Post Christmas Salutations

I hope you have had a chance to chill out over Christmas, we have been away re-connecting with family, but now we are home, it's good to catch up on some things...like cleaning the floor of mr d's room, (heavens above, now mama can vacuum!) popping the fabric roof over the gazebo, and thinking and planning for 2010.  I've even started mr d scrapbooking - we are keeping it very simple though, he's writing about his days events over the summer school holidays, we plan to continue this every year, so hopefully he can look back and smile.  

A new farm gate find at Somercotes, Ross, Tasmania.

shiny happy things

my 7 year old son took these last two photos

Dear peeps, wishing you all a lovely Christmas, with lots of happy shiny moments.

home - 'a pause in Advent' - week 4

If home is truly where the heart is, where does your heart lie?
I often find I'm asking myself this question.
Four years ago, my family and I moved to Victoria.   Then, not long after arriving there, suddenly and unexpectedly, due to a change in our circumstances, we found ourselves desperately seeking accommodation in a country town in north east Victoria just before Christmas.  It was the closest I had ever felt to homeless.   It was peak tourist season, everywhere was booked out, it was impossible to find anywhere to stay.   After a few phone calls, we found a property with a bed and breakfast, however this unavailable.   The lady on the phone must have sensed the utter desperation in my voice, because she eventually offered us an 'unofficial' option if you will.  She was being careful to stress that the place she had in mind was far from a 'b & b',  'wasn't complete', and 'there was still work to do'.   To be perfectly honest, at that point, I was looking at pitching a tent in a field somewhere (except we didn't have a tent), even the local caravan parks were booked out, so whatever she may have had sounded wonderful.   It was a barn.  A dairy.  Perfect.  It's Christmas.  If it's good enough for Mary and Joseph, then hey, it's good enough for us.  

This collage shows 'the dairy', where we stayed, you can see we had a little 'mock-up' Christmas tree, that was actually a creeper coming through the window from outside!

Then, on the weekend, I found myself in a beautiful country town in the Huon Valley, a place called Ranelagh.  There are parallels to the country town where we stayed in Victoria, Healesville.    You can see by the pictures, the countryside is similar.

Some of these similarities, I will show you in the photos.

Bush and hills (an exception is Ranelagh has water - the Huon River)

Rustic wooden buildings

Grapes, berries, and apples grow

There are also wineries to visit

Beautiful timber turn of the century cottages, a mixture of old character homes, and new sub-divisions.

Australian natives, including those looking for an alternative lifestyle

I suppose that's why especially this year, I am thinking of that time, four years ago.  Feeling out of place, looking for a new place.

I wonder how Jesus must have felt coming down from a perfect Heaven to Earth, and then having to fit into a human body, with all it's weakness.  But he was on a plan, a mission, and he had a two way ticket.  He would eventually go Home.  But still, it must have taken a lot of love, to come down here, I reckon.  Home is where the heart is, and I know His heart would have belonged to His father.   Sometimes it's hard to fathom, why? 

Jesus' earthly mamma and pappa were ready for the challenge, even though they had no idea what they were really getting themselves into, they had faith that it would be okay.  Faith in the One he was sent from. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:17  

I especially like this one:

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

John 14:2

Join other 'pause for Adventer's' here.  This is the last Advent post for this year.   I've enjoyed the reflection it has bought, probably more so than if I hadn't had been blogging.  Maybe I wouldn't have given it so much thought, and the time I needed to reflect.  So, I really need to thank Floss for starting such a lovely blogging community idea.  Thanks Floss. 

trendspotting architecture

I've always had a penchant for passive solar dwellings, and I like anything woodsy and earthy, and give me a hearth and I'm hooked! 

But these examples of futuristic architecture will have us 'thinking outside the square'.   I like the unexpected, I guess maybe because I've been thinking a lot about moving lately, the idea of something different appeals to me.

Can you believe this is built using shipping containers?

looks like a ufo has landed.

utilitarian, but what an economical way to build a structurally sound, rot proof home.

 

a vortex inspired structure

cheese grater architecture

COR tower of Miami

But eco architecture, less hard landscaping, and more planting....

even if it has to go vertical, surely makes sense?

