I'm ready for my close-up

The front

The latest camera bag is finally finished...yippee!

Zippered pocket on the back

I had my carpets steam cleaned yesterday, which led to furniture re-arrangement, and of course, a complete and utter mess. After two solid hours of cleaning up aforementioned mess thismorning, I couldn't take it anymore and I retreated to the sewing machine......

Side view - with adjustable strap and antique brass hardware

.......where I put all of the jigsaw pieces together and sewed them into place.

Adjustable padded inserts

I just have to finish off a little bit of hand stitching on the couch tonight while I watch a DVD, and I can pop it in the post to Michelle.

Then tomorrow, it's back to the dreaded mess!

Clicketty Click

My new shoes arrived in the post yesterday.....

In fact, I nearly tripped over them. I'd forgotten to put my garbage bin out on the street the night before and I heard the garbage truck hurtling down the street, so I grabbed a bag of rubbish and headed out the front door.

My lovely postie had jammed the postpak between my flywire door and my heavy door, and I wasn't watching where I was going (and I was wearing moccasins) ..... and it was very nearly an absolute disaster.

Today I'm celebrating not ending up with a broken ankle by wearing my new shoes - with trackie dacks (as you do).

My Creative Space

 My creative space is still all about Michelle's camera bag (it was her birthday yesterday too).

It's on the home stretch now...

There was one final choice to make - antique brass or silver hardware. I've never had such a dilemma over the hardware colour. With most fabrics, it's quite easy to plainly see which one suits better. But, with the linen, the grey and white floral, and the gingham, both colours could have been used.

I'm going to keep you in suspense 'til the end to find out which one Michelle chose!

All of the pieces have been made now, and it's time to fit this jigsaw together.... but first, I'm off to do a little bit of voluntary community service.

I'll catch up on Kirsty's big list once I get back home thisafternoon.

Creative Peeps Interview - Kris from Missie Krissie

All photos and creations remain property of Missie Krissie and have been used with permission

Name

Kristie/Kris

Blog

Missie Krissie

What is your favourite creative pursuit? 

Well, I have many but my current crafty flavour is definitely jewellery design. I love learning new techniques and watching how the metal reacts and forms. Then being able to use a new thing like riveting (recently aquired skill) to make something pretty is exciting.

Mastering the setting of stones is going to take a while, still it takes hours of adjusting and re-adjusting to get them to sit right! And there are still accomplished jewellers who break diamonds, so if I break a moonstone or two, it's not so bad :)

 I also love to make jewellery trees from old silverware. They are fun to make (sometimes tricky/dangerous) and it's a way of giving old things a new and useful life.

 

 What is your earliest creative memory?

I think it's my Gran teaching me how to sew a pin cushion and stuff it, perhaps when I was about 5? I was so proud that she trusted me with the sharp needles. The cushion was a bit wonky and the stuffing poked out the side but I was really excited at having constructed something. I gave it to my mum and she still has her pins in it.

Any other crafty memories would have to be painting or drawing which I was addicted to from a very young age according to my Gran (who still keeps a lot of pictures and talks about it often, lol)


Who inspires you?

Many people. With regards to jewellery design, I constantly trawl the Flickr photos to find other jewellery designers to be amazed by. There are so many talented people! One in particular makes me want to move to the US to be his disciple. Scott has been a professional jeweller for about 20 yrs (I think) and his works take my breath away. You can find him here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_claws_jewelry/

With regards to my every day life, I would definitely say my Hubby, Jem. Everyone who meets him can't help but like him. He has the gift of the gab, which I'm sure will enable him to be a great Police Officer. I'd like to have his confidence in talking to strangers, but we'll say I'm still working on it. Jem is a very loving Husband who leaves little notes for me and is the best Dad any little boys could wish for. I am very glad I got my claws into this fish! :)

My two little men (Aus 3 and Noah 1) stress and inspire me in equal proportions every single day. The way they play together and show love for each other, their Dad and Me is just a huge boost to my 'Mummy Morale' and gives me strength to get out of my nice warm bed every morning. 

My parents have also always been hugely inspiring and influential to me. I have a close family and I'll give everything I've got to make sure my little family stay the same way.

What are you currently working on?

Many things at once. Right now I'm in the process of completing a custom graduation set (necklace, ring, bracelet & earrings) part of the WIP can be seen here: 

I love custom works because its such a challenge to create something that will stand up to the customer's expectations. It's so exciting and terrifying at the same time! 

