Come to our Craft Party in Sydney

Come and join us for a free craft party! Lisa (the red thread) and I are hosting an abcd social in collaboration with Etsy Australia in Sydney on Saturday 7th June 2014. Bring an old photo, have a cup of tea and a chat and get your craft on with other friendly creative types.

abcd social: meet us at The Finders Keepers market tomorrow

If you are heading to the Sydney Finders Keepers market tomorrow, please stop by the abcd social Shop & Drop In Zone. And join us for Secret Santa!

Lisa Tilse (the red thread) and Steph Bond-Hutkin (Bondville) will be post-shopping flopped down at the seating near the coffee stands and ready for a chat.

Come and join us for a cuppa and catch-up. You won't miss us - just look for the single white helium balloon.

We're also hosting a Secret Santa at 3pm. If you would like to join in, bring along something you have made, baked or bought to swap. Fun! But please be there at 3pm as we will be swapping on the dot.

Date: Saturday 7th December from 3pm - 5pm (the market runs from 10am - 5pm)
Location: Australian Technology Park Exhibition Hall, Locomotive Street, Eveleigh NSW (Entry via Henderson Road)
Nearest train: Redfern Station.
Market Entry fee: $2 entry fee. Children under 12 free.

For more details head to The Finders Keepers website.

We'll have our kids with us - feel free to bring yours too. We can't wait to see you there,

Steph & Lisa

Hashtag: #abcdsocial

What is abcd Social: abcd stands for artist, bloggers, crafters and designers. We run quarterly events for creatives to meet offline in a relaxed, informal environment. You can find photos and posts of previous events on the abcd social page here on Bondville

PS: We’re also on Facebook

Sydney ABCD meet-up at Life InStyle 2013 - photos

We were all totally inspired at another amazing Sydney ABCD (art, craft, design bloggers) meet-up on 28th February. Lisa Tilse (the red thread) and I hosted the first part of the meet-up at the Sydney lifestyle-products event of the year - the Life InStyle and Kids InStyle trade show. We wandered around checking out all the upcoming trends in homewares, kidsware and accessories (my kind of show!) sipping on our sparkling wine, and gathered at a table in front of the Cool Edie's Style Lab.

There were so many Australian designers showing their new products and they were all pretty fabulous. Here are a few photos from our abcd gals on Instagram:

Girls walking the trade show: Margie (My Very Own Eye Goggles), Babs (Patchwork Cactus), Bodhana (Poppet Hill), Michelle (Me We), Claire (Craft Scmaft), Lisa (the red thread).

Gold bike at the entrance.

Margie (My Very Own Eye Goggles) and Bodhana (Poppet Hill) chatting to Tess and Anna from Polli.

 Beautiful jewellery from Polli.

Lighting from Nelson and Co.

 Gold spray-painted pineapples and terrariums.

Various exhibitors' pieces curated by Cool Edie's at The Style Lab.

Sydney creative bloggers taking a break at the abcd meet-up table at Life InStyle.

After much ooh-ing and ah-ing we headed next door to PJ Gallagher's Irish Pub after the show. There was much mixing and chatting in preparation for our small group discussions about wholesale with amazing Life InStyle exhibitors: jewellery designers Polli Design (Anna and Tess), kids' lifestyle desiger Scoops (Sophie) and stationery designers KatyJane Designs (Katy and Jane). They so generously shared their time and experience, and provided us with invaluable advice and tips on taking the next step to wholesale. Thank you ladies!

Chatting, snacking and getting to know each other before the small group discussions.

Learning all about wholesale: Bodhana (Poppet Hill), Tara (Dudley Redhead), Cybele (Blah Blah Magazine), Jo (Wonder Dot), Suzanne (Paper Ivy) and Sally (Jambo Chameleon).

Sally (Jambo Chameleon), Anastasia (Anastasia Drawing & Dreaming), Carolyn (Indie Art and Design, Non Fiction), Lamina (Do A Bit).

Melinda (Paperklip Design), Amanda (My Little Table), Deni (Free Range Living), Kristen (Kristen Doran Design), Michelle (Me We), Margie (My Very Own Goggle Eyes).

