Wednesday 3 December 2014

Local Artists and Makers for Christmas and a Giveaway

I love love LOVE giving unique gifts, things that people have not seen before and that are not widely available. I also delight in shopping locally, knowing that my money is going straight into the pocket of the artist rather than to a large multinational. I've put together some of my favourite things from local artists to help your Christmas shopping be that little bit more special.

I've talked about Lou Endicott a few times before (here and here). You might also recognise her gorgeous style in my logo and that of my food and wine blog, Champagne and Chips. Lou is an extraordinarily talented illustrator and has an Etsy store- One Two Carabou, where you can buy the cutest prints for your little people (or big people).

This is a lesson in why you should chat to your neighbours- one day I was returning from a Ted-walk when Damo was unloading multiple large boxes from the back of his car. I was in a nosy mood, so asked if he had a market stall. As it turns out, some of the loveliest candles I have ever smelt were being made right next door. Shadow Moon Creations make beautifully scented eco-friendly soy candles with some absolutely delicious scents. They are available from the Rose Street Market or via their online store. They even offer refills so you can reuse the lovely jars.
 
Sandra Reynolds is a wonderful local blogger and recipe developer. She is the woman behind the very successful blog $120 Food Challenge and in 2012 launched a cookbook of her delicious, affordable recipes. Sandra's life changed when she became unemployed and realised that after her rent and bills were paid she had about $120 per fortnight leftover from her unemployment benefits to buy food for herself and two children. To my UK readers that might sound like quite a bit but to put it in perspective, two litres of milk and a loaf of bread in a Tesco equivalent will set you back about $4-5 here. Sandra started posting her cheap and nutritious recipes on Facebook but got such a response that she started a blog. You can pick up a copy of her book for all the people in your life trying to get by on a budget (let's face it, that's probably most of the people you know...) from Booktopia.


Ellie from Saturday Lollipop makes the cutest jewellery around. Her beautiful pieces take you right back to childhood. I had the most fun doing last year's Christmas shopping on her website. Your loved one's face will light up with delight when they open their gift to find their favourite treat as a wearable miniature. She has a range of Christmas jewellery including plum puddings, or for something appropriate year-round, how about a jar of Nutella... oh yes! Ellie also offers custom pieces when she has time (she posted a KitchenAid pendant on her Facebook page and I got one made for a dear friend in duck egg blue- Squee!). You can purchase her lovely pieces from her website or on Hard to Find.

Dee is a wildly talented lady that blogs, is super crafty and is behind some of Melbourne's best handmade markets. She is about to launch her own online store, much like Etsy but with everything locally made! You can check out her blog and soon-to-be online store over at Wild About Melbourne. Meanwhile she is a crochet-gun and has her own little range of gorgeous crocheted coasters and place mats.

Now for the most exciting bit. I am running a little giveaway across both my blogs so you can win a little care package of some of my favourite things just in time for Christmas.

The first prize includes:


A signed copy of $120 Food Challenge
Lollipop jar necklace from Saturday Lollipop
'Backstroke Maiden' print from One Two Carabou
Champagne & Strawberries candle from Shadow Moon Creations
Set of 4 crocheted watermelon coasters from Wild About Melbourne


I also have a little runner-up prize of:

'I grow' print from One Two Carabou

To enter you simply have to follow me on two of my social media accounts- you have a choice of 

AND
Leave a comment below telling my what your favourite Christmas treat is. Be creative, my favourite answer will will the prize. You can also enter over on Champagne and Chips (the comment system is a little more flexible).

Competition closes at 5pm Sunday 14th December. 

N x





16 comments:

  1. Pavlova with Eggnog Custard Sauce,
    Topped with Fresh Berries & Lime Zest
    Beautiful & Bright, it's Always a Delight
    One Big Delicious Mess!

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    1. Wow! That sounds amazing. I want to try eggnog custard sauce!

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  2. Cassata Siciliana. Beside from being sweet, nutty and cold on a hot Christmas, I also always enjoy the irony of my Mum (from Northern Italy) making this Southern Italian dessert.

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    1. Haha. Yum! I haven't had much Cassata. You've inspired me, I think I should have a go at making one.

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  3. An afternoon siesta. They're compulsory in our house on Christmas day to overcome the big food coma that inevitably lands at about 2 o'clock. There's just something so nice about hear the house all quiet and still after the madness of the lead up and the frantic eating just an hour or two before :-)

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  4. In our house on Christmas day the kids eat lollies from their stockings for breakfast and we don't have lunch until mid afternoon so we always have a hot breakfast around 10am and we all look forward to it!
    Featuring pancakes with ice cream, fresh berries and cream. Bacon and eggs with fried tomatoes and onion on top of fresh english muffins, it doesn't get much better than that!

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    1. Oh yum. Savoury AND sweet breakfast. That sounds fabulous.

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  5. I make Flat Christmas cookies to put on the tree that are decorated to give to people as gifts. Mangoes and Seafood is on the menu and too much wine and Christmas cake with Ice cream or custard. But Christmas for me is enjoying people in our lives .So Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to all.

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    1. I love homemade gifts, lovely idea. Mangoes and seafood for Christmas just ticks off all the Aussie boxes :)

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  6. My favourite Christmas treat is pannacotta! Reason being that my mum and I spend Christmas eve drinking and singing and making this delicious treat! Christmas eve tradition is this merry drunken cooking sing-a-long and that's my pannacotta is the greatest treat!

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    1. That is such a lovely tradition you have. Pannacotta is always awesome but creating cherished memories with your mum at the same time just rocks :)

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  7. An open invite to any strays that have no where to go. A total backyard day under the pergola with a big breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs, croissants and more.... then lunch at 3... as breakfast fills us until then.. Champagne readily available and sunshine should it arrive.

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  8. Is it sad that I'm still a sucker for the joy of watching Carols by Candlelight? Every year my family pay me out but they also make sure it's on so I can enjoy it. I love a good old fashioned carol with the choir in full voice. But this year my big joy topping any tradition is that my eldest is coming home for Christmas. He moved out this year to go to uni in Melbourne and I can't wait to see him and have our little family together for Christmas.

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    1. Loved ones returning home is a good'un. I love that you love Christmas carols. It's the songs and tinsel and lights that made Christmas so magical for me as a child.

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I love comments, whether you agree or disagree with me I would love to hear what you think.