My Christmas

Right - so this year we are celebrating Christmas at our place. The funny thing is I am only now working out what we are going to eat! Instead I have been busy making paper stars, bonbons and wreaths, and planing the table setting. At least it will all look good!

Better get into the recipe books now, only 2 days to go!

Grange Organic Market

It's the last Grange Organic Market for the year this Saturday so come on down and buy your last minute Christmas gifts. I will also have a huge range of Christmas Cards going out cheap!

WHEN: Saturday 19th Dec
TIME: 9.00am - 2.00pm
WHERE: 5 Beach Street, Grange
WEB: www.grangeorganicmarket.com.au

Beautiful Ball of Light

Isn't this just beautiful? This is my husband's stunning work. I love seeing the "Ball of Light" images in a collection like this - the colours work so well together.

I can also see a range of cards in this... and prints, and possibly a book!! See more on Denis's flickr page here or his website denissmith.com.au

Cute as a Button

While in Hobart last weekend I came across Curve Concepts at the Salamanca Market. I bought this very cute button badge made from retro fabric (the one with the sunflower). Curve Concepts also have a range of earrings, postcards, magnets and stationery that also feature the whole retro fabric theme.

My Christmas Wreath

Well I am pretty happy with the result. I ended up making two wreaths experimenting with 2 different paper weights, 100gsm and 160gsm. I found 100gsm to be the easiest to use for stapling on the leaves and curling the ends - the 160gsm was a bit stiff to work with. Now I just need to work out where to hang it!

Thanks again to The Red Thread for this tutorial.

Tiny Mag Feature

Yay we got a wee mention in the 2009/2010 summer issue of New Zealand's Homestyle Magazine. Our 'Doiley Christmas' Card was the chosen one... see more here

Christmas Wreath

This year I am going to make my own Paper Wreath as above. Here is a great tutorial from The Red Thread if you want to join me. Email me a photo of your finished project and I will post it to my blog with my own creation! Click here for the tutorial

At Home in Hobart

Denis and I went to Hobart for the weekend and even though the weather was crap we were pleasantly surprised. Anyone who has never been to Tasmania, I highly recommend it. We stayed in Hobart and pretty much only circled about a 20 block radius, however just from that experience we both feel like we could easily live there! It is a very cosmopolitan city, quite edgy, great food, and of course design.

We were lucky to hit a couple of markets - the Salamanca Market which is on every Saturday. I'm sure this is the mother of all markets and even though I was getting saturated in the rain I didn't notice - the market was simply surperb.

The second market we came across was Handmade Hobart. Very quaint in a little school hall. We ate these gorgeous cupcakes, and they were very yummy although it took me ages to bite into my bumble bee as it was so so cute.

Also met a couple fellow designer makers worth a mention and certainly worth checking out... Great work ladies!
Notions
Rubi Victoria Letterpress
Little Snoring

Hello Pepe's Paperie

I posted one of my catalogues to Pepe at Pepe's Paperie and I am chuffed to say he loved my cards! So you can now buy the entire range of MessageMark paper products from Pepe's Paperie in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.

Pepe's Paperie stores have an amazing range of luxury pens and leather, including Graf von Faber-Castell and Piquadro. They also stock a huge selection of specialty papers, albums, journals & diaries, organisers, cards and gift wrap.

Check out their website for store locations and opening times.

WHERE: Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney
ONLINE: www.pepespaperie.com.au
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/Pepes_Paperie

It's a Craft Bomb!

I may be a bit slow, but I now realise how brilliant the name "Craft Bomb" is for a market. I got up this morning and went into the lounge and thought, man it really looks like a bomb went off in here - but a craft bomb!

CraftBomb is a market based in Auckland so unfortunately I cannot attend, but if you are in the area why not check out this growing market. More here.

We Heart Storison

Storison is a contemporary gift store that makes its home in the 1880 village blacksmith building in Hahndorf's main street.

The thoughtfully selected products showcase contemporary Australian design, eco-friendly recycled creations and ethically sourced handcrafts from around the globe. The eclectic range includes jewellery, textiles, cards, world music, books and gifts with a little hint of the unconventional.

Storison celebrates creativity, individuality and stylish innovation - a must see when next in Hahndorf.

OPEN: 10am - 5pm Tue to Sat, 10am - 4pm Sunday, Closed Monday
WHERE: 73 Main St, Hahndorf
PHONE: 08 8388 7331

Christmas Decorations

Gift tags make great Xmas decorations!

It's nearly time to get the Christmas tree out again. I love this time of the year. We are having Christmas lunch at our place and most people would be starting to plan the food, but me, I'm planning the table and house decorations. Of course I'm leaning towards creating decorations using recycled paper, and I'm thinking about using some of the designs from my Xmas Card Range. Will post photos as I complete each decoration...

