Bam Bam Creative

Thank You and Goodnight... for now

2010-11-07T21:07:00.001+13:00

I've had to do some major soul searching lately and have come to a few decisions now that life has been changing so much with the launch of Foxes, the popularity of the Auckland Art & Craft Fair and everything else that life throws. Bam Bam Creative has grown and changed so much since I launched and started making my first things, but I have decided that I just can't maintain the blog (and other things) anymore and it's going to be tucked up and put away.

To find out about new products and things that I am making, follow Foxes blog.

To see my tutorials, recipes and general craftiness, follow Penny In My Purse.

Bam Bam Creative has now gone back to it's roots; I now do things just for fun! No more markets. Unless they're very, very special of course.

It's been so great to have you all as supporters of what I do, I really, really appreciate it. Without you all, Bam Bam Creative wouldn't be where it is today.

Thank you. Thank you and goodnight..... for now

Spring!

2010-09-30T12:24:00.000+13:00

It's such a fickle season — bright sunshine and 22 degrees yesterday, now it's raining and rather cold today, so fickle. Here is a shot of the big tree that is next to our deck with it's first little green shoots. It's going to be beautiful in Summer.

This tree is a playground to so many native birds that live around us — the Tui have been going mental, fighting for the ladies attention and putting on the most amazing displays.

Bam Bam Creative in Homestyle Magazine

2010-09-27T19:18:00.000+13:00

One of my sweet little Hoppity Hoppity Bunny clocks was featured in the latest issue (October/November) of Homestyle Magazine! It's part of a collection of goodies that are eco-friendly, they even used my original photograph, styled by me — hurrah!

Exclusively available through Foxes.co.nz

Kraftbomb Tomorrow!

2010-09-25T10:30:00.000+12:00

It's Kraftbomb tomorrow and I'm going to be there! It's been a while since I was there, the last one was June I think.... ages ago! It will be great to be there again and see all my crafty peeps. I've been making a few new things too. Kraftbomb this month will be my last market for a while, my next one will be the Auckland Art & Craft Fair (if I can organise myself that is!)

Anyway, if you want to nab some Bam Bam Creative goodies, come along!

First Thursdays Craft Market...

2010-09-12T11:34:00.000+12:00

You may have heard of First Thursdays before, if not it's a really awesome event being put together by the K'rd Business Association to support the arts in the area. It will be a fun, regular event (4 times a year) that combines music, dance, art and craft all in the one place.

Part of the event is a craft market, I'm helping organise this and the applications are open right now! Past markets have been really successful, so if you feel like something a little different to the usual markets, you should give this one a try!

The market is held in the evening from 6 to 9pm and is inside the beautiful St Kevins Arcade, this first one will be Thursday 2nd December — perfect for a spot of Christmas shopping!

A week of new things....

2010-09-04T11:21:00.000+12:00

Well, we moved house last weekend — the move went really well, the guys I hired were SO fast! The whole thing was done and dusted within 4 hours, including having a cuppa at the end of all the lugging. So great. Our new house is great and we have settled in well, although, I have pretended that we have un-packed everything by hiding away the boxes I'm not wanting to face just yet... next week, honest!

Not only was it a new house, but it was also Grace's first day of school on Monday! She looks so cute in her school uniform, she just looks so grown up. Her first week has gone really well, lots of new friends made and she has the best teacher which always helps.

I'm planning on getting back into some sewing and making next week, once I can face more of the boxes!

Chat soon
J xx

Moving House....

2010-08-26T12:54:00.010+12:00

Here at Bam Bam Creative HQ it's time for us to move house! We love our gorgeous little 1950's unit, full of original detail (a little too much original, I'd love mains water pressure!) but unique, cute and quirky all at the same time. It's been a lovely warm and comfortable home and we are very sad to be saying goodbye. One of the perils of renting is that landlords sometimes like to sell their investment properties, and well, get a return on their investment!

We are moving this weekend to a beautiful new house, and acquiring an extra bedroom (to be my office) and a rumpus room (to be my crafting space and Foxes HQ) so I'm hardly complaining.... plus I'm uber excited about having a dishwasher — something that I haven't had for the last few years, haha! Gracie was due to start school a few weeks ago (following her 5th birthday) something that we had to postpone for a few weeks until we're in the new house as I didn't want to disrupt her by settling into a new school then just having to move her again!

Leo 'helping' with the packing...

In light of the new move, I have been busy renovating some furniture that I acquired a while back — some really great 1950's pieces including this sweet little 2 seater couch that has definitely seen better days! This is the before photo, but I have totally sanded it back, stained it very dark and have coated it will a lovely satin finish varnish. Still have to recover the cushions, but I'm really looking forward to the end result. I'll be sure to do a post about it when it's finished!

Anyway, I'm surrounded by boxes, newspaper and have gone through I don't know how many rolls of packing tape.... but with all the stress, it's still very exciting and we're really looking forward to settling into our new home!

Poppytalk...

2010-08-23T13:23:00.000+12:00

Recently, my beautiful Babe In The Wood wall clock was featured on the Poppytalk blog! I love this blog and have been reading it since I started making Bam Bam Creative wares, so I was very proud to be included. The write up is about my store, Foxes. Have you seen it yet?

Bam Bam Creative in Viva Magazine

2010-08-09T10:44:00.000+12:00

This post is so late! So sorry, it's been a crazy week.... mid last week I was featured in Viva Magazine, a supplement mag in one of the National newspapers for my new store, Foxes, which launched at the end of July. I was asked by Zoe Walker to name my top ten things, I was so flattered to be asked! I chose a selection of things that I really do love, and other things that I love from Foxes — one of them was of course the new Bam Bam Creative clocks!

It's been a manic week for us with 5th birthday parties and house moving preparations.... more on that later though!

New Clocks for Foxes

2010-07-28T17:57:00.000+12:00

Well, in-case you didn't know, Foxes has officially launched! It's pretty exciting, seeing it all come together and have the orders come through.

You may have seen already that I have finally finished my clocks! They up exclusive to Foxes and are available now. They came out so well and I'm so pleased with them, have a nosey at the shop and see what other lovely things you can find....

Auckland Art & Craft Fair — this weekend!

2010-07-19T09:23:00.000+12:00

Yep, the Auckland Art & Craft Fair has come around fast! All my hard work, stress and lack of social interaction with nearly everyone I know (not to mention, the lack of blogging) will have all been worth it and I will get to see the fruits of my labour.

It's been so much fun or organise and definitely a learning experience, so much to think about and plan, so many small details that I have wanted to make sure don't get over looked — after all, it's the little details that people notice and appreciate.

So come along and say hello!

pretty photo's

2010-07-10T21:33:00.000+12:00

Just a few photo's that make me feel like a lady.... nothing much else to blog about — hope your having a lovely weekend!

Jess xx

quick as a Fox...

2010-07-03T23:19:00.000+12:00

You may have been wondering why I have been so quiet on the blog as of late, and I've been working on something pretty exciting for what feels like forever. It all started last year when I was studying at Uni, the idea was set in motion and the planning began — what am I harping on about? Foxes.co.nz is my next step and an awesome project that I have been busy creating.

Foxes.co.nz is a new on-line store I'll be launching on the 25th July 2010 — right after the Auckland Fair (you can see the blog here). I wanted to create something new and different, something that is in-keeping with the uniqueness and the quality of the Fair and that would also be a natural progression for me with everything that I have done with the Auckland Craft Collective and the Auckland Art & Craft Fair so far. You can find on Foxes a selection of hand chosen, independent, New Zealand made design and handmade products that are all created with careful attention to detail and are of the highest quality. Stocking jewellery, artwork, prints, home wares, kids clothes, cards, magazines, stationery, cards, clothing — everything that I'll be stocking is something that I would love to own myself!

I guess the one thing that I wanted to do with Foxes, is to enable independent artists and designers to remain independent by giving them a professional selling platform that is as dedicated to quality as much as they are. Everything that Foxes stock has either been made lovingly by hand or made locally, so it's perfect for those artists wanting to take that next step and help their business grow — they may outsource their printing or sewing perhaps — but still put the labels on themselves or package up their orders from a back room or a small studio.

Because Foxes is so different to Bam Bam Creative, I have wanted to keep them as separate as I can — Bam Bam Creative is a label that is predominantly for children, while Foxes is much more coveted and refined — like the much older and cooler sister of Bam Bam Creative I guess you could say! Now it's getting closer to the launch and things really are happening, I wanted to share it with you all, especially as all my blog readers have been so supportive of what I have been doing so I hope that you will be just as supportive of Foxes.

Anyway, I have been busy, busy organising everything — the sellers, products, advertising and not to mention the website for the last few months — that and I have had to really, really think about what it is I'm doing with Bam Bam Creative and how much time I have to commit to it. Bam Bam Creative won't be going anywhere, I'll still be making the things that I love to make while doing markets when I can and I will now be selling selected pieces on Foxes.

I guess this is a long enough post for now, you will no doubt be getting updates at things progress both here and over on the Foxes blog. Hope to see you there!

Jess xx

The Devonport Craft Market this weekend...

2010-07-02T12:03:00.000+12:00

Hey all, just to let you know that this weekend I will be at the Devonport Craft Market again. I'm no longer there on a regular basis, but I try and show my face every now and then! I'll be having lots of my items on sale and I shall be armed with Eftpos! Hooray!

The market has thankfully gone back to it's 'Winter' hours, so will now finish at 2pm (such a relief!)

Devonport Community House
32 Clarence St, Devonport (behind New World)
From 10am until 2pm

Come along, it would be great to see you there...

A little find & My Creative Space(plus Kraftbomb this weekend!)

2010-06-24T15:22:00.000+12:00

I went out the other day to find some more zips so that I could finish some more zipper purses for Kraftbomb this weekend (they sold like hot cakes last month!) and I found these gorgeous trims along my travels! The little fawns are embroidered onto some old linen it looks like, I've made them into iron on patches that I will be selling and put one of them onto this sweet make-up bag that I'm in the process of making.

I'll be having a little sale on my wall art and I'll be armed with a portable Eftpos machine! Thanks to my friend, Belinda, so great for those that don't like to carry around wads of cash (although, you would feel like Scrooge McDuck...) for those of you that don't know, Kraftbomb is this Sunday 27th June at the Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn.

See you on Sunday!
xxx

Sweet little embroidery fawns and my new trim

A little make-up bag waiting to be made...

