Mathilda's Market on Sunday in Sydney - Special Offers

Yes, we're back ... this time in one of our most popular locations: Lane Cove, St Ignatius College, Riverview.

Why not prepare your shopping list now (click here)

Here are some great specials our lovely stall holders have prepared for you:

- Please Eloise will be offering our hair clip holders at a special Mathilda's Market price of $10 (usually $12)

- Boohoo Baby is offering a couple of specials on the day. All summer stock will be on sale at great prices, plus the new winter patch work quilts are ready! They are normally $109.95 but for Mathilda’s Market they will be $89.95.
- Pip & Co. will be selling all wall silhouettes for only $45 (usually $60).
- Three Little Owls are having a special on Winter pyjamas from Huckleberry Lane and Books To Wear – only $24 per set..

PJ's from Three Little Owls:

See you Sunday!

Cheers

Anne x

Getting To Know ... Anne Lewis from Mathilda's Market

OK, this is the Q&A you've all been waiting for! We probe the busy and creative brain of the Queen Bee behind Mathilda's Market, Anne Lewis.

I am passionate about … family, work and the principle of right & wrong.

I get frustrated when … I don’t listen to myself, which goes something like this: "why didn’t I go to bed earlier?, why didn’t I finish my to do list instead of watch Bones?, why didn’t I clean the kitchen before I went to bed?, why did I yell at my kids instead of explaining it calmly?", etc.

I started my business because … I thought I’d be a good idea, and I just adored beautiful things for babies & kids.

My favourite TV show is … Well, this is quite funny. I hardly ever watch TV, as I don’t have enough time for it. But I have all the series I ever plan to catch on DVD, so when I magically do have time one day, I can have a two-week TV viewing marathon. This would include: Desperate Housewives, all interior design shows, Underbelly, Bones, and a zillion other shows that will just allow me to escape into a different world!

If I could be anywhere right now I’d be … Time travelling back to my life of 15 years ago, backpacking through Asia, partying lots and sitting on the beach all day doing not much at all. Basically, a life full of fun without responsibilities and consequences.

I am most proud of … the fact that my kids turned out pretty normal (so far!)

I think the biggest obstacle our kids will face in the future is … Hmmm, where to start! Mainly the lack of parenting rules and discipline they get, coupled with the right amount of love. This can have negative results for an individual and a community as a whole, and that's scary.

My favourite item from our product range is … Well, for Mathilda’s Market, the answer to that is every stallholder! However, we have recently started our own range: Pip & Co. (find us at http://www.pipandco.com.au/) and Klickbox (http://www.klickbox.com.au/) so of course, I love all our products right now!

I love listening to ... Anything from Cat Stevens to Muse and Guns n' Roses to Vivaldi. Whatever mood I am in!

My heart sings when … We get lots of shoppers through the door at Mathilda’s Market. It means our job is done, and done well!

The hardest part of running my business is … Lack of time and lack of sleep. And as the owner of the business, I often end up having to deal with the serious complaints and problems. Don't get me wrong, I love LOVE this job, as you couldn't work this hard if you didn't! But a lot of the fun jobs go to my staff!

I love sipping on … Anything I'm offered ...

One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen is ... My friend laughing uncontrollably, and subsequently completely wetting her pants. (I am not being mean, my friend still thinks it is funny too!)

The best part of my day is … Hopping into bed with the kids at nighttime for a chat, and they let their “school guard” down and become the gorgeous, innocent little kids that they are. This is closely followed by me hopping into my bed, and enjoying pure silence in the house.

My favourite food is … Anything Italian.

I struggle with … Dishonesty, bullshit and people who delay the inevitable. Ah, and staying organised.

Friendship to me means … Unconditional love.

I just can’t live without … Chocolate, and of course my family. And, I have to admit it ... work!

Getting To Know ... Jennie from Posie Patchwork

I am passionate about … Family, fun, fashion & healthy lifestyle

I get frustrated when … I run out of thread. Oh to have an endless bobbin!!

I started my business because … I wanted to stay home to raise my children around a husband in the Army. Way back in 1999 I discovered a neat way to combine the lot!

My favourite TV show is … Desperate Housewives. (I’m a combination of all of them).

If I could be anywhere right now I’d be … Relaxing with my husband by the water with our children splashing around

I am most proud of … My husband & our four gorgeous children, who are lovely people

I think the biggest obstacle our kids will face in the future is … Not having family as the backbone of society, and lacking homemade/homebake skills & self subsistence lifestyles!

