The Ipswich Handmade Expo

The very first Ipswich Handmade Expo, held on Saturday 16th August, saw many BrisStyle members not only making great sales, but getting some fantastic feedback, and even publicity as well!

With close to 2000 people coming through the doors of the 87 stallholder event, various BrisStyle members described the day as huge, wonderfully organised, busy and exhilarating! Some of the BrisStyle members who sold their wares at the expo included:

Michelle from Pedrosprout and Sharon from Shazzabeth Creations, who both had photos of themselves and their stalls featured in the Queensland Times paper (click on the photo to read the whole article).


Michelle's gorgeous booties and other handmade sewn goodies made a beautiful display, and Sharon's original beaded, wirework and chainmaille Jewellery brought lots of crowds, with earrings being her most popular items.


Other BrisStyle members who attented included Jacqui from Bellabijoux, selling beautiful one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces.


Trish from Trishalan Designs, also had a beautiful stall set up, selling wonderfully vibrant hand-dyed fabric and threads, with the threads being a particularly popular item.

Polka dot Rumba pants were the most popular item for Louise from Made by Miffy, who sells boutique wear for kids and the kitchen! And Eliza of Eliza's Art was happy to find customers falling in love with her gorgeous art prints.

All members who attended agreed that the morning was the peak time for crowds, with many stall holders not getting a coffee break until well into the afternoon. They also said that the organisation of the event was superb, as was the publicity leading up to the event, and they are sure that next month's Expo will be even bigger and better, so stay tuned for more information on the next Expo happening in September. We will put the information in our 'What's Happening' section of the blog (in the top right hand column) as details come to hand :)

The BrisStyle Ekka Extravaganza Etsy Sale!

The ‘Ekka’ is the annual agricultural show held in Brisbane, Australia. It is a fun-packed 10 days of bright lights and rides, local produce, entertainment and cute animals! We thought it would be a perfect excuse to have a sale on etsy to promote our BrisStyle team and our talented members, as well as a chance for lovers of handmade goods to snap up some great bargains!

The Ekka Extravaganza Sale runs from Saturday 9th August to Sunday 17th August (ending 12 midnight etsy time). Participating shops are offering a variety of great deals like percentages off, free postage and bonus gifts.

Here is a list of the participating shops – check out the beautiful BrisStyle stores and their great deals!

jellygnite - 15% off all items in store + free art card / aceo with every order over $15 (excl postage)

HotFudge - 15% off all items in store

EmBelIsh – Free Owl Brooch & Gift Wrapping with purchase

TwinkleStarArt – Free children's 'gift card' with all purchases. Purchase two or more art prints, receive an additional art print, of your choice, for free.

Sharlzndollz – 10% off all items in store

Shazzabeth – 10% off all items in store + free postage on orders over $100

Elizasart – 10% off all items in store + free postage on orders over $100

MooreTaste – 15% off all items in store + a free pair of gemstone earrings on purchases over $100 after discounts

Beckybean – Free gift pack (bookmark, felt hairclip & postcard) with any bag purchase

ruby2gogo - Retro Brisbane gift cards with all purchases. Show Bag with purchases over $40

rubyredstudios – Retro Brisbane gift cards with all purchases. Show Bag with purchases over $40

Hey Harriet – Free postage on all purchases

Hair Doos - 10% off all items in store + free postage on orders over $100

WIN this SPACE ROCKET art print for FREE!!!

Amanda of Twinkle Star Art is currently running a giveaway to win a space rocket art print - perfect for any little boy's bedroom. The print above is a work in progress, and the final product will match its 'brother' print below.


To enter, simply visit the Twinkle Star Art Blog and reply in the comments link at the bottom:

1. vote which space boy you prefer - 1, 2, or 3.
2. finish picture quote - "Tonight, I'm dreaming of... "

and remember to leave an email address or blog page link so that Amanda can get back to you :-)

Submissions close on the 31st of July. So what are you still doing here? Get on over to the Twinkle Start Art Blog and enter. You just might make one little boy very very happy :)

For more examples of Amanda's gorgeous work check out her Etsy Shop, or her Flickr Photostream.

