Photography

Many years ago, I was really into photography and I produced a whole range of photographic cards. It was certainly a different life for a few years. I used a humble digital camera, the quality of which is now outstripped by incredible phone cameras. I sold hundreds of these cards on my market stall to tourists from all over the world. Recently, a digital printing service reminded me that my uploads are still stored on their servers (and that I need to place an order in order to retain them!). I had quite forgotten about this company as I have not ordered any photographic prints for years. It was a walk down memory lane to peruse countless photos that I have on back-up drives, but which are easier to access online if need be. So I placed an order. Perhaps I will make these prints into Christmas cards or similar. - Mel

2016 is almost over

What a strange year 2016 has been! I'm not quite sure where all the time went and am left feeling a little perturbed. Does time really pass by more quickly the older you get? Sure seems like it. This pic, taken earlier in the year at Sydney Technology Park, represents the unknown future. It is also a reminder to self to stop banging on closed doors and walking past the open ones. 2017 brings the need for great change to certain aspects of my life and I feel positive about what can be achieved over the next 12 months. I'm actually going to attempt this thing called work-life balance. It will be a juggling act (and a completely new experience for me). It will require discipline and focus and consciousness. I just realised the other day that I have been attending the markets as a stallholder in Leura for 7 years. I told someone that it had been 5 years but when I reflected back, I realised that I started in 2010. Due to various reasons, it really is time for me to move on from this venture. I've gone from 100% attendance (5-6 times a month) to sporadic attendance due to working and living in Sydney. It is only right to let it go, thereby opening up my spot for someone else. I'm not going again until March 2017 so have a bit of time to explore other avenues. Change is in the air!

Blogging again...

 Luna Park entrance during the 'Vivid' light festival, June 2015

Sydney Harbour Bridge from my favourite street in North Sydney, June 2015

The Luna Park ferris wheel under a full moon, June 2015

It's been a while since I've had time to post due to various health reasons. I'm missing 'Green Gifts' but have not been able to get back into as yet. I still have some stock sitting around and will list it online soon. As for my handmade items, I will probably have to wait and see. I'm still recovering from an unfortunate wrist injury last year, made worse by a poorly performed surgical procedure. I was far too trusting and, as one colleague warned me, "Make sure you're completely comfortable with the surgeon before you let him cut into you." I wasn't completely confident at all--he was so busy and belittled me when I had questions, making me feel like it was inappropriate and unnecessary. But, he told me that he knew what he was doing and that this was my chance, before the bone healed incorrectly, to avoid early arthritis of the wrist. However, the bone had already healed...

Well, to cut a long story short, he did more damage than the original injury and the pain was extreme for at least 2 months. I still have difficulty using my left hand nearly 10 months after what was a relatively minor injury in its initial stages. Never trust a surgeon who won't let you discuss the procedure! He may not have adequate knowledge to actually help your situation. Don't let him bluff you with technical words and over-confidence! It's too late for me as I now have nerve damage and painful joints to contend with every day. I'll just have to find a way to carry on somehow despite the time and money I've lost due to the surgeries, endless appointments and the inability to find a job.

On a bright note, I've had the chance to go to the city of Sydney and see the sites of late. I had a fantastic day the NSW Art Gallery and saw some of the Vivid light festival. It's such a wonderful city and I aim to live in the heart of it one day! There are so many more opportunities in all areas of life when you live in the city, despite the congestion and noise. There are wonderful things to see and do and I would relish in it. I'd always find ways to go to the city when I was young. I remember one particular day--I took a day off from school ('jigged') and went to the city to see a movie and window shop. Did I go with my friends? No. I simply hopped on the train from Kogarah and made a day of it. The feeling of freedom in a relatively safe city was amazing. I relived this a little at the start of this year. The summer weather was glorious and there was so much to do around the harbour :)

Upcycled Wrapping Paper

Upcycled wrapping paper was used to make these cards

I am often taken aback by the people who like my market stall because of its jewellery items, most of which I hand bead, create and put together myself. My heart drops a little because I am actually a 'paper crafter'. When they just keep going on about the jewellery items, I point out that I really don't specialise in it and that I love making cards and stationery. They're always a little shocked and then take a polite, yet disinterested, glance at the handmade cards on display. It's strange to me how some people love the self-adorning aspect of jewellery, but don't really value the encouragement and care that can be expressed when giving someone else a special card. I have had to accept that some people simply don't get it. Of course, I still do keep doing jewellery items, as it helps pay the stall costs, but it really isn't my passion.

