Etsy Success Sydney

Etsy came to town yesterday and what a show it was.   It was one of those you-should-have-been-here-last-weekend sort of days, as the heavens opened up and the cold set in to chill the bones.

Still, with views like this from the roof deck of the Museum of Contemporary Art, no one was really complaining.

Chad Dickerson, the CEO of Etsy, came all the way from Brooklyn with his entourage for the occasion.

Etsy Success Sydney was part of the Vivid Sydney Festival, which itself is attracting huge crowds to  numerous events and displays.  Several weeks ago my lovely young friend Belinda Harris of BrisStyle advised that she was to be a key speaker at the event and asked me to hold her hand while she presented her workshop, Effective Etsy Team Management.  Bel and I were part of the original BrisStyle committee and we had seen it grow from 12 people meeting in a coffee shop in 2008 to its present membership of over 270.  It has been quite a journey.

We were fortunate to have a little calm time before the hoards arrived, so we grabbed a cup of coffee and took in the view from the museum's deck, along with a couple of early arrivals. 

The serenity was short-lived as the sell-out crowds started to arrive.

Before we could take time out for a quiet scream, they day had begun.  The first workshop was conducted by Etsy CEO Chad Dickerson.

Next up was Danielle Maveal, head of Etsy's Seller Education.  Bel and I had exchanged many emails with Danielle over the years, so it was good to finally put a face to the name.

Morning tea came with a rush - and a crush.  No matter where you turned, there was no avoiding that iconic bridge.

Our workshop was fast approaching.  The photographer took our pictures (mercifully my photo will not be shown in this blog).

We were fitted with microphones and launched onto the stage.

And there I sat, perched on a stool like a shag on a rock, while Bel worked her magic.  I did manage a few sentences as way of introduction, but it's all a blur.  By the time Bel had finished her wonderful presentation, it was time for questions and answers.  Of course, my mike died and I was left like a puffer fish gasping for air.  I secretly sent up a prayer of thanks that no one outside this venue would see me.  I did notice the cameramen at the back of the two function rooms, but their true purpose had not really occurred to me.

Imagine my horror when it was announced that all the sessions would be podcast.  To the World.  Noooooo!!  I have visions of someone posting me up on YouTube, where it will mercilessly go viral.  Mummy.  My only hope is that the kind cameraman concentrated solely on Bel.

The session following us was a lively panel discussion with top-selling Australians Lloyd (Tummy Mountain), Sam (Matou En Peluche) and BrisStyle member Jess (Epheriell).  

It was time for me to leave, as I had a very important event to attend - our youngest grandson's third birthday, with extra grandparents winging in from Melbourne.  What a day.

BrisStyle and Etsy come to Vivid Sydney

Etsy Success Sydney

Vivid Sydney is in full swing and Etsy is in town to make a major contribution.  How do I feel about this?  Like a startled kangaroo caught in the headlights.  It is coming home very quickly that in two days I will be helping my friend Belinda Harris conduct a workshop at the Museum of Contemporary Art. 

As part of the programme, BrisStyle, the most successful Etsy Street Team in the country, has been invited to conduct a workshop on effective Etsy team management. 

  Bel will be conducting the workshop while I will be doing my best not to hog the limelight by fainting.

Museum of Contemporary Art light show

Sydney is putting on a spectacular celebration, and many iconic buildings are joining in the fun, strutting their stuff with an incredible festival of lights. 

It's so exciting (and humbling) to be a minuscule part of such a brilliant event.  If you will be coming to our workshop, please do say hello.  And bring the smelling salts.

Hearts

January is rapidly coming to an end which means that Valentine's Day is not far away.

It's a busy birthday month in the Fudge clan, with three birthdays within four days of each other.

Is there someone in your life who you would love to surprise with a Valentine's Day heart garland?

Are you organising a February birthday party and need something to adorn the walls, windows or doorways?

Then hop over to here or here, or even here and your problems are solved.  They would also make great nursery wall hangings, so they would be ideal as a baby shower gift.

Am I ashamed of the blatant self-promotion?  Only for a nanosecond. 

Legos and colour schemes

I met up with some of the foundation committee members of BrisStyle today.  It's the first chance I've had to see them since our move to Sydney in July last year and it was an absolutely delightful day.  There were six of us and four brought along their gorgeous and fast-growing children, who at first were a little wary of each other, but by the time we left were Best Friends Forever.

One of the topics discussed was how many of the children present were Lego fanatics, and to this list I could easily add our own grandchildren.  One particular boy even has his own dedicated Lego Room - surely every child's dream.

 
During the discussion, Bel of Enticing Icing produced this plastic container from her bag.  Yes, they are made of icing and were a commissioned order for a customer.  I can imagine some lucky child is in for a big surprise when the birthday cake is produced.

The week has been filled with colour, as I mentally plan the quilt I will commence on our return to Sydney next week.  My enthusiasm for quilting has returned, and some of the responsibility must go to my quilting friend whose house we are minding.  How wicked of her to combine her sewing studio with the guest room.

Look at these glorious fabrics by Kaffe Fassett - you could almost drown in the rich colours.

