Tuesday Treasury: Royal Blue & Pumpkin Pie

These gorgeous Denim Mushrooms from BrisStyler Denim Days inspired this 'Royal Blue & Pumpkin Pie' Etsy treasury.....

Click here to view the full size treasury!

Happy Tuesday!

Inspiration Monday

With what seems like weeks of rain here in Brisbane I think we may all be in need of a bit of a crafty pick me up. Here are a few images to inspire you and brighten up your day!

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Facebook Tips & Tricks - Recommendations

Recommendations: Why some pages have them and why others don’t.

Page recommendations are a feature for business pages on fb which has been recently upgraded. If a business has a physical address, when you like the page a pop up window will ask you to write a recommendation. This feature is to share new and exciting places with your friends as part of fb working to connect users with local businesses. You also have the option to share your recommendation amongst friends or make it public. Page Admins have the option to show or hide particular recommendations.

 
More info on page recommendations here and here.

Let's Go Shopping

Happy Australia Day for Thursday!! What did you get up to? Maybe you were baking lamingtons. Or frying some snags on the BBQ.  Perhaps even a bit of backyard cricket.

Here's a few Aussie items handmade by our BrisStylers -  ready to call your house their home.

Seagulls photo print

Hey Harriet

Vintage fabric card

Gilded Goldfish

Bower of Beauty screen printed linen tea towel

Paluma Print

Dingo puppy

Manx Minx

Sydney tea towel throw pillow

Collecting Feathers

Need more Aussie fix?  Check out the Happy Australia Day Etsy Treasury here!!

You too can take part in our weekly Let's Go Shopping meme! Post your Etsy finds on your blog then pop back here and add the blog post link below. Don't forget to link back to this post so everyone can check out all your fabulous Etsy finds. Anyone can play along so come join in the fun

Crafty D.I.Y

Hello,

With the holidays over (or nearly for some), you may have a little collection of beautiful pictures...and not sure the best way to display them?

What about trying some transfer experiment with those amazing projects  on Better homes and gardens blog...

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 like this?

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Or this way?

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A little buzz of ideas now?

Before going and looking for those cute pics to transfer, lets mark our "Australia Day" (of yesterday) 

with this super cute Softie D.I.Y found on womansday.com!

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Happy Friday everyone!

Your Creative Business: Getting Organised

Pink To-Do List by Flight Studios

With all that life throws at you it can sometimes be hard to maintain a sense of organisation within your crafty business.  This week we've round up some great articles to help you 'get organised' and 'get on with it'.

• Top 4 Tech Tools to Give Your Productivity a Boost on Etsy
• How Do You Keep Your Crafty Biz Organised? with Jessica Van Den
• More Organising Ideas For Your Craft Room with Studio 11
• How to Organise Invoices for a Craft Business with wikiHow

Feel free to share your organisational tips with us by leaving a comment below!

Crafty & Connected

Do you have an indie biz that you want the world to know about?

When you start out with your own business, one of the biggest challenges is finding customers, and getting your work ‘out there’. If you’re like most, you don’t have much money to spend on expensive advertising campaigns – but you do have TIME. And using social media effectively can take a lot less time than you think – if you’re smart about it.

Perhaps you want to get involved in social media – things like facebook, twitter, and blogging – but don’t quite know how to go about it. Or, maybe you have given it a go in the past… but given up in confusion or frustration. You struggled to build a community and get quality interaction.

If this sounds like you then the 'Crafty & Connected: a Social Media Bootcamp for Indie Biz' e-course may be just what you are looking for. Jess Van Den is passionate about the power of social media - it's what took her from having a hobby to having a thriving full-time creative business.

Jess Van Den

The 'Crafty & Connected' e-course will teach you how to spend your precious time wisely, harnessing the power of social media to get your business out there, and help it to thrive and grow!

'Crafty & Connected' is a 6-week live e-course, run by full-time crafty entrepreneur Jess Van Den. The course material will include blog posts, videos/video tutorials and worksheets. There will be 3-5 lessons per week, covering all the major social media - twitter, facebook, pinterest, flickr, stumbleupon, blogging and more!

There will also be 3 Q&A sessions where you can throw your social media questions at Jess, as well as a course forum for you to connect with fellow course participants.

The course will remain live for a total of 6 months, so you’ll have plenty of time to work through the content at your own pace!

The Details:

• The first class starts Monday January 30th so get in quick to book your place!
• Registrations close Friday February 3rd.
• View the course info on the 'Crafty & Connected' website.
• View some FAQ's here!

