Friday 14 August 2009

a giveaway

Well, I promised a giveaway. And yesterday was filled with wonderful, busy, tiring things. So here it is today.
Can I just say, though, that yesterday I visited Nook, for the second time in a week. I bought a beautiful brooch, made by States of Nature, (also dropped off some Red Seed Studio stock). Nook has such an excellent selection of handcrafted items. Michelle really has done an amazing job filling her teeny little room perfectly - it's the sort of place that you want to take home at least one of everything. And in my opinion most homewares stores stock the same old thing, so it's lovely to see a local who is stocking beautifully crafted and sustainable items.
Then, we went and bought a new computer (still waiting for it to arrive - don't you hate spending lots of money and not being able to bring your new toy home then and there. Have to wait until Monday). After that the kids and I had d-e-lic-ious chocolate tart with gold leaf at Pearl cafe in Woolloogabba. I loved that Ari noticed the cart next door, at Nesting Bird Interiors, full of our Red Seed cushions. Was also fun watching people stop and pick them up while walking into the shop.
We headed up the old worn stairs, full of memories, to visit Danielle at Nesting Bird, and found a sweet little ceramic bird to bring home as a gift for a little friend. And a wind up old tin toy for Ari. I've written about Nesting Bird before, and each time I go in there I love exploring and looking. Such a beautifully styled place.
The Logan Rd section at Woolloongabba has finished all it's roadworks, and looks super cute with old-style looking lamp shapes for the lights, made of fun coloured plastics. Its a lovely spot to spend a few hours exploring.
So get out this weekend and explore your own backyard, and support your local shops and products.
******
But before you dash off, do please enter my giveaway for one of my little zip purses and a piece of fabric. I'll draw the winner on Sunday night, so I can get it posted before I leave for Sydney early Wednesday morning.This purse is made from our own hand screen printed hemp/organic cotton, printed with the Lipstick image. The back is an indigo-dyed denim, really great colour. And fully lined with hemp / org cotton as well. I've got one of our fabric panels in the bamboo print for you to do some of your own crafting.To enter, please tell me about your favourite local handcrafted store and why you love it. Or what you'd love to see if you did have a local store.
Enjoy your weekend, dear friends. xxx

23 comments:

  1. Great giveaway! Oooh exciting.

    We have a fab store here in Hobart called Love and Clutter. It has a cute and cosy atmosphere and is chockers full of clothing, jewellery, softies, cards etc. Most of the designers are Tasmanian (some are friends) - I love how everything is locally made.

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  2. I know we have a couple of handmade shops here in Auckland but they aren't local - which is probably good ;) If I had a local I guess I'd want it full of things I'd like to take home, made by local artists, with reasonable price-tags. But not too reasonable or I'd spend all my money! I really love the lipstick print, it's such an amazing red!

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  3. Well I'm local with you and I'm lucky to have a wonderful shop down the road called Funky Fabrix who stock everything divine including perfect vintage. It is filled with handmade craft as well so very inspiring.

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  4. I have a little local fabric store down the road that stocks gorgeous fabrics from both Aus and abroard as well as stocking gorgeous patterns by local designers.
    However, one that will become a favourite is Nook - not 'local', but close enough! Michelle has created such a cozy little nook full of heart-warming, inspiring goodies.

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  5. I have not been yet but i plan to tomorrow ... an it's Nook in West End ... because she's local, she's from BrisStyle and all the stuff in her shop (on her blog) looks amazing!!!

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  6. Not realy a store for handcrafted stuff, but heaps of fabric to make fabulous things my fav at the moment is Peppermint Stitches in Toowong.

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  7. That first photo is beautiful and so evocative! I want to curl up that chair right now, and have a nap in the sunshine!

    My favourite handmade shop is Hive, here in Canberra. It has a little bit of everything, and it's very hard to walk out of there empty-handed. If I had my own place, it would be like Hive, but more focussed on the Canberra Region.

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  8. Anonymous1:16 am

    So glad you are settling in. The giveaway looks great. Count me in.

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  9. So sorry I've been away for too long...but seeing your beautiful designs and reading your equally beautiful words reminded me that I must add you to my Reader...right now!! Good luck with your giveaway, I thought the bag was lovely enough with your fabulous print, but deninm on the back???!!! Perfect!
    Oh, as far as local stores, there are a few because we have a strong Art community, but not much with sewing. I would LOVE to open a little boutique that only sold locally handmade items...or have someone else do it, so I can just make stuff to put in it!! :)

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  10. Hi Ellie. Oh I do hope it's me!