Birthday

2010-06-22T11:22:00.000+12:00

Well, today is my birthday. I'm feeling a little like I'm on the wrong side of my 20's and life shouldn't really be like this when you are so close to 30, you should have your sh*t together, know what is going on with your life and maybe even have a house of your own. Don't get me wrong, I love my life right now and am very happy — I love being a Mum, a Graphic Designer and a business owner and being able to make stuff all the time and work with so many inspirational people, that is awesome and is something I'll never want to trade.

I was going to a do a tutorial for you all, but I couldn't think of anything! I'll put my thinking cap on and do one in the next week or so, it will most likely be a recipe for something delicious.

In the meantime, I found these photo's of me when I was wee, excuse the poor quality and stains on the photo's they have been around a while — I love the one of me with my parents, my Mum just looks so amazing and my Dads hat is awesome (even if he does look a little like he wants to be a Bee Gee, I think he did actually....)

Left: I think I was 2 or 3 in this photo, I still have that Miffy counting book! Right: Me at 6 months with my Ma and Pa somewhere fancy for lunch I'm told.

And just for something a little different, this is my favourite song at the moment which I thought that I would share — LOVE it — it's been on repeat and rather loud while I'm working today.

And I just discovered Karen Elson — scratching another itch I have on the other side of my personality, such a good song, just don't listen to the lyrics too much — a little weird and depressing...

Right, I think that's enough of a post about me! I'm off to get back to work and maybe bake myself a cake....

Newsletter Winner!

2010-06-20T14:06:00.000+12:00

Congratulations to Claire Warmington, winner of my monthly newsletter giveaway! She has on the way a Pretty Sniffy Tissue Cover in cute owl fabric.

Next month I will be giving away a Hold Your Heart Magnet set, worth 15 bucks! To a lucky subscriber. To be in the draw, just sign up to my lovely newsletter by filling out the form in the right menu.

Chat soon!
Jess xx

Happy Birthday to my Mum xx (say it with Lemurs)

2010-06-05T09:53:00.000+12:00

It was my Mum's birthday on the 3rd of June. Now, like many people, I love my Mum and I was trying for ages to think of something that would be awesome enough for such a great lady. So I called up my friend Laura who is a keeper at Auckland Zoo for a big favour, and this was my present to my Mum...

Such an awesome day!

Kraftbomb this weekend!

2010-05-28T09:35:00.000+12:00

Hey lovely people — it feels like AGES since it was last Kraftbomb time, which is silly as it's exactly the same time between every market... Anyway, come long Sunday for some awesome crafty times, it's going to be their 21st market! Let the good times roll....

Me and my Markets...

2010-05-19T22:35:00.000+12:00

Some of you may have seen that I haven't been around at too many of the markets lately, or maybe you haven't noticed — well if you didn't, I have been taking a bit of a back seat from all the markets that I do. It was getting a little bit crazy with a market nearly every weekend!

I have decided that I will endeavour to do Kraftbomb each month and scatter into the mix the occasional other market when I can, and to keep things interesting of course! Kraftbomb has always been a great market for me and it works well with finding sitters to look after my Gracie.

Those of you that know me, know I'm a one parent wonder, so I have been using all my baby sitting time to work at markets and am having little (if any) time to myself. I think I just need to look after myself a little better and give me a bit of 'me' time.

With the Auckland Craft Collective and at the moment, putting in 9 hour days into the Auckland Art & Craft Fair plus working as a freelance Graphic Designer by day and being Mum to Gracie, I need to find a way that I can still work on Bam Bam Creative — as this is my gig, and I do absolutely love what I do, and I want to keep loving it — so the markets had to give a little!

Anyway, enough about that, I just wanted to let you know what was happening round my place — this weekend I'm going to be at Mary's Market in Freemans Bay, so take the time to come along as it would be great to see you (details in the side bar).

Chat soon lovelies xx

Just for some eye candy from around Grey Lynn...

Auckland Art & Craft Fair

2010-05-13T17:03:00.000+12:00

Hey lovelies, just wanted to do a quick reminder post about the Auckland Art & Craft Fair that I'm organising with Kylie under the Auckland Craft Collective. Applications close tomorrow (eek!) and we've had heaps come in today as the word gets out there.

If you haven't heard, the Auckland Art & Craft Fair is happening for the very first time on July 24th 2010 at the prestigious Auckland Art Gallery. The Fair is designed to showcase a selection of New Zealand best independent and contemporary Designers, Artists & Crafters selling their products direct to the public for one day only.

At the Fair you will find products with an emphasis on quality, craftsmanship, creativity and style. You can purchase direct from the seller, knowing that you are supporting our local talent and you will be taking home a special piece that has soul.

We have been super lucky with having major sponsors the Auckland Art Gallery, Frankie Magazine and Base FM and support from people like EcoStore and the very talented Sarah McNeil.

Check out the blog for more information, hop to it!

New Stockist...

2010-05-11T10:53:00.000+12:00

Just a little update, tomorrow you will be able to purchase my goodies in person at the Uxbridge Arts Centre shop in Howick! They contacted me the other week and I will be dropping off a selection of necklaces, cushions, magnet sets, brooches and zipper purses tomorrow morning. Nice!

If you would like to visit them, you can find them at 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick or visit their website here.

Sale Finishes Today!

2010-05-07T09:34:00.000+12:00

My free shipping sale in the website finishes today at 4pm NZ time — make sure you take advantage of it....

A Crafty Influence & a Lovely Package...

2010-05-02T10:12:00.002+12:00

We've been spending a bit of time inside this week — I've been really sick and haven't been up to much. Grace has been having lots of games and her favourite one at the moment is playing 'markets'! It's so cute, she sets up all her jewellery and hair-ties — they're all in their little rows, sorted into colour and type with the best customers being her Barbies. Anyway, I finally snapped a photo of her game.

I had a very cryptic message on twitter from Emma of Freedom Creative asking for my address... a few days later and this lovely wee package arrived! A 'just because' package, which are always the best kind. I thought that Emma deserved a special mention, it was so sweet and really cheered me up when I was feeling so sick and rotten. Thank you Emma, you're a real sweetheart xx

Free Shipping for Mothers Day...

2010-05-01T10:32:00.000+12:00

Thought that I would do a nice little special over on the website of free shipping until Friday 7th May. Make sure you send your Mum something lovely this Mothers Day....

New Things and New Happenings!

2010-04-29T11:42:00.000+12:00

It seems like I have been on a bit of a roll this week with introducing new products and what have you and it's not about to stop!

New Goodies...
As you know, I have been making my Bunny and Fawn necklaces for a little while now and I have had a few people ask for a birdie shape — enter my Little Birdie necklaces! They are the same sweet shape as my brooches and are just so sweet, look at that little pile of them — it's a pile of cuteness right there! These will be available on my website and at my next market soon for $35 each.

Little Birdie necklaces waiting to be made up

Next up are my new Make It Better iron on patch sets! There are 3 patches per pack and all the patches require no sewing whatsoever! Perfect for updating a t-shirt, hat, pair of jeans or even a tote bag. If you have an iron, you can use these. They come with full instructions and fabric suggestions too, how handy. These will be available on my website and at my next market for $19 a set — bargain!

Make It Better iron on patch sets

I've been getting a lot of requests for little gift cards and I had a brain wave the other night as I had loads of this veneer contact paper left over from when I made Gracies doll house (a magnificent feat, I should really post some photo's!) and as I love anything wooden and cute — much like my necklaces — I thought that it would be perfect to make some little cards. These Write Sweet Nothings gift cards will also be available on my website and at the next market for a mere $3 each.

Write Sweet Nothings little gift cards

New Stockist...
Firstly, I have been lucky enough to have some of my goodies picked to be stocked in Presentz gift shop at 430 Richmond Road — a cute little shop packed with loads of goodies, including things from lots of talented handmade makers. They will be stocking my new Pretty Sniffy tissue covers, my new little Write Sweet Nothings gift cards and the Make It Better iron on patch sets! Just in time for Mothers Day...

So this week has shaped up to be a pretty good one! Even though we are all getting sick in my house with the first of the Winter colds and feel a bit like death warmed up, it's good to have happy things to pick you up.

Don't forget to sign up to the Newsletter so you can be in to win this months Newsletter prize....

Catch up soon lovely people xx

Shopping List Magnets....

2010-04-27T12:33:00.001+12:00

I had one of those "I could really do with something that...." moments this morning when I was writing my shopping list, usually when I have those moments they end with ".... I know! I'll just make it!" which is how nearly all of my products start. I get so sick of writing lists for the weekly shop that fall off the fridge or get lost in my bag (which mainly consists of scraps of paper, so you can see why more lists would get lost) so I thought why not make something that solves this problem for me?

Enter my new and rather special magnetised shopping list cover! It sits on the fridge nicely, and when you go to pull it out of your bag at the supermarket, you can actually find it and have something pretty in your hands. The paper I made up with scrap paper and it tucks neatly inside — so a great way to recycle things around the house. It's got the little elastic loops for your pen or pencil (mine are slightly too large for this pen, but it's my favourite pen for lists) and closes with a little button and ribbon.

I'm thinking about making these for the shop and the markets. Would you want one? Would you use it? Do you know someone who might like one? I'd love the feedback! I would have them with short pencils inside, I love a sharp pencil! In the meantime I'm going to make a couple more and I'll figure out a really good price and might even give one away at some stage...

Top Row from Left: Open flat, Open on the Fridge, Closed on the Fridge

Bottom Row from Left: How the paper tucks in, Open Flat, The Back (excuse my hands!) nice and tidy for when you're out.

Chat soon! xx

Some new goodies...

2010-04-26T14:50:00.002+12:00

I've been working on some idea's for some new products over the last few months; some things that are a little smaller, the type of things that you might buy for your gift drawer at home, a thank you gift for a teacher or just a little treat for yourself.

The first ones I've finished are these cute little tissue covers. I've had these little guys cut out for a while and have been spending the morning sewing them while Grace is making some cards for Nana & Poppa. We always have travel packs of tissues when we're out and even more-so in Winter for the sniffles and what have you — so this way we can all pull out our tissues while being sweet and stylish at the same time! And even if you don't buy the travel packs, you can fold up some tissues from home and pop them inside, easy peasy.

These will be available on my website and at the markets soon for a mere $15. I'm making a few more things at the moment too, so watch this space...

