The Weekender

I was fortunate to be interviewed by local Sunshine Coast lifestyle magazine 'The Weekender'.  They contacted me a couple of weeks ago, sent me a list of questions then had a photo shoot at my house - that's the kitchen wall I'm standing in front of!  I'm not used to being the centre of attention and it was confronting...in a nice way of course. 

When the questions came through I found it hard to write about myself because I'm used to writing about other people/products as my daytime career is in marketing for a tourist attraction.  So I pretended I was writing about another person and the words flowed and I couldn't seem to shut up.

I really like the picture of me in my workshop, you can just about see a few pieces of vintage kimono hanging behind me....yet to be upcycled into something wonderful.

I first saw the article when I sat down for lunch at a cafe and I was shocked that little me had received a double page spread - wow - thank you The Weekender! 

She wore it!

As mentioned in a previous post last Wednesday night Natalia from The Renovators wore one of my flowers in her hair - here's the proof!

I sent her an email the following day and she promptly replied saying how she loves to support local business and it was a pleasure to wear the flower in her hair.  It would be great if a fashion/woman's magazine mentioned what the contestants wore.  I must go check The Renovators website to see if they have.

Over the past two days, two of my suppliers needed lots more flowers so now I'm down to hardly any left!  That means I get to fold and stitch and fold and stitch and fold and stitch.  Looking forward to it!

Website!

My website http://www.mindilindi.com.au/ is now live and features my products, stockists, bio and an online store.  It was very easy to set up - a nice surprise as I thought it would be painful.  I used Weebly (weebly.com) as the web creators and I highly recommend them - the price was extremely reasonable too.  At one stage I got a little confused so I rang them late Sunday night and a very helpful person sorted out my problem.  Voila!

For a limited time the prices in the online store include postage within Australia.  I hope you like it!

As seen on TV!!!!

Natalia from Channel Ten programme The Renovators will be wearing one of my flowers in the show later this week.  She was styled by Soul Diva at Buderim and her outfit is from Queensland designers including MindiLindi (that's me!!!), Momoko and Sacha Drake.  Go Natalia - I hope you win!!

Making Kanzashi

I'm dreaming about going to Japan and sourcing my own vintag Kimono....one day in the not too far distant  future.  It's a rainy day today and perfect for staying indoors and making Kanzashi.  The first photo shows the vintage Kimono fabric in one piece, the second photo is after I have sliced it up and folded it into a beautiful Kanzashi flower.

All these flowers need now is a button or bead centre and the pin/clasp back.   I have plenty more flowers to make so I'd better get back to it. 

These flowers retail for $25....contact me if you're interested - they're one of a kind and I guarantee you'll get plenty of admirers.

Vintage Kimono

I bought some vintage Kimono fabric from eBay earlier this week and am happy with what I chose.  As the fabric is very fine I ironed stabiliser onto the back of it before cutting it up ready to make a flower.  You can see in the picture below what the fabric looks like before I chopped it up...on the left hand side is the flower I made (yet to be completed with a decorative centre).

I love not knowing exactly what the flower is going to look like until it's complete.  Here's the next piece of fabric - this one is also vintage Kimono silk and the red is so bright and luscious - I can't wait to get the rotary cutter onto it!

And here's the last one....the blue is going to look amazing once made into a flower.  This fabric is a cotton and very thin, almost see-through. 

I have some exciting news as well - the Creative Arts Centre at the Hyatt Regency Coolum has taken some of my pieces to sell in their gallery!  A great week.

Wow!

Yesterday I travelled to Brisbane and attended a workshop held at Piece Together Woolloongabba and hosted by Melanie Gray Augustin from Kimono Reincarnate.  All is can is 'wow' as I had such a wonderful time learning how to make folded flowers from a professional.  Tammy from Piece Together was a wonderful host and her combined studio, workshop and marketplace is to die for - seriously.  If you live in Brisbane you have to contact Tammy at Piece Together to see for yourself.  Here's the two Kanzashi flowers I made using vintage Kimono fabric supplied by Melanie who sources Kimono direct from Japan - a dream for me to do one day!!!!

I couldn't help my myself and bought some vintage Kimono fabric to play around with......

...and here's what I've made so far!  I'll wear the larger ones as a brooch and the smaller ones as a hairclip.

I hope you are having as productive a day as I am.  No doubt I'll be making these all afternoon and well into the night.  If you'd like one of these for yourself or as a gift for someone just contact me.