Exclusive at Barossa Living Gallery

If you are you seeking a beautiful gift for a friend, a stunning memento of your visit to the Barossa or just a whimsical indulgence then do visit Barossa Living Gallery, the newest art space in the region. Housed in Tanunda’s historic bluestone Institute, the recently restored 1849 building provides a seasonal showcase of local and interstate artists, sculptors, jewellers, glass blowers, cabinet makers and ceramicists.

We are pleased to announce that Barossa Living Gallery are our exclusive stockist in the beautiful Barossa Valley. The entire MessageMark card range is now permanently on display, and I am very chuffed to have my creations in such a unique art space - and in my home town!

Please visit the gallery to view the purpose built card display and the other gorgeous art.

WHERE: 28 Murray Street, Tanunda South Australia
PHONE: 08 8563 3668
OPEN: Thurs - Sat and Mon 10am - 4pm | Sun 11am - 4pm
ONLINE: www.barossalivinggallery.com.au

Do Good Concept

Hi! Came across your website when I was googling "charity greeting cards" or something like that. Absolutely love your designs and the whole 'do good' concept of giving a % of sales too. I've
been trying to run a business in NZ doing that with limited edition designer t-shirts and various charities and it's been so hard! So you've done very well!!!!! : )

Keep up the great work - what an inspiration!
Best wishes, Li Ling (Wellington)

Our First Melbourne Stockist!

We are excited to announce our first Melbourne Stockist Brunswick Bound. A stylie shop offering an eclectic mix of music, books, film and art, and now MessageMark cards.

WHERE: 361 Sydney Road, Brunswick Victoria
ONLINE: www.brunswickbound.com.au
PHONE: 9381 4019
OPEN: Mon-Sat 10am to 6pm / Sun 11am to 5pm (closed public holidays)

Grange Organic Market

The Grange Organic Market is held every second Saturday from 9am - 2pm at the Grange Uniting Church hall and grounds on Beach St, Grange.

I am pleased to be involved in the market not only as a permanent stall holder, but I am also currently working on a new website and marketing to promote the market.

It's a great day out, and a perfect place to buy the freshest South Australian produce including, veges, fruit, coffee, herbs, dried fruit, nuts, wine, honey, eggs, olive oil, bread, pasta, legumes, chicken, lamb and beef, spices - all organic! Produce is straight from the farm so you buy direct from the growers at a very good price.

Besides great food you will also find organic linen, recycled greeting cards (MessageMark), natural cleaning products, cosmetics, soap, body products and more.

Come on down to the market this Saturday, do your shopping or just pop in for a yummy lunch and coffee. Bring cash and a carry bag - EFTPOS is also available.

WHEN: Every second Saturday
WHERE: 5 Beach St, Grange
TIME: 9am - 2pm
ONLINE: www.grangeorganicmarket.com.au (website under construction)
PHOTOS: On my Flickr Page

Photo Shoot...

My cute fluffy neighbour kindly volunteered to model one of my Christmas gift tags. Shadow (alias Tinker - well that is what I call him) comes to visit every day for a chat and occasionally he might get a wee drink as well. I think Tinker's owner thinks I'm a bit weird. I phoned her offering to feed him if she goes on a holiday. Do you think that is strange or just friendly? My husband thinks the owner might organise a restraining order against me!

Welcome Unibooks Adelaide

MessageMark Cards are now available on campus from the following Unibooks stores...

Unibooks - University of Adelaide
Union Building (off Victoria Dr) Adelaide
Phone 08 8223 4366

Unibooks - UniSA City West Campus
Barbara Hanrahan Building City West Campus (off Hindley St) Adelaide
Phone 08 8302 0854

Unibooks - UniSA City East Campus
Centenary Building Plaza Level (off Frome Rd) Adelaide
Phone 08 8302 2423

Unibooks - UniSA Magill Campus
Building A, St Bernards Rd Magill
Phone 08 8302 4724

Time Tested Beauty Tips

Today's *MondayMotivator by a friend of mine Glenn Edley featured this poem and I thought I would share it with you.

The following poem by Sam Levenson was reportedly Audrey Hepburn’s favourite. Ms Hepburn is one of the classiest and beautiful woman ever to grace the screen and from what I know of her I can see why she might have chosen this as a favourite.

Time Tested Beauty Tips
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone.
We leave you a tradition with a future.
The tender loving care of human beings will never become obsolete.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed.
Never throw anybody out.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Your 'good-ole-days' are ahead of you.
May you have many of them.

*SO WHAT IS MONDAYMOTIVATOR?
MondayMotivator is a free weekly inspirational email to promote power thinking.
Written by Glenn Edley it leaves his desk every Monday including holidays. Over the years he has given his thoughts on anything from; "Hospitals and Head Injuries" to "The meaning of Christmas" to "What my cellphone taught me" and "The Lost Arts". He hasn't missed a Monday for over 5 years. To get free weekly inspiration from a friend of mine click here to subscribe...

