Oh Blog, oh life.

She - Who Is Reflective
Drawing by yours truly x

Oh blog.  Why are you so hard to keep on top of?!
Oh... That's right, because life is so jam packed full of many, many wonderful things.  Things that distract us, things that keep us busy, things that consume our time.  It is such a fine art to find a perfect balance.  And really, is there even such a thing?

Lately, my heart and my entire life has been drawn towards the animal kingdom and truly, at full pelt.  The one reason why I have been absent from my normal life, is the consuming feeling of losing a pet - I don't mean to death (that I know of) but to the fact that my beautiful boy cat that I adopted last December, Milky, has gone missing.  He vanished on the 17th of April and despite my best efforts in trying to get any leads on his whereabouts, he has done a complete Houdini act and slipped away. 

Have you seen my kitty Milky?

 
My door and my heart will always be open for when this beautiful boy decides to return home.  I do hope it is sooner rather than later.  He has two new brothers here who are dying to meet him... and his old friend Harry the Labrador puppy misses him so much.  We all miss you dearly beautiful Milky, please come home.

Clyde & William - my newly adopted fur kids.

Since Milky vanished, I have submerged myself in multiple groups and pages on Facebook about all things animal and pet related - lost and found sites, rescue pages, adoption pages, anything you can think of - I've clicked "like" or "join" no doubt.  Before I adopted Milky from my dear friend Angela, I toyed with the idea of adopting a cat from Just Cats Tasmania - at the time, I was still mourning the loss of my beautiful old Birman girl Blossom who lived until she was 17 years of age - but as time is the best healer and as the saying goes, everything happens for a reason, Milky came into my life when he did and stitched up the hole in my heart.  I truly thank him for that.  He showed me that it is okay to love another animal again, regardless of the circumstances.  When he vanished, the hole was ripped open again, I felt distraught and as corny as it sounds, incomplete!  I spent a month pushing "Come Home Milky" on all facets of social media, staked out tip-off sights and visited the RSPCA in hopes that he ended up there... I did everything within my power. 

And then I saw William's sweet little stripy face.
It truly was love at first sight.  I committed to William and waited patiently until he was ready to come home with me... and then I fell for Clyde and ultimately, Clyde became mine as well!
Needless to say, the animal love in my home at the moment is HUGE.  Imagine how much bigger the love would be if Milky walked on in...

From Tasmania and have a pet, or love animals, you better like this page!

Another foot note of this massive personal journey of following my heart lead me to a volunteer role as a member of the admin team for the Tasmanian Lost Pet Register.  Both Toni and Alycia did amazing, supportive work helping me to get Milky's name, face and flyers out to the public through their page - although I didn't get the result I had hoped for, I still appreciated and admired the work that they did and of course, do on a daily basis.  When they posted an expression of interest in volunteering, I knew it was fate.  I knew I had to be on that team.  I wanted others to have their happy endings!  I wanted to help! 

So, the last month or so has been a roller coaster ride, as you have just read, (if you stuck out this massive blog post!) but I am now getting back on the horse of life and trying my hardest to find my balance, my happy place and getting back in the zone of creativity and loving life.

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!

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.

Birthday Give Away Part I.

Yay!
That Vintage turns 5 tomorrow so the birthday celebrations are already beginning - how super sweet is that?
I have 2 of these brand new, hot off laser Dainty Deer Brooches up for grabs.
Anyone can enter, no matter if you are here in Tasmania or way over the other side of the world in Finland!

What you need to do:
- Please leave a comment below saying hello and some words of love.
- Please make sure you leave an email address to be contacted with (i.e. contact AT thatvintage DOT com DOT au - that will be fine!)
- Please spread the word about That Vintage - tell your friends on Facebook, Twitter and in real life! (facebook.com/thatvintage.au and @thatvintage)
- Please note that if you do not leave some form of email address your entry will not be counted, I need to be able to contact you to get your prize out if you are the lucky winner - makes sense right?!

This will be drawn tonight, Wednesday 13th of February at 8pm AEST.
Happy Birthday Goodness!

- - - GIVE AWAY HAS CLOSED, THANK YOU - - -

Boutique.

Yesterday saw the first market for That Vintage in the cool southern city of Hobart.
The Boutique market was lovely, cosy and friendly! It was so nice to put some faces to familiar names and meet new lovers of That Vintage.
I purchased some sweet delights from Ruby Macaron... they were received by their recipients with sounds of "oh yum..." "delish!" and the like!
Plus I caved in and purchased two beautiful clay brooches from Marley & Lockyer - a grey fox and white wing... I shall blog about these beauties soon!
I am truly exhausted - but no rest for now, as there is one more market event coming up this Friday...
(Thanks to Ness from Marley & Lockyer for taking the first three photos above!)

