Melanie Swan Designs

Back Online...

2011-06-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

I'm back and have just listed some butterfly sets. I'm putting some red ones up tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!!!

Catastrophic technical hitch

2011-06-04T21:50:00.000-07:00

Big apologies to those who want to buy some wall art from my Madeit store at the moment. Our computer has completely died and I can't do anything until we get our new one up and running - as well as retrieving all of my data (yikes!). Hope to be back on line in a few days so please come and visit soon!!

Loving crochet

2011-06-04T21:39:00.000-07:00

I always thought crochet was for nannas (it's not a bad thing, I'm just not a nanna yet) but whilst searching for a little project for my crafty ladies night (get together with friends to eat chocolate, drink wine and do some crafting) I came across an etsy store that sells crochet patterns. They looked good and I thought I'd give it a go. A few tutorials from Youtube, a cute crochet pattern from the said Esty store and a few crafty ladies nights and I made an adorable hat for my little Miss Emma. I've since made two more and decided crochet is not just for nannas any more. PS I was hoping to get some photos of my creations actually on Miss Emma but true to form she decided she didn't want to wear a hat at that very moment *sigh*

I'm in the Madeit Newsletter!!

2011-05-11T04:14:00.000-07:00

Hello, one of my stand up letters is in the Wednesday Madeit Newsletter called "Decorate with Handmade". Click here for a look and to see some other lovely handmade items to decorate your space with. Hope you're having a super day!

Taking a break!

2011-04-01T20:51:00.001-07:00

Well life has been getting a little hectic and I am finding that I'm not doing ANYTHING well so I've decided to take a bit of a break from my little crafty business to step back, have a think about it and come back newer and better! I'll still have a few things in my Madeit store but I won't be at any markets or have any stuff in the Handmade store for a little while. Life is too short to be too busy to enjoy it! Anyway, I'll still be posting when I get my hands on the computer - my hubby is writing a screenplay every second he has a free moment. Speak soon! Mel

Markets - erama!

2011-02-11T19:47:00.000-08:00

Stressing just a little as I prepare for TWO upcoming markets over the next few weeks. The first is the awesome Handmade Markets on Feb 19 (11am to 4pm) at the National Convention Centre and the second at the Mathilda's Markets at the absolutely gorgeous Hyatt Hotel Ballroom on March 6 (9am to 1pm). I'll have a bit of a new look (more on that later) and some new products to test. So if you are around please come and say "hello".

Etsy loving...again!

2011-01-27T21:07:00.000-08:00

Some people are just so clever and stylish! I came across this great designer the other day on Etsy. The shop is called Homako and this is my favourite piece. Since I can't really wear any bling at the moment (impossible with a curious 3 year old and 8 month old!) this will do me quite nicely!

Emma

2011-01-26T02:20:00.000-08:00

Been doing a bit of experimenting with letters. I guess it was only a matter of time before I started covering letters with wallpaper and I'm so glad I finally did. This is my first attempt and I think it looks pretty good. My little Emma LOVES these. It's like she has marked her territory (they're in her room). She walks into her room and points to her name and says "this is Emma's room!!"" I might have to start putting some in my store, which by the way, I've stocked this week.

A little reading.....

2011-01-23T02:41:00.000-08:00

Feeling like I needed a little inspiration I ordered these fabulous books by a Japanese publishing house called Paume. There are several in the series, each featuring very cool interiors from apartments in a particular European city. I bought three (they were on special) Children's rooms - Paris and London as well as Apartments - Copenhagen. It's all in Japanese of course but it doesn't matter, the pictures are devine. What I love about them is that the owners of these apartments have been able to create gorgeous, funky interiors by being creative rather than just going out and buying designer furniture. I guess it helps that most of the owners are designers themselves. Anyway, I'm well, inspired!

Creative ways to support those affected by the QLD floods..

2011-01-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

Yay to everyone who has been coming up with ways to raise funds in support of those affected by the QLD floods. From a money box at the front of my little miss' Daycare to retailers offering a percentage of earnings - aren't there some great people about?! My top 3 ways are:

1. Buying something from participating designers (including me!) at Shop Handmade, Allara St, Civic, Canberra. Ten percent of January sales is being donated and in addition, a dollar for every dollar raised will be donated by the lovely gals at the shop (aren't they generous!).

2. Participating in the "Shoeboxes of Love" drive.

3. By making a Hope Softie for one the many children in Emergency Centres around QLD that have lost everything. Click on the Hope Softie button and it will take you to the lovely blogger who is organising this drive. Leave a comment and she will email you her address. She will be delivering the softies herself and also has some great softie ideas too. I love it!

