Thank You and Goodnight... for now

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

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Spring!

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.

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Bam Bam Creative in Homestyle Magazine

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

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Kraftbomb Tomorrow!

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!

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First Thursdays Craft Market...

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!

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A week of new things....

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

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Moving House....

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!

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Poppytalk...

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?

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Bam Bam Creative in Viva Magazine

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!

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New Clocks for Foxes

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....

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Auckland Art & Craft Fair — this weekend!

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!

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pretty photo's

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

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quick as a Fox...

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

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The Devonport Craft Market this weekend...

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...

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

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...

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Birthday

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....

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Newsletter Winner!

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

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

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!

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Kraftbomb this weekend!

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....

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Me and my Markets...

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...

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Auckland Art & Craft Fair

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!

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New Stockist...

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.

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Sale Finishes Today!

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

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A Crafty Influence & a Lovely Package...

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

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Free Shipping for Mothers Day...

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....

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New Things and New Happenings!

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

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Shopping List Magnets....

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

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Some new goodies...

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...

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Introducing... The Auckland Art & Craft Fair

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

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New goodies make me happy & Kraftbomb!

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...

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Kraftbomb this weekend!

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

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Extra (Curricular), read all about it!

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.

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Something Special...

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.

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