Merry Christmas and Thank You!

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

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Kraftbomb TODAY!

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!

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pssttt

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

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Thursday Felt.co.nz Gift Guide

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...

1. Be Mine Soda Tab necklace $35 by pdombroski
2. Moss & Lichen On A Tree Branch (5x7.5) $20 by simoneqdm
3. Felt Hairties $8.50 by zippitydoodah
4. Petit Recycled Thought pendant $30 by bibliographica
5. Retro Flower Square pendant $22.50 by skipapple
6. Custom Little Girl doll $25 by poppetto
7. Rockin' Robin bodysuit $25 by peg
8. 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

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New Goodies: Just in time for the weekends markets!

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

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Wrapping Up...

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

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Crafternoon Tea Christmas Amazingness

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

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Christmas is here! (spolier alert...)

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!

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Shopping for Bam Bam Creative...

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

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Ta daa! New Products for tomorrow!

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

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Spot of Tea Guv...?

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!

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To Market, To Market...

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

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

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!

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

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

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Haloween Kraftbomb this weekend!

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

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Teaching Grace to Sew...

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

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I gots me another blog!

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....

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So Many Markets!

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

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

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.

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The Devonport Craft Market is tomorrow!

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!

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Auckland Craft Collective launches today!

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

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

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!

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

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

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