Inspiration #027

Every now and again it’s good to take a break!

And after a brief hiatus here on the Walcha Handmade blog, the aim is to be back up and posting on a regular basis again.

Image credit: pin found here

WHM Art Group starts this Thursday!

Have a UFO that needs finishing, or just fancy an evening of creativity and conversation?

Either way, the Art Group kicks off at Walcha Handmade this Thursday 16th, June.

The Studio will be open from 6:30 p.m. (cost of $5 per person), so bring along an unfinished project, your latest project or something new to start.

For further details, please contact Megan or Emma on the numbers above.

For the uninitiated: UFO = UnFinished Object 🙂

Winter is Coming

With our first wintery blast passing through over the weekend, everyone is going to be looking for some warm winter goodness.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s currently available in store.

Alice Radburn of Curious Baby has just stocked up her range of winter children’s clothes. This sweet onesie and matching pair of pants is Size 0, $25.

Keep your neck warm with this super chunky wool scarf by Katie Street, $35.

Warm up with a hot mug of your favourite beverage. These monochromatic mugs are made by Julie Keogh, $6.

Soak away a winter cold with this relaxing blend of oil-infused bath salts, made by Tasha Chawner, $15.

Definitely a one-of-a-kind scarf, created by Janine Wright, in merino and alpaca wool, $80.

More winter stock is arriving regularly, so be sure to pop in, warm your hands by the fire and see what is new in store!

Meet Our Makers: Ange McCauley

Our ‘Meet Our Maker’ series celebrates the people behind the scenes of Walcha Handmade, and encourages an understanding of the care and attention to detail that goes into the handmade products we carry.

This month we meet Angela McCauley, owner of Sugar Lane Cake Company.

Tell us about yourself and your background leading to your handmade endeavours.

I have always loved to bake.  From the age of 10, I used to love flicking through my mum’s Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake recipe book and baking and decorating my own birthday cakes.

After attending a business college in Sydney and working in an office, I realised that business wasn’t the right career path for me. I decided I needed to do something involving my passion for baking so I took up an apprenticeship as a pastry chef. After four years I completed my apprenticeship with high distinction, taking out first place in Regional World Skills and Second in National, and placing 8^th at the Junior Pastry Chef World Cup in Italy.

I now love the not-so-fast paced lifestyle in Walcha, where I can bake at my leisure for Walcha Handmade.

I’ve gotten into sewing as when I first moved up to Walcha from Sydney, a year and a half ago, I found I had a lot of free time, so I bought a sewing machine and taught myself to sew.

Tell us a little about your home & family life.

I am a nanny for an amazing family of four beautiful children. My inspiration for my sewing projects comes from the three gorgeous girls.

Where did your business name come from?

My business name for my cakes is Sugar Lane Cake Company. This came about when I was doing stalls in Sydney and needed to quickly come up with a name. Nothing too exciting!

What materials do you use?

I only use fresh, good quality ingredients. The best thing about being a pastry chef and living on a farm is access to fresh free range eggs 24/7.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on children’s pyjama sets.

What is your creative space like? What kinds of things happen there?

I have a room dedicated to all my sewing projects, although I have acquired so much material that I have now moved my sewing machine into the living room!

Thanks, Ange, for sharing a little bit about yourself!

Inspiration #026

What are you dreaming about?

Image credit: pin found here

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we’ve put together a few suggestions for gifts to make Mum smile.

We have an assortment of these divine dreamcatchers, created by Gail.  She sources vintage doilies, making each and every one unique.  Prices range from $15 to $65 dollars.

The lamps created by Belinda of Illumine always walk out the door as quickly as they arrive.  A matching set of these table lamps in denim blue are currently in store, priced at $130 for base and shade.

What would you use these gorgeous ceramic bowls for?

Created by Frankie, and glazed a beautiful midnight black, they’re $20 each, with more colours currently in store.

If Mum’s a bit of a foodie, you won’t be stuck for choice in the preserves section.

Amber currently has some of her rhubarb and vanilla jam in store, priced at a delicious $7 for a jar.

Lot’s of Mum’s love candles and Kimberlee and Rachael of Vela Candles have a variety of candles for you to choose from.  Ranging in price from $4 to $30 dollars, there’s a candle for every budget.

With only 4 weeks until Mother’s Day, and with new stock arrived weekly, if you’re in Walcha why not pop into Handmade and have a browse to see if you can find something special for your Mum!