Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Stocked!

Well it's taken me forever and a day but I finally have enough stock to supply a few shops! Thanks to everyone who has been waiting so patiently!






Easter

How was your easter?

My extra long weekend went far too quick. I had no real plans, but wanted to get a lot done while not doing a great deal! The weather has been perfect, so it has felt very relaxing out here in our little patch of paradise. Well, maybe not paradise, but it feels pretty close sometimes!

This weekend I managed to fit in 2 kids friends sleepovers, 1 nephew sleepover, a lot of easter egg eating, a little soldering, crocheting, pin cushion making, notebook making, funny little stuffed toy making, teaching my daughter how to sew and make cool friendship bracelets, renovating my new shop and (my proudest achievement) I got ALL my washing done! And I beat my husband in this weeks footy tipping & I know nothing about footy! Ha!




Sorting and counting the goods!

All in all a great weekend!




A new venture

For those of you who don't know, I am a hairdresser and own a busy salon in the centre of Ballarat. Last year my parents and I decided to rearrange the business a little so we could open a homewares shop as well. Mum and Dad have done a fair bit of importing from China over the past few years for their business, and seeing as how it's all made over there anyway, we thought why not go over ourselves? Cut out the middle man so we can keep costs down and pass the savings onto the customers. Not to mention getting to see a really amazing part of the world!

 The property we lease is 3 storeys tall and also has a little stables out the back which was renovated 15 years ago into an ace loft apartment. We decided we could move the salon into the stables and have a huge shop in front for retail.

So off we went to China and bought up big - recycled timber furniture, beautiful decorative giftware as well as interesting vintage bits and pieces sourced from an antique market in Shanghai. Now it's on it's way over on a shipping container, and we're working hard to get everything ready for the big change over!

This is the area in between the 2 buildings. Once a very run down veranda and car park, it's now a pretty ace looking place! We will fill it with plants and a table & chairs for a nice place to chill while the colour on your head's processing!


Not a lot needs to be done to the inside, just a bit of paint to get rid of a couple of orange walls, and new benches for hairdressing work stations (Thanks Dad!)
I have to mention that I have the handiest Dad in the world! He can build anything (including the above pergola and fence). He built everything in the current salon and is doing the same for the new salon as well as the homewares shop. You're the best Dad!
Now I can't say that without mentioning my superhero Mum! She has muscles on her muscles, and don't you dare tell her she can't do something! Like when we were told we wouldn't be able to fit a 2.4 metre table into a Pajero. We sure did prove them wrong didn't we Mum! So I may have had to fold myself in 2 and squeeze under the table for the drive back because we had to lay every seat down, but god damn it we got that table in! Haha, good times!




 The girls keeping busy while their mums are painting



I feel so lucky to be able to have such a big change like this! I'm so excited to be able to work in a new shop and sell really ace things for houses. 
 But the best part is I'll be able to let my crafty lady loose! She's nearly busting out already! 
I want to stock a range of locally handmade goodies too. I have a few things in mind and have talked to some clever people about stocking their products so it will be a good mix. I'm open to suggestion too if you know of anyone that makes cool, different things (preferably with a vintage look or theme).

Well that was an effort!
Keep your eyes peeled for the new store's blog coming soon!


Tuesday, April 5, 2011

It's a sunshine day!

What an awesome day! I so needed that after a few gloomy days which caused a gloomy mood to hang over me!
After work I picked up my nephew Harrison from school and we made chocolate crackles, while Ryleah made chocolate cupcakes. Delicious! And fun!

Central highlands water were nice enough to send me a packet of squash seeds today as part of some scheme thingy they've got going on. They must have read my mind cos I'm planning on starting my veggie patch very soon. I'm sure it's not the ideal time to start planting, but I'm gonna give it a go anyway! There's some good websites around with tips on what to and what not to plant now. Hhhm, not sure about squash but I can't wait now that I have the seeds! In the pot they go - grow little seeds grow!
I'll have to get some tips off Rohan from Whole Larder Love as to how to best grow veggies - he is the king of home grown and home made goodness! Hhhm, wonder if he has any idea about keeping roos from eating the produce? Without using a gun!

Speaking of home made goodness, check out these scrumptious looking hot cross buns!
If only they'd cooked right through instead of being a pile of dough underneath! Aaaargh, I can never get this sort of baking right! I'm gonna blame my oven, piece of crap!

Now to finish with a couple of pics which my daughter Ryleah wanted me to put up. These are her most recent jewellery creations.

Made for Ryleah's best friend Steph.

This bracelet was made during Ryleah's art class at Red Brick gallery using an assortment of weird and wonderful objects. Gotta love the hotdog charm!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Etsy

I've just spent the past few hours getting my etsy store up and running. It's taken me forever and I only have 13 items listed, I hope I get quicker at this thing! You best pop over and have a look to reward all my hard work, thankyou very much! Yay!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

And the winners are...

Well we've reached the end of March and as promised, we have 2 winners selected for the brooch giveaway!


It got pretty technical! A few bits of paper in the good old cooks measure, shaken and selected to determine the winners!



I love these old things! They should bring them back I say. I'd use this one if it wasn't for the rusty parts, but it does look good on my kitchen shelf anyway.

And the winners are...


Bron, a fellow blogger, and Ange, a cool chick I've known for abeges. Well done ladies! I will be sending you an email shortly for your details!




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