Our aim for Sydney ABCD meet-ups has always been to encourage the art, craft and design community online to get out from behind our computers and make connections with each other IRL (in real life). We love our community of creatives here in Sydney and our meet-ups just keep getting better. In the last few years we have also started introducing a theme to our meet-ups to provide an educational element too. Lisa and I have been plotting out some great meet-ups for the rest of the year and can't wait to share the info with you. If you haven't already, please sign up to our abcd meet-up mailing list to be alerted when our new meet-ups are announced. We would love to meet you too :)

Thanks to all the meet-up creatives who came, chatted and shared. Head to their websites to say Hi!: Lisa (the red thread), Jo (Bubala), Melinda (Paperklip Design), Lamina (do a bit), Desleigh (Desleigh), Bodhana (Poppet Hill), Cybele (Blah Blah Magazine), Claire (Craft Schmaft), Anastasia (Anastasia Drawing & Dreaming), Saffron (Saffron Craig Designs), Fiona (Fiona Kate Simply Gorgeous Storage), Kristen and Monique (Kristen Doran Design), Suzanne (Paper Ivy), Amanda (Amanda's Musings), Sheryl (Two Spoonfuls of Sugar), Sally (Jambo Chameleon), Michelle (Me We), Andrea (Andrea Smith Illustration), Helen (Paper Poetry), Bozana (Boz and Love), Tara (Dudley Redhead), Carmen (Carmel's Closet), Deni (Free Range Living), Carolyn (Indie Art & Design, Nonfiction), Margie (My Very Own Eye Goggles), Susie (Flowerpress), Anni (Milk & Honey Photography), Anna (Tea Pea Design), Amanda (My Little Table), Jo (Wonder Dot).

Much thanks as always to my co-host Lisa (the red thread), and to the lovely Jaclyn from Life InStyle (and little paper trees) who orchestrated the trade show visit for us.

Thanks for the Instagram images above go to Lisa @theredthread, Babs @patchworkcactus, Jo @wonderdotshop, Amanda @amandafuller and Anastasia @percivalroad. Other images by me @sbond.

RSVP Now: Sydney abcd meet-up at the Life InStyle trade show

Hey art, craft and design bloggers - hopefully you've already saved the date for our Sydney abcd meet-up at the Life InStyle trade show on Thursday next week. Now it's time to RSVP :)

Life InStyle and Kids InStyle are trade-only shows for retail buyers/exhibitors/media, but this is your chance to get entry to the shows if you've ever wanted to check out all the new trends and homewares, accessories, lifestyle and kids products for the year. How great! Lisa (from the red thread) and I will be hosting the meet-up in two parts:

1. 5-7pm at the champagne reception at the show! Meet us at the foyer to receive your special guest entry badge and wander the show and have a glass of complimentary bubbly with us.

and/or

2. 7-9pm at PJ Gallagher's next to the show venue for a debrief, chat and a panel session all about taking the next step to wholesale with our amazing panelists jewellery and lifestyle products designer Sophie Cooper (Scoops), jewellery designers Tess Lloyd and Anna Murray (Polli) and stationery designers Katy Metcalfe and Jane Chambers (KatyJane Designs). There are food and beverages available to purchase (check the website for details).

You can choose to come to the show, or PJ Gallaghers, or both! But you must RSVP here (first and last name) in the comments section by midnight on Thursday 14th February 2013 (that's Valentine's Day), so that we can make sure you get a special entry badge for the show. Please indicate if you will be attending one or both parts of the event.

