That's a Wrap!

That's it....
Another year done.....
Niche All Wrapped Up has come and gone once again.
With a record number of stalls (60) and spread over 4 rooms, this market proved to offer an amazing array of local talent and designer goods.
With weather not our friend, and a looming last minute Wedding to evacuate the space for on Saturday - we still managed to make the weekend as worthwhile as always.

The only thing we didn't get to do was to get photo's of other folks stalls (and they did look amazing) as we got caught up in our own set up and then the constant stream of lovely market goers!(The very unromantic start to every market day - the packing of your entire stall into your car or F100 truck!)

It's today!!

Niche preview....

Mosaic Container Soy Candles

Just a quick preview of what we've got in store for next weekends Niche market. Our kitchen looks like a meth lab and our spare bedroom looks like a bomb has hit it with cartons and waxes and containers and fragrances and wicks and all sorts of things everywhere. I have a very understanding hubby who lets me take over the house this time every year!

200g Frosted Square Soy Candles70g Small Frosted Tumbler Candles

Vanilla, Pomegranate & Black Currant; Moroccan Rhassoul & French Pear Goat Milk Soaps

Fragrant Soy Melts

So Chic...so Niche....

I can't believe it's that time of year again. Niche All Wrapped Up market is here again and this time, it's going to be huge!!! Apologies for not blogging in some time - the year has snuck away on me and we've been keeping busy what with sanctum, getting ready for Niche, a lovely double bout of chickenpox for hubby and myself and now a head cold that has hung on for over 3 weeks!! Good times.....

Nevertheless, we are very excited to be getting back behind the market stall and chatting and selling to all our lovely market goers. Can't wait to see what is in store for everyone - there are 60 stalls this time around - will need some pocket money to spend myself I am sure!

Niche All Wrapped Up

Inveresk Tramsheds

Friday 18th November 4pm - 8pm

Saturday 19th November 10am - 4pm

Boutique Markets meets Hobart

Just a few pictures of yesterdays combined Boutique and Mathilda's Markets at Hobarts waterfront.
We were very lucky with sunny (mostly) weather and a great turnout of market goers.
Well worth the trip south.

Top to bottom: red bamboo soap; luscious li'l cupcakes; What Katie Did Next; Marley & Lockyer; nigh nigh; adore u; red bamboo candles

Boutique Markets @ Hobart this weekend...

It's been a bit of a long haul, but we are finally counting down the days (and products left to make!) till the innaugural Boutique Markets in Hobart this weekend.
Am a bit excited as I haven't done a market in Hobart before so it will be interesting to see how my little range goes, plus I get to see an old friend, Rachael - organiser extraordinaire of the Boutique Markets who invited me.

Have been very busy making candles, soaps, soy melts and bath melts - just a few more bits and pieces to go.

Spent the better part of 4 hours today just labelling!

You really do have to love what you are doing - with handmade goods there really isn't a way to recoup all the labour time in your selling price. Otherwise they would be $20 bars of soap!

Still, I enjoy every batch and my house smells divine!

Hope to see you there.

Hobart Function Centre

Sunday 28th August

9am - 1pm

upcoming Market fun in Hobart!!

What joy!

red bamboo has been invited to be part of a combined Market effort in Hobart at the end of this month!

The wonderful children and baby market, Mathilda's Market and the designer driven Boutique Markets are sharing space for one day only!

The wonderful Rachael and I got to know each other while I lived in Brisbane - I was lucky to be part of the Boutique Markets in it's earlier stages. Seeing it grow and go from strength to strength has been lovely - though somewhat bittersweet as I could no longer join in the fun!

How very exciting then to see that the Markets are now touring the country and now it's Tassie's turn!

Now, the challenge is to be ready in time!!

With our lovely wellness centre going so well, and orders from other lovely outlets (like here and here) coming in - we are starting to sweat a little with planning and ordering and making!

But it's all still fun and I can't wait to catch up with Rachael again.

Plus hubby and I will make a weekend of it and stay overnight in Hobart - never a hard thing!

I'd like to thank....

Erin (the Bondi living Soap Queen from Inner Earth Soaps) was kind enough to grant my little blog a 'Versatile Blogger' award. The idea, as it is with any of these awards I guess, is to showcase a handful of other blogs that have caught your eye and to spread the 'blog love'.

