Sometimes I have enquiries about why I use sodium hydroxide (or caustic soda) in my soaps. It is indeed a troubling thought for many due to the fact that it is such a corrosive substance! Often associated with its cleaning and stripping properties (think of greasy ovens, bbqs, paint strippers to name a few), it
Meet Kylie Bartholomew -a key craftperson and collaborator at handmadeandmarina. Sometimes crocheting upto 8 hours a day, she certainly deserves the title of Bunbury's crochet queen! I first met Kylie selling her exquisite crocheted stuffed toys at the Stirling Street Art Centre Flea Market. Getting to see her work was a boost to my ongoing
There are probably as many definitions as there are proponents of "handmade". What constitutes as handmade for me are these main elements : using raw materials that can be accessed locally, creating items with my hands which may or may not manipulate tools and machinery, items that are not mass-produced but individually created, which
24/10/16 I wrote this post a few years ago in my old website. Since moving to my current one, I feel the need to reaffirm the message in the post. It still spells the approach to my small cottage based business. Before I even knew that there was something called the "slow movement" (aside from
There have been quite a few developments since my last post. First of all, you'll have noticed my new look website which I am really pleased about. I know I tried to soldier on single-handedly in this area but ultimately I am so glad to have had some professional help - namely Axel Keifer from
These are just a few images of Vasse Markets - a regular fortnightly market held every first, third and fifth Saturday of the month at the Vasse Community Hall, 8 Kaloorup Road, Vasse, Western Australia from 7.30am - 12 noon. For more information visit the Vasse Markets Facebook page.