Trade Show

We have just packed up and left the showgrounds, finishing another Life Instyle trade show. It's hard to believe it was three years ago when we first took part in the event.

This year we displayed the cards on wooden A-frames that my Dad built for me. It was a wee bit stressful as I sent him some specs but wasn't there to check they were all okay and I didn't want him spending hours on a project that would end up not being used. Lucky they turned out great and Gareth and I got to do a little bonding DIY project to finish them off by screwing in some wingnuts to make them all sturdy. I'll probably get some perspex cut to cover each shelf so we can get some more use out of them for markets displays.

The show, although long is a really good chance to talk to our shops who stock our cards and also to meet up with new shops interested in stocking our range. We have some really fantastic new shops coming on board including our first in the Northern Territory. I chatted to the lovely ladies about making some crocodile cards after a friend came back from living up north and proclaimed crocodiles 'the cats of Darwin'.

Neighbours

Sitting at the trade show for 9 hours each day means you get time to have a good look at what your neighbours have on offer. We had some really fun and interesting designers nearby who made a real variety of interesting products.

Mozi was just over from us and their new Spring Summer collection is amazing. It hasn't been released online yet (so no pics) but if you need a Mozi fix they have a 50% off sale on previous collections.

Bonnie and Neil were on the Design Files recently (December last year is recently in my mind....?) and I thought their story sounded a little like ours. They live in Brunswick, the run a business together and Neil comes from Scotland. Bonnie and Neil are both super lovely and make amazing home wares. That cocky cushion is pretty much ticking all my boxes.

Nicole from Hot Toffee was next door and I've seen her bright glass jewellery around for a while at various markets. The colours are amazing, loads of bright primary colours and beautiful in between shades. I got a pair of these turquoise studs and I don't even have my ears pierced.

If you're getting married or going to the races this year then you need to get over to Julie Fleming's website. She makes stunning headpieces, offers millinery classes and has a shop in Hawksburn. This blue headband also came in a magenta and bright yellow.

Alex from Rubiteva was my neighbour on the other side of our stand and she designed colourful jewellery. The Green Kimono necklace above is one example of the pops of colour that work well, especially when you find yourself wearing the all black Melbourne uniform.

Babies want to dance

We have added to our ever growing I've Choreographed a card range so that it now includes a baby card. Now the possibilities are endless, we can turn everything into a dance related card. Seeing babies dance is a bit creepy and reminds me of that show I never watched called Ally McBeal. I think I didn't watch it because of that computer animated creepout. This baby is a lot more civilised and is hopefully scaring nobody. The card is available on Etsy and hopes you award it the full 10 points.

The Joys Of Bunting

I spent a few goes to get this card right, then text was too small in the bunting and the men didn't look cheerful enough. Now they look cheerful, you can read the letters and it looks like they are jumping for joy.

The thing I really about their outfits are those frilly things they have on their chests below the bow tie. I have no idea what they are called but I think they are super fancy and ace.

The bunting men card is available here on Etsy, perfect for someone who wears bow ties or someone who celebrated birthdays.

House on a skyscraper

When we were in New York we spent the last day doing a boat cruise. I specifically chose it because it went all the way around Manhattan it was one of those rare occasions where the tide was too high to get under some of the bridges around Harlem, so it just did a big loop instead. It was also cold and wet so two things were working against that boat trip from the get go.

When we were going past the Upper East Side I spotted this house on top of the skyscrapers. I have no idea who it belongs to, but I was a bit obsessed with it because it looked so out of place. If anyone knows anything about it please let me know as my google skills came up with nothing.

Life Instyle

It's coming up to that time of year when we get Trade Show Fever. Days get longer, lists are never ending and more tea gets drunk. Life Instyle starts on Thursday and if you have a shop it is the perfect place to visit to find some amazing products to stock. We started Life Instyle three years ago but each time we still get a bit nervous about things like new products and how our stand will look. I had my Dad help me build some display shelves and it is good inspiration for Father's Day coming up next month (let's pretend it's August today and not tomorrow). This card from a few years back and the drawing on it looks a bit like my Dad who was a fan of that late '70s big hair and beard look.

Taping Rage

When I was in high school I was semi obsessed with getting as many 4 hour VHS as I could hide in the Saturday supermarket shop trolley and taping Rage. I would hang out for the Green Guide on Thursday to find out who was hosting, then on Saturday night I would set the VCR timer and spend Sunday watching to see if I had something good on my hands. I still have about 10 of them, The Cure Special being a pick of the bunch. Still embracing old technology, we still own a functioning VCR so I watch them sometimes, usually drunk while trying to impress guests while Gareth tells me to bin them.

Rage is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and I caught a tiny bit of the 1987 – 1990 special on Saturday night. There are loads of songs that I still remember being favourites, one being Sylvester's You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real). I don't remember the original having the scenes of the people dancing at the disco, but they are great for the clothes and moves. I don't think you can have much more fun than dancing like a weirdo with your friends and all teenagers should to be exposed to the joy that is late '70s disco.