This award comes with a responsibility however - in order to accept I need to do the following:

Provide a link back to the generous person who nominated me

Spill the beans on 7 random facts about myself

Showcase 7 other blogs (letting the bloggers know they've been nominated also)

So, here are my 7 random facts:

1. I used to play the guitar (took years of lessons) but recently sold my guitar at a garage sale for $30

2. I can remember all my bank account details, my credit card number, my Tax File Number and ABN all off by heart - but I can't remember my husbands birthday!

3. I once 'appropriated' a rowing boat with a girlfriend and snuck it across a flooded river, using sticks as oars - we had a whole town out looking for us and just about to drag the river for our bodies. We were ten.

4. I can still swim a pretty mean butterfly stroke - try it, it's not that easy!

5. I held my mothers hand earlier this year as she passed away

6. I love kissing our black cat on the top of his head - it's just so luscious!

7. I have finally found where I 'fit' - my husband, our kids (cats), our beautiful home, our exciting new business and our new home state - never had that before.

And here are my 7 'blogs of distinction':

Epheriell Designs

Tabitha Emma

Fuffenscheit (otherwise known as Mrs Smith)

Loz and Dinny

Isismade

Boutique Markets

Recycled Relix

Enjoy!

Never thought you'd hear me say this.....

I'm just a little bit in love with Stephen Fry.

Mmmm... yeah.... I didn't see that coming either!

Hubby and I stumbled across a series of British Drama, based on author PG Wodehouse's work, titled 'Jeeves and Wooster'.

I think they were made in the early nineties and stars Stephen Fry and his quintissential partner, Hugh Laurie, as a incredibly intelligent Valet caring for his bumbling, hapless employer.

Perfectly cast and wonderfully written - though I get the overall impression that PG Wodehouse either hated women, was gay or at the very least had several terribly overbearing Aunts!

The women in the series are very harshly portrayed - but do their job of constantly getting Wooster (Laurie) into more trouble than he can ever handle without the aid of loyal Jeeves (Fry).

I tawled through Youtube to finds some snippets to show - this is a bit of an overview that might give you a rough idea, but it was hard to find a good snapshot that does the series justice.

the series shows the life of the 'idle rich' and the scrapes that they get into - usually by dumping someone else in the hot water.

Worth a look for the great period styling if nothing else.

We know Stephen Fry as an incredibly well spoken (if sometimes shockingly naughty) gent with amazing intelligence - he fits Jeeves pesona to a 'tee' and looks brilliant in the famed bowler hat!

So Mr Fry, I send this out with heartfelt adoration - well... just a little bit anyway!

photo 'phun' at sanctum

After meeting a local photographer at a business networking event, we had the opportunity to have some interior shots of sanctum taken - we hope to get them onto the website and the blog so folks can get some idea of what the space looks like before visiting us.

Inspired by Dave, we had a play for ourselves after he left, with some of our tea, our hot stones and the new olive oil soap we've just brought in. Fun!

Need to take some more shots of the soap as this was one of the better ones and didn't turn out quite as well as I'd hoped.
Anyway, till next time......

just can't help myself......

It's an illness.... I'm sure of it...

I just can't help it..... I'm obsessed....

I swore I wouldn't.... but I did....

I bought more new fragrances!!!!!

It's partly Erin's from Inner Earth Soaps fault really - she was offering some fragrances she doesn't use anymore up for sale and led me to a whole new supplier I hadn't known about!

Based in Queensland Big Tree Supplies has a huge range of goodies for us soapers and candle makers to revel in.

So far I've bought:

Asian Pear & Lily - top notes of nashii pear, apple and leafy greens, middle notes of jasmine, lily of the valley and rose petals and finished with pear nectar, musk and peony blossoms

Green Apples - an amazing true Green Apple fragrance - tangy, sweet and delicious!!

Black Raspberry & Vanilla - delicious dark raspberries with warm vanilla - sweet, juicy and very moorish

Ginger Lime - warm, spicy ginger teamed with freshly squeezed lime

Manuka Honey & Lavender - freshly harvested lavender, with a hint of bergamot and a dash of manuka honey

Orchid Bouquet - a unique blend of fresh orchids, peony blossoms, water lily, aloe vera and bamboo

So now I have even more fragrances to play with for my candles and soaps.

