San Francisco 2010

San Francisco was just gorgeous, beautiful weather & delicious Salt Water taffy.

V e r y steep hills but amazing sites to be seen & food to be consumed.

We visited a fantastic hand-made market, so I got to collect a bunch of business cards from some very talented artists.

It's an amazing city that has a homely Melbourne feel to it.

x Narelle

Hollywood 2010

Had an absolute ball & shopped a lot.

Halle Berry was doing a talk whilst we were there & Christina Aguilera received her star on the walk of fame.

x Narelle

Saturday studio snaps:

A couple of pics from my studio.

* Balling up the ends of wire to be made into earwires.

* The finished product.

I have made 120 of these in my studio last week & this week - stay tuned to find out what they will be used for!

x Narelle

Sweet Tooth!

Week 13: Sweets

Melting moments: Anita Christopher (Boutique Sweets)

Love letter cookies: Dessert Menu Please

Berry infusion tea: Simply Tea

Rocky road fudge: BTempted

Choc candied orange: Verily Orange

Cake decorations: MY Designz

x Narelle

I'm so lucky!

Last week I entered a Blog competition of a gorgeous artist & online friend Michelle & I won!

Not only is that exciting in itself, but take a look at what I won.

'Classic White Rose'

A 5x7" gloss print photograph printed using archival inks and paper.
It also came framed in a black wooden frame, which I love!

When I entered the competition I said to my husband, "If I win that print, I'm going to hang it right there."
So I did!

Thank you so much Michelle!

If you want to purchase one of these for yourself or take a browse through her gorgeous range of cards, prints, & bookmarks, you can find Michelle's store Here. Perfect for Christmas pressies.

Also drop by & have a read through her Blog at: Michelle's Art & Photography.

One very talented & generous artist indeed.

x Narelle

Let's hear it for the Boys!

Week 12: Goodies for the boys

Superhero cape: Tutus & muddy shoes
Quilt cover: Roller Coaster
Hulk hat: Seamstress & the Daughters
Crayon roll: Kazzalblue
Car pocket: LA Crafts
Kombi t-shirt: Billymac

x Narelle

Saturday studio snaps:

Some snaps in my studio today.

* Sparkling, shiny pieces fresh out of my rumbler.☝This, by the way is still my favourite tool I have purchased to this day!

* Packaging all set out ready for orders to be lovingly wrapped up & sent off to their owners!

x Narelle

Spring has sprung!

Week 11: Spring

Card set: The Craft Angel
Teapot: Hey Emmaline
Printable invitations: Cate Holst
Coasters: Loved
Library bag: Milly Molly Mandy
Magnets: Claire Richards

x Narelle

Saturday studio snaps:

A couple of snaps from in my studio today.

* Some of the items I was working on in the pickle pot.
The pickle is rather blue which means it needs to be changed, but I try & use it for as long as I can!

* Rather messy bench!
All the plastic tubs are orders that I have. Each order gets it's own plastic tub with the customer's name & what item it is written on a post-it note on the front.
This way, I am organised & all the pieces don't get mixed up!

x Narelle

Thank you!

On behalf of the animals I just wanted to say a HUGE 'thank you' to all that purchased a RSPCA cupcake charm from one of my stores, you helped support a wonderful cause.
A BIG thank you to Loretta - an extremely generous & kind soul. ❤

I doubled the amount I raised last year & am really quite chuffed!

So far Cupcake Day has raised over $171,000 for the RSPCA in Victoria - a great result for the 40,000 animals that will be cared for this year. Still hoping to hit the target of $300,000!
Nationally $502,271 was raised! That's a lot of cupcakes!

If you missed out this year, the next Cupcake Day for the RSPCA will be held on Monday 15 August, 2011.
Until then you could always join in on "Happy tails day" by simply purchasing merchandise from the exclusive Happy Tails Day range in September and October here!

Hug your pets for me!
x Narelle

It's in the bag!

Week 10: Bags

Persimmon tree tote: Paluma Print
Shoulder bag: Kate Ward
Terracotta Floral: Lene
Japanese print: Percy Handmade
Silk clutch: Zilpahtart
Wristlet / clutch: Odds & Blobs

x Narelle

Having a laugh with Mr.Giraffe!

Week 9: Giraffe's

Notelets: Forget Me Not
Felt Giraffe: Sophie and Jack
Cushion: Baby's Room
Plush toy: Little Pleasures
Canvas: Blucy
Onesie/bodysuit: Hey Diddle Design

x Narelle

J'adore

Week 8: Paris

Print: Mulberry Muse
Badge: Little Ephemera Empire
Sachet: Atelier in Paris
Doll: Mon Petit Poppet
Pouch: One Brown Mouse

Sketchbook: Flairtree

x Narelle

Monkey Business!