Hello

2011-01-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

Well I had a big post planned to let you in on my xmas, latest plans, adventures and goings on but having spent the last couple of days watching the QLD flood disaster unfold it all seems a bit trivial in comparison. My heart goes out to those that have been affected.
I have to say it's been a shock to see that even in Australia, with all of the resources at our disposal, that mother nature can cause so much loss and destruction. Will check in in another couple of days and hope that in the meantime you stay safe and well. Melanie

Handmade Market is just around the corner - so soon!

2010-11-18T03:05:00.001-08:00

I feel like I've only just recovered from the last one and Handmade is on in just over two weeks! It looks as if it will be the best one ever. I love the new opening hours - 11am to 7pm, and there will be even more food and some great new designers. I'm experimenting with some new daisy shapes so hopefully I'll have them ready in time!

The little things....

2010-11-04T04:40:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of a sequence I thought I'd start based on appreciating beauty in the little things in life. Sometimes it takes you stopping for a second to realise the beauty around you. There's plenty of opportunity when your home with babies, especially when you're breastfeeding! So here is my first installment in celebration of spring. It's the first of the flowers growing on the vines in our courtyard. I love the combination of white and green - a refreshing combination.

Friday eyecandy....

2010-10-29T04:31:00.000-07:00

Isn't this adorable? I found it on Madeit, an Australian website much like Etsy where you can buy and sell Handmade items. It's just one of the many gorgeous things you can find in this awesome store - oopsidaisi. Shops like this make me feel lucky to have two baby girls....

From November......

2010-10-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

I'll have some of my work at the Handmade store in the city!! I dropped my stuff off this afternoon. To start with I'll have some butterfly and swallow sets as well as some small ring sets. Here's a quick peek of what I dropped off this afternoon.

I just had to have a look around and found it almost impossible to leave without buying something. At the moment it would have to be one of the best places to go for Racing fashion. I saw stunning shoes, loads of beautiful jewellery, gorgeous handbags and accessories. Seriously, why would you go to DJs or Myer and risk getting something that you'll see 10 other girls in on race day when you can get something that is unique and lovingly handmade at the Handmade store just metres away?

Fabulous Handmade and a lesson about self promotion..

2010-10-12T03:21:00.000-07:00

Hello there, it's been a while from my last post and I don't really have an excuse apart from the usual life stuff. Had a wonderful day at Handmade - the weather was perfect and there was lots of gorgeousness all around. I had a stall across from two beautiful designers (Please eloise and Little Slave - check them out!) and ended up having to buy something from both of them- it was all too much looking at their beautiful stuff all day!!

I also learned a real lesson recently in self promotion. I have always been a bit shy of it and never really advertised myself - apart from telling people what I do - if they ask me! Anyway, my sister-in-law recently had a birthday teaparty and decorated her place Alice in Wonderland style. I offered to hang my dreamcatchers everywhere since they kind of suited the theme, and ended up selling them all, apart from one, and got an order for some more. So I'll be promoting my work at every opportunity from now on - no more shy Mel!

More for Handmade

2010-09-06T18:17:00.000-07:00

Hi there, finishing off some more items for Handmade this weekend. I've made some more dreamcatchers. It was a lot of fun making them. Even though they are exceptionally girly, even the hubby likes them (true story!!). Anyhow, in the meantime I'm hoping Emma will give me some rest and go back to sleeping through. She's been a bit naughty these last few nights and has been keeping us up, she just doesn't understand why Mummy and Daddy aren't interested in playing at 3am. If not, I'll be the stallholder asleep under the table at her stall......

Butterfly Love...

2010-09-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share with you a one off set I created for the Handmade Markets next Saturday 11 September. The butterflies are 10cm wide. I've used the last remnants of some wallpaper samples so it's the only set I'll have. I'll also have some sets in other colours. Perfect for a little corner you need to decorate...

Lovely....

2010-08-28T03:59:00.000-07:00

I don't usually write about fashion but I HAD to share this lovely piece I found on Etsy. Why do I love it so much? I guess it's because it is gorgeous as well as functional. You could wear this to a wedding instead of bringing along a handbag which I always find a nuisance. It's from a shop called kikosattic . You saw it here first....lovely, lovely, lovely...

Handmade just 3 weeks away!

2010-08-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

This will be my first markets after having Sophie so am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. I hope I'll get the chance to check some stalls out for myself. It's always chock full of gorgeousness....and yumminess.

Too sweet.....

2010-08-16T05:10:00.000-07:00

Who said wall stickers are getting a little passe? They obviously haven't seen the collection from Mimi Lou (mimilou-shop.fr). I came across these the other day and fell in love. What can I say, I'm inspired....

Getting ready for Handmade....

2010-08-07T05:08:00.001-07:00

It's late but I'm up getting some new designs ready for the upcoming Handmade Market on 11 September. Here is a little sneak peak of what I've been doing. I'm making lots of swallows this time as they went in a flash at the last market, some butterflies and ring sets and maybe a new shape if I have time.....

