A Handmade Birthday

A couple of weeks ago I celebrated my 30-somethingth birthday. I'm not being vague about my age for reasons of vanity or mystery. My bad memory is merely a result of three children and the current focus on Sophie, hospitals and surgery.

Sophie our little trooper

Yesterday was a horrible day, we were told that there was a very high chance that they could perform the operation. We waited the entire day, and Sophie fasted for eight hours, before we were told that there wasn't a bed for her in ICU and we could take her home. We now have to wait again for another surgery date, which shouldn't be too far off.

Stupidly we felt like we'd won the lottery, took her and ran. Possibly because the first open heart surgery she had, was followed by a multitude of complications and we really aren't looking forward to seeing her go through it all again. See my husband's post about her first operation.

Earrings from Pip and the Sea

I digress, in order to celebrate my birthday, I had planned to go on a handmade shopping spree! It turns out, the majority of handmade things I pin on Pinterest or favourite on Etsy or Madeit are for the kids.

I did manage to make one handmade purchase, some extremely cute eco-resin earrings from Pip and the Sea.

My Birthday Books!

My family came to the rescue, and I was given a swag of crafty books which is sure to keep my 'to do list' in good stead. My husband also surprised me by taking me and the kids out for High Tea at the Hopetoun Tea Rooms in Melbourne. He even had to book 7 months in advance! It was fantastic, I recommend you book now!

So that was my birthday. I think I'll start making a list of handmade goodies for myself for next year. 

What handmade goodies do you love to treat yourself to?

Getting a little ahead of myself - Handmade Challenge 2016?!!

It is the first week of March, and no I am not crossing another item off my Handmade Challenge List, I am starting a whole new list for 2016?! 

I should really prove to myself that I can get the original 12 made first, but I just can't help myself. So what's on my list so far? 

Tree Change Dollls by Sonia Singh

You may have heard of Tasmanian Mum and artist Sonia Singh who has started something amazing called; Tree change dolls. Sonia has been 'rescuing' dolls from op shops and giving them a 'make-under', making them look like actual normal people and dressing them in the most adorable outfits that her mum makes! She's encouraging others to give it a go too. I cannot paint, I did terribly in art at high school, however I'm not going to let that stop me from trying. I've been keeping an eye out at my local op shop, but haven't come across a doll that needs rescuing yet.

Resin Bracelets from Pip and the Sea

Another item I'd like to have a go at making is Resin Jewellery. Nicola from Pip and the Sea makes lovely eco-resin pieces, and while there is no way I could make anything as adorable as she does, I have discovered that there are classes where you can learn to make your own, so why not give it a shot, and when someone says to me, 'my that's an... interesting ring you are wearing' I can say 'I made it myself!'


I do have to complete 2 more items on my list very very soon for Sophie's party. The kids have actually helped to make the base for item number 2, the Heart Shaped Pinata. It's the decorating that's not quite going according to plan.

Pinata in Progress; many hands make messy work!

You may have noticed that so far, I have totally avoided any items on my list that require sewing. I am so scared of the sewing, and there are 4 items that need sewing. Oh me oh my... It's only March, but we've arrived here very quickly. How are you going with your list?

Don't forget to share your handmade creations. If you're having trouble sharing via the blog, email me so that I can share for you, or if you're on Facebook, you can share there.

I have to get back to knitting, a baby arrived today and I haven't finished her present yet (not on the list). The baby beat me!

What a Cracker

If you are my family, please look away now. I was hoping to try and keep these crackers as a cracking good Christmas Day surprise. They have become a mini Christmas gift in a way, specific to each person, instead of just a cracker with a lame joke and a plastic comb.

So here it be! A cracker of a cracker filled with (mostly) handmade goodness!

The Cracker itself comes from Pip & The Sea, they come sans banger, however I always like to have a little bang in my Christmas, so I got some to put in. You can squeeze a surprising amount of stuff in these.

The oh so cute mini stamps are from Cupcaketree on Etsy, I tried to get ones that suited the people they are for.