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  11. Ellie, your give away is so lovely. Indigo denim, red and cream is one of my favorite colour combinations. I have to say I am very envious of your recent shopping trips - lucky you.

    I don't have a local hand made shop but if I did I would love it to be full of loads of indie designed goodies with a little bit of yummy food and some good coffee too.

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  12. We have a sweet gallery, Three Pines, that stocks beautiful handmades by local artists-- there is a huge variety of work-- from paintings to clothing, housewares to jewelry, and because the goods come from our area, they have a wonderful feeling of home.

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  13. Anonymous8:44 am

    Oooh lovely question, I couldn't resist - even if I don't win! I would love a craft co-op with a big display window that is a project space for people to install their work in an artistic way!
    Enjoy Sydney Ellie!

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  14. Ellie yur day out sounds like a wonderful shopping day...Your giveaway is gorgeous and when it comes to my idea craft shop ...would be filled with local designers, have lots of wool,silk wooden buttons and handprinted or natural fabrics, unusual craft supplies and inspirational book and cosy corner with coffee or tea...you could bring your project along and be inspired and would have loads of classes in all different avenues...This has been my secret dream if I win lotto :))))

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  15. What an awesome giveaway. My fave is definitely Nook now, I love Michelle's taste, everything in there is so awesome. My dream handcrafted store is one that stocks eco fabric, locally produced fabric, linen of course and anything else that is hard to find in store in Brisbane. Maybe with a little screen printing workshop on the side and also a section for Australian handcrafted items. Sooooo, when are you opening it?

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  16. o.k. i would love it if my friend elissa lived close enough to me to open a store with me. we would have handsewn items and paper crafts and all kinds of bits and sunshine. :)

    and thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  17. What a delightful zip purse! Sadly I can't think of many handmade shops here in Brisbane, so I'm sure Nook will do really well. I'm looking forward to popping in sometime soon! I like browsing in the MoB store and also love the Artisan gallery/store in the Valley. I think the craft co-op suggestion Sally made was a fantastic one!!!

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  18. Hello long time no pass through. So So busy... I have to say my local handmade shop (if we had one) would be filled with MooBear Designs hehehe and my all time favourite up cycler Ally from http://allysonadeney.wordpress.com/ I love all her things are she is my inspiration and better still she is just down the road!! Woohoo...

    xo Steph

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  19. Dear Elli!
    Can you see me jumping up and down hearing me shouting pick me, pick me, pick me ???? Quite the opposite to what my mother told me well behaved girls should behave I´m sorry to say. But the purse was so lovely and had me craving.....so I lost it a bit. Think my mother would understand though....she likes purses too :-)

    Take care
    Jeanette

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  20. Oooops got so carried away that I forgot to tell you about my favourite store. It is called konsnärskollektivet Kaos ( The artis collective Caos) and is a store where all kind of new designers are chosen to show their work. It`s very inspirational and always a joy to visit.

    / Jeanette

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  21. I love my local Store and Co in Hobart, its got a mix of handmade goodies and is also a florist. Its filled with interesting things, not all handmade, but stocks local designers. It also stocks lovely ribbons and cards. I love it going for a browse and generally a little purchase, and the shop smells divine!

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  22. What a lovely giveaway Ellie. Your prints are gorgeous of course, they make anything look nice!
    I love my local handmade co-op in Brunswick VIC, called Olive Grove Studios. It's a collective of 9 talented women who are artists and crafters... lots of great screen prints, clothing, accessories, artwork in very earthy and edgy styles and with a good sustainable focus. I love supporting the shop, and local talent in general.

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  23. Oh, I hope I am not too late. For Brisbane folk a relatively new shop in Paddington is 'The Trading Circle', it's a shop that sells handmade goods to help women in poverty. Its not really my style of things, but its definitely worth a look see. I am totally hanging out to go and visit Nook. I was trying Saturday but other stuff just got in the way. I think I might be heading their way on Tuesday as a "break" from study...

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Thank you for your words and thoughts. I do so appreciate each and every visitor to my blog. While I try hard to reply to your comment, it often doesn't quite happen..... know that I'm sending you a thoughtful thanks xxx

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