Handmade Kids Australia

Posted on 16 August 2012

Introducing: PaperKrane

Kate + Origami + A love of shoes = PaperKrane.

Kate, creative lady behind PaperKrane and her husband are kiwis and have made the big move to Melbourne.

We love it here, and have settled in quite nicely over the last year. Him with his work and sports and me with my craft markets, fabric stores and new website to look after. We both just love the creativity and beauty of the city!

Kate started PaperKrane this year out of a desire to stimulate her creative side and also create a job where she could work from home doing something she loves (folding origami and collecting shoes.)

From a young age Kate was always drawing, painting and creating… and always dreamed of making her own job. It’s taken a few years to bring it to fruition and on the way Kate has spent a lot of years studying (design), travelling and teaching (Asia), and working in numerous other jobs (NZ)! But, after a four year stint in South Korea, and a wedding in January, it was finally the right time to get the ball rolling. (Kate played decorator at my own wedding and at the end of the night her origami mobiles/creations had walked out the door with new owners! Which got Kate thinking…)

Shoes! I love shoes, and after living in Korea for years Kate has a rather large collection… Something that is really popular/common in Korea is the slipper, or kung-fu kind of shoe. Kate has several pairs, and would always wear them at work (as you have to change your shoes to indoor shoes when you go inside).

I liked the idea of having a king-fu shoe for babies (and it helps that all of my friends are having babies and we are trying for one ourselves this year) so I started to sketch a few simple patterns based on my fav pair of ‘slippers’!

I guess you could say PaperKrane is an Asia influenced idea… kung-fu booties, origami mobiles and bright contrasting patterns. It’s no wonder though, I spent five years of my life there (half of my adult life!) and I love the place!

Kate really loves what she is doing, and is busier than she had ever thought she would be and is always looking for ways to grow, change, and improve on what she is doing.

I love to take my designs as far outside the box as I can, and find those people brave enough to take them home! I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing a pair of my booties on their new owner’s feet, or getting some positive feedback from a happy parent… It makes it all worthwhile and not seem like such a crazy idea after all!

For more information on PaperKrane or to shop, head to www.paperkrane.com.au or www.facebook.com/PaperKrane

Posted on 15 August 2012

Spring Trends: Graphic Tees

Featured/ Hand Made Blog/ Trends/ Wear

Following on from last weeks introduction to spring trends, today we are looking at graphic tees.

Graphic tees are huge this spring season, usually screen printed or appliquéd. Team them with brightly coloured denim or skirts to complete the look.

Here are a few of our favourite handmade picks for your little ones for spring…

Hex Flower Tee – Ed & Evie

Ninja Tee – Little Sew and Sews

Fun at the Fair Tee – Little Pickers

Rocket Fighter Tee – Billy Mac Clothing

Butterfly Tee – KasiaBear

Dino Tee – Little Lambs

Peacock Tee – My Arkadia

Little Digger – Mini Mayhem

Bird Girl Tee – Ruby Pickles

Posted on 14 August 2012

Make: Linen Covered Headband

Accessorize/ Guest Post/ Hand Made Blog/ Make

1. Make a little slip for both ends. It only needs to be rough as it’s covered by the fabric

2. Glue the underneath of headband. It doesn’t matter if it goes through as it will get covered by the felt in the next step.

3. Adding a felt strip to the underneath will stop it from unravelling and keep the fabric in place.

4. Next is the fun part – add embellishments. Crochet or fabric flowers, yo-yos, even buttons!

This guest post was written by Jodie Maloni of The Haby Goddess. You can get a great range of blank headbands to cover in her online store.

Posted on 13 August 2012

Introducing: Rose Josephine

Featured/ Wear

As soon as Beck was old enough to reach the pedal of the sewing machine, she began making Barbie clothes. Inspired by watching her mum sew everything from tracksuit pants to doona covers Beck wanted to create all kinds of special items out of fabric and trims. At High School in a Textiles class she clashed heads with the teacher who told her she was doing everything wrong. Ignoring the teachers instruction to leave a 2.5cm gap between the seam and the overlocking, saw Beck throw away patterns and bend the rules. Patterns are few and far between with Rose Josephine garments, instead using basic designs that are easy to wash and wear.

Discovering a gap in the market for original handmade Christening Gowns, Beck snapped into action and began creating heirloom gowns from beautiful silk and divine lace sourced from all over the world. Christening Gowns have become her passion and each and every one is unique and made to fit the wearer. Working from home with a 2 ½ year old and a 7 month old provides challenges but sewing has become an escape as has searching high and low for new fabrics to set the Rose Josephine label apart.

From cheap and cheery bloomers to high end exquisite gowns, Rose Josephine looks to have something for everyone! Head to the Rose Josephine store and Facebook page for more information.

Posted on 12 August 2012

Make: Bead Baskets

Make/ Tutorial

You will need:

Perler Beads, Hama Beads or Pyssla Beads
Spray Cooking Oil
Oven safe bowls
Oven

Gather your supplies and spray the bowls with cooking spray. Make sure to spray up the sides, evenly and well. Beads will stick if this is not done correctly.

Put beads into the bowls. They will sick easily to the oil. Move the bowl around so that all the sides and base are evenly covered with the beads.

Check for any large gaps. Fill them with beads. If beads are not touching or tightly packed , they will not melt together and hold shape.

Bake in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius. You will need to watch carefully because once they heat up, the beads will melt quickly. Mine took 10 minuets. This will also depend on the bowl.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Once cool, remove from the bowl mould, and wash with soapy water to remove the oil.

Voila, your very own bead basket. Why not try using other things as moulds such as mugs, tea cups, anything that will be able to withstand the high temperature.