Some of my favourite things on Etsy

New brooches!

I've finally managed to get some new stock finished! Little batch of resin-filled silver-plated brooches containing clippings from old children's books and vintage wallpaper. I bought 2 old children's books from an etsy seller only to find that one of them, unbeknownst to me, is a copy of a book I owned when I was about three years old and still remember vividly. It is about animals and has lots of realistic illustrations and information about mostly North American woodland creatures. So cute! I'll photograph them individually and post them on my etsy shop really soon.

I've also sewn up a new batch of glamourous little neckerchiefs which need photographing... but that will have to wait for the arrival of my wonderful vintage-looking head and shoulders mannequin courtesy of ebay seller tianfashion. Can't wait!

Other projects on the go are my first attempts at casting resin rings. Theyre still in the silicone, but fingers crossed they cure fully and they're not full of bubbles. Also recently acquired some hat patterns from etsy at McHats. I might try out a prototype tomorrow.

Craft Zines... are Kiwis just more organised than Aussies?

Is there an Aussie indi crafter's magazine as lovely as those produced by our NZ cousins at World Sweet World and Extra Curricular? Perhaps there is and I simply don't know where to find it. Let me know if you are aware of such a beastie! These zines are beautifully styled, full of practical projects, recipes, profiles etc... These are both available from Lark online store, which is a treasure trove of miscellaneous lovely things.

My other favourite things from Lark are...

This series of books by Edition Paumes... the text is all in Japanese but these books are really about the beautiful and inspiring photos. This is the issue I have, which is page after page of beautiful little apartments in Paris, creatively styled by their mostly-designer inhabitants. These eclectic, vintage, crafty interiors are just the kind of thing I aspire to in my own home. I've only been here for a few months so the journey is only beginning! My partner Peter and I now own a cute 1900 weatherboard cottage which has some nice features for me to work with and add to. I'll post my renovation and restoration projects on here as they progress.