Shop Handmade is open!

I have no words... ok maybe one... SPECTACULAR!

Cheeeeeeeers!!!


Shop Handmade is at 20 Allara st, City walk (toward the Casino)
{Photos thanks to Jennie at Posie Patchwork}

Make, Believe

Gorgeous... An exhibition by Canberra artists Amelia Thompson (of local fashion label, Grazed Youth) and Anna Madeleine, featuring fashion design, mixed media and animation.

The guiding inspiration behind this collaborative work is the artist’s shared experience as young women at significant junctions in their artistic pursuits. Together they have explored ideas of growing up and being lost in an unknown world, and conceptually drawn parallels of their experiences to those encountered by the heroines of classic fairytales.

Make, Believe looks at the notion behind the games we play as children and the role that they play in us now.

The exhibition plays on contradictory references to the traditional, nostalgic form of the fairytale in contrast to the new and the modern. The artists aesthetically reference this through the use of a sepia verses technicolour, using the visual form of old-fashioned games in a new, digital way, mixing the familiar with the unexpected. This collaboration has seen the creation of a refined collection of original pieces which push the boundaries of individual mediums. The outcome of this is an exciting and dynamic collection of work.

The exhibition will officially open at 6pm Friday 16 April and will treat guests to a fashion parade and live music. Make, Believe will run from Friday 16 April- Sunday 25 April 2010 at ANCA Gallery: Rosevar pl, Dickson.

Shop Handmade: a sneaky peek

It's all excitement and hard work. A week ahead of the grand opening of Shop Handmade, things are starting to take shape. I am giddy to see the amazing work already lined up to be deliciously merchandised in store, but for now, here's a behind the scenes sneaky peek of work in progress...

Check out the Shop Handmade blog, where just some of our amazing local designer goodies are being revealed daily... LOVING!!! And be ready for the grand opening Friday April 16, doors open at 9am!

Happy Weekend darlings... I'll be wall papering! eeeep!

Love Nina xx

Handmade arrives again

Here's where I'll be on Sunday with some of my new Tango & James pieces...

So hope to see you there,

Love Nina xx

Sweet tooth Tuesday: Chocolat

When Canberra's Heidi Ross swapped her hectic career as a nurse to nurture what was once an academic interest in the origins of chocolate, into a blossoming small business the Curious Chocolatier emerged.

"Chocolate is such a versatile ingredient and every day I discover something new about it. I want to explore the possibilities that are open to us with this amazing and addictive ingredient. I want to "stir the chocolate pot" and push the boundaries of the conventional and traditional uses of chocolate."

Flavours include: Dark mint chocolate with Raspberries, Dark chocolate with Rosemary and Apricot and Dark Orange chocolate with Roasted Almonds, Milk Caramel Chocolate with Pecans, 70% Dark Chocolate with Coffee and Fennel, 70% Dark Chocolate with Strawberry and Sichuan Pepper. All packaged in their vintage inspired signature water colour illustrations... so tres chic!

Check out the full range at the Curious Chocolatier website and at Handmade Market on March 28th... can't waiiiiiit! Love it!!

Nina x

Handmade Market: Adorn Me

Don't forget Handmade Market is on in just 2 and a half weeks, now at Kamberra Winery on Northborne Ave, it's on Sunday March 28th. Here are some of the unique fashion and jewellery pieces you'll find...

1. Millicent Russell 2. Trove
3. Six In A Row 4. Summerblossom
5. Andie Meredith 6. Sinead Buckney
7. My Sweet Muse 8. Amanda Rae
9. Tango & James 10. The Mad Hatter

Don't miss it! I'll be there with my homewares and fashion accessories label, Tango & James. Awesome!

High Tea with Her Excellency

The “Friends of Malkara” Fundraising Committee for Malkara Special School are hosting a decadent Hats and Gloves High Tea on Friday, 26 March 2010 at Government House, Canberra at 10.00 am through to 1.00 pm Attendance $90, RSVP Friday 12th March 2010 to malkarahatsandgloves@gmail.com

"It's a morning to don your finest attire, sip champagne and eat a delicious high tea. There will be a fashion parade by Memento, as well as raffles, silent auctions and lucky door prizes."

With the gracious hospitality of Her Excellency, The Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AM.

And with a good friend of mine on the decorating committee, I just know it's going to be tres divine!

Happy Friday: Handmade Market

Handmade Market is back this month and only 3 weeks away!! Here are some of my favourite homewares finds...

1. The Owls Are Hunting lamp 2. Kaile Boutique baby linen
3. Flat Bird surface art 4. Third Bird ceramics and textiles
5. Ensparkle ceramics 6. Rancho hand drawn
7. Tango & James cushion 8. Made by Jack handprinted textiles

Only at Canberra's Handmade Market
SUNDAY March 28th at Kamberra Winery
Check out the website for all of the details.

A Right Royal Affair

Lovely!