(Top) All my new tissue covers (Middle) how they look all nice when tissues are inside them

(Bottom) my favourite one, I may have to keep this one myself...

Introducing... The Auckland Art & Craft Fair

2010-04-25T15:51:00.000+12:00

Hey lovely people, you may have heard via the Auckland Craft Collective site, or Facebook and Twitter that the Craft Collective (aka Kylie and Me...) that we will be having the very first ever Auckland Art & Craft Fair on the 24th July this year!

The Auckland Art & Craft Fair isn't like any other market available in Auckland or even the rest of New Zealand. It's the first of it's kind and will have a regular home at the prestigious Auckland Art Gallery. With a focus on each Fair having a selection of New Zealands best contemporary and independent Designers, Artists and Crafters available, selling their wares direct to the public for one day only.

This is a fair with a difference — focusing on the best that each vendor has to offer, highlighting the quality, craftsmanship and ingenuity of each piece. For the customer it's shopping with soul, purchasing direct from the artist, designer and maker in one go and helping support our growing industry.

There'll be no worries on the day for customers as there will be EftPos facilities along with everything that the Auckland Art Gallery has to offer including Reuben Cafe and the amazing Parsons bookshop, not to mention all the exhibitions at the gallery — so something for everyone. Saturday $4 parking is available for vendors and visitors that use the Victoria Street Car Park with a special discount voucher from the gallery and with the Fair being held inside, it will be lovely and cosy for our guests.

Anyway, it's pretty darn exciting! If you want to find out more, check out the blog and if you fancy being a vendor — apply! Applications close at 4pm on Friday 14th May 2010...

Exciting!! xx

New goodies make me happy & Kraftbomb!

2010-04-24T21:13:00.001+12:00

This weekend has been a rather busy one, and it's not even finished yet...

A lovely package arrived on Thursday for some goodies that I purchased from the lovely, Sarah McNeil. I love, love, love my Bunny Brooch and of course my beautiful "Girls With Glasses" print, and not just because I'm a girl that wears glasses, but because it just really pretty.

Check out her shop for more goodness and nab some for yourself.

Firstly, it's Kraftbomb tomorrow (a highlight of the month as per usual) and you can come along after watching the dawn service for ANZAC Day, Kraftbomb will be one of the few places trading so definitely make sure you come and go for coffee after 12 — everything will be open then! I've got my red poppy for tomorrow, make sure you get yours...

Kraftbomb this weekend!

2010-04-19T22:29:00.000+12:00

These seem to come round so fast! But yes, it's Kraftbomb this weekend and I will of course be there with lovely wares for sale. I have more Babe In The Wood necklaces and I'm going to try and make some more brooches by the end of the week — I'm running out of the little guys!

Anyway, come along, it'll be super awesome xx

Extra (Curricular), read all about it!

2010-04-12T10:49:00.002+12:00

For those of you that don't know, Extra Curricular is an awesome, local magazine "for creative folk" about people who make and do creative projects. It's independently published by my fellow crafty friend, Ellie Smith (of Miss Ellie May) and she does an excellent job. So when Rachel (of Books By Rachel) contacted Kylie and myself about being involved in an article on 'Craft Living', discussing the Auckland Craft Collective, our respective craft ventures and our thoughts on making a real go of it — I of course jumped at the chance! Especially being part of an article that also interviewed Annette of Nut & Bee and Lisa of Sweetpea Home, that's some serious awesome crafting business right there.

You can order copies of the magazine here or check out the blog for a list of national stockists.

Something Special...

2010-04-09T12:53:00.000+12:00

A few years ago, my lovely Nana, Maisie, gave me this gorgeous rose gold locket. She has given me a lot of special things over the years and I think it's because she knows that I truly appreciate them. I've kept it tucked away because it felt a little too special to wear it out, but now I've decided it deserves the occasional outing when something fancy and sentimental is called for.

The little story that is behind the locket is cute too (and gets told to me each time she sees me wearing it, which is sweet too) the photo's inside are of my Nana and Poppa when before they were married, I think that she was about 17 and he was 19 so they would have been taken in the late 1930's or early 1940's. The locket itself was a gift from a young man that my Nana had been "courting" before meeting my Poppa, Gordon. Apparently he was always buying her romantic gifts and keep sakes, but she wasn't interested and as soon as she met my Poppa he was a distant memory.

Anyway, I love it and just thought that I would share it with you all.

The Devonport Craft Market this weekend...

2010-04-07T13:54:00.000+12:00

It's been a while since I have been a vendor at The Devonport Craft Market, so it will be a fun little break to visit the old haunt and see some familiar faces. If you are looking for something to do this Sunday, why not come along...?

See you there

Fancy New Bam Bam Creative Website...

2010-04-07T11:05:00.000+12:00

It's official — I now have a flash new website of my very own! I've been wanting to do this for a really, really long time, it wasn't until I was at the Auckland Craft Collective first evening that I got the inspiration to set the wheels in motion...

On my website you will find my gorgeous homepage with my current range, how to contact me, my press and publicity, all about my products with answers to your questions — and the part that I am most excited about: my very own shop!

The shop at the moment is full to the brim and I'm adding to it almost every day. It's all sorted into tidy little categories and looks ever so pretty. So hop on over and feel free to make yourself comfortable and have a good poke around.

www.bambamcreative.com

My gorgeous new homepage

My new shop!

Daydream Lily

2010-04-01T19:04:00.000+13:00

I was thinking earlier today that I should really do another blog post, but couldn't for the life of me think of anything to talk about (and those of you that know me, know that if that ever happens it's a very strange phenomenon) and then I was reading through my blog list, and saw my name on the gorgeous Daydream Lily blog! And also thank you to Sarah McLeod of Songbird Designs for sending me a "woo-hoo!" e-mail and telling me too xx

Such an honour to be featured, I really mean that.

You can read the blog post here if you fancy.

Kraftbomb tomorrow!

2010-03-27T09:42:00.000+13:00

It's that time again — time for awesome craft, rad people, the most amazing cupcakes and Fred's Lemonade... it can only be Kraftbomb!

See you there lovelies xx

My Creative Space....

2010-03-25T12:49:00.000+13:00

I've seen on a few of the blogs that I follow — Cotton Kiwi and A Little Vintage — these posts each week and thought that I would give it a go every now and then.

Here is a shot of a custom wholesale order with an exclusive range of fabrics that I'm working on for a lovely lady. These are the mice I have made and they are all about to get their tails attached! How gorgeous are those fabrics?! I wish I could make oodles of things out of them for my markets and shop, but I can't, just so beautiful and bright...

Check out Kootoyoo for how to join in on the fun...

A little extra prettiness....

2010-03-24T11:53:00.004+13:00

You know those internet tangents you sometimes go on? When you click to a link from a blog you love to read, and you find yourself learning something new that you wouldn't have even dreamed of normally only to find yourself on one of your newest, favourite blogs? Let me explain myself a little bit better....

I was reading on Bronwyns blog High Fashion Mountain (Bron is also the brains and beauty behind R.W Scissors — awesome blog, you should read it if you don't already) about her foray into the You Tube world of hairstyle tutorials. Well, I made the mistake of clicking to watch one.... 4 hours later that night, and I had come across two lovely ladies channels; LisaFreemontSt and ElegantlyAmused that do the most amazing tutorials on Pin Up hairstyles, 1940's techniques and the odd make up tutorial. I was hooked and of course had to try it for myself....

One of the lovely ladies, Casey, that I had come across also has her own blog, full of vintage goodies and general sweetness Casey's Elegant Musings. It's so good that I am slowly working my way back through her entire blog, just so that I don't miss anything! Here are a few of my favourite posts so far:
Wedding Wonderment (her wedding was featured on the Martha Stewart Weddings blog!)
How To Refashion a Cardigan she does the most amazing job at turning old things into new wonders
1920's Chemise Inspired Top gorgeous tutorial that I'm going to try sometime soon

And of course she has the most lovely photo's on Flickr of her outfits, inspiration and hairstyles....

Discovering all this stuff was just what I needed, I've been in a hair rut for ages. I've been growing out my fringe for the last year and I was so tempted to cut it back — but now I can save all that hard work and try out some more of these styles (and possibly frighten the boyfriend...). I of course had a go at Pin Curls, the curls themselves were great, I just couldn't get moulding them quite right — something I am sure will come with plenty of practice...

My first ever Pin Curl set, excuse the fuzz

Another lovely place I discovered through Casey's blog was Colette Patterns — she creates vintage inspired sewing patterns, I have bought for myself this lovely skirt pattern. I can see myself making plenty of them to wear all year round as it's a similar style to my favourite Summer skirt. I've bought a bunch of patterns lately so I'll do a proper post with all my lovely garments when they are made.

*sigh* back to work I go, I hope you enjoy this loveliness as much as I do...

Jess xx

New Newsy Newsletter!

2010-03-22T09:07:00.001+13:00

Those of you who signed up at my markets ages ago (try, about 8 months ago.... sorry!) and new followers of my blog will be glad to hear that I have finally gotten my act together and found the time to do a proper, lovely newsletter!

It will be full to the brim with highlights from the months, news from Bam Bam HQ, information on new products, first to hear about up-coming sales and seasonal specials — not to mention giveaways just for the lovely subscribers of my mailing list. You could even win a prize just for signing up!

Sign up using the form to the left, in time for the newsletter going out later today (or tomorrow if I run out of time) and you could be into win one of two prizes worth $25.00 each and full of utter cuteness.

Talk soon!
xx

Congratulations to.....

2010-03-20T16:07:00.000+13:00

Kelly Robson! You are the (very lucky) winner of my blog competition and has scored herself this cute-as-a-button Hoppity Hoppity Bunny necklace. On it's way to you soon. Enjoy!

Thank you to everyone that took the time to enter, it was super hard to make a decision! I'll have to do another one soon.

xx

Crafternoon Tea market is tomorrow!

2010-03-19T11:01:00.001+13:00

Yep, Crafternoon Tea market tomorrow! I'm going to be there, along with Skipapple, Mermaids Purse, Songbird Designs, Exter Creative and A Little Vintage to name a few.

Holy Trinity Methodist Church
Corner Sandringham & New North Roads (Bond St end)

From 10am til 3pm

See you there!

Don't forget...

2010-03-17T11:10:00.000+13:00

about the giveaway that I'm having! Closes on Friday, so if you would like to enter see this post.

