 'Whittaker rose designs'

An awesome s'octopus from 'chuckles'

more accessories from my favourite brooch maker 'Curlypops'.

A journal or two, from the amazing selection on offer at 'found n' bound'

Some button accessories for Kierah.

and more birdies to surround myself with.
Paper cranes by 'Tirese Ballard' and brooches by 'made by Sarah'.

There was more.....but I best stop there before Mr.Finki starts counting the $$$$ spent....

Sadly two other things didn't get ticked off my shopping list:

Melbourne Epicure 'Sold out' so I missed out on my gingerbread fix.....

and time got away from me, so I missed out on getting a massage.....boy I needed it.

Next time!

I'll make sure I get in early next time.

Keep your calenders free on Nov 28th for the next 'Northside Makers Market'. It's gunna be huge!

Coffee and crotchet....................

I'll be heading along to the crotchet and coffee afternoon held by the Northside Makers on Sunday.

Crotchet queen print by Helloo Sunshine.

If your around, come too.
I get to see glimpses of you all visiting me at my markets, but would love to be able to sit and chat with no distractions.
Every one is welcome and even if you can't crotchet, just bring any hand held projects, or better still, just come for the coffee and conversation.
You can R.S.V.P over at Northsides blog

Sunday 23rd August
1.00-3.00
Crunch Cafe
660 High st, Thornbury.

Winds of change....

'Follow the wind' by naokosstoop.

The winds of change are finally breezing in.
After what seems like an eternity.....I think.....no I'm sure that I've found my direction.

Born with a sewing needle in one hand and a Lincraft club card in the other, I was always destined to be creatively driven and when you have mountains of people telling you "you're so creative, you should make something of it" you think, sure, good idea. I can make stuff! Why not turn that in to a career.

But somehow being creatively gifted just doesn't translate into a career path. It definitely gives you something to do on the couch on cold winter nights, and it surely pleases many family and friends to get another handmade present. Surely!

Following crafty pursuits, for me, is like the need to eat. It's the petrol in my tank.

But I felt drawn to make something more of it.
What though.............Life can be put on hold, trying to decide on the whats! even more so, combating the what if's.
So after much procrastination, I made the leap into selling online on Etsy over a year ago.
I cried happy tears when I had my first customer who wasn't family or friend.

Soon, I ventured out in to the market scene. With trepidation, fear, and a great amount of self doubt.
Once again I cried happy tears that it was such a success. Tears too, because I had waited soooooo long to take the leap.

One year on, I can't tell you how much I have learnt and grown. Personally and professionally.

So I reach this happy place.........two kids, devoted beau, crafty business, life is good. A little messy and chaotic, but good.

Except for that little, itty bitty niggly feeling in my tummy, that says 'there is more to this crafty adventure, you're not there yet'

Soon I make new crafty friends through my market endeavors and we all have this itty bitty niggly feeling nagging at us, that there is something more...........

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, lets 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.So what is it?
All this rambling and who harr!

It's about a new venture that I am so proud to be a part of. A new venture that I'd like you all to be a part of too.

Three crafty peeps, Jennie, Margaret and I have formed a non - profit association, specifically created to encourage and support craftspeople, hobbyists and micro business in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
We will be having crafty social events, summer markets and community outreach programmes.

After what seems like a mountain of paper work, a sea of insurance quotes and a month of venue hunting, we have finally come to an end, which really marks the beginning.

Today Northside Makers have gone live.

check out our blog, and start sending your ideas our way for what you'd like to see happen in your local craft group.
Our membership forms and stall applications will appear there real soon, so join up and follow us now at the early bird stage as we grow into something that I really think will be a wonderful crafty explosion in the North.