Paisley St Claire

To market, to market...

Its a HUGE weekend for designer markets in Brisbane this weekend! The good news is that if you are organised you should be able to make it around to all of them - I'm going to try.

 

The first ever and much anticipated Brisbane-based Finders Keepers market opens when: Saturday at 12 noon and runs right into the night and then starts again on Sunday at 10am. Where: at The Old Museum in Herston (ie. next to the show grounds). Who you'll see: some of Queensland's top independent designers and artists, like Michelle Freer, Blossom Creations, Little Jane St, Liana Kabel and Kim Wallace of Udessi. For full details check out the website.

 

Mathilda's Market is undoubtedly the biggest and best markets in Australia for unique, stylish, beautiful baby and kids stuff. When: Sunday from 9am to 1pm where: Brisbane City Hall. Who you'll see: superb designers, artists and retailers like Honey Bunch, My Girl, Mini Mermaid, Cute as Buttons, Tiny Concept and Baby Goes Retro.  For full details check out the website.

 

And of course, the original supporter of independent and emerging designers in Brisbane - South Bank's Young Designers Market will also be on this weekend (its on the first Sunday of every month). When: Sunday 10am to 4pm. Where: on the lawn which runs along Little Stanley Street (across from all the restaurants). Who you'll see: the line up of designers and artists at YDM is always changing and there are always new retailers so its best to just go along and check it out - who knows what you might discover? Check out the website for more info.

Edited to add: I've just found out that two of my favourite Brisbane designers will be at this weekend's YDM: Thea & Sami and Hot Toffee.

So if you're in Brisbane, there's no excuse for having nothing to do this weekend. Grab some cash, have a great time and support the local designers!

Hidden Art Shop

Fabulous monochromatic pieces from UK-based, online store Hidden Art Shop.

Clockwise from top left: Rose Clock by Mr Kaliski, House candleholder by Sono Design, Luxury cup & saucer by Evthokia, Blaue Blume large Lace Cake Plate by Tina Tsang, Stamp mirror by by Soner Ozenc,  Mantle-Clock-C by Giles Miller, Shadow chair by Duffy London, Scribble coat rack by by HeadSprung! Ltd.

Cute Vintage Alert!

I found the most adorable vintage etsy shop - Space Jam. All the pieces are from Europe and the Soviet Union and super, super cute. I really love that little cat figurine. There is also a sale (which ends tomorrow) so check it out sooner rather than later.

By the way, this is exactly the kind of find that I debate whether to keep a secret... but I love you too much not to share.

Cowboys & Custard

I liked these Cowboys & Custard cards so much when I saw them that I bought them immediately. So sweet and nostalgic. Also check out Michele's bespoke box frames filled with vintage ephemera and other charming things. Here.

HMC Designs

These handmade greeting cards by Australian company, HMC Designs are so cute! Each card features 1 or more button badges so the recipient can have a little keepsake too. Very cool. Check out their website and etsy store. 

Fragile

Today I went to the dentist for the third time in 6 weeks. Consequently, I'm feeling a little fragile ... just like these pretty handmade glass rings from Tanner Glass.

Cloth-Ears

UK based, Cloth-ears is quite possibly the cutest online store I have ever seen. They have a vast range of accessories, homewares, toys and decorator items - all vintage and retro styled to maximum sweetness.  The owner, Julie, initially started sewing pieces herself because she couldn't find the decorator items she wanted. Obviously she wasn't the only one because in only a couple of years Cloth-ears has grown to a full stocked shop of goodness. Visit Cloth-ears here.

Curly Jo

The lovely Jo from Curly Jo Design emailed me about her beautifully crafted glass pendants. Curly Jo pendants feature various components such as millefiori, enamel and gold and are all carefully handmade. You can buy online here or, if you're in Brisbane, at the Young Designer's Market. Check out the Curly Jo blog to see what's new.

CuteAbility

I'm positive that jewellery just can't get any cuter or kitschier than this. CuteAbility has the most insanely cute and quirky collection of jewellery depicting everything from teacups to cupcakes to bacon and eggs. I absolutely adore that little pink toaster. Super sweet! Not sure that I could get away with wearing any of it though. Shop here.

Drawing Room

Simply beautiful handmade treasures from Canadian etsy seller, Drawing Room. I can't imagine making things on such a minature scale - yes, that is a real acorn cap in the first picture. Lovely.

Four Fab Finds

Re-writable ceramic notepad from UK based, Yoyo Ceramics. 

Floating ladle by Seongyong Lee. Click here to watch a YouTube clip of the ladle in action. Very clever.

 

Salt and Pepper Maracas by Akiko Itoh. These would be fun at a BBQ.

 

Stacked Cups by the. are available in white and black, and in triple, double and single sizes. Tricky. These will be available soon but you can reserve yours here.

Ginko Papers Goes Global

The lovely Garin from Ginko Papers just let me know that they now ship to all corners of the globe. So if you were lusting after those erasers or Shinzi Katoh goodies I mentioned here, or you like this chirimen covered mousepad then pop over to their website and stock up to your heart's content.

