Thursday, February 24, 2011

the thrill of the chase


It has just dawned on me after spending four days in Sydney attending the Gift and Homewares Trade Fairs, that it is so much more satisfying searching for old pieces than it is buying new pieces for my shop. Whilst it is easier to buy new pieces from suppliers, it is definitely not as rewarding as searching for the old - "the thrill of the chase"!

Take these pieces of stoneware for example. I'm always on the lookout for cream/white stoneware bottles and demijohns and pick them up whenever I can. (When travelling I've been known to pack one or two into my suitcase from time to time.)








It can take weeks, months, and even years to build collections and often we will sell a whole collection or part thereof. (Mind you we always like to hold back a few pieces for "hire only" as we can't bear to part with it all!)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

au revoir

On a trip to France last year we purchased a pair of beautiful french bookcases. Whilst one was purchased quickly, the other was taken away to be photographed for Inside Out magazine (appearing in the latest edition - February 2011).
(http://www.homelife.com.au/magazine/inside+out/)







As you can imagine the second piece was snapped up on the day the magazine was released - thanks to the amazing styling by Glen Proebstel and the beautiful photography by Sharyn Cairns.
(http://www.khm.com.au/artist.php?artist=glen_proebstel&category=stylist&menu=start)
(http://www.sharyncairns.com.au/).






The second bookcase leaves our warehouse tomorrow to begin its next chapter in life.

We bid it 'au revoir'.

Friday, February 11, 2011

i hate ironing

I hate ironing and have a laundry basket that is about to collapse under pressure.

I hate paperwork and have an enormous pile of paper that urgently needs my attention (mainly bills).

This morning there are no excuses. My regular Friday morning coffee with a few girlfriends has been cancelled, and I must make a choice - ironing or paperwork. I have decided that I can't get arrested for wearing creased clothing but I can get arrested for not paying my bills, paperwork is the winner.


Yet again the ironing will have to wait.

I am always complaining that I have nothing to wear and it has just dawned on me that some of what is in my ironing basket has not seen the light of day since I don’t know when. As a treat when I have finished the paper work I might have a closer look in the ironing basket – you never know what I might find – cheaper than going shopping!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

the romantic spoon

Spoon rings are back in stock (we usually only like to do short runs of product but have crumbled due to popular demand.).

Each ring is made with love and craftsmanship.






And for those who thought spoon and fork rings originated in the hippie days of the 70's, I share this romantic story with you...

Spoon rings were originally made in the 17th century. English servants unable to afford a ring to wed would often steal a piece of silver cutlery from the manor home or castle in which they worked so they could have it made into a wedding ring. (I should have saved this post for Valentine's Day!)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

sneak peek

We are about to launch a new venture which we are very excited about. Here's a  sneak peek of one of our 'location rooms'. We will keep you posted. Very busy and exciting times.