The Elm Tree - out and about....in Parramatta.

A lovely new little shop has popped up in Parramatta - it's called The Elm Tree.

This sweet marketplace is commited to showcasing the handmade creations of designers and crafters from around Australia with a focus on sustainability, the community and children.

With this focus foremost in their minds the gorgeous pair behind this project - Katie and Eleanor, offer a huge range of craft classes for children and adults.

The Elm Tree has all sorts of yummy, scrummy things!
Gorgeous gift ideas for Christmas - softies, toys, cushions quilts, jewellery as well as beautiful cards and gift tags.

The Elm Tree has popped up as part of Pop-Up Parramatta which is an initiative of Parramatta Council to revitalise and reinvent and renew the shopping arcades of Parramatta.

Planettreasures is now thrilled to be a supplier of The Elm Tree - if you are in the vicinity of Parramatta - pop in!

You can find them on facebook - here.

Alberto Cozzi - a little bit of heaven in Florence.

Florence is a paper addicts heaven!
Of course it is well known for its colourful marbled paper - and you do see a lot of it once you start looking.
It was a lovely surprise to come across the first of many lovely little papery goods shops....and they had such delightful little cards.

And then we wandered past Alberto Cozzi - but just had to go in!

In the back you can see the craftspeople actually crafting with paper and making the marbled variety.
They also do book-binding and leather stamping.

Behind the counter is a rack of all sorts of interesting-looking tools!
(and those of you who are fascinated with tools will think they're interesting as well!)

I bought a few little gifts - paper-wrapped bracelets.

And paper-wrapped pens.

I wish we'd had more time/money/space to investigate more.

Highly recommended if/when you visit Florence.

Ooomph and Picollo Pear

Here is a little gem on the Central Coast of NSW - at East Gosford.

It's tucked away behind the shops just off the main road that takes you from Gosford towards the coast....so you have to know it's there!

But once you get there you will find a cafe, food store and gift shop all snuggly fitting into an ex-garage or workshop space.
It has a wonderful post-industrial style - I like!

There are shelves of gourmet groceries.

Great coffee and yummy morning tea treats.*

Snugged into a front corner is Piccolo Pear - "a merchant of fresh flowers and fine wares".

Started a couple of years ago by friends Nina and Judy it's treasure trove of flowers, homewares, and gorgeous gifts. 

This is my favorite thing - mirror inside a shuttered window.

* All the food looked really yummy at Oomph. We went back later for a late lunch - a very late lunch. In fact lunch had finished but we had the most delicious calzone, which I was far too hungry to take a photo of!

In a shop and some new creations

I've been back at Making Spaces Marketplace again this week.

Some of my fellow market space holders were the delightful Danette from Sami Bop -

Sami Bop

who designs and makes cute children's clothes using vintage and recycled fabrics.

Mary from Orange Who -

Orange Who

makes sweet little people's clothes.

Christine from Christine's Millinery -

Christine's Millinery

who makes amazing hats, and not just fancy ones, she has a range of everyday hats too!

While I was there one day some gorgeous soaps from Inner Earth Soap arrived -

Inner Earth Soap

The shop is looking amazing!
If you are in the Parramatta area you really should pop in and have a look.

I have also got my creating mojo back -

I have been noticing that my big chunky necklaces don't seem as popular at the moment.
Is it the season or the economy or just the fashion?
I'm not sure but I have loads of chunky beads, so I decided to design some long necklaces with chain and a few stone beads.
And some shorter ones which have a more dainty vibe -

What do you think?
Do you wear necklaces in the winter? If so what style do you tend to go for?