Also the freedom of just fabricating something entirely made up in my own mind is very fulfilling. Seeing the work rough, with fire scale or flux all over it, then turned into something that shines and sparkles gives me happy shivers!

What is your ultimate creative dream?

What I dream of every single day is my own big studio where I can experiment and create beautiful jewellery. I'd love to quit my day job as a Building Designer and just hammer and solder and melt things all day, every day! I think I will eventually get there, but I also need a balance between family life and work. So it may take until my little men are at school during the week to really have the time for growing my business. Until then I'll just use every spare second I have- mainly when kids are sleeping- to indulge my jewellery designing obsession :)

Is your work for sale, and if so, where can I buy it?

 
You can visit my Etsy Shop for my jewellery already for sale and enquire about custom jewellery.

And you can see the jewellery trees and also enquire about custom jewellery through my Missie Krissie blog.

Do you have any upcoming events planned (exhibitions, markets, interviews, courses etc)?

 

Nope, sorry. But I'm hopeful that in the future there will be many :)

Do you have any advice for others who would like to follow their creative dream?

I think you have to love and harbour a burning passion for what you do. As long as you have that, nothing can deter you from success! There will be flops and failures, but if you have passion, you'll continue and get it right.

Thanks so much for the wonderful interview Kristie - I'm always interested in finding out just a little bit more of how others are inspired. If you like what you see here, then why not pop on over to Missie Krissie and enter the giveaway for this gorgeous Rustic Ruffled Sterling Silver and Amethyst Ring by July 31st.

My name is in the barrel and I have my fingers crossed!

One of those days...

I was expecting to have a nice quiet weekend at home.... no real plans, just a bit of sewing.

But the stars were not aligned somewhere along the line, and things started to mysteriously go haywire.
It all began on Saturday when Bec ran out of petrol in my driveway and had to wait two hours for the RACV.
I did at least take advantage of the situation by letting her sort out my big tub of tangled up ric-rac!

Then on Sunday, we decided to have a little crafternoon. For some reason, everything I did, or was trying to do just went horribly wrong. I made an error with my calculations for the camera bag flap and made it too large. So I unpicked it all, and made it smaller... problem fixed. Then it was time to sew the clip onto the flap, but I couldn't find it anywhere. I searched and searched and searched - then after half an hour, I remembered that I'd clipped it onto the body of the bag so I wouldn't lose it...deeeerrrrrrr!

The final straw came when I was using my lovely covered tape measure to find the centre point to attach the flap. One minute I was using the tape measure.... the next minute it had disappeared!

By this time, I thought Bec was playing tricks on me by hiding things on purpose..... only to finally find the tape measure inside the bag body.

I think somedays we all should just give up and go back to bed!

Fleamarket Finds

I haven't been anywhere near the oppy this week, but I did receive something lovely.

My mum found this little sleeve press at a garage sale in the country. It still had all of the padded covering, but she said that it was in really bad condition, so she took it off and cleaned up the wood for me.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but it's quite a bit smaller than my other vintage sleeve press.

I have a question though - what should I cover it with? Any ideas?

For more fleamarketeers, pop on over and visit Sophie.

Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 - Winner

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my giveaway.... and now to the exciting part!

---

I need it! PLEASE?! I really wish that the giveaway god would smile on me for this one! Thanks Cam!! - Visit Considering my luck I think if I won anything it would be a miracle!! Plus we could do with an update.... :) - Visit It would be the perfect reward for finally finishing my Business Plan. Cause from this day on I have to be more business like - Visit It would be great to win something that would benefit my whole family. Thanks for the opportunity! - Visit Love it, Love it, Love it. - Visit Our copy of 2007 has to be uninstalled when my hubby finishes up work - would love love love to win a copy of our very own! - Visit Id love this software, but am trying to be sensible and save money - please count me in your draw! - Visit I would love to win this; would really help out given Ive just started my own business. - Visit My husband has never been interested in blogs until he read yours over my shoulder. Id love to win this for him, my IT man. - Visit I totally need it because my Microsoft programs area always crashing and having a hissy fit at me. It drives me beserk. - Visit Oh this is perfect timing, Im just about to launch my oilcloth business Messy Essy and need to get a copy of this software,C - Visit Id like this for my sister so she can do her school work on instead of Open Office. That way theres no compatibility issues. - Visit our "new" laptops trial ran out and so did our cash so the old version was installed. would love to upgrade! - Visit Yes please!... see comment. x - Visit This would be one way to keep in sweet with Mr Button. Hes not too fussed on gifts of fabric but this would float his boat! - Visit we had to reformay our whole computer and lost our office suite - would love to replace it for free! - Visit We broke down and finally bought a new computer, but it didnt come with software (trials only). This would be handy! - Visit why should I win? Because Im sick of the little box coming up that says "please validate your trial period". I hope I win :-) - Visit Oh, just what I desperately need....my PC died recently and I havent yet got Office installed.... - Visit If I won this my kids PC would be compatible with my mac for office documents yeah no worrying about backward compatibility. - Visit This is probably what I need to get organised instead of having "stuff" all over the place ! - Visit Its time to update our computer. How great would it be to win this! - Visit My sister would love a copy of this on her laptop! Thanks - Visit I need to write one more essay for uni, Word will make my life much easier! - Visit

