Not Quite Spring with Bronwynne

Not Quite Spring

What a great day at the bus depot on the 16^th! I know it turns out to be a false spring, but I it was nice to be able to feel my toes for the whole day.

It was also lovely to see some old fans – hi to Jay and Denise -  and to welcome some new followers onto our web list.

New products added this month were met with great enthusiasm.  Bron’s jewellery display frames were a big hit, generally welcomed as a great idea and we hope that soon more people will be getting their gorgeous ‘jools’ out of the boxes and draws and treating them as the art that they really are. 

Geraldine has added some more papercraft – make your own bookdori; pocket organisers and … all in her unique steampunky style.

Thanks so much to all our visitors and for your feedback on what you like about our ‘emporium’ and what you would like us to do and make.  This is awesome for us as we feel our way into products for the streampunk lovers in the area.

I know it seems early but we have begun gearing up (sorry ‘bout that pun!) for the Christmas season. We are working on cards and advent calendars for the season (even though technically there is no Christmas in our steampunk world) as we aren’t purists about celebrations.  Any excuse works for us!

We are also developing some new products – more about these next newsletter, but as a heads up..

Bron is also working on some further accoutrements – lace cuffs/bracelets and watches and repurposing beautiful silk ties into scarves, ruffles and neckwear.  We will have these out on display at our next market.

Geraldine is designing some new desk accessories to go with her typewriter calendar.

Many of you will also be familiar with Suitcase Dollouses, run by Geraldine’s daughter who was intimately involved with the creation of the Della Morte Sisters and their world.  Marisa is also working on a range of jewellery using the imagery from the book and film.  This should be available at our next market.

Speaking of our next market… Geraldine will be researching the old country in September, so for this market only we will be at Bus Depot on the LAST Sunday of the month – the 28^th of September.

Come down and see us!

Muddling at the Markets with Bronwynne

MUDDLING AT THE MARKETS

Sunday morning. 7am. Minus 5 degrees and I’m up packing the car with a small amount of product and a large number of props ready to head off to our monthly visit to the Bus Depot markets Not even time for a coffee…but they sell coffee at the markets so it will be ok.  Yes, yes I know I should have done it last night.

8.15 and I’m in the car on the way.  Not too much fog but there is frost and my car computer tells me to drive safely as the road is minus 2 degrees.  Great.  Thank goodness I have lambswool liners in my socks (courtesy of Di at the lambswool boot stall on our last market day).

I arrive at the markets at 8.40 and turn into a pack horse as I move my stall from the car into the markets.  Running late – pressure is on to set up, but I need coffee.  Thank you David (from Suitcase Dollhouses) for doing the first coffee run of the day.

I’ll admit today’s set up was a bit of a muddle.  We have more space than usual so while we love having room to spread out, we probably don’t have quite enough bases – tables, shelves etc – but we will make do. But as usual the wonderful visitors to the markets were very understanding and patient and interested in our new products.

Particularly eye catching was Geraldine’s Lace Top Hat, a black version of the copper one that she has been reluctant to part with.  Absolutely gorgeous it is for sale at the markets. Geraldine also has some new paper craft journals that excited a lot of people (it seems some people do still write with pens on paper! Or maybe they are just so gorgeous they are irresistible.)

Another new addition was an element of Bron’s take on a modern day chatelaine – the USB stick.  With a wooden casing and the Dellamortika imagery these proved to be popular with our young and more mature followers alike. These will shortly also be available through our etsy site.

Bron also has started a movement to get your jewels out of the draw and up on the wall with a range of jewellery frames.  From the over the top baroque to simpler more streamlined frames, you can use them to hang up your precious jewellery and display them in your boudoir.  Not only are they works of art in their own right, it might even remind you to wear them occasionally!

3.00pm OMG where did they day go?  No wonder my tummy is rumbling.  After sate and spring rolls from the Lao Kitchen and (yes another coffee) I am ready for the sprint to the finish line.  Last minute rush of interest in our world including a visit from a balloon pilot…yes they do actually exist outside of Dellamortika!

4.00pm Time to pack everything back into the car and head home.  Once again I am confounded by how much space the props and display takes compared to how little the actual items for sale on my stall.  I must get more organised before next month’s event.

Hope to see you there.  Till August…bye from Bron.

Markets

I love doing the markets. They're a great opportunity to meet people interested in my work and the world of Della Mortika. As I sell more copies of the book, I love hearing feedback from the readers. It's always an interesting experience.

I do the markets with my friend Bronwynne, who makes all the Della Mortika jewellery. Beautiful steampunk items inspired by the world we have created.

My papercraft also gets a showing at the markets - intricate handmade books in steampunk style. I just love making these and seeing other people appreciate them is very satisfying.

So if you're free this Sunday 19th July, come down to the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston and have a chat with me.

Geraldine.