Monday, November 30, 2009

Stallholder Profile - littlejomm



 
We at Civic Homespun Market love new stalls!  We are most honoured when someone chooses to make our market the stepping stone for their next big venture.

The thing I like most about littlejomm is that it caters amazingly well for little boys.  I have 2 girls and have no difficulty in coming home with something for them after every market!  But boys are a little more difficult to shop for so I'm told by friends with boys.  These guys have girls' tops too, but they have a great range of boys stuff.
 
This is what the creative minds behind littlejomm say about their brand: 

"littlejomm came about when two mums, Nikki and Nicole, both with two young children wanted some cool, unique tops for their kids.  littlejomm has been in the pipeline for about 7 months and finally 'went to market' 2 weeks ago'. Our name littlejomm is inspired from our children's names, Jasper, Oscar, Maisie and Mabel.
 
Our tops are 100% cotton and are appliqued with screen printed material sourced from Australia and Europe. No two tops are exactly the same."

 
What a great and practical gift idea for those little ones in your life!
 
Catch littlejomm at the market this Saturday!
 
 

Saturday, November 28, 2009

rain, rain go away - and you did - and the people came...

After an initial busy start to the market, the people all left us and obviously found themselves a good little posie from which to view the Christmas Parade.

We were sitting there all depressed thinking, "have we seen the best of it?", "is it going to get any better today?".

Well, the Christmas Parade finished, which coincided with the rain stopping, and the sun showing us its glorious rays and the people came, and they came, and they came.

Pity I ran around all day like a mad woman and didn't get any photos... sorry.

We had some absolutely beautiful new stalls today too.  Next week I'll post some photos of some awesome new stuff that we have leading up to Christmas.

Need I say, YOU MUST COME NEXT WEEK!!!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

What a handmade-fest this weekend!




People of Launceston you are spoilt! 

You have the most amazing choice of gifts and 'stuff for yourself' that are all completely handmade  - all of the raw materials have been loving hand-picked, hand-designed and then handmade with love by the stallholder.  Each item is individual and special.

Who wouldn't want a handmade gift for Christmas, I ask you?  Me, I just love handmade brooches at the moment... nod, nod, wink, wink to my family!

At the market this weekend, you will be spoilt by:


Samspiration - beautiful felted products including cute animals, toys, brooches, mobiles, booties and hats

Tamar Valley Gourmet Foods - the most yummiest cakes and biscuits including a gluten-free range which are equally as yummy.  Don't forget the choc-coated raspberries!

Hoot Hoot Hooray! - wrap skirts with groovy pictures on them


Tact-ilse- Linda's wonderful and whimsical range of original art, felted items, cute brooches and accessories

Three Little Chickens - little applique singlets, handbags and cards

Shaz and Marys' Knits - these guys are amazing knitters!  They come up with groovy knits each time they're at the market.  And knits aren't just for winter - come and see!

Robin Cochrane - gorgeous beaded necklaces, but not like you've seen anywhere else.  Freshwater pearls too.

Little Jomm - for the very hip, very cool baby - tops and onesies with awesome applique pictures on them, the perfect gift for a little one in your life for christmas!


Louise Garwood - all kinds of cool things from homewares and knits to christmas tree decorations.


The Sweet Tooth - lollies and fudges including a new range of sweets and lollipops all made right here in our own little state.

Anouk Vittori **new**


Kathleen Ritson - you must come and feel Kathleens's Egyptian cotton sheets and now quilt covers.  They are beautiful and awesome value for money.  Kathleen also has a great range of neck cushions.

Mary Curran (and mum, Janice!) - these two pocket-rockets make a huge range of handbags and totes that are well priced and great-looking.  They also make a lovely range of  cotton jersey and print skirts that is different every week.

Handmade by Rowena - welcome back Rowena!  Unique and individual homewares made with a range of fabrics.  Last time she had beautiful knitted throws and cushions!

