some shopping therapy this weekend?

It's a long weekend in Victoria this weekend, so I thought I'd tempt the locals (and visitors alike) ...

I had the pleasure of dropping in to chat with Rachael from Maker Handmade in South Melbourne yesterday. I really love this shop. If I were going to open a shop, it would be like this - full of hand crafted and beautiful things. The variety is amazing as you can see from my photo's above - delicate jewellery, fragrant soaps and creams, hand upholstered furniture, clothing, artworks, homewares and so much more. I love how Rachael styles her shop too. At the moment she has a beautiful vintage dressing table in the window displaying beautiful girly things like handmade clutches, necklaces and delicate ceramic items - my photo (and all the reflection!) does not do it justice. It's really worth a visit. While you're in South Melbourne, you could also drop in to another of my favourite shops (just up the road from Maker Handmade) - Izzi and Popo - gorgeous French and European collectables and homewares. They have the most lovely french linen in the shop at the moment - drool! So once you factor in refuelling at one of the many cafes or the South Melbourne Market, I think you could easily spend a morning or afternoon in "therapy"! Whatever you do this weekend, I hope you enjoy it. Be safe!

a lovely evening @ maker handmade

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the Maker Handmade grand opening/christmas shopping night in South Melbourne. It was such a lovely evening perusing the treasure trove of lovely things that owner Rachael has stocked her store with. Combined with a glass of bubbles and the knowledge that 10% of all sales would go to the Ardoch Youth Foundation to help disadvantaged kids, it was always going to be a great night! Thanks to Rachael and the team at Maker Handamde for such a lovely evening. There wasn't much time for photo taking, but I did manage a couple ...

Rachael (Maker Handmade) & Nic (Yardage Design)

You can find a large selection of Yardage Design handprinted homewares at Maker Handmade, including cushions. You can keep up to date with what's happening at Maker Handmade by reading Rachael's lovely blog! Have a lovely Friday!

handmade + champagne shopping night this thursday

One of my newest stockists, Maker Handmade in South Melbourne, is having a lovely little Christmas Shopping night this week. I'll be there, along with some of the other designers with stock in store. All the details below ....

Maker Handmade and the newly relocated Blue Door Gallery (specialists in indigenous art) are having a combined opening night and xmas shopping night this Thursday 25 November. Drink champagne, get through that shopping list and leave with all of your goodies beautifully wrapped.

The good feelings don't end with champagne and free wrapping though....we'll be donating 10% of our sales to Ardoch Youth Foundation, a St Kilda based organisation who works with Melbourne schools to provide educational support to disadvantaged kids as well as basic necessities to their families.

Score an invite to our opening and xmas shopping night by emailing rachael@makerhandmade.com.au

new stockist ... maker handmade, south melbourne

A selection of Yardage Design tea towels and cushions can now be found at the newly opened Maker Handmade shop in South Melbourne. Owner Rachael Kelly opened Maker Handmade just last week and stocks a range of high quality homewares, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and other unique items. I dropped into the shop on Friday for a chat and to take a look ...

:: Rachael in her lovely shop, Maker Handmade ::

Maker Handmade is a beautiful, light filled, fresh looking space. The gorgeous handmade items are displayed cleverly with vintage furniture and props, as well as a brilliant selection of Aboriginal art courtesy of Rachael's husband who owns the art gallery next door.

Rachael has also just started blogging for the first time - pop over here to welcome this self confessed "craft groupie" to blogland!

Have a great week!