Quick break........

Hello,
MPH is taking a break for a few days............see you all shortly!!!

Cheers,

Jodie
MPH xx

Crafty girls get together.........

Good morning!
I hope everyone enjoyed a nice weekend, despite the absolutely bizarre weather!?!  From raincoats and heaters one day, to air-con and ceiling fans the next, back to freezing again today........?  I have had to light the wood fire first thing this morning, so nice to sit next to it and write my blog.

Ok, so on to some crafty news.  Last night I held a handmade card making workshop at my house, my very first one!!  Surprise surprise, I was super organised and had everything cut and ready for the girls to sit down and put their cards together.  After a couple of teeny weeny hiccups in my initial demonstration.......(thanks Teena for the tips during the night), the girls got underway and worked brilliantly!

Three girls who attended, had never made their own cards before and just LOVED it.  I had some of my usual stamping group girls come along also.......thanks to Danni for being an excellent assistant during my demonstration.  On the agenda for the night was a Christmas card, using a couple of different techniques - embossing the background with a raised spotty pattern and also used stamps for decoration.  Contrasting papers were used to give a great effect.  One not-so-Christmassy person made the card in a birthday theme and it looked just as effective.

In addition to the card, the girls were set the task of creating a couple of gift tags.  So easy to do and the tags turned out beautifully..........
Stamped on one side with a beautiful lacy pattern and the flip side with your "to, from", which in this case was a Christmas decoration, but could be left blank for handwriting on.  Of course the colours of both projects were of my own taste, I love the simple earthy look.  With so many colour options available, both projects could be changed to suit any occasion or taste.

All in all, we had a great night......with some yummy home made lemon slice from my lovely Mum, a few nibbles and lots of laughs.....(mostly directed at me!) plus the girls got to take home their gorgeous creations.

Cheers,

Jodie
MPH xx

Too precious not to share..........babies in my garden

Hello....
Today I found something so beautiful and rare, I just had to share it with you.
As I was out pruning the hedge in my back garden this morning, I peered into it and was absolutely delighted to find a bird's nest.  Even more delighted to find it had three little plump, fuzzy blackbird babies in it!  How exciting, oh I was so so happy.  I had never seen a nest so close, with live babies too!  I was careful not to prune anymore foliage from around it, in case I frightened the mother off.  Some time later, I was relieved to see mummy blackbird fly in,  with a beak full of juicy worms, ready to share with her babies. 

Now although most of you don't know me well, those that do, know that I love birds.  Of any kind..... and they never fail to bring a smile to my face. They are my favourite things to look at, whether it is seagulls, or the rosellas that come to feed in my garden, maybe the naughty Cockatoo that has been landing on my front deck of late, or the majestic Wedge-Tailed Eagle..........if I am lucky enough, sometimes the eagles soar over my house and this is my favourite bird of all, ever since I was a child.  Every weekend when I was little,  I would look up to the hill and would sometimes spy them high up in the sky, over Arthur's Seat, soaring so beautifully. This is a memory I cherish.

A zoomed in close up of the three babies

Perched in the hedge, such a well built nest!

I hope you like the photos, I know they are not really on the subject of handmade, but they are made by my back yard feathered friends, so that is good enough for me!!  Such simple things bring me happiness.......I hope it brought you a smile too!
I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

Cheers,

Jodie
MPH xx

Take better product photos now!

Hi everyone,
I am always trying to take the "Perfect" photo of my products..........usually they turn out to be OK, but this is not always the case.  Sooo, I found this excellent tutorial online, which gives some great ideas on how to achieve better photos.  It is done by Tresa Black from Fabulously Artsy.  Tresa uses Picasa, which I am yet to play with..........but after reading this tutorial,  now I am itching to give it a go!  I love the quick and easy way to watermark the photo, which looks a lot simpler than how I have done it in the past using Photoshop .
So, here is the link......Taking better artwork photos.

I hope this helps with the photography of your handmade products!

Cheers,

MPH xx

Meet the Maker.........Carol from "Cazans Gourmet Foods"

Name:  Carol Dowling
Business Name:  Cazans Gourmet Foods

Website:  www.cazans.com.au

Online storefronts:

Facebook:

Questions:

1. So, tell us about yourself......

In my own words, I am a single old fart with grown children.  I am a mum of two boys who are now off leading their own lives.  I am originally from England, but my home and work is now in Rosebud.

2.  Why handmade?

Because it is the way food should be, preservative free and with no added fillers.

