Art Deco, Lace and Valentine Kiss.

 

I completed a stock count earlier this week to work out what I needed to make the most of for Finders Keepers next month and to my surprise, I have been chipping away in great amounts and not realising it!  The wooden range is completely full - I really do not need to make anything more to take with me, this is yet another one of those high-five moments.
Reflecting on the last two market events of 2012, it is without a doubt that the item being snapped up the most at the market stall is the That Vintage Imprinted Clay earrings. 
These come in a huge rainbow of colours and now, seven different prints!  I have just finished working out three new prints to add to the range, which are pictured above: Art Deco, Lace and Valentine Kiss.

How do these prints come about, I hear you say?
I roll out the clay, mix up the chosen colour - in this case above, this is Sage Green, a mix of a mossy green with a smidgen of white.  I then use the wooden pieces that have been laser cut with the That Vintage designs and press the print into the small balls of clay.  This works well as the clay rarely sticks to the wood; when the wood starts to get a build up of clay residue, I simply wipe the wood clean with a damp cloth.
I don't use any rubber stamps or anything like that - these imprints are all part of the That Vintage range, in which ties together the wooden range with the clay range.
You can find some of the earrings for sale in the Etsy store.

Finding Out About The Keepers.

I thought I would share with you the faces of who will be at the That Vintage stall at Finders Keepers, Melbourne!
Of course I'll be there, probably a little frazzled which is a given when flying interstate to do a big market event, but I'll shake those sillies away and embrace the event, enjoying every single moment! 
The sweet Katie will be rockin' it by my side - this is Katie's first time working at the Finders Keepers event.  This year I decided to seek the helping hands of someone new, someone who is creative also and someone who is willing to sacrifice their Friday and Saturday to hang out with me, my jewellery and the masses of crowds!  I was lucky that Katie was super keen with the proposal and I am very excited to have her on board.
If you are coming along to the event, please don't be shy!  Say hello and tell me if you read the blog or if you are accumulating a collection of That Vintage pieces!  I love to meet those who support That Vintage, who adore it and appreciate all the time and energy that goes into my little brand.

Warmly Captured.

A little while back, I was lucky enough to have a shoot done of my art work by the talented duo Clint & Bethanie. 

It was a lovely warm afternoon in the dining room of my home, sipping on wine and cider, nibbling off a little cheese board that I whipped up, talking about our lives and travel, plus having my art work professionally captured in its truest state.
I am so impressed with how the photos look - they are spot on, true to the proportion and composition of the drawings, colours and feelings.  Soft and delicate, sensual even!

I am still holding on to these drawings for a little while longer as I am waiting to hear back about a submission I put in for.  I am keeping my fingers crossed, holding tight on to my lucky charm and putting positive vibes out to the universe!
Even if my submission doesn't get accepted, the experience and result of having these drawings captured by two of my very talented friends, is certainly one that I'll look back upon fondly!

When An Accident Is Actually A Good Thing.

One day last week, I was in one of my normal "mad-dash around the shops in a really short time frame, picking up supplies and getting out of the city centre as quickly as possible" moods.  I am sure some of you can relate! 
I had to pick up some more clay colours, a simple task. 
Making a bee-line for the stand of clay, I grabbed a packet of Sunshine, White, Cherry Red and then... I thought I picked up "Peppermint" - but instead, I actually grabbed "Emerald" and did not realise until I went to unwrap this new wad of clay yesterday.

I sat for a moment, pondered the situation, dug around the studio for the receipt of that purchase, weighed up the pros and cons of another trip into the shops and then I proceeded to dramatically throw my hands up in the air!

What the hey!  Emerald it is.
And I don't regret it - she is a beauty - the deepest of calming greens, that dazzling jewel, the heavy leaves carpeting the thickets of jungles... it really is a magical colour!
And Pantone think so.
So I'm going with it... Hello Emerald!

Completely Cuffed.

Clint wearing his cuff links for his wedding day
Captured by Caught A Glimpse Photography.

Custom orders aren't something I normally do - but when it comes to a set of cuff links, I jump at the chance!  I wonder if this eagerness is because it is a member of the opposite sex who wants to adorn themselves with a piece of That Vintage?  That is a bit of a high-five moment for me!
Pretty keen to get a new batch of cuff links made for the upcoming Melbourne Finders Keepers market in April.  The most recent designs from the wooden range will be making an appearance, that's for sure!

Tassel Colour Explosion.

I have said it before and I will probably say it a million times again... who seriously doesn't love a splash or a pop of colour?!
As the southern hemisphere heads slowly (I can hear the resounding moan from an overstayed summer!) into the cooler months, I have decided to embrace some hues that make me think of the colour changes from Summer to Autumn.  The bright blues of the summery skies to the autumnal plums, burnt oranges and my all time favourite, delicious mustard yellow.
These bright coloured Tassel Pendants will be available at the upcoming Melbourne Finders Keepers market event next month, 5th & 6th of April.
If you are unable to come to the market, there are a few Tassel Pendants available for purchase via the Facebook page, click here for more information!

It's Find & Keep Time Again!

I am so over the moon to announce that That Vintage will be at the upcoming Finders Keepers event in Melbourne next month!
Way back when I began this little handmade adventure, Finders Keepers was on my list of goals - I managed to tick this goal off with my first acceptance into the Sydney December 2011 event... and being completely honest with you, the moment I received the congratulations email, I cried and cried and cried! 
There is nothing more amazing than having success that you have worked hard for and having a goal accomplished.  I am very grateful that Finders Keepers is having That Vintage back for a third time now!

The Finders Keepers events are very well run; they are a highly professional team with that added zest for the handmade love within life.  The stallholders are all of amazing quality, there is always a vast array of different products, plus the added awesomeness of scrumptious food, beverages and entertainment. 
The market is in its 5th year and to ensure its growth and development, there will be a gold coin entry this time around - I think it is absolutely worth it! 
Finders Keepers is definitely more than just a market.  It is an experience - one that should be devoured completely, whilst savouring every single last drop!

If you are planning a trip to any of the Finders Keepers markets this year, come armed with a tote bag, plenty of cash and your plastic cards too, bring a friend and make sure you have oodles of time to spare - to get the most out of an event like this as a visitor, you need time - time in which you allow yourself to converse with the maker, let your eyes be captivated and absorb absolutely every single ounce of talent in the venue.

See you there!
Event information here.