But what is eco housing? something cheap to build, sustainable design?  For 10 ways to make your house carbon neutral go here

Gosh, I really hope that they get it right in Copenhagen.  Plant a tree, cool the planet is the only way to go, even small things we do can make a difference.

Meadowbank

For those Taswegian's who love wine and relaxing ambient/classical music, why not take yourself along to Meadowbank Winery on Saturday, and give yourselves a break from all the Christmas stuff.

The very talented Allan Giuseppe, who incidentally is Narelle from Ruby Victoria's husband, is playing paino alongside Stacey Joyce (flute), tomorrow at 3.30pm.

I would love to go, but can't rustle up a babysitter...at least I can still listen and enjoy Allan's CD, I'll just send hubbie up to the bottleshop, and pretend we're at the tranquil surroundings of Meadowbank! 

our gingerbread house

Every year, mr d and I have a tradition of decorating a gingerbread house at Christmas time.  Our little church normally has a gingerbread event every year, but this year they didn't, and I normally buy an extra kit to take home to make with him.  We were fortunate then, to have found a little gingerbread 'kit' at Breadd Bakery, who make the most divine biodynamic bread in Hobart.  (plus great coffee!).....so this morning while the 2 year old was having her nap, we got busy decorating.  I love doing this activity, it's a really nice bonding time, I guess next year, miss b will be keen to participate!  and she might not be sleeping so often.  That has been a big blessing to me this year, how on earth could I get so much sewing time in during the day!?    
We made up a funny talking game while we were decorating the house, replacing the first phonogram of every word with a 'bl'....it made for some funny conversation I can tell you!

blery blice blouse?

the angel on our tree

Our angel arrived about 15 years ago, and has served us faithfully every tree since...she's a quirky little angel isn't she?  She did tell us though, in a very quiet voice, that in order to maintain tree duty, she needed some assistance...so we happily oblige by using a chopstick to prop her up on the top branch.   Otherwise you may think she is just hovering 'there', which I'm quite sure she would like you to think!

The tree...is an 'off the site of the road' variety, thanks to my hubbie who went on a tree hunt with mr d.  I think it's 'Pinus radiata'...and I thought that these trees were declared weeds in Tasmania, but it appears I may be wrong, and now I feel a bit bad and sad...and it doesn't smell all piney and woodsy like they usually do, so I am not sure what we have?    We still like it.

I'm also enjoying this book, picked up from the library a couple of days ago, needless to say, not much time left to try and make lots of the things inside, but I'm going to bookmark it for next year.

but we are going to be making these...

the 7 wreaths of Christmas

One of my favourite things about Christmas is wreath adornment.  Enjoy!

   

Fairy Folk wreath

oh martha! # 2 - a pause in Advent - week 3

Heck, is it just me, or am feeling a tad blog dejected this week?  I am not one to complain (usually), but any feedback about my last post would be mucho appreciated...it has left me feeling a little "crappity crap" (thanks Tif, for that aptly describes how I feel).  But Cathy made me smile (thanks Cathy)....and Edwina did tell me she had problemos leaving a comment, (thanks Edwina).   It has left me wondering whether others had problems leaving a comment? or is everyone just so super duper busy right before Christmas, or is it just because I need to get over myself!  It's okay peeps, if no answer is an answer, then I need to broaden my blog shoulders, and onto the next post...which is this one!

Okay, so this is meant to be an Advent post....
Below is a 'letter' from Martha.  Martha Stewart that is  - it's perfect for all us crafty 'doer's, movers and shakers' and perfect for Christmas.  Read it and smile...

Dear Friends,

This perfectly delightful note is being sent on paper I made myself to tell you what I have been up to. Since it snowed last night, I got up early and made a sled with old barn wood and a glue gun. I hand-painted it in gold leaf, got out my loom, and made a blanket in peaches and mauves. Then to make the sled complete, I made a white horse to pull it from DNA that I just had sitting around in my craft room.

By then, it was time to start making the place mats and napkins for my 20 breakfast guests. I'm serving the old standard Stewart twelve-course breakfast, but I'll let you in on a little secret: I didn't have time to make the table and chairs this morning, so I used the ones I had on hand. Before I moved the table into the dining room, I decided to add just a touch of the holidays. So, I repainted the room in pinks and stenciled gold stars on the ceiling.