3.  What influenced you to start your business?

When my youngest boy Alex was born, I made the decision to find something I could do from home, because I did not want him to go into child care, I wanted to be with him.  As I had always loved cooking, I took to the kitchen and started making preserves the way my Nan had always done.  I used a lot of her old recipes, plus played with my own concoctions.   I became so involved, that I am still cooking and selling 18 years later, and enjoying being my own boss.  I still believe fresh is best and use only the best fruit and vegetables.  If I am unable to find the quality I want, then the product is placed on hold until I can source want I want.  I spent many years employed in retail management. 

4.  What type of products do you sell?

Conserves, Relish, Chutney, Chilli sauces mustards and more

We make a range of Conserves, which can change due to the availability of seasonal fruits.   Our homemade mustards come in a range of flavours to complement many dishes.  If you are looking for a fruit sauce, we make a delicious range, including raspberry and blueberry - lovely on pancakes!   Chilli sauces are another specialty, from the mild sweet type to the fiery hot chilli sauces.  There are several types of relishes and chutneys in our range, some of which are pictured below.

5.  What are your inspirations for making your products?

My Nanna is my biggest inspiration, she had good taste and was always interested in new tastes and flavours. 

6.  Where do you sell your products?

We sell at many local markets including the Boneo Primary School market, the Red Hill Market, the Red Hill Farmer's Market and the Mornington Racecourse market.  Our products can be found at many local, Victorian and interstate outlets.....including delis, cafes and specialty stores.  A link to the list of outlets can be found HERE.

7. How much time do you spend making your products each week?

It takes between 20-30hrs of cooking time, plus sourcing ingredients, labelling and packaging – and approx 8 hours delivering goods to shops.  There is also the time spent at markets on the weekends.

8.  Do you have a dedicated craft area or studio in your home?

Yes, but in my case it is a kitchen!  I have my own kitchen with large scale boilers and other cooking equipment, especially set up for Cazans.

9.  Are you self taught, or have you had a good teacher?

I had a good teacher in my Nanna, plus I am self taught in a lot of areas.

New Crafty finds.........

Hi all,
Just updating you all on some more crafty finds from the weekend's Boneo Market.  Again, it was a bustling array of stalls and products, well worth the trek out on the windy Saturday morning.

I was delighted to meet a trio of ladies, with a wonderful stall.........Karen from REN with her beautiful beachy creations.  I purchased a gorgeous rock photo holder........love it!  

Tea light holder from REN

Daniela from I Am Daniela, a very talented artist.......I love her sketches!

Art by I Am Daniela

The clever rescued picture book prints from Rita and Frank are made into canvases for your children's bedrooms.......they look great!

Canvas by Rita and Frank

Kerri-ann from Loopi for You had the most wonderful and colourful stall..........beautiful coin purses, Melway's map magnets, hairpins and so much more.  I love these Melway's map pendants pictured below......

Melways map pendants by  Loopi for You

And.........to save the sweetest for last...........Peninsula Fudge! 

Yummy goodies from Peninsula Fudge

 Yummy yummy fudges in many flavours, made right here on our Peninsula.  Who wouldn't be tempted by Lemon Meringue or Choc Mint Swirl fudge.........Mmmmmmm.

See you all tomorrow!

Cheers,

MPH xx

Spoilt for choice........

Hello to everyone........
I hope you have all had a great week!
Just want to let you know about this weekend's local markets, so spoilt for choice!  Today's sunshine makes me want to get outdoors, hopefully the showers hold off for the weekend.  The markets kick off with the Boneo Market, such a great little get together of handmade, homemade, homegrown and fresh produce.  I happen to know the House of Yoghurt will be having a stall there.........looking forward to seeing many more friendly faces too!  The Boneo market runs from 8am to 12 noon and is located at the corner of Boneo and Limestone Rd, Boneo.  Melways 252 K3.

Sunday brings two markets..........a new one at the Rosebud Secondary College, on the corner of Boneo and Eastbourne Rd, Rosebud.  Melways 170 A3.  Opening times are 8am to 12 noon.  It is on the third Sunday of every month.  I hope to find a lovely little local market.........will have to wait and see!

Last but certainly not least is the Mornington Racecourse Market.......on this Sunday from 9am to 2pm.  I love this market, so much to see!  Hopefully the weather is not like last month's one... It is located at the corner of Racecourse and Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Mornington.  Melways 146 B3.

Ok, that should give you all something to do and I am hoping to get out to all three markets........fingers crossed!

Cheers,

MPH xx

Storage labels with style........

Hello there,
A new tutorial for you all.........it is Tutorial Thursday again!
Now if you are like me and LOVE storage baskets...........then this tutorial might be just the thing!  You can make these gorgeous storage labels quite easily and they add a cute touch to a boring old basket.  And...they use spotty ribbon in some of them, which makes them even better!