My favourite item from our product range is … easily my passion – the patchwork quilt where the combinations of colour, style, size, theme & design is unlimited.

I love listening to ... Desperate Housewives – you didn’t think I actually had time to watch the show?!

My heart sings when … The school bell goes & my four happy children are so pleased to see me again. Hugs & kisses all round, oh and dumped school bags of course!

The hardest part of running my business is … Starting up all over again every two years, as we move interstate with the Army. I love local markets, so I have to rebuild my customer base.

I love sipping on … Mineral water, any flavour. Love how it tickles my nose.

One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen is ... My children flying high up & over the toboggan embankment at the bottom of the toboggan slope at Mt Selwyn, which is meant to stop them from landing on the skiers! Luckily no one was injured.

The best part of my day is … Last thing at night, when the day is done, children asleep, house tidy, lunch is organised & my work schedule prepared for the following day. THEN I can relax!

My favourite food is … Japanese, always fresh & tasty.

I struggle with … My children missing their Daddy, especially the ‘Daddys’ Girls’ who are all tweens. I could really do with some back up when they have moody moments.

Friendship to me means … Genuinely happy to be generous of spirit, time, energy & experience.

I just can’t live without … Obviously my family, but materialistically speaking, all my crafty things – fabric, hand stitching, sewing, paper, threads, felt, buttons, ric rac, ribbons ... I love it all!

Find Posie Patchwork at Mathilda's Market in Canberra on Sunday 27 June at the Hyatt Hotel, 9am to 1pm. 

Sneak peek

Who made it?
When will you see it?
Stay tuned ...

We love it!
Cheers
Anne x

Brisbane twinkles again!

It’s a wrap on our second Mathilda's Market in Brisbane for the year. Last Saturday, as the sun shone brightly, we joyously threw open the doors at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Ascot to throngs of happy shoppers.

We're very fond of this new venue and it seems you shoppers and stallholders are, too. It's spacious and lush, and the grounds are so beautiful. It was thoroughly pleasant perching on one of the seats under the shady trees and watching people drift past, and that's just what quite a few people did!

But that doesn't mean there weren't plenty of people inside, savouring and snapping up the many fabulous creations from our stallholders - the event was very well attended. The stalls looked so wonderfully presented and ever-so inviting - a big thanks to all our lovely stallholders for painstakingly creating such gorgeous retail spaces. And the kids seemed to approve of the face painter and jumping castle, both of which proved to be a smash hit.

To all our Brissy shoppers - a big thanks for joining us last Saturday. It was so good to see you all there! The event was really enjoyable for me to watch unfold, and I so hope you all had a great time. Our next Brisbane event is on Saturday 19 June at the same venue, from 9am to 1pm.

Now it's photo time! Here's a pictorial summary of some of the highlights of the day. (By the way, these pics were taken by Lana Bell of Little Posers Photography, our Official Event Photographer. Thank you, Lana).

Read Lana Bell's review of Mathilda's here .... Here is the Little Posers Photography stall below.

Habitat Baby never fail to make their space look sublime!

Ideas Take Flight were our Fabulous Finds winner for this event ... judging from their wares (below), the sky's the limit when it comes to their creativity!

One of our most popular stallholders - Gelati Art

Humble Bumble ... they shouldn't be humble, as their wares are so wonderful!

Cute indeed ... it's Kawaii For You

Baby Goes Retro ... Scandinavian fashion for the coolest kids!

Delectable cupcakes. Thanks to the cooks at Eagle Farm Racecourse for cooking up these up for us!

The cool and shady seating area outside ... a nice spot to regroup before resuming shopping!

It's all in the Details Details, our Official Event Decorator

And a few assorted piccies to finish off this blog post, and tempt you to come again to Mathilda's Market in Brisbane in June! 

Cheers

Anne x

The Red Thread that binds us

Truly, madly, deeply ... That's how in love I am with The Red Thread. I dare you to pay a visit to their website, and NOT feel exactly the same way!  

The Red Thread is the name attached to the wonderful works of Sydney artist Lisa Tilse. Lisa creates pieces including one-off, commissioned and limited edition artworks, handcrafted cards and Sweetie Petites doll kits (more on exactly what they are later).

