Hip Products: Made By White jewellery

In the Nushka Dolls article, veri maz commented that she loves matryoshka dolls almost as much as she loves squirrels and owls and octopus and deer and possums. Well Made By White jewellery is the label for her. These sisters are on the money. They have covered all the cool icon bases and then some with their whimsical designs that are modern and attention-getting.

Without a doubt, my favourites are the Mexican-inspired calaveras skulls. Are they the matryoshka of 2009? Cute and kind of scary at the same time - great combination. And how can you go past the dancing bears with skirts!

New South Wales-based sisters Lyndsay and Kelly White are on a mission to bring the fun back to wearable art. They use materials like wood, laminate, perspex, and of course sterling silver chains and earring backs to create a fun range that includes brooches, earrings, buttons, wall hangings, and knitted spooks.

Check out the Made By White website for the online shop (where you can search by colour) and a list of stockists online, around Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, and the US.

Image: Made By White

Hip Products: Nushka Dolls

If you love matryoshka dolls as much as I do, you'll dig this cool modern version of Russian nesting dolls created by clever Melissa Gardener. Her Nushka Dolls (new + babushka = clever!) are beautiful pieces of art and oh-so cool.

These are not your everyday matroyshkas. These are sweet dolls with groovy haircuts and unexpected designs. Just wait until you see the new styles. Love them.

The limited edition wooden dolls are hand-painted by Melissa in Brisbane with acrylic-based paints and then coated with a high gloss varnish to protect the designs.

A gorgeous gift, you can find Nushka Dolls on the website and on Etsy. Check out all the designs and behind-the-scenes on the Nushka Dolls blog and Flickr photostream. And a little more about Melissa's other talents on her site.

Image: Nushka Dolls

Hip Products: Notes To A Further Excuse

UK-based Aussie Diane is an editor for graphic design and photography books during the day, and a serious crafter at night - working on her accessories label Notes To A Further Excuse.

Diane has a great eye for marrying current themes (matryoshka dolls! calaveras skulls! bird silhouettes! kokeshi dolls!) with hip product design. She uses gorgeous fabric (including Alexander Henry, Erin McMorris and quirky Japanese designs) to handcraft totes, clutches, sweet coin purses and soon home furnishings. So very cool.

Diane explains that the aim of Notes To A Further Excuse is "to create practical and durable bags, accessories and home furnishings, and to provide an alternative to high-street, mass-made products." Pieces are beautifully crafted with both machine stitching and a hand-sewn element.

Diane is based by the seaside in Hove, in the south of England, and is originally from Brisbane, Australia. You can find Notes To A Further Excuse on Etsy, Folksy (UK) and at select markets and craft fairs in the UK (keep an eye on the Notes blog for details). Look for new designs on the Notes Flickr photostream.

Images: Notes To A Further Excuse via Flickr

Little Mary Moo's Giveaway

Brisbane-based Little Mary Moo creates lovely bags and purses using vintage, reclaimed, and new fabric from some of my favourite designers. There is a great giveaway happening on the Little Mary Moo blog - this gorgoeus Matryoshka doll tote using Japanese designer Kokka fabric is up for grabs. All you need to do is comment about what made you smile today on the Little Mary Moo post here before October 23rd, and the bag could be yours. International commenters are welcome. Thanks Little Mary Moo for such a great giveaway! (note - don't comment here - head over to Little Mary Moo.)

You can find Little Mary Moo bags here on Etsy.

Image: Little Mary Moo

Hip Products: Kristen Doran's Matryoshka Doll Fabric

Matryoshka Dolls are so cool right now and talented textile designer Kristen Doran has launched a beautiful fabric design featuring the little Russian nesting dolls. You can use the fabric for any kind of project, but the genius is that you can cut them out, stuff them, and you have your very own Matryoshka/Matrioshka softies. And clever Kristen has even made them into adorable brooches. You can find Kristen Doran's Matryoshka Doll fabric at Kelani Fabric Obsession.

Image: Steph Bond