How cute is this?

The tutorial comes from the very talented Sarah from 2 Giggle Boxes.  It is a really simple and well written tutorial and you can find the link here:  Storage Basket Labels
I hope you like this idea and I would love to see any finished label projects?

Cheers,

MPH xx

Meet the Maker..............Ooooh, it's the face behind MPH!........Jodie from "Designery"

Hello all,
Ok, so I thought today's Meet the Maker is all about who is the face behind the computer at Mornington Peninsula Handmade.........in case you are wondering, which you probably aren't!

Name:  Jodie Griffith

Business Name(s):  Designery

                                 Mornington Peninsula Handmade

Websites:  www.morningtonpeninsulahandmade.blogspot.com

Online Storefronts:  Designery's Madeit store

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Designeryhandmade
                  www.facebook.com/MorningtonPeninsulaHandmade

Questions:

1. So, tell us about yourself........

I live on the Mornington Peninsula, in the seaside town of Rosebud.  I was born on the Peninsula and absolutely adore it here.  My partner lives in the city most of the time and comes down here whenever possible.  That means I get lots of time to sew and make cards, etc.  I am a mum to a ten year old boy, first and foremost.  Anything else fits in around that doesn't it?  I have a busy life which involves me being one of many things........ a part time office worker from home, a handmade business owner/creator, Mornington Peninsula Handmade founder and blogger, new Stampin Up demonstrator, home grown fruit and vegie gardener..........Er, ok, I think I need two of me!  Being one of five daughters, I have a very large family who all live on the Peninsula and are a huge part of my life.

2.  Why handmade?

Up until a few years ago, I didn't really have any hobbies apart from gardening.  In early 2008, something happened to completely change my world.  I was diagnosed with an acute Leukaemia.  Life ceased to be as I knew it and for 18 months was focused on medical treatment.  After the end of this period of treatment,  I began to think of what I could do with my life.  I have always been a bit creative, so I began a web design course..........Ok, I discovered it wasn't for me!  Soon after, Designery was born, from the humble beginnings of me wanting to make my own handbag.  My Mum encouraged me to start making the bag and helped me with things,  like putting the zip in (something I had absolutely no clue how to do!).  I had a few orders for bags from then on and off I went!  I love the time, effort, detail and creativity that handmade items bring.  They are unique and special in this world full of mass produced products.

3. What influenced you to start your business?

The world of blogs, tutorials and sites like Madeit and Etsy, had a huge part in the beginning of my Designery business.  I spent many a night looking at handmade tutorials and basically thought.........I can do this!! Plus the array of fantastic fabrics available now, soon started a buying frenzy!
MPH was born from the need to promote other businesses like my own and to give recognition to the talented bunch of people who live on the Peninsula.  I recently added another dimension to my handmade business by becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  Papercrafts have always drawn me in and I am addicted to gorgeous papers and inks, so it makes sense really.

4.  What type of products do you sell?

I make things which I love and hopefully others do too!  Natural fabrics are something I love, hessian and beautiful linens top the list of favorites........and anything spotty!!!  There are many items.........mobiles for kid's rooms, fabric baskets, book satchels, cards and tags, cupcake toppers, handbags, children's fabric belts, hanging hearts and fabric bunting.  At the moment I am in full Christmas mode, making lots of decorations and cards/gift-tags.........I love Christmas!  As per usual, my present shopping has not even started, but the crafts have!

5. What are your inspirations for making your products?

I think the realisation of one's ability to learn new skills is one of my biggest inspirations.  Being naturally determined and creative, I like giving myself challenges.  The delight from a person when they find out the card is handmade by you..........not just a run of the mill supermarket one.  It makes the gift personal and that is inspiring.  Also the thrill that someone else likes your products....... I ran around the loungeroom like a mad thing after my first Madeit online sale! 

6.  Where do you sell your products?

I have an online store on Madeit.....Designery
Plus a facebook page, which is doing quite well.
I also have some of my kids belts and soon will have some mobiles too, at Coloured Girl Dromana.

7.  How much time do you spend making your products each week?

That can vary, depending on custom orders, but I would say between 10-15 hours on a busy week.  I am always at my craft desk in our lounge room, either making things to sell or experimenting with new ideas.  I am always on the laptop.........Facebook, the MPH blog, Madeit, the Stampin' Up website or just researching new techniques.  I have a monthly Stamp Club with friends, which we absolutely love and we get to try new stamping techniques and make some really great cards & gifts.

