Right up on High....

Was wandering up on High st on Friday and came across....wonders of wonders....a bead store.

I'm sure I've passed it a million times before, but stupidly, never ventured in.
It's not the most delightful of interiors and there is definitely no sales assistants asking how your days been, but that's sorta appealing in itself.
You can linger longer and take your time touching everything.

They have trays and trays of beads, strands of gems, lots of suede's, leather and tiger tail and some super cheap shop display items behind the counter.

I got some funky beads for a project I'm working on ready for my December markets and at only 10 cents each I could afford a few colors to have a play with.

I also nabbed a display bust for only $8.95.....I've seen them in shop display shops for much more then that, so I was very happy.
I don't usually use conventional display items for my stalls, but the beaded idea I'm working on needs something to set it apart from all the rest, so it was good timing really, that I came across it.

If your in the area and after a bargain, the shops called Bejooled and its at 320 high st, Preston, Vic.

Definitely not sunny for this coco.......

T'was the night before market when all through the house, the littlen's were sleeping quite as a mouse. Mum was up stitching and packaging with the glee, the finishing touches for the stall of 'Finki'.


Morning rose and the table was set, better this time, my best one yet.

But where were the crowds? I catered to thee!
Luckily friends and family came see....

Was it the rain, that damned winter weather, was it my regrowth or bad breath! No never.

Questions, queries....who, what, when where, and why?
Life's wasted just guessing, so let's not try.

Not try, figure out if we did something wrong! Just have faith in our craft, and sing a happy song.

For the day gave time to reflect and to share, with the wonderful bunch of gals who were there.

My neighbour, dear Shannon from rabbit and duck, brought cupcakes to share, what good luck.

I had chit chats with Anna, Kylie, Jen and Jenny, Felicity,Nikki, Margaret and Beky.

Tasty treats from Melbourne Epicure, Yum!

Covered my costs, and a little more. Enough to by scrumptious tarts and gingerbread at the door.

Will I visit again, and take a punt in Preston, not sure really.
Can't answer that question!

What's new pussycat......

Whoa, whoa, .....
Now that I've got you singin' lets move on to what really is new in the world of Finki.

Lots!

It's almost market time again and I'm sure you've noticed the ebb and flow of my creativity stems around that time of the month, well not that time...the other time. The week and a half of sheer chaos that leads up to my monthly market stall, where I'm rarely seen with out a needle in my hand and my head Misses hitting the pillow before midnight every night.

But it's all good. I've figured out that this is how I work. I could pace myself and do a bit each day, but that's far too organized and calm and just not me.
So for two weeks I rest, then for two weeks it's ON.


This two weeks of creativity brings you:

New, New, New.....storybook baskets, pencil holders, notepads, bowls, recipe card holders, scissor holders, glass and fabric pendants and more!

A feast of new and old papers and materials have been used, still keeping in theme with my love of all things bright beautiful and vintage inspired.


All this will be on show, Sunday 5th July at the Sonny and Coco Market from 10 - 3.

Do drop by and say hello to me and the many other fantastically crafty bloggers on board.

Flicketty splits.
Rabbit and the duck.
Polly pratt.
Tiges and weince.
Konstant Kaos.
Craving frocks.

and we can't forget the tasty stylings of melbourne epicure. YUM!

Doin' it again....

Well it worked out super for me last time, so I'm doing it again.

The Sonny and Coco Market that is.

It was a mixed bag for sure, but it was the first time for these organizers. Mistakes were made, some things were over looked, but we all live and learn.

The organizers have decided that the second hand stuff will not be there this time. Strictly craft, art, handmade and vintage.

So if you were thinking about it, quick sticks cause it's only 4 weeks away and last time spaces filled up quick. I'd love to see more of us crafty bloggers there.

How did the market go!

I haven't been holding back on telling you all about my latest market endeavor, I promise. Just needed some spare time and new batteries for the camera to show you the goodies I bought.