the boy would love me forever! and well it would mean id love to use his computer ha ha! thanks! - Visit I need this software! I have a very old system on my computer and it is slowing me down! Help me become speedy and efficient! - Visit Id love to win this Cam, it would be ace for the whole family xo - Visit I have to upgrade my 5 year old laptop and it would be ace to not have to outlay the moolah for some software! - Visit Great give away Cam. - Visit My poor retro pc is chugging along with Vintage OfficeXP so I would be SUPER EXCITED to try such a new fangled version!! - Visit Oh please count me in, I bought the student version last year & it doesnt have outlook *sob* DH wont let me buy this one :( - Visit Oooh it would be great to have the business component and Id love to upgrade the Office. Thanks Cam x - Visit My computer does email and internet but not much else. I think this might just improve things a little! - Visit Id love to win this bec. our computer needs to be "dood-ed up" with useful programs- its embarrassing! - Visit Wow, wouldnt it be nice to be up to date!! - Visit Wow, wouldnt it be nice to be up to date!! - Visit Id love to win this Software because Ive just started my new business, getting a new computer and this is just what I need. - Visit What a great giveaway! I would donate it to my local fire brigade (I am the secretary so know it something we need!). - Visit Oooh I would really need to win this - Visit Honestly, I think the newest version we have is 2005 - this would be a great update for us that we really cant afford! - Visit wonderful Cam! thanks - Visit Seeing as my old version is not doing too well on Vista, I would love to enter. And youve got to be in it to win it, even - Visit A very generous giveaway! Hope you pick me! - Visit Oooh a giveaway!!! Im about to update my computer... so winning this would be fantastic!!! - Visit I scraped and scraped to buy a PC, to find it had no msoffice. A single mum with a toddler my pc keeps me company at night. - Visit This linky list is now closed.

Get your own FREE Linky Tools

 The winner is number 32 - Abbe from Copper Patch.

Congratulations Abbe - can you please email me your address and I'll pop your prize in the post first thing Monday morning!

Flashback Friday Fashion Fail - The Debutante Edition

I just have one question that I should have asked a 16 year old me - What on earth were you thinking girl?????


I'm quite sure that you won't be able to actually find me in that see of white puffy meringues (although it might be fun to play 'spot the white puffy Wally'). I'm blaming it all on the 80's..... the decade that fashion most definitely should have forgotten. It was the 16th May 1989, and I was in Year 10 at the time.

It was a year when jeans had to had cuffs, and Doc Martens were the footwear of choice. I was listening to a very strange mix of music - INXS, The Smiths, Motley Crue (Ok - Motley Crue was totally due to peer pressure).

I loved the dress at the time - it was white taffeta with ruching down the sides and back, a lace overlay at the front, and a hoop underneath to add the poufiness.... oh, and matching white satin gloves of course!

I carried that dress around for years and years. The cat ended up using it as a bed in the bottom of my wardrobe at my old house, so I finally threw it out when I moved last year. I've only just realised that I'd been carrying it around from 1989 - 2009.... that's 20 years!

I hated my hairdo. I lived in a little country town (which I'm certainly not going to mention) and the local hairdresser gave me that horrible puffy blow wave, and then used half a can of hair lacquer to stiffen it. I didn't have time to wash it out and start again, so I just had to go with it.

Ahhhh the memories...... I think it might have even been the first time that I ever had far too much to drink.

If you'd like to play along and show us all your fashion fail moment, then please do! It doesn't have to a debutante ball. It could have been a wedding, a formal, a party anything! Just pop in your link so we can all come and visit.

