Meet the artist - Bec from B.H.O

Fortunately for me Perth has a group of talented crafty women who catch up once in a while to share stories, advice and fill our tummies with yummy food hehe We support each other at markets, help one another whenever we can, it's fantastic!

I hope to feature some of these ladies whom have shown much support and encouragement to other fellow designers, starting with Bec from B.H.O. I sent Bec a few questions to give you an insight on her life as a designer. 

1. What inspired you to create your own business?

This never started out as a business for me. My eldest started kindy and for 6 months I wasn't sure what to do with myself and then I started sewing again after having a long time off. I did my first market in July of 2009 and it was a hit! Out of 20 bags and 10 wallets I created, I came home with 4 bags and 3 wallets, a pocket full of cash and with demands for more. I could not believe it!

2. Describe a typical working day for you?

Get up and have the desperate cup of tea, get my 5 year old off to school, check the mail box and head home to clean and hopefully find some time to either get inspired or create. Pick up Sydney and cook dinner, put the kids to bed around 7.30 and well that's when the madness starts. Sometimes I'll sew til 1am, other times I will give up by 9pm. I keep my lil one, who is about to turn 3, into daycare 2 days a week which are also my sewing/organising days.

3. Where does you inspiration come from?

I have always loved a wide range of fabric, from retro linens to Amy Butlers Designer cottons. I am attracted by the fabrics, clashing colours and functionality. Most of my inspiration comes from "I want something that does this!!", then I make it and hopefully someone else will love it too.

4. What advice can you offer others starting off?

As an avid market seller (I'm not a fan of online selling) I have discovered the hard way that there are good and bad markets. Don't be discouraged if things don't go well. It could be nothing to do with you, the market may not suit you. One of the biggest mistakes I made starting out was I made my prices too cheap!! Do not underestimate yourself and the quality of your products. Handmade items are not longer what your Mother makes, it is unique and uber cool!!

5. Where to you hope to be in 5 years?

I would love to see B.H.O as a business. When both of my children are at school I would certainly love to pursue this as more than a hobby. I would like to see myself in more stores. I am in one over east in Wollongong and I'm certainly aiming for more. 

Reversable and washable bags!

 Hot leather coin purses that can fit both cards and coins! I've got one in turquoise!

Check out Bec's gorgeous handmade bags this weekend at Perth Upmarket, as well as Face Book and her Etsy store.

{Heaven}

** Image via Style Me Pretty

Recovering from Bali bliss

It's been about a week since Hubs, friends and I came home from 8 lovely days in Bali (yes, Bali again! It's starting to feel like a 2nd home hehe) and body is still on holiday mode. For some reason time completely slowed down when we were over there and now that we're back i know i need to get focused for the busy months ahead but i'm recovering from being toooo relaxed. 

This time around we hired a private villa with our own swimming pool, kitchen and living/dining room. I couldn't believe how massive the place was, there was sooo much space and privacy. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone going over there. Plus the food! arghhh my tummy still grumbles over the delicious food we had. Okies enough talk, here's some photos - 

We stayed at Villa Arjuna in Seminyak right on famous Jalan Laksmana with all the popular restaurants.

Gorgeous Cafe Bali which served yummy food in an oh-so-chic environment. I couldn't believe there was even a little lap pool at the back of the restaurant. Thanks Laura for the recommendation =)

I mentioned we had a lot of delicious meals right? hehe The variety of food in Bali is fantastic. One night we had seafood, then Japanese, then Italian, then local Indonesian, and it kept changing every night!

This might be hard to believe but on one of the nights we went to see Boy George on Kuta beach. Some of us were a bit hesitant about going but the tickets were only $20aud and we knew there were other acts on the night including a fashion show, cabaret, dj's and bands. It was sooo awesome coz he wasn't actually singing but dj'ing! Dancing to cool tunes, barefooted on the beach with friends was one of the highlights of the trip, especially when it lightly started to drizzle rain on us =)

I had such an awesome time and loved i could share my experience with good friends. Hubby and i are eager to go back tho we probably should explore other parts of the world hehe We'll see, so much going on with Olive Farm and life in general but i'll save that for another post *wink*

Olive Farm at June Upmarket!

Come say hello to me and hubby at the June Upmarket at UWA! This time Upmarket is combining with Junior Upmarket making it the biggest event thus so far. There will be so many new retailers and i can't wait! I've been busy keeping up with orders and creating new designs to showcase this June, as well as recreating Olive Farm bestsellers. I've had the idea of making these gorgeous bows for a while now and i just love the end result. I can't wait to see the response! More new designs to come - stay tuned =)

{Not just for little girls}

Project Etsy Wedding - Invitations

Awesome invitations created from etsy store VO Handmade. I think they will do nicely for the Maiko/Steller wedding =)

Etsy store - VO Handmade

Quantity - 50 invites for couples and single guests

Price - $2.90 per invite including envelope

Total cost - $145 USD

Amore No. 20 - Stamp Sets

Running your own business from home sometimes means you have to find innovative ways to help market your products and rubber stamps have been a God send in the packaging department. I stamp my cards, carry bags, tags.... you name it! It's more affordable than printing and with so many great designs to choose from why wouldn't you? 

Here are some of my favourite stores ~ (from top to bottom)
- Kodomo Petite Musee Tin Stamp Set from J Flair Goods
- Margaret Stamp Set and Japanese Sewing set from Pretty Tape *they also have awesome tapes as the names suggests hehe*
- Angle Stamp Set from Karaku

{Feeling the love}

The last few days I've been fortunate enough to appear on a couple of blogs and on the Made It newsletter. I've also been receiving the warmest words of encouragement from clients and fans. It's so lovely to feel supported in what you do and i just hope it keeps on coming =)

I've also been working on some new additions to my store. I've been waiting for really good weather before taking pictures, fingers crossed for tomorrow. I'm trying to fill my store with new goodies before I go on my trip in a few weeks. Hubby is bringing his laptop tho so I'll still be able to stay in touch =)

Images

- Made It Newsletter

- Gray Boulevard

- Jennifer Garry