This little guy could be all yours...

New, pretty things....

2010-03-16T09:15:00.000+13:00

I went shopping the other day for some new fabric — unfortunately it was all fabric that won't be seen in my shop, but in a lovely new store that is opening. It was for the wholesale order that I have been working on and they asked for the fabric I use to be exclusive so I needed to find some — I have such a hard job, really, I do...

Of course I loved every second of it — until I reminded myself that all these beautiful fabrics wouldn't be able to be seen in my own shop. So to cheer myself up I did buy myself some fabric too, just a little bit. Along with a whole lot of gorgeous new paper for my labels to be printed on. Mmm, eye candy....

New Fabric: the birdie and the green are only a little bit for playing with

New paper for all my product labels, love the green one on the top!

I {heart} Frankie Magazine (and a giveaway!)

2010-03-10T17:10:00.005+13:00

Anyone who knows me will know how much I love Frankie Magazine. I have nearly every issue from the beginning, I never throw one away and I keep them guarded from others' sticky fingers (mainly my daughters and my boyfriends...). I love to pour over them for inspiration and a regular dose of loveliness.

You can imagine my elation when I saw Bam Bam Creative on the Frankie Blog! Right there, smack up the top and in pride of place on the page. I honestly, nearly cried with joy.

Thank you Frankie!

As a special celebration I'm going to do a give-away!

This cutie could be yours!

If you would like to win your very own Hoppity Hoppity Bunny Necklace, please leave a comment below telling me your favourite item from my shop and why, along with your details (so I can contact you if you win!). If you would like another entry, just become a fan on facebook and let me know you have done so.

Winner will be drawn in about a week or so, I'm not going to be mean about it with a deadline. Don't live in NZ or Australia? All good, you can still enter xx

AND for super awesomeness, this is my 100th post!

Weekend in Wellington and Craft2.0

2010-03-07T15:53:00.007+13:00

Well, I'm back from Wellington. So much build up and now it's all over! I was getting ready for bed last night, thinking to myself that I was standing here brushing my teeth only yesterday — but it felt like it had been 3 days since I was home! This is why....

Leaving Day...
4.45am rolls around and my alarm is politely telling me to get up (about as politely as a screaming 3 year old would...) I had hardly any sleep the night before from being so excited about Craft2.0, but Kylie (of Skipapple) and I are on our way to Wellington.

We arrive to the most AMAZING day — not a cloud in the sky and it feels like it was about 24 degrees, so much for Wellington being an icebox! We dump our bags at the backpackers that we were staying at and head out to breakfast (my second breakfast of the day), we found a cool little cafe called Midnight Espresso on Cuba St and I had the BEST ever bagel. We hung out for a bit before heading down to the waterfront.

Me being a tourist

Chatty time with crafty people...
I had arranged to catch up with fellow crafty type, Illustrator Sarah McNeil for tea and cakes. We met up outside the Art Gallery — which is an awesome building, currently covered in polka-dots — before taking a walk up Cuba St on our way to Martha's Pantry for some serious cuteness. Martha's Pantry is featured in the current World Sweet World and is full of frilly aprons, cute tea cosies, pretty plates and the most amazing selection of cakes and biscuits.

Wellington City Art Gallery, covered in spots like Bottomly Potts

Tea and cakes at Martha's Pantry

After we'd finished pretending to be ladies, Sarah kindly took me around and showed me all her favourite shops and some interesting places around Wellington. There was this little cafe on the corner of Cuba St that was inside awesome little retro caravans. We visited the best bookshop full of books about craft and fashion, I could have spent hours in there! And of course we had a lookie in Madame Fancy Pants and all the curiosities. Lunchtime rolled around and it was time for Sarah to get back to work and I had to meet up with Kylie for lunch.

Caravan cafe goodness at the top of Cuba St.

The rest of the day consisted of lunch over looking the Wellington harbour in the sun and feeling very, very tired! We finally got to check in, and after a quick pit stop I got together a few things to take up and show the lovely Claire from Madame Fancy Pants, which of course she loved!

Beer and Sun — a winning combination

Later that night after setting up our tables at the market, we went out for a yummy Indian dinner and a trip to the Bats Theatre to see the worst play in the universe. So bad, I'm not even going to type it's name. Exhausted, we dragged ourselves home to get ready for the market the next day.

Market Day....
After I think the worst nights sleep I think I have ever had (went to sleep at 3.30am only to have my alarm clock go off at 7.30am....) we got up and ready to head to The New Dowse Gallery in Lower Hutt for Craft2.0, Heleen (of Ruby In The Dust) and her sister kindly gave us a lift.

Me setting up for a day of market goodness.

My table in all it's glory

The market itself was pretty slow (compared to what I had been told it's like in the past) the numbers were rather low and the craft cash was down for a few hours, which really didn't help. I personally didn't do amazingly considering my costs for this market had been so high, but it was nice to say hello to everyone and of course meet with lovely retailers about my wares. Fingers crossed for those!

Hometime....
The market finished, we packed up and jumped on the shuttle bus to the airport. To be honest, I couldn't get home fast enough. I was feeling a little discouraged after the market, utterly exhausted and just wanted to get home and relax. The flight only took about 40 minutes and before I knew it I was home with a lovely boyfriend and a cold beer waiting. Couldn't ask for more really!

Amazing view of Wellington Harbour from the plane.

All in all it was a lot of fun and I'm looking into coming down again for another one at some point. Wellington put on amazing weather and a definite highlight was hanging out with Sarah and meeting retailers.

See you all at the next market! In the meantime, check out more photo's from our trip here on flickr.

Jess xx

Craft2.0 is just around the corner....

2010-03-02T08:42:00.005+13:00

And I have so much to do!! A couple of weeks ago I had a to-do list the length of my arm, now, it's more up to my elbow. Even still, every time I have completed something I think of something else that I have to do.

I was at Kraftbomb on Sunday just gone — it was the first one of the year and was really busy for a February market. It was great, I had loads of great comments about all my packaging and plenty of my things found new homes. A really good start to Kraftbomb in 2010!

If you're going to be in Wellington this weekend, do come and check out Craft2.0, it's going to be awesome with plenty on unique and high quality crafters offering some great wares. There is a little crafters profile of me on the blog too if you fancy checking that out.

Better get back to it, this wall art isn't going to make itself....

Special Treat for Kraftbomb shoppers this weekend...

2010-02-26T12:29:00.003+13:00

As you may know, it's Kraftbomb this Sunday!! (hurrah!)

To celebrate the first one of the year, I'll be offering $5 off the marked price of my Wall Art and Bunting!

So if you have been on the fence about which one you would like, this is the perfect time to pick up something special for your space.

NEW PRODUCTS..... I also have some new products on offer:

Babe In The Wood sets, featuring a little matching Fawn decal
Bunny & Fawn laser cut bamboo necklaces, made from 100% renewable sources.
Magnet sets which make perfect little gifts, come in fancy-pants packaging

Not to mention plenty of new zipper purses, brooches and wall art.

So come along! The playground is there for the kiddies and of course Freds famous lemonade.... 11 til 2pm at the Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn

See you there xx

Bye Bye Baby Bunting

Babe In The Wood in B&W Vintage Blossom and Vintage Tulip (sold separately)

New to the shop...

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If you haven't seen already, I have added some new necklaces to the shop! So cute you can't help but go 'awwww'...

I have very limited numbers so be sure to get in quick if you would like one (or two if you can't decide) they will be available this weekend at Kraftbomb and on the 6th of March at Craft2.0. If there are any left after that, you can be sure to nab one on-line in my New Zealand store (international shipping rates on the listing).

Babe In The Wood necklace

Hoppity Hoppity Bunny necklace

Kraftbomb this weekend!

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Come along! First one for the year so you know it's going to be a goodn' not to mention the fancy new poster....

That's it.

See you there! xx

Love is in the air...

2010-02-16T19:48:00.003+13:00

or all over the Felt.co.nz shopping site! And I just happen to be in two of the gift guides put together by Lucy, the lovely lady behind Felt.

Gifts over $20 included my Limited Edition Tote Bag and Babe In The Wood in Birds & Butterflies print.

Gifts over $50 included my Woodland Folk Throw Cushion featuring Babe In The Wood applique in Victorian Paisley print.

Crafternoon Tea this Saturday...

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it's rolled around pretty fast! See you there xx

Wrapped in a neat little package...

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my goodies that is! I've been talking about it for a while now but I have finally got in my hot little hands my new, crystal clear cello bags! It took me ages to source some that would be big enough AND while being good quality so that you could still see my gorgeous creations through them. Well, after searching for ages I finally found some and they were delivered earlier this week. I'm so pleased, it will mean that my wall art stays nice and clean without being damaged with the constant handling from myself and my customers.

I have designed a new sticker that I will be having printed (once I have some money that is!) which will have the care instructions on the back and of course my new branding. Last night I made little swing tags for my Bye Bye Baby Bunting, Treasure Keeper Zipper Purses and Treasure Keeper Bunny Purses — I spent ages with a scalpel cutting them all out, nothing makes me happier than a sharp scalpel blade that doesn't ruin your edges!

Also made was the backing cards for my Hold Your Heart magnet sets. These were sold individually at markets and on-line where people could choose their own, but I thought a little set would be cute, plus, so much easier to gift wrap if you're giving them to someone as a gift!

If you would like a last minute Valentines Day gift of a Hold Your Heart Magnet Set they are $12 each and I'll be listing a couple on the shop — if you're in New Zealand and purchase one today before 3pm I can get it to the postshop for delivery to your sweetheart tomorrow!

xx

Got the stitch...

2010-02-08T15:03:00.005+13:00

So I've been trying a few new things around Bam Bam HQ, not as in coming up with new products — more trying out new things to satisfy my crafty needs, enter Embroidery...

I was given recently by my Nana piles and PILES of embroidery thread (not to mention millions of buttons, zips and other vintage notions) it does make me a little sad when I get bags of these goodies as I know the only reason why I am getting them is because a lovely old dear at her retirement village can no longer use them. Still, looking at the glass half full, at least they aren't being binned and I can reuse them to make as many things as possible.

I had found a few old books that were my Mums when she was young that are full of what you need to be able to do to make a 'good' home — one of the chapters was embroidery, detailing plenty of stitches and diagrams of how to do them.