The cards above were made using old wrapping paper (from Holland) as the background design. I just love collecting interesting paper to use on my cards. Being 'Green Gifts', I am always trying to reclaim, reuse and upcycle as many materials as possible in my cardmaking. Being a bit of a hoarder, I don't like throwing out beautiful things that I know will make a unique, one-of-a-kind card. Recently, a wonderfully generous lady I know gave me hundreds of old, used greeting cards from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Printed greeting cards were made so beautifully then (they're nice today too, but different). The dry embossed surfaces and wet embossed titles in gold and silver are just exquisite, and I almost don't want to part with these beautiful cards. However, I have been upcycling them into new handmade cards, and this will continue for many years to come! How wonderful it is to be able to revive old cards and convert them into new, fresh cards! I really enjoy this creative process and I encourage you to give it a go too ;)

Have a Handmade Christmas!

Christmas will soon be upon us, and I've begun making handmade cards, wrapping paper and gifts for a range of family and friends. Yes, I could just chuck money at it, but what would be the point? It's so much better to make something meaningful for people--I abhor the mass-production that taints the season. For example, last year, I made a $25 gift for someone, which took 3 hours, but was completely unique! How much easier would it have been to throw $25 over the counter at some chain store down in mall city? Very easy but, instead, I printed out a collection of this person's favourite photographs and made them into colourful, A6-sized greeting cards with coordinating C6 envelopes. Very pretty, and perhaps a slight abuse of my facebook friendship, but the recipient really appreciated the sentiment :)

As is customary at this time of year, I've updated my blog header/banner. Last year (2012-2013), I chose a photograph I took in Fiji in 2011 (shown below). Perhaps not very Blue Mountains-ish but an 'ode' to my favourite colour...green (and to my favourite part of the planet, the South Pacific Islands). People sometimes ask me, "Why Green Gifts?" (a number of my products are not 'green' in the environmental sense of the word, but I am constantly striving for this--it's just a matter of continuing to convince the Australian public to embrace it too...)

For the year ahead (2013-2014), I've cropped an image that I took in Paris of a lady beetle on a rose (blog header above). As people wandered past the rose garden in 'Jardin des Plantes', the main botanical garden in France, they stared at me as though I was crazy. What on earth is she looking at? The average passer-by took shots of the whole rose garden, and rarely ventured to the macro level (which invariably involves crouching, body twisting, stillness of hand, and a hell of a lot of patience!) I was happy with the few shots I was able to capture with my rudimentary digital camera and have created photographic cards from some of the better images.

So, "Why Green Gifts?" I love nature, trees, leaves, the colour green, and a number of my products reflect this. I'm always seeking to incorporate 100% recycled paper/cardstock into my cardmaking & stationery range and try to make use of reclaimed materials, especially in my cardmaking. Handmade, local production is also sustainable (i.e. less waste, minimal carbon impact) and doesn't have the same effect as mass-production does on the environment. I encourage you to consider both the direct and indirect impact of your purchasing choices on the global environment, as you prepare for Christmas this year :)

Blog Banner 2012-2013

Think handmade this Christmas!

Think handmade this Christmas! Christmas has become more commercialised of late, so why not inject a little bit of authenticism into your gifts, greetings and wrappings. One brochure I saw recently said, "Have yourself an organised Christmas!" Is this what Christmas has become--a frantic time of year that merely requires organisation and the hope for survival?

So, why not make your gifts stand out from the crowd. I will have handmade wrapping paper and gifts tags available as a pack this Sunday. For only $10, the pack includes 5 sheets (large size) of handmade wrapping paper and 10 gifts tags!

Handmade Christmas cards will also be available. Prices start at $2.00 per card. I try to make my Christmas cards as affordable as possible because of the quantity that people need at this time of year. My cards are suitable for posting and are particularly suitable for close friends and family who you'd like to make feel special. It is also nice to have that opportunity to write a special message inside each card, perhaps a quick summary of what you've appreciated in 2011 and blessings for the New Year.

I also have a lovely range of Christmas photographic cards for $3.00 each (example pictured above).

Even if it's raining, I look forward to your visit at my market stall this Sunday!

2011 - Year in Review

This year has passed by so quickly but, I'm happy to say, it has been a little easier than last. I'm trying to work smarter, rather than harder, and have gained more time for family and friends.

