As you all know, this little Pepperberry journey that I'm on all began because of a wonderful, inspiring and life-changing craft gathering: the Stitches & Craft Show. What you might not know is that I have now come full circle, and I will be at the Stitches & Craft Show again this year- but not as a visitor!


This year, I am so, so proud and excited and happy to let you know that I will be there as a stallholder, speaker and teacher. I will not only be selling my handmade goodies, but also teaching other people on how to kick butt on the sewing machine and make Notebook Covers, Baby Blankets, Textile Cards and Cushion Covers. And if that's not enough, I'll be running Small Business talks to share all of the crazy things that I have learnt on this Pepperberry & Co. journey. Squeal!

Here are the details of the Show, which is happening next week (excuse me while I go and hyperventilate...):


Now, if you've never been to a Stitches & Craft Show, you are seriously missing out. It is P*A*C*K*E*D full of crafty goodness- workshops, classes, freebies, competitions, hints, tips, networking opportunities, and so, so much more. I spent 4 days straight there last year and still didn't get to all of the crafty events I wanted to see and do! Don't dilly-dally now- grab your Show Guide here, book the classes you want to be a part of, and enjoy being immersed in craft heaven.


Now that I have convinced you of the wonder and joy of this Show, I would like to proudly present the classes I will be teaching at the 2010 Melbourne Stitches & Craft Show! To book into any of them (and pre-booking is advised!), just give me a call on 0401 766 348 or email me at littlemisspepperberry AT gmail DOT com.



Using handmade plant fibre paper and hand screenprinted fabrics, you will sew 4 unique, beautiful and personalised cards. Learn which threads and stitches work best with paper and receive a take-home kit so
you can keep on creating!

When:  Wed 5th May @ 11.45am ~ Thu 6th May @ 11.00am ~ Sun 9th May @ 12.15pm (incorrectly listed as Saturday in the Show guide!)
Level: Beginner +
Cost: $12



A COZY CUSHION COVER
Sew a unique cushion cover using stunning, hand screen-printed fabric and natural unbleached linen. Learn how to work with interfacing, insert an invisible zip, create boxed corners and make your own cushion
inserts. A take-home sewing pattern is included!


When:  Fri 7th May @ 12.30pm
Level: Intermediate +
Cost: $30


CUSTOM A5 NOTEBOOK COVER
Using beautiful, hand screen-printed fabric and natural unbleached linen, you will sew your very own notebook cover. Learn effective cutting/pinning techniques and how to use ironing templates, creative stitches and a walking foot. A take-home sewing pattern is included!


When: Wed 5th May @ 3.15pm ~ Sat 8th May @ 4.00pm (incorrectly listed as 3.45pm in the Show guide!)
Level: Beginner +
Cost: $24


SNUG AS A BUG BABY BLANKET
Sew a soft, cozy and comforting baby blanket using gorgeous natural cotton and snuggly fleece. Learn how to create basic appliqué, stitch around curves, work with stretch fabric and create mitred corners. A take-home sewing pattern is included!


When:Thu 6th May @ 12.15pm ~ Sat 8th May @ 2.00pm
Level: Beginner +
Cost: $20


And, if you're wanting to stop working a job and start living your passion, come along to my small business talk:


LIVING YOUR CRAFTY DREAM: MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Ever dreamt of running away from the rat race and crafting for a living? I did just that and so can you! Come along to this talk to learn all about the ins and outs of running your craft business, including blogging, online marketplaces, bookkeeping, taxes, local craft markets, advertising, marketing, media and more!


When: Fri 7th May @ 11.00am ~ Sat 8th May @ 11.00am
Level: Everyone!
Cost: Free!

Finally, of course, you can come say hi to Sharon and I by visiting our stall, where we will not only have hundreds of my handmade goodies, but also Sewing Patterns, Sewing Kits, Fabric and Paper so you can do it all yourself.