Date: Thursday 21st February 2013
Time: 5-7pm at the Life InStyle trade show, Royal Hall of Industries & Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park, NSW.
Time: 7-9pm on the left terrace of PJ Gallagher's Irish Pub, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, NSW
Getting there: All transport details here. Wilson Parking: 0-2hrs free, 2-3hrs $5, 3-4hrs $9, entry after 6pm flat rate $6.
RSVP: with your first and LAST name, your blog and which/both sessions here in the comments section by midnight Thursday 14th February, 2013. (if you would prefer to email your name, you can send to me at steph at stephbond.com)
Cost: FREE 

Hashtag: #abcdmeetup

Graphic: Lisa Tilse (the red thread)

Save the date: Sydney abcd meet-up at Life InStyle trade show

Hi Sydney art, craft and design bloggers! Please pencil in and save the date for our first Sydney abcd meet-up for 2013. Lisa (the red thread) and I are hosting a very special meet-up at the champagne reception on the floor of the Life InStyle trade show in February!

This is usually a trade-only event, meaning that only retail buyers, wholesale stall holders and press can attend the show to check out all the latest trends and homewares, accessories, lifestyle and kids products for the year ahead. But if you would like to come with us as a special guest, you will receive a badge to check out all the exhibitors for two hours and meet up with us for a complimentary sparkly drink. How great.

Oh! And if the 5-7pm timeslot is a little early for you, or if you are too busy checking out the trends to chat at the show, come and meet us after in the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park. We will be convening after the show closes for a de-brief and some panel discussions with a few of our favourite LifeInstyle exhibitors who will share some tips and advice on taking the next step to wholesale. What do you think? Pencil it in!

Date: Thursday 21st February 2013
Time: 5-7pm at the Life Instyle trade show, then 7-9pm at the Entertainment Quarter (venue tba)
Location: Life Instyle trade show at the Royal Hall of Industries & Hordern Pavilion, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, NSW.

RSVP for this event and find all the details here.

Graphic: Lisa Tilse (the red thread)

Thank You 2012

Thank you so much lovely readers for joining me as we have uncovered some amazing Australian designers for Mum, Kids and Home this year. There have been fun real parties by creative Mums, and some gorgeous real kids' rooms designed by you too.

This year here on Bondville - for me - has been about realising the anti-Martha in us all... yes we love pretty things, but they don't have to be within-an-inch-of-its-life perfect. In 2012 rustic ruled, and gypsy/boho continued to gather momentum. Magazines like Kinfolk have paved the way for a more relaxed attitude to lifestyle and entertaining, and I think that's a good thing. There's a real reaction happening to the overwhelming amount of information coming our way and many of us are stepping off the treadmill a little to take things slower, pause a little, and prioritise the important things in life.

Back in June I was truly inspired to 'Make' by Jake Nickell from Threadless.com, and I've been trying to slow down and tackle some crafty projects that have been mulling in my head. Maybe you will join me to take some time out over the holidays too. I'd like to continue to try new things and to simplify life just a little more. An interesting task, with my big girl about to start school! 

So. Let's have a look at just a few of your favourite posts from 2012. It's all about relaxed parties, gorgeous Australian-designed goodies for us, and real kids' rooms with flavour:

Top 5 Posts from 2012

1. Liam's 1st Birthday Party at Sydney Park


2. Emily Green Accessories and Artwork


3. One Year Old Rowan's Worldly Bedroom


4. Aidan's 2nd Sesame Street Birthday Party


5. Modern Printables Elephant Party Pack

I also really loved hosting (with my friend Lisa) the Sydney abcd meet-ups for art, craft and design bloggers. This year we met at Ruby L'otel in April for a Saturday Soiree, held a Sharing-themed evening at The 3 Weeds in August visited the Polli design studio for an Instagram-themed afternoon tea in October. We have been treated to an amazing ombre ruffle cake by Alison Lawson Cakes, ice cream sandwiches from Pat & Stick's Homemade Ice Cream Co. and met some amazing, interesting, creative Sydney bloggers. Our next meet-up is on Thursday 21st February 2013 - please save the date.

This year I have loved working with my amazing Bondville sponsors who help me continue to write about and support independent Australian design: eeni meeni miini moh/e3-M, Minyaka Design, The Wall Sticker Company, Tots n Tales and TinyMe. I also wrote over 30 articles for eBay's Mum's Business website, ranging from small business topics to craft and lifestyle articles. Thanks also to partners The Finders Keepers, Milk & Honey Photography, BrisStyle, bloesem and the 30 fabulous Australian online stores in the Bondville Loves shopping directory.

