Meet Maddo and Mairuru

Remember the DUST Christmas In July promotion? Sam (Maddo) won my giveaway in one of the many competitions. I sent her off a little parcel of goodies including a hand printed journal notebook and a pouch to keep it in.
Since then I've found out she has opened her own Etsy shop. Its full of gorgeous jewellery pieces and paper goodies. Check it out. She will be so thrilled to have you visit!
I have Mairuru to thank for the inspiration behind the pouch. It is hand pieced patchwork, hand quilted, even the buttonhole is hand sewn. I've rediscovered my love of hand stitching. Mairuru has a fabulous Etsy shop too and a wonderful blog. I got the pattern for the pouch from her blog. I changed it a bit but I hope it still has Mairuru's spirit in it!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas (in July!)

Do these words conjure up an Australian Christmas for you??

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
(Torme & Wells, 1946)

No, not usually. Unless, of course, they refer to the Etsy Down Under Street Team (DUST) "Aussie Christmas in July" promotional weekend.


Etsy DUST members from all around Australia are coming together for one whole weekend - this coming weekend, 12.01AM Saturday 25th July through to 11.59PM Sunday 26th July (AEST), to showcase their talents & stunningly handmade creations.

All stores participating will be offering a promotion to their customers - free worldwide shipping or % off sales; a selection of items at reduced prices or reverse auctions.

With so much variety, including jewellery, children's clothing & accessories, art, supplies, vintage items, stationery & bags, you are sure to find something to suit each & every taste.

The DUST team will also be running giveaways for the entirety of the weekend, giving you the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes from Australian sellers. Poke your nose into the Etsy Forums during the promotion for your chance to win.

I encourage you to visit the participating stores, as well as our team website - http://www.dustteam.com/ - and support the handmade revolution sweeping Australia.

Stay tuned for more details as the weekend draws nearer... I'm joining in too of course! Check out the deals in my shop here. Or head over to the DUST website to enter the giveaways and you might win something special from me!

Give... Give... Giveaway! and a bit of partnership building and network development

My friend Cath is having a giveaway! Lovely vintage fabric and crafty goodies could be coming your way. All you have to do is comment on her blog to enter. If you want to enter twice you can get that second entry just by following her blog (which I do already because she is such a lovely lady and interesting to boot!)

Cath only lives half an hour away from me but so far we haven't managed to meet. I'm hoping to meet her this weekend at the BELLO ART STIMULUS – Partnership & Network Development Forum being held at the Bellingen Memorial Hall next Saturday May 23rd from 10.00am till 4.00pm. Artists and craftspeople who are within cooee of Bellingen are invited to come along at a cost of $15 which INCLUDES lunch and morning and afternoon teas. Besides being a great networking event, the forum will engage artists and craftspeople with information about developing opportunities for online marketing and networking, local and other partnerships, gallery spaces and there will be a “speed dating” session with a gallery director to get advice about where to go next with your art or craft project.

The Bello Art Stimulus Forum will have presentations delivered by artists, gallery industry and marketing specialists. I'm not sure where I fit in, but I will be doing a session on Etsy and DUST.

For further information and bookings for the Bello Art Stimulus Forum on Saturday May 23rd contact Julia Morrell – BuildingBlox Project Coordinator on 0418 226 361 or (02) 6564 8947. Bookings are essential and close 12 noon Friday 22nd May. If you would like to be one of the 'speed daters' you need to mention this when you book and bring your portfolio on the day.

I hope to see you and meet you on the day!

The BuildingBlox: Developing the Mid North Coast Visual Arts & Crafts Industry Project is a project developed and implemented by Arts Mid North Coast Inc, funded through a partnership between the NSW Department of State and Regional Development and the Arts NSW’s Visual Arts and Crafts program.