8. Do you have a dedicated craft area or studio in your home?

Yes, I am lucky enough to have a custom built craft workstation in our loungeroom.........as per photo below....what a dodgy picture of me!  The dining room table was becoming clogged with sewing and stamping stuff, so my partner had this brilliant desk built for me.  So when he comes down, the craft stuff is contained to one area and doesn't annoy him..............in saying that, I have now outgrown the craftstation and much to his horror, have had to get a trestle table too, for cutting out patterns, etc.  My next purchase will be an overlocker, but goodness knows where that will go?

9. Are you self taught or have you had a good teacher?

Ha, good question!  To think I used to loathe sewing classes at high school and never really took an interest in them.  Ok, so something must have sunk in, because I remembered the very very basic skills........and then Mum to the rescue!!  As mentioned earlier, she helped with zipper installation issues and other bits and pieces.  I have learnt so much from tutorials on the internet..........love, love, love them!!  My monthly stamp club teacher, Teena, has taught us some wonderful techniques in papercraft that I can't wait to pass on to new people who can attend my own Stampin' Up workshops and classes.  Contact details for classes:  jodes0303@hotmail.com

Weekend crafty treasures...........

Hi to everyone.....
It is a late post today but do I have some treasures for you!
In between finishing orders on Saturday morning, I managed to sneak in a quick visit to the Rosebud Primary School market.............so glad I did! 

Gorgeous photographic artwork and greeting cards can be found at the local Moorooduc business, Cards by Jennie,  Jennie had a gorgeous array of beautiful cards and prints at her stall on Saturday.  An example of one of her images is this beautiful rose photograph.....

Photograph from Cards by Jennie

Heading on to the food section of the market I was pleasantly surprised to find some delicious all natural homemade yoghurt products made right in my home town of Dromana!  No artificial colours, stabilizers or sweeteners, all natural yoghurt that can last up to six weeks under correct refrigeration conditions. 
Bill and Giulia Carter have a business called House of Yoghurt and supply to several local stockists:  Stringers Stores in Sorrento, IGA Blairgowrie, IGA Dromana, Dromana Fruit Supply and Peninsula Hot Springs.  I had a sample of their Banana/Mango yoghurt smoothie and oh wow, it was sensational!  I also had a little taste of the homemade lemon yoghurt.........equally yummy!
Contact details for Bill and Giulia:  email: w_giulia@bigpond.net.au or phone: 03 5987 1285 for orders.

Heather from  Aquarius Blue stained glass designs had a colourful array of gorgeous mobiles and hanging ornaments in her stall.  She makes beautifully handcrafted stained glass gifts from her studio in Balnarring. Lovely to meet you Heather! 

Stained glass tea light angels from Aquarius Blue

Locally handmade skincare from Barefoot Body Balms was the last treasure I found at Saturday's market.  Bridie makes beautiful and natural cruelty-free skincare products in West Rosebud.  Barefoot Balms specialises in Mobile Beauty treatments and party plans also.

Body Scrub by Barefoot Body Balms

Again it was inspirational to find another handful of new makers at the weekend market.  I hope to keep on finding new treasures to share with you, at the many markets to come!

Cheers,

MPH xx

What's on...........

Hello.....
This weekend is fast approaching.........yay......and there are a couple of markets on this weekend if you want to stop by for a browse..
Rosebud Primary School Market.....handmade products, homemade goodies and homegrown produce are all available at this popular market.
Cnr of Jetty Rd and Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud....... Mel Ref 158 E12.

And........
The Frankston Undercover Market is having a Super October market tomorrow, to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Heart Arcade.  Free coffees, street performers and musical acts to entertain the market-goers!
Frankston Undercover Market Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/FrankstonUndercoverMarket
I know a few local handmaders are having stalls here, so if you are in the area, head on over and support our local makers :)

Enjoy your weekend.........

Cheers,

MPH xx

The 20 minute shopping tote bag.......

Hello,
I had a late night browsing the wonderful world of craft tutorials...and have bags under my eyes this morning as a result....There are SO many out there and I was trying to find something easy peasy so everyone could have a go at making it.
And so.........here it is:  The 20 Minute Tote tutorial from The Purl Bee.  I thought the totes look fantastic, PLUS can also help stop the use of the dreaded plastic bag.  I love a good Eco-friendly project!  If you are looking for other tutorials, The Purl Bee is jam packed full of them.

