The Sisters' Market

If you are in Melbourne this weekend, you may like to pop along to a brand new market. It's called the Sisters' Market. Having three sister's myself, and two sister's (daughters) of my own, I love the name! Go to the link and you can see who all of the stall holders will be. Doesn't it look fantastic!

My very good friend Jenni has a wonderful label called "Partridge & Pear". She creates the most beautiful dolls in a range of styles. You can spy one of her "Lucy" Dolls on the shelf here. We have decided to bite the bullet together (hence the photo of our work together) and we will be sharing a stall at the Sisters' Market on Saturday the 18th of October. Not this Saturday. Don't go looking for us, because we won't be there. But mark October 18 in your diary now. Something which I must go and do ...

If you would like to find out more about Jenni's work, e-mail her here.

Sister's Market

Brunswick Town Hall

233 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Saturday 24 May, 10 - 4

Also

Saturday 2nd August, Saturday 18th October and Saturday 29th of November 2008.

In a beautiful pea green boat.

You know, I've been really lucky. Every retailer who has ordered my goods, to date, has just been lovely. Kind, accommodating of my one woman enterprise, supportive. Even saying that they like what I do! Go figure?

Anyway, what has prompted this little thought is the fact that a very nice person has opened a new children's wear store in Melbourne, and you'll never guess what you can find there?

Bags. Violet & Rose tote bags. Loads of them. And button bracelets. And belts. I like to make things that start with "B", apparantly.

And how super stylin' does this one look, complete with a Sheeps Clothing brooch?

Now, the store has been open just over a week. I still haven't made the trek from the leafy, soggy, outer east to the bayside suburbs. But Stacey has and she did the photography, so thank you Ms. Stacey. I can't wait to go in and have a look.

And in case you're wondering, go and say hello to Ann-Marie.

The Owl and The Pussycat - A Store for Kids

Shop 3/11 Waltham Street

Sandringham.

Laughing in the face of it.

The forecast for Melbourne this weekend is dire. Wet, cold, hail. You name it and we'll have it. I, however, will be laughing in the face of this onslaught. I will be wrapped in my brand new, toasty and warm, so soft you can't put it down, gorgeous colours, scarf. I swapped it for a couple of pencil rolls. Not a bad deal, me thinks.

The lovely Stacey made it for me. I'm not sure how she had the time, in between stalking b-grade celebrities in Ikea.

Anyway, bring on the horrible weather. I want to wear my scarf!

Great Aunts in the Attic.

Somebody once asked me if I called myself "Violet & Rose" because they were the names of my great aunts who were up in the attic, busily sewing away for me. Firstly, I don't have an attic. Secondly, I have no great aunts named Violet or Rose. Thirdly, to have the first and second points would be nice.

Lots of button bracelets being churned out by me. And only me. But am thinking that my seven year old (who loves to sew a button or two in that loopy style that seven year old's corner the market on) may come in handy. Tomorrow we will cover perfected button sewing 101.

Actually, the reason for this post is to let you know that I have a lovely little list happening. Glance over to the right hand side of your screen. See it? Hang on, go back up a bit. "Where can I buy "Violet & Rose"?". I don't do Etsy. Why do Etsy when these lovely people will sell your wares for you?

So go and visit them. They stock lovely things. Special things. Even things made with love. They all have links, because I actually want you to get there. And so do my elderly spinster aunts.

Predictable.

This week I'm lovin' new buckles and buttons. Whoever would have thunk it?

Because I don't talk much about buckles and buttons.

Or buttons and buckles.

Thank you Stacey for the gorgeous red buckle.

And the new buttons. Well, I'll give away a little secret. I think it's time to share Tamara.

They come from a place called Gail B's. And Gail B's can be found at the rear of Keith Fagg's Building Supplies.

No, this is not a joke.

I have to tell you, I laugh every time I go there. So next time you are looking for some "cute as a button" buttons and the odd discontinued tile, head on down to see Gail and Keith.

Gail's is about the only place around these parts that has a really great range of feedsack/reproduction print fabrics. The belt fabric came from there too, come to think of it.

Moral of the story - never judge a book by it's cover. Right Tamara?

Fancy That!

Apparently, I have a blog!

Well, fancy that!

I am still here. I'm just a little over scheduled and my blog posting has suffered. To be honest though, I'm just debating what direction I'm going to head in. I've been a little disenchanted with posts that I have been reading. Posts about people directly copying others work. (Which I am not condoning). About people worried that someone may be copying their work. About people not showing photos of their work anymore because someone may take inspiration from it. Crikey! What's going on out there?

That is why I blog. To show other's what I do. To take inspiration from other's. Absolutely original ideas are few and far between, but to see someones variation on a theme is fantastic.

So I'm a bit jaded. And half of our house is being demolished (just as an aside) and a bigger, better Violet & Rose HQ is evolving under my nose. Therefore, the posts will be few and far between.

But I'm still here. Just thinking it all through.
And making new stuff. Old idea, new variation. I'll show it all when I'm done.

Psst. Wanna buy a bracelet?

It's only a click away! And you too can have one of these super stylin' button bracelets for the young lady in your life. Go on. You know you want to.It's so easy!

Visit Poppet in the Post, and Cintia will do the rest. I've heard she is very good at running down the street in thongs (on her feet, I might add) at one minute to five, just to catch the post for you. Now, that's service with a grimace and a sweaty smile for you.

Having been in on Friday and seen all the lovely things she has in at the moment, it's even worth your while (Melbournian's) to visit in person. Especially now that our heat wave seems to be over. Praise the Lord I say.

And a big thanks to Cintia for supporting the humble Mum's in the 'burbs. Sewin' our little hearts out. Thanks. XX

(By the way, I stole the photo, which if you've clicked over to My Poppet, you've probably worked out by now. I'm nothing if not honest)