I'm really excited about 2013 already with a site re-design in the works and as well as showcasing more Australian-designed products, I hope to help us all reach for more creativity in our lives with some in-depth advice and ideas. I'll still be posting here intermittently over the holiday period (and more frequently on Instagram). Please check in and say Hi :)
Steph
x

Sydney abcd meet-up Spring 2012 - afternoon tea, pink caravans and Polli saves the day

We had such a great afternoon on Saturday for our Sydney abcd (art + blog + craft + design) meet-up. If you were in Sydney you would remember it was cool, drizzly and a bit miserable. Our plans for an afternoon at the park were thwarted, until the amazing and generous gals from jewelley design team Polli stepped in to offer their design studio as a venue. We jumped at the chance.

 

 This time Lisa (theredthread) and I joined together with the new Sydney Instagram meet-up group and 25 of us brought a plate of handmade goodies to share with new friendsat the meet-up. We were so lucky to have Kelly from Sweet Jane's Travelling Teahouse on site with her gorgeous pink polka-dot caravan serving tea, coffee and an amazing berry punch.

 After chatting and snacking, we formed small groups to talk about the topic of the day - covering grey hairs and neon shoes. No! Instagram! (although there was a fair amount of time dedicated to shoes and the grey hair issue). Rebecca (Wee Birdy), Jayde (Little Paper Lane) and Jaclyn (Little Paper Trees) led the discussion groups and we talked through how to use Instagram to promote our businesses, privacy issues, copyright issues, and shared stories on how we were using the app. So much to absorb!

It was so fun to collaborate with Lisa (as always), Jayde and Jaclyn from the Instagram group, and with Tess and Anna from Polli. Lisa brought the fabric bunting, vintage table cloths and chalkboard, Jayde arrived with flowers from The Flower Drum, Instagram bunting, thousands of washi tape rolls and the great jars, Jaclyn brought flowers and her styling nouse, the Polli ladies provided the incredible space, ladder and water drinks station, and I brought a car-load of jasmine, bougainvillea, geraniums, daisies and cuttings from the garden. We all got busy styling up a storm to go with our vintage afternoon tea theme.

These are some more of the amazing ladies that we met, chatted to, and learned from: Catherine DuBois, Sophie (Scoops Design), Michelle (MeWe), Tessa (Down That Little Lane), Lisa (And A Day Photography), Tara (Dudley Redhead), Jodie (Apple Cart Co), Steph (Moobear Designs and OverIt! Designs), Sheryl Cole (twospoonfulsofsugar), Lamina (Do A Bit), Rachael (The Bowerbird Girl), Anika (Miss Luzi), Fiona (Fiona Kate Simple Gorgeous Storage), Makisa (Studio Luxe), Alyssa (Red Bow Designs), Babs (Patchwork Cactus) and Kirsten (Lilypad Designs).

Thank you so much to my ever-fabulous hosting partner Lisa, Instagram buddies Jaclyn and Jayde, and Anna and Tess from Polli for collaborating on such a fun and inspiring afternoon. Steph from Moobear Designs gave us the biggest compliment of all saying that the event was "an inspiring, friendly and truly unique event". We couldn't ask for a better response. Thanks Steph! Of course it's always about the interesting, fun, lovely people who come along each time and we can't wait to see you all again on 21st February 2013 for an extra special meet-up that we are sooooo excited about. More details soon!

To keep up-to-date on new events, join the abcd meet-up mailing list right here, and you can also find us on Facebook (although we recommend the mailing list as you may not see it in your FB feed).

See previous abcd meet-ups here. For more amazing photos, head over to Jaclyn's blog Little Paper Trees and Lisa's blog theredthread and check out the hashtags #abcdmeetup or @sydneyinstameet on Instagram.


PS: You can also find me on Instagram (sbond).