Crush Style McLaren Vale

We have another new member of the MessageMark family - Crush Style in McLaren Vale.
McLaren Vale is one of the many Wine Regions in South Australia. A fantastic destination for a day trip, great food, wine and of course beautiful scenery. Don't forget to visit Crush Style when you are in town.

Where: 140 Main Rd, McLaren Vale, SA.
Phone: (08) 8323 7724
Open: 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm Sunday and Public Holidays

One Small (but very stylie) Room

Yes you can now purchase MessageMark cards from One Small Room in Croydon, Adelaide. The idea behind One Small Room was to set up a room with lots of special pieces sourced from lots of ‘sources’ chosen for their quality, uniqueness, style and soul, all thrown together (all right, lovingly placed) as it would be in a home.

Located in Queens Street Croydon, home of retro stores and awesome coffee - a fine way to kill a few hours!

Address: 6-10 Elizabeth St, Croydon, Adelaide, Australia
Phone: 08 7120 2368
Web: www.onesmallroom.com.au
Open: 11am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

NEW! Stockist Spotlight

I've just added a new section to the MessageMark website "Retail Spotlight". I thought it would be nice to create a special page dedicated to my stockists. Kind of like a review of each stockist, the "Stockist Spotlight" will change monthly so everyone will get the opportunity to be in the spotlight!

View the Retail Spotlight

100% SA Made

Looking for 'South Australian Made', then this is your store.

Urban Cow Studio celebrates the beauty, skill and unique qualities of the hand produced item. The shop’s brightly coloured walls are graced by the largest range of South Australian made ceramics, glass, jewellery, paintings, and sculpture... and now MessageMark Cards.




Address:
11 Frome Street, Adelaide 5000 SA

Web:
www.urbancow.com.au
Facebook

Opening Hours:
Mon – Thurs: 10am - 6pm
Friday: 10am - 9pm
Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 12noon - 5pm

My Purchases

Here are the gorgeous items I purchased at the Bowerbird Bazaar on the weekend...

Delilah Devine wallpaper brooch handmade using recycled and salvaged papers.

Naomi Murrell pendant made from Maple Wood on a Sterling Silver chain

Ute Design Link Placemats made from press cut polyethylene

Flat Bird Removable wall sticker in the Bird Cage Design

Oh What Fun!!!

The Bowerbird Bazaar was a hugh success over the weekend. Approximately 4000 people popped in to get a taste of the latest design and wares from Adelaide and across Australia.

I woke up on Sunday morning feeling disappointed that it was the last day. I had so much fun on the stand, and a big thanks goes to my helpers, Sue, Lynne, and Denis. Thanks also to Rebekah and Jane who did such a superb job of organising the event. I can't wait till the next Bazaar which will be in March/April 2010.

Here are just a few pics from the weekend. More on my Flickr Page...

RIP IT UP - Oct 2009

As seen in RIP IT UP issue 1055.

1950s Colour Combo

I saw these 1950s Canisters at the Port Adelaide Market last Sunday. I absolutely love the colour combination so have decided to design my next card range in this colour scheme. I think I might have to go back this weekend and get these - hopefully they are still there!

All hands on deck...

We are getting ready for the Bowerbird Bazaar which opens in 10 days. My sweet parents popped in to give me a hand today. Both retired, they really enjoyed having some hands on experience, packing cards, hole punching, tying strings etc. How cute to see them working and being so interested in what I do. Thanks Muttie and Dad xxx.

Open for Business... Again

Yay, the MessageMark Card Shop is now back online. Check out the new look shopping cart and product photos here

Cheap as Chips - Almost

I recently found this cute wall decal from "Cheap as Chips" of all places for only $8. First time I have tried something like this. So I put it up in my studio and I can now see that I could easily get addicted to wall decals. The only danger is putting up too many! Perfect when renting a house if you want to personalise a room - but not permanently! I can now understand why there are so many gorgeous wall decal businesses out there like Flatbird.com.au. Very cool.

Bowerbird Bazaar

Style-savvy shoppers with a keen eye for beautiful objects to feather their nests will take delight in the new Bowerbird Bazaar. This three-day event, launching in Adelaide this October, gives the public an opportunity to seek out unique art and handmade wares created by Australian designer/makers. The Bazaar provides a platform for professional artists, designers and craftspeople working in visual art, jewellery, furniture, textiles and fashion, glass and ceramics, and other design-driven fields like greeting cards!

The event also presents the wonderful opportunity for the public to meet and talk with the people who make the products. Of course I will be there to promote MessageMark so come on down for a visit Sat or Sunday. It will be great to meet you face to face.