My first idea was to make a quilt for Grace, she had seen the previous one that I'd made for my shop and really wanted one for herself. I have cut all the squares and cut 12 of the squares from plain cloth that I have designed and embroidered for her. The quilt hasn't been sewn together yet but I'm planning on doing this soon.

Leo our cat being generally gorgeous and cuddly

My first square for Graces quilt finished!

Another event on the calendar was the BF's and my second anniversary and I decided to stitch this Day Of The Dead skull in lots of traditional and bright colours — it took me AGES and I'm really proud with how it came out!

Ray's gift finished, pats on the back for me!

So now I have invested in my own iron on transfer pencil and some bigger hoops so that I can have a bit of crafting that's just for me and not for sale, a great way to recharge the creativity!

One month to go!

2010-02-06T15:38:00.005+13:00

It's a month today until I'll be down at Craft2.0 market in Wellington!

I'm starting to get pretty excited about it, it will be the first time I have been out of Auckland to sell my wares and I'm trying to make the most of the trip by organising a few business meetings with shops and what have you. I'm also really excited to be catching up with Illustrator, Sarah McNeil for tea and cakes — we've been 'twitter buddies' for a little while and she recently moved to New Zealand. Fun times!

There is so much to do between now and then, one thing that I have been attempting to do for a while is to source some packaging for my wall art and other wares — which sounds so much easier than it is! I have ordered some large, clear cello sleeves and am in the process of designing some stickers for the front with a bit of branding and product background. So much information to cram into a small space! Anyway, I'm really excited about it as it will mean I'm that bit closer to having things 'retail ready'.

Anyway, just a little update today — see you at Craft2.0!!

Excuse me 2010, but...

2010-02-03T12:32:00.003+13:00

you're already going by WAY too fast, slow down and smell the flowers, please.

I may be (slightly) exaggerating with that, but it really feels like it has been zooming past very quickly, but that may be because I have been particularly busy with birthdays, organising myself for getting down to Craft2.0 and of course the markets happening in February.

Still, a happy surprise for February was that I am on the Felt.co.nz homepage again! I do quite like hanging out there, especially when I am in such good company. Head over and have a nosey...

Happy Birthday Bam Bam!

2010-01-29T17:58:00.004+13:00

Well, that's right, Bam Bam Creative has been around for a whole year! I'm more excited because not only have I been around for a year, but I'm still actually going a year on with people enjoying what I make and being lucky enough to expand on what I began doing.

Anyway, I'm feeling rather chuffed so I decided to make some limited edition eco tote bags from scratch to celebrate — and of course they are adorned with one of my trademark Babe In The Wood shapes in two new fabrics of mine.

They are made from un-bleached cotton, are super strong with a 10cm gusset and are the perfect size to cart around library books, groceries or whatever you like really.

Available in my shop now, but hurry, numbers are limited....

Exciting News at Bam Bam Creative HQ...

2010-01-28T12:11:00.004+13:00

If you're a fan of mine on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter (and if you're not, once you have finished reading this you should head on over and join me) you would know that I have had some rather exciting news, being that I am going to be heading to Wellington to be a vendor at Craft2.0!

I'm really excited about it, not only because I get to meet all the Wellington crafters in person, but that I get to be part of such a huge and awesome market! March Craft2.0 is also part of the Wellington Fringe Festival which is pretty exciting, so it should be an excellent turn out.

The plan is to make as much stuff as I can between now and then — I have Kraftbomb AND Crafternoon Tea happening in the weeks preceding up in Auckland, and there will no doubt be plenty of keen Wellentonians wanting to snap up Bam Bam Creative wares directly from my lovely self.

So book some flights, organise the road trip or get some train tickets and come say hi!

Pin Cushion Tutorial

2010-01-23T14:31:00.003+13:00

It's a pretty drizzly Saturday outside and seeing as my sewing machine is getting a service, I made a couple of these gorgeous little pin cushion jars — no sewing needed! Just a glue gun and a (very) small amount of hand sewing.

Check out my Penny In My Purse blog for the complete tutorial.

It's been a long time coming....

2010-01-19T10:38:00.004+13:00

Bunny pieces waiting to be made into beautiful mobiles

But finally I'm going to start making my mobiles! I'm really excited about this as I have been wanting to do these for ages, but having the money to get the pieces made and invest in a new product never seem to came around — until I decided that rather than make a whole bunch, I would make a few and see how it all goes.

The mobiles pieces are my own designs of Hoppity Hoppity Bunnies and Babe In The Wood fawns, laser cut from Bamboo sheets. They came out so well and are very, very sweet to look at. They will be suspended from a fabric covered disc — similar to my wall art — that is covered on both sides so that bubs can enjoy the colours too.

I'm going to start making these today and working out how they are all going to go together so it may be a week or so before you see them in my on-line shop.

Gift Guides Galore!

2010-01-17T16:03:00.004+13:00

Kids & Babies

Postable Pressies

just found another two gift guides I was in! Fantastic, check out the Felt.co.nz gift guides for Postable Pressies and Kids & Babies some cute stuff in there even if it's no longer Christmas...

Out and about...

2010-01-17T15:42:00.003+13:00

I know Christmas was a little while ago, but it's always nice to find out you've been seen out and about the place! Check out where I was lucky enough to be spotted for the holiday season...

Feeling All Fancy...

2010-01-15T17:11:00.002+13:00

Well, I am feeling rather fancy — don't know if you noticed, but I have been very busy re-doing the look of my blog! After a hand with the final HTML touches from Kylie of Skipapple, I think it's looking rather fantastic.

And just a reminder — Crafternoon Tea market is tomorrow! I'm really not that organised, well, to me I'm not that organised because I'm the most ridiculously organised person (self confessed compulsive list writer, right here) but I am sure it will all work out.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing all my crafty peeps tomorrow and to break into the year slowly with a nice, relaxed and friendly market.

See you there!

xx

Interview in Trespass Magazine...

2010-01-13T19:14:00.003+13:00

Fancy a read? Check out this interview with me in the awesome on-line Trespass Magazine...

Crafternoon Tea this Saturday...

2010-01-11T10:03:00.006+13:00

My first market of 2010 no less! I was contemplating taking January off so that I could take a break (not to mention it's a 5 hour long marathon of a market....) but being that Crafternoon Tea is the only market happening this month in Auckland I thought it would be good to keep the momentum going and of course say hello to all my crafty buddies.

I'll have my new quilts, a new selection of cushions and bunting — and of course plenty of fabric covered wall art and brooches — so the perfect time of year to decorate the kids rooms before we all get too busy!

Come along, have a coffee in Kingsland and say hello!

Saturday 16th January 2010 10am til 3pm
Holy Trinity Church Corner of Sandringham and New North Roads (the Bond St end of Kingsland)

See you there!

Back into the swing of things....

2010-01-09T18:38:00.006+13:00

And boy have I been busy! With my new-found freedom of not having to go to class each day, I have had no troubles filling my childless days with a crafting frenzy.

I met up with Kylie of Skipapple on Tuesday to do a spot of shopping and found some amazing fabric, I just couldn't wait to get stuck into it and make things (as I am sure you can tell from the photo's below!) The new cushions and quilt will be available at Crafternoon Tea on the 16th of Jan in a weeks time, fingers crossed I can get some more made for then too! These are all available on the online store, but as usual I accept custom orders so just send me an e-mail for more information.

Another exciting development just around the corner is my new mobiles — I have been trying to get these made for what seems like AGES, and I finally have a bit of spare cash in the business so am putting it to good use. I'm in the process of ordering little cut outs of my own fawns and rabbits to hang from them so fingers crossed they are available for purchase at Kraftbomb in February!

Even though I have been super busy with Bam Bam, we have still found time to enjoy this amazing Summer we have had — plenty more bike rides, G&T's in the sun and today Grace and I went to see The Princess and the Frog which was very scary in places, but we both enjoyed it immensely. It was Graces first trip to the Cinema so a momentous occasion!

Take care!
Jess xx

Cosy Cub Baby Quilt in 50's Pastel colours

2 of my Woodland Folk cushions, available on the online store now

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T14:39:00.006+13:00

Hard to imagine that it's 2010 already — and then you need to decide how you're going to say it. I think Twenty Ten sounds way more Dr Who so that will be my choice! We had a great break and this time I actually forced myself to not do anything (seriously, I had to ask the bf to hide the computer from me!) so am feeling very ready to crack on!

2010 is going to be full of really exciting stuff for Bam Bam Creative (and for me actually, I hope!) and I'm going to be working really hard to keep the momentum of 2009 going. I have started by giving the blog the face-lift it really needed, still a bit to do but it's looking better already.

I'm getting started on my new mobiles — I know I have been going on about these things for ages, but it's been rather hard to find the right supplier and work out the last of the design kinks. I'm really excited about unveiling them! I am hoping that I will be able to do this at Kraftbomb in February.

Another 2 items that I'm currently working on by putting the final design touches on are baby-slings and matching nappy/diaper bags. I'll be making one or two to have as samples, but they will be made as custom orders so that you can choose your fabric combinations and what kinds of pockets you would like.

Being that 2010 is all about great stuff happening, I am going to be working really hard on getting my lovely items into stores. I've been looking into packaging options for a while now and I think that I have it almost ready. Designing the hanging tags has been really exciting with working out how it's all going to look and work best — watching my creations become retail-ready is like seeing Grace learn to walk all over again!

Tomorrow I'm planning on heading out to do a little fabric purchasing to replenish the stock that was used before Christmas, better go and sort out a shopping list! Here's a few photo's from the end of last year and from our holiday.

Chat soon!
Jess x x

Ellie from Miss Ellie May and creator of Extra Curricular Magazine at the last K-Bomb

A table laden with goodies! December Kraftbomb was epic

Grace learning to ride her new bike

Christmas Day we were just outside Drury,
we went on a little bush walk before lunch — isn't it beautiful!

Grace admiring the view, such a beautiful place

Merry Christmas and Thank You!

2009-12-24T11:26:00.004+13:00

Christmas is tomorrow, I know it's a little early but I wanted to make sure that I said Happy Christmas to everyone...

Also, a HUGE thank you to everyone this year — the support that I have had when setting up my business and making things has been really overwhelming and quite humbling. I love doing what I do and get an immense amount of enjoyment from it. Being able to craft has introduced me to some fantastic people along the way that have become good friends who I really appreciate and am so inspired by.

