Inspiring Blogs

I have just found two blogs which have provided me with so much inspiration and ideas about new crafty projects. The first one is called P.S.-I made this... which has little tutorials on how to make accessories, re-invent clothes and re-use items in a new and interesting ways. My favourites are:

The safety-pin tank top

The Spike Necklace

Porcelain Pottery

The second is the Eighteenth Century Agrarian Business, which is based around the ethos of make it yourself, rather than getting someone else to do it for you. They also have many great tutorials and inspiring ideas. Like the:-

Dish Towel Apron

DIY Pillowcases

The Easy Elastic Waist Skirt

As well as many other great ideas for food, sewing projects, paper projects. They even give a tutorial on how to re-upholster a vintage sofa, although I think that stretches my abilities a bit far.

I really enjoy making things myself, and after years of trying to find what my imaginative brain is wanting in the shops and can never find, I am really loving the fact that I can now do it myself and no longer have to make-do with the nearest, next best alternative.

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Mega Doily Rug

Check out this amazing handmade doily rug made by Ladies and Gentlemen on Etsy. I found it at Meet Me At Mike's Blog which I absolutely adore, especially for Pip's great tutorials on how to crochet. However, I don't think I will ever be able to make anything like this, especially without a hook (she did this all by hand - amazing), or be able to afford the $600 price tag...dreaming it is.

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Markets in Sydney

The markets in Sydney continue to excite me every time I visit them. They provide the opportunity for a nice relaxing afternoon wander around and pick up one-off hand-made pieces, second hand home wares or just simply inspire me to get my craft on and make some things for myself.

There are heaps of options to choose from with the weekly Glebe, Paddington and Bondi Markets to the monthly Surry Hills and Eveleigh Artisans Markets (which I think have to be my favourite).

This last weekend I visited Surry Hills Markets which are a mix of vintage clothing, second hand home wares, handmade items and general bric-a-brac. I could spend hours at this market searching through all the stuff there, and I could potentially spend a fortune. This weekend though, I picked up a cute wooden box which I'm going to use for all my sewing bits and pieces, and at only $10 was an absolute bargain.


The other market I visited was the Eveleigh Artisans Markets, which host hand-made products from local artisans. I found heaps of cool ideas for future projects, especially jewellery ideas which would be so cheap and easy to make, including vintage tie flower broaches, button jewellery, and purse ideas. Although my favourite stall had to be Herbert & Friends, ran by a local Sydney-sider, Torunn. She makes cute hand-made soft-toy critters, as well as these amazing monthly masterpieces, including the sewn machine, and a typewriter (see pictures), visit her Etsy store to check out all the little critters

p.s don't forget to check out the bi-annual Finders Keepers Markets this weekend at the Carriage works (click on the link for more info)

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Fleur Avenue

Found this great blog and Etsy store by Fleur Avenue, with some beautiful vintage inspired jewelry pieces. I particularly love the Alice in Wonderland inspired brooch and the spyglass necklace.

Will most definitely be making some purchases soon.

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