Tuesday 28 December 2010

Christmas Day in Tassie....

Just a quick post to say that we hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and to wish you all a well celebrated New Years!
Our Christmas Day was a very low key affair... a gentle nudge awake by two hungry pussycats, a leisurely walk around Heritage Park a few blocks behind our house, a breakfast of croissants, warm from the oven and then onto the present opening!
We were lucky to catch up with the lovely Gemma (from Loz and Dinny), her hubby Dunc and their gorgeous brood of three for a delightful afternoon tea (consisting mainly of dessert items as it turns out!) and we were meant to get together with a few other folks for a picnic at Cataract Gorge, but this fell through.
Not to be defeated, we packed up and headed to the beautiful City Park, sat on the grass and enjoyed: BBQ Tandoori Chicken, homemade Coleslaw with Red Cabbage and Fennel, Corn Fritters with a tangy dipping sauce of Sour Cream and Spring Onions, homemade White Chocolate and Pistachio Fudge and topped off with a bottle of Andrew Garrett Sparkling Shiraz..... ahhhh....bliss....

It's tough celebrating Christmas in Tasmania!!

Saturday 11 December 2010

new candles in stock

Since Niche, I have been trying to restock my shelves at sanctum but have had some trouble with my suppliers being out of the usual containers I get.
The good thing is that it has let me try a few new ones.
I've got a smaller version (70g) of the large frosted tumblers I usually do - I think they are really kind of sweet and they have been received really well from Clients in at sanctum and at the Tamar Visitor Centre Makers Evening a few days ago.
I've also brought in these great metallic votives especially for Christmas - I thought they would make anyones Christmas Table look (and smell) amazing! The light shining through the walls of the container throw out these great coloured patterns.
These ceramic containers are the biggest that I do at about 250g. They will only be a limited offer as I can only get so many of the containers from my supplier.
They look great and I am really liking having a play with new containers and sizes.
I've got some more of these square ones on order plus a few large rectangle ones that I will most likely put a double wick into.
I've just now been able to place an order for the frosted round containers I usually get, though only in a limited number. I've been lucky that the orders I've had since Niche, I've been able to fill with what containers I already had.
Be sure to check out sanctums blog for some pictures I took of the rest of my instore Christmas display too!

Sunday 5 December 2010

Makers Evening at TVC

This Thursday 9th, between 5.30pm and 7pm, a local Tourist Centre, the Tamar Visitor Centre is holding a Makers Evening.
Karen Burnett and the wonderful team at the TVC love to support and stock locally made crafts and items and are very excited to be able to bring a showcase to Tassie's visitors.
It's open to whoever would like to come along and see some of the local talent and I know that Karen is always on the lookout for new stock and would love to chat to anyone interested.
There will be small selection of Makers who will be there to sell and chat about their work, including yours truly.
If anyone is looking for some Christmas Shopping ideas, the TVC this Thursday might be a good place to start!

Sunday 21 November 2010

red bamboo's sister blog..


Just a quick entry to let everyone know that sanctum now has both a website and a brand new (today!) blog!
I wanted the ability to interact with people a little more personally and with more immediacy than the website and a blog suited that need just fine.
I did try a facebook page, but honestly preferred the layout and customisation that a blog gave me.
So please feel free to check it out - would love to hear what you think!
Also, have just finished typing in all 130 odd emails from the great response we had to our 2 hour spa package draw for sanctum at Niche as well.
We've notified the winner and will wait to book her in for her treat!
Have a great week everyone!

Saturday 20 November 2010

aftermath.......

Am in recovery mode after an amazing weekend with the Niche Markets here in Launceston.
This time around we held it the Friday evening and the Saturday. I have to be honest here, I really did think the Friday evening would be fairly tame and quiet....
OMG... was I wrong!!
Folks started flooding in even before we had finished setting up and they were four deep and lined up out the front door for the four hours we were open!!
Being very lucky to score the spot right next to Sophie of That Vintage, we did not stop and the sales were just incredible!
Saturday the numbers, while not as crazy as Friday, certainly stayed steady through the whole day, sales again were great and by the end.... well the picture tells the story!
This is a few hours from the end of the market (I had one candle left when we packed up!) - and I truly had nothing left to sell! Totally unexpected and amazing!
The other aim for me with this market was to try and get my new wellness business, sanctum out there into the public domain. I had a sheet for folks to sign up for a chance to win a 2 hour spa package - again, didn't realise just how popular this was going to be!! I filled four A4 sheets of paper with peoples names and emails!! Far out!
Now I just have to draw a winner and email everyone with the news!!
What a brilliant weekend.
A big thanks to Liz and the folks at St Giles for organising, a big thanks to the great stallholders who kept me company and a big thanks to everyone who came along and supported us local crafty people!
Might just have a sleep now.......