My Creative Space

There's not much happening in My Creative Space today - I've made a little bit of progress on the camera bag from last week. The planning is finished, and the interfacing and cutting out has begun..... and there's a zip pocket waiting to be sewn into place too.

I'm planning on doing a little bit of tidying up, before I frock up and head on over to Tinniegirls house to help her out with a few things before tonights grand opening.


Reminders:

There's only one day left to enter my giveaway where you could win a copy of Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 (I spotted it at Officeworks this week - it sells for $314).

Anna from Polly Pratt is also having a giveaway - you could win a Womens Size 14 Wendy Dress

Tomorrow is Flashback Friday Fashion Fail  - The Debutante / Wedding / Formal Edition. I hope you've dragged those embarrassing photos out of the archives!

Oh , and one very last thing - pop on over and visit the hostess with the mostess for all of todays creative hi-jinks!

NQR

Just to show that not everything goes to plan around here.....

I made a texta roll many moons ago for a friends little boy. Now that little boys younger sister needs her very own texta roll too.

Being the lazy sewer that I am, rather than starting the cutting out from scratch, I raided my pre-cut binding strips tub to find 24 different fabrics strips to piece together.

Maybe I shoud have started with a calculator..... because 24 x 2 inch strips ended up being nearly as long as the ironing board!

Pins and Needles and a Fashion Fail Date

Do you remember the totally gorgeous owlie pins that Amanda made for me as part of our swap a few weeks ago?

Well, look what arrived in the post on Friday! The most gorgeous little bunch of flowers, just for me. They're teeny tiny and truly exquisite. Thankyou so much Amanda!

They look perfect hanging out in the mushie pincushion with the owls.

A little heads up* for this coming Friday - Jodie tweeted a pic of her fashion fail debutante dress on the weekend which was absolutely hilarious, so I'm proposing that this Friday becomes Fashion Fail Flashback Debutante Friday. I'd love to see everyones puffy pavlova disasters!

But never fear, if you didn't become a debutante, feel free to add wedding / formal dress fashion fails to the mix!


* I thought I'd give a few days notice so that everyone can dig their photos out of hiding.

Mon Cherie Francais

After trying on Liesl's wonderful beret at Sewjourn, I couldn't wait to make one of my very own!


My Beret Pattern arrived in the post Thursday morning, so I got to work Saturday afternoon, and whipped one up for myself.  It was super quick and easy - it only took me about an hour to cut out and sew (after I'd chosen the fabric from the stash). As with all Nikki's patterns, the step by step process in the instructions was a dream.

There are plenty of variations to choose from so that you can make it in a style that suits. I made mine up using the medium size, with a shallow crown.

I've got the puffy steroid face going on at the moment

I did consider making it in a bright vintage floral, but I thought it best to stick to a classic wool fabric in a classic Melbourne steel grey colour for the first one.

I wore it all day yesterday and it kept my head toasty and warm on such a cold winters day.

Of course, I couldn't possibly resist adding some colour via the lining fabric. I received this gorgeous pink and green floral from Tracey at Thrift Nest Sew..... and it just so happens, that it's the exact same floral the Bec used on her Panel Bag.

If you'd like to chuckle about what Liesl's beret got up to at Sewjourn, pop on over and visit Gypsy. It turns out that our Gypsy is quite a poet!

A kitchen update

This was the extent of the kitchen before - a wood stove, sink, and bench with open shelves

I don't think I ever got around to sharing the photos of mums new cottage kitchen (after sharing the before photos).

I took these photos a little while back while things were still a work in progress - notice no kickpanels yet.....

Painting all the wood panelling has really brought out the features of the beautiful original wood stove and mantel.

 

Mum decided to keep the wood panelling natural above the sink (I would have painted it, but it's not my house so I didn't get the final say).

 

.....and at this stage we were still waiting on the new benchtop for the storage units next to the fridge (thankfully it wasn't my error so I didn't have to pay for it - phew)!

Oh and a quick tip if you're doing a kitchen reno - don't order white kickpanels. They are impossible to keep clean. This kitchen is getting black kickpanels which will be perfect for all the country mud!

I still miss my old kitchen.... sigh

Serendipitous

A few weeks ago, myself and Lynsey from Swirly Thoughts organised to do a little international swap, taking some of our favourite biccies and choccies and sending them over the wild blue yonder to the other side of the world.

 

We both got a little delayed at the start, but serendipitously ended up sending our packages on the exact same day.

