Done and Dusted.

Stitches and Craft is officially over and I am officially ecstatic! What a massive undertaking it proved to be, and not necessarily one of my most successful (I don't like regrets so I won't regret this either - all manner of opportunities may yet arise from it).

All I know is that I could not have done it without the massive help I received from Tez, who ran my stall Wed, Thurs and Fri and Sparky, who took the reins on the weekend. (Apologies if you came by to see me - I am not a handsome man, I was just absent!) Isla had a meltdown fortnight in the lead-up to and including the show, so I couldn't spend nearly as much time there as I would've liked at my stall, but thankfully I had help.

I've got some photos of my booth setup below, and would love to share some shots of my delightful fellow Incubatorians (particularly Monalisa Designs, Berlinski and Rummage) but I didn't get a chance to take shots of their gorgeous setups. I am, however, getting one of Monalisa's beautiful tweets for Isla's room so I'll show you that when it arrives.

I was pretty pleased with my booth setup, considering the space we had was quite limited (2m x 2m) and I loved how my new sign turned out.









The resin kits sold pretty well, and I still have some available for purchase. If you're interested, send me an email and I'll get one out to you. They sold for $50 at the show but for blog readers they'll be $40 plus shipping. (They include an introductory booklet with projects, resin - retails for $30 - mixing cups, measuring cups, wooden stirrers, papers, acrylic bases and findings to make bobby pins, brooches and pendants). Bargain of the century!

Flergenblech.

Sometimes, when things just get a little too difficult, my muscles ache a little too much and it becomes increasingly troublesome to drag myself through the day, it is worthwhile stopping, pondering and making up a word that sums that feeling up.

Hello, flergenblech.

In other, less insane news, I am using this photo to get me through the next few weeks:



Sparky, Isy and I are heading to Byron Bay in a few weeks time for a much MUCH needed break and the thought of it is currently the only thing keeping me from getting 'Flergenblech' tattooed across my forehead (that is, the only thing keeping me sane).

I've also compiled a list of events I hope to participate in over the next 12 months and that is an incredibly exciting and motivating thing for me. The rundown is only approximate because I don't know what I will or won't be accepted into at this stage, but here it is:

- Stitches and Craft - 19-23 August @ Rosehill Racecourse
- pyd Designer Markets - October @ pyd, Waterloo
- Magnolia Square - 19-21 November @ Royal Randwick
- Glenbrook Spring Festival - November
- Glenbrook Markets - October, November, December
- The Rocks Markets (if I can get someone to work for me) - October, November, December
- The Finders Keepers - December
- Youngblood Christmas Markets
- Life inStyle - February 2010
- Royal Easter Show (Fashion & Style Pavillion) - April 2010

Helpful in motivating me, and helpful in making me feel exhausted. I think I'll tackle the majority of these after the holiday.

For now it's back to Stitches and Craft prep, among other things. Today I am proofing my resin booklet, taking Isy for a check-up, getting a sneaky coffee, catching up with my sister, assembling my kick-arse new sign, applying for two of the above-mentioned events and a retailer showcase called (m)art in Brisbane. I also need to do another two pours and start drilling an enormous pile of pendants and earrings. Excellent!

The One Where I Apologise

Oh. Hello there. Yes, I do still exist and occasionally I do actually turn on my computer. And (even less) occasionally, I may write a blog post. Such as this one.

I have been madly preparing for the Stitches and Craft Show which begins in (gulp) one week and two days. I am building a very solid inventory which will either all sell out (yay!) or hold me in good stead for the crazy October-December Christmas and market frenzy. So this is a good thing.

I've also been working on my new collection (hello chunky neck plates, vintage doilies and pretty ribbon), experimenting with my friend Joe the Plastics Man on how I can speed up my production process for my Elements and Still Life Collections, doing a mass mailout to boutiques, working on my catalogue and linesheet, sourcing some of the most gorgeous papers IN. THE. WORLD. and putting together a limited number (hint: 100) of the 'Introduction to Working with Resin' kits that will be for sale at Stitches and Craft.

It's been a stressful, wonderfully productive time and I (mostly) wouldn't trade it for anything. My higher levels of what I like to call 'real' business work come from a much-needed mindset shift where I now have to really focus on Trove as a business, rather than a quasi-business kinda-hobby thing. The problem I've had as the label has grown organically from a hobby is that I've never had to take the nitty-gritty completely seriously. And since my maternity leave started I've been swept along in the romantic notion of working at home. When the reality is that I am so passionate about my jewellery and to make my label a success AND so determined to be able to stay at home with Isla, that I need to focus a lot more specifically on the things that really matter. Like a wise man once said, "Think of every day as an opportunity to make money," and while the idealist inside says that money isn't everything (totes true!) the reality is that money is required for living and that my back is to the wall.

So there you have it. A large dose of reality that is now in the public sphere. I have to make it work now!

Back to your regularly scheduled program of meandering, irregular updates and semi-interesting photos:







In order these photos are CUUUUTE, paper, paper, paper and the grab bags of (paper) that I will have for sale at Stitches and Craft. Bargain basement price of $5 will get you a variety of papers in a variety of sizes to use however you wish. I'd personally recommend decoupaging your toilet seat, but that's just me. I'm awesome like that.

Ooh, speaking of being awesome, do yourself a favour and check out Sally's most recent posts about why she is indeed awesome. (As if we needed reminding!)

The Reasonality of Things.

Apart from making up words, I am currently marveling at the way life works itself out. Things happen for a reason. If you take the bad with the good, often the reason for the bad becomes apparent and it's not so bad. Following? Yes? No?

I was quite disappointed not to be accepted into Young Blood for the upcoming market, which is running over 21-22 August at the Powerhouse Museum. But yesterday afternoon I received an email from the organisers of The Stitches and Craft Show, asking if I would be interested at exhibiting in the Incubator section of their revamped show.

Um, would I?

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YES! Yes, I would.



The new owners of Stitches and Craft, Living Creatively are moving the show in a new, exciting direction which embraces the indie craft movement and a new generation of crafters, designers and hobbyists. It's actually incredibly exciting (my participation aside) as it sounds like a lot of the indie craft events that are being held in the States. Exciting times indeed!



While Stitches and Craft used to focus more on the crafty suppliers, workshops and classes, they are now moving in a new direction and including a section of the exhibition where new designers can show and sell their wares. They do ask that those participating provide instruction and inspiration where possible, and would like us to present a workshop if possible. (EEP!)

Being quite a shy person, I don't know about the workshop business but my mind is working overtime trying to think of ways to inspire and instruct (and sell my goods at the same time). Here's what I have come up with so far:

- A free booklet outlining the basics of working with resin, as well as providing a few simple projects for people to do at home.
- Selling a kit for people to make their own resin and paper wall hangings. Kit to include acrylic shapes, paper/fabric, resin sample (if I can get the manufacturer to help), mixing cups, mixing sticks, etc.
- Selling grab bags of paper
- Selling grab bags of fabric
- Postcards printed with really lovely images of my work (if I do say so myself)

So that's where I am at the moment. My brain is working overtime and I'm getting quite inspired myself actually.

If you have any suggestions for other products to inspire or instruct, please feel free to let me know!