Pop up shop ...

Tomorrow only ... 

there will be a special pop up shop in the Polly Pratt studio at Olive Grove Studios.

If you're in the neighborhood do pop by,

 there will be lots of handmade loveliness on offer.

Tweet...Blogtoberfest day 11.

Tweet of the bird, not the social networking thingo.

Lovin' the birdies on my new skirt.

The latest from Polly Pratt designs down at Olive Grove.

I fell in love with the fabric the minute it walked in the door,
and it totally fits in with my not buying anything black.
I am wearing it with black...

But you wait till I get my new tights from 'We love colors'.

image via: we love colors
Plus sizes in an awesome range of prints and colors.

It will be a color explosion.
Thanks for the tip off on that one too Michelle.
Catch yah tomorrow.

Jay xx

Skirting around...the pictures.

Time for some pictures of the great skirts everyone has created as a part of our 'Skirting around exhibition' and silent auction.

1. 'The Grass is greener' by Finki.

Applique and screen print on denim.
Size S (10-12)

2. 'A far cry from olives' by Roze.
Hand screen printed and gold foiled on denim.
Size S (10-12)

3. 'Flying ducks' by Polly Pratt.
Applique on denim.
Size 16

4. 'Encircle' by Starashan.
Denim and vintage silk kimono.
Size 12

5. 'Embroidery Tree' by Dear Someone.
Applique denim.
Size 12.

6. 'Oh Deer' by Ena Designs.
Free motion machine embroidery on denim.
Size 10-12

7. 'Ruby's view' by Mim.
Hand screen print and embroidery.
Size 16

8. 'Rosie's Trippin' by Troika.
Hand screen printed on denim.
Size 14.

You can see bigger pics over on the blog olivegrovestudios.blogspot.com

Our silent auction is running till 8th May, so if you like the look of any and just must have it for your own, go ahead and place a bid by calling the store on 9388-8006 or sending an email to olivegrovestudios@gmail.com

Some skirts are bid free at this stage, so go on, be the first and nab yourself a truly unique artisan skirt.

Jay xx

Switched off mode...

Upon reflection I see that January has still been a creative month.

I was dubious, as I have not had my lists up and running and I have not been producing a daily stash of goodies for the shop.

So it sort felt like I was in slow motion, pottering here and there during nap times, whilst I primarily focused on making time for the wee ones during the holidays.

I took the camera to work on Sunday and snapped the few things I did get done in January and it made me realize that even in switched off mode, when I only get one project done over a week instead of a day, it all still adds up.

Its quality not quantity... and I quite liked the slower speed.

So my January mission was to make some apron tops/vests.

The Deer apron top, is layered over a fab boat neck singlet by Polly Pratt.

I do love a little wrap that goes over your basic singlet and covers the belly on those bloated days.
It's shaped through the side and darted at the bust to give it a nice fit.
So it's not just a wrap around that is one size fits all and adds bulk. No, no...I took the time to size it, shape it and make it flattering.

I forgot to take a pic before I dropped them in store and when I went on Sunday one colorway had sold out Hooray!

Fortunately I was wearing it...

So here's a sticky beak of it in a terrible point and shoot of ones self in the shop fitting room mirror.

I used the new screens I made at my photo screen printing class, including my new two color print. Very excited was I.

The other thing I did was print up a range of my ladies tee's in the deer print.

My new favorite.
The black one is modeled with an awesome skirt by Mim and bag by Starashan.

I also realised I hadn't shown you the other ladies tee's I did in December...

Owls and dragonfly's.

All available in white, black, red, plum, aqua and navy. Sizes 12 -20.

These are the base tee's I worked on with a Melbourne team to create a more flattering ladies tee.
It's a bit more generous around the mid section, shaped at the hem and has a lovely scoop neckline to flatter us busty gals.
Guaranteed sweat shop free made right here in Melbourne.

I'm not sure if that is something that appeals to people. The whole sweat shop free and locally made thing. It makes it a much dearer product for me to buy compared to tee's made in china, but I'm very happy to support local business and have the extra added benefit of being able to work closely with them to create a perfect fit.
So I think it's worth it.

Hope you've enjoyed the slower pace of January if you are a work at home mum like me.
It sure has been a much needed break to give me the energy to start fresh and at full steam next week when the kids are back at school.
Jay xx

Election day, garage sale........

My shift at work today was all about getting ready for our election day 'Garage sale' tomorrow.

There sure are lots of bargains to be had.

This is the sale rail so far and that's just the specials from Polly Pratt and I.

There's dresses....

tops,

Skirts,

Shrugs and jackets,

Heaps of 'Finki' stuff,

Jewellery,


and more.......

So if you're voting at the polls down near the Brunswick town hall tomorrow, be sure to stroll down our way for bargains galore.

The details are: 159 Sydney rd, Brunswick, Vic. 10am - 6pm

All sale prices are valid for 'ONE DAY ONLY'.
Jay xx

Had to change that little number....

What a big week...what a big month...hell...what a big year!

Today I had to change that little number in my bio..... the one that said 33 years young!
Cause on Saturday I turned 34.

My beautiful cake, a present from the lovely Cathie at M.E

All growed up now! Nah, not really. It's just a number and I hope I present as young at heart, even though my body may disagree.
34 is a lovely age to be. I much prefer it to any other number I've turned. I feel so much more 'Me'. Is that silly.