I was very good.  I took them out of her stash cupboard, swooned over them, and PUT THEM BACK.  You never know, the house may have concealed CCTV cameras tucked away in the ceiling.

The colour theme continued today when I read about this site - I could spend hours playing with the countless combinations.  What a brilliant colour wheel concept.  It's the perfect tool for quilters, desktop publishers or artists.  But be warned - it's extremely addictive.

Deck the halls and trim the trees

My Christmas tree garlands are flying out the door faster than I can make them.

If you would like some of your own, you can find them in my Etsy store, or for Australian residents in my MadeIt store.  

They will also be available at the Moonlight Market at Sacred Heart Primary School, Pymble, on Saturday 26 November.  Once the final market for the year is behind us, Mr Fudge and I will bravely search through all the boxes in our storage locker for our Christmas decorations.

This was our tree last year, and in fact for many years before that.  It has been a good tree and many happy Christmases have been spent gathered around it.  However, this year we will be investing in a much slimmer tree, a necessity if we wish to have any sort of human movement in the living room during the festive season.  It will be our first Christmas in an apartment and although the living room is not large, the ceiling is quite high, so we will be on the lookout for a tall, thin tree.

Maybe something like this ...

  Oooo ... yes, this is more like it.

Party Time

Sydney has turned on some spectacular early spring weather over the past couple of days, which brings the promise of a warm summer ahead.  With that in mind, I was inspired by a new shipment of fabric to make a party dress for the upcoming season.

Empire waist tiered dress available here or here

We are blessed with four gorgeous (of course!) granddaughters ranging in ages from three to six who possess magical twirling capabilities, and this dress fits the bill perfectly.

Lots of twirling possibilities

The one thing I was lamenting in our recent interstate move was the lack of bird life at my window. Yesterday I glanced up from my sewing machine and there on the balcony just a couple of feet away was this delightful lorikeet.

Who's a pretty boy?

Cute at any angle

I do hope he visits again and brings his friends with him.

BrisStyle Friendships

Brisbane turned on a beautiful, crisp winter's day for my last BrisStyle Indie Designers Market.  The friendships I have built up over the past few years in BrisStyle make it all the harder to leave.

 
I was able to catch up with many friends, including some from Schoolhouse Quilters Kenmore, a group I joined nearly 21 years ago when we first came to Brisbane. 

Photo courtesy of Sandrine Marsh

I was speechless (a rare event!) at the end of the day when our Super Woman market organiser Helen said some lovely words and I was presented with the most beautiful gifts and flowers.  What made it extra special was knowing that all the gifts (apart from the gorgeous flowers,

Brut,

and Botrytis Semillon) ...

... were made by BrisStyle designers.  The neighbours must have wondered what on earth was going on within the walls of Chez Fudge as each new gift was opened.  I would love to show you all the much treasured goodies, many I have lusted after for a long time, but you would only be tempted to come and rob me, so I will save you from a life of crime.

However, I will gladly divulge what was inside that large box with the pink bow ...

... six of the most wicked cupcakes ever created, courtesy of our other brilliant market organiser Bel of Enticing Icing.  Don't bother coming over begging us to share - there are only two left and by the end of tonight only crumbs will remain - maybe not even crumbs.  These works of art are absolutely scrummy.

There's a special atmosphere at BrisStyle markets which is not found at others around town.  The warm friendships shine through and it's a joy to participate in them.  Oh, how I wish I could bundle up BrisStyle and bring it to Sydney with us.  SydStyle just doesn't have the same ring, does it? 

My last BrisStyle Market

After nearly 21 years of living in Brisbane, at the end of the month we Fudges will be moving back to Sydney.  It was not a decision made lightly and there are so many people and things we will miss terribly.
I've been with BrisStyle since its inception, so it will be a nostalgic day for me tomorrow as I set up my stall at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market for the last time.  In typical fashion, I spent last night carrying out last-minute preparations for the market by sewing buttons on these three reversible jumper dresses while watching Master Chef, which is turning into a regular soap opera!

Reversible Jumper Dresses

Reverse Side

The weather tomorrow promises to be crisp and clear - perfect for strolling through the grounds and hall at St Augustine's Church, Racecourse Road, Hamilton.

Hours are between 9.00am and 2.00pm and there will be so much to see and do - truly up-market stalls packed with beautifully designed goodies created by our talented BrisStyle designers, sausage sizzle to feed the body and music to food to feed the soul.  Not to be missed!  

My Hot Fudge stall will be inside the hall, so do come along and say hello.

Orange

Just thinking of the colour orange in the middle of winter gives me a warm glow, which is more than can be said of our newly replaced hot water service.

Making this applique denim jumper dress for the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market on 9 July helped a little, but I needed more.  Time to go shopping.

Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, this delightful creation by Aardvark is first on my shopping list.

I would be ready to face the world wearing this yummy resin necklace by the lovely Sophie of Strat Designs.

I'd feel like a million dollars wearing this gorgeous ring by Jewelry By Emmy.

I would come home to a warm bowl of pumpkin soup and admire my latest print purchased from Hey Harriet.

Lastly, I would take in the beauty of this stunning glass bowl by Corporan Glass.

Sigh.

For more Let's Go Shopping ideas, take a look at what BrisStyle has selected this week.