Friday, August 7, 2009

Reflections on childhood treasures

I have spent the evening both trying to come to a conclusion on who our winner is for the Fabric Napkin Competition brought to you by Berrylicious Buttons and TableScapesCompany and sewing Joshua's dearly beloved PigWigs ears back together - what a combination!

As i sat sewing PigWigs poor worn out ears back together as best i could, i wondered how it is a child chooses his or her favourite childhood toy? Is it like a love at first sight type thing or a soul mate situation? Or is it nothing in particular that draws the two together? and what of those children that never have such a toy, such a treasure? who do they confide their deepest darkest secrets with and snuggle into of a night when the dark looks eery in bed?

It is bizarre that Joshua had some lovely teddys and other gorgeous toys given to him when he was young by family members and friends but none took his fancy in the slightest, until one day (at 6mths of age) my sister Deb met us in the city for a cup of coffee and gave Josh PigWig .. I remember his gleeming eyes as he grabbed him with his chubby little baby fingers and has not let him go since! (Josh is now 11!)

... PigWig is a funny old character, he is sewn together to resemble Piglet from Winnie the Pooh, but to us he has become someone entirely different - a family member even! I remember buying a "reserve" piggy for the time we thought we had lost him (and found him deep in the depths of Joshies bed later that day after turning the house upside down 10 times over looking for him) and i must admit even i could tell he wasnt PigWig. PigWig ("Piggy" on his affectionate days) has gone on road trips, interstate holidays, to the supermarket, to the hospital, to the market, off on adventures all over the place, he has been lost and found numerous times and he has even had a bounce or two on the trampoline over the years ..but i am sure nothing could have prepared him for the Grade 5 camp!! (poor PigWig was hidden in the dark depths of Joshies sleeping bag hiding from the horrid tortures of boys that may like to ridicule him entirely!).

[Josh drew this little card for me about 18 mths ago to give me courage when i am sick. I have had a particularly bad week pain wise this week so it is ironic that i have written about this tonight .. he said piggy gives him courage and he will give me courage too! I use this little picture for my profile picture on facebook and it reminds me of the courage Joshua gives me to to trudge on, on a daily basis - come what may Piggy is there to give us all courage!]

PigWig has become threadbare and resembles a colour that isnt quite pink anymore regardless of the amount of washing you give him... but yet, it does not surprise me that he is still tucked perfectly under Joshuas chin sound asleep as i write this x


(our competition winner will be announced tomorrow morning!)

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Introducing Little Treasures .. ..




"Latte Cupcake" Little Treasure


"VanillaStrawberrySwirl Cupcake" Little Treasure



"Strawberry Lemon Cupcake" Little Treasure


Today I have made some lovely new hair clips in a new range I am calling "Little Treasures" ... Little Treasures is a new range that I am now working on progressively that will be bright, fun and a little naive! "Little Treasures" may mean a variety of things, it could be a treasured clip, a precious gift for a little treasure, or a treasure that will keep your childhood alive (it could also mean lots of other things to you of course!). I have called the fabric flower Little Treasures "Cupcakes" .. i think they simply look sweet enough to eat!



Pictured Above: Crochet Layer Cotton Flower Little Treasure, Cotton and Button Little Treasure, LATTE Cupcake Little Treasure, and Mohair Magic Little Treasure

I sure hope you all like them as much as I do!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Getting Organised ..



VINTAGE Oh la la Hair Set VOGUE Oh la la Hair Set COUNTRY ROADS Oh la la H/Set


NEWLY LISTED ITEMS: http://berryliciousbuttons.etsy.com/ only $9.90US a set!


Today was great in so many ways, i finally feel as though i have achieved something! .. although i have been UNBELIEVABLY busy over the last few weeks, it is all coming together so well! I just wished i had more time in the day!


I have been anxiously waiting on quite a few supply orders to arrive and received some today! (its like christmas morning most days at my home at the moment when the post man arrives!). I have been asked by many for childrens hair clips, and I have some really cute and pretty ideas for some childrens hair accessories to compliment my current ranges... so watch out for those! (*if you would like to be contacted when they are released please contact me on the email: Berryliciousbuttons@gmail.com)



What else is new? I am also curently working on some little gift cards, and tags to add to my shop! I have a real obsession with pretty papers and cupcakes at the moment and thought there is no better way to show them off than in a new range of cards. I am also making some super large paperclip bookmarks which are gorgeous!