Tuesday 16 November 2010

three lovely souls....

The three lovely souls I speak of are Vee, Alan and newcomer, Saffron (5 weeks old!).
Vee, folks may know from The Purple Finch, is making return to the crafty scene after having bub and Alan, is a very sought after local photographer with his business Photobat.
During the upcoming Niche market this weekend, these lovely people are doing an amazing offer and giving proceeds to St Giles! How nice is that?!?
Alan is offering Photography Gift Vouchers for Christmas (valid through to January) worth $350 for the tiny price of $50!!
That's not an offer you will match anywhere else.
Take a quick peek through Alan's body of work on the Photobat website and you will soon see that this is an offer that will be very hard to pass by and very popular this weekend.
So if you, or anyone you know is thinking about organising a family portrait, or perhaps pet photos or the obligatory cute baby shots for the grandparents -come along to the guys stall at Niche in the Tram Sheds at Inveresk this Friday (4pm-8pm) or Saturday (10am-4pm) and bag a serious bargain!!

Thursday 11 November 2010

forgive me...but I've just drooled on my keyboard.....

I just recieved an email from my lovely friend (and fellow book clubber!) Poppy, introducing her new venture Feigenbaum.
"Feigenbaum specialises in artisinal, European style breads, cakes and boutique catering made with the finest locally sourced ingredients."
YUM!

Check out the Feigenbaum blog for ridiculously delicious looking treats plus recipes! Just be sure to have eaten beforehand or you'll be mopping up dribble just like me!

Saturday 6 November 2010

rainy day blues...

What's a girl to do on a rainy Sunday afternoon.....?

Homemade scones,warm from the oven.....a sleepy pussycat on the chair beside you......a cup of tea and some good company.....that's what!

Friday 22 October 2010

Week One...

Well, week one is over.
It's been a big, busy, amazing, tiring, exhilarating, frustrating, surreal and awesome week! Boy! That's a bit to cram in to one week!
Still a little bit of 'tweaking' to do - have discovered (along with some of my clients, unfortunately) that there is a space rented in the building next door, for bands for practice..... Mmmmm..... yeah......
Not good to have drum solo's competing with mellow relaxation music and massage therapy.
I spoke to one of the other tenants, another therapist, and she said that they had been down this path before and the council had been involved as well. I don't mind the practicing of music, it's more that it can happen anytime with no rhyme or reason. So it's been challenging trying to figure out my opening times and booking in clients. But will chase it up next week.

Husk Ceramic Soap Dish
Have had wonderful feedback overall and quite a few bookings for this week. Next week is a little quieter, but thats fine. It gives me the challenge to really get into marketing and selling my business to Launcestonians.
My order from Husk finally arrived yesterday (I'm very excited!). So I went in even earlier than I needed to this morning, just so I could play!
Husk Handturmed Ceramic Oil Burners (I love the blue)
Husk Herbal Tea Range

Husk Calico Shopper Bag (loving it!)

Have also created a Facebook Page for Sanctum - am new to this network, so everyone will have to forgive me for any rookie mistakes!

Thursday 21 October 2010

three days....four rooms...four coats of paint......

The doors opened yesterday for sanctum body skin soul.
It's been a long haul, but we are really happy and proud of how the space has turned out.
I have had bookings in yesterday and today and have a full house tomorrow!
Here are a few 'before and after' shots.
This is the reception wall in the previous tenants colour (I have been calling it 'Epilepsy Yellow')
With the primer coat on (more pictures to come)
The smaller of the two treatment rooms which I am now calling the 'Green Room'
The old waiting room which we morphed into a Relaxation Lounge....







More soon......

Wednesday 6 October 2010

introducing sanctum.....

It's finally happening....
This is part dream, part career move and all about the future.
As of Wednesday 20th October, Sanctum Body Skin Soul will be opening its doors to the world.
Or at least to Launceston and her visitors!
I think I have been planning this business for the better part of 10 years - ever since I took my first massage course.
The lease is signed and the furniture has arrived - our spare room and hallway have been taken over with chairs, tables and lamps!
I am finishing with my current work in a few days and so I can't jump right into the space and start setting up - that will come next week.
Other than some fresh paint, we don't need to do much for the fitout. I want to put a shower in one of the rooms at some point, so that I can offer spa body treatments as well - but for now, we will open with lots of massage on offer, aromatic facials and a lovely little retail area full of local designer goodies, herbal teas and comfy chairs!