Tasmanian Incense - frangrant incense sticks made here by Kelly

Sue Lee-Archer **new** - handmade dolls, animals, teddies, baby beanies and booties

Kelly Tuskin **new**

Nigel Gibson **new** - original art and timber products

Nicole Namgyal **new**

Rocky Gardens - I am addicted to Pat's raspberry jam, you will be too!  Jams and sauces, buy a few for the rellos this Christmas

Four Seasons Herbs - a huge range of potted herbs - it is so cool to have your own herb garden - even in a pot!  Ask Tara how...

Lees Orchards - apples, apples, apples!  Straight from the orchard to you - value for money!


Did I say spoilt!

Don't run around town like a chook with its head cut off!  Come and take time to browse our 23 'shops' full of special, beautiful and lovingly-made products under one roof!

See you at Pilgrim Hall (opposite Myer/Birchalls carpark) between 10am and 3pm tomorrow.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Market Tomoz!

I am excited about tomorrow's market!

Here's why:

inner+child - gorgeous children's accessories including birdie felt brooches and hairclips plus very cute t-shirts with fairy wings on the back - my 2 year old has one and throws a tantrum when it has to go in the wash!

Kylane Creations - Kylie's new and ever expanding range of scrapbooked products including novel photo albums, cards, wall hangings and chocolate blocks


Tina Pinkard - an array of bags plus get your Christmas Tree skirt right here!


Chocolates in Bloom - our featured stallholder for this week! wonderful bunches and boxes of flowers perfect for a special gift or as a centrepiece for your christmas lunch.


Mary Curran - hand-designed and made organic cotton jersey skirts, plus a huge range of handbags

Apooki - covered button hair accessories and Angela's range of very groovy owl fridge magnets which caught my imagination last time!


Kathleen Ritson - hand-designed, botanical print cards, great neck cushions and beautiful 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheet sets


Bubbamia - little coin purses for big people or little people - what a great stocking filler!


Shaz & Marys' Knits - these guys make the most f-a-b knitted stuff and its not just for winter! light scarves, brooches and very cool bracelets among other things.


Hoot Hoot Hooray! - cotton drill wrap skirts with groovy prints on them. New colour arrived this week: red!!!


Three Little Chickens - great little appliqued singlets, cool handbags and all kinds of other stuff.


Robin Cochrane - beautiful beaded jewellery in show-stopping designs including freshwater pearls


Rocky Gardens - yummo jams and sauces...



Four Seasons Herbs - a huge range of potted herbs plus organic coffee beans



Lees Orchards - apples! I bought royal galas last week and they were divine


At the Homespun Market we literally have your Christmas gifts sewn up!

So get on down to the Pilgrim Hall on Saturday between 10am and 3pm.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Stallholder Profile - Chocolates in Bloom

Chocolates in Bloom is a new little business run by mum of one, Nicole Hall.

This boutique business sprung up out of Nicole's creative side and the need to give her brain a change from mothering... strikes a chord with me!

The basic concept of Chocolates in Bloom is a box or bunch of chocolates. A great idea as a novel alternative for a bunch of flowers! Beautiful to look at and then you can eat it!

Nicole has put together a range of boxes for Christmas.

Wouldn't this one look great as a centrepiece on your table for Christmas lunch! Or a lovely little Christmas tree for those with limited space.

See Nicole and Chocolates in Bloom at the market this Saturday, then also 5th and 12th December.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

A scrummy market tomorrow

This is who we are showcasing tomorrow:

Michael Lees - we have apples! Yay! Get your apples direct from the grower at tomorrow's market!

Rocky Gardens - yum, yum, yum... jams and sauces for yourself or a practical and yummy christmas gift.

Samspiration - Margot's array of felted knits featuring the cutest brooches in animal, floral, button and more designs.

Tact-ilse - welcome back Linda! Linda's dolls, original artwork, stitched and felted items will keep you browsing for ages.

Louise Garwood - the place to get something knitted, beautiful scarves!

Tamar Valley Gourmet Foods - Tanya is back again with cakes and biscuits including a gluten-free range and choc-coated raspberries to die for!

Hoot Hoot Hooray - groovy wrap skirts.

Sarah & Carley - the cutest little tutus for your own little fairy, hair accessories and lovely handmade and versatile wraps for babies.