If you can't make it to Melbourne or the Show this year, fear not! All of the wonderful things will also be available at my Etsy shop, which I must say is looking rather sexy these days with all of its new Notebooks and Cushions!



See you at the Show!

xx Sandra

P.S. Sorry to have been away for a while- Sharon's Nana sadly passed away and we've been hiding away from the world just looking after ourselves and each other.

---

Living The Dream

My Very First Stockist!

The Mum That Became an Eco Power Knitter

For anyone who has not ever had the fortune of visiting or living in Melbourne, please allow me to share with you one piece of advice: the months of January through March are the time to come. Why, you ask? One word: festivals. 


If this beautiful city knows how to do one thing well, it's celebrate. From the Midsumma Festival and Chinese New Year, to the St.Kilda Festival and the Melbourne Fringe, us Melbournians will head out in droves to anything that screams 'art', 'craft', 'culture' and 'environment'. And that's why I love living here!

This weekend saw one of the highlights of our festival calendar come to town- the Sustainable Living Festival. This 3-day show, which raises awareness around the issue of sustainability in all its manifestations, is filled with practical workshops, interesting talks, great performances, gastronomical delights and some of the year's best shopping opportunities. And did I mention it's free?


As any proud urban hippy did, I too headed to revel in SLF over the weekend. Ok, I did more than revel; I moved in. In fact, I have spent the last three days doing nothing but soaking up the inspiring world of people who are changing the world for the better in a crazy and creative number of ways. Bliss!

One of the absolute highlights of this year's program was the gorgeous Slow Fashion Show.  Now, before you cringe at the very idea of the misogynistic, self-absorbed industry that is mainstream fashion, know this: the Slow Fashion Show was the exact opposite of just that!


The models were stunning, 'real' women and men; the event was open to all members of the public and was free; and best of all, every single item on the catwalk had a light environmental footprint. There were four key categories: Fairtrade, Sustainable New Materials (such as organic, unbleached and hemp items), Locally Handmade, and Second Hand/Vintage. I felt very proud that Pepperberry & Co. would fit into two of those four categories... if only we did fashion!

After delighting in the creativity and eco-goodness of the Show, I headed off to Re-Mixed Re-Worked Re-Fashioned, a workshop aimed at giving sexy new lives to sold favourite, op-shop gems or shocking Christmas gifts. There, I spent five hours doing some of my favourite things: laughing with fellow crafters, chopping up second-hand goodies and making a present of funky and stylish 3/4 pants for Sharon.



The highlight of the workshop, however, was discovering a true gem of the crafting landscape: Social Studio. The Studio is an inspiring concept that fuses the creativity and wisdom of Melbourne’s refugee community with recycled and excess materials from local industry to create original fashion garments.

In a nutshell, some of the most disadvantaged members of our community are welcomed into a space where they learn, create, craft, build long-lasting relationships and gain employment. It just makes my little former-Social-Worker's heart go all fuzzy! The Studio is located in Collingwood and runs these types of workshops every Saturday, and worldwide shoppers can also support this brilliant cause through their Etsy shop.

What did you all get up to on the weekend? Were you also spoilt with some crafty goodness?

---

Sustainable Craftiness

Receiving a request for a custom item can be many things: exciting, challenging, flattering, and fun. Unlike the production of regular stock, a custom order presents you with the opportunity to get back to your roots and... shock!... get creative. 

Custom Love

I wanted to share something beautiful with you today- a blog that truly inspires me each and every time I visit. Although it's not directly craft-related, the magic and beauty in each post really gets my creative juices flowing.

The blog is called Stuck In Customs, and it's a celebration of the absolute magnificence of nature, cities, history and the world we live in.

Using a photographic process called HDR, or High Dynamic Range (for which you'll find a tutorial here), photographer Trey Ratcliff manages to capture elements of the world in a way I would never see.

I adore visiting this site and getting a good kick up the creative butt, and I hope you will too!