Such fun.....

back in stock...

Our very popular Fragrant Reed Diffusers are back in stock at sanctum, after a sell out weekend at the last Niche market.

These guys have been a bit of a surprise hit at both the markets and in at sanctum.

Fair warning though folks, I've needed to increase the price from what I had them for as my suppliers have raised theirs as well.

Still for only $25.50, they are the perfect way to fragrance a space by simply setting them up and forgetting about them.

The one I have going in sanctum is still going as strong as ever, even after 6 months!

We have some great fragrances in like:

Honeysuckle Jasmine - a heady combination of these two florals

Peppermint & Eucalyptus - lovely fresh notes with hint of sweetness

Very Vanilla - a firm favourite for so many people

Mulberry Tree - fruity and perfect for freshening up a stuffy room

Frangipani - for those of us who are trying to hang onto summer

Plus more!

There are generally only one of each fragrance in stock, so get in quick!

Apologies for the 'spacey' blog entry, I seem be having trouble with either having too many or no spaces in the entries of late!!

Local Talent

A collection of very good friends are part of a current Design Exhibition here in Tassie running as part of the 'Ten Days on the Island' program till April 4th. Such clever folks down here! It's called 'Furnished' and is being run by DOT (Design Objects Tasmania - Australia's longest running design collective). Check out the website for some wonderful design finds! Current fav's are: Isis St Pierre and her brilliant armchair! Abigayle Tett and her hand formed chandelier. Joanna Gair with Martin Vinnicombe with their combined book terminus. Loz Abberton and her light shade. The simplicity of Stuart Williams standing lamp. And the smooth lines of Belinda Winkler's vessels. Worth a look if you are in this part of the world.

The Next Niche....

It's that time again (already!)....

The St Giles Niche Designer Market is on this weekend. Chock-a-block full of great stalls and clever people, you are sure to find just what you are looking for.

For full information see the Niche link above.

With everything that had happened with my Mum and since every other April Niche market has been at the end of the month, I was daudling around thinking I had all of March and most of April to get myself organised..... whoopsie.

So have been a little frantically batching and pouring and tagging and labelling.

Think I am on top of things now.

I have some new goat milk soaps to try - Lemongrass & Ginger and Charcoal with Tea Tree, Lavender & Lime - so will see how they go. The Charcoal one looks really eye catching - will get some piccies to show soon.

Heaps of candles as per usual and am just finishing off the last of the Fragrant Soy Melts as well.

The lovely folk at St Giles have been doing some great advertising so hopefully we'll have a really good turn out.

Fingers crosssed for the weather.

See you there!

Niche Market

Friday 1st April 4pm - 8pm

Saturday 2nd April 10am - 4pm

Tram Sheds at Inveresk

Closing a chapter....

Dear All,
Am writing this wishing I had better news, but unfortunately things with my mum didn't end how we had hoped they might.
After fighting the good fight, she passed quickly and peacefully on the 19th Feb and we buried her next to her own mother in Mackay.
We had as much family with her at the end and so many more made the long journey to help us to give her a good send off last Friday.
I'd like to thank everyone who prayed, who had us in their thoughts and who even sent her cards!
I know it may not feel like much, but please believe me when I say that it truly does help.
So, I am back in Tassie, surrounded by some beautiful people. Back in at work at sanctum, caring for my beautiful clients and back in touch with some of my family that I had let slip away over the years.
I think she would have been thrilled to see her family all come together just for her.
Be at peace Mother Duck.....

Update..

Hey folks,
Just an update on how my mum's doing. Lots of you have asked how she is. Bless.
It seems she may have contracted an infection - not great as the chemo has severely compromised her immune system - and we are watching and waiting on results from tests and scans.
Two of my brothers are on their way to her in north Queensland as we speak and as for me, I am waiting for some more news before I can decide whether I should to zip away to be with them as well.
Not the best news, but I spoke to her nurse today and she recommended to just wait the night out and decide tomorrow.
Will be keeping fingers crossed and prayers heading upwards.

Thanks...