Despite the effect of the global economy on tourism in the Blue Mountains over the last couple of years, my sales have gradually been improving. I'm still classified as a hobbyist at this stage but intend to keep developing 'Green Gifts' as a business concept in 2012.

A number of customers have urged me to sell online, which is a huge undertaking to do properly, but I think it will be a worthwhile venture in the oncoming year. I still prefer face-to-face contact with customers at markets but the online world does have the potential for a much larger customer base.

A would love to approach some potential stockists in 2012 but this is dependent on having the time to create enough suitable stock (namely cards) before they're sold at the markets!

On that note, I do need to make a concerted effort to manage my time better in 2012. Which means less time on the internet and more time dedicated to organising/creating/working!

It's tough at times...

Image above: Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp by Stampin' Up!

Here are a few of my latest cards. I'm starting to realise that there really is no end to the diversity of cards that can be made! I've started to scratch the surface but so much more creativity is still waiting to emerge...

On another note, trying to grow a small business can be extemely tough and, at times, I wonder if I have spent more on materials, tools and stall costs than I have made. Nearly everything I sell is made by hand, so it is also a time-consuming venture. Lately, I have been challenging myself to make better cards at a faster rate. This has quite been tough because I don't wish to skimp on quality. I have also been approached by a couple of potential stockists, but actually haven't had time yet to make the stock!

Recently, I made the worst decision I have ever made for 'Green Gifts' since 2003 (in terms of lost money and time). I rented a stall space in a shop in Sydney for four days (which needed to be prepaid). Unfortunately, I tumbled for the positive blog posts and other reviews promoting this new initiative without first visiting the shop. The reality is that the shop is in a poor location with very limited foot traffic. The operators will receive the short-term benefit of rental income from people like me, but ultimately, the enterprise will leave frustration and disappointment in its wake.

I just wish the operators would be true to themselves and the craft community who are trusting them to do the right thing. The initiative will work for some, but only very few. I'm annoyed with myself because I am used to achieving a certain level of success for my hard work and feel completely duped this time round (due to non-disclosure of the likelihood of infrequent sales). I still have two days left and it is looking improbable that I will even recoup the cost of the materials for the items sold, let alone the stall costs! Live and learn people...

Return from Paradise

Poolside Flora, Lautoka Hotel, Fiji

Leaves in the Light, Nausori Highlands, Fiji

I have recently returned home from a short trip to Fiji. My sister and her husband chose to be married over there and they had the most quintessential beach wedding (and honeymoon). As I was a bridesmaid, I didn't have the chance to snap too many pics on the day :( but I can't wait to see the professional photos when they emerge. Due to the overall schedule of the trip, there weren't copious opportunities to take photographs, but I tried to keep an eye out for interesting subject matter and managed to take some decent shots. I'm hoping that a few shots will make successful photographic cards for my market stall. Fiji is a beautiful country. I love the way in which any form of travel forces you to reflect, causing some kind of mindshift. It's because you're away from the humdrum and routine of everyday life. But I certainly haven't quite returned to reality yet! - Mel

And about time too...

For someone who has been mucking around on computers for well over 20 years, this marks my very first blog entry... ever! I had a 'geocities' webpage many moons ago, but it was so difficult to create and alter back then - you had to know html in some depth (which I knew, but the internet speeds were the worst problem!) I love the online community, but have never become an active part of it. I'm quite a private person who finds it difficult to put myself 'out there' and self-promote. Recently, I have been concentrating my energies on expanding 'Green Gifts and Cards' as a business concept. I first registered this business name in 2003 but never prioritised the time to do anything serious with it. I chose it because I love nature and have always been aware of living sustainable lifestyle. This involves promoting nature, as well as protecting it. I originally started out by making recycled paper by hand. Although I haven't yet got back into doing this, I'd love to one day. My creativity is just starting to be unleashed. I have so many ideas for things to design and make, and I've started selling them at local Blue Mountains craft markets. At this point, I'm just a hobbyist but would love for this venture to become a viable business in the oncoming years. Please visit if you're interested in updates and photos of my latest creations...

~ Melanie

Comments

Anonymous June 30, 2010 at 10:57 PM

How did your business name come about?

Melanie July 1, 2010 at 4:01 PM

My business name came about a number of years ago, but I've been too busy with full-time work to do anything serious with it. I chose it because I love nature and have always been aware of living sustainable lifestyle. This involves promoting nature, as well as protecting it. I started out by making recycled paper products. Although I haven't yet got back into doing this, it's on my priority list!