3.2.1......BLASTOFF!!!!!!!

Bringing ‘Bling’ to BrisVegas!

Step out in sparkling style with a bit of ‘bling’ from the BrisStyle team.

Sterling Silver Dragon's Back Chain
by Shazzabeth Creations
$100
This is a sterling silver chainmaille bracelet in the Dragonsback weave. It is a chunky, heavier weave with a lovely rounded dome shape running down the middle of the chain. The bracelet is fastened with a sterling silver toggle clasp. Not for the faint hearted, this beautiful bracelet is ideal for those who like their jewellery to make a statement.


Rainbow Swarovski Gold Pendant
by Marlier Designs
$28
This pendant has been made by me, using a rectangular shape frame, constructed from Artistic Non Tarnish Wire in Gold. I've used a rainbow colour combination of Swarovski Crystals this time, in 4 and 6mm. It gives a totally different look with the gold wire! Fast becoming one of my fave pieces!


Handcrafted, Rough with the Smooth, Sterling Silver Necklace
by Moore Taste
$118
This is a gorgeous and versatile Sterling Silver Necklace made from a combination of hammered and unhammered links, hence the rough and smooth name. All the links and the clasp have been made from Sterling Silver by me. Each link is shaped, soldered and then given a hammered finish if required.


Gold Blinger - Vintage Button Earrings
by Ruby Red Studios
$6.50
Shiny, pearly and simply irresistible these golden coloured acrylic buttons were just yearning to become earrings x x
...and here they are 1.5cm diameter and allergy free surgical steel posts and backs.


Natural Stone Beaded Anklets
by Kaylees Room
$15
I am really into the look of natural stone. There is something gorgeous and serene about it. Each bead is hand-wired with two spacers and then linked with jump rings and finished with a lobster clasp. These anklets will be sold individually. The colours in the photo are actually pretty true to life so you know what you will be receiving.


Vintage Silver and Yellow Layered Button Brooch
by EmBelISH
$5.00
This one-of-a-kind, all original, Silver and Yellow Brooch was made using 3 vintage buttons on a metal bar pin back. The base is a large silver vintage button, topped with an opaque yellow button and finished with a pale yellow and glitter feature button. A great way to transform your look!


Vintage Button Earrings Pink Ice
by Jellygnite
$14.00
These sweet button earrings reminded me of pink coconut ice - mmmm yum! The buttons are a pearly pretty pink - so girly! They are genuine vintage buttons from my Aunty's collection. The buttons are attached to silver-toned earrings using silver wire.

Get carried away with BrisStyle

Cart your belongings around in style with these gorgeous handmade bags, clutches and wallets from some of our talented BrisStyle members.

Petite Purple Wallet
by Love, Janie Lou
$22
Shop in style with this cute and quirky wallet stitched up in soft pastel prints. Made from cotton fabrics and embellished with a vintage button and trim, this wallet includes a zippered pouch for coins, a pocket for notes, and three slots for cards and licenses.


The Hazel Grouse Handbag
by Pedrosprout
$40
The Hazel Grouse is fully lined and has a pocket on the front. Made from Japanese cotton fabric and a little wadding.


Red Partridge Backpack
by Sharlzndollz
$60
The Red Partridge Backpack is created from 100% cotton and corduroy fabrics sourced from fully cleaned vintage sources, and finished with a variety of machine embroidery, applique, and buttons. The Red Partridge design I have created as a homage to the Seventies. The design is completed in felt that has been machine stitched onto the bag and embellished with buttons.


Fiddlestick Field Shoulder Bag
by Beckybean
$57
This bag is made using the gorgeous fabric from Hollabee, with the beautiful leaf fabric being hand screen printed with environmentally friendly, solvent free inks on a cotton/linen blend. Also used in this bag is a recycled upholstery sample, and some new 'burnt orange' coloured cotton quilting fabric.