We then thought that it would be really interesting to see whether Australia Post or the Royal Mail would be quicker in getting our parcels to the other side of the world.

Well as a matter of fact, when I woke up Friday morning, I had an email from Lynsey telling me that her parcel from me had arrived...... and when I opened my front door to leave the house Friday morning, my parcel from her was sitting on the doorstep.

What are the odds?????

Thanks so much Lynsey, I am super chuffed with all my gorgeous goodies (did you notice that the chook card totally matches my doorchook)? I had to totally resist opening everything yesterday until I managed to take photos today.... it was very difficult!

What's new pussycat?

After months and months and months, I've finally added some new stock to poor little neglected CurlyPops Shop.

You can find some Flower Brooches, Gadget Pouches and Sunnies/Specs Pouches. You'll have to get in quick to grab a bargain as the cost of the flex frames has increased,  necessitating a little price rise on the next batch.

If you're looking for something to do tonight, then why not pop along and visit the Made'n'Thornbury Market.
It's moved back into the hall, so there's plenty of room to see everything. Make sure you say hi to Cathie while you're there!

Last but most certainly not least - it's Liesl's birthday today. Make sure to pop on over to Hoppo Bumpo and wish her a very happy birthday - she's a very good egg! If only I could have found a way to send birthday cake through the post....

Whoops and one very last thing - don't forget to enter my giveaway for Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 software.

Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 Giveaway

This is something that I've never ever done before - something absolutely brand new!

I sometimes receive random emails offering freebies to promote things on my blog, but it's always been just a little bit too 'cash for comment' for my liking. Although I am kicking myself that I didn't trust the universe a little while back, when I missed out on free zoo tickets...... but that's a whole other story.

This time, I haven't been offered anything for myself, instead I've been offered a super fabulous prize to give away to one of my readers. It's a copy of the brand spanking new Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 software.

The software is suitable for Windows Vista or Windows XP. It includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint, One Note and Outlook.

There are heaps of fabulous new features (which I'd love to play around with).

To enter, all you need to do is fill in the contest entry and tell me why you want to win, and add your link to the magical linky list at the bottom of this post.

Entries close at 8PM Melbourne time, Friday 23rd July 2010. The winner will be chosen by the random number generator.

If you'd like any more information about the software, you can download a free trial to check it out!

Note: for some reason, the previous entries on the list are not showing - but I can see them in my Linky dashboard, so keep entering away, and I'll provide a list of all the entries before I draw a winner!

My Creative Space

I've finished off a couple of little projects this week, and the next things in my creative space are just in the planning stages.

First on the list is a custom camera bag for Michelle from Leni and Rose.

Michelle has sent through some lovely fabric, and detailed instructions of what she requires for her camera. So today, I get to play around and draw sketches and work out how to construct it.

While at Sewjourn on the weekend, Liesl was testing Nikki's brand new Beret Pattern. I absolutely adore beret's and after trying it on I was hooked..... so now I have grand plans to whip up my very own too.
There are beret's popping up everywhere it seems!

Don't forget to visit the hostess with the mostest to play along too!

Late Stitchy Mail

Better late than never!

I've finally managed to send off my creation for the Stitched Postcard Swap.

I've been working on it slowly over about four weeks now. When I began, I actually completely forgot that there was a time theme. So, I ended up taking my original idea, and tweaking it to make it fit.

The doily and sequins are supposed to represent a clock (work with me peeps... can you see it?). Just don't count the number of sequins - I completely failed with the representation of the numbers...whoops!

I tried to embroider the quote, but I've decided that I'm just really really bad at embroidery. I don't have the patience, and it ends up looking like it was stitched by a pre-schooler (not really the look I was going for on this occassion, and not meaning to offend any pre-schoolers).

I used some printable canvas for the back of the card (which my printer really did not like). It kept jamming up inside the rollers, but I eventually ended up with something useable and readable (as opposed to messy and smudged).

To make it nice and stiff (like a cardboard postcard should be) I used a layer of Vilene S520 interfacing on the back of the canvas.

On the back of the postcard, I wanted to give an explanation of  the meaning behind the quote (thankyou google).

I really liked what I found because it's actually a great little motto - a timely effort will prevent more work later.

My little postcard is heading over to Kristin in the USA. I'm sure she doesn't read my blog, so I'm safe in posting photos while still keeping it a surprise. I'm not going to add photos to the Flickr group just yet.