I have also been madly trying to arrange some new packaging materials (days and days of measuring, annoying friends with asking their opinions, visiting a million and one online shops across the word, measuring some more, asking EVERYONE a million times of what they like out of the choices, measuring some more, asking some more .... and PHEW! yes! i placed an order!!! - *all my friends and family now sigh with relief!*)

.... and I cant wait to put this into place! It is sure to make my range look more professional and chic, and will be applying this to an exclusive range .. I am my own worse enemy and keep trying to perfect everything! (that is until i come up with a better idea!) I think great packaging really makes or breaks a product, and as a designer I am so obsessed with the way my products look, so I am hoping that my recent purchase will really make mine look fab! (ooooh!!! all soooo secretive!!!)




What do you think of my newly listed Oh la la Hair Accessories (pictured above - more instore on etsy) ... comments?

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

FEATURING: Clackamascrochetchic


I dont know about you, but I am just loving all things crocheted at the moment! I guess I am a little envious as I never been able to knit or crochet, even though i have tried! Lisa from clackamascrochetchic on etsy makes some wonderful crocheted goodies that are really very nicely made and well priced. I simply love the little washcloths (pictured above) and Lisa makes them in a range of gorgeous colours.
Lisa says "I have been crocheting for about 16 years and I love to crochet and that's why I have my shop on etsy. It also allows me to be home more with my 2 daughters who are 2 1/2 and 11 weeks. I love making cute things for people to wear and feel special in. My little girls flower flapper hats have been a big hit for baby shower gifts" ... well i think Lisa's little bags are just as gorgeous ! Lisa also makes womens hats which are lovely as well!


Lisa has offered all Berrylicious Blog readers a special offer: FREE SHIPPING! to make the most of this great offer please select your purchases, proceed to check out and type "Berrylicious Blog" in your message to the seller. Lisa will refund you the shipping price... this offer is for a limited time, so please make the most of it and treat yourself, your littlies or a lucky friend to a beautiful gift!

VISIT LISA's SHOP - CLACKAMASCROCHETCHIC on ETSY: http://clackamascrochetchic.etsy.com/

I have been featured!

I have been featured on this great blog! check it out! http://blog.hand-craftedcreations.com/2009/07/berrylicious-buttons-hair-and-clothing.html
comments????

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

JUST GORGEOUS Oh la la Felt Flower Hair Accessories






I have just finished making my new felt flower hair accessories. I am starting to make a range of clips and ties that are suitable for littlies fingers (they are also for the big girls too!). These are the first in this new range. The customer can choose whether they are sewn to a clip or a nice sturdy hair elastic and colours are listed for easy choice selection .. hope you like them!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

FEATURING: innerearthsoaps - GORGEOUS handcrafted soaps made in Australia



GORGEOUS HANDMADE SOAPS: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6074112


I had been looking for some lovely handmade soaps for my mother in laws birthday when i came across Erin at Innerearthsoaps. I had searched high and low on etsy for soaps by an Australian soap maker (I had, as usual, left it to the last minute to try and source a great gift and had no time to have any shipped from the US)
I finally found Erin after searches and searches and looking through listings and listings! ... and I am so very pleased i did!

The order was sent out promptly and when i received it everything was packaged so very beautifully and carefully - you could tell that Erin strives to treat all her customers well and takes care when packaging things off to customers (not just shoved in a bubble bag without so much as a second thought, as i have experienced on other occassions from OTHER sellers). The box was neatly packaged and each soap packed invidually with a label marking each type and ingredients. All were made with the utmost of care and presented simply but beautifully. They were packed in a box with good fill that ensured they got to me safely and in the same condition they were sent in (i'm very big on presentation and correct packaging - i like my things to arrive just as they have left me too and give the customer a nice little buzz unwrappng their new items!). Erin also included some nice little samples which i am thrilled with as i will not get to use the ones i purchased due to being a gift! I can thoroughly recommend innerearthsoaps, and will definately be back for more!
"Erin is a soapmaker in Bondi Beach who makes hers soaps completely from scratch using the cold process method. She uses the highest quality oils, butters, botanicals, therapeutic clays, essential and fragrance oils in her soaps. They have a silky, bubbly lather that cleanses the skin gently wihtout stripping it of its natural oils. No more dry, tight feeling ... her handmade soap is a world of difference from commercial soap! With well over 300 sales on her Etsy shop and not one unhappy customer, I would definitely recommend checking it out here at http://www.innerearthsoaps.etsy.com/."