Week 7: Monkeys

Journal: Suse Hocking
Sock monkey: Twinklekids
Kids PJ's: Kids Comfort Zone
Finger puppets: Fuzzy Creations
Door hanger: Bubbybee
Personalised invitations: Willow and Elm

x Narelle

Father's Day finds!

Week 6: Father's Day

BBQ apron: House of Moo
Cufflinks: Red Zebra Designs
Storage rack: Artesque
Notepad: Paddock Press
Cupcake toppers: Suga N Lace
Necktie card: Jacibean Designs

x Narelle

Cuppy-cakes!

Week 5: Cupcakes

Wall art: Art Just For Kids

Circle tags: One Craftee Mumma

Beanbag: Joshua Alexander

Sock cupcakes: Baby Bukay

Cupcake charm: Narelle
Greeting card: Here We Go Loopy Lou

I know it's a bit cheeky putting myself in one of my Madeit finds, but because it's

"Cupcake Day For The RSPCA" today, I thought a little plug for them won't hurt!

All proceeds from charm sales go towards the RSPCA & there's free postage too.

Grab yourself one today here - no calories guaranteed!

x Narelle

Everyone loves Fairy Floss!

On the 3rd of October a NEW market called 'Fairy Floss Markets' will be launched in Melbourne, Box Hill.

Fairy Floss Markets is a handmade babies and children’s market where you will find divine products that are handmade, hand designed and unique.

I have been accepted into the first 3 markets and am super excited.
I will be launching my *NEW* baby & children's jewellery range at this market & can't wait.

The quality of the products that will be available is amazing, so many talented designer/makers.

I have been featured as a Tuesday's Hidden Treasure this week, so pop on by the Fairy Floss Market's blog & have a look at some of the wonderful items that will be available.

x Narelle

We all scream for ice-cream!

Week 4: Ice-cream

Notepad: Red Letter Studio

Earrings: Made By Becca

Plush: Vintage Chenille

Bag: Jalapeno Cherry

Soap: Sailor Mouth Soaps

Magnets: Loopy For You

x Narelle

Crazy for Daisies!

Week 3: Daisies

Fine art print: Michelle's Art & Photography

Mineral eyeshadow: Frankie & Plum

Earrings: Alainn

Greeting card: Loopty Loop

Cushion cover: Robyn Lee

Soap: Rose Berry Bay

x Narelle

As sweet as an Angel

Week 2: Angels

Art tags: Anna Bartlett
White tutu: Precious li'l things
Digital print: Sweet William
Angel bear: Vivianne Kay
Stitchery kit: Anna Marie
Bunting: Rourke and Henry

x Narelle

Wooden you love these?!!

Welcome to the first 'Madeit Monday!'

Lately over at the Madeit website there has been so many gorgeous items popping up.
Usually when I'm browsing the site I put together a themed shopping list in my head, so I thought I'd start sharing them with you all.

Week 1: Wood

Cloud brooch: Nevertheless

Clothespin dolls: Enchanted belles
Harley: Joey jelly bean
Handbag: Teresa Cowley
Pen: Woodpile
Letters: Love letters

More goodies to come next week.
x Narelle

Featured as a fave!

The wonderful Karmann over at KMCrafts blog put together a list of her favourite handcrafted jewellery.

The pieces were chosen from jewellery makers on the Madeit website.

Amongst all the gorgeous pieces she'd chosen, I spotted my Purple flower resin pendant. Yay!

Karmann also makes jewellery too, which you can find here or if you wish to check out the rest of her Friday Madeit Finds list, you can do so here.

Thanks Karmann, I appreciate the blog love!

x Narelle

I won!

I could not believe my eyes when I saw this.

I seriously went back through the list about 8 times to check that I was the only Narelle!

I am so spoilt.

Look at all the goodies I won!

The gorgeous Julie & Donna over at Sissy Sparrows had an amazingly generous giveaway & yours truly took the prize.

They are talented ladies & their illustrations are just delightful.

There's stickers, cards, necklaces, a zine, a print (which is going up on my wall asap) there was even a cute little coin purse included that says "Monday is my cleaning day" - which it is!

Click here to get a closer look at all the goodies I received, I couldn't fit everything in one shot there was just so much loot.