I was actually chuckling to myself while filling out the customs declaration at the post office today. How do you describe what you're sending??? Are the customs employees going to wonder what on earth a Stitched Postcard is??? Hmmmm something to ponder todaay....

Creative Peeps Interview - chunkychooky / My Bearded Pigeon

  All photos and creations remain property of chunkychooky and have been used with permission

Name

Cath


Blog/s

Chunky Chooky

What is your favourite creative pursuit?

Hhmmmm it would be a toss up between sewing, stitching and hookin' - of the crochet kind...but my new and exciting passion is...........  I can't tell you yet - it is a surprise!

What is your earliest creative memory?

After attending a pantomime as a child where one of the characters was in a skeleton costume- you know the black body suit with the white skeleton painted on.  I decided to replicate this on my 2 year oldish naked body with permanent marker.  But I do remember constantly wanting to "make something" as a child -  I remember spending hours making outfits for the Barbies with scraps of fabric and rubber bands.

Who inspires you?

Initially when I started making softies I was inspired by artists like ninon, and in awe of soft sculpture like Abbey Glassenberg, and excited by the modern twist of artists like Beci Orpin and tons and tons of illustrators... and all the stitching seen on the Feeling stitchy blog.

But mostly now, I am inspired by the amazing work I see via blogs, and going on in peoples homes. The lovely sense of community amongst crafty bloggers is my biggest inspiration. At least once a week I see someting on a blog that inspires me to have a go at something new - like mastering the zipper, or the french knot.

 What are you currently working on?

I am moving away from concentrating on chunkychooky for a moment, I have a small list of regular stockists now and it seems to flow along very nicely. I am concentrating on the more grown up My Bearded Pigeon. 

I have plans, that are taking a frustratingly long time to be finished, particularly for someone with the limited patience I have. Readers of my blog will be the first to know all about it when it is finally ready (now I am going to worry, having built it up that you will all ask - is that it? when I finally tell you what it is, so humour me OK??)

I also had plans for a large embroidered piece which I was going to enter in a local art prize in October, but alas, there is no category for me...no contemporary embroidery section... I would really like to enter an embroidered piece in an exhibition but I am too shy to approach any galleries or anything like that....

But at the moment I am crocheting a blanket, doing some stitching and making lots of lists/ sketches in my notebook.

What is your ultimate creative dream?

To have my work in Inside Out magazine. There! I said it out loud! That is it. Really. That's all I really want....for now...

Is you work for sale, and if so, where can I buy it?

But of course:

chunkychooky website: for links to my online shops.

My Bearded Pigeon (Made It Shop) and soon to be launched My Bearded Pigeon on Etsy.

If you are in Brisbane, I am just about to post a load of rattles to Nook.

Do you have any upcoming events planned (exhibitions, markets, interviews, courses etc)?

* sigh* nooo....

I would love to do a photography course so I am looking into that at the moment.

Do you have any advice for others who would like to follow their creative dream?

Start today, but move slowly. Don't put pressure on yourself by spending huge amounts of money on tags/ busines cards etc these things can wait- or you can make your own for now.

I keep a simple list of money coming in and money going out- which I am pretty sure I saw Curlypops do a blog post about.. and this keeps me on track, spending more as I make more etc. chunky chooky is growing all the time but I am now at a level where it works perfect for me- you need to decide where it might stop being fun...for example if I got an order for 100 rattles I would initally see $ in my eyes then go into a complete stressed panic...

Stay true to yourself, don't let retailers talk you into lowering your price. Often handmade has to compete with similar items, made badly overseas, but made to look handmade, and these items make "real" handmade (and made in Australia) look expensive.

See yourself as an artist- (not that I would EVER DARE call myself this out loud mind you), but look at what people who paint/ illustrate charge for their work? ( With good reason I think).

A friend of mine is a artist and she is always nudging my prices up when I tell her what I am charging for something. Why do us crafters think our work is not so worthy? I feel strongly about our need to stand together on this one.

When I see people selling things on etsy/madeit for prices that are so incredibly cheap, when I have a rough idea how long the item took to make etc, it puts all of us at a disadvantage... often I hear people say - but its just a hobby for me, and that is great if it is, but you are inhibiting people from charging fair prices who are making a living from their art. (stepping down from soap box now...ahem.. )

So my advice is: Start your creative dream now. Go on! What are you waiting for ?


Thanks so much for such a wonderful interview Cath. It's been wonderful to find out just a little bit more about chunkchooky, and I can't wait to what comes next with your new venture, My Bearded Pigeon!