Market Wrap Up: Mathilda's

And so begins a mad month of markets for Quill & Ink Handmade!

Yesterday we peddled our wares at the lovely Mathilda’s Market, which was brimming with eager Christmas shoppers – we met so many lovely people, ate enormous portions of Happy Little Dumplings pork buns (oh my goodness, so delicious) , and had moments where our stall had so many people buying that it was tricky to see past them – very exciting!

Next up: We’re off to take part in the Racecourse Road Community Christmas Event, with a big market hosted by BrisStyle, and held on the grounds of the beautiful St. Augustine’s Church on Friday 25^th of November, 5pm until 9pm. The whole of Racecourse road will be taking part in this lovely community event, with carols, roving entertainment, great food, and a visit from Santa - plus all of the local restaurants and cafes will be celebrating in style, with Christmas menus and delicious specials. We’re so looking forward to it!

Will you come along too?

Nat

Image from BrisStyle.

Finding Inspiration

I find inspiration in everyday places.

Whether it’s walking into a material shop stocked to the hilt with beautiful fabrics, or brainstorming about what new thing I can make for my sweet niece or handsome nephew for Christmas, small slices of inspiration can be found hiding in every nook and cranny. You just have to know how to hunt it down, and how to recognise it when it’s finally found.

To help my inspiration process along, I collect things – beautiful buttons, ribbon, material, or interesting knick-knacks that I come across. I’ve often found that having these little bits around can spark an idea, remind me of something precious from my childhood, or just give me the nudge to try out a new idea.

And something I’ve always loved – drawing and sketching – also plays a big part in my creative process. My house is filled with bursting journals and random scraps of paper covered with little images, which may (or may not) become the beginnings of something in the future. I’ve often found that the practice of sketching can lead down a path which may not have been planned, but which sees the creation of something you may not quite have imagined yet.

Sometimes plucking an idea out of the ether seems like a total impossibility. And sometimes creativity gets… stuck. When all things fail, I always try to look for a need (which somehow relates to your area of skill), and attempt to fill it in a different way. Like, for example, I noticed that when I started making our Quill & Ink dolls, that there were only a few options on the market for dolls for boys – real boysy cuddling companions (who like getting dirty, climbing trees and making mud pies almost as much as their owners do). And after a little thought, finding some old fashioned names, and sourcing the perfect fabric, it was a lot easier to take the leap to make Charlie.

Charlie, Spencer, Luca & Thaddeus

My two-cents worth of advice?

1. Enjoy the process! Creativity, imagination and making something new are amazing things.

2. Take notes while you’re experimenting and making, so that when you’re happy with the final product, you can re-create it.

3. Don’t worry if things go awry; few things ever go smoothly first time around, but you’ll learn lots of valuable lessons, and what not to do for next time in the process.

How do you find inspiration?



Kim

Sew to Give

I'm a little bit excited.

BrisStyle is joining forces with the Toy Society to create a wonderful new initiative – a mega toy drop throughout South East Queensland during the month of May. Hundreds of handmade toys marked with ‘Take Me Home’ tags will be left in random places – tied to lamp posts, left in parks, seated on benches – for strangers to pick up and take home or pass on to little ones who will love them.

Isn’t that just beautiful?

I love the idea of leaving something that’s been made with care and heart for someone I’ll never meet; and just love the fact that BrisStyle has encouraged makers to target suburbs that have been affected by recent natural disasters. It’s a nice way to give something small and sweet back to the communities who have lost so much.

It’s also great timing - because I’ve started this mad plan to sew one new pattern a month, I thought I’d be a perfect opportunity to marry the two together.  

Want to join in too? Please do! It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, just make a toy with love, and follow the directions for drop off. Also, check out The Toy Society blog to see all the beautiful donated toys being dropped off worldwide.

Happy sewing!

Nat

Ps. We’ve been having a much deserved break over the last couple of weeks – so sorry for the sporadic posts! Both Kim and I are feeling so much better from a little rest and nothingness. Don’t you just love holidays?