Kylane Creations - Kylie's creative side has been at full throttle this week! As well as her beautiful scrapbooked cards, timber photo albums, and chocolate blocks (see our blog post earlier this week) she has some new covered canvases that would make a great gift for your best friend.

inner+child - stocking fillers for your little ones to the max here! hair accessories and brooches, mobiles, cushions, pint-sized aprons and great kid's kitchen and garden gift sets.

littlejom - **new** very cool appliqued childrens' tops.

Mary Curran - back this week with their own organic cotton jersey skirts plus a huge range of handbags in all shapes and sizes.

Carol Dykman - the most grooviest softies you have ever seen made from Carol's amazing stash of fabrics, ribbon and buttons. Also, Carol's talented daughters show off their handmade cards and original artwork.

Kathleen Ritson - divine Egyptian cotton sheet sets for big beds and cots too, handy neck cushions, hand-drawn botanical print cards and the Creative Memories solutions to diy.

Cheryl's Creations - Cheryl's own free-form knitting and crochet clothing, cards, slippers, brooches.

Soewnearth - real art on fabric! silk scarves, 100% wool tops, gorgeous silk woven vests all hand dyed using completely natural products.

Tasmanian Incense - handmade incense sticks in a wonderful array of scents. Kelly is very talented and also does cards with original artwork, cool knitted flowers on stems and heaps more stuff!

Nicole dj - more great gifts for children! fabric teddies and awesome fabric phones that are flat so you can throw one in your handbag to keep the kiddlies busy when you least expect.

Emma Kimpton - framed original art, cards, very cool sausage dog t-shirts (t-shirts with sausage dog prints for people, not sausage dogs!!).

Thomas Ryan Photography - absolutely beautiful photos taken by this talented artist of Launceston landmarks and surrounds. Ready to hang or just order a print...


So you simply must come!! Gifts galore for Christmas or just a little something for yourself :)

Pilgrim Hall (opposite the Myer/Birchalls carpark), 10am-3pm, Saturdays.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Isis Made has cool new journals!

Isis Made stall was the star of our recent photo shoot at the market.

Lisa Kuilenburg took these great shots:






Isis has since sourced a new paper which is 100% recycled, made in Australia and is available with lines and music lines too!

There is also an awesome new design made with recylced albums:




Very groovy, Isis! Can't wait to have you back at the market on 12th December!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Stallholder Profile - Kylane Creations

This week our featured stallholder is Kylie Mackrill from Kylane Creations.



timber photo albums - just add your own photos for a special, personal gift




Kylie has recently transformed her stock from beaded jewellery into scrapbooked cards, albums and gifts.


gorgeous scrapbooked cards


Kylie is a manager at a tyre retailer during her weekday hours. She has 3 teenage children who keep her busy.

In her spare time, Kylie loves to make things with paper. She has a little studio in the shed at the back of the garden and retreats there for her 'me time'.



a block of chocolate is no longer a boring gift... what a great idea!


'Me time' is obviously a creative and productive time for Kylie as she comes out with these special products.

Catch Kylane Creations at the market every week.

We're going big-time and running a TV campaign!

Ok, so in my other job with a national company from which I'm currently on maternity leave, we'd call it a TVC (television campaign).

We'd get an info pack through our intranet site including a 20 page speccy powerpoint presentation showing the market research and charts with our goals at what percentage we'll grow our business during this campaign and a heap of text and showy pictures. All of this will justify to our big bosses who sign off on our spend that we need this TVC.

At the Homespun Market, I have used a very complicated equation to decide our advertising for this year. It goes something like this: market open(few know about it/not much traffic through the door)/little time to do cheap marketing = must let maximum people know that we're open by using mass media in a TVC!!!

Just in case you're not a maths wizz (I once was, but having 2 babies has stolen quite a few of my brain cells!), we are open, we don't have enough people coming through, and I need a way to get people in the door in a short period of time.

Look out for our advert on Southern Cross TV. We are running the ads on Wed-Fri for the next 6 weeks from this Wednesday.

Watch this space as I'll post a copy of the ad in the blog on Wednesday.

PS. The ads feature the gorgeous photography from Lisa Kuilenburg :)