Just a quick little post to say a very big 'Thank You' to everyone who emailled, who sent cards and who called up to show their support after my last post.
I was truly grateful to each and every one of you - Mum has recieved some of your cards and she has been so thrilled that people are thinking of her.
She has finished her week of chemo and will stay in hospital for another 3-4 weeks. There hasn't been much nausea, but she doesn't feel like eating much either - the worst of it has been the overwhelming lethargy.
We figure that's not too bad for now.
Her sister is staying nearby thanks to the Leukaemia Foundation's accommodation and so she has someone on hand for company as well.
So , thanks again everyone. From my whole family and me!

a favour to ask....

This is just a quick post to ask if anyone would be kind enough to send a few thoughts and prayers my Mum's way.

We found out yesterday that she has been diagnosed with Leukaemia and was taken straight into hospital to start 4 weeks of chemotherapy.

Needless to say, the news was a little stunning.

Unfortunately she is in Townsville Base Hospital, away from most of her family and friends. Her sister is in Mackay, a few hours away and the rest of us are further than that.

I'm hoping to find some cheap plane tickets in the next few weeks, and will certainly be keeping in touch with phone calls and letters.

But I would so appreciate any goodwill folks could send her way.

If anyone is in Townsville, and you would be happy to visit, please let us know - I am sure she would appreciate the company. If anyone would like to send a card, let me know and I will give you the address. Her name is Laurel as well.

Here's hoping for remission at the end of this all.

Thanks.

Annie

new soaps on the block....

A few posts ago I mentioned a new soap I had batched up. It's been curing nicely these past few weeks so Ifinally got to take a few snaps of it to show.
I've actually done up a second batch since then and am just waiting on more ingredients to arrive (namely my coconut oil) and I will be right into making even more.
This first batch is a new fragrance - am loving citrus-sy fragrances right now so this one is Lemongrass, Ginger and Pink Grapefruit.
The fragrance has turned out really lovely. Of course the first thing that hits you is the zesty, herbaceous lemongrass then the warm tones of the ginger comes through with the pink grapefruit tying them togehter. Can't wait to get this one in the shower!
Instead of rolling the soap in to balls, as I've done in the past, I've sliced the batch into different sizes and shapes. The idea is to have a range of sizes and therefore prices for people to choose from.
I love big, chunky blocks of soap - but I have friends who prefer the thinner, rectangles. Each to their own.
This second soap is a fragrance combination I've done before, but again I've chopped instead of rolled.
This is my Red Tea and Linden Blossom soap. Such a wonderful fresh, green aroma! It sold really well as the soap balls, so I am hoping folks will take to the more rustic looking blocks.

They won't be cured in time for the Makers Market at Festivale, but I hope to have them ready for the next Niche Market (if I get accepted) and in sanctum. Am now starting to plan my next few batches of soap. Looking forward to seeing what I end up with.

Makers' Market @ Festivale!

Just a quick post to let eveyone know about the upcoming Makers' Market during Festivale.

The Design Centre is hosting this event on Saturday 12th February in their lovely courtyard behind the centre.

A round up of local talent will be showcasing and selling their wonderful wares - we would love your support. So please pass along the word!

See the sanctum blog for more information plus the stall holder lineup!!

soaking away the new year....

Welcome to the New Year!!!
It's hard to believe we have already started on 2011.
sanctum is open as of tomorrow and we already have appointments booked in for the upcoming week. Very exciting.
We are looking forward to the challenges that this year will bring.
Recieved the application for the next Niche market in April and also chatted to the folks running the Design Centre Market, during Festivale, about being part of that as well. So am already thinking on my little production line here at home.
Whipped up a double batch of Olive Oil soap yesterday - using Lemongrass, Pink Grapefruit and Ginger to fragrance it with. Very zesty and uplifting aroma's. Will post some pictures when I get it out of the mould.
Also made up some detox bath salts for a promotion I am running at sanctum. Along with a great value Massage Treatment pack, I will be giving a bath salts to each person that takes part in the promotion. See the sanctum blog for more info.
The salts are a blend of: Coarse Sea Salt; Milk Powder, Green and White Clays as well as; Lavender, Frankincense, Sweet Fennel and Lemon Myrtle Essential Oils.
It's quite a stimulating blend, so caution needs to be taken with any skin sensitivities or pregnant women.
The idea is to kickstart the body with a course of Massage and support this with the bath salts used at home.
Wouldn't mind doing it myself!