Thank you to all the fantastic customers that I have had this year, it's been so fantastic to see people enjoy what I make! You guys have definitely made this possible for me.

I hope that everyone has a fantastic and well deserved break whatever you may be doing. Enjoy the time with your families and friends and I shall see you all again in 2010!! (Incidentally, where the heck has this decade gone??! It's trickled by far too fast...)

Take care, drive safe and lots of squishy hugs — Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!!
Jess x x x

Kraftbomb TODAY!

2009-12-20T09:09:00.002+13:00

That's right, last one for the year... Come along and do some last minute Christmas shopping. There will be loads of high quality vendors as usual and you friends and family will love getting something unique under their trees on Christmas morning!

I'll have loads of gorgeous new wall art, some new Santa Sacks, plenty of cute zipper purses, masses of little birdie brooches and some excellent bunny tree decorations.

11 til 2pm Grey Lynn Community Centre, Richmond Road, Grey Lynn

See you there!

pssttt

2009-12-18T14:05:00.005+13:00

I've got a new logo and branding coming in the New Year, thought you might like a little taster with some eye candy....

Thursday Felt.co.nz Gift Guide

2009-12-17T09:00:00.005+13:00

I know, I know — they are meant to be on Wednesdays, but I got a little busy yesterday and given it's so close to Christmas, it would be cool to do these more than once a week. So without further ramblings, here is my gift guide! All the items are available on Felt.co.nz...

Be Mine Soda Tab necklace $35 by pdombroski
Moss & Lichen On A Tree Branch (5x7.5) $20 by simoneqdm
Felt Hairties $8.50 by zippitydoodah
Petit Recycled Thought pendant $30 by bibliographica
Retro Flower Square pendant $22.50 by skipapple
Custom Little Girl doll $25 by poppetto
Rockin' Robin bodysuit $25 by peg
Scrabble Tile custom cufflinks $25 pair by freedom

Just realised it's all stuff under $40 which is so super reasonable for some awesome stuff!

Happy Christmas everyone x x

New Goodies: Just in time for the weekends markets!

2009-12-16T15:19:00.005+13:00

I've been crazy busy this week making some new things for the markets happening this weekend. It's only Wednesday now and I still have so much to do, but I'm making good headway! I try and break things down into smaller tasks so that I don't get too overwhelmed and can still get everything done and ensure it's up to my standards (which are far too high for my own good!).

After a rather disheartening market last weekend at the Christmas Crafternoon Tea, I thought that it was time to inject some new stock into my table by making some new things. I don't really need the stock, but I sometimes feel that tables can get a little stagnant and making some new stuff can really re-energise you as a crafter — and hopefully your sales too!

I have made 19 new pieces of wall art, 30 brooches and 20 odd magnets — so there is definitely been enough to keep me busy! I've finished labelling them all up today and am really excited to show them off this weekend.

Birdies about to take off...

New Fly Little Fantails and Hoppity Hoppity Bunnies

Lots of new Babes in the Woods...

I'm also really excited to be offering at each of the markets: gift wrapping! It took me a while so source what I wanted and I have no made up a little pretend gift that I can display on my table. For a small charge, your Christmas goodies from Bam Bam Creative can be all wrapped up and lovely. Ain't that just peachy.

How happy would you be getting a pressie like this on Christmas morning!
Even comes with a doily gift-tag. Nearly too good to give away....

This weekend you can find me at:

Love Handmade Market
Saturday 19th December from 10 am til 2pm
Rose Centre, Belmont over on the North Shore

Kraftbomb
Sunday 20th December from 11am til 2pm
Grey Lynn Community Centre, Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn

Hope to see you come along! With two awesome markets happening in Auckland so close to Christmas, there is really no reason for you to battle the malls to find the perfect gift — just come along and see a huge selection of quality handmade items and support our super awesome industry...

Jess x x x

Wrapping Up...

2009-12-14T10:20:00.007+13:00

That blog title really does have more than one meaning! The last few weeks have been full on to say in the least — I've finally finished Uni!! It's been an emotional couple of weeks with putting together my end of year portfolio and everything has come to a grinding halt in that respect. Lucky though that Christmas is nearly upon us and the busy market season is stepping up a gear (or seven it actually feels like...)

Crafternoon Tea
The Christmas edition of Crafternoon Tea was on the 12th of December. It was great to see a hall full to the brim of quality, local crafters like Songbird Designs, Paper Pesto, Skipapple, Ran With Scissors, Books By Rachel, Flossies Fancy, Leila Loves Handmade and PLENTY more. The day itself was a little on the quiet side but a few people did really well so that was great.

Me and my table

Busy shoppers

My lovely table

My Bunny Christmas Puds! More for sale at this weekends markets.

End of School....
This year has been FULL of changes for me. I was made redundant in February, had an emergency trip to the hospital and came back minus an appendix, began my own craft based business and enrolled back at Uni for the second time in 8 years. After some first day jitters, it's all now done and dusted. It's weird — it feels amazing to have completed something that was a huge goal, but at the same time a little sad as I won't be heading into school each day, on a mission to finish that massive goal I set myself back in March. But it is also exciting as a new part of my life is starting, accompanied by a shiny and sparkly new qualification.
My end of year portfolio was very well received and according to my tutors that there were some excellent comments from the industry panel of judges — I had some of my Bam Bam Creative work there which I'm told they thought was great. I came out with a B+ for my portfolio which put me 4th in the class and counts towards 50% of my final grade, I'll be finding out my final grade just after Chritmas so fingers crossed...
I have set up a new blog for me as a Graphic Designer, it's still a work in progress so do take a moment to check it out if you fancy.
Well, that's it from me for today, but I have lots of new and exciting things to post about before the weekend — so stay tuned!

Jess x x x

Crafternoon Tea Christmas Amazingness

2009-12-09T17:57:00.005+13:00

And it's this Saturday! Hard to believe that it's come around so quickly, not long to go now until Christmas, so come along and score some wonderful handmade goodies for yourself and your loved ones

x x x

Christmas is here! (spolier alert...)

2009-11-24T10:18:00.006+13:00

Well, a little bit of Christmas arrived in my letterbox yesterday! I signed up to do a Christmas Ornament Swap through the 20cent Mixture blog, you get assigned 5 other people in your group and you have to make a handmade Christmas decoration for each of them — and in turn you get 5 unique Christmas decorations back — sounded like fun to me!

We don't have our tree yet (mainly because I refuse to put anything Christmas related in my house until December, November is WAY too early) but when we do we will have a gorgeous decoration for it made by Emily and it is made from handmade merino and silk felt. I can't wait to see the rest of them!

My gorgeous decoration from Emily

Christmas Pudding Hoppity Hoppity Bunny decorations, genius!

Shopping for Bam Bam Creative...

2009-11-22T10:54:00.006+13:00

If you fancy giving someone you love something from Bam Bam Creative this Christmas (or heck, just for whenever really) you may like to know where you can get your hot little hands on my lovely wares, either from markets or the comfort of your own home on-line!

On-line:
My items are usually spread around these shops, so if you have seen something you want and can't find it in one place, do check out the others.
Felt.co.nz my very own felt shop (free shipping in NZ!)
Toggle.co.nz You can find me in the homewares, brooches & pins and purses sections
Little Kiwi's Nest my newest selling spot, gorgeous site with boutique items for babies to 10 year olds
Etsy.com the massive site that is Etsy for all you international folks.

Markets:
Crafternoon Tea: 12th December at Mt Eden Normal School (details to follow)
Love Handmade: 19th December at the Rose Centre in Belmont (TBC)
I'm usually at Kraftbomb every month, but won't be for November. I'm hoping that I'll be there for the 20th of December as so many people were expecting to see me at the November one and have been e-mailing me or asking at other markets! Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me...

Customs:
And if you of course you can't find something that is quite right, please e-mail me for a custom order and I will be happy to oblige. For wall art it's just an additional $4NZD each, brooches and magnets are an additional $1NZD each (if I have your chosen fabric in stock) for cushions and bunting it varies to just let me know what you need. If you do want a custom order let me know quick smart so I can get it to you in time for Christmas.

Bunting (L to R: Soft Pinks, Vintage Hues & Baby Blues)

Woodland Folk Cushions (L to R: Hoppity Hoppity Bunny, Babes In The Wood set of 2, Hoppity Hoppity Bunny)

Fabric Covered Wall Art: (L to R: Babe In The Wood, Hoppity Hoppity Bunny, Fly Little Fantail)

Fabric Covered Wall Art (L to R: Babe In The Wood, I Think Mice Are Rather Nice, Hoppity Hoppity Bunny)

Hold Your Heart Brooches

Ta daa! New Products for tomorrow!

2009-11-20T19:11:00.006+13:00

Crafternoon Tea that is, and it's going to be super awesome and full to the brim with vendors, with an extra room open there will be so much to choose from. Perfect to do a spot of Christmas shopping, don't you think?

I've been busy sewing like a maniac, and I finally have my new cushions to début! I've been wanting to extend my boutique homewares range for a while now but was waiting for the lightening bolt of inspiration to strike (thanks Amy!) and the cushions match my bunting and wall art perfectly — a great way to coordinate a room — I have one more item that I am in the process of designing and figuring out a few suppliers, so definitely watch this space....

Now, if you'd like one of these gorgeous cushions you will have to be quick, I only have 5 available tomorrow and at just $45.00 each they will be sure to fly out the door!

set of two Babe in the Wood Cushions

Fly Little Fantail Cushion

Hoppity Hoppity Bunny Cushion

Spot of Tea Guv...?

2009-11-16T19:57:00.005+13:00

Said in your best South London accent, but really, I'm talking about Crafternoon Tea this Saturday!! I'm so excited about this market, I really wanted to be at the first one but had a family birthday so couldn't make it as a seller which was a real shame. There are going to be lots of lovely Auckland crafty regulars like Skipapple, Books By Rachel, Ran With Scissors, Cat Taylor, Ruby in the Dust, Miss Ellie May and DMCay Designs plus my very good friend, Kate from Paper Pesto will be doing her first Auckland market!! (I'm so pleased I twisted her arm to apply, haha)

So come along and say hi, I'll be attempting to make a beautiful selection of new goodies to début at this market too so even more reason to come!

To Market, To Market...

2009-11-15T08:23:00.005+13:00

This weekend is crazy–busy in Auckland for Markets with plenty to choose from. Yesterday I was involved in the very first Love Handmade market at the Rose Centre in Belmont on the shore, it was really well organised and I thought it went great for a first one.

