Supporting handmade in Australia

Handmade Markets is all about supporting handmade businesses and individuals from Australia and New Zealand. The Oz Material Girls and Patterns Only host regular market nights and $1 auctions spreading the handmade love. 

Here are a few of the amazing businesses that have been part of our previous market nights. Be sure to join our community page and also our chat group for how to get involved! 

Introducing Two Little Rascals

Two Little Rascals began in late 2010 when Kate was trying to fit work around her family, and quickly realised how much she enjoyed creating.  

Two Little Rascals, have a fabulous selection of raggy quilts, bunting and children's clothing, and Kate wishes there were 10 more hours in a day, be sure to connect with them on Facebook!

 

Introducing Riverview Gifts Galore

Heather from Riverview Gifts Galore specialises in children's educational wooden toys and puzzles. They stock a large range of toys, puzzles, musical instruments and gifts and have also just started our own range of handmade items including bibs, tea towels and marble bags, head over and follow them on Facebook so you don't miss out!

Introducing Bellamoo Designs 

Carly is the bella behind Bellaoo Designs and makes fun, bright and unique clothing for girls and boys of all ages.  All items are made using designer fabrics for a soft, quality finish.  Custom orders are also welcome. Be sure to pop on over to Bellamoo Designs Facebook page!

Market Night #2 is nearly here!!

Good Morning! 

How was your weekend?

We have been working very hard on our new Handmade Market Night. 

It will open tomorrow, 27th August at 8pm!

Here is a sneek peek at some of the goodies we will have on offer!

Here is a direct link to the Market Album!

We really hope you can stop by and find yourself some 100% Handmade, 100% Aussie owned goodness!

We also have an Auction ending at 8PM tonight! Here is a link to the Auction album - it's not too late to get your bids in on these gorgeous items :)

If you make handmade items and would like to be a part of our Market Nights, please head here to our facebook page to find out how.


To find out all the latest news here on our blog, you can subscribe by email right here on the right hand side of the page :)

Random thoughts of a sewer (or perhaps thoughts of a random sewer?)

• I love to sew – it centers me. I can honestly say that sewing clears my mind and gives me a chance to spend some time with ME.
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  The only problem....I don't always get time to sew. I'm like a lot of WAHM's – BUSY! I have two munchkins at home...a husband....pets...and a household to run, supermarket trips, post-office drop-offs, playgroup, exercise, and other appointments, not to mention some down time to just relax and do nothing (which we all need sometimes!).

  So how do you balance sewing and life – first let's talk about general sewing for family/friends/fun. I am sure I'm not alone when I admit to sometimes feeling guilty if I spend too long in the sewing room when I should be spending time with the kids...or the husband...or even the pets. What I think you need to do is accept that it's okay to have some 'you' time. I opened with the fact that sewing centers me and it's true, I feel so much better at the end of the day if I've been able to indulge in my hobby and passion. This then has a roll on effect that I end up being a better mum, wife, friend...

  So all of that said you also need to know when to stop – if it's approaching dinner time and the kids are going mental it's probably time to turn the machine off for a while and step away – for me any-time any stressful feelings come into my sewing I stop – even if it's just long enough to make a cup of tea. Now I know what you're probably thinking... “she said sewing centres her so why would she get stressed?” Well that brings me nicely to my next bit on sewing for business. I run my own home sewing business and like any business I work to time frames, deadlines – add the extra pressure of custom orders and from time to time sewing can be stressful.

  I do find that giving realistic time frames help and if I do get bogged down (or a child gets sick) admitting to customers straight away that a delay will occur helps 100%, as the worst thing to do is lie to a customer!

  

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  For me maintaining a good balance between sewing and life here is a matter of sticking to a schedule and even though it's fairly flexible (did I mention the munchkins?) It's still there as something to fall back on and help when you loose track of time. I set an amount of time every day to sew or prepare for sewing (designing, tracing, cutting etc) then I estimate how much time a job/pattern will take – and forgive me here as I'm a little pedantic! I time myself on the first make so I've got an idea of how long things will take in the future – remembering and allowing that the first time is usually the longest time.

  The other thing I do is admit I'm not superwoman and can't do everything so some days I won't get much done but on other days I'll get a million things done – so it's a matter of looking at the whole rather than the individual times.

  
  

  

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  The biggest most important thing to remember though is to enjoy yourself....sew with love and unleash your creative self and go wild!

What's happening at HM

Good Afternoon!

The exciting news keeps on coming!
We have recently moved the TOMG market night to a whole page of it’s own!

It’s now “Handmade Markets”

Handmade Markets is your one-stop-shop for everything 100% handmade and 100% Aussie Owned!

We are going to hold regular market nights and $1 Auctions, one which is underway right now!

Here is a sneak peek of some of the gorgeous items up for grabs :

This $1 Auction doesn't end until Tuesday, 20^th Aug so there are still plenty of bargains to be had!

Don’t miss out, click on the link and place your bids – Good luck!

If you would like to be involved in one of our nights, please join our Facebook Group for all the details.

Handmade Market #1 is open for business!

We have 20 fabulous 100% Australian owned vendors selling 100% handmade goodness!
They are offering everything from childrens clothing,

 

to hair and jewerelly goodies,

 

Softies and dolls,

 

bunting and home décor,

 

bags, baby items and quilts!

 

 

There will be something for everyone, so please spread the word and let your friends and family know!

If you are a creator, you could also send us an email and secure yourself a spot in Market Night #2 – or even #3 as the second is filling up fast.

 

Be sure to follow Handmade Markets via your favourite social media