Two Little Ducks Went Out One Day

On Good Friday every year in Melbourne, there is the Good Friday Appeal that raises money for the Royal Children's Hospital. A cause very close to my heart for a number of reasons.

Good Friday Appeal Auction Pack

This year, I participated in an online auction and my bid won an amazing swag of goodies that were kindly donated by Jacinta at Two Little Ducklings. We ended up with 4 adorable and original sets of flash cards, a beautiful picture and 3 name charts for our three little rascals.

I fell in love with them instantly, as did the kids. I just had to ask Jacinta about her handmade adventure, which she has very kindly shared;

How and when did Two Little Ducklings come about?

I began Two Little Ducklings when I was on maternity leave, I was very career driven before having Lexi and always thought that I would return to my job (I was Senior Designer and Studio Manager of a prominent Design Studio in Melbourne), but when this little lady entered my life, I was, like any other mother, completely besotted, I couldn’t really imagine going back to my corporate job. 

D is for Different

A few friends were having a babies, so I created a few cards for them, and thought I could do this for a business, it all started from there. The educational series was developed when Lexi was continually given some really heinous books on things like alphabet, counting and colours, they were all very American based and just awful designs. Being the creative person I am, I decided to create some well designed-Australian based flash cards for her to learn from.


What is your favourite design?
 
This is such a hard question to answer, I like my products for different reasons, but because of it’s originality I really like my name charts, I haven’t seen anything like these and love that it can teach kids the letters of their names in a creative and fun way.

We are the proud owners of 3 of these name charts

Where do you find your inspiration?

I’ve just finished redesigning my new range of cards, gift tags and wrapping paper and my flash cards, so it was a big time for research and figuring out what would work. I look at a lot of things for inspiration, from Instagram and what is happening in fashion to magazines and what people are putting in their homes, I try to stay on-trend and current, looking at new ways to do things with design. Colour is a big part of what I do, so I try to see what is working for people now and include them into my colour palettes. I also get a lot of inspiration from Lexi and and my niece and nephew, to see what they are liking and put these things into my designs for my kids range of cards and prints.

Where do you work from?

I would totally keep this!

I work from home and utilise lots of it. In summer  I love to work upstairs on my bed as the light is beautiful there and I can spread out, in winter, I tend to stay downstairs on the couch under the heater. I have an office nook, but it really just houses my products, and my kitchen table is always covered in my work. One day I hopefully will be able to have a little studio. At the moment though, I don’t think any room isn’t used for Two Little Ducklings. 

What do you love most about what you do?

I can't bear it!

I don’t think I have ever felt happier at work than doing what I’m doing now. I get so much enjoyment from sending orders out to my beautiful supportive customers and stockists. I love seeing my work on my stockists shelves and get a real buzz when I get another order. I feel very humbled that so many people love what I do. I worked very hard to get to where I am, with a four year university degree and then eight years building my career.

I love that I get to see Lexi so much and don’t have to rush off to work, I like that I get to choose what will work best and to solve problems, as a designer that is primarily my job. Apart from my product range I also run my own little design studio and I love that I get to work with my clients and build brands for them and develop their companies look, it is completely different to working on my own stuff, but it is lovely to see happy clients.

What is your ambition for Two Little Ducklings?

I am approaching my first trade show next month and that is a major step in getting Two Little Ducklings a little further around Australia and hopefully New Zealand, which is what I would love to see, I’ve always envisaged owning my own stationery store so perhaps that is something I would like to eventually aim for, but in saying that I am just taking it one step at a time and seeing where this little business takes me, I am very much enjoying the ride. I could never have imagined it would grow to what it is now, so I figure shoot for the stars and see where I land!

I highly recommend check out the website or pop into a stockist, whatever you do, you really need some of these adorable things in your life!

A Handmade Resolution - Thanks Handmade Cards

As you may or may not remember, at the beginning of the year I made a Handmade Resolution to include a handmade item in every gift I gave. I am currently keeping this resolution, and that is mainly thanks to handmade cards!

Felix's Dinosaur Birthday Card

A little while ago, I went to the Creators Market in Malvern and came across some gorgeous cards by Maggie at MyLittlePerfect. The dinosaur card I gave Felix for his 4th birthday was by Maggie.

Maggie does all the lino printing for each and every card, tag and print! Here is her Handmade Adventure;

MyLittlePerfect was born shortly after I had my little boy, Will. I was on Maternity Leave from my position as an Art teacher. Over my teaching career I taught students from Prep through to Year 11, which I loved. The junior students were so imaginative and excited by the freedom that the art room offered and allowed. The senior students were more refined in the approach to their artwork and establishing their own individual styles. Having studied Fine Arts, majoring in Painting and Printmaking, I had the opportunity to start practicing my own art again when I was on leave, in-between naps and feeds!