R.E.L.A.X

Oh my goodness, I feel like a mad woman. So it's the first real week of our new 'going to school' routine and I feel like I might be going insane. Today: deposit youngest child at kindy, take eldest to school, go home - furiously work - creating, screenprinting while doing loads of washing, collect eldest from school, pop in to post office for supplies, home - package orders, take eldest to swimming class, collect youngest from kindy, post packages, home - cook dinner, go to parent/teacher information evening, home - put children in bed, do housework, write blog. Exhausted.

I know I'll get the hang of this soon, but sheesh I salute those of you who have a bunch of kids and/or work in proper 'have to be there on time' jobs. Makes me want to curl up in this Peter Alexander nightie and go to bed for a whole day.

Pink Minis

What's a mini-lover to do but make lots of mini stuff. Check out etsy shop Vitamini for lots of Mini Cooper inspired cards, magnets, bags and other goodies. I don't think you have to own a Mini Cooper to love them, they are one of the cutest cars ever. I used to drive a VW beetle so I have a soft spot for them too.

Ginko Papers

When I was about 8 years old I, like many girls, had an ever-increasing eraser collection (we called them 'rubbers' then - not really the same thing these days). But what I really loved were stationery sets. I adored the little note papers and matching envelopes, teeny tiny pencils and sweet little cases that held everything safe. Of course, the good stationery was only ever used for friends I really liked. At that age you could probably even measure your popularity and friend-status by the cuteness of the stationery you received... like some sort of social barometer.

I think perhaps Garin Hussenjian had the stationery obsession too, because she is now all grown up and has created the most adorable online store, Ginko Papers. Trips to Japan keep her shop stocked with super cute stationery treasures like mini food erasers, letter sets and Shinzi Katoh (our favourite) notebooks. So if you need to write to one of your 'good' friends, stock up with some cute stuff here.

Olofs Daughter

Even though its starting to get really hot these days, I still want to snuggle up to these super soft cushions and blankets from Olofs Daughter. Olofs Daughter creators, Misa and Julie, hand felt these beautiful baby rugs, cushions, scarflets and notebook covers from 100% Australian Merino wool. Some pieces even include a bit of silk. With great colours and unique designs, these textiles are pure luxury at an affordable price. And what an adorable baby!

Check out Olof Daughter's range in their Etsy shop or on Australian online indie store, Georgie Love. 

Edit: I just noticed that they are having a HUGE sale on baby blankets in their Etsy shop!

Cherish - Opens tonight

This evening, Brisbane's Artisan gallery launches its annual Christmas retail showcase, Cherish. The Cherish selection is made up of pieces from over 70 Australian artists and designers all chosen through an application and invitation process. I'm very excited to have some of my latest collection included in the showcase.

The gallery bills Cherish as "a must-see collection of unusual and fascinating creations crafted by local and national artists, experience the latest in textiles, ceramics, contemporary glass, lighting and extraordinary jewellery. Be inspired by colour, form and texture, and be seduced by a selection ranging from the curious to the exquisite."  So if you're in Brisbane and on the lookout for Christmas gift ideas this would be a great place to start.

Also opening at the gallery are two exhibitions, Northern Stars - a showcase exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from the Djumbunji Press KickArts Fine Art Printmaking Studio and Indigenous Castings - a selection of uniquely cast sculptures by Indigenous artists from the foundry at Urban Art Projects.

Check out Artisan's website for more details.

Harajuku Lovers Fragrance

Check out these adorable Harajuku Lovers fragrances. There are 5 cuties to choose from, including Gwen herself. Visit the super kawaii HL Fragrance website for details of each scent. While you are there you can even upload your own karaoke clip. But be warned, other players will critique your performance - quite harshly by the look of things. Fragrances available at your favourite big department store or online at Fred Flare. 

Shop Hermès from Home

Too busy to pop into your local Hermès boutique? Well, don't fret my Australian sweeties you can now shop for Hermès accessories online here. My pick are the Silk Twillys... they would make great Christmas gifts.

Australian Indie Shopping: Find your own favourite

Its the last day of my roundup of Australian independent designer shopping, so I thought I would give you some starting places to explore the incredible Australian design talent for yourself. Here are some blogs and directories dedicated to Australian and New Zealand independent design:

Indie is a fabulous blog featuring products made by independent Australian artists, designers & craftspeople. They also review their favourite retail stores "where ... treasures may be lurking, smirking & just waiting to be discovered".  Also check out the Indie Art + Design Directory, it was one of the first online Australian designer directories so its pretty comprehensive.

The Design Files is a Melbourne based blog covering all types of Australian design. There are regular interviews with "some of Australia’s most talented designers, artists and creative professionals every week". Definitely worth a read.

Studio Home Creative is a New Zealand based blog covering both Australian and New Zealand independent design. Some truly unique and creative finds are uncovered on this blog.

Also worth a mention is the comprehesive Independent Australian Designers Directory to be found on the Made it website that I blogged about earlier in the week.

By the way, if you know of any more great Australian design-focused shops, blogs or directories please leave the details in a comment to this post.

Have a good weekend & happy shopping!