WIN! WIN! WIN! Pop over to the Epheriell Designs blog to see how you could win yourself a FREE spot in the 'Crafty & Connected: a Social Media Bootcamp for Indie Biz' e-course!

Tuesday Treasury: Sunshine!

We all need a little bit of sunshine in our lives.....here's a collection of golden hued goodies from BrisStyle members!

Click here to view the full size treasury!

Happy Tuesday!

Mimmi's is Back!

Mimmi's is a boutique store in Forest Hill with many crafty and handmade treasures which are sure to delight. The exciting news is that Mimmi's reopens after a short holiday tomorrow!

Mimmi's 

Victoria Street, Forest Hill, Queensland

Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4pm

Workshops & Classes

Children
Children's regular classes will begin again on Saturday January 28th.
Mornings for those who completed the last term and afternoons for new enrollments from 1pm - 3pm. The dates are Jan 28th,  Feb 11th,  Mar 10th and Mar 24th.

Beginner Patchwork
Ladies Beginner Patchwork Workshop
Feb 9th from 9.30 - 2.30
Make a patchwork cushion on the day.  Yes that's right, you'll finish it on the day ! 

Make your own Embellishments
Once again Mimmi's is hosting Jule, from Whimsical Imaginings who will run four separate workshops in 2012.  These are basically embellishments workshops using the divine Miss Rose Sister Violet products and believe you me these workshops will get your creative juices flowing !

Giving you plenty of time to make beautiful gifts for Mothers Day ( or just for yourself 1 ) You'll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can become a master at creating your own accessories to wear, decorate all manner of items around your home and make quick and easy  gorgeous gifts.  Using beautiful flowers, french vintage inspired laces and a new range of braids with a real focus on pearls, organza sheer netting and lots of others frillies !  No sewing required.  Your limit is your imagination and your hot glue gun! These workshops last year inspired 30 women to go onto making the most beautiful items for themselves and loved ones.

Friday 23rd March 12pm onwards
Saturday 24 March 9.30 onwards
Friday 7th September 12pm onwards
Saturday 8th September 9.30 onwards.

There is no finishing time as you are able to stay until you are finished creating! 

Location & Bookings
School of the Arts Hall in Forest Hill.
Prebooking and prepayment is essential. 
If you don't do anything else all year you must do one of these workshops !!!

If you are interested in booking in for any of the listed workshops please contact Miriam either in store or via email.
PHONE: 0407 065307
EMAIL: mimmisforesthill@bigpond.com

Facebook Tips & Tricks - Hosting Giveaways

Hosting Giveaways on your facebook page is generally a big NO due to the rules and regulations of facebook use. As stated in the Promotion Guidelines:

“Promotions on Facebook must be administered within Apps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or an app on a Page Tab”. 

If you are unsure how to do this a simple solution is to host a giveaway on your blog or website and use facebook as a tool to promote your giveaway. An easy way to do this is to add your blog post URL to a wall post on facebook.  

Find out more information here.

Let's Go Shopping

The kids are heading back to school next week, but are you ready to head back to work? Head into these BrisStyle members Etsy stores for some fantastic handmade items. Who knows, you might even get a payrise for looking so fab!!

Red red red single tie

Ties And Whimsy

Red felt hair bow

Good Boy Cracky

Vintage 80's 9 to 5 handmade red blouse with tie

Ruby Red Studios

Vintage envelope notebook

Jellygnite

Meet The Gang clutch purse

Sybella

Need more inspiration?  Check out the Back To Work Etsy Treasury here!!

You too can take part in our weekly Let's Go Shopping meme! Post your Etsy finds on your blog then pop back here and add the blog post link below. Don't forget to link back to this post so everyone can check out all the fabulous Etsy finds. Anyone can play along so come join in the fun!

Crafty D.I.Y

Hello and welcome to our crafty D.I.Y today:)

The School year is about to start here, so a round up of D.I.Y  pretty pencil cases is looking pretty hot at the moment!

*Pink Penguin blog has a lovely pen case tutorial here for you with lots of pictures.

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*You can also check out this little cute and clever zip it up case tutorial over at Craft passion.

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*Or perhaps with Noodle Head via  Sew, Mama, Sew! you could give a try to this Back to School Binder Pouch?

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Happy Crafty Friday everyone!

Your Creative Business: Getting Started

Colored Pencil Fine Art Photograph - TtV Photo Print by Hey Harriet

Are you thinking about taking your creative hobby to the next level but aren't sure where to start? Here are some great links to help you on your way to starting a succesful crafty business.....

