Strange cardmaker I am...

"Happy Birthday to you!" stamp by Stampin' Up! 

I've just finished making two cards out of given, bought and reclaimed materials and have realised just how different they are! The first one is quite muted, made from wooden embellishments, a left-over tag from a wedding order and die-cut leafy branches from reclaimed designer paper. The second card has been made from die-cuts received as a free gift with an embossing folder. They have been further hand cut, dry embossed and embellished. And, of course, I am a little obsessed with doing some kind of simple drawing on most of my cards!

I haven't had a chance to make many cards lately as I have been busy with other ventures and, boy, do I miss it! It's the real reason I started markets but, sadly, it is too hard to sustain stall costs on handmade cards alone (even though my cards are quite popular). The other crafts (e.g. jewellery making) that I have had to do to substantiate my market stall have been a distraction from what I really enjoy doing...

Same goes for my new online store. I have been so busy making craft supplies, etc. for customers that my cardmaking has been put on hold, but only temporarily! It appears to be quite hard to sell handmade cards online but I am determined to give it a really good try and see what happens :) If you have purchased my handmade cards before, or have received one and find yourself curious enough to be reading this post, please take the next step and contact me. I'm itching for an excuse to list some handmade cards online (over the products that have been selling). Please place an order by emailing, texting or phoning me--click on the contact tab above :)

If you have been looking out for me at the markets, my attendance has been a bit sporadic of late. I will back regularly as of next Sunday and, hopefully, with plenty of new cards! See you there :)

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the dedicated mothers out there and, hell, even the not so dedicated ones (it's a hard slog either which way), have a wonderful Mother's Day celebration tomorrow! Thank you to the many mothers who have bought my cards over the years for children, new mothers, husbands, friends and, of course, your own mothers. Each time you bless someone with a special message it makes them feel important, valued and loved. If you have been looking to buy from my market stall lately, I have been away for a few weeks but am back next week. Remember, you can always contact me through this website or my online store for a customised order. Have a lovely weekend :)

I love Peter's Bread!

This post has nothing to do with papercraft or cardmaking. I have been attending markets in the Blue Mountains for a couple of years now and thought that it was about time to give Peter's Bread a decent mention! I have never been a great fan of bread--it always gets freezer burn or tastes like cardboard, but Peter's Artisan Bread is quite another story. He has perfected a number of recipes, one of them being his Honey and Fruit loaf. I have literally lived on this bread when there wasn't any food in the house!

Commercial bread loaves are just awful compared to this stuff. It's Cafe quality (well some Cafes, anyway!) and works out at about $0.50 per slice. Two slices with coffee is fantastic for breakfast. I must confess that I have never been one to eat fresh bread fast enough, so I always pre-slice Peter's Bread and freeze it in. It toasts beautifully in a regular toaster. I have my toaster set to low. The first pop defrosts it, the second pop browns it perfectly. This bread really retains its heat because it is so dense, and the butter/margarine melts right in. Making you hungry? Check out Peter's Bread for yourself at his website.

A couple of years ago, I told Peter that I thought his Gluten-free bread loaves would really take off because he was so determined to keep improving his recipe. Now, he receives countless orders through his website each week for this bread range! If you have special dietary requirements, Peter's Bread will not disappoint. It's really worth trying :)

♥ Create, create, create ♥

Wow, the weather has finally fined up--what a relief! It was getting really dismal for a time there. Visitors and tourists have been returning to the mountains and local markets have been picking up as a result. I have been particularly encouraged by the numerous card sales I have had to 'regular' customers. I don't know any names, but I am starting to recognise some faces after two years of doing this! What lovely, supportive mountain-folk and Sydney-siders, who choose to buy handmade and keep returning. Thank You! It gives me enough momentum to keep creating and pursuing this somewhat crazy venture of leaving a secure teaching position to undertake arty endeavours.

I have recently been working on an online store. I went to a couple of seminars and thought it was worth a shot. Not sure of how it will all pan out but I'll persist with it (as you need to do in this field). It is quite hard to compete against all the mass-produced goods in chain stores and major shopping centres and, at times, you get quite demoralised. I am inspired by customers such as one young girl, who works at Typo, but still prefers to buy my cards! That really made my day, maybe even my year!

If you would like to purchase any of my products, please feel free to visit my online store (click on the icon in right sidebar). Alternatively, click on the 'Contact' tab above to phone or email. I am always happy to receive custom orders, which can be purchased via Bank Deposit, PayPal or through my online store as a special listing.

If you would like to place an order then pick it up from my market stall, please contact me to find out when I will be next attending the markets. Looking forward to hearing from you :)

Unique Handmade Cards by Green Gifts

I arrived home this week to a very waterlogged hollow! It seems that the rain hasn't let up, which makes the markets scene quite challenging up here in the mountains (due to fewer tourists). Nevertheless, I have continued to push on and have made some lovely beaded necklaces and a few cards, ready for this weekend's markets. The card above is a one-of-kind, never-to-be-repeated design, made using reclaimed embroidered fabric. I would have liked to photograph it outside but it was just too misty, wet and dark (like something out of LOTR--quite beautiful, actually).

This type of card is my area of specialty because it does get a little monotonous remaking my popular designs from week-to-week. When I come across an interesting piece of paper or fabric, my creativity kicks in a little and these often become the tactile cards I truly love. This card also incoportates some hand drawn elements to give it that rustic touch. Because this card is extra special in terms of materials and design, I will be pricing it at $5.00. My handmade cards range from $1.50 to $6.00 and roughly reflect the effort and materials that go into them. My more expensive cards often take up to an hour to make, and are geared towards the most discerning of handmade card buyers.

♥ Support your local handmade market ♥

It is always encouraging to meet Blue Mountains' locals, especially after two years of doing markets and festivals here. Sure, not all locals are necessarily interested in markets but it is wonderful when they visit and discover just how affordable and creative handmade craft can be! As tourism has dropped a little in the mountains in recent years, I would love to be able to cater to local customers better.

I predominately attend markets in Hazelbrook, Lawson and Leura. Some of my fellow stallholders include: Bron's Preserves (pictured below), Cindy Smith's one-of-a-kind Sterling Silver jewellery, Dianne's Bears (dressed with gorgeous fabrics and accessories), Bill's Books, and Peter's Bread (of which I am a great fan).

Although I sell a range of beaded and fashion jewellery, both for adults and children, my main love is papercraft. I sometimes get a little demoralised when customers zero in on my jewellery and totally overlook my cards. I wouldn't bother doing markets if it weren't for the cards and other paper products I sell. Next time you come across my stall, please have a browse through my cards. Prices start at $1.50 and include eco-cards (printed on 100% recycled cardstock), handmade cards, and photographic cards.

Most of my cards have an botanical, earthy or arty feel (example below), and are suitable for sending domestically or overseas, attaching to presents, popping into pigeon holes at work, or simply just giving to a special person. People really love receiving a handmade card due to its tactile and three-dimensional qualities. A number of my cards also incorporate hand drawn details, funky patterns and original designs. Please visit soon to check them out for yourself!

This card has been hand: stamped, inked, torn, glued and embellished.

It features dried skeleton leaves, brads (split pins), parchment and wallpaper.

The cards in this garden series (including tulips, parsley, rosemary, mint and sage) sell for $4.00 each.