From a sellers perspective — the venue was the best that I have been at before, the place was full of natural light and the chairs were actually the most comfortable I have ever had to use at a market — which when you think about it is really important as sellers are expected to sit in them for 3 to 5 hours! It was a bit quiet in the morning (but that may have been due to the 9am start, I could barely stop yawning myself!) but soon picked up from 10 and was really steady until finishing at 12. A really good mix of sellers were out with lots of varying styles and everyone was super nice. I'm definitely going to head along before Christmas again!

It was great to put some faces to names of people that are my twitter or blog 'buddies' =) some sellers were Podgy Panda, Oblong Craft Collective (her wares are AMAZING and I warn you that you will spend all your pennies at her table), Skipapple, My Pretty One and two new people that I came across were Throwing Feathers and Ferrit who were both super nice and very talented people. We also had lots of lovely visitors come down to say hi which was also really nice.

So, in typical me fashion, I forgot my camera (hey, I was up silly early and something was bound to be forgotten at that hour) BUT Kylie from Skipapple remembered hers so I'll pop up some pics from her as soon as, in the meantime you can have a nosey at the Love Handmade blog should you wish and mark it in your diaries for next month.

Today we went along to the Devonport Craft Market to say hello for a little bit, it was very nice to pop around and see everyone — until Grace threw a wobbly about wanting a cupcake (and being lactose and gluten intolerant really couldn't have one) so by then it was time to leave and head to Nana's for lunch! It looked as though it was going to be a very busy day so I hope all my crafty buddies had plenty of sales!

Chat soon!
xxx

I'm a little Magpie: Check out my Treasure!

2009-11-02T21:32:00.003+13:00

Or Treasury I should say! Sarah from Cotton Kiwi put this together last week and it really is lovely, such beautiful colours. Thanks for including me Sarah!

In other news... it was the Devonport Craft Market this weekend just gone. It was pretty quiet, with not too many people through the doors but I did sell a few things and had so many people interested in my table — which definitely helped to keep the spirits up! The lovely Browyn from R.W Scissors popped along to say hi which was lovely, and it was also Kylie's (my partner in crime for the Auckland Craft Collective) first market for Skipapple, and she did really well which was great!

Now to get ready for the next market, Love Handmade on the 14th of November!

"You may remember me from such places as..."

2009-10-26T15:00:00.006+13:00

In the words of Troy McClure, Bam Bam Creative has been out and about lately in rather a few places! I thought that I would share them with you and have a little moment shining in the light...

I was so totally chuffed when Kylie brought over her copy of World Sweet World to show me my name in print! The lovely ladies who organise Kraftbomb, City & Karla, had been interviewed for the magazine about the market and their plans for Kraftbomb in the future — and I got a mention at the end! My name was in amongst Auckland craft royalty with the likes of Toggle, Luxford St, Trixie Delicious, Birdspoke and Ruby in the Dust to name a few. I know it's only a little mention, but I'm very proud all the same.

World Sweet World Magazine

Next up was the lovely Emma of Freedom Creative, who won my competition that I had a while back. She got her package of goodies in the post and was kind enough to do a little blog post about it — I'm so glad she liked her prize so much!

Freedom Creative Blog

Have you checked out the Devonport Craft Market blog lately? If you have, you will see that they did a little 'Meet the Seller' interview with me! Very nice! So if you'd like to have a little nosey, you can find out a bit more about me and how I got into this lovely crafty-stuff. I'll also be at the Devonport market on the 1st of November, this will be my last Devonport Market for the year so if you'd like a Bam Bam goodie to send away for Christmas you had better come along...

The Devonport Craft Market

I was also lucky enough to have a post written about Kylie and I for the Etch Magazine blog! It was about the Auckland Craft Collective stuff and talks about the other stuff that we both do — so great to have our name out there like that! Click here to read the original post.

Etch Magazine Blog

Have you seen me out and about somwhere?? Let me know! I'd love to hear about it!

Chat Soon xxx

Haloween Kraftbomb this weekend!

2009-10-23T18:51:00.004+13:00

Just a few tid bits people: As you are probably aware Kraftbomb is this weekend, it would be great to see you there! Especially as it's Halloween Kraftbomb.... I'm contemplating making a Jack-o-Lantern for my table if I can find the time (and a pumpkin big enough!!)

11am til 2pm at the Grey Lynn Community Centre, 512 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn

I'll have plenty of my new bunny zipper purses and bunting too, perfect for Christmas!

Talk soon lovelies xxx

Teaching Grace to Sew...

2009-10-18T16:53:00.005+13:00

Today is was rather fickle weather with it pouring one minute, then sunshine the next. Grace and I decided after a trip to the supermarket that there wasn't much point heading to the park (as we had planned) and instead sat down for a Mother-Daughter sewing session.

Grace really likes to watch me sew — she likes to help me choose the fabric (from the multitudes that I have as you can imagine), play with the buttons and zippers but most of all, she marvels at how something just a short time ago was a flat piece of fabric and is now a purse/skirt/bag/hat/top/shorts etc. "that's very clever Mummy" she states rather matter-of-factly as she checks herself out in the mirror usually.

Well, today I was feeling particularly patient and I thought it might be fun to show her how to make stuff too. I had been chatting to Heleen from Ruby in the Dust at the last Devonport Craft Market, about how she had been teaching her son to sew, and I just thought that was so awesome!

I had a whole pile of felt (waiting to be made into little Christmas decorations for our tree this year) so I cut a length with a pointed edge so that Grace could make a little purse. I pinned it in the middle to hold it in place, and drew dots along the edge so that she could see where to put the needle. I had thought about teaching her to go in from one side, then through the underside with a running stitch, but being her first attempt I wanted to keep it easy and we just did a diagonal stitch around the edges.

She was concentrating so hard! It was so sweet when she was finished, the pride was just beaming from her face as you can see. I sewed on a button for her and cut a button hole. Her new purse is now full of her Barbie shoes "to keep them safe Mum" she tells me.

Go Grace!!

Grace getting the hang of sewing her little purse...

Ta Daa!! That's one happy little lady

I gots me another blog!

2009-10-16T21:21:00.004+13:00

as if I didn't have enough to do already... but it appears I can squeeze in one more thing! I have been for a while now attempting to save money on my daily existence and make more things for myself to use (bread, gardening, sewing our clothes etc.)

I thought that it would be an excellent idea to pop it all in a blog so that other people can benefit from the things that work, and have a bit of a giggle at me for the things that just don't make the cut. I'll be posting all sorts of goodies like links to tutorials, my own tutorials, gardening stuff, sewing things, recipes for yummy goodies, money stuff, budgeting tricks and general bits and pieces.

Take a look-see if you can, it would be great to have you follow my journey!

P.s. I love the header for my new blog, might be time for a Bam Bam Creative overhaul methinks....

So Many Markets!

2009-10-15T20:20:00.005+13:00

There are quite a few markets popping up all over Auckland at the moment, the newest one that I will be at is the Love Handmade Market! It's been set up by 2 gals, Rhiannon and Alana who are rather crafty themselves. There will be quite a few vendors from Kraftbomb and the Devonport Craft Market, plus some new people like my buddy Kylie from Skipapple.

These are the next markets that I will be at, I'll have more of my 'Hoppity, Hoppity Bunny Zipper Purses' and 'Bye Bye Baby Bunting' so be sure to come along and say hello!

Kraftbomb: 25th October — 11am til 2pm
Full of crafty goodness! Come along for loads of amazing, quality stall holders, NZ Cupckae Queen cupcakes, Fred's famous lemonade and a play ground for the kids.

The Devonport Craft Market: 1st November — 10am til 3pm
With over 50 stall holders you will be sure to find something you like! Come to Devo for an awesome day out — head over on the ferry, enjoy lunch at one of the local cafes and meet plenty of interesting and crafty people!

Love Handmade: 14th November — 9am til 12pm
Auckland's newest market! Come along to support the ladies and ensure the first one goes off without a hitch. There will be an amazing raffle for a gorgeous prize from Gordon Harris, I know I'll be getting some tickets...

So that's what's happening for me over the next month (despite being insanely busy at Uni with only 8 weeks to go until I graduate!!) so there are plenty of options around for you to do your Christmas shopping.

Chat soon!
Jess

What I Wore Today: Any chance to draw and doodle...

2009-10-10T13:40:00.007+13:00

Two of my favourite Illustrators, Kate Wilson and Sarah McNeil, contribute to this Flickr Group "What I Wore Today" started by fellow Illustrator, Gemma. Instead of it being photographs, people draw illustrations of themselves with their daily outfits (self explanatory really). I've been meaning to jump on the band wagon for ages, just for a bit of fun and something to do. Obviously my illustration skills require some work so I'll have to keep it up (such a good excuse to draw and doodle!). The group pops their favourites on their blog which you can find here.

Fellow Auckland crafter, Olivia from Lily's Make Believe has also joined in, hooray!

My 2 outfits from last week.

The lovely Sarah McNeil with her outfit.

Kate Wilson, who I first discovered this group through, I love her cartoony style

Olivia from Lily's Make Believe with her outfit.

The Devonport Craft Market is tomorrow!

2009-10-03T10:29:00.004+13:00

So get some of your lovely friends together and pop along, you could do a spot of Christmas shopping perhaps? Or maybe just buy something gorgeous for yourself, as I know the thought of Christmas at this time of year makes me feel a little queasy...

Sunday 4th October — The Devonport Craft Market, Clarence House, 32 Clarence Street, Devonport — doors open 10am until 3pm

There are loads of cool things to do in Devo, so fingers crossed for some delicious weather! See you there!

Me with the big guns on Northead, Devo is a fun day out!

Auckland Craft Collective launches today!

2009-10-01T17:21:00.004+13:00

Then why am I still holding my breath with anticipation? Or is that excitement? Either way, it's totally awesome!!

The Auckland Craft Collective is my new little baby and I have teamed up with the very productive Kylie of Skipapple to put it all together and make it happen! So really, it's our little baby. It all began several months ago when I was going to set up an Auckland Etsy group to network and share idea's with local crafters and artisans, but something about that didn't sit quite right and then I was talking via comments with Crafty Business and a few others saying that I wished there was something similar in Auckland — and when they all said, why don't you set something up — I thought, well, why don't I?! And so it begins....