The Mitten (I have made quite a few!) comes from this free pattern. They are a little tricky to begin with, however I can just about do them in my sleep now. Don't be scared if you're unsure about double pointed needles. This great video really helped me.

I chose jokes that I tried to make specific to each family member. Some are a little generic, these late nights and unruly children are somewhat stifling my creativity!

I would've liked to have made my own paper hats, and chocolates, however sometimes you have to make compromises.

Hoping you have a Cracking Good Christmas!

Pip & The Sea

Yikes! My 2 year old has discovered that he can get out of bed, and is making good use of the house when he is supposed to be sleeping. We are also replacing windows which we were surprised to be told could be installed before Christmas and in 2 - 3 days no less (we were willing to wait until New Year). Of course it hasn't gone according to plan, we have boards where a window should be, and the hole was made last Wednesday. Anyway, we have been told it will all be done tomorrow, and remain optimistic.

Meanwhile, I have been trying to get together my Christmas bits and bobs. One of which is my handmade Christmas Crackers, which I will feature on another post, however firstly, I would like to share with you the handmade adventure of Nicola from Pip & The Sea who designed these gorgeous Christmas delights.

What a Cracker!

How & when did Pip and the Sea come about?

Stunning Resin Bracelets

I have always had an interest in jewellery making and have previously dabbled in silver-smithing and other mediums. A few years ago I enrolled in a resin jewellery workshop, and really loved it. For Christmas 2012 I designed and made my mother a resin bracelet as a gift. I had embedded photos of her grandchildren in it. Friends began to inquire about purchasing them, and after a few custom orders, I decided to set up an Etsy store. Since then I have expanded to many other products, and have specialised in using eco-resin, which is a plant-based resin that uses the by products of paper pulp and bio-fuel.

Is Pip and the Sea your day job?
 
I am currently a full-time mum, and mostly make jewellery in the evenings, once my two young kids are in bed. It is a hobby business that I do for enjoyment and the love of creative expression. I also enjoy the social nature of interacting with my customers and all of the Pip and the Sea Instagram and Facebook followers. The support that I have received from friends and strangers from all over the world can be really uplifting.

Do you attend markets?

Tomato Red Earrings

I occasionally sell at markets, but have decided to focus more on selling my designs online. I have found that markets can be quite flooded with jewellery sellers, and selling online gives me more control over the hours that I work on my hobby business, freeing up weekends for time with my family.

How do you come up with your designs?

I’m constantly researching, reading and experimenting with resin and trying out different techniques and tools. I often get ideas for designs from things that I see in nature. I designed a honey-comb shaped pendant after my family got a hive of native bees for our garden in Sydney. I’ve made pendants using found objects, such as insect wings that I have stumbled across on the ground. New designs happen organically. 

I’ve recently started to develop a line of paper goods such as cards, gift tags and crackers after I took a workshop on gold-foiling. I’m led by whatever interests me. New products are always a bit of a risk as I need to invest in materials and equipment before I know if they will be successful, but that is part of the fun.

Where do you work from?

Black Seaweed Pendant

I have a work bench set up in the corner of a room in my house. I can be a bit untidy when I am getting creative, so I needed a space that was separate to the rest of the house.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love having a creative outlet, and something to focus on. It’s rewarding when people are purchasing and placing value on an item that I have made with my hands. I feel proud that I have built a small business from scratch and have sold items to people all around the world. It’s really lovely to receive so much support from so many people.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I can find inspiration anywhere. I’ll will often notice a shape or a colour combination somewhere during my daily activities and I’ll take a picture and see if I can come up with something for a new design. Sometimes I have custom requests from people which will lead to a new design.

What is your ambition for Pip and the Sea?

I would like to continue to work on improving my products and customer service, and creating new designs. I have felt proud as I’ve witnessed my business slowly grow and I hope to continue with the work I have put in for as long as it suits our family’s lifestyle. When I return to full-time work it may take a back seat, but that is the nature of a hobby business. It can be flexible, which is part of the attraction.

Be sure to take a look at all of Nicola's other amazing pieces. I think I will be dropping a not so subtle hint for an eco-resin jewel for my birthday in March!