Sophie Mae

2010-07-20T04:36:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since my last post but I think I have a pretty good excuse - and here she is, a little baby girl called Sophie Mae. She arrived into the world on the 20th May at a petite 2.85kg and 48.5cm long. We are both doing fantastically (apart from a nasty case of the flu last week).

I have managed to get a bit of work done - the most exciting being an installation at the Blue Olive Cafe, opposite the Canberra GPO. It is a swarm of colourful swallows flying up and across the wall. Will post some photos soon but if you are in the area pop in and have a look. Oh, and grab a coffee from the lovely Simone while your at it as you'll want to stay and check out her fabulous vintage homewares collection....

I'm back!

2010-05-05T00:03:00.001-07:00

Here are some new ring set designs I've been working on that are now available in my Madeit store. It's been a little while since my last post and that can mainly be attributed to the fact I am about to have a baby. I've been busy preparing and dealing with some last minute issues like a breech presentation. But after a successful ECV this morning (turning the baby from breech position to the correct position) everything is all ok and I'm on the home stretch - Yay! I'm furiously making some new stuff before the baby arrives so make sure you check it out before it all comes to an abrupt stop for a little while....

More new shapes

2010-03-18T04:26:00.000-07:00

Cute little deer and a butterfly......

New Shape

2010-03-09T03:33:00.000-08:00

Clouds seem to be everywhere and since I like them I figured I'd jump on the bandwagon and create a few sets for the Handmade Markets this March 28. This was my first attempt and I'm pretty pleased with the result. These shapes are really light and can be stuck on the wall using Blu Tack or 3M Picture Frame Hanging Strips. I'll only have a few sets so you'll have to be quick!!

Nesting Part Two.......

2010-03-04T03:34:00.000-08:00

Have had a compelling need to pretty things up around home so have done a bit of decorating. First up was the dining room wall where I hung some family photos I've been meaning to frame for ages. I bought some cheap frames in black and white from a discount store and hung them all together in a sort of structured way. Didn't turn out so bad and Emma actually recognises the people in the photos and loves to point them out which is cute. I can keep adding new photos as I get them so I'm looking forward to having a wall covered in happy memories.

Next up was a blank wall in Emma's room. I had some pretty lights in the shapes of flowers that I picked up from Ikea so I made up some butterflies and little discs from some brightly covered fabric and stuck them all around. Emma has her own happy garden on the wall.

Oh, and I got my Nanami Cowdroy cushion I ordered from the UK. I don't think the photo does it justice - it's made out of a suede material and I even got a certificate of authentication. Did a bit of experimentation with some little ring sets I made....they're supposed to look like bubbles from the fish.....ok, so it seemed like a good idea at the time...

Exciting Week!

2010-02-25T03:39:00.000-08:00

What an exciting week it has been. It started with more than average sales over the weekend (don't know why) and having my swallow set featured in the Madeit website newsletter on Monday (BTW, you should subscribe, you'll find lots of handmade lovelies). Well, within an hour of that happening I sold four more items and received a phone call from a frantic customer who wanted to know whether I was listing any more ring sets because there weren't any left. That lovely lady does not know how much that made my day! Some new wholesale requests and emails from new customers asking for product updates pretty much rounded off a great week.

In addition to that I have been able to list some new designs from my new and improved range (pictured). A slight change in the base material means that my new stuff is MUCH lighter, meaning improved stick-ability as well as the ability to offer FREE SHIPPING within Australia. Oh, and I now have greater flexibility in the range of shapes I can use too so watch this space!

Blue Swallows

2010-02-14T20:21:00.000-08:00

I've just listed some blue swallow sets in my Madeit store. I'm so glad how they turned out. Better go, my two year old is doing somethng interesting with a pair of scissors and a throw cushion.......

Nesting.......

2010-02-08T02:19:00.000-08:00

I think it's the pregnancy hormones kicking in because I am in a bit of a nesting phase. I've been planning some finishing touches to our renovations with a bit of urgency, which isn't like me really (the urgency bit). Anyway, not liking the current situation of my couch (it's a bit boring), I discovered some cushions that will match the retro-asian thing going on and had to share them with you. Even though I had to order them from the UK, they are actually designed by an Australian born artist, Nanami Cowdroy. I love, love, love them. Will post a before and after photo of the couch when I get them. I wonder if they repel baby spew?

Found some boxed frames in my cupboard so....

2010-02-01T02:00:00.000-08:00

I made up some butterflies in a box. I only had four boxed frames so that's all there is. They're on sale now in my madeit store.

Just waiting on some new supplies and I'll be posting some NEW stuff soon. Yay!! As I'm think I'm sick of looking at my old stuff - It's time to move on...

SALE and Free Shipping!!