---

Inspired By The Magic of Photography (Blogtoberfest Day 4)

It's Tuesday again- can you believe it? Tuesday means only one thing in the world of Pepperberry & Co.- an interview with an inspiring artist through Tuesday Tales. Today we meet with Daniela, the self-confessed 'crafty girl since forever' who is behind the gorgeous goodies at Italian Craft and Quilt shop Happy Bee.

'I remember being a kid,' Daniela reminisces, 'and every Summer, Nuns would come to our small village and teach us how to sew and embroider.' The first thing that Daniela learned how to do was cross stitch, and since then she has 'always loved all things handmade and unique.'

Her Mother and Grandmothers inspired her to further explore craft, as 'one of my Grandmothers was great at knitting, the other one crocheted wonderful shawls, slippers, and scarves, and my Mom was a dressmaker,' Daniela explains. 'I grew up surrounded by crafty people!'

Years after first gaining some crafty skills, Daniela fell in love with the beautiful quilts that she saw in American movies. 'I particularly loved the oldest ones, so I decided to try to make them too,' she tells me. 'I took a class and learned basic quilt-making skills, and once I started… well, I couldn't stop!' she laughs.

Once she had the skills, Daniela began making quilts, table runners and wall hangings for herself, her family and her friends. It wasn't long until she expanded her repertoire and began sewing small items such as pouches, cases and key chains to give away as gifts on special occasions, and, she exclaims with modest surprise, 'people seemed to appreciate them!'

Once she realised that there was a market for her creativity, Daniela 'finally' decided to try to sell her things. 'When I found Etsy, I thought it was the perfect place for sell my crafts,' she smiles. 'It's so full of wonderful international artists selling their awesome items. So I decided to try this challenge!'

One of the first things Daniela had to do was come up with a name for her store. 'When I was thinking about the perfect name for my shop, my mind immediately went to bees,' she says. 'They are always so busy, doing lots of things in their lives; but they never seem tired and are always so proud and happy in their work,' she smiles. 'They really inspired me!'

Since starting her business, Daniella has found it easy to stay motivated. 'The main thing that motivates me to craft is the fact that I love to create new things,' she explains. 'I love to start with a few pieces of fabric and end up with a quilt!' she grins. 'It’s amazing what you can create with just some fabric and thread… the possibilities are endless. The only thing that limits you is your creativity!'

Daniela dreams of one day owning her ideal craft studio. 'My favourite place in the world is a little wood cottage I found during a trip to Colorado in the United States,' she recalls. 'It looked so amazing, all surrounded by woods and situated in front of a beautiful lake. All around it were mountains,' Daniela sighs happily. 'I immediately fell in love with it and thought that it would be the perfect place for my crafts, and especially to make my quilts, because it was so peaceful and relaxing!'

To follow Daniela's adventures through craft, make sure to check out her blog and Etsy shop. But wait, it's not over yet! The lovely Daniela has generously offered to host a giveaway for readers of Tuesday Tales, and the winner will receive their choice of a 4-in-1 Case from her Etsy Shop. To enter, simply become a follower of Dany's Happy Bee blog and leave a comment here letting me know which 4-in-1 case you would choose and why. Tweet, Facebook or blog about the giveaway and receive an extra entry for each!


---

P.S. Sincere apologies for the delay in posting last week's giveaway winner! We fly out of Bangkok and back to Melbourne today after having lived here for 3 months, so as you can imagine, it's been a bit hectic.

Without further ado, the lucky winner of Jennifer's gorgeous Pink Lily Press giveaway is Monique from Your Cheeky Monkey, who said she would choose to have poppies printed as her custom notecards because it's 'a simple classic design that's just lovely'. Thank you for all of your entries- I was most inspired by some of your wonderful suggestions!

An Inspiring Interview & Giveaway from Happy Bee!

Welcome to another Tuesday Tale! Today we chat with Jennifer from Pink Lily Press in Washington. As is the tale of many crafters, Jennifer first began selling her work as a way to make money to buy more crafting supplies. "A few friends that I was taking a jewelry making course with introduced me to Etsy, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to make some money to buy more beads!" she laughs.

