Busy season while going slowly

Yep, busy season, slow human… working really hard on not doing too much post treatment. Now that both chemotherapy and radiotherapy are words relating to my past, I’m very keen to kick it back into full gear but please bear with me for a bit while I take time to get back to full speed.

After saying that, I am going to have one kiln load of cups ready for Christmas!… I hope… I’m very nervous about committing to serious time frames at the moment. My stockpile has been depleted this year and I know some of you have been patiently waiting for mugs to show up in my shop.

For those collecting mugs, this will be your last chance to grab a 2018 cup or mug. I was really looking forward to carving 18’s this year into the bottom of my tableware pieces. Quietly disappointed there wont be more out there but 19’s are pretty fun to carve too. I will be trying my very best to get these last 2018 mugs out the kiln by Christmas.

If you want to order 2018 mugs :0 please click here or on the image below…

As Christmas is coming, I’ve vowed again this year to purchase seasonal presents as handcrafted and as local as possible.

I was in a chain store recently and was disappointed at the customer service offered by large retail outlets these days, line up like cow, shuffle to the front of the cue, serve yourself… I know you’ve probably experienced it all before. It just feels a little cold. It makes buying items from small production makers more special. I love buying handmade. I love the whole experience. I know that when I am talking with the seller, I am also talking to the designer, maker, marketer, admin and postage staff/person, etc.. I am talking to someone passionate about the product they are selling, that they care about it and they know everything there is to know about their product.

I strongly encourage looking around at your local markets when shopping for gifts this year. Etsy have a section where you can view local markets in your area, you can also filter local products to purchase without travelling to a market. There’s bound to be something handcrafted in your local area, wherever you are in the world. Let’s keep our own local communities thriving, especially at this time of year!

Speaking of handcrafted, local markets, I had a BALL at the Brisbane Etsy Made Local market last month! I wish I had some more photos to share but as usual it just gets sooo busy. Quick shout out to ‘La Plume De Fleur’ for making my beautiful flower crown. I was hoping to have a little more hair before the event but just happy I made it there in the end. Thanks to all you gorgeous people who dropped in to say hello and picked up some little belinism goodies. Your support is much appreciated. I love you guys!

…and of course much gratitude to the BEML event organisers, I really do look forward to this event. It always has such a wonderful vibe and such an awesome tribe of fellow marketeers.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and stress less December, don’t forget to smile every chance you get :)