Firstly, a little about the rather enigmatic name of the business. According to an ancient Chinese belief, an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The red thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. Lisa named her venture The Red Thread after she and her husband adopted their daughter, Roxy from China. As Lisa says, "There is no doubt that this amazing little girl, born half a world away, was absolutely meant to be our daughter. The red thread connected us and she’s the light of our lives." (I just thought this was the most beautiful sentiment, and a moving expression of Lisa and her husband's love for Roxy).

I must say, the commissioned children's portraits (see one of her daughter, above) that Lisa paints left me completely astounded - but please note, she's not currently taking orders for these - no doubt she has an overwhelming backlog! I know it's really mean to tease ... but take a look at the enchanting likeness she conjures up, after studying photos of her subject! Here's a photo ...

And here is Lisa's creation!

You may not be able to get your hands on a portrait right now, but these Sweetie Petites doll kits will ease the pain. The kits contain all you need to make a doll yourself: printed fabric panels, stuffing, ribbon loops and sewing instructions. Each one has its name printed on the back. The Sweeties can be sewn by hand or machine, and are an ideal project for a beginner, or for a parent or grandparent to make with a child. Meet two of the five Sweeties:

Or you might rather like the Sushi Bird Tiles. Colourful birds cut from Japanese papers nestle on an illustration, and are mounted on a natural timber tile, finished in a semi-gloss varnish. Individually created by hand, no two will ever be the same.

The Wood You Believe range of artworks from The Red Thread are just as exquisuite, and highly original. Vintage illustrations and handpainted and stamped graphics are mixed up to create quirky contemporary montages. A quotation is handwritten around the edge of each piece. Here's one I found on the website that hasn't yet been snapped up. Be quick!

And I couldn't sign off without beckoning you over to take a gander at one of the timber greeting cards.

I've only touched on a few creations here from The Red Thread's range, and there are many more pieces created by Lisa Tilse that will capture your heart. Her amazing eye is highly sought after: she regularly collaborates with stylists and interior designers to create unique art for their clients, and she also works from home as a graphic designer. Oh, to have half the creative talent Lisa has in her little finger! To read about what inspires her works, visit The Red Thread blog here.


Why not check out The Red Thread stall at Mathilda's Market in Sydney on Sunday 2 May.

Peta x
Mathilda's Market blogger

Getting To Know ... Suzanne from Paint Sticks - No Mess - Fun

I am passionate about … my family, my friends, my product and my belief that you should always treat others the way you wish to be treated and life will be good!

I get frustrated when … it rains on weekends.

I started my business because … it involved a positive and fun activity for children, and was a product that I could produce from home.

My favourite TV show is … Spicks and Specks. Entertaining, funny & mostly because Hamish Blake is a regular guest!

If I could be anywhere right now I’d be … on an island resort, not having to clean or cook, reading a good book, just relaxing with my husband and two boys, snorkelling, safely exploring and enjoying the wonders of our Great Barrier Reef! Bliss!

I am most proud of … My family – my wonderful husband Chris and our two beautiful sons, Jack and Sam.

My favourite item from our product range is … The whole concept! Look, Mum ... no mess! Painting at home no longer has to be a chaotic chore. Kids can happily paint at home or away (they are great to take camping) without the drama of cleaning up paint spills. Paint Sticks - No Mess - Fun are very economical as there is no waste, they are long lasting, easy to pack away and whatsmore, they are refillable! AND they're proudly all Australian made!

I love listening to ... my boys talking, laughing and playing together.

My heart sings when … a customer tells me that they found out about my product from a friend who loves them.

The hardest part of running my business is … That it takes me away from spending as much time as I'd like with my family.

I love sipping on … a great cuppa. (English breakfast made in a pot with loose tea leaves – not a tea bag).

One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen is ... lots of things my two boys have done or said over the past couple of years!

The best part of my day is … tucking my boys into bed and giving them a huge hug and a kiss, then the  peace and tranquillity that comes a short time after. (Unfortunately, it doesn’t always go to plan!)

My favourite food is … Pretty much anything my husband Chris cooks (he is an awesome cook) and my Aunty Kathryn’s yummy Christmas pudding. I wish I didn’t have to wait till Christmas to eat it!

I struggle with … answering questionnaires like this!

Friendship to me means … being there to listen, smile, laugh, cry, hug and ... to just be there!

I just can’t live without … Chris, Jack and Sam and lots of good quality dark chocolate!

Find Paintsticks - No Mess - Fun at Mathilda's Market in Brisbane on Saturday 19 June.