reading

Since my post titled Being Me, I'm trying to take things slower and be more honest to myself. Listening out for the inner voice which I now believe keeps us in check. As part of this reassessment on my well-being I have found time to stop and read not one, but two books! Big deal you say? Well, I haven't given myself time to do so in years. I couldn't even tell you what the last book I finished was. Sure there are half read, quarter read or less read books but to actually finished a book this past week felt amazing. Granted the books read were not heavy-weight novels but whos counting words?!

The first book, Made by Hand - Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World, by Mark Frauenfelder (cofounder of BoingBoing.net and editor of Make magazine) was given to me around this time last year with the good intention of reading and reviewing it. One year on and I can finally say, having now read this book its an entertaining read of Mark's own search to become a DIY-er. Through trials, failures and successes he builds chicken coops, cigar box guitars, becomes a bee keeper and even relocates his family to the Cook Islands in search of a simpler, slower life.

The second book, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield was one I came across online ( I can't remember where) and it sounded like a book I could do with reading. It could be described as a self-help book but like Esquire's review on the books cover I think it's "a kick in the ass" for a distracted creative mind.

What have you been reading lately?

step right up! its sale time!

• S A L E •

Treat your winter jacket or summer tote to a Travelling Circus companion. 

Circus Brooches now on SALE at the Handmade Romance Etsy store!

newbies

New Bearded Blokes in the shop this week.

need a hand?

I love these 'hairy monstrous hand', oven gloves by Paola Colombo. A little something to brighten up your winter cooking perhaps?! You can find them here. And if you like these, check out Paola's blog for the more amazing creations such as her Pillow Faces and Flowered Beard Brooches!

etsy seven

A collection of 7 Etsy favourites from the past couple of weeks.

1. Raindrop Pillow Cover

2. Green Pattern Card

3. Geo Knit Leggings

4. Multi-Coloured Geometry Leather Bag

5. Chevron Salad Plates

6. Grey Fox, Oje de Dios

7.  May Flowers Garden Party Jacket

not so bad advice

Happiness is a choice. Make that choice today and every day. 
Good health isn't a gift; it's a habit you cultivate.  A healthy, fit body is not enough - true fitness engages the spirit.  Think more about what you should eat than what you shouldn't.  Laugh at yourself. You're funny.  Nurture your spirit. It's your source of strength.  Stay connected to the natural world. It will feed your soul.  Believe in yourself. Your intuition is rarely wrong.  It's never too late to take the first step toward your aspirations.  What you pay attention to will thrive.

 Found over here.

colourful delight

images from Purl Soho

When I spotted these Super Easy Baby Blankets via, Melbourne Vintage I didn't realise straight away that they were in fact baby blankets. Upon finding this out I was initially disappointed. Drats! They don't come in my size. Then I thought — what a wonderful surprise. The happy, bright colour combinations aren't the usual safe, soft pastel colours associated with baby items. I could certainly see these fitting in at our house. Not that there is a baby on the way... just in case you were wondering!

trish hunter finds

all images from here (thanks Trish)

Another visual highlight from my weekend was getting to see the fabulously converted — Trish Hunter Vintage — Franklin caravan in all its glory. Sunday was the vans first ever Camberwell Market appearance. If you missed out you are in luck because Trish Hunter Finds will be making the Camberwell Market a regular stop. 

While I scored a fabulous burnt orange, cropped jacket, the whole collection in this sparkling, retro caravan has been curated with such a delightfully keen vintage eye, I'm surprised I didn't walk away with more! Super lovely owner, Trish is on hand for any friendly help if needed too.

Unsurprisingly a lot of love has gone into restoring this beauty and there are heaps of wonderful progress photos up over here. You know I can't resist a good progress shoot!

Be sure to stop by next time you're at the market or 'Like' Trish's Facebook page to keep up-to-date with all other stops.

hatchlings

all images by Kim from Craft Victoria

Amongst all the goodies at Craft Hatch this weekend, I was completely taken by the above knitted bags from Reckless Exuberance and Jessie Willow Tucker's wonderfully, colourful creations.

Psst. Did you know, Craft Hatch will be holding a super-sized Hatch at 1000 £ Bend this August? Applications for stall holders are now open. There are 30 stalls up for grabs.

ashley percival

Etsy find of the week goes to UK illustrator, Ashley Percival for a shop full of wonderfully depicted, friendly creatures such as these.

woopie pie

I have an awesome husband. He likes to cook and sometimes out of the blue he will bake. Lucky huh? The Woopie Pie is from the weekend and today he is starting a new job. Husband, I wish you the best first day!

pulled

Pulled - A Catalog of Screen Printing, by Mike Perry. I'm a big Mike Perry fan there is no denying this. He makes work seem like play. And did you know he also sports a pretty amazing beard? Yep. Hop over here to check out pictures of the Pulled book launch and see if you can spot that amazing beard!

creative spaces

above images are from, the makers (t-b): fort makers, lena corwin and mast brothers chocolate

Have you seen this amazing photographic book by Olga Bennett called, Environments? It looks a treat and is filled with the creative spaces of people working in and around Melbourne. You can pre order it here. I love that this book is local (to me). However I do think I may have a slight addiction for checking out other people's creative spaces. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this obsession. Right?

Here are some other links to more amazing creative spaces. Enjoy!

• Studio Sweet Studio

• The Makers

• Work Place

• Harxest

• Etsy's, There's No Place Like Here

Let me know if you know of any others, I'd love to see them too.

mr wilson

These two Bearded Blokes are a special custom order for two friends who are fans of the San Francisco Giants and in particular player, Brian Wilson. I often get the opportunity to create custom Bearded Bloke brooches for wives, girlfriends and friends of real life bearded blokes! This is my first sportsman — that I know of.

good things come in... green

image from here

Following on from the below thoughts I have been spending a bit of time on some yummy food blogs like, My New Roots. I have already tried the Simple Mint Pea Dip and can vouch for it's goodness on so many levels. And I'm not really a pea fan!

I'd also like to thank you all for reaching out to me with emails and comments on my below post. I am still in the process of getting back to some of you and to the non-repliers please know that I have read and been appreciative of every word.

I hope you are having a good start to the week.

being me

 Without bringing this happy place of mine (this blog) into a darker place I just want to share that life is testing me at the moment. I really feel the need to connect my mind, body and soul in a way I have never put much thought in to before. I'm not quite sure how or what path I'm going to take but I know I need change to feel happier and healthier. My being is screaming out for it. 

I don't mean to sound all hippie and new age-y either. This call from my inner self has never been this strong but I know right now I feel it and it's telling me to face up to what really matters and get back the connection to a life with meaning. I know I need to learn to be kinder to myself. I need to not let my many thoughts, expectations and the constant things I think I need to be doing become overwhelming. Take time-out. Stop. Be calm. Accept myself. And remember it is ok to do, be and need these things. 

On reflection I think one of the reasons hand crafts have been a big interest to me over the past couple of years is that they provide a meaning and purpose at times when the rest of my world seems a little lost. Handmade is good for the soul. Do you agree?