So Adorable!

I started to combine my two artistic loves, painting and printmaking and turning them into gift tags and greeting cards and eventually some larger prints and paintings. I like to think that the images and designs I create are familiar in their subject matter and appropriate for people of all ages. I love it when I'm at a market and people stand in front of my stall and just smile. It makes me feel so happy that people can enjoy the childlike imagery that I use and that the warmth of the subject matter and the crafting of them translates across to people with such ease and familiarity.

Mmm Pineapple

I kind of think my work is somewhat like the modern version of Pop Art, a cultivation and expression of our popular culture. I also love that people buy my cards to identify with its recipient. People will say things like, 'omg my girlfriend is pineapple mad, I'll get her that one' or 'my little girl loves ballet, so I'll get her the ballet slippers.' It's like the imagery is part of that person's identity and I love that my work provides a connection between people, its' not just another birthday card, it's more than that. 

Much of my inspiration is from our contemporary culture as well as subjects that I like, and generally animals that Will likes. My drawings are all my own and I would describe them as childlike, bold, 2-dimensional and bright. I feel that its a bit ironic, that the images seem so flat yet the fact that they are completely handmade, individually printed and then painted, each one its very own original, gives it its three-dimensionality.

Eye catching cards for every occasion

I studied Painting, Printmaking, Drawing, Sculpture and Photography.  I then went on to complete by Bachelor of Arts majoring in Art History and Archaeology. Upon completion of my BA I was asked to complete Honours in Art History and in Archaeology, but I could only choose one, so I chose Art History. With my Honours completed, I decided to do an extra 12 months and complete my DipEd in Secondary Teaching, which I did and then went on to teach.

Champion Girl & Boy

My favourite prints are Lorenzo the Lion and Champion Boy (which is what my husband and I call Will). Moving forward, I hope that MyLittlePerfect continues to grow and I will be sourcing boutiques to start stocking my works. I hope to include a variety of items including fabrics and some larger scale pieces. I'm intending to open my studio as a retail and gallery space, called the MyLittlePerfect Studio Shop, which should be ready to launch with the new website around Easter time this year.

You can get in touch with Maggie and check out the MyLittlePerfect range on Facebook and via the Website.

Lorenzo the Lion

A Handmade Gift Needs a Handmade Card

I love to be able to give a gift I've made myself, and even accompany that with a card I've made myself. However, in this day and age, time isn't exactly available in copious amounts! So when I am unable to make something myself, I love to support someone else doing the handmade thing.

If you've gotten a gift from me, chances are it's been accompanied by a card made by the lovely Katrina at Mum & Me Handmade Designs based in Brisbane Australia.

I asked Katrina a few questions about her own Handmade Adventure;

How long ago did you start Mum and Me Handmade Designs? 

I started my business with my mum 9 years ago.  We started attending markets in Brisbane.  Some markets I even have my grandmother help and so it’s a real family affair.  I have 3 daughters ages 4, 7 and 9 and they inspire me to do what I do.

Love Handmade!

What led you to start creating cards? 

I’ve always loved cards and after having my first daughter and receiving lots of beautiful keepsake cards I decided to give it a go.  I started making cards with stamps, cardstock, papers, embellishments and each card would take me over an hour to make each one.  I did this for years before realising I love prints and fonts and so finally decided to give this style a go and it was the best decision for me.  I love love love making these cards. 

Mum & Me Handmade Designs

What is your design process?

Some of my cards are original designs and lots of others are artwork I have purchased. I love to sketch and play around with designs and layouts and to work out how I want my cards to look and what I can do to make my cards modern and stylish.

Where do you work from? 

My business started out in the dining room and I just started taking over the whole house.  I now have a separate area and work benches where most of my stock and supplies are kept.  My craft space is a little dark so I tend to still work at my dining room table!  Each Monday I start the week fresh and I make sure I reorder and stock my workspace and create a list of everything that I need to make.  I also sew so I have fabric everywhere!!!

What do you love most about what you do?

It feels right!!!  I love what I do and it brings me a lot of joy.  It has been a lot of hard work and I have made some mistakes along the way but after 9 years I am very happy where my business is at and I’m looking forward to the next few years. I love hearing from my customers and their beautiful feedback puts a smile on my face each time.

Mum and Me Handmade Designs have the perfect card for every occasion!