You can take a look at the Auckland Craft Collective blog for more detailed information about what we will be doing and we will be launching a website in the next week or two with even more information so it's very exciting.

I hope that you will all take a gander and let usknow your thoughts, it would be great to have the craft community's support as this concept is intended to help all of us. We really want it to do well and to support our unique little industry so feedback is welcomed.

Talk soon lovelies!
xxx

Fancy a trip to the Devo Craft Market this weekend...?

2009-09-30T18:37:00.003+13:00

Then you will need to take a gander at this poster! And what a lovely poster it is, very nicely Illustrated and has all the information you need.

I will of course be there selling my lovely items, along with my new Bye Bye Baby Bunting, Hoppity Hoppity Bunny Zipper Purses and a selection of new blank cards.

For the Summer, The Devonport Craft Market will have special extended hours, so will now be running from 10am until 3pm (a bloody long day for a stall holder, but fantastic for the punters). So come and get your 5 hours of crafty goodness when you have surfaced in the morning, maybe get the ferry over from the city? Take a stroll around Mt Victoria while you're there? Have lunch at one of the local restaurants? Either way, there's plenty to do so fingers crossed for some excellent weather.

Sunday 4th October — The Devonport Craft Market, Clarence House, 32 Clarence Street, Devonport — doors open 10am until 3pm

See you there!

Sneaky Peaky.... new products and the Kraftbomb low down

2009-09-29T15:43:00.005+13:00

Hey Folks,

Sorry it's been a while, it's been a busy ol' time around here in our household. Last week I was putting together my mid-year portfolio for Uni, Kraftbomb was the weekend just gone and now I'm getting ready for The Devonport Craft Market this weekend. Good thing I'm on holidays this week, I can really dedicate some time to all the tasks I have to complete (and you can be sure there are way too many for one little person like me).

If you follow me on Twitter or are a fan on Facebook you will know that Kraftbomb was another success. It was a little quieter than usual, but plenty of my little creatures found new homes which was nice. I also got to meet some lovely new vendors and of course punters. I was a little sneaky and did some shopping for myself this month, usually I am very restrained as I really don't have the money to splurge on myself, but when I saw this little notebook on the Ruby In The Dust blog, I knew I had to have it! I mean, it has a fawn on it, it's like she made it just for me... already I have been using it to write down all my notes and idea's for new products for this Christmas, so watch this space!

My new notebook from Ruby In The Dust

I had on the front of my table my new bunting which I had made last week (very late at night after Uni, I'm surprised the spelling was ok...) which got plenty of comments, and got the cogs in my fair brain churning.... so I'm very pleased to show you the new Bye Bye Baby Bunting! It's made to match all my lovely wall art and comes with 5 flags per piece of bunting, I also included little loops on the ends so that you can hook it up. I thought it would be great over doorways, beds and windows and is just in time for Summer tea parties outside on the lawn to make lovely decorations in your trees. Of course, my gorgeous bunting won't just be for the mini people in your life, I'm doing some in a few more 'grown-up' colour schemes... These will be up on Etsy in about a week, and will be available for sale at The Devonport Craft Market this weekend.

Bye Bye Baby Bunting in Blue'sBye Bye Baby Bunting in Pink Vintage

Another little tid-bit of news that I first announced via Twitter and Facebook, was that I have been putting the finishing touches on a new Hoppity Hoppity Bunny purses! They are little purses perfect for coins, make-up, those special 'lady' products or pretty much anything that you can fit inside. So now you don't have to leave your bunnies at home, they can be carted around in your bag wherever you go, so sweet. They each feature a zipper closure and are fully lined in a semi-circle shape (so you don't loose coins in their ears, clever huh). At the moment I am busily beavering away on these, they will be available for sale on Etsy in about a week, and again will be available at The Devonport Craft Market this weekend, so lots of reasons to come.

Hoppity Hoppity Bunny Zipper Purse in Dragon Flies

I'm really looking forward to making all this new stuff, it's going to be great to have more to offer especially with Christmas just around the corner...

Chat soon lovelies! xxx

Kraftbomb this weekend!

2009-09-23T18:13:00.004+12:00

It comes around so fast! Kraftbomb is happening this weekend, I absolutely love Kraftbomb time of the month, it's so nice to meet all the lovely people that come along and the ones that sell their lovely things!

So if you can, pop along for a day of fantastic-crafty-goodness, it would be lovely to see you xxx

Dusting off the Sewing Machine...

2009-09-21T10:58:00.005+12:00

Literally, I had to dust off my sewing machine over the last few days. It has been sitting in the corner of my room looking rather sorry for itself, not being used and gathering so much dust — well not anymore! I decided last week as part of my money saving strategy (new blog in regards to this being created as we speak....) that I would be making most of Grace's and my clothes for the Summer and as it's such a lovely Spring already, Summer can only be better. I chose Summer as a bit of a cheat really because it's mainly just skirts and dresses... nevertheless, it requires some effort and perseverance from me and that is a feat on it's own.

To get back into the swing of things (and to have a little practice) I decided to make a pencil case for Uni. I love my vintage tin, but it rattles every time I walk and it was starting to get on my nerves. I found the PERFECT pencil case tutorial here on this awesome blog Annie Get Your Glue Gun (aside from the awesome name, it's also full of cool stuff), I say perfect because I have a stationery obsession, and my pencil case comes into that and I really wanted a square one that would sit just right...... anyways, I used a little bit of the Bam Bam fabric supply, which I did feel terrible about but it came out so well that I'll learn to forgive myself.

pencil case of loveliness

Next up I stumbled across the Burda Style website — a candy shop of patterns! Most of which are free or only a few dollars. If you have access to a printer it's amazing — you just print them out, tile them, tape them together, chop it out and start sewing. I made this bag as a practice run, I thought it came out rather well so will have to make some more, you can find the pattern here. From this amazing holy grail of patterns, I have also printed off a couple of super nice high-waited skirts and the Mens Pete t-shirt which I will be making into a more feminine version for Summer frolics... watch this space and go check out the website!

Estelle bag

With all this new stuff for me, Grace was feeling a little left out. I wanted to make her some pretty-as-a-picture skirts that she could spin around in, dance, play and still look delicious in. I found the best tutorial to make a Twirly Skirt on the House on Hill Road blog. So easy with step by step pictures, and the results as you can see came out so well! I didn't make the little tie for the waist, only because it would probably just get lost with Grace so I saved myself the bother. It was basically just sewing in a straight line, nothing fancy, just good, honest sewing. I'll also be making her some smocked dresses, so will post those as soon as they are actually made.

The lovely Grace in her new skirt (excuse the grubby singlet...)

I am on holidays from Uni next week, so will no doubt have my days filled with sewing and getting ready for Summer.

and the winner is....

2009-09-21T08:56:00.003+12:00

With the help of an empty tissue box, little bits of paper and my lovely assistant Grace — a winner has been chosen for the competition........

Congratulations Emma!

Thanks to everyone that entered, retweeted on twitter, blogged and facebooked about the competition it was really great to have your support.

Talk soon my lovelies!

Competition closes in 7 hours....

2009-09-20T09:50:00.004+12:00

So make sure you leave your comment on this post to win a gorgeous little 'Babe in the Wood' winner will be notified later today.

Jess xxx

Want to win something lovely?

2009-09-15T18:25:00.006+12:00

You do? Well today is your lucky day. As I previously advertised on my Twitter and Facebook fanpage, I said that I would do a bit of a give away on the little ol' blog on Monday (so sorry it's now Tuesday, I've had a cold and really just forgot about it).
The deal was that the highest hearted item on my Etsy store would be given away to one lucky person. So as of today, the highest hearted item in my store is the 'Babe in the Wood' in the Birds and Butterflies print, at a value of US$21 and I'll even send it directly to your door.

THE RULES
This competition is open to anyone, anywhere in the world so tell your friends about it.
You may only enter once
Competition closes Sunday 20th September 2009 at 5pm New Zealand time
Judges decision is final

HOW TO ENTER
Just write a comment below with why you want to win this lovely prize and where you think you might put it. Easy peasy.

So hop to it x

Kraftbombs Birthday Bash

2009-09-01T09:55:00.003+12:00

So it's all done and dusted, and I have a serious case of post-party blues — it's all finished and that makes me sad! It was a really awesome day, City and Karla (the beautiful brains behind Kraftbomb) really put on an excellent market, and I have never seen so many people cram into one space! There was live music and the band was amazing, if anyone knows who they were let me know!

Everyone was chipper, people were stopping for a chat and so many of my cute little things found new homes — which is always lovely! I got to chat to so many new people and everyone was so nice, it was great to see some of my previous customers stop by again as I always love hearing about where my little creations end up.

My new postcards went down a treat and I actually ran out at the end of the day, and nearly ran out of business cards. I'll definitely be getting some more printed as soon as I can, well worth it!

I can't wait for the next birthday!

My table, laden with goodies

The new mice! So cute, they'll be up on Etsy soon...

The beginning — this was the quiet time!

Awesome music

Some lovely badges I was so kindly given by Esther from Toggle.co.nz — Thank you!

Kraftbomb today!

2009-08-30T08:22:00.002+12:00

that's right! It's the big FIRST birthday bash today for Kraftbomb and I can't wait! See you there....

11am til 2pm
Grey Lynn Community Centre
510 Richmond Road
Grey Lynn

'Babe in the Wood' gracing the glossies...

2009-08-28T16:25:00.003+12:00

My 'Babe in the Wood' in Birds & Butterflies print has been beautifully placed in this August 09 issue of Pet Magazine! I'm so proud, it looks fantastic!

This print actually inspired my fawn design, and it sure has had a lot of attention since it's creation. Within a week of opening my Etsy store, it was on the front page! It really has a special place in my heart, despite it's popularity, it's just so darn cute.

front page goodness

2009-08-23T15:09:00.002+12:00

and then the treasury was snapped up for the front page! What a day, I'm super chuffed!

Also a small miracle that I snapped it, most of the time it's a flash in the pan in the middle of the night!

yarr, Etsy Treasure(y)!

2009-08-23T08:48:00.003+12:00

If your quick smart, take a look-see at this gorgeous Treasury that SealMaiden has put together, such a beautiful collection of items and I'm so lucky to have my 'Hold Your Heart' magnets picked!

Treasuries don't stick around for long, so don't miss out on finding yer Etsy gold!