I Love Old Books

The smell, the texture of the well-thumbed pages, the dog-ears and notes in the margin; nothing beats a well-loved old book.

Dip Dye Extreme

The snows have melted to mush and I just saw cherry blossoms blooming on a tree in the park. And today was the first time in ages when outside didn't make me want to go back inside! Admittedly
it may be a false alarm but somewhere behind the blanket-clouds I feel that Spring is ready to dazzle.

This week I'm all about colour. Vibrant, happy ones. So I've taken to dip-dying anything white I can scrounge from my humble abode. Here is some crochet cotton I intend to make into sugar-starched bowls:

Typewriter Love

I have a new-old typewriter! I always thought this was my Mum's because she used to be a secretary, back in the day when girls took dictation amidst a cloud of pipe smoke and got their bums patted. 

Vintage Nooks for Bits 'n' Bobs

I love finding vintage treasures, especially when they serve a function as well as looking good. Creativity isn't only about the making, it can also extend to the way you choose to store your tools and supplies. Surrounding yourself with things that appeal to your sensibilities helps to nurture inspiration. Here are a selection of vintage found objects that I use in my studio space.

Make it Cosy

Woohoo! I'm so excited that my cushion cover is on the front page of this issue of Gathered Magazine by Mollie Makes! You can download issue 8 directly to your iPad here, where I show you how to make it yourself.

I am also offering this one-off cushion cover as a FREE GIVEAWAY prize! Head over to my Facebook page for details of how to enter. Good luck lovlies xx

My Handmade Christmas Wish List!

Ok so at AUD $230 this Kantha quilt is out of my price range but I love how this Aussie company, Fossik, styles these vibrant quilts in a bright and fresh setting teamed with circles and polka dots. 

Coupon Code: YES1000

Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? If you still need to get some gifts for 'her' (or for yourself!) then don't miss out on the 20% off sale I'm having in my Etsy shop (to celebrate reaching 1000 sales!) This week only - don't miss out! 

Knitterati Night

Woolly Jumper Wonder

It was cold and dark. Wind howling, rain lashing against the window panes. The kind of night you dread going out into. I tell you, couch + woolly socks + hot water bottle have never seemed more appealing.  

Warm and Toasty Weekend

My new iPad mini arrived this week - oh swipe-y, gadgety goodness! What was the first thing I did with it? Download Gathered by Mollie Makes of course!

Top 5 Tips for Growing a Successful Online Handmade Business

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In this second part of a two part feature (part 1 here)  I look at some practical tips to help build your own online handmade business.

Tip 1: Make Product Ranges

It may seem obvious but it helps if you make a range of products that are similar to one another. It will mean your shop appears cohesive and will enable shoppers to make sense of your brand. This needn't be a creativity stifler! And please don't feel you need to become a manufacturer of one product only. After all, you want your collection to remain special and unique. You can still make an assortment of eclectic items, but how about working in limited edition sets according to a specific theme or colour palette?