Hi everyone!

I'm almost reaching the end of my pop ups for 2021 - what a crazy year! I didn't do as many markets as I would have liked due to time restrictions and that super long lockdown, but I think we all deserve a pat on the back for a really difficult 2021.

I've been busily *trying* to restock (emphasis on trying) - it's to a point where I'm getting a bit burnt out and overwhelmed by the amount of work I need to do on a sewing machine. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy making things and it's such a huge accomplishment to look at something and say "wow, I made this!", but in the past 3 weeks or so I have made about 30+ 2ply face masks and I am really wondering how businesses make them full time. My 2ply masks take almost forever to make. They seem very simple, but actually there's quite a bit of skill required, so that they open up nicely and sit 3D - and not stick to your face. That's why my masks have a lot of hidden (or not so hidden as I use red thread) details that might not make sense, but they are there for a reason.

Of course, not all masks are the same - I think my 2ply masks are really with the complete set of bells and whistles with a nose wire slot and filter pocket - which not all masks have. Anyway, in terms of time consumed, I think it's all worth it to make a good quality yet affordable - hopefully comfortable and fashionable mask given the current COVID situation. Masks are absolutely here to stay for a while... and as long as someone needs one, I'll be making them.

Alright moving on... my weekend line up is PACKED:

The Cannery Markets Rosebery Saturday 4 Dec: 10am-5pm
I will actually be setting up early so I think I'll be ready by 9am even. This is a long day, but it is an indoor market. We will all be wearing masks for this market.

The Cannery Markets Rosebery Sunday 5 Dec: 10am-12pm
Again I should be here fairly early (this is literally the closest market I live near, I could probably walk it if I tried) - but I will be packing up from 12pm to go to my next, final and biggest event I have been preparing for since the beginning of June....

The Coal Loader Artisans Christmas Market: 3pm-8pm
I say this almost every time, but this is such a special market to me and it was THE GOAL for me right at the start to attend one of these as a stall holder. I am so fortunate to have stall here. There will be 100 stalls of all handmade, unique and sustainable products featured so you can do all your Christmas shopping here and support local.

A lot of people may not realise that when I am making I am really conscious of what goes to waste and I do purposely try to choose recyclable packaging (if not upcycled packaging so it gets a second run) - polymer clay never goes to waste, and as I choose not to slab my work, I end up with zero scraps every time (so I don't get to make those swirly coloured type of earrings - they are beautiful in itself but it doesn't fit with my work). My cherry blossoms are made with mostly paper off cuts. I try to use minimal parts if possible. 

At this market (depending on time and weather), I am going to remove all my plastic packaging for reuse at the point of purchase. Or there won't even be any packaging, depending on what my situation is on Saturday night. They will be then wrapped in some white tissue paper.

It's a bit of a funny story, but I bought what I thought were "cello bags", and the seller also listed a bunch of other names - turns out when I asked them the material, they said they weren't sure. Well, I'm pretty sure it's not cellophane (the biodegradable clear stuff), so my heart literally sank. The good news is that it can be reused. So for this market, I have decided not to order in any cellophane, seeing I still have packaging and I cannot justify more consumption just as packaging. By next year I will phase out all plastic and review if I can do without it - a bit hard when you don't want people to handle your things and to protect them temporarily. I'll need to look into it and see.

And then 2021 markets are done!

One last thing to finish off this long post - mystery boxes are coming on the 26th Dec (Boxing Day). A blog post will come a day or two prior to explain this if you haven't seen it on my Instagram, but don't miss it!

Thank you as always for making my maker dreams possible. Your support is paramount and I will make bigger and better things.