 Then, while the homemade bread was rising, I took antique candle molds and made the dishes (exactly the same shade of pink) to use for breakfast. These were made from Hungarian clay, which you can get in almost any Hungarian craft store.

Well, I must run. I need to finish the buttonholes on the dress I'm wearing for breakfast. I'll get out the sled and drive this note to the post office as soon as the glue dries on the envelope I'll be making. Hope my breakfast guests don't stay too long -- I have 40,000 cranberries to string with bay leaves before my speaking engagement at noon.

Love,

Martha

P.S. When I made the ribbon for this typewriter, I used 1/8 inch gold gauze. I soaked the gauze in a mixture of white grapes and blackberries which I grew, picked and crushed last week just for fun.


It was quite strange, I started to scatter the images above into the letter, which didn't seem to look 'right', but then I realised they are just perfect where they are....I see the images of the real meaning of Christmas in amongst the madness.
I see this as an analogy of the real Spirit that exists, but often gets teased out of sight, because of the business of preparing for the festivites. We get bogged down in the santa stuff, the Christmas twinkle lights, the eco wrapping paper, the perfect handmade present, the quintessential budget Christmas feast at $10 per person, or the 'seafood on the beach' affair, who we spend Christmas day with, and how we get there, and all the logistics of the day.
Not there is anything wrong with these things of themselves, but there is a chance that distracting ourselves with being good we push out that which is the perfect gift.   His name was Jesus.  He was quite cool when he was a baby, but then he grew up, and got all controversial.   He's actually the reason we celebrate Christmas, and get all stressed out about it.  Can we blame Him?

Read Martha #1 here.

Top 10 tips - Visual merchandising for your market stall

I have finally come up with my top 10 list of what makes an eye catching display!

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a talk in Hobart by Roz Wren, who trained for 2 years in retail display and exhibition design, and worked as a window dresser in London's Jaeger and Selfridges.   Although the information was specifically tailored for those who have shop windows to 'dress', I went along anyway, as I figured there would be something of benefit for those of us who have trestle tables at markets, after all the main aim in executing a display is that it entices people over for a second look!

I have combined her advice with some of my somewhat limited knowledge from fashion and design days, and my passion for display to bring you I hope, a helpful post!

I  like to think of a market stall as a type of window to your merchandise, and as such deserves some thought and effort.  The big difference I guess is that your display is your merchandise, and not just a select few pieces that you have bought from your shop to put in a window....and this requires extra thought and care as to what goes on your table.   Not only that, your display is constantly changing as people purchase items, leaving gaps, and your stock keeps moving as people like to touch.  That's to be expected, after all, who wants a display that just sits there all day looking pretty?  We want people to come and buy, naturally!  However, I think if you can start with a theme, and some basic design principles, even when stock is becoming depleted from your stall (yeh!), it will still look cohesive, and might only need a couple of tweaks, now and again.  But, please, don't stand there fiddling too much! 

So, let's ask ourselves, why is display important?
It creates interest and excitement in your stall! 
The character and atmosphere of your table can set the tone, and make your business individual.
A well executed display creates a favourable impression.  
Every display gives a message.

So here are my top 10 ideas for a great craft market display!

1) planning
okay it sounds obvious, but the more thought and effort you put in beforehand, the better the result.  Give yourself time to practise at home, doing a mock up of your table.  You may think of something fantastic, and it's too late once you're at the market setting up.   At least, draw up a rough plan of where you want to place items.  You need to think like an interior designer, or a florist, and gather ye all manner of materials.

1)  keep it cohesive
All the elements of your table, both product and props, should have some relevance to each other.  If you need a lot of small containers for holding merchandise, make sure that they are the same.  At least in colour or texture, or in keeping with the style of your product.   Any props used should enhance your merchandise, it shouldn't overwhelm it.  Tell your story.

2)  simplicity
Less is more, keep things uncluttered, (unless messy is the look you are striving for!) and use a neutral tablecloth...a tablecloth that is 'busy' just distracts from your product.   A black tablecloth will instensify the colours of your merchandise, a white tablecloth keeps things fresh.   
I find this is the point I personally struggle with the most, you want all your stock on the table, so people have choice, but sometimes this backlashes!  If you have duplicates, keep them under the table, replenishing once stock sells.  Maybe stacking some items, instead of having them all over the table.  You need to experiment with what works for you, it's really going to depend on what you have for sale.

