11 Days

It's only 11 days until the next Handmade Market so there will be papers and gold thread flying all over the place for the next 7 days while I try to get everything ready. I have been trying to think of (yet) another way of setting up my space and I think I have something which will work well. You never know exactly though until you arrive on site and set up.

I will be off to Bunnings, the hardware store, in search of a few things to turn my easles into picture christmas trees - yes I know it sounds a bit weird but in my mind I can see it all very clearly. Then off for some tinsel. I have been creating some new signs for my new business name - Paper Quilt Creations. So we will be all linen, pink and white this time around - and into the future. Please let me not change my mind or get bored of this colour scheme.

Today I will be sending off my project to Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine for the March/April fashion inspired issue - part by post, part over cyber space. I hope that the team there are pleased with it and that it photographs well. Fingers crossed.

What a week-end!!

It was a weekend of Paper Quilting for me this last week-end.

Saturday morning I taught at A White Paper Dragon Papercraft at Phillip ACT. www.awhitedragonpapercraft.com I had 2 students – Kaye a beginner who made a beautiful teal gift tag, ruby coloured fan greeting card and violet crazy quilt. All lovely work.

Denise created the most beautiful golden handbag with diamante clasp. It really was the most gorgeous creation and I hope she enjoys having it in her home. She is a very talented student.

Fiona was also at the shop for a class and she created her first commission piece. A most beautiful rose card. Fiona was taught by Anne, who runs classes on many different craft techniques and owns A White Dragon. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning.

I visited Addicted to Fabric www.a2f.com.au after the class to look at all the lovely patchwork fabrics as I am experimenting with some paper and fabric creations. Allways an inspiration. Then it was home to finish off framing and matting, making cards, attaching sparkles and generally finishing off pieces for my stall the next day.

I was up bright and early on to Sunday. Handmade Market was at a beautiful new location at the Kanberra Wine Company. It is very silly but every time I know I have to set up in a new location I get all nervous and wonder if anyone will turn up. Well. I couldn’t have been more wrong if I tried. The place was swamped with lovers of beautiful handmade products. Handmade creations are winning in the retail stakes – hands down!!!! I started off the day by buying the most beautiful little bag for taking to my market stalls from www.formosadesign.com.au How could I resist a little money bag with 2 little wrens hopping about on eucalypt leaves.

I set up next to lovely Prim and Pretty’s Rachelle who is a very talented designer of fabric broaches, gorgeous scarves, little neck wraps and beautiful pendants. Her shop looked wonderful with all her lovely creations and beautiful props including a new season white cyclamen.

So- I had a fantastic day. Fortunately I was joined with my partner in craft, my husband Bill who was great writing out dockets and helping customers. Thank you to everyone who came to say hello and to support Paper Quilting. I am still on a happy high of joy after such a lovely day.

Well - now it is back to work in “the Shed” to replenish and fill orders. I had a sort of day off. House work has to be done sometime and just sometimes it is quite satisfying. Am I turning crazy!!! Well maybe it’s the full moon.

The day became busier and busier

                                                   Outside under the beautiful trees

        

Countdown

The next two weeks is going to be very hectic in 'The Shed' for Wren's Nest Studio. Hopefully there will be no feathers flying and no birds squawking.
Tuesday I am demonstrating Paper Quilting with a Christmas theme at Spotlight in Queanbeyan 6 - 9pm.
Next Saturday it is the Spring Fling Market at the Q Theatre in Queanbeyan 10 - 3.
The the following Friday and Saturday it is A Handmade Christmas at Yarralumla Wool Shed 5-9 then 10 - 4.

Inbetween there are a few commissions to finish and a particular package I have to finish to send off OS to a very particular lady. I'm not sure why I wrote this all down - now I just feel even more nervous! I can only do what I can do in a day.

But, this weekend I have to make time to visit the iris garden in Burra. It has been a wonderful year for iris and I'm sure the Payne's garden will be looking incredible. I will take photos to show you just how incredible it is.

Albert Hall - Winter Warmers

The third Handmade Market at Albert Hall was another great day – full of atmosphere, happy noise and crowds of people. The first market was freezing, the second roasting – the third , it was just right.

I set up my stall in a lovely spot near one of the huge arched doorways. I have tried very hard to tidy up the look of my stall and I was happy with the result. It’s much easier to pack and unpack the car too which is probably the most tiring part of any market day. I’m always on the look out for ways to make my space look new and fresh though. I’m in search of folding ladder display unit now. More height and a couple of areas for pretty arrangements of pictures and other products.

Albert Hall was busy from before the opening time of 10 am till closing at 4pm so I didn’t get a chance to pop around to have a look at all the wonderful handmade goods at the market. And so, for the first time, didn’t buy anything either!! Except coffee of course. I met lots of great people and there were many people interested in taking a class. There was also interest in the book which is very exciting.

So, it’s back to “the shed” to replenish stock. fill orders and make some new papers. Time to start thinking about the Sydney Stitches and Craft Show and Christmas too. It is really wonderful.