For more details visit the official Bowerbird Bazaar website...

When: Saturday and Sunday, October 10 - 11
Where: Queen's Theatre, Playhouse Lane, Adelaide
Trade Entry: Mini trade fair for retailers on Friday October 9

Make Someone's Day...

Panda and me in my special panda dress!

I recently bought "Panda" (my smart car) from Carlin & Gazzard a Dealer in Mt Gambier. When Panda arrived there were a few minor things wrong with her that need sorting out. Paul at Carlin & Gazzard was so helpful and understanding and took care of everything for me with no hiccups.

As a thank you, I wrote Paul a thank you card and posted him a Multi-Pack of Msg cards. Paul ended up phoning me straight away to thank me for the cards. His words were "You have made my day", and "Normally you only receive bills etc in the post and rarely nice surprises like that". He was absolutely chuffed and it made me feel so good inside.

It is so cool how such a simple thing can bring so much warmth and happiness to someone's day.

2010 Ikea Catalogue

Check out the new Ikea Catalogue just released. Who are those attractive people on the front you ask? Well yes that is my hubby Denis and me.

A great fundraising idea... a $2 donation to a charity (I think KidsCan) and we received the latest Ikea Catalogue featuring us on the front.

Very funny to have lying on the coffee table. Den and I enjoy hanging out at Ikea and love the $1.50 icecreams so a good memento for us. We tricked my parents and told them we were asked to do the photo shoot and are now on all of the catalogues. Bless.

Nesting Again...

The final chapter of our relocation...

Well, we are now nested and settled into our new Pad in Grange, South Australia after a big move from Auckland NZ. It is so good to have our own place after spending 3 months staying with my parents. Don't get me wrong, hanging out with the "olds" was great, but just to have my "stuff" around me makes me feel like we are actually here now.

I can't believe the place we have scored. A 1950s property which is still in original condition. ie same kitchen and bathroom totally untouched, original carpet etc. It is so adorable. No nasty 1990s renovations! If you want to see more photos I will be adding some pics to my Retro Delights Blog when I have cleaned up a tad.

I have been for a few walks around the area and Grange feels like such a friendly community. We are really feeling at home and I am very happy.

A great place to start building MessageMark in Australia and watch my business flourish.

Blog Update

Some of you may have noticed things have changed around a wee bit on the Msgmrk blog. I have just refreshed my blog template so the main posts are featured on the left side of the page. Don't ask me why, but I think it looks better.

KINA NZ Design + Art Space

We are pleased to welcome our new stockist KINA NZ Design + Art Space. KINA is a charming design store, art gallery and on-line shop proudly supporting New Zealand designers, craftspeople and artists. This is the perfect place to shop if you are looking for a distinctive slice of New Zealand made art and design. Everything at KINA is New Zealand made; even the music played in the design store is home grown.

Like MessageMark, KINA are a member of the Sustainable Business Network. It's great to supply to a business that is also committed to following sustainability principles of recycling, reducing and reusing wherever possible.

Panda or Magpie? I choose Panda...

I'm so excited, I have a new Smart Car! I was missing "Twinkle" my old Smart fortwo so much that I decided to buy another one. I have named it "Panda". Pandas are much cuter than Magpies!! The perfect car for MessageMark.

Kind of appropriate considering the Adelaide Zoo is close to finishing the new Panda Enclosure for the arrival of the Pandas in October 2009. I just need some big fluffy ears to put on the top! Read more about the Pandas at the Adelaide Zoo here...

On the move again...

We have found an awesome pad that is very close to Grange Beach in Adelaide. We move mid August and can't wait. I'm sure this is going to be a great place to find inspiration and stir up my creativity! Not long now and MessageMark will be fully back up and running. Yipee!!

Grange Beach, Adelaide

Cure4CF Online Donations

While waiting for my business gear to arrive in Australia, I've been doing some work for Cure4CF and have now updated their website to include an online donation feature.

I'm so pleased I can use my limited web knowledge to help Cure4CF in this way. Click here for more details.

NEXT STOP EARTH!!

Next Stop Earth is a gift store selling botanical themed gifts and fresh cut flowers, and now MessageMark cards. Flowers and gifts can be delivered throughout Wellington or pop into the shop at 76 Constable St Newtown, Wellington.

Cure4CF Rally BBQ

Cure4CF pulled together their culinary skills and catered a delicious BBQ at Mt Alma Mile and Tarmac Rally in McClaren Vale Adelaide on 29th-30th May.

The generosity shown at this fund raising event was unbelievable. Total money raised was over $10,000. A massive achievement...and on top of the money raised we were effective in raising the profile of Cure4CF for future benefit.

Thanks once again to the volunteers and everyone that helped out.