Reminder - Sydney abcd meet-up is on tomorrow

Hi everyone - just a reminder that the Sydney abcd meet-up and Sydney Instagram meet-up for art, craft and design bloggers is on tomorrow at Callan Park in Lilyfield from 3-5pm. For all details, check out this post. Hope to see you there,
Steph

Sydney abcd meet-up: let's talk about Instagram

Let's face it - you're probably over Facebook. Twitter is an endless stream of noise. And Pinterest is perfection, but a bit of a solitary pursuit. So why not check out Instagram? This social media platform is tailor-made for those of us who prefer to communicate via images instead of just words. It's full of interesting, creative people sharing happy things. Interested to hear more, or share your thoughts?

Lisa (the red thread) and I are hosting an Instagram-themed Sydney abcd meet-up for art, craft and design bloggers! We will be meeting for a leisurely pot luck afternoon tea on Saturday 3^rd November from 3-5pm in Lilyfield's Callan Park. Bring along a little something sweet to share with everyone; tea and coffee will be available to purchase from Sweet Jane's Travelling Teahouse. How fun. And... the Sydney Instagram Meet-up folks will be joining us!

There will be lots of interesting new people to meet from the Sydney Instagram group (organised by the fabulous Jaclyn (little paper trees) and Jayde (little paper lane)), and for those who are interested, we'll dedicate about 40 minutes to small-group discussions with the aim of sharing ideas and learning more about Instagram, and how to use it as a personal and professional tool. Each group will be led by one of our friends from the Sydney Instagram group to provide their expertise.

Want to join us? RSVP right here on Lisa's blog the red thread. No goodie bags this time, but we do appreciate you bringing a plate of something homemade to share for afternoon tea.

We would also love for you to provide us with some feedback in our online survey. If you weren't able to fill the survey out at our last meet-up, please clickhere to share your thoughts on how to make our abcd meet-ups work best for you.

We can't wait to see you there,

Steph & Lisa

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Sydney abcd meet-up Spring 2012

Date: 3-5pm Saturday 3^rd November 2012

Location: Wet weather option is in place: the gorgeous Polli design studio: 8/43-53 Bridge Road, Stanmore NSW 2048

Parking/Transport: enter via the wooden gates at the roundabout (look for disabled sign). Lots of street parking (ignore no stopping signs that only for during the night hours). Stanmore train station only 5-10 min walk; buses 5 min walk on Parramatta Rd (alight Bridge St).

RSVP:  here on Lisa's blog the red thread

PS: Don't forget our online survey - we would love to hear your thoughts.  

Image: photo and logo by Lisa Tilse (the red thread) for abcd meet-up

Sydney abcd meet-up Winter 2012 - the goodie bag

As promised, here are some photos from the ever-fabulous goodie bag from our abcd meet-up for art, craft and design bloggers in Sydney on Thursday night. The theme this time was 'Sharing' and we encouraged everyone to share something personal to them - from ideas to favourites to things you have made. There were must-try recipes, favourite links, taste-explosion raspberry brownies, and more.

Thank you so much to all the new friends and old that added so much to our conversation: Saffron Saffron Craig Fabrics | Sophie Scoops Design | Amy Badskirt | Kirsten Lilypad Designs | Rachel Rachel Willis Design & The Bowerbird Girl | Amanda Easy Peasy Organic (welcome to our first interstate visitor!) | Lamina Do A Bit | Helen Paper Poetry | Mel Rainbow Lane | Kate Katie Crackernuts | Caroline and Maryann Sew Together | Sarah Twice Designs | Helen ColourMeArt | Cath Bungalow Babble | Sarah Gifts Created | Lisa the red thread | Fran Très Divin | Sarah Sarah Fielke, The Last Piece | Siobhan Beaspoke Quilts | Kirsten Prints Charming | Flo Plume Au Vent | Jo Bubala | Tamara Tamara Ruicens | Sheryl Two Spoonfuls Of Sugar

A huge thank-you of course to my partner in crime Lisa (the red thread) who is the perfect co-organiser and buddy to boot. And did I mention talented? And super-stylish? Go check out her blog here. See you again in November!

Images: Steph Bond-Hutkin | Bondville