• creative biz :: are you ready to get serious about your handmade business? Part 1 :: Part 2 :: Part 3 :: Part 4 :: Part 5 on build a little biz.
• Creative Careers After the Diploma: WoodlandBelle on Etsy.
• Craft, Inc. Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business.
• Come along to the BrisStyle I Heart Craft Creative Development Session :: From here to there: map and hatch your creative business with Sally Flynn of Flight Industries. Pop over to our website for all the details!

Happy planning!

Crafty Coasters

Are you a craft-a-holic living on the Gold Coast? Then you may be interested in joining this sweet Gold Coast based craft group called 'Crafty Coasters'.

Crafty Coasters was started in early 2010 by a small group of makers who had met online via the DUST and BrisStyle Etsy Street teams.  Whilst many group members sell their work the focus of the group is primarily social - they share techniques, share information about where to source supplies, and encourage one another.  Members bring their own project to meet-ups or just come along for a chat.  Everyone is welcome, whatever their favoured craft or skill level.

Crafty Coasters meets twice per month.  Evening meet-ups are held on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30pm at the Girl Guide Hut, 4 Margaret St Southport.  Daytime meet-up times and venues vary but are generally held mid-morning on a weekday at a local cafe.  A few times a year they hold meet-ups to learn a new skill.

If you are interested in joining this crafty group you can email them for more info at craftycoasters.gc@gmail.com. To keep up-to-date with meet-ups you can follow the Crafty Coasters facebook page or blog.

Happy Crafting!

GIVEAWAY WINNERS: So Frenchy So Chic

Bonjour and happy Tuesday to you! We are here to announce the winners of the So Frenchy So Chic giveaway courtesy of the Brisbane Powerhouse Arts. So without further ado, the winners are:

So Frenchy So Chic LIVE Show Double Pass: Liz (this that and everything else)

So Frenchy So Chic Album: Nat

Congratulations to our two winners!!! We will contact you shortly to organise the delivery of your prize.

A big thank-you to Brisbane Powerhouse Arts for providing the prizes for this awesome giveaway!

Tuesday Treasury: Valentine's Day

'You had me at hello'.....a treasury of Valentine's Day decorations and gift ideas handmade by BrisStylers! Spoil your loved one or spoil yourself this Valentine's Day!

Click here to view the full size treasury

From Here to There: Map and Hatch your Creative Business

Saturday February 18th

Business Planning with Sally Flynn from Flight Studios

This workshop will teach you the process of mapping out your creative business. Full of fun with cameos from successful local artisans, you'll learn to apply business plan tools and capture your ideas to hatch your creative goals. Writing a Business Plan never looked so good!

TIME: 10am - 12noon

VENUE: St Augustine's Church Hall, Racecourse Rd Hamilton

COST: FREE

Bring along:

•     Your sense of adventure and humour

•     A notebook and pen

•     Your business cards to leave on our 'networking' table

Tea and Coffee are provided but please feel free to bring along a small plate of goodies to share for morning tea.

BOOKINGS OPEN TODAY: Monday 16th January

BOOKINGS CLOSE: Monday 30th January

EMAIL: brisstylemarketing@gmail.com

Please include:

•     Your name(s) and business name / label (if applicable)

•     Your mobile number

PLACES ARE LIMITED SO BOOK NOW!

Find out more about other Creative Development information sessions here.

Let's Go Shopping

Are you counting down the days till the kids are back at school?  Here's a few items to keep your little tiger the cool kid in school.

Recycled pencil case pouch

Bon Tons

30/60 degree set square sterling silver necklace

Orange Sherbet

Cute spotty apple hair clip

Denim Days

Hand printed rainy day journal

Beetle Creative

Pencil brooch made from recycled timber

Jetta's Nest

Need more ideas?  Check out the Back To School Etsy treasury here!!

To take part in our weekly Let's Go Shopping meme, post your Etsy finds on your blog then pop back here and add the blog post link below. Don't forget to link back to this post so everyone can check out all the fabulous Etsy finds. Anyone can play along so come join in the fun!

Crafty D.I.Y

Hi there!
Are you ready for a little Friday DIY fix?!

Lets bring on some happy light this week...
With a Lantern Make over from You had me at bonjour blog.
What a cute project to make with the kids (big and small) to cheer up the bedroom!?

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If school is in your mind, there is a cute little tutorial for a circle Zip earbuds pouch at Dog under my desk.

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Or if you are still organising some happy holiday parties...

Take a look at this DIY glittered flatware over at Oh Happy day blog.

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Have fun and happy making!