An Interview & a Giveaway from Pink Lily Press

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a little girl with a penchant for paper.

This little girl loved paper of all sorts... handmade paper, textured paper, fibrous paper, coloured paper, flower paper, Japanese paper... any and every piece of paper made her very happy indeed.


She would collect whatever paper she could, hide each piece in a special, secret place, and treasure it as though it were gold.

She would touch the paper, sniff the paper, pat the paper, and longingly stare at the paper all day long. On very, very special occasions, she would pull out just one piece of paper from her collection and make something beautiful for someone very, very special.


One of the reasons she so loved each and every bit of paper so very much was that she and her mother were very poor. This meant that to get just one piece of precious paper, she had to work very hard and save up all of her little coins.

As she stared at all those little coins in her hand, she promised herself that one day, she would find a way to share her beautiful paper with the whole world, not just with those who could afford it.

And so it was that this little girl grew up. She got a job and started earning money, and as she did, her treasured paper collection grew.

No matter how many pieces of paper she had, however, she never forgot the many times she had stared longingly through shop windows at all the beautiful paper that inspired her so, but that she couldn't take home with her.


As she travelled the world, she found that magical, handmade paper was tucked away in every corner of the globe. She added and added to her own collection, and as it grew, she remembered the promise she had made to herself: the promise to share this beauty and inspiration with the whole wide world.


And so, her childhood dream became a reality, and Papers By Pepperberry was born. She filled her little shop lovingly with every bit of treasured, special and beautiful paper she could find. In her heart, she hoped that somewhere out there, another little girl with a paper addiction would find her and realise she could now afford to fill her treasured collection and make many very, very special things for many very, very special people.




I hope you enjoy my new store, and this new chapter in my Pepperberry & Co. journey. Thank you all for believing in me since the very beginning and encouraging me to follow my dreams!

---

When A Paper Addiction Grows Up...

Hmm. Due to some technical difficulties, today's Tuesday Tale interview needs to be postponed until next week- sincere apologies. But I have something... er... unexpected for you instead.

A few weeks ago, I applied for the Cruelty Free Etsy Team. As with most Etsy teams, I had to fill out an application form about myself, my goodies and my reason for wanting to join. Thinking it was just going to be read by the lovely Team Leader, I filled it out in true Sandra fashion- you know, waving my arms around, getting excited and putting in way too many exclamation marks.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I received an email saying my 'interview' had been 'published'. Say what?! I followed the link, and there it was... my squeal-filled, rambling rant. Oh, dear.

Should you... um... be interested in reading this instead of your regular Tuesday Tale, you can find it here. Thanks in advance for not commenting on how excitable a person I am!

---

Tuesday Tales: An Interview With... Um... Me?

On this second Tuesday in September, we meet with an artist who has combined her passion for design, gardening and sewing to create a breathtaking range of items. Lotta, the talent behind the Inleaf brand, makes hand-printed, hand-crafted art quilts, bags, towels, table linens, pillows, and sachets. Each piece is made using natural linen, organic cotton, hemp or reclaimed fabrics, and a unique medium called Leaf Printing.
Lotta explains Leaf Printing to me, as it’s a technique I’ve not experimented with before. “Textile paint is applied to the back of a fresh leaf or other plant materials, and then pressed onto the fabric surface,” she clarifies. “The fabrics are then steamed to make the paint colorfast, and then the items are constructed in my studio.”

The inspiration that nature brings to Lotta’s work extends further than just the pattern on her prints, however. “I take care to produce my work with minimal environmental impact,” she nods. “All inks and dyes are water based and non-toxic, and I use organic and domestically produced supplies whenever possible.”

As is the case for many artists and crafters, Lotta’s creative journey began in her childhood. “My mother was (and still is) an expert seamstress,” Lotta explains. “She sewed our clothes and wove rag rugs, blankets, and linen towels for our house. She made tapestries and knitted sweaters. She is a true artist and she taught me many of her skills along the way.”