2010-01-23T17:22:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping you are having a lovely start to your new year. It's been a bit hectic on the home front but I have had time to review my products and am introducing a new line of designs very soon. In the meantime I have cleared out my store room and have put put all of my old stock on Sale in my Madeitstore. These items have been significantly reduced so I'm not expecting them to last long.........

Something Pretty

2009-11-28T01:41:00.000-08:00

I had some left over rings lying around and not wanting them to go to waste I made these little dreamcatchers. These ones are a bit girly but I'm planning to make some for boys rooms too!

How disappointing!

2009-11-21T17:12:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a bit of a rough week this week with getting so sick I was unable to make it to The Handmade Markets on Saturday. I am pretty devastated as I had some new designs ready to go and it's just so much darn fun being there!

Anyway, no time to feel sorry for myself as I'm booked in for some markets leading up to Christmas including The Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday until 13th December as well as the night market at Old Parliament House 5-9pm on the 4th December.

Will be posting some pictures of my new creations over the coming days, including my swallows - yay!!

New Markets at Old Parliament House

2009-10-07T03:39:00.000-07:00

An exciting new night market will debut this Friday night at Old Parliament House during "Double Happiness" drinks, 5-9pm. They are called the Ginger Lane night markets and I am pleased to announce Melanie Swan Designs will be one of the stalls there! These markets will be held once a month on a Friday. It should be a lovely event - I suggest you take a look. For more information head to The Ginger Lane Facebook Page.

Butterflies for Spring

2009-09-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hi there, just thought I'd share some butterfly shapes I've been making for a client's staircase. I'll have to take some photos when they're up but in the meantime they look fab flying up my studio wall!

New Shape!

2009-09-14T22:41:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been a while coming but I've finally got a prototype for my new shape - a swallow. I've included a picture here on top of the gorgeous wallpaper I'll be using in my new range. Isn't it divine? I've been lusting over this wallpaper for ages so I'm thrilled to finally get my hands on some. Watch this space for some new creations!

Fabulous day at Handmade

2009-09-14T22:18:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic day I had last Saturday at Canberra Handmade. There were so many fantastic handmade products to look at, yummy things to eat and so many people - it was a massive success!

Yarralumla Woolshed proved to be the perfect location with it's spacious rustic interior, loads of parking and leafy outside grounds. I took a (rather lame - sorry!) photo of my stall. It was lovely with the light streaming in from the windows.

I am so looking forward to the next Canberra Handmade Event in November. Although I think I'm going to have to get someone to help me so that I can leave my stall and do some of my own Christmas shopping.

Chiyogami overload

2009-09-03T04:24:00.000-07:00

I am launching a new range of ring sets this Handmade Market and here is a sneak peek! I was going for colour overload this time. I'll be uploading them on my madeit and Etsy stores after the markets. I hope you love them!

2 weeks to go until The Handmade Market!!

2009-08-26T21:58:00.000-07:00

It's only 2 weeks to go and I am really looking forward to it. Let's hope I get my act together in time. I'm still waiting on some supplies for some new designs so I am hoping it all comes together!

I've attached the invitation. There are so some fabulous new stallholders and the location is perfect. If you live in and around Canberra and love gorgeous handmade things then you MUST come!

New!

2009-08-15T00:33:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I've been busy lately. These are a one off range of ring and disc sets I've put together using some beautiful paper I had left over from other projects. Flowers are the theme since it's almost spring - my favourite time of year.

I'm always trying to find ways to improve my photos. This lot isn't too bad I think. Always room for improvement though!

Inspiration

2009-08-06T23:08:00.001-07:00

I get a lot of my inspiration form Interior Decoration Magazines and websites. One of my very, very favourite websites is Anthropologie. They have the most amazing home decor & fashion. I love their style, mixing vibrant colours and patterns - with a retro edge. One such item is their bedding range called Alessandra. Unfortunately, they have already sold out. I can still dream, admire and be inspired....

I love this wallpaper.....

2009-08-02T05:20:00.000-07:00

I was reading a recent issue of Elle Decoration UK (my favourite magazine at the moment), came across this stunning wallpaper called 'Pip' by Brian Yates and fell in love. I was very dissappointed to find out you can't buy it from a retailer in Australia but a quick search online lead me to Kingdom Interiors. They not only ship to Australia but sent me some samples. Now that I've seen them in person I HAD to buy some so watch this space for some 'Pip' inspired creations......

Well, here it goes....

2009-07-24T04:31:00.000-07:00

Hi there, and welcome to my very first post! I thought I'd better start off by introducing my work. I've included some pictures of my latest creation. It is inspired by my very good friend Tara. She loves pretty things, pink and fashion by Allanah Hill. I'm giving this to her for her birthday - which was a couple of weeks ago. Of course I forgot it so I hope she loves it and will forgive me....