Library, Toy or Diaper Bag
by Hot Fudge
$22
Now here is a nostalgic bag which is sure to delight parents and grandparents as well as little children. One of the best gifts you can give a child is the love of reading. Whether they join the local library or use their school/kindergarten library, they will love keeping their books in this colourful bag.


Pineapple Princess - Vintage Jumble Clutch
by Ruby Red Studios
$22.50
I have designed this range of clutches so you can max out the contents - keys/mobile phone/make-up/ipod/money/and all your girly stuff. They are made from quirky boucle vintage Italian upholstery fabrics and lined with other collected salvaged material pieces. I have used a chunky zig zag stitch to compliment the vintage work already on the fabric.

Feature Artist Moore Taste

I've always loved making things, as a child my grandfather taught me to embroider, my great aunt taught me crochet and my mum taught me to knit on needles and on a knitting machine.

Over the years I've probably tried just about every craft ever invented (a bit of an exaggeration but you get my drift!!) but my love of metalworking really started in 1975, when I took a metalworking class at school. I absolutely loved it but at that time metalworking was not encouraged as a career and certainly not as a career for a 'girl'.

So having taken the responsible decision to take a job with a local bank my memories of my love for metalworking started to fade.

In 2005, I started making amulet bags, moved on to beaded jewellery, wire wrapping and chainmaille, lampworking (really not good at lampworking!!!) and fusing glass pendants.

Then miraculously after 25 yrs working in Finance and IT, I took up the torch again and the passion came flooding back. Since then I have hardly put it down. I love the way metal takes on a life of its own when it is bent, hammered and heated.

Although I am a SAHM of 2 very small children I always find time for my metalwork and love to try new techniques whenever I can.

Catering for kids – brisStyle goodies for babes and children

Who doesn’t love spoiling the special little people in our lives? Now you can do it in style with these lovely brisStyle creations.


Carousel Rose PONY ART
By Twinkle Star Art
$19
One quality 8 x 8 inch art print – perfect for your little girl's room, or baby's nursery. If you would like the hair colour to match the little girl you'll be giving this to, please request a HAIR COLOUR with your purchase.




Miss Magenta Monkey Little Jelly
By Jellygnite
$16
She’s stylish, this little monkey and has such a sweet heart! These ‘little jellies’ are soft little ‘babies’ with floppy limbs and sweet faces. They are the perfect size for little hands and cuddles and their floppy legs are great for babies to grab / suck on! They also make lovely companions for grown-ups!




Red Robin - Cranberry Baby Booties
By Pedrosprout
$25
These booties are made from Kunin Ecospun felt, a high quality polyester fiber made from 100% certified recycled plastic bottles (red felt made from 50% Ecospun, 50% acrylic). They are fully lined with no exposed seams and have a velcro strap to help them stay on.




Jumper Dress, Florentine
By Hot Fudge
$45
Here’s something that will look absolutely adorable on your little girl. The contrast piping at the neckline, armholes and bodice is hand-made and to top it off, the dress is fully lined with red and white check fabric. The shoulder ends are reinforced with Vylene for extra strength, and the four buttons contrast beautifully with the red top.




Stroller or Pram Purse - Candy Stripe
By Pram Purse
$20
My own design - The "Pram Purse" is here! The "Pram Purse" is a unique product that allows you to walk your pram with all your essential items at your fingertips. Simply button it onto any type of pram with the secure denim strap and you are ready to go.




Toddler Batik Kimono Wrap Top
By Ogekko
$25
This little kimono-style top is made from a very colourful batik fabric. The base colour is a soft pink and it has deep pink and purple overlaid on it and turquoise highlights. The top is bound around all edges with turquoise cotton and ties on the inside (with mauve ribbon for comfort) and on the outside.