Although the business idea for Inleaf came much later, Lotta’s mother was still a driving force behind it. “She was visiting from Sweden, and during an intense discussion about art, design, and life directions she suggested that I launch a creative business based on my big passions: design, gardening, and sewing.” Lota reflects. “We had both recently read about leaf printing, and the next day I started exploring the technique using leaves from my own garden and hobby inks from the local craft store.”

Through trial and error, Lotta learned which leaves will work for printing, which fabrics are most suitable, and which inks to use. It’s an ongoing process and she is still exploring how to quilt, embroider, and master other printing methods. “That’s the most intriguing part of being an artist,” Lotta smiles, “everything is possible and there is always room for new discoveries.”

Each of the Inleaf pieces start out as a sketch on paper. Lotta then cuts the fabric, collects the leaves, mixes the fabric ink, and does a few test prints. “I am a perfectionist,” Lotta admits, “and therefore I often spend way too much time on each object I create.” She smiles. “I have tried to be more efficient and streamline my work, but I still rather redo a seam or make an extra print if I am not absolutely satisfied!”

It is not surprising that the inspiration behind her gorgeous range comes from a myriad of places. The beauty in the world that surrounds her, the intricacy of nature, the simple pleasure of gardening, and the love and joy that her family bring are the first things that come to her mind. “Every day I marvel over the world we live in. It is so intricate, beautiful, and complex.” She says. “My two teenage sons are the joys of my life and my husband is my best friend and biggest supporter.”

She is further inspired by the historical importance of textiles, from the dowry of embroidered linens and sheets a bride brought with her into marriage, to the simple but beautiful patchwork quilts that were carefully created out of necessity and for warmth. “Beauty can be found everywhere.” She states. “It can be a smooth rock, a simple painting, an old piece of cloth, a pattern on a frozen pond, an iron gate, or a seed pod.” She smiles as she reveals, “I like to ‘collect’ beautiful images and ideas that can later be used for inspiration.”

The idea of ‘collecting’ inspiring ideas is just one of many clever pieces of advice Lotta has for budding artists. “Never undervalue your work.” She states firmly. “Pricing things low doesn’t always translate into more sales, and as your orders increase you will burn yourself out if you are not adequately compensated.” Lotta also recommends networking with other artists via blogs, social networking sites, and local crafts organizations and guilds. “It can be lonely working with, by, and for yourself,” she explains, “and I have found many wonderful friends via various art and craft communities.”

Finally, she suggests paying attention to presentation. “Make sure your website and Etsy shop are attractive and functional; spend time on your photography and invest in a high quality digital camera.” Lotta believes that beautiful photos will definitely get the attention of buyers, bloggers, and media representatives. “Little things like labels, business cards, and packaging are also important when you want to make a positive impression.”

Lotta has many artistic directions she is still eager to explore. “I will focus more on art pieces, like wall hangings and quilts in the upcoming year,” she says. “I also have a few exhibits planned for this fall and next spring, and I am looking forward to exploring, learning, and developing my work as I go along.” Although hand towels, sachets, and small purses will always be part of Lotta’s collection, she admits that she can see her bags and pillows become one-of-a-kind items in the future.

To keep in touch with what’s happening in the world of Inleaf, you can find Lotta at her blog, Etsy shop, website and Facebook Fan Page.


And, if you've been busy drooling over Lotta's creations, then don't miss the chance to be the proud owner of this magnificent Queen Anne's Lace Leaf printed Tea Towel from the Inleaf Range! To be eligible to enter, simply become a Follower of the Pepperberry & Co. blog (or tell me if you already are) and leave a comment telling me what most inspires you about nature. Tweet, Blog or Facebook about the Pepperberry & Co./Inleaf giveaway and leave the link as a comment to receive an extra entry for each.

---

An Interview with Inleaf: Tuesday Tales