I've always been me of course, but still growing and learning in this big old world.
These days I know what I like, I know what I'll tolerate, I know who I call my friends and I know where I'm headed.

All my beautiful birthday presents.

That's all so much to have learned in 34 years. Many do it quicker than that, but for me that's such a biggie.

In one short year, I started Finki, I started a shop on Etsy, I started blogging and doing markets, which led to me meeting sooo many new friends and especially meeting Jennie and Margaret the two powerhouses that helped me begin Northside Makers.

My recent stall at Northside Makers market.

From there, we turned our craft club into our own market venture, from which came the opportunity to meet the lovely Anna of Polly Pratt.
Anna introduced me to Olive Grove, the amazing artist studio/retail co-op i joined in November.

Through blogging I also met Miriam aka: Bubba chenille, the talented mother of the Lovely Liesa at Handmade heaven, whom offered the opportunity of stocking my 'finki' stuff in her beautiful shop. So now my goodies are in retail land in both Melbourne and Queensland.......and not by being wholesaled to retailers who double your price to on sell, but by shops who support handmade by offering cheap rent, so I can set my own prices and keep my own profit.


It has been an AMAZING year....

Personally and professionally.............. and I can only see it getting better.

I call this the year of saying Yes. Saying yes to every positive opportunity that came my way.
Previously I would have drowned in a sea of 'what if's' when presented with opportunity's but this year I squashed that little nagging voice of concern and doubt and just followed my heart.

I'm so happy that through all the twists and turns life has thrown me this year, I have come out of it, inspired and motivated to do so much more.

I say it all the time.......but really, the days are too short.

Thank you, to all my bloggy readers, mum, yaya and sis included, from the bottom of my heart for your friendship. It has made such a difference to my little world and I am so appreciative of all your support and encouragement.

I know I have been absent of late, the silly season is in full swing in my little end of the world, but I'm still reading and keeping up with you all.
As soon as it settles in 'Finki land' I have much to update you with....markets, shopping, new products and life.....

Till then, take care. And start saying Yes to everything good! Might take you somewhere you least expect!

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!

It can't always go perfectly......

My mum always said if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all....well..... that wouldn't make for a very interesting blog post at all.

So I'll reserve my negativity about Saturdays market stall to one sentence.
Cold, wet, windy, slow going, disorganized, and small.

O.k now that that's out of my system, lets move on to the good bits. Firstly, this bunch.


The talented faces behind Melbourne Epicure, Pepperberry and co, Mish mash mosaics, Polly Pratt, and Curlypops
The best group of girls to share a market day with. So supportive, friendly and amazingly talented. Along with them I had the pleasure of catching up with, Jen, Lara, Mel, Nic, liz and a few of the lovely locals.
Of course there was the best pear tart from Cathy's stall Melbourne epicure, with some gingerbread men stashed away for the kids.

and what day is complete without a spot of shopping. I got a fabulous bookmark from Pepperberry and co,

and another Curlypops brooch to add to my ever growing brooch collection.

I grabbed the cutest wizard of oz bib from curlypops too, but It had already been gifted before I could photograph it, but trust me when I say it was goooooorjus!

The lovely shannon of Rabbit and the duck also popped by, to deliver my new makeup purse, pictured here with some R&D magnets that I picked up at the last Sonny&Coco market.
I just adore my new zippy pouch right down to the red spotty lining.

We all gave up on having to chase our stock each time the wind blew, and called it quits an hour before home time. My apologies to Nikki and anyone else who braved the weather to pop by after we'd gone. I honestly didn't know we were going to be outside, and arrived terribly unprepared for the weather.

Next time, I know to ask!
What I love about all my other markets, is the fact they are indoors. So come rain, hail or shine I'll be there.

After we packed up, I headed down to the market at Northcote town hall and picked up a few goodies,before heading home and sharing those ginger bread men, alongside a hot cuppa.

Under pressure!!!!

A day and a half's notice about an opportunity to have a market stall may seem like the perfect way of inducing stress into one's life.
but me, I work well under pressure.
I thrive on the thrill of last minute preparation, and do some of my best work when the clock is ticking. Saying 'yes' to everything and sorting it out later, sorta works well for me.
Sorta, kinda...mostly!

On the off chance that I couldn't fill a table on short notice, I decide to share my space with the lovely Anna of Polly Pratt,


So for some fantastic market shopping this weekend, do head down to our stall at Northcote Uniting Church, 251 High st, Northcote. Saturday 20th June, 10 - 3.

You'll see the friendly faces, and talented crafty goodness of curlypops, pepperberry and co mishmash mosaics, the yummy delights of Melbourne epicure and much more.

As if that wasn't enough, you can also wander down high st two blocks to the fabulous winter artisans market held at the Northcote town hall. All this action is also part of the Northern exposure, visual arts festival happening over the whole weekend.


With so much crafty delight on offer, Northcote is the place to be this weekend.

If your from out of town, mark on your map, shop local, I dream a highway, and the book grocer all in the same block.
We also have the fantastic Westgarth strip of shops just over the hill, perfect for a movie and it's surrounded by numerous cafes for lunch or a coffee.

I won't have the whole Finki range on show, so if you have any special requests, let me know and I'll make sure I bring it along. Catch yah there....