Hobart, Come Look And See.

Only 12 days until the Hobart Boutique Market is on!
Sunday 25th of March, 9am-1pm at the Old Woolstore.
Come and check out all the new goodies from That Vintage, including the That Geo range!

Creeping Into A Southern Nook.

Hurrah!
That Vintage goodies are making their way down south this week to Nook in Elizabeth Street, North Hobart.
The lovely Bek has one heck of a sweet shop - so many nooks and crannies (pardon the pun!) to spot beautiful handmade and vintage goods... Bek was also pretty chuffed to announce last week that Nook will be at this coming MOMA Market on Saturday, located at the impressive MONA site in Hobart - so if you are in that neck of the woods, pop along!

Hello Icy Lacey One.

Lace Stud Earrings

Who turned off the heat?!
I climbed into bed well after midnight last night (this morning?!) and was shivering beneath the covers, so I did the naughty thing and put my electric blanket on. What is wrong with that, you ask? Well, two days ago it was well over 30C, complete with a bright blue summery sky and the brightest sun going around - minutes beneath it and my skin began to burn! Today there is a blustery icy wind and this can only mean one thing - on go the ugg boots and cardigan whilst I tag up oodles of earrings!

Heading South.

Look out Hobart!
That Vintage is coming to your neck of the woods for the Boutique Market on Sunday 25th of March, 9am-1pm at the Old Woolstore.
This will be That Vintage's first market trip down south - it shall be oodles of fun!

Another Wrap.

The past couple of weeks have been absolutely nuts! Another Niche: All Wrapped Up done and dusted... the weather was less than kind, but the people still came out to support the handmade design community and St Giles Tasmania.
Thankyou to all who came!

Along The Countryside.

Another little road trip out east, zipping by the beautiful lush green Tasmanian countryside - cows, goats, eucalyptus trees, rolling hills of the brightest green grass... destination: Scottsdale Florist & Gifts, a stockist of That Vintage.
It was worth the, albeit windy-road, drive out; the shop is beautiful - there were so many things I wanted to purchase!
In the end I came home with a gorgeous new cabinet and drawer set, (photo to come later, when I find a home for it here!) and also took some snaps of the That Vintage display - which was so beautifully done!
Scottsdale Florist & Gifts has also just taken on the That Vintage Tea Party range - so if you are out that way, be sure to pop in - you won't leave empty handed!

Glorious.

A little eye-candy for you of a trip to the north west coast of Tasmania, namely the town of Penguin to visit the wonderful store of Nest.
Worth the drive.
It was truly heavenly!

That Sweet Little Nest.

A couple of beautiful photos from the very first "bricks-and-mortar" shop to stock the Tea Party jewellery range, Nest in Penguin, Tasmania - Natalie is one incredible merchandiser, how truly sweet does it look!

Cup Of Tea In Your Nest.

As you may have heard me say this before, I really need to make my way to the beautiful "Nest" on the north west coast of Tasmania - Penguin. It is on the list of things to do along with another trip to Hobart to visit MONA and a new home of That Vintage - ecoHaven; hopefully sooner rather than later!

An exciting box of new goodies from That Vintage has just been packaged up, bound for Nest - the contents this time are not wood... but they are the Tea Party jewellery range! (And Natalie at Nest is pretty excited about this!)

After many requests from shops asking to stock the Tea Party range, I have decided to let the little darlings fly the coup and be housed in beautiful locations like Nest - so expect to see more announcements of where you can find the Tea Party range in the future!

Time For Tea.

There isn't actually any time for a cuppa at the moment.
It is all systems a-go-go!
Niche: All Wrapped Up starts tomorrow - and boy oh boy, that has come around so quick.
I spent last night with Natalie at Lauren's place - Leaves & Stems - helping her out with some little jobs ready for her stall at the market too.
I have just finished some errands this morning, scoffed down some much needed sushi and wasabi mayo (my vice!) and am about to go help out Lauren again - I'm actually that organised this time around, that I can share my time with someone else - incredible!
I finished making the little Tea Party Cup Rings yesterday afternoon, they are oh so cute as well - I'm going to struggle to part with them all!

Dinner Is Served.

I have just finished making the Tea Party Rings for Niche: All Wrapped Up, these are pretty cute - I am quite tempted to keep one of each but... I shouldn't!
Can't believe that the market is this Friday - where has that time gone!
Hellooooooo market-goers!