We are finalising little things like a telephone and eftpos - fun fun. The stationary and website are coming together and I already have my first two bookings in on that first day! Now I just need to fill the rest of the week!

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who is going out of their way to help up make this dream come to life. Will keep you all updated as we go.

Saturday 2 October 2010

down the rabbit hole.....

Like the ubiquitous Alice, I find myself in a wonderful, whimsical and very delightful little place. the rabbit hole is a lovely new store here in the heart of Launceston. Created by Alison Hayward along with her mother, it is full of knicks and knacks and everything in-between!Alison found me at the recent Niche market and was kind enough to place an order of candles and lip balms for her newly opened store.
So Eat Me/Drink Me and find your way to take a peek. It will be well worth your while.


the rabbit hole
Shop 4, Cuisine Lane

Wednesday 22 September 2010

seriously big tea lights

These bad boys are about twice the size of your ordinary tea light. They're not called 'maxi' for nothing!
At the recent Niche market, a local ceramicist stopped by the stall and asked me about creating candles to go with her handmade ceramic light shades. She dropped one off the second day and I have to say, I was really taken with it - enough to pay her there and then just so I could keep it!

After tossing a few options around - we decided on keeping it simple and went with the larger tea lights. We have left these ones un-fragranced, but I can see making some up with citronella for outside use.
I think they look pretty good and they suit the light shades really well. I can't wait to try one out!

Tuesday 21 September 2010

new treasures

Just a quick few words to show off some lovely new treasures - courtesy of Sophie from That Vintage and Rose from Foal Design, at the recent Niche market. I know it was a while back now, but I'm still catching up on lost 'computer time'!
Beautiful earrings and ring (I get comments every time I wear them - though it's becoming more and more likely to be "are those from That Vintage?)
Hmmm.....not sure about the model, but the hat is pretty neat!

This last one is a bit of a mystery object....... more soon.......

Sunday 19 September 2010

Snow in September....

We've just gotten home from a overnight trip to Hobart.
As you can see from the piccies below... it's been a wee chilly down here in September!!
These shots are taken north of Bothwell (home to the Australian Golf Museum!) and on the way to the Great Lakes.
I put my first foot print in snow.... I threw my first snowball (deliberately missing hubby I'll have you know!)... and saw my first snow man/penguin! Very, very groovy!
Tassie... you just keep surprising me.These shots are from the Steppes Sculptures on the same road about 90 mins from Hobart. The Steppes Sculptures are a gift to all who help protect and maintain the Forests and Ecosystems of the Midlands, from Artist Stephen Walker. You need to keep an eye out as they are only marked by simple roadside signs and you can only just see them from the road.What a wonderful way to celebrate this amazing country and remind us to care for it as we should.

Tuesday 14 September 2010

Onwards and Upwards...

We're back!
The computer trouble is being resolved and we think we have been able to save all of our files!
WHEW! Big relief there.

I know it's been a few weeks now, but here are a few 'on the run' shots from the recent Niche market at the end of August.

Ruby Victoria Paperie Stall - my neighbours on one side. Narelle had the amazing printing press (just seen bottom left of picture) going throughout the market, drawing heaps of onlookers. Hubby, Alan (pictured) was a handy man to have around - he did coffee runs for appreciative stallholders.

Yummy Mini Cupcakes (sorry girls I didn't get your name - too busy eating!!)

The beautiful Rose from Foal Design and her lustworthy cloth hats - Rose is currently showing off her engagment ring! Yay! I bought a stunning aqua blue number!

The stunning Joanna and her papercraft were my other neighbour and what good company she was. Joanna was the original creator of the famous Roo Poo paper from the Paper Mill at Burnie. She uses century old papermaking methods and all of the illustrations are her own.

Once more, Sophie from That Vintage, was innundated with keen shoppers for the entire 2 days! I don't think I saw her look up from her stall until closing time on Saturday! Yay Soph!

Sam (seen ducking down) and Maya, from Hideyo, dazzled us once more with their incredible folded art. I loved seeing almost every second person walking through the markets clutching a bunch of their beautiful flowers!
More soon......