And of course if you're wanting some of these fab items for yourself head on over to their store on madeit - Sissy Sparrows or here on Etsy - Sissy Sparrows.

Thank you ladies, it really came at the right time & brightened my week.

Now to decide which necklace to wear to the ballet on Saturday night!

x Narelle

J'adore Paris!

Okay, so I'm a little bit behind on my blog posts!
I have found it a little hard to get back into the swing of things as I'm feeling so rested & relaxed!
But, I do start back at my other job this week, so I'm sure that will take care of that!

When first arriving in Paris, we were completely lost & found it hard to communicate with people.
With the help of a kind gentleman we finally found our hotel. (2 suburbs from where we were) Our room was so teeny-tiny, I was starting to feel a little dubious.

After a good night sleep & a few hours translating common phrases on Google translate, our week in Paris was amazing.

The patisseries, the fresh salad baguettes, the people, the fashion, the patisseries, the sites, the love in the air, the patisseries........
I would definitely go back for sure.

The highlight: I studied art history in tafe & college for 6 years & to finally be standing in front of the Lourve was a rather emotional experience for me.
Plus I got to meet Mona Lisa!

x Narelle

Too much temptation!

On this holiday, I was hoping maybe to shed a few kilo's & tone up a little with all the walking & site seeing we'd had planned.

Don't get me wrong, we're not being lazy in fact we are walking approx 15 to 20 kms per day!

But when every corner has a sweet smelling patisserie like the above, there's only so much will power a sweet-toothed girl like me can have!

Each individual pastry is an art piece in itself. The detail they put into each sweet is amazing.

They are true artists that need to be supported, right?

So it would be rude of me to just walk on by..............right?!!!

x Narelle

Retro craft swap

Before I went away on holidays I was involved in a craft swap that was organised by the fabulous Bec from Fun with a little Wise Owl.

Everyone was given a person to send to & a different person to receive from.

(I will blog about the goodies I received once I return home, I forgot to bring the photo's with me!)

The theme of the swap was 'Retro' & you could interpret it any way you wanted.

The first thing that popped into my head was roller-skates, so I went with that.

Above is a picture of the pendant (chain not shown) I sent off to Bec, my swap partner.

I built the piece up in layers out of sterling sheet & wire for the laces & soldered it all together.

I really enjoyed making this piece as it was something different from all the custom orders I had been working on.

So when I re-open my stores I have decided to stock these along with some other shapes as I think they will be fun pieces to sell.

x Narelle

Enjoying London

After a looooooong, long flight my husband & I were so glad to touchdown in London.

We have spent the first week sight seeing all the great sights London has to offer & I have fallen in love with all the old weathered buildings.

It's not as expensive as I'd thought it would be here.
The food is so cheap, so we have been pigging out. Especially on all the different chocolate bars that we don't have in Australia!

When visiting Harrod's department store we were able to view the ring Dodi was going to give to Lady Dianna.
Whether or not it was an engagement ring is still uncertain, but let me say it is gorgeous!

I'm not usually into cluster set diamonds, but the centre rectangular diamond with the four triangular cut diamonds surrounding, are beautiful.

So we're finishing up here & are catching a train tomorrow afternoon to Paris.
Yay, it has always been a dream of mine to go to Paris. I can't wait.

Talk soon.
x Narelle

Mother's Day

To all the Mother's out there,

here's hoping you're having an amazing day & being spoilt with lots of love & hugs from your families.

And to my mum, "Happy Mother's day!"

I hope you have a wonderful day & get to spend it exactly how you want to.

Sorry I can't be there with you but I promise to make it up to you when I get home.

I love you heaps.

x Narelle

Anzac day 2010

Australian &

New

Zealand

Army

Corps

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them

Lest we forget

x Narelle

Crafty podcasts

(Image source: bamfbackgrounds.com)

When I'm doing long hours in my studio I like to have something to listen to, something to keep me entertained.

The radio got too repetitive as did my limited cd stack.
I tried a small tv but got distracted & ended up watching whatever was on instead of working!
Audio books were great, but I was going through nearly one a day - very costly.

I have since found Podcasts put together by some crafty ladies & am loving them.
Nearly everyone has some form of mp3 these days, so for all of you crafting away alone in your studios here's a few Podcasts to download & listen to.

CraftSanity - Hosted by Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood

Craftcast - Hosted by Alison Lee

Craftypod - Hosted by Sister Diane

They interview an array of talented artist/crafters from all mediums, so there's something for everyone.
You can also subscribe to them in iTunes so they will be automatically downloaded for you!

Happy listening.

x Narelle