Saturday, October 29, 2011

TOTALLY TASMANIAN & DELORAINE CRAFT FAIRS

This coming weekend, 4, 5, 6 ,7 November 2011, will re-inforce Tasmanian and Handmade as synonymous with quality, uniqueness, innovation and value-for-money.  I've checked the calendar and decided that I just have to shut up shop and go through for an inspect.  To see what our makers are up to, perhaps buy a bit for the shop and just mainly to wallow in the gorgeousness of it all.  So, JUST ONE DAY - Friday 4th - I'll be NOT HERE.  I'll be up north checking it out.

Meanwhile..........



 Those pesky Tasmanian Softees, Tassie, Willow, Doozie & Celine have been escaping from the shop again! 



Sunday, October 23, 2011

Oatlands Spring Festival 2011 is all over red rover and on we charge into the visitor season and Christmas!  Time gets away so quickly - is it because I'm having so much fun? Most likely.   The weather last Sunday was not really as ordered, but we still had a great time with Rita, Sue and the wonderful Lady of Maille, Miss Lyn.  The shop was jumping and on occasion was just full to bursting.  I hope some of our visitors come back to see us when there is more space and time to look about!

As mentioned in a previous post, Oatlands hosted an installation of Roses from the Heart, Christina Henri's wonderful project to commemorate the in excess of 25,000 female convicts transported to Australia in the 1800s.  With the help of Rita, we were able to contribute a bonnet on behalf of my 4 greats' granny Mary Cavenaugh who was sent out for stealing a length of cloth.  Shipped on the Lady Juliana in 1789, Mary married Edward Kimberley. Their children married into some of the founding Tasmanian families.  Here's Rita modelling the bonnet - sewn by her, my handspun silk used to embellish!  Thanks Rita  xox


It's been busy in other areas as well......Tilly and Shaun and Quinn the Kelpie had an interesting visitor the other day:


Pompon Cosy sidles up to the shop
Quinn & Shaun keep a lookout while Cosy hops up into the shop!
One of our regulars made this wonderful pompon cosy from the Wild book and brought it in to visit!
Using a mix of her own and and some purchased handspun, Nan made this wonderful pot warmer!!

There's lots of new things on the shelves at the moment.  We have handmade Christmas decorations, Chrissy cards and presents a-plenty.  Also some beaut jewellery from the forthcoming leavers' season.  Here's two of my favourites at the moment :

Georgian Cottage - Blossom TownTea Caddys


Maggie - Stained glass by Diane Brown



Oatlands Handmade and The Lucky Ewe @ Oatlands Handmade is a little gallery shop in Oatlands, Tasmania, right opposite the Callington Flour Mill. We feature the work of Tasmanian artisan craftspeople working in handmade design - mostly textile based. For you to buy we have unique handmade Jewellery, Handwoven and Felted Clothing and Accessories, Gifts, Cards, and so much more! Brands include Wendy Koolhof, Sue Evans I Felt, Lyns Maille sterling silver jewellery and my own Rowena brand. We stock Fleeces and Fibres, Knitting Wool and Silk, Hand dyed Yarns, Custom Art Batts for felting and spinning, exquisite drop and supported spindles and lace bobbins, Knitting Needles and buttons, Books, Patterns and Craft Kits and we are a working Spinning and Weaving Studio.