20 Minute Tote Bag

So if you have a spare 20 minutes or thereabouts and some groovy fabric........I would love to see what you come up with.  I hope I get some pictures emailed to morningtonpeninsulahandmade@gmail.com  so I can put them into a blog post.
Christmas is coming and these would make an excellent prezzie for ecofriendly-challenged friends and family :)

Cheers,

MPH xx

Meet the Maker.......Ali from "Cheeky Pickle"

Name:  Ali Benyon
Business Name:  Cheeky Pickle

Websites:  www.cheekypickle.net
                 cheekypickle.blogspot.com
Online storefront/s:  www.madeit.com.au/cheekypickle
                               www.etsy.com/shop/cheekypickleshop
                               cheekypickle73@gmail.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/cheekypickle

Questions:

1. So, tell us about yourself.....

I'm originally from Manchester in the U.K.  I arrived in Melbourne six years ago, having never been to Australia before (I know, we must have been mad!) with my hubby and ten month old baby girl.  We have now grown to become a family of four and are lucky enough to live in Mt Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula and love it!

2.  Why handmade?

For me, handmade equates to quality and love with a splash of personality thrown in.  I'm a firm believer that if you have a real passion for what you do, then it will always show in your finished product.  If I'm not totally happy with my completed handmade item then it does not go up for sale.  I think that most handmade craftspeople have this work ethic, making handmade very unique and special in today's throw away and buy new society.

3.  What influenced you to start your business?

My degree is in Textile Design and you could say that designing is who I am and just what I do.  I have always wanted to own my own business, but either the timing or situation has never been quite right.  However, after having my second daughter four years ago, everything seemed to fall into place, a light bulb popped on and Cheeky Pickle was born.

4.  What type of products do you sell?

Stitched paper designs for children's bedrooms, home decor, greeting cards and tags, paper bunting and prints of my own original art pieces.

5.  What are your inspirations for making your products?

My inspirations for doing what I do are not only my family, but also other thriving small handmade businesses that I aspire to.  I also get a really positive feeling when reading my customer feedback on my FB page.  The reviews, posts and comments I receive always motivate me to aim higher, design better quality products and encourage me to continually develop new ideas.

6.  Where do you sell your products?

Most of my sales are generated through my FB page, but I also have a couple of online stores....Madeit and Etsy.  The markets I do are the very grand Red Hill market on the Peninsula, with Craft Markets Australia and a few other carefully chosen ones around Christmas time.  I also have my products dotted around Australia in a few boutique stores.

7.  How much time do you spend making your products each week?

I honestly don't think there are many minutes in the day when I'm not either making or thinking up new ideas, new blog posts, emailing customers and thinking of new ways to promote.  I do struggle with switching off from Cheeky Pickle.  Something I am slowly working on.

8.  Do you have a dedicated craft area or studio in your home?

Yes.  I originally set myself up in the spare bedroom, but with Facebook being an increasingly important tool for my business, I have now moved into the home office to be close to the computer.  This has actually been a real turning point for my business and I am much more productive.  Now I can design, make, photograph, email customers, post on FB, invoice and package all from the one room.  However, sometimes it can be a distraction!!

9.  Are you self taught or have you have a good teacher?

I have always made, designed, created.  It's in my blood and comes as second nature to me.  After finishing school, I went on to study art for seven years.  But when you go to art school (a good one) you can't/aren't exactly taught how to be a good designer.  Instead you are encouraged to push your creative ideas to their limit.  A good teacher helps you to think outside the box and fuels you with new ideas.  I think this is what you take with you into the "real" world when you have studied art.

10.  What have you struggled with in starting your business?

I think the thing that has surprised me the most is how little time I spend actually making now that my business is busy.  If I split my time up, then I would say that I spend 60% or even more of my time on the computer.  That is uploading pictures, invoicing, emailing, posting on FB, chasing payment and updating blogs and the website.  This is also the other main thing that I have found most difficult.  I am not that good on the computer and have had to self teach myself everything, which has been a slow and very frustrating process.

Weekend Stamping Workshop October

Good Morning to you all.....
I hope you are all enjoying this sensational spring weather today.........so sunny!

On Sunday, my friends and I had another of our monthly Stamping Workshops......this time learning a new technique - watercolouring.  We had the lovely Teena Pillar teach us some very clever tricks and hints, always with a laugh and many giggles!
Watercolouring involves stamping with permanent ink, then using different mediums to create the watercolour effect. 
We also used an embossing machine for textured paper effects and ribbon detail for decoration.

My finished cards............not nearly as good as the teachers!

If you would like to make your own handmade Christmas Cards, I will be holding a card making workshop in approximately four weeks in Rosebud.  Please email: morningtonpeninsulahandmade for further details.  I have spaces for 8 people at the first workshop, so please book promptly.

Cheers,

MPH xx