3) colour
Colour in your display is the first thing you probably notice as a customer, details come later.  Sometimes it's hard to just pick 3 main colours, because your stock is varied.  But, you could place different items of the same colour for a dramatic effect.  Experiment with different props to create different moods.
Remember the colour circle;
complimentary colours - blue/orange, purple/yellow, red/green, black/white.  These are stimulating and bold.
variations or tones of the same colour - harmonious and restful.
colours either side of a primary colour - red/orange. red/purple can be discordant but can create startling effects.
Warm colours advance, cool colours recede.
What effect are you trying to achieve?
The colour of your props and tablecloth are to be considered.

4) composition
This is the arrangement of forms within a space, and is the factor which brings the product you're selling and any props into a united whole.   A composition must consider all the space on the table, both positive and negative.  The grouping of elements should lead the eye around the whole area.   Generally negative spaces are undesirable in the centre of the display.

5) grouping
Here are 2 failsafe methods of groupings!
three dimensional triangles;
both symmetrical and asymmetrical (this just means you can draw an imaginery triangle around any given group)
The best form to adopt is higher at the back, lower at the front.  A tight arrangement of product creates unity and minimises negative space in the centre of a group.
A focal point is where the eye is drawn first, it's the centre of the display or individual group, and it's the brightest spot that everything radiates from.  The three dimensional triangle needs a focal point.
repetition;
this is a useful method of grouping multiples, and odd numbers work best, 3's, 5's.  Repetition displays don't have a focal point.

6) texture and pattern
Combining textures provides contrast and interest to your display, and is one of the most important aspects of visual information available.  The distance of the viewer from a surface alters the visual effect of texture...although a surface close up appears very rough, from a distance is will appear smoother.  Texture also reflects light in different ways.  Think about the texture of a prop and it's perceived feel, and how that can work into your display.  Think about your tablecloth, and the texture/feel you are trying to create.

8) animation
If you can at all include movement into your display, it will create interest.
some ideas are:   flags flapping, a mirror, a goldfish in a bowl (!), a light flickering, like a candle (check with your market organisers-there are insurance issues to consider)...these are just a few ideas I've thought of,  I'm sure there are lots of other inventive ways. The main challenge is space,  but if you have some room on your table, consider how this can be done. 

9) graphics
Make sure any tags, and labels are in an easy to read font, or neat handwriting (not scruffy), keep it simple.
Don't make your customers work too hard trying to find out what your prices are, unless you have a very special product, and are trying to create an exclusive feel.    Remember, customers don't always want to ask what the price is, and sometimes they will simply just walk away.

10) for every rule, there is an exception.
Don't be afraid to experiment, try new ways of displaying, and most importantly, have fun with it, it will show.  Use a sense of humour.


I have scoured, Flickr for the best pictures on craft market displays I could find, I wanted to show what could be done with mere table space alone! And as these photos will attest, there is a bounty of ways to display your wares, and I really hope this post gives you some inspiration.   Simply by observing how other dress and display their merchandise, you can learn so much.  So, keep your eyes peeled, and have fun.

 great display, you can see tissue holders at a glance, prop in keeping with product, quirky.

image from here

sympathetic use of containers and odd numbers grouping

image from here

romantic and enticing, love the texture variance between the wood and the organza - hard with soft

you can also see glass, and pottery...but it all works.

image from here

plain tablecloth, lets the product tell the story

image from here

props work well with product

image from here

harmonious use of colour

image from here

tiered, groups of threes.

image from here

what do you think about the props? 

image from here

jewellery stands out, odd grouping

image from here

Cohesive 'clutter' that just works!  So gorgeous, I want to touch everything!

monotone, except for that much needed pop of orange

image from here

simple, organic, earthy, clean

so much here i like

image from here

tiered, good composition

image from here

great use of triangles, and colour groupings, base cloth works well with product.

image from here

Wow, colour grouping really works, but I love the fruit in the front bowls, it gives a contrast colour bang, and although this display would still be good without them, maybe not as exciting?

image from here

     

although not a trestle, I had to include this, what a wonderful display on so many levels.

image from here