Neighbourhood: BEAUMARIS CHRISTMAS MARKETS ON TONIGHT

The Beaumaris North Primary School Christmas boutique markets is an event which has been growing steadily each year. Put together by some creative mums with a great eye for stylish goods, it's a great spot to get the Christmas shopping kickstarted. It's on tonight from 4-7pm at Beaumaris North Primary School, Wood Street, Beaumaris.

magnolia square back in bayside

For all you locals, the Magnolia Square market is back on November 27-29 at Brighton Town Hall. Lovely handmade goods. The last one I went along to I found some great beanbag covers for the kids in fabulous vintage fabric. But be warned....the crowds are big. And speaking of magnolias, how lovely is this shot. Take at look at: www.magnoliasquare.com.au

More Easter making fun

In the last few days the kids have had fun making these foil painted easter eggs. We got the idea from Kids Craft Weekly, a regular online newsletter full of good craft ideas.

We just cut out egg sized pieces of cardboard, wrapped them in kitchen foil, then painted with acrylics and used the end of the paintbrush to make patterns. Very easy. The kids then wanted to turn them in to mobiles.

Here's the link to Kids Craft Weekly: www.kidscraftweekly.com

Magnolia Square (and handmade heaven) is coming Bayside

Last November I ventured up to Malvern to the Magnolia Square Christmas fair and discovered a host of fantastic new retailers, designers and craftspeople.


Magnolia Square describes itself as a boutique retail fair and draws together a range of amazing wares - from childrenswear to art, homewares and all sorts of decorative effects for kids - dolls, toys, beanbags, fabulous library bags.

The difference is these products are original, mainly handcrafted or designed and not mass produced.

The good news is that in 2008 Magnolia Square is heading Bayside, to Brighton Town Hall to be exact. There are a host of retailers selling their wares. One of the businesses which caught my eye last year was Red Wagon, which sells a range of children's products, mostly vintage inspired, including dolls, name tags and lovely little cases.


So today Baysidemama profiles Danni, the brains behind Red Wagon, about family, inspiration and managing her growing business. And stay tuned, over the next week, Baysidemama will showcase some more of Magnolia Square.

When and how did Red Wagon start?
The business started about three years ago. I started painting as a method of relaxation, after getting treatment for OCD and severe post natal depression from the birth of my two boys. First the painting started, then I went on to doing cards and stationary, then before I knew it, I found myself sewing and the story continues. Who knows what I will do next.

Who is behind the label?
Just me. I run the whole business and hand make 95% of my products.

How extensive is your range now?
My range is quite big now, I bring in new items when I can, and slowly faze out the old.

Your most popular products?
All my products sell very well, my dolls have become a big seller, the dolls can be made especially for the customer, choosing their own hair, skin, clothing colour and even the name. They are a beautiful keepsake items and my keepsake boxes are always very popular.

What appeals to people about the new trend towards handmade and smaller craft retailers?
Well I think quality, individuality, and close customer relations is a major factor. I think personally with what I do....people love the way they can have a little input into what they are giving, and put there own personal touch with names etc.

Where do you draw your inspiration?
I would have to say all my creative inspiration comes from everything vintage, I love it!! And of course the three most special boys in my life, hubby Dave, and sons Josh 9, and Owen 4, they are my inspiration for life itself!

As a mother and business owner, what does a typical day involve?
A typical day for me starts at about 6am, in the office generally getting orders packed in boxes ready for the courier, then around 7.30 I have to concentrate on getting the boys ready for school/kinder, do breakfast, make lunches, then in the car and dropping off. Then back home and its constant phone calls, emails, orders and the most important thing, my production line. I have to make each order that comes in, then before I know it..... it's off to school/kinder pick up again! Once the kids are in bed I then work in my office until about 11.30pm. Ground hog day is the best way to sum it up. I work full-time on the weekend, as my husband can take control off the kids, and ohh did I forget to mention that cooking, cleaning, washing etc slots in between all the mayhem. I would say life is pretty full on, but I love it.

(Ed's note: a collective WOW, I imagine, from all our Mum readers at this point).


What will be the main Red Wagon products we can expect to see at Magnolia Square?
The focus will be on my dolls, and my new wooden blocks, and all the usual red wagon goodies will be there too.

Where is Red Wagon based and do you have a website?
We are in Narre Warren South, Victoria.
Visit: www.dannisdevinedesigns.com

Magnolia Square will be on at Brighton Town Hall on March 13, 14 and 15. For information on products and times visit: www.magnoliasquare.com.au

Online inspiration - your guide to great motherhood sites on the Web

Another type of web spun yesterday in my front yard.

In putting together this blog, I have reason (well, that's my excuse) to explore the wonderful world of blogs out there. So I thought I would share some of my recent finds of great sites to visit. These are all run by mothers and you will notice many have a creative bent.
I've sorted them by country:

Melbourne:
Townmouse: www.townmouse.typepad.com - site run by a childrenswear designer which always features interesting snippets and lovely photos, often of her own work.

Simply Living: www.livingsimplyliving.blogspot.com/ - run by a mother and photographer, there's lots to read here about turning a traditional Melbourne backyard into a sustainable rural paradise.

Misc Mum: www.miscmum.com - a recent find, written by a mother talking about daily life and her forays into self publishing a children's book. Always a good read.

Clementine's Shoes: www.clementineshoes.blogspot.com - lots of good writing, nice pics and inspiring ideas.

Living Creatively: www.livingcreatively.com.au - not sure if this is Melbourne based or else, but a great Australian site profiling people turning their creativity into a business.

Sydney:
Floating World: www.floatingworld.typepad.com - Again, another blog with a craft/design bent but great inspiration and lovely photos.

New Zealand:
Anknel and Burblets: www.anknelandburblets.com - A really inspiring site, full of the author's beautifully made objects. She has a great eye and includes lovely snippets of life with an infant as well.

US:
The Artful Parent: www.artfulparent.wordpress.com/ - another new find but lots of great ideas on bringing art and creativity into your child's daily life.

Soulemama: www.soulemama.typepad.com - I've been a reader of this site for a year now. The author writes well about homeschooling, craft and her recent foray into publishing. She also takes a mean photo.

Write Mama Write: www.writemamawrite.typepad.com - Great US site about motherhood and other snippets, often with great humour.

UK:
Tree Fall Design - www.treefalldesign.typepad.com - I seriously swoon over this woman's designs and creative eye.

Finland:
Sanctuary - www.houseofbliss.blogspot.com - I love Scandinavian design and enjoy reading this blog, as well as the two below:
Modern Country - www.moderncountry.blogspot.com
White Country - www.whitecountry.blogspot.com

There are plenty more and I will publish another list soon. I'm also planning on regularly profiling mothers around the world who blog, so stay tuned.

Do you have a great blog you read regularly? Please share in our comments section.