The Sonny and Coco market was on Sunday just gone and it was a big turnout.
Lot's of stall holders and a real mix of offerings. Some vintage, some gorgeous craft, and some second hand rubbish. (even with the Savers tag still on)

Unfortunately no yummy BBQ or salad bar, so I went hungry.
There was one cupcake/muffin seller but I'm trying so hard to be healthy....so I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

If you know ANY food vendors that do scrummy savory food, we need them. Every market I go to is desperate for lunch type stall holders. There is a lot of white tape with food and hygiene certification, but if you know peep's that have been pondering whether or not to take the plunge and get certified, tell them they would have plenty of events ready and willing to take them on.

Back to the market.
Surprisingly for me it was my best market yet. I never count my money till I get home and do an inventory. Then I get an accurate picture of what sold. It ended up being our most profitable so far. I was really amazed, extremely happy of course, but bewildered too.

I had added three new product ranges since my last venture (baskets, fabric pendants and earrings) and decided to bring all the knitwear along, that may have been why!

I hope to continually reinvent my product and keep it fresh, so that every visit to a Finki stall brings something new. Next time I'm introducing bracelets and brooches.

So................................ on to the goodies.

I grabbed this awesome cowboy fabric, with the intention of using it to make a quilt for Finn. I saw the lovliest one at the market, but I would have had to trade 20 items with the seller just so I could afford it. So I decided to make one myself. I've always loved this fabric and was wrapt when I saw it at the table of my neighbour, peta pledger.

My other neighbour, Scented Sisters, tantalized my nostrils all day with the most divine smelling soaps. So we did a trade and i got these fab soaps. Apple & cinnamon and lemon myrtle & geranium. They look good enough to eat.

Lastly, I traded with another talented seller, Roz Mcquillan, promoting her photography and art on block canvasses. You know I love art that can stand on a shelf, and I couldn't go past this graffiti pussycat and owl, so bold and beautiful amongst all that purple.

So all in all it was a good day.
The oranizers do need to work on there image and selection process, and definately on getting bigger tables, but for me, it's close to home. I'm a part of the Darebin community and know a lot of people in the area, so I felt at home. I'd definately do it again.

Newbies for this weekends market..........

As always the week leading up to market is a whirlwind of creativity an production. Maybe signing up to do one market a month isn't such a bad idea after all. It definitely keeps me on my toes and challenges me to constantly reinvent my stalls appeal by introducing new and exciting products.

On the drawing board this month and ready to go for the Sonny & Coco Market on Sunday are my new range of earrings, as posted about recently, and......very exciting...........a new stitched basket.

I have been playing around with a few shapes that I liked the look of, some more round, some hexagon, but I've settled on this ever so cute curvy, squarish one.

It has a square base, curvy sides, and a scalloped lid. I made my prototype out of pages recycled from a 70's how to sew book. It makes me cry to cut up books, but this one was damaged and beyond repair, so I've kept it to salvage what I can. So really it's not book murder, rather book saviour.

I'm so happy with the result, all curviliscious and practical too. Perfect for your colored cotton reels and favourite needles, or your bangles and jewels or of course the old fave, full of lollies.

I'll have all the favourites at my stall including a new selection of gift cards, so if you are in the neighbourhood do drop in.

The market is close to the high st Tram, and a little walk from Preston station. The Library is around the corner for the kids to hang out at, and there are a few de lish coffee and cake spots on High, like The fire station Cafe/Gallery at 378 high st, Preston.

They do the best breakfasts, and I dare you to try the taste tempter No doubt inspired by Elvis 'the king'. It's a toasted peanut butter and banana sandwhich, topped with bacon and honey...Yumm!

You'll see these talented peep's there too:

Flicketty splits
Kalliopi
Rabbit& the Duck
Konstant Kaos
The Lark
Kids with crayons

and much.....much.....more!
Pop by and support this new market in Preston. It would be lovely to see it become regular, so we all have another shopping hot spot in the Northern suburbs.