Some of my beautiful new acquisitions....

Each week I find myself surrounded by more and more beautiful hand made treasures. I am so totally converted...Hand made items hold a little of the energy of their maker somewhere within..you can feel the difference, see the difference...

Here are some of my recent purchases


I only ever use hand made soap now....I bought a 'six pack' from Erin of Inner Earth Soaps

They are so good! They last for ages and are never drying against the skin and the fragrances are also delightful. I have 4 left out of this pack...I think when I get down to two I will order some more..I couldn't stand it if I ran out...

My next special treat was from New Earth Soaps

These little Shea Butter Bars are proving to be the perfect thing for dry winter skin.They are quite amazing really...you just warm them for a little while between your hands and then rub all over ...so soft and smooth...I love feeling all shea buttered!!! I will be getting more of these..they make the perfect gift too.


and I now carry this lip balm with me everywhere! We have had some of those nasty end of winter winds the last couple of weeks and this has been the best thing..It is perfect...stays on your lips...not too slippery or greasy and just the perfect waxiness to actually work! It has a lovely gentle natural scent no yukky chemicals or stupid smells..


and then to add another perfect treat to my collection I ordered a sample set of teas from Verity at Joie de Tea


I chose the Ruby Red Mint, the Tonic and the Apple Pie Rooibos and they arrived in perfect and very generous sample sized portions....They are all organic and hand blended and absolutely delicious. I will be back for more!

I feel I have been a little self indulgent....scrubbed all clean and shiny...polished all silky smooth...soothed with luscious teas...it's good...all good

That was by no means all that I have recently bought...I will save some to show you in my next post!

Colours of the world...from my Travel Wish List

I must see these places..I just must!

Top of the list is the Festival of Colour in India...a celebration of spring in all it's colourful glory!


Oh such joy!!!!

and a trip to Morocco will do nicely.... colour with smells to match!


and South America...oh the bold bright colours of South America...constantly calling me.....


So ..now it is back to reality and some housework...(sigh!)

Sunrise

Sunrise reflected in the sun..

Taking over the world with DUST!

I am so pleased to be a member of the DUST Team.



What is DUST you may ask?

Well...



DUST (Down Under Street Team) is a group of Australian Artists, Crafters, Craft material suppliers and Vintage sellers who promote and sell independent Handcrafted goods here in Australia and worldwide. The team has over 390 members and so far has sold nearly 29,000 items all around the world...Yep! that's right...29,000! This absolutely astounds me.It is amazing to think that we have been able to let the world know how much talent there really is here in Australia. Our reputation around the world as a creative and talented nation of people is growing fast!

The handmade movement is gaining momentum all around the world with consumers starting to see the value, on many levels, of buying hand made. Quality, ethics and the pending demise of mass produced consumer goods is leading people back to recognising the true values of creativity and the incomparible feeling of owning an original piece of art or something special that has been made with love, skill and by hand.

Here is a teeny glimpse of what the Australian DUST Team has to offer...



Gorgeous...tempted?.....The Dust Newsletter (you can find the sign up button at the side of my blog here!) will make sure you know about new items, new sellers and any promotions and special events that the Team is running...

hint...... a huge event coming at the end of July!!

Be a part of the change in consumer attitude that is sweeping the world...support Hand Made...support DUST!

Texture entices...

I have just come back from a lovely break in Coffs Harbour with my sister...it seems that texture caught my fancy.... and of course a splash of colour!

The Art of Bonding

A shared work by my daughter and I.

As we sketched we talked about light,shade and proportion...
and then we coloured...

Homework done!

Bead Your Art Out!

One of the first colour loving people that I met on Etsy over 12 months ago was Connie Hanna aka colorwoman.


Connie is a very successful jewelery maker and supplies seller on Etsy. Since I have known her, she has had a dream of setting up a centre where people can come to get in touch with their creativity and bead their 'art out...Well she has done it! The 'Bead Your Art Out' Centre in North Carolina had it's Grand Opening on May 1st. I wish I could have been there. If any one is in the area drop in and say hi...

Osprey Landing

1190 Duck Rd

Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

What a beautiful place to get creative! Check out the view!!!!





(Yep.... she is wearing one of my rainbows and yep.... that canopy pictured in the corner of the room is one of mine!!! A big package of rainbow wraps is on its way for Connie to sell in this beautiful new centre!)

Wishlist Wednesday

I love the idea of a wishlist wednesday...so here is mine!

Necklace
from wiccked

Bracelet
from realisationcreations
and a bag to match from NerysPurchon

Bunnie Love

So...I gave in and here are our new little friends!


Kiki

Schnookims
They have been behaving reasonably well...sort of....litter tray is being sniffed and occasionally used and they have only chewed up some sheet music so far!

The things I see when I am not looking!

O.k ...you can call me crazy but.....

Can you see Lady Pinelope smiling down on my workshop...she is wearing the most beautiful purple 'tibouchina' hat.....

and what about the 'Wood Knots' who would not come out of the wood?


Mmm maybe it's just me...lol

Playing with new techniques...

I have been working so hard on my latest orders...a huge one of 40 wraps going to Rome...all in colour combinations that are new and another one of 15 going to The Netherlands...the creative inspiration is flying high!. These are two bamboo jersey fabric wraps that are on their way to Europe in a couple of days!

The first of many!

I figured that sometimes what I want to write about doesn't always fit with the theme of my other blog so here I am with this one!

I guess the best way to start this new one is with some photos!



My colours...